Council Meeting Summary: 27 July 2021

General

A monthly Council Meeting was held virtually last night, Tuesday 27 July, with all Councillors in attendance. The meeting was livestreamed on Council’s YouTube page.

Public Question Time

Following the Acknowledgement of Country, there were no questions submitted for Public Question Time.

Delegates Report

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

Planning Permit P20288 - 18 Kirkwood Drive, Smythes Creek (Home Based Business)

Council considered an application to grant a planning permit for the use of land for a joinery home-based business at 18 Kirkwood Drive, Smythes Creek, subject to conditions detailed in the report. Following the Mayor’s reading of the objector’s submission, Council resolved to approve the planning permit as per the recommendation.

P20391 – 12 ruby court, bannockburn (three lot subdivision)

Council considered an application to grant a planning permit for a three-lot subdivision at 12 Ruby Court, Bannockburn, subject to conditions detailed in the report. An additional condition to relocate the third lot was proposed and the permit was approved with all conditions.

council plan 2017-2021 Implementation – quarter four

Council noted the report and achievement of the actions contained in the Council Plan 2017-2021 for the fourth quarter from 1 April to 31 June 2021. This marks the final quarterly report of the Council Plan 2017-2021.

in-principle Performance Statement and in-principle financial statements for the year ended 30 june 2021

Council resolved to delegate approval of the ‘In Principle’ Performance Statement and ‘In Principle’ Financial Statements to the Audit and Risk Committee with power to act in accordance with Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2020 and consistent with Council election process. Council also resolved to authorise the Mayor (or her deputy) and Cr Cunningham (or his delegate) to certify the Performance Statement and the Financial Statements on behalf of Council, in accordance with Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2020.

COVID-19 hardship policy and recovery plan

As at 30 June 2021, $85,186 of the $100,000 Covid-19 hardship fund has been used to financially assist 141 ratepayers who were financially impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. This amount includes $10,481 to waive environmental health permits and $9,900 to waive the Meredith interpretative centre lease, resulting in $14,814 remaining in the fund.

Council resolved to note and approve the revised version of the COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy with $50,000 allocated for the 2021-2022 financial year. Council also noted the proposed approach for $50,000 allocated to the COVID-19 Recovery Initiative to develop and issue an expression of interest seeking the delivery of targeted mental health services in Golden Plains Shire. You can read more about this here.

statuatory planning delegations

Council considered a report to review and improve efficiency of the current delegations provided to officers in relation to making statutory planning decisions on permit applications lodged with Council. Council resolved to amend the Statutory Planning Delegations and adopt the Consideration of Planning Applications policy and procedure and the Consultation Meeting policy and procedure.

golden plains social housing plan

Council is participating in a regional Social Housing Planning project facilitated by the Geelong G21 Alliance that will create a Social Housing Plan for each local government area and a combined regional plan to assist Council’s understanding of the need for increased social housing across the region, provide evidence for advocacy to the State Government, developers and other stakeholders such as housing providers, and position Council to identify strategies it can implement to support the creation of social housing within the Shire. At its July meeting, Council adopted the Golden Plains Social Housing Plan.  

CCTV system in public place policy

Council has been approached by Victoria Police and community members in relation to Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), requested due to anti-social behaviour and reports of criminal damage to Council assets caused by unknown offenders. Council resolved to establish a CCTV Steering Committee with Cr Les Rowe and Cr Brett Cunningham as Councillor representatives and requested a report back to Council with a final draft policy for endorsement. 

road management plan adoption

Council resolved to adopt its Road Management Plan 2021-2025, following the public exhibition of the Draft Plan from 26 May to 7 June 2021.

implications of declaring a climate emergency

At its meeting, Council resolved to declare a Climate Emergency. A declaration of a Climate Emergency is a resolution for immediate and urgent action to reverse global warming and adapt to changes that we cannot avoid. Declaring a Climate Emergency is an unequivocal statement that Council recognises the significant risk that Climate Change poses to the Shire’s community and environment and that it has a role to play in managing that risk.

Council requested that officers prepare a Climate Emergency Plan, including resources required to implement recommendations, for consideration at a future Council meeting; and noted that the final implications of the Climate Emergency Plan will need to be considered as part of budget considerations for the 2022/23 financial year.

awarding of tender (RFT-04-2021) Paddys gully road, rokewood junction – bridge replacement

Council resolved to award a contract GPSC-RFT-04-2021 to Begbies Consulting for $579,856.11 (exclusive of GST) to replace the bridge on Paddy Gully Road in Rokewood Junction. The bridge will be jointly funded from Council’s 2021/22 Budget and a grant from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (Phase 2).

mayor attendance – national general assembly, australian local government association (ALGA) 2021

Mayor Cr Kirby attended the 2021 National General Assembly (NGA) of Australian Local Government Association in Canberra from 19 to 23 June 2021, along with 870 delegates from Councils across Australia. Council’s attendance at this annual Assembly provides the opportunity to listen to the current challenges confronting the sector from Councils across the country and consider solutions or innovative ideas that may be relevant to Golden Plains Shire. Council received and noted the Mayoral conference report in relation to the 2021 National General Assembly of Local Government.

councillor expenses and meeting attendance – quarter four

A report on Councillor expenses and meeting attendance from 1 April to 30 June 2021, was considered at last night’s meeting and was noted by Council.

notice of motion – for council to develop a wildlife collision reduction strategy

Cr Gavin Gamble moved the following Notice of Motion:

“That Council develops a ‘wildlife collision reduction strategy’ to reduce fatalities, injury and accidents between wildlife and vehicles on the road system throughout our Shire. This is to be achieved by developing a strategy which includes:

1. Formation of a subcommittee to identify locations where collisions between native fauna and vehicles occur on a regular basis.

2. Creation of a public data base to record instances of collision and fatalities of wildlife.

3. Initiating a process of engaging a consultant (subsequent to the cost of the proposed consultancy to be approved by Council) with specific expertise in the field of wildlife fatality reduction.

4. Preparation of a report by the consultant (in conjunction with Council officers) recommending appropriate mitigation measures and to be presented at a future Council meeting.”

Council did not pass this Notice of Motion.

confidential report

There were no petitions for decision on the Council Agenda. Council considered a Confidential Report: Authorisation of Chief Executive Officer to enter limited term recycling contract.

The next meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday 24 August, 2021 at the Golden Plains Civic Centre in Bannockburn. The meeting will be available by livestream on Council’s website and YouTube page.

WATCH THE Mayor's Meeting Summary Video

Watch Mayor Cr Helena Kirby's summary video to find out what was discussed and decided at Golden Plains Shire Council's Meeting on 27 July 2021.

WATCH THE 27 July 2021 MEETING OF COUNCIL

Watch the recording of the 27 July 2021 Meeting of Council.

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