A monthly Council Meeting was held at the Golden Plains Civic Centre last night, Tuesday 23 March, with all Councillors in attendance. In line with guidelines from the Victorian Government due to COVID-19 and Council’s COVIDSafe Plan, the meeting was not physically open to members of the public and was livestreamed on Council’s YouTube page.
DELEGATES REPORT
Following the Acknowledgement of Country, there were no questions for Question Time. The Delegates Report followed, with Councillors providing updates on a range of meetings and engagements over the past month.
P20-14O 28 BELL COURT TEESDALE
Council considered a planning permit application for the use of land for domestic animal husbandry (keeping of five dogs) at 28 Bell Court, Teesdale. Council supported the recommendation and approved the planning permit with conditions.
P20-121 19 DONALDSON ROAD, LETHBRIDGE
Council considered a planning permit application for a nine-lot subdivision at 19 Donaldson Road, Lethbridge. Following presentations on behalf of the applicant and by an objector, Council supported the recommendation and approved the planning permit with conditions.
AMENDMENT C92GPLA TEESDALE STRUCTURE PLAN
The results from the public exhibition of the Teesdale Structure Plan (TSP) and Amendment C92gpla (to implement the TSP) were presented to Council. The documents were on exhibition from 26 November 2020 to 25 January 2021, and Council received 23 submissions. At the meeting, Council resolved to authorise changes to the TSP in accordance with officer recommendations, refer all submissions to an independent planning panel, and authorise officers or suitable persons to represent Council at the planning panel hearing.
DRAFT REFLECT RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2021
Golden Plains Shire Council’s first draft Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was presented to Council and was endorsed for review under the RAP Accreditation Process offered by Reconciliation Australia. The RAP program provides a framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement as well as to progress partnerships with Traditional Owners. Read more about the Draft RAP here.
INVERLEIGH PLAY SPACE NAMING - REPORT FOR DECISION
At its February meeting, Council received the voting results of the Inverleigh Play Space Naming consultation with ‘Yerram Yaluk Bun’ receiving the greatest number of votes; and at the March meeting, Council officers recommended this name for the location. An alternate motion was moved and seconded to go out for further community feedback on the top two choices of the engagement, but the motion was not carried. Council supported the recommendation to name the Inverleigh Play Space, ‘Yerram Yaluk Bun’. In line with advice received from the Victorian Office of Geographic Names, Council’s decision to proceed with the name with the most votes is now out for public exhibition for 30 days. Read more about the decision and public exhibition process here.
FLAG POLICY
Council adopted a Flag Policy, including a commitment to fly the Torres Strait Islander flag with the Australian national flag and Aboriginal flag at the Golden Plains Civic Centre, Bannockburn and The Well, Smythesdale. This followed a notice of motion from Cr Owen Sharkey at the December 2020 Council Meeting for Council to adopt a flag policy. Council also resolved to fund the installation and lighting of a third flagpole at the two sites in the Council’s 2021/22 Capital Works Budget. Read more about the Flag Policy here.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING SUBURBS FUND 2020-2021 ROUND 2
Council endorsed making an application to the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund 2020-2021 – Round 2 for $450,000 towards the upgrade of Ross Creek Play and Active Rec Upgrade. The total cost of the project is $550,000 and Council noted that the remaining $100,000 will be included in its Draft 2021/22 Capital Works Budget, in the event the application is successful.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – 2021 LOCAL SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
Council endorsed making grant applications to Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV)’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund for:
- The Leighdale Equestrian Centre Upgrade (Female Friendly Facilities category); and
- The Bannockburn Victoria Park Ovals Safety Netting project.
The Leighdale Equestrian Centre Upgrade has a total project cost of $537,000, with Council seeking to fund the project through an SRV grant of $358,000, $159,000 from Council and $10,000 from the Leighdale Equestrian Centre Committee of Management.
The Bannockburn Victoria Park Ovals Safety Netting project is expected to cost $50,000, with Council seeking to combine a $25,000 grant from the fund with $19,000 from Council and $6,000 from the Bannockburn Football Netball Club.
