The Albury Wodonga Health Hospital development, the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and designation and delegation of restrictions for Bright Rod Run 2025 were on the agenda at last night's Ordinary Council Meeting.
At the meeting, Council:
> Noted that Contract No. 26078 for Asphalt Overlay 2025/25 was approved under delegation by the CEO.
> Affirmed support for the development of a new single-site hospital for Albury-Wodonga Health in a greenfield location; and
> Authorised the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer to continue to advocate in support of this outcome.
> Resolved to prepare and submit a letter of objection to the Minister for Planning in relation to Planning Application PA2403308 for the use and development of a utility installation (Battery Energy Storage System – BESS), removal of native vegetation, alteration to an access to a Transport 2 zone and ancillary buildings and works associated with the ancillary buildings and works on the land known as Yackandandah – Dederang Road, Dederang.
> Received and noted the Quarterly Performance Report for the period ending 31 December 2025.
> Noted the outcomes of the Bright Rod Run 2024 post-event debrief;
> Noted that Council Officers will adjust the management of the informal Bright CBD aspects of the 2025 event to improve traffic management, reduce risk, and support emergency services access;
> Noted the proposed allocated of $60,000 in the draft 2025/26 Annual Budget to support traffic management, risk mitigation, facility, and waste management costs in the Bright CBD;
> Approved the implementation of alcohol restrictions in Bright town centre and Pioneer Park from 10pm on Thursday, 6 November 2025 to 7am on Monday, 10 November 2025 under Clause 2.2.1 of the Alpine Shire Community Local Law 2019;
> Noted that Bright Rod and Kustom Club Inc. hosts a ticketed event in Pioneer Park which is yet to be permitted by Council;
> Noted that the Alpine Hotel must apply for a separate event permit to extend the red line to the front of the Hotel; and
> Noted that Council will work with licensed operators in the restricted area to support them to operate within their red line area in compliance with event permit requirements.
> Noted the updated Terms of Reference for the North-East Local Government Waste and Recovery Forum;
> Appointed Councillor Graham as a member of the Forum; and
> Agreed to actively participate in the Forum by ensuring representation at meetings convened by the Forum.
> Deferred consideration of a recommendation to purchase part of the discontinued road comprising of Crown Allotment 2035 Parish Mullindolingong for $21,312.32 to the March Ordinary Council Meeting*
> Received the summary of informal meetings of Councillors for January/February 2025.
To read the agenda and attachments, visit: https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-council/council-meetings/council-meetings-2025
The meeting recording can be viewed on Council's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-PGd5Qj6FU
*EDIT | This media release originally stated that Council resolved to purchase part of the discontinued road comprising of Crown Allotment 2035 Parish Mullindolingong for $21,312.32, authorising the payment of the statutory charges at the rate applicable at the time of payment; authorised the Chief Executive Officer to undertake all actions and to sign all documents required to give effect the purchase of the discontinued road; and approved an unbudgeted spend of up to $22,000.00 in the 2024/25 financial year to complete the purchase. Council in fact deferred consideration of a recommendation to purchase part of the discontinued road to the March Ordinary Council Meeting. The media release was amended.