December 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting Snapshot

• Code of Meeting Practice Policy - Council adopted its Draft Code of Meeting Practice Policy following a public exhibition period that drew no submissions. The policy, initially presented at the ordinary meeting on 23 September 2025, was placed on public exhibition from 24 September to 22 October 2025. With no objections received, the Governance & Corporate Performance department has recommended formal adoption of the policy.

• Meeting Structure and Panel Schedule - Council adopted the Code of Meeting Practice Policy and a new meeting structure to improve transparency and governance. Ordinary Council Meetings will be held at the Molong Office on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 2:00pm. Standing Committee Meetings, Mayoral Information Sessions, and Public Address sessions will occur as required on the second Tuesday of each month.

  The bi-monthly Panel Committee cycle has also been set:

  Panel A (Clrs O’Ryan, Weaver, Jones, Pearson): Infrastructure (Community) – Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec; Community, Economy & Culture – Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov.

  Panel B (Clrs Pull, Rawson, Batten, Nash): Environment, Innovation & Energy – Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec; Infrastructure (Transport) – Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov.

• Council Adopts 2025/26 Agency Information Guide - Council adopted the 2025/26 Agency Information Guide (AIG), as required under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. The AIG outlines council’s structure, decision-making processes, and how government information is made publicly available, including mandatory proactive releases. The guide ensures transparency and public access to information via council’s website.

• Council Endorses Donations to Support Local Initiatives - Council has endorsed two donations under the 2025/26 Section 356 budget: $200 to assist Sam Hamilton of Canowindra in attending a 10-day soccer training camp with Barca Academy in Barcelona. A Family Season Pass for Cabonne Village Pools (2026–2027), valued at $183, for Yeoval Preschool’s annual Christmas raffle to support a new Bushland Playground project.

• Council Approves Event Sponsorship Funding - Council has approved funding under its 2025/26 Event Sponsorship Program: $5,500 to FOOD Week Inc. for Meet the Producer workshops during the 2026 FOOD Week Festival. $8,000 to Eugowra Show Society to host the 2026 NSW Young Woman Zone 6 Final. Both events aim to promote regional producers, tourism, and community engagement.

• Cabonne Council has endorsed 100% renewable energy for all sites, adding about $25,000 annually to the Small Market Sites electricity contract. The Eugowra solar project, a 2.14MW plant with battery storage is progressing, with construction starting January and energisation set for May 2026. Council will use an electricity aggregator to sell power into the wholesale market, helping offset emissions and generate revenue. The $5.15M project remains on budget.

  • Cabonne Council has endorsed a grant application under the NSW Clubgrants program to install a 100kW solar array and battery system at the Cabonne Community Centre in Molong. The upgrade will provide backup power during emergencies. If successful, Council will contribute $165,928 from its Future Innovation reserve toward the $331,856 project cost. A report will follow once the outcome is known.

  • Cabonne Council has endorsed the draft Canowindra Flood Study – December 2025 and the draft Eugowra Flood Study – December 2025 for public exhibition. Both studies use updated 2D flood modelling and the latest Australian Rainfall and Runoff guidelines, calibrated with data from the catastrophic November 2022 flood event. Community feedback helped confirm the models, which define flood extents for varying scenarios and will guide future planning and mitigation. Residents are encouraged to review the studies and provide feedback. These documents are now available on Council’s website until Tuesday, 19 February 2026.
    
    

  • Oaky Lane Signage - Council has approved the installation of signage at both ends of Oaky Lane, advising that the unmaintained middle section is suitable for 4WD and emergency vehicles only. The decision follows concerns about erosion and safety, with upgrade costs estimated at $1.9 million. Signage will improve safety for motorists using navigation apps that direct them through the area.

  • Naming of Jackson Road - Council will place on public exhibition for 28 days a proposal to name an existing road off Kangaroobie Road as “Jackson Road”, recognising the historic link to the Jackson family, who have owned the property for four generations. Pre-approval for the name has been granted by the Geographical Names Board. If no objections are received, the name will be formally adopted under the Roads Act 1993.

  • Clifton Grove Rezoning Proposal - Council has endorsed the rezoning of Lot 551 and part of Lot 553 at 11 Strathnook Lane, Clifton Grove from RU1 Primary Production to R5 Large Lot Residential with a 2-hectare minimum lot size. The proposal was publicly exhibited from 15 September to 14 October 2025, with nine submissions received and reviewed. Key concerns included the indicative concept plan, minimum lot size, and process transparency. Council noted that the concept plan is not a final subdivision layout and any future development will require a separate application and assessment. Consultation was undertaken with NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – Biodiversity, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Orange City Council. No changes were required, and no substantive objections were raised by agencies. Council will now proceed with finalisation, including drafting the legal instrument and LEP mapping with DPIE assistance. 

   

For the full business paper and minutes, click here