MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Hello and good evening.
Welcome to the May Council Meeting.
It's so lovely to see everybody here at Winchelsea.
We've got a great turnout, so thank you so much for coming along.
I'm Mayor Liz Pattison and it's a pleasure to welcome members of the community
into the chambers tonight.
This meeting is also being live streamed, so a big welcome to those tuning
in online, and of course welcome to my fellow Councillors.
Live captioning will accompany the live stream.
We hope that this assists those who may be having hearing difficulties.
And I hope people can hear us in the audience.
If you can't, please pipe up because we want you to be able
to hear what's going on, and we'll make sure
we're speaking you're struggling?
I'll put it a bit closer.
We'll make sure we speak close to the microphones.
Thanks for letting me know.
The Surf Coast Shire local government area spans the traditional lands
of the Wadawurrung people and the Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples of the Maar nation.
I would like to acknowledge that here at Eastern Reserve
in Winchelsea we are gathered on Wadawurrung country.
I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
The Wadawurrung people have nurtured and protected these lands and waterways
for thousands of generations and I am so grateful for the opportunity
to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world.
We also wish to acknowledge the traditional owners
of the lands on which each person is attending
and acknowledge any Aboriginal people who may be viewing the meeting tonight.
We are so excited to be holding the first offsite Council
meeting of our Council term in Winchelsea.
It is great to be able to bring the decision making
to the community and we have enjoyed the opportunity to engage and connect with
all of you that came here earlier.
We've had some very insightful conversations and hearing
about people's views on different Council matters while
we've been having a cup of tea just before this meeting.
And I wanted to draw your attention too, we have some footy players
outside doing some footy training, so if you hear any loud cheering or things
, there's some footy training going on and there's the gym behind us,
so it really is a great hub of sport in Winchelsea here at Eastern Reserve.
We have a number of important items on our agenda tonight which relate
to the Winchelsea ward.
Council is carrying out positive work in Winchelsea working with the community
to deliver several important projects and I just draw some of them
to your attention.
There was a flyer when you came in that has a bit more information,
but obviously we have the Mud Hut renewal, we have the adventure playground upgrade,
the Winchelsea Pool redevelopment, the tree planting program,
and the Barwon River Loop Walk, and Council
will be providing regular updates to keep the community informed
on the status of these projects, so look out for these in the paper and
on social media.
And now to our agenda tonight, so let's get that under way.
For those of you that are new to Council meetings, Council operates
according to our Governance Rules, which include the following procedures.
During the meeting, the mover of a motion or an amendment may speak
for a maximum of five minutes to open the debate
and then a further two minutes to make a closing statement.
Any other Councillor, including the seconder, may speak
to a motion for no more than three minutes.
We'll now move on to our pledge.
I will now recite the pledge as a sign of our commitment: "As Councillors,
we carry out our responsibilities with diligence and integrity
and make fair decisions of lasting value for the wellbeing of our community
and environment."
We now move on to our apologies.
Are there any apologies for this evening?
No, it looks like we are all here, which is wonderful, all here
in Winchelsea.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: An apology from Councillor Allen.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Oh, of course.
I'm sorry.
I saw no vacant chairs.
Apologies for that one.
I was overly optimistic.
We have an apology, thank you.
Can I have a mover is that you, Adrian?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: I'm happy to move.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Schonfelder.
And a seconder?
CR ROSE HODGE: I'm happy to second.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Hodge.
All those in favour.
I do apologise.
Poor Gary will be devastated, but we got there in the end.
Thank you, Councillor Schonfelder, for drawing that to my attention.
I appreciate that.
We now move on to confirmation of minutes.
Can I please have a mover and a seconder to confirm the minutes
of the Council meeting held on Wednesday, the 26th of April?
Councillor Barker.
Is that as per the recommendation?
CR PAUL BARKER: Yes.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And a seconder?
Councillor Bodsworth.
All in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
Are there any Councillors who are seeking a leave of absence?
No.
Do we have any declarations of conflict of interest?
If a Councillor or an officer has a conflict of interest,
they must declare it now and do so again just prior
to the item being discussed.
The Councillor and/or officer will be requested
to leave the meeting area while the matter is being considered.
Once the matter is resolved, the Councillor or officer will return
to the meeting.
Are there any conflicts of interest?
No.
Presentations Councillor Schonfelder has a short presentation.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Oh, thank you.
I'd like on behalf of the Surf Coast Shire to offer our congratulations
to Imogen Grzemski, who won a gold medal in archery
at the World Archery Oceania Target Championships in Adelaide, so something
to be very proud of.
