Griffith City Council has progressed significant business items during its ordinary meeting on November 26, adopting the annual report for 2024/25 and awarding major contracts for quarry operations and road sealing.

The council meeting, held at the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening, saw all motions passed unanimously with seven votes in favour and none opposed. The meeting concluded at 8.12pm after addressing a range of operational and strategic matters.

Among the key decisions, council adopted the Griffith City Council Annual Report 2024/25 along with the audited annual financial statements for the reporting period.

The annual report details council's activities across the year and confirms the organisation's financial position, which the documents noted remains under critical pressure requiring close attention during the 2025/26 financial year.

The general fund cash position was highlighted as an area requiring continued monitoring, reflecting ongoing fiscal challenges facing the council. The report acknowledged several factors impacting council finances, including rate pegging constraints, cost shifting from other levels of government, high inflation and rising service costs, and declining real value of operating grants.

Council also resolved to endorse tender awards for two significant operational contracts.

Tender number nine for the operation and management of Tharbogang Quarry, along with supply of road-making materials from Tharbogang Quarry and contractors' nominated quarries, was awarded.

The successful tender will see the contractor serve as principal contractor and mines manager for the Tharbogang Quarry operations. A second tender for the supply and delivery of road sealing materials was also approved, with works scheduled to commence in December 2025.

The general manager was endorsed to approve expenditure in accordance with the tender terms for both contracts. The November 26 meeting followed an earlier ordinary council meeting on November 11, at which councillors debated community survey results regarding the proposed establishment of a Western Riverina Local Health District. Minutes from that meeting were confirmed during the November 26 session.

In accordance with council's Code of Meeting Practice and the Local Government Act 1993, the meeting was live-streamed and recorded by council staff for minute-taking and webcasting purposes.

Members of the public had the opportunity to attend in person at the council chambers on Benerembah Street.

The council's adoption of its annual report fulfills statutory requirements under Section 419 of the Local Government Act 1993, which mandates that councils prepare annual reports containing audited financial statements. The report and financial statements will be uploaded to council's website for public access. Council meetings continue on a regular schedule, generally held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, though special meetings may be convened as required to address urgent business matters.