The July Ordinary Meeting of Council was held at Bannockburn Shire Hall on Tuesday 23 July with all Councillors in attendance.
Although there were no planning permit applications on the agenda, there was still a full house for the meeting. Council began the meeting by moving three important presentations forward in the Agenda.
Citizenship Ceremony
Council welcomed seven residents from across the Shire who took the oath to become Australian Citizens. Mayor Sharkey presided over the ceremony and congratulated Steven Else from England, Brooke Letman from Ireland and the Trujillo Mendez family from Spain on their new citizenship.
Citizen Recognition
Council recognised the fantastic achievements and contributions made by young people in the community. Two Citizen Recognition Awards were awarded to:
- Jakob Wray of Bannockburn for his achievement in Archery
- Cooper Kitchen of Bannockburn for his achievement in Football.
Municipal Emergency Management Plan - Presentation of Certificate of Audit Presentation
In May 2018, Council endorsed the Municipal Emergency Management Plan, which was prepared for Council by the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee. On 18 October 2018, this plan was audited by VICSES, Victoria Police and the Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant Chief Officer Stephen Warren ESM, Regional Manager Grampians for VICSES presented the audit results and certificate to Council on behalf of the Region and the Chief Officer – VICSES.
Public Question Time
The meeting then returned to Council’s Public Question Time. This month, 16 residents lodged questions and 5 people presented their question in the Chamber, receiving answers from Council. All other questions will be responded to in writing.
Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2019 – Interim Result
Councillors were provided with an interim year-end financial statement. While the official end of financial year is still being finalises, the interim report shows that Council expects to end the year in a better financial position than budgeted.
In Principle Performance Statement and In-Principle Financial Statements
Due to timeline constraints in approving the ‘In Principle’ Performance Statement and ‘In Principle’ Financial Statements following completion of the audit, Council agreed to allow the Councillors on the Audit Committee to sign the statements on behalf of Council.
Gravel Road Maintenance
The meeting then turned to a new unsealed roads charter. Council considered a proposal to transition the annual gravel roads maintenance program from the current largely reactive method to a more proactive maintenance program. The Charter features a commitment by Council to grading the Shire’s entire 700km unsealed road network and maintaining every unsealed road to an agreed standard. Council’s annual maintenance schedule of grading will be mapped from April to October, and available to all residents on a new online calendar. Council adopted the new Charter after agreeing to reduce the level of intervention for potholes from a depth of 150mm to 100mm.
Construction of Bannockburn Soccer Pitch No. 2 (Contract No GPS-RFT12-2019) - Awarding of Tender
Council approved the awarding of the tender for the construction of the second soccer pitch at the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct. This project is joint-funded by Council and Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Construction of Victoria Park Recreation Reserve Sports Lighting - Oval 1 and 2 (Contract No GPS-RFT11-2019) - Awarding of Tender
Council approved the tender for construction of football lighting at both the existing and proposed new oval at the Victoria Park Recreation Reserve in Bannockburn. With $500,000 funding from the Federal Government, Oval 1 will see the installation of new LED lights on the existing poles, and Oval 2 will see new poles and lights installed to allow for training. Similar to the soccer facility, this project will ensure that the main oval is given some relief from over use.
Wall Bridge Replacement - Teesdale (Contract No. GPSC-RFT-03-2019) - Awarding of Tender
Council also approved the tender for the replacement of the old wooden Wall Bridge on Stones Road, Teesdale. Both the Federal Government and Council committed $300,000 to the project.
Meredith Interpretive Centre - EOI for Future Management of Building
The Meredith Interpretive Centre on the Midland Highway in Meredith is currently vacant and Council agreed to seek an Expression of Interest for either a commercial operator or community group to manage the facility.
Amendment C88 - Rezoning of 12 High Street, Bannockburn
Council then turned attention to the future of the Bannockburn Shire Hall. With the pending completion of the new Golden Plains Community & Civic Centre, Council will no longer require the old Shire Hall for Council meetings. As a result, Council agreed to begin the rezoning process from Public Use Zone 6 – Local Government (PUZ6), to the Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z) to allow Council to consider other uses of the building. An EoI process will likely commence later in the year.
G21 and Cricket Victoria Barwon Regional Cricket Strategy - Final Report
Council endorsed the G21 and Cricket Victoria Barwon Regional Cricket Strategy, which aims to guide the future planning and development of cricket across the Barwon region to 2028.
Review of Instrument of Delegation - Council to Members of Staff (Planning and Environment Act 1987)
Councillors approved some changes to the Instrument of Delegation – Council to Members of Staff. The changes provide some additional delegations to planning officers, to streamline decision making.
The Local Government Bill 2019 – Update
The Victorian Government recently released a new draft Local Government Bill 2019 with a number of changes from draft bill that lapsed at the conclusion of the last Parliament. Council discussed the impacts of these proposed changes.
Mayoral Attendance - National General Assembly, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) 2019
Mayor Cr Sharkey, along with Deputy Mayor Cr Gilbert, attended the 2019 National General Assembly of Australian Local Government Association in Canberra from Sunday 16 to Wednesday 19 June, 2019 and they informed the Council of their experience.
Assembly of Councillors
The monthly written records of the Assembly of Councillors in accordance with section 80A of the Local Government Act 1989 from 26 June 2019 to 22 July 2019 was tabled and adopted.