Secondly, on behalf of the Surf Coast Shire,
I attended Government House and I wrote congratulations
to their Majesties the King and Queen in relation to the Coronation and
as a former member of the Barwon Valley Pony Club,
I know that a lot of members of our community would have loved seeing
all the horses during the Coronation, so that's a fond memory for many people.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Do we have any other presentations?
No.
And we now move on to public oh, we have no submissions and now we move on
to public question time.
So the next agenda item is public question time.
Members of the public who wish to ask a question to Council are able
to submit their written questions in accordance
with Council's Governance Rules and we have had six community members
submit questions and we have eight in total to work through.
So is Samantha Fernando here?
No?
I'll read out Samantha's question then and respond to that.
So, "As China's increased CO2 emissions negate Australia's annual reduction
in CO2 every two days and given that China is the world's largest emitter,
what is Council doing to reduce demand of Chinese products to assist China
to reduce its dependance on fossil fuels?"
So thank you, Samantha, for that question.
Council's procurement policy guides staff to consider climate change, environmental
and social sustainability, as well as an emphasis on using local supplies
when procuring products and services.
Although this policy doesn't place limits on buying items from any specific country,
we're always looking for opportunities to reduce emissions in our supply chains.
And there's a second question from Samantha: "What level
of CO2 are needed to ensure plant and crops necessary for human survival
and what percentage of CO2 is currently in the atmosphere
in Australia?"
So in response to your question, Samantha, the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change is the United Nations body
for assessing the science on climate change.
Based on the IPCC's scientific assessment, limiting global warming to well
below 2 degrees is necessary for the survival
of earth's life support systems.
The current atmospheric concentration of CO2 is approximately 410
to 420 parts per million and I suggest that if you want to look
into that more, Samantha, more can be found
on their website at www.ipcc.ch.
Thank you for that question.
Now, is Darryl Price, from Winchelsea is he here and would he like
to read his own question?
No?
I'll read Darryl's question for him: "At what point will Council review
and possibly install footpaths along Anderson Road in front
of the golf course and on the other side of the road
between the Ampol service station and Glenmore Street?"
Thanks for your question, Darryl.
There is an existing gravel footpath that runs between Anderson Street
and the golf course.
Engineers recently inspected this footpath and have recommended some improvement
works, including the installation of guide posts to better define the path
and provide a clearer separation between cars and pedestrians.
The need for a pathway between the Ampol service station
and Glenmore Street has been identified through Council's ongoing pathway review.
Funding for this new pathway has been included
in the 2324 Draft Budget.
So hopefully that answers Darryl's question.
Tony Watts, are you with us today?
Did you want to come up and read your question, Tony?
MR TONY WATTS: Yes, I shall.
Thank you.
It looks long, but it's quite short.
Thank you, Councillors, for this are we okay volume?
Thank you, Councillors, for this opportunity to speak
to my question.
I will take just a few minutes and I don't think I should say this,
but welcome to the wild west, the beautiful shire, we are so lucky.
My question relates to item 4.6 on tonight's agenda,
the Deans Marsh Community Hub development, specifically to table 1
of the potential funding model for the proposed hub on page 204
of tonight's agenda, if anyone is wanting to look.
Table 1 shows the expected cost of this development
and the potential source of funds from this Council and
from external government sources I'm being distracted, sorry.
I acknowledge that noone can accurately predict the future, but it is possible
to get some measure of our speculations by researching presently available
information.
My research of municipal and community hub websites
and other reputable sources of the actual costs
and actual funding sources for new community hubs hub builds tells me
this, that the funding model proposed here is quite
unlike anything that has actually happened in recent years across
all the reported actual outcomes I could find.
Very briefly I could find only one new community hub,
a quite small one that cost lest than $10 million to build.
The cost of all other new community hubs I found range
upwards from around $13 million, with the average cost being
around 25 million, using dollar values at the time they were built.
But more important than the actual cost, the funding ratio
of every equivalent new hub I could find did not equate
to the proposed Deans Marsh funding model, which has external government sources
funding 70% of the Deans Marsh hub and this Council funding only 30%.
Typically, the actual funding ratio is the other way around,
where a Council contributes 70% or more of the actual cost,
with external funding contributing 30% or less.
So my question is, is Council aware of the actual cost
of equivalent recent community hubs in other municipalities and,
more important, the relative contributions of Council and external government sources
to meeting those costs?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you, Tony.
I appreciate the question and thanks for coming.
It was great to have a chat to you before the meeting and I
will pass that one on to our CEO.
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Thank you.
Thank you for your question, Tony, and it is wonderful to be in the hinterland
in such a special part of the shire.
We're very pleased to be here.
In terms of these really are quite quiet, aren't they?
Is that better?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: You need to have it really close.
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Right, okay.
We'll do it really close.
Hopefully you can hear me now.
So officers are aware of the costs of community hubs in other municipalities.