COVID-19 HARDSHIP POLICY AND CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRESS
The next report updated Council on the assistance provided to date to local residents and businesses through the COVID-19 financial support measures, including rates rebates, customer payment plans, interest and permit waivers. As of January, a total of 101 residential and 2 business ratepayers have received support through the COVID-19 Hardship Policy.
SURPLUS COUNCIL LAND IN BANNOCKBURN
Council resolved to declare approximately 3.5 hectares of Council-owned land in the northern part of the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct as surplus to Council’s needs and to initiate a rezoning, subdivision and development plan process. This is with a view to selling the land in the form of residential allotments, as well as potentially providing for affordable and/or social housing under the State Government’s ‘Big Housing Build’ program.
Council also resolved to commence the preparation of a Planning Scheme Amendment for a combined rezoning (to General Residential Zone 1) and subdivision, and to establish a dedicated Recreational Future Fund (Reserve) so that net profits from the sale of the land or any residential development is set aside to enable future recreational improvements across the Shire.
COMMUNITY PLANNING PROGRAM ACTION PLAN 2021-2024
In 2020, a comprehensive review of Council’s Community Planning Program (CPP) was undertaken and at the March 2021 meeting, Council adopted the Community Planning Action Plan 2021 – 2024. The Action Plan aligns with the recommendations of the review and outlines the actions, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, performance measures monitoring and evaluation that Council will undertake from 2021 to 2024 to ensure the CPP can deliver on its objectives.
BERRYBANK WINDFARM RATING AGREEMENT
Construction of the Berrybank Wind Farm Stage 1 has been completed and is currently undergoing commissioning. For rating purposes, alternative energy generators are treated under Victorian State policy through specific rating agreements rather than the general rating provisions that apply to the majority of properties in the Shire. At its March meeting, Council endorsed the draft Berrybank Wind Farm rating agreement with Berrybank Development Pty Ltd and authorised the Mayor and CEO to sign and seal the rating agreement when finalised.
STATUATORY PLANNING ADVERTISING POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Section 52 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Act) provides the legislative requirements for advertising planning applications, and while Council currently meets the provisions of the Act, it does not have a policy or procedure to ensure a consistent approach to advertising planning applications. Council approved its new Advertising Planning Applications Policy and Procedure that meets Council’s responsibilities and the Act requirements.
PROPOSED NAMING OF UN-NAMED ROAD, LETHBRIDGE
Council endorsed naming the currently un-named section of road off Clarke’s Road, Lethbridge, ‘Capron Lane’. Council received a request from a resident to name the unmade road, which will allow it to be added to our road registry for maintenance, and better assist postal and emergency services. Council will now seek community feedback on this name or any other proposed names, from 24 March to 23 April, 2021. All submissions will be considered at the May Council Meeting. Read more here.
BANNOCKBURN SHIRE HALL – BANNOCKBURN SURGERY LEASE AGREEMENT
Following two Expression of Interest processes, Council has leased Bannockburn Shire Hall, 12 High Street, to Bannockburn Surgery to establish and operate a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for the Golden Plains community. At its March meeting, Council noted the successful lease arrangement. Read more here.
REVIEW OF INSTRUMENT DELEGATION – COUNCIL TO STAFF
After a thorough review of Council’s Instrument of Delegation to Members of Council Staff, Council adopted the amended Instrument of Delegation. By carrying out a review of the instruments of delegation, Council will ensure compliance with legislation and provide a clear framework to ensure the members of Council staff are aware of and acting within their designated levels of authority.
ADDITIONAL REPORTS
There were no Notices of Motion or Petitions. Before concluding the meeting, Council considered one Confidential Report: G21 Strategic Review.
The next meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday 27 April, 2021 at the Golden Plains Civic Centre, and available by livestream.
Watch the Mayor's Meeting Summary
Watch Mayor Cr Helena Kirby's summary video to find out what was discussed and decided at Council's Meeting on 23 March 2021.
Watch the March 2021 Meeting of Council
Watch the recording of the March 2021 Meeting of Council.