Council meeting summary: November 2025

Published on 19 November 2025

Below is a summary of some agenda items and resolutions from the November 2025 Council meeting.

Please note, planning and development decisions are not summarised and should be read in-full via the meeting agenda on council’s website here.

Resolutions relating to confidential items can be found in the meeting minutes, generally available no later than 48 hours after the meeting. 

January Council meeting cancelled

Due to reduced operational demand during the Christmas and new year period Council resolved to cancel the Ordinary Council Meeting scheduled for 27 January 2026.

Councils are required to meet at least ten times each year, with meetings held across different months. Council’s adopted meeting schedule for 2026 meets this statutory requirement without the need for an Ordinary Meeting in January.

Any urgent business arising during this period may be managed through an Extraordinary Council Meeting or under existing delegations to the Chief Executive Officer.

Adopted Policies

Council adopted the following policies, following a public display period. No submissions were received.

• Councillors Expenses & Facilities Policy V#5
• Councillor & Council Officer Interaction Policy V#3
• Council-Related Development Application Policy V#1

Quarterly Budget Review

Council has completed its first quarterly budget review for the 2025–26 financial year. The full report can be found as an attachment to the Council Agenda item 9.2.3.

Key points from the review:

• Operational balance: When capital revenue is excluded, the result shows a $6.2 million deficit, an increase of $2.2m, mainly due to changes between operational and capital project timing and reduced grant income. The changes have been influenced by reclassification of existing projects under relevant accounting standards, and reserve movements.
• Capital works: The capital program has reduced by $0.6 million, reflecting a shift toward renewal projects carried over from last financial year.
• Funding sources: Council’s funding position improved by $2.4 million, thanks to the use of reserves and previously unspent grants.
• Revenue: Rates and charges increased slightly due to regional growth, contributing to a 1% overall rise in income.
• Expenses: Expenses rose by 3.4%, mainly due to updated accounting treatments for software projects and higher depreciation following asset revaluations.

2024/2025 Audited Financial Statements and Reports

Council has received the Audited Financial Statements for 2024/2025, along with the Auditor’s Reports for the General Purpose, Special Purpose and Special Schedules statements.

The Auditor issued an unmodified opinion, confirming the statements present Council’s finances fairly and in line with accounting standards.

Copies of the audited statements and reports are available for public inspection on Council’s website and at customer service centres throughout November 2025. Public submissions close on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, and no submissions had been received at the time of reporting.

2024/2025 Annual Report

Council has formally adopted its 2024/25 Annual Report, which highlights key achievements, projects and financial performance over the past year.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of Council’s operations, including progress on community priorities, delivery of major infrastructure works and continued focus on financial sustainability and service delivery.

The 2024/25 Annual Report will be available for the community to view on Council’s website.

Section 355 Committee Reports

Each month, council receives meeting minutes from various Section 355 Committees.

These committees are delegated by Council to oversee the day-to-day management of facilities owned by MRC and provide advice about their ongoing upkeep. Council has 18 Section 355 committees that are made up of community volunteers.

The following meeting minutes were received for information this month:

• Friends of Old Moama - October 2025
• Koraleigh Hall Committee - October 2025
• Mathoura Retirement Village - August 2025

Unaudited Financial Statements

Council received the Unaudited Financial Statements for the period to 29 October 2025 (FY 2025/26).

This monthly reporting practice by the Finance Team is not a regulatory requirement but is provided to ensure transparency and in keeping with financial reporting best practice.

The statements and summary are available as an attachment to the Council Agenda item 9.2.7.

Koraleigh Hall & Recreation Reserve Committee of Management AGM and elections

The Annual General Meeting of the Koraleigh Hall and Recreation Reserve Committee was held on 15 October, 2025.

General elections were held at this meeting, with advice of newly elected committee members received and endorsed by Council at its October meeting. 

The Koraleigh Hall and Recreation Reserve Committee is a Section 355 Committee of Council, tasked with overseeing the day-to-day management and operations of the local Hall and Rec Reserve.

Award of Internal Audit Services

Council has approved a new four-year contract for the Provision of Internal Audit Services following a public tender process.

The appointment ensures Council continues to meet its obligations under the Local Government Act and Regulation to maintain an effective and independent internal audit function, overseen by the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

The tender evaluation panel’s recommendation was supported by the Committee, which also provided input on performance indicators to guide the management of the new contract.

Council resolves to pause plans for Meninya Street Precinct

Council received an update on the status of the overall Meninya Street Precinct Project at its November meeting, resolving to pause detailed design works while it clarifies the project’s future direction. The update was provided in recognition that, although the project has progressed under previous Council resolutions, the current Council has not yet had the opportunity to formally reaffirm its commitment.

Council has determined that pausing the design phase will allow space to reassess community expectations, financial considerations and the overall scope before deciding on the future direction of the CBD and Moama.