However, comparisons between facilities of this nature are difficult
and there are variations in size, components, services, specific settings
and also market conditions.
So given this, the Deans Marsh Community Hub has been
costed by a really experienced quantity surveyor
and they've factored in the current construction costs,
the local conditions and appropriate allowances and escalations
in terms of time.
So at this point, we're fairly confident based
on that experience surveyor around the costs.
In relation to the funding strategy for the project,
it does include the possibility of securing funding
from other levels of government.
Council's current renewal allocation for the project (inaudible) healthy state
for users until a replacement facility can be
delivered.
The old heating system failed and could not be repaired due to the lack
of availability of parts, so two new wallmounted units were
installed, but we do acknowledge that the notification
of the work should have been much better than what it was and we will work
with members of the Community Advisory Committee
to address their concerns including the reinstallation
of the war memorial dedications.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We'll now move on to the second question.
"Council refuses to repair two broken stumps or address
the flooding under our hall because the plan Council
is considering this evening is to demolish the hall,
yet Council now spends thousands of dollars installing reverse cycle air
conditioning when our hall has adequate heating and fans for cooling and gas
will still be required for the hot water and stove facilities in the kitchen.
Robyn?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Thank you, Genevieve, for your second question.
Typically replacing one or two stumps is not a viable option and it would result
in really us needing to restump the whole building,
and in the case of the Deans Marsh Hall, replacing all
of the stumps would then trigger the requirements
of the National Construction Code, meaning the whole building would need
to be brought up to currentday standards.
The hall, as those of you from Deans Marsh know,
is in the lowlying part of the reserve, meaning water from
throughout the site drains towards the building.
This is one of the primary reasons for the redevelopment.
The Deans Marsh Facility Development Plan was prepared to address the issues such
as the water pooling, the mould and further deterioration
of the structures supporting the building.
In the meantime, Council officers will continue to inspect
and review the building to ensure it is safe for use.
Thank you, Genevieve.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Is Jenny Matheson here?
JENNY MATHESON: Thank you, everyone, for coming to the Hinterland and the setup
is really nice.
I hope you come back again fairly soon because it saves us travelling down,
but it's really good to see everybody up here.
I do have two questions.
There is a segue between them.
So the first one is regarding the Globe Theatre.
Six weeks ago, the Globe Theatre was closed
to public users.
Termites were found in a section of the floor.
Now, the Winchelsea community has gone through years of having buildings closed
at different times, so the leisure time centre was closed
for five years, we had the Common, which was closed for many years,
had the Shire Hall, which now is fabulous, thank you, but it was closed
for several years, and the old library is currently closed
and we really don't know where that's going, I don't think anybody does.
But my concern for the community behind me is how long will it be
before we know when we can have the Globe Theatre open again?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Yes, that's an important question.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: That's alright, you can answer that, Ms Seymour.
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Thank you, Jenny.
That is a really important question.
What we've been waiting for is the permit because it's heritage listed,
so we applied for a permit to be able to do the work, and so that's now come
through, which is great.
So we will be commencing the work on site.
We got the exemption just late last week.
So we're now working with our contractors to remove the floorboards
and undertake the termite treatment and we expect that the work will commence
within the next two to four weeks.
That's the first phase, though, because after that there's the work we need to do
around the remediation of the floor and any other work that's needed
as assessed by the structural engineer and that will include ventilation
to reduce the potential of future termite infestation
and these remediation works will also require a permit, so it
will be a second permit, so we'll be applying for that exemption
from Heritage Victoria.
But we'll make sure that officers provide regular updates to the CAC
and the wider community on how that's progressing.
JENNY MATHESON: Thank you very much.
And rolling into the second question it is sort
of related the Movie Club has always functioned for six years
out of the Globe Theatre and of course we have had to relocate.
And we worked closely with the community house committee
and we're very comfortable in the Shire Hall, thank you very much.
There is a big problem, though.
We have six heaters, I think, given to us by the shire not us, the committee
and they're those little white ones that run off power point.
If you run more than four plus a heater and the very necessary you run four
heaters plus an ern and a projector, you run the risk of tripping the circuit.
So my question is, is it possible to look at the upgrading
of the power system in the Shire Hall?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Thank you for your second question.
So officers are working to engage an approved contractor
to inspect the electrical system so we can see what's going on there, Jenny,
and ensure that the six mobile heaters can operate without tripping the system
and once we've had a look at that, we'll let you know what the next steps are
As you might be aware, the previous heating system had reached
its end of life and is identified for replacement
through our current renewal program.
The challenge is that we need to meet the requirements
of the heritage overlay and that's impacting our timelines
in terms of getting that heating system replaced.
