Public Exhibition Feedback

• Community feedback received during the public exhibition period and at the community information sessions in relation to the proposed “Closure of the Niangala and Watsons Creek Small Vehicle Transfer Station’s” was strongly in opposition of the closure of both sites.

Council’s Decision

• Council has requested a proposal to keep the Niangala and Watsons Creek Small Vehicle Transfer Stations open including the associated costs and how these will be recovered.
• This new proposal recommends the facilities operate in the same capacity as other remote small vehicle transfer stations across the region. This includes:
  • Municipal Residential waste deliveries only
  • Recycling drop service
  • Green Waste drop off
  • Scrap Metal drop off
  • Accept Bulky Household Waste Material

• The facilities will NOT accept commercial loads, asbestos, concrete and demolition waste, and household chemicals.

Proposed New Operating Capacity

• It is proposed both facilities will open for 6 hours a week (x2 3-hour sessions) and be manned.
  • Niangala - Tuesday 1pm to 4pm and Saturday 1pm to 4pm
  • Watsons Creek - Wednesday 8:30am to 11:30am and Saturday 1pm to 4pm
• Disposal fees will be charged at both locations in line with Council’s Fees and Charges.
• Improvement works are required for these changes to take place. In the event Council adopts the new proposal the facilities will continue to operate as they have until the improvement works have been completed.
• Updates on the operation of the facilities will be published on Council’s Have Your Say website (haveyoursay.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/svtstclosures) and on signage at the facilities.

Proposed Costs

• The operating costs to keep both facilities open in the same capacity as other remote small vehicle transfer stations is estimated at $233,638 per annum.
• It is proposed that these costs are recovered through the annual Base Charge of all properties in the Regional Remote zone.
• The original proposed Base Charge for Regional Remote properties was $51.00.
• It is now proposed that this Base Charge is $150.00 to recover the costs of keeping the Niangala and Watsons Creek facilities open.

Timeline

• Public exhibition for new proposed Base Charge is open until 17 June 2022. You can have you say by visiting haveyoursay.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/our-delivery-plan-2023-2025, sending an email to trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au, or by sending a letter to The General Manager, Tamworth Regional Council, PO Box 555, Tamworth, NSW, 2340.
• A report will be presented to Council on Tuesday 28 June seeking a final decision.
• A community update will be published on Council’s Have Your Say website and social media on Wednesday 29 June.