The May Ordinary Meeting of Council for 2020 went ahead at the changed location of the brand new Council Chamber in the Golden Plains Civic Centre in Bannockburn last night, Tuesday 26 May, with all Councillors in attendance. To allow for greater social distancing, all Ordinary Meetings of Council until further notice will be held in this location. In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with new guidelines from the Victorian Government, the meeting was not physically open to members of the public, with the meeting livestreamed on Council’s YouTube page instead.
Assembly of Councillors and Delegates Report
The meeting began with the confirmation of the May Assembly of Councillors, before Councillors updated their colleagues and the public watching at home on what online events and forums they called into over the last month. Following this, Councillors moved on to a number of reports.
Planning Application P02-102A
The first application was for an amendment to an existing permit to allow an expansion of the piggery at 3140 Midland Highway, Lethbridge. The application was referred to the Council Meeting for determination because there were objections. This application was considered by Council at its March Ordinary Meeting, where Councillors resolved to defer the matter pending further information on how effluent from the piggery is managed. The Mayor read out two public presentations on behalf of objectors. Following some debate, Council approved the application with some changes to the conditions.
Development Contributions
The second report discussed concerned development contributions. These represent an important source of revenue for the provision of infrastructure required to support sustainable and healthy communities in Golden Plains Shire. Since a review in 2016, Council has collected $4,500 for subdivision developments in Bannockburn, and $1,500 for the rest of the municipality. Council identified an opportunity amendment the existing policy to better achieve infrastructure needs through development contributions by applying the $4,500 rate for all subdivisions across the Shire. Councillors supported the amended policy.
Proposed Sale of Council Land
Council then considered the proposed sale of Council land at Lomandra Drive in Teesdale. At its February meeting, Council resolved to grant a Planning Permit for the multi-lot subdivision of this land, which was issued in early April. Following this and in compliance with sections 189 and 223 of the Local Government Act, it was proposed Council publish a public notice of its intention to sell the land and seek public submissions. Council agreed to the proposal and will publish its intention to sell the land at Lomandra Drive.
Petition
At its April Meeting, Council formally received a petition signed by 68 residents requesting Council prevent heavy haulage trucks from using the bridges and the roads leading to the bridges of the Moorabool Valley. Having considered the request, Council resolved to undertake a number of actions, including:
- Writing to Victoria Police and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator about these concerns;
- Request ongoing and regular inspection of this area in relation to heavy vehicle movements and road safety policing;
- Consider adding more road warning signage; and
- Advocate to the Victorian Government and VicRoads for a speed reduction on the approaches to and the bridges listed.
This resolution will be communicated to the lead petitioner.
Other Reports
Councillors then considered a number of other procedural reports:
- Review of Council Plan 2017-2021 – no significant changes
- Annual Adoption of Procurement Policy – no significant changes
- Audit & Risk Committee Report
Thank you to the community members who watched from home. The next meeting of Council is the Special Budget Meeting to hear submissions from the community on the Draft Budget 2020/21, which will take place on Tuesday 9 June, 2020. The next Ordinary Meeting of Council is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 23 June, 2020 at the Golden Plains Civic Centre.
Mayor's Video Update
Watch the video update from Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey with highlights from the May 2020 Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Watch the May 2020 Ordinary Meeting of Council
Watch the recording of the May 2020 Ordinary Meeting of Council.