So our Council contractors are currently developing options for the new system
for Council to assess and discuss with the heritage authorities.
But obviously having the replacement system in place ultimately
is what we're keen to do, but we will inspect the electrical system
and see what's happening there with the current devices.
JENNY MATHESON: Yes.
Thank you very much.
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Our next question is from Beau Carter in Torquay.
Beau, are you here?
BEAU CARTER: Hi, everyone.
Can you hear me alright?
My question I've got two questions regarding the local amenity community
law 2021 sorry, I'll just get the the proposed removal
of paragraph (j) is at odds with community standards.
It particularly makes women and young girls vulnerable
to sexual assault at a place where they should be feeling safe.
That's the first question.
The second one is who proposed the removal of section (j)
and where did this idea come from?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thanks, Beau, for your question.
So there are laws in place to protect our these laws are in place
to protect our community from people behaving
in offensive or threatening ways and these include the Summary Offences Act
and the Crimes Act and so in relation to the removal of that provision,
provision (j), around MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Should we read provision (j)?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I was just going to suggest we should tell people what
that provision is, Mayor Pattison.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Yes, I can just bring that
up so people understand what that is.
Just bear with me for one moment.
CR PAUL BARKER: I've got it here if you want.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: It's alright.
I've got it here.
Have you got the actual one, Paul?
Oh, yes, sure, did you want to read provision (j) then?
CR PAUL BARKER: I don't have the last sentence, but 6.2 on SPEAKER: We've got
a copy right here.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
So this is in relation to behaviour in municipal buildings: "Except
for a child under the age of six (6) years in the care
of a responsible person, and for a carer providing assistance
to a person with a disability, enter or use any dressing room, shower,
convenience or other area in a Municipal Building which has been appropriated
for persons of the opposite gender".
So in relation to that clause, so the community is aware
of what we're talking about, and your concerns around safety,
that's where there are laws in place around the Summary Offences Act
and the Crimes Act, so police are responsible if there
is concern for people's safety generally in toilets
because that's in the general nature of safety in toilets.
So people should call the police if they have any concerns
around inappropriate people or behaviours happening in and around toilets.
So the intention of the change to the Local Law is
to make our facilities more inclusive and respectful of everyone regardless
of their gender.
It will support people who identify as nonbinary and also allow for a mother,
like myself, to take their sevenyearold son
into the female toilets with them, which I think is an important or similarly
a father to take his sevenyearold daughter into a toilet,
which happens often when you're out at parks and the like.
Legally this change is required so that we are compliant
with the federal Sex Discrimination Act and the Victorian Gender Equality Act.
So it was through a gender impact assessment
that it was identified that this is required and this
is important so that our facilities are inclusive for all in our community.
BEAU CARTER: So it's from the State Government, is it?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: No.
There are those overarching rules, but we have the Council undertook
a gender impact assessment and identified that it wasn't inclusive
for our community and it also as we've identified,
there are safety concerns for children that would need
to enter toilets unaccompanied by an adult.
BEAU CARTER: Did you engage with the community about it?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: That's what we're doing now.
So this Local Law is now going out for so tonight at this meeting,
if endorsed by Councillors, it will then go out to the community
for consultation and I encourage you to provide further feedback at that point.
Thank you for raising your questions, Beau.
I appreciate you coming along tonight.
BEAU CARTER: Thank you.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Mayor Pattison, can I just clarify, just
in case people haven't understood what is being said,
there's currently a prohibition in the Local Law that stops adults
of one gender going into toilets and change rooms labelled
for another gender and the proposal is that be taken
out of the Local Law so there will be no prohibition in the Local Law
in the future effectively to stop a man going
into women's toilets or change rooms or vice versa
and I'm not sure that MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thanks, Councillor Wellington.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Sorry, if I could just MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: This
is going to be discussed in the agenda.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I understand, but I'm just thinking that some people
might not want to stay for the Local Law discussion
and might not understand the context of the question and MAYOR LIZ PATTISON:
I've responded to the question.
I think we need to move on with the meeting.
Thank you, Councillor Wellington, and thank you, Beau.
We've now finished our public question time and we'll now move on
with the agenda.
We have no petitions that have been received for this meeting
and there are no notice of motions, so we can move on to the important part
of the business, which is the reports that we're all here
to listen to and to see progress.
So our first report is the Draft Moriac Structure Plan 2023.
The purpose of our first report tonight is to seek Council's endorsement
of the Draft Moriac Structure Plan for community engagement purposes.
Councillors, we have been advised by officers that there was
an administrative error in point 2 of the recommendation,
as the fourweek exhibition period is mentioned
and it should have actually been a sixweek period.
Officers will display a corrected recommendation
on the screen for us to consider.
But once again, the change is just in point 2 that the consultation period
will be six weeks.
Do I have a mover of a motion?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I'll move.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
And Councillor Wellington, is that as per the recommendation?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: As per the amended recommendation.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Great.
And do I have a seconder?
Councillor Schonfelder.
Would you like to speak to the motion, Councillor Wellington?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thanks very much.
Actually, the Moriac Structure Plan was the very first issue that I dealt with
as a Councillor when I was elected in 2012 and I'd like
to welcome the Earles here tonight, who were a big part of that.
It's great to see you out here at Winchelsea as well.
And here we are again 12 years later.
It's unbelievable really.
So the purpose of the motion is to authorise the public exhibition
of the new structure plan.
Moriac has moved really nicely, I believe, in the period
since 10 or 12 years ago, when the first structure plan,
or the first structure plan that I was involved in, was introduced.
Moriac is a really beautiful village and it's never going to be a metropolis,
and of course it shouldn't be, but its village feel does make it very
special in the Hinterland and it needs to be retained and that
is certainly reflected in this draft plan.
The purpose of a structure plan is to identify key structural priorities
it seems obvious, but just to reinforce that for the township,
including areas for residential growth and development as well as priorities
for key infrastructure development and that planning needs to be done
in the context of a knowledge and understanding of the culture
and the feel of the town and the aspirations of the residents.
There's been a lot of work done in talking to the residents about what they would
like in the future and a lot of that is reflected in the plan or
at least noted in the plan, in the draft plan as it is now.
There's a few big issues.
There's lots of issues in there that I could mention.
I think that the development of Moriac has been very sensitive
and very beautiful and the development of the Earle estate in fact,
I saw the Earles at a community event at the weekend and said the same thing,
that estate is really a great addition to the town and very attractive
and very nicely designed and that's the sort of development we need
in Moriac to keep that small village feel and larger blocks and all that sort
of thing.
So I think it's been good to date and we just need to keep that pattern up.
There's a few big issues.
As I said, structure planning is about big structural issues
and there's a few issues that I think have not been given due attention in this,
but it's not really it's really important that the community responds to this
and tells us what they think.
The first thing is the major problem with Moriac is the railway line
and the Hendy Main RoadCape Otway Road intersection.
It's a massive problem and a huge concern for people who traverse Coombes Road
and Hendy Main Road and who live in the area
and families who take their children to school right next to that railway line.
So recently I've been following up a concern of a parent that there
is simply a threewire fence between the school car park
and the railway line with an express train running
from Melbourne to Warrnambool along that line.
So there are big structural issues.
This plan identifies that intersection, but it doesn't come up with a solution
and it more or less says it's too big and too expensive.
I'm not sure that I'm personally satisfied with that,
but I'll be interested to see what the community has to say
about it.
I think generally the Moriac community supports continuing modest growth,
which obviously will have limits.
There's limits, natural or infrastructure limits
around Cape Otway Road and around the Thompson Creek, but there
is support for growth and there's proposed continued growth
to the south east and I think that makes great sense,
but we'll see what that's about.
So there needs to be a solution to that Hendy Main RoadCape Otway Road
intersection with the railway line.
There also needs to be a solution to the traffic congestion
around the school and I think those are big structural issues
and should be addressed in a structure plan.
We should be advocating for the train to stop at Moriac.
It's dismissed in this draft plan as being infeasible.
I'm not sure that that is right.
Anything is feasible if the right advocacy strategy is adopted.
There's a couple of things in the plan that I think shouldn't be in a structure
plan.
There's discussion about town entry signage.
That to me is not a structure plan issue, that's a community amenity
and visitor amenity issue, and entering signage is actually important
for a town, it's important to support the culture of the town
and make people feel proud.
It doesn't need to be in a structure plan.
We ought to be doing that as a project and get on with it.
I think the Lions park is in the same category.
The Lions park needs to be upgraded, it seriously needs to be addressed,
and it would make an enormous difference to Moriac if the Lions park was addressed,
as it was proposed to be addressed, and that is sort of put
on the future issues here as well.
Issues of contamination I believe have been resolved and so surely this
is not a structure plan issue, it's a project issue, and we need to get
on with it and deal with that for Moriac.
There's a couple of references in the plan that I sort of questioned.
It didn't seem right.
There's a reference to the population of the Deans Marsh and Moriac districts
and I just wondered, Deans Marsh is quite a way away unless that's some
special statistical area, I wonder whether it's sort of crept
in there unintentionally, and on page 40 there's referrals
to references to lot types in Winchelsea again, which I think
is not correct.
So there might have been a bit of cutting and pasting, but I am very and
they need to be addressed before it goes out.
I'm really interested in the community view.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Wellington.
We've now reached past your time.
So thank you.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thanks, Mayor Stapleton Mayor Pattison.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And we now move on to Councillor Schonfelder.
Did you want to speak to the motion?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Thank you, Mayor.
As a fourth generation not a fourth, sorry, a fourth generation Councillor
from my family who served in local government in this area and
as a sixth generation resident, I would like to pay my respects
to the First Nations people because since being elected, I've had the honour
of meeting Elders and they have told me a lot about the history
of certain areas in the Moriac district and I'd like
to note that Moriac itself in the Wathaurong language means bramble
(bidgeewidgee) and native raspberry, and Mayor,
I in particular love raspberries.
With this structure plan, it's going out for consultation and having attended
many Moriac community network meetings and also just liaising
with people in the township, people are very enthusiastic
about the future of Moriac and there's a great love of the area
from the community, and that was illustrated well last Sunday
at the opening of the new Modewarre fire station,
which I had the honour of attending, and as Councillor Wellington has stated,
a life member is actually in attendance tonight, Mr John Earle,
and he kindly gave me a tour of the new facility, which was fantastic.
Now we're coming out of COVID, people seem appear
to be much happier when it comes to attending community events
and I imagine when it comes to the new structure plan, people
will feel likewise.
I know that when it comes to boundaries and when it comes to ascertaining how
large a settlement should be, there's eternal debate
whether it should be based on roads that exist in certain areas,
such as Heidi Road and other roads in the Moriac district,
or whether it should follow the creek.
So I'd be very interested to hear from the community about that.
Councillor Wellington touched on the lot sizes, which are, on average,
about an acre and I think it works very well
for the Moriac area to have acre blocks and I really encourage members
of the community to make submissions and I look forward
to future conversations about Moriac.
I know that the railway station was mentioned, possible railway station,
which I think is something that would be wonderful
to be reinstated.
I know that when my grandfather was a Councillor,
there was a rail derailment there, sadly.
That's one thing I remember my late grandfather telling me about.
But look forward to future discussions about this item.
Thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Would any other Councillors wish to speak, Councillor Bodsworth?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.
I agree with Councillors Wellington
and Schonfelder, it's a great draft in my opinion and I look forward
to hearing what sort of responses we get from the community.
I wrote some notes which were very similar to what Councillor Wellington was saying
about the intersection in the middle of town and I appreciate that these are
big pieces of infrastructure that are difficult
to modify, but I've noted that air pollution
and noise pollution are both toptier priorities
for the World Health Organization.
They're important issues, public health and amenity and aesthetic issues as well
as safety issues, and I think that the draft deals well
with the safety aspect of that intersection,
but I don't feel that it deals well with the public health
and aesthetic amenity effects of that intersection.
I do know that between pavement design and speed limits,
there are two reasonably achievable modifications that can make a
big difference, particularly to truck noise.
I think that that could also apply here in the centre of Winchelsea,
where truck noise is a big issue, and I agree that we should continue to try
to help with that as far as we can, given that we're not the authority
for those pieces of infrastructure.
But a couple of other things that I wanted to note was the acknowledgment
of Wathaurong traditional owners and some really great information
in section 2.1, including a fantastic illustrative map
of traditional owner landmarks in the Moriac area, which I think
is a fantastic addition to a structure plan.
It gives it that context stretching way back before European settlement.
So I find that a great addition.
I think the Surf Coast Shire Council has done structure plans well
for quite a while.
Well before becoming a Councillor I appreciated the structure plans
and I appreciate this one and look forward to hearing what people have to say
about it.
Thanks.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Hodge?
CR ROSE HODGE: Thank you.
Just very quickly, I'm sure we're going to get a very detailed feedback
from the community.
I attended a Moriac Mother's Day market and I was really surprised at
all the information that was there.
Ambassadors were at the front of the market welcoming people and saying,
"What do you want, what do we need?",
and the amount of information they were given and taking down
and listening was really quite remarkable.
So I'm looking forward to hearing back because I think we're going
to get some really good feedin from great community people that are
putting a lot of time and work in and of course a lot
of our work has been in the background report done by the officers,
which has helped the community.
So I think it will be one of those community feedbacks that
will be very, very community spirited and I'm sure we'll be told exactly
what they need.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Wellington, did you have any closing remarks?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Yes, I just had one question, actually, I meant
to ask earlier.
Sorry.
There's a reference in the plan to monitoring the quality
of water in the Thompson Creek and I think the action is to advocate
for someone else to do that and I just wondered who's responsible
for doing that and is it not possible for us to do it
because the Thompson Creek obviously runs eventually into the Karaaf Wetlands.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Ms Seymour?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Thank you, Mayor Pattison.
So I would imagine it's the CCMA that are responsible for that monitoring,
Councillor Wellington.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thank you.