Murray River Council Local Transport Forum

Council noted the actions from the Murray River Council Local Transport Forum held on Tuesday 14 October, including:

• Transport for NSW (TfNSW) outlined recent updates of the Road Transport Administration Act and Road Act, resulting in new delegations that give Councils autonomy to install signs, lines, pedestrian crossings and parking restrictions on local road networks without prior endorsement from the Local Transport Forum. Councils must report these actions at the next transport forum. Any impact on State Roads will still require concurrence from TfNSW.
• Formal request for speed reductions on Barmah Road and Twenty-Four Lane Moama to be submitted to TfNSW.
• MRC to contact Campaspe Shire Council, Dept of Transport (Vic) and / or National Heavy Vehicle Regulator regarding truck route and heavy vehicle access from Victoria.
• Formal request for speed reduction for Maude Road – MRC advised that more information and data collection is required. A formal request for speed reduction will be submitted upon completion of this process.
• MRC Installation of additional speed signs on Lignum Road to be completed mid-October.
• TfNSW will provide an update on the status of the Nicholas Drive / Cobb Highway preliminary investigation at the next opportunity.

Mid Murray Local Emergency Management Committee & Mid Murray Local Rescue Committee Meeting

Council noted the minutes of the Mid Murray Local Emergency Management Committee & Mid Murray Local Rescue Committee (incorporating Edward River Council & Murray River Council).

Actions included:

• Ambulance NSW to provide an update on the Heatwave Consequence Management Guide (CMG).
• Welfare Services Functional Area (WelFAC) to work with MRC to ensure contact details for evacuation centres are up to date.
• Regional Emergency Management Officer (REMO) to distribute information to Councils on “Cool Place Guidelines” with feedback sought and decision made on whether a nominated Cool Place can be advertised through to the Community.
• Edward River Council (ERC) to provide Transport for NSW an update on the Deni Ute Muster re traffic.
• REMO to request update from Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC) and Cross Border Commissioner in relation to VIC SES involvement in an event and what / if any authority they have.
• Schedule livestock carrier to attend the next Local Rescue Committee meeting to review livestock crate operation.

Council proposes reclassification of selected land parcels

Council is proposing to reclassify 8 parcels of Council-owned land from Community Land to Operational Land as part of its ongoing work to better manage and maintain local assets.

Several of the sites already function as operational drainage reserves, so the proposed reclassification simply brings their planning status in line with their existing use.

No land can be reclassified via the Gateway process unless full public exhibition of the proposal has taken place, including a submission period and a public hearing.

Subject sites:

• Moama, Lawson Drive, Lot 27 DP253930
• Tooleybuc, 3 Wakool Street, Lot 2 DP 8567575
• Goodnight, Pevensey Lane, Lot 46 DP 12982
• Murray Downs, Swan Hill Road, Lot 73, DP 1117956
• Moama, 14 Centennial Street, Lot 327 DP 1294514 (drainage reserve)
• Moama, Lignum Road, Lot 41 DP 1277564 (drainage reserve)
• Moama, Beer Road, Lot 209 DP 1307464 (drainage reserve)
• Barham, Rivergums Drive, Lot 10 DP 10309193 (drainage reserve)

Draft Policies on display

The following draft compliance policies were adopted:

• Compliance & Enforcement Policy V#1
• Companion Animal Breeding Policy V#2
• Dangerous or Menacing Dog Management Policy V#1

The draft policies will be on public exhibition for a period of 28-days. These will be on council’s website in the coming week.

New ‘Notice to Register’ form

Council has introduced a new “Notice to Register” form under Section 10B of the Companion Animals Act 1998 to strengthen enforcement of pet registration requirements.

As there is no standard form issued by the Office of Local Government, Council has formally adopted its own version to ensure it is legally valid and consistent with the Act.

This action will ensure that Council officers are equipped with a valid and enforceable tool to address non-compliance with animal registration requirements.

The new form will help authorised officers address non-compliance with animal registration requirements more effectively, supporting responsible pet ownership across the community.

Notices of Motion

Notices of motion are submitted by councillors for consideration. The following was raised at the November meeting:

1. That council seek estimates and costings to seal Gonn-Mellool (Murrabit) Road

Discussion:  Council officers will progress with seeking a cost estimate, as requested.

Council also continues to maintain Murrabit Road through its renewal program. Around 10km of resheeting was completed in 2024/25, and a further $370,000 is budgeted in 2025/26 to resheet the remaining 12.3km.

2. That Council Lease the former Moama Council Offices and receive a further report of the EOI for Councils consideration and endorsement.

Discussion: Council agreed, and will receive a further report on what is required for an EOI process.

3. That council Authorise the Chief Executive Office to accept the grant of $1,078,164 (excluding GST) and funding deed under the NSW Sustainable Communities Grant Program for the Moama CBD Entry Redevelopment Project; and approve an additional contribution of $169,036 in unbudgeted funds to the project, bringing council’s total contribution to $369,036.

Discussion: Council has resolved to accept the funding to support redevelopment works at 6 Meninya Street and revitalise a key entry point into Moama’s CBD. Council took a vote on the matter with 5 in favour and 4 against. Council will also focus on identifying and developing priority projects within the Greater Wakool Ward and Greater Murray Ward for submission under future rounds of the Sustainable Communities Program.