Council Meeting Summary: 24 August 2021

General

A monthly Council Meeting was held virtually last night, Tuesday 24 August, with all Councillors in attendance. The meeting was livestreamed on Council’s website and YouTube page.

public Question Time

Following the Acknowledgement of Country, there were questions from four residents submitted for Public Question Time. The submitters did not attend the virtual meeting and answers to their questions will be sent directly to the questioner.

DELEGATES REPORT

The Delegates Report followed, with Councillors providing updates on a range of meetings and engagements over the past month.

P20341 – 1115 Shelford-Mt Mercer road, Shelford (Broiler farm)

Council considered an application to grant a planning permit for the use and development of the land for the purposes of a broiler farm and associated buildings and works at 1115 Shelford-Mt Mercer Road, Shelford, subject to a number of conditions. Following a presentation from the applicant and the reading of several objector submissions by Mayor Cr Kirby, Council did not determine the planning permit application.

P20426 – 1115 Shelford-Mt Mercer road, Shelford (materials recycling)

Council considered an application to grant a planning permit for the use and development of the land for the purposes of materials recycling and associated buildings and works at 1115 Shelford-Mt Mercer Road, Shelford, subject to a number of conditions. As the development was to support the previous proposal (P20341) which was not determined by Council, Council debated a motion to defer the item, however then proceeded with consideration of the permit application. Following a presentation from the applicant and the reading of several objector submissions by Mayor Cr Kirby, Council approved the planning permit application.

P20370 – Lot 1 and 3, 1805 Rokewood-Shelford road, rokewood (use and development of land for extractive industry)

Council considered the proposal for the application P20370 which seeks the use and development of the land for extractive industry and alteration of access from a Road Zone category 1 at 1805 Rokewood-Shelford Road, Rokewood, subject to conditions. Following presentations by the applicant and two objectors to the quarry, an alternate motion was proposed not to form a position of support for the application pending a review by VCAT. This alternate motion was approved by Council.

long-term financial plan

As required under the Local Government Act 2020, Council has developed its 10-year Long-Term Financial Plan. Council resolved to endorse the Plan for public exhibition from 25 August to 13 September, with submissions to be considered prior to deciding on the adoption of the Plan at Council’s October meeting. Read more here.

COmmunity services and infrastructure plan

The Community Services and Infrastructure Plan (CSIP) has been developed over the last 18 months to guide the future improvements and provision of community facilities and infrastructure across the Shire. The CSIP provides a Vision, Planning Principles, an evidence-base and methodology to identify these potential improvements to community services and facilities provision as the Shire grows. Council received the CSIP and adopted the Community Infrastructure Planning Principles.

environmental health premises registration fee changes

Applying a pro rata rate to new food and public health and wellbeing registration fees is a fair approach and common practice for the majority of Victorian local government authorities. Council resolved to:

  • adopt a quarterly pro rata approach to new premises registration fees;
  • amend fees to allow new premises registrations (when applied for in last quarter) to extend to following registration period (up to 15 months); and
  • adopt a quarterly pro rata refund approach to cancelled registration fees.

environmental upgrade finance agreements feasability

Following a previous Notion of Motion from Cr Gamble at the 27 April 2021 Council Meeint, Council resolved not to facilitate Environmental Upgrade Finance (EUF) Agreements for businesses and homeowners at this time, due to current resourcing constraints. Council determined it will continue to partner with organisations like Geelong Sustainability and Regional Sustainability Alliance Ballarat to deliver programs that assist property owners to access environmental upgrades; and include EUF opportunities in the development of the Climate Action Plan, including whether there are any similar arrangements for businesses.

Committee of management of crown land (meredith police paddocks and happy valley reserve)

Following the proposal from the Ballarat Environment Network to exchange land management rights with Council, Council declined the land swap and resolved to retain the status quo with Council managing the Happy Valley Reserves and the Ballarat Environment Network managing the Meredith Police Paddocks. Council also requested the CEO to develop a plan for the reservoir wall remediation that can be considered in future budget submissions.

council governance rules review – draft for public exhibition

Following a period of review, Council considered amendments to its Governance Rules and the public exhibition of these changes in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020. An alternate recommendation was put forward to defer this item until the next Council Meeting so that Councillors can use the time between now and then to discuss the implications of the proposed amendments.

review of instruments of delegation

Under Victorian Government legislation, Council’s Instruments of Delegation – Council to Members of Staff enables Council to delegate functions, duties and powers, other than specific exemptions, to Council staff. A review of the existing Instruments of Delegation has been undertaken and was approved by Council.

awarding of tender (RFT-05-2021) construction stage 1 (14 lot development) lomandra drive subdivision

Council resolved to award the contract GPSC-RFT-05-2021 Construction Stage 1 (14 lot development) Lomandra Drive, Teesdale to Civil Force (Vic) Pty Ltd for $1,176,985.20 exclusive of GST. Council also delegated to the CEO or his delegate authority to execute the contract on behalf of Council.

awarding of tender (RFT-02-2021) public toilet and bbq cleaning

Council resolved to award the contract GPSC-RFT-02-2021-Cleaning of Public Toilets and BBQs to ACS Property Services Pty Ltd for a period of three years with two options of 12 months based upon the nominated schedule of rates. Council also delegated to the CEO or his delegate authority to execute the contract on behalf of Council.

notice of motion – wildlife crossing fatalities on local roads

Cr Owen Sharkey moved the following Notice of Motion:

“That Council request officers to prepare a detailed report on wildlife related road issues to be presented to Councillors at a briefing day this year. The report is to consider roles and responsibilities and implications for Council, both from a staff resourcing and financial point of view.”

Council approved the Notice of Motion.

confidential report

There were no petitions for decision on the Council Agenda. Council considered a Confidential Report: Kerbside Collection Contract Extension.

The next meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday 28 September, 2021 at a location to be determined. The meeting will be available by livestream on Council’s website and YouTube page.

WATCH THE 24 August 2021 MEETING OF COUNCIL

Watch the recording of the 24 August 2021 Meeting of Council.

PART ONE

PART TWO

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