So it's obviously pretty relevant to Moriac because, you know,
there's no reticulated sewerage system there, so the issue of the ability
of the land to absorb waste water is a really important limiting factor
on the growth of Moriac.
I think that there is there's 70 pages of fairly dense discussion in this plan
and for people who don't feel that they want to or can read the whole lot,
there's a summary actually on pages 58, 59 and 60 of the plan, which
is just the overall framework.
So it talks about the theme, the principles, the strategies
and the actions and that's probably a good place to start
for people in the community to see what's in this plan and see what comments
they would like to make.
And I'd really encourage people to do that and hopefully we can get one
of the big advantages of Moriac is it's a small community like Winchelsea,
so when there's something like this to be talked about, it is possible
to get the word out and get the community really engaged,
so I'm hoping that we do that and we get lots of submissions back.
People really love the places where they live everywhere,
but that can definitely be said for the people who live in Moriac.
So I'm happy to endorse the motion that this goes out for public exhibition
for six weeks.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
We'll now put the motion to a vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
We now move on to the Winchelsea Mud Hut Project
Consultation and Funding Update.
The purpose of our next report is to provide a summary of the feedback
from the sevenday consultation period and seek Council's endorsement
of the proposed project funding strategy for the Winchelsea Mud Hut Project.
Do we have a mover of a motion.
Councillor Schonfelder.
Is that as per the recommendation?
Yes.
And a seconder?
Councillor Wellington.
Councillor Schonfelder, do you wish to speak to the motion?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Yes, please, Mayor.
The recommendation notes the community feedback from the consultation period,
also adopting the design concept developed by the communityled project control group.
Once again, I'd like to congratulate the members
of the control group, Richard Butler, Alison Dean, also Mike Tucker
and Jackie Doyle also participated.
I must say that I was in favour of a replica being built of the Mud Hut.
I've actually celebrated birthdays there.
It was built when I was eight years old, very fond of the building
and I felt it added to the history of Winchelsea.
But having spoken to members of the community and local traders,
as well as Richard Butler and Alison Dean in particular,
they suggested that a more open design would allow more light and be less dingy
and would also match the public toilets and the playground area
with the skillion designs there.
I also think the fact that there's more timber in this updated design has been
welcomed by the community, so I feel very positive now in relation
to that because I was quite upset, like many other members of the community,
about the original design and I made no secret
of the fact that I thought that it was actually a mistake.
I was horrified.
And I have had many locals tell me that they're so grateful that the Council
have decided to modify the design and I commend the Chief Executive Officer,
Ms Seymour, for the way in which she has acted in relation to this matter.
I know that I enjoy visiting the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne quite often and
for people who are familiar with the Botanic Gardens,
there's an area called the Terrace where it has a skillion design
and it also has an arbour and I know an arbour has been suggested
and also an observation platform and I will advocate on behalf of the community
to have that built because I believe the location is
of very high historical significance in relation to First Nations people
because it may be disputed, but we are in the Kulin Nation
at the moment, the Wathaurong traditional owner space,
and over the river is the Maar nation and that is significant in itself.
Also the fact that the Austins settled in Winchelsea
and Winchelsea was once referred to as Austin's Ford and the Austins came west
as far as they could find water and they found water with the Barwon River.
The historic buildings in the precinct, the town hall,
the old shire hall I'm biassed, but I think it's perhaps the most
beautiful town hall in Victoria.
We have the third oldest hotel in Victoria, the Barwon Hotel,
and I note tonight, Mayor, that we have Mrs Jennifer Bantow OAM,
who has probably forgotten more about history and heritage than I know,
but Mrs Bantow, we met through the National Trust and I am a
past volunteer at a very significant building which
is Barwon Park and I believe when Barwon Park was built,
it was the most significant building in the Southern Hemisphere possibly
within that timeframe and also Australia.
And I know that Richard Butler has mentioned to me that we need to record
and perhaps have a walking trail with the very significant historical
buildings in Winchelsea.
We are actually adjacent to a stadium here where the RSL have their
office and that's a very significant building
because Walter Burley Griffin designed the bricks built with that building,
so something to be very proud of.
But I know that having modern buildings like I referred to at the Botanic Gardens,
the Terrace there, that's surrounded by extremely significant historic
buildings, including Government House, and I think attracting families
and different people to come and have barbecues
and I'll add a little bit further in my right of reply, so really happy
with the final result.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Wellington, did you wish to speak?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thanks very much.
Well, the purpose of the motion tonight is to seek endorsement
of the funding strategy and finalise the acceptance of the design
of the Mud Hut.
It's a very much loved facility in Winchelsea, as everyone
in this room would know.
It was developed by the community many years ago
and I'm sure it was done with far less fuss than has occurred
around this current project.
The project has been retrieved from I think a very difficult position
and I'd like to thank the community as well, the members who represented
the community really well in overseeing the amended design.
I love the design, but really it's not about what I love, it's
about what the community wants and is willing and happy to accept.
So I wouldn't seek to impose my views on that, but I do think the design
is nice.
I felt there was a real need to go back to the community with the final design
and give the community a say and that's why we had that albeit short,
but nevertheless I think quite effective consultation period
after the last Council meeting.
I'm very glad indeed that that consultation occurred
because it gives me confidence to support the design
and the funding proposal tonight.
19 people responded to the shire's electronic request
for commentary, a 2 to 1 satisfaction ratio.
About twothirds were satisfied, onethird was dissatisfied.
I don't think that's a ringing endorsement
It's a majority vote.
But I joined with members of the project control group,
the community members Richard and Jenny Matheson and Mike Tucker.
We were up the street for a morning there on a Saturday.
We probably spoke to about 70 or 80 people I think in total and
in that consultation I got a very strong view.
The community was saying the new design is way better than the original design.
Everyone looked at it.
Not one single person said, "Oh, no, compared to the first one I don't
like this one, this one is no good."
People were, "It's very much improved."
That was the very strong feedback and the very strong feedback also was,
"We want to move forward with it and implement this."
Nobody hated it at all.
There was some people still saying "wish we could have the old Mud Hut"
and some people wanting more natural looking structures,
but generally people felt that it should be implemented and I think I agree
with that.
There's some really good ideas that came out of the consultation.
Mike and Richard both convened a meeting at the shire hall and about 15
to 20 people came to that and again some good ideas came out of it.
The overall cost of the project is $265,000.
$80,000 is for the additional woodwork and fixing up, I suppose.
It's a huge amount of money.
I won't comment further.
We need this structure.
The issue of efficiency of projects such as these I believe needs to be looked at
and needs to be debated at another time.
I can't believe what we're spending on it, but I'm very grateful to Council
for supporting it.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Wellington.
Would any other Councillors Councillor Bodsworth?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.
I agree with the previous Councillor's words.
I'm a landscape architect by profession, so I'm interested in this kind of thing.
My practice was in public buildings, buildings in the public sphere,
and as Councillor Wellington said before, people love the places they live in
and the public buildings in those places are particularly
important to people.
So my main observation in this, and without I guess with the benefit
of hindsight and without trying to suggest any blame,
I don't think we did a good enough design job in the first place.
I think that we're the current custodians of some incredibly special places
and we need to do justice to those places in our planning and design.
We've looked at the Moriac draft structure plan.
I think that that does a good job in its way as a structure document
of doing justice to the special values of Moriac, but I think a building
like the Mud Hut replacement needed to do justice to its setting, which
is a fantastic setting, as Councillor Schonfelder said.
So I'm also a fan of the new design, but as Councillor Wellington said,
it's even less my town than it is hers, so it's up to the people of Winchelsea
to embrace it.
I look forward to moving forward with it and I think it's got
to a really good place and I particularly would like
to thank the project control group and the members
of the community who rallied around to make this as good as it's looking now.
Thanks.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Gazzard?
CR KATE GAZZARD: Yes, thank you.
I'll just add I really like the design as well and I was really impressed
with the community and Council's dedication
to getting community engagement in a very short period of time over the seven days,
so well done to everyone.
I think my favourite verbatim quote is, "This is fine, hurry up and build it".
So yes, well done to the community on all your advocacy around this
and I look forward to seeing it being built.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Barker?
CR PAUL BARKER: It was a pleasure hearing from Winchelsea community
about their desires for the Mud Hut and what the redevelopment might look
like.
While this design might not be exactly what everyone in the local community may
want, what it does represent is a truly consultative process
between Council and the community.
One of the design features that is going to be a significant benefit
is the angle of the roof.
It might not seem like much, but it actually accounts for the wind,
rain and sun.
Because of the angle of it, it is going to minimise the impact of the view
for the river area from Barwon Terrace and based on the wind rows,
the historic winds, it will provide a reasonable degree
of protection from the rain should the rain come in and due
to the northfacing element, it's actually going to allow
as much natural light in as possible.
So other than the aesthetics, it's a really functional,
welldesigned project.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Did you have any closing remarks, Councillor Schonfelder?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: I do, Mayor.
I need to be very honest and say that I was very upset
about what happened with the Mud Hut, to be honest,
and I feel that it's a sad reflection on my colleague and my predecessors,
who sadly neglected to have the hut upgraded CR HEATHER
WELLINGTON: Point of order, Madam Mayor, if you don't mind.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Schonfelder , can you please move on about the motion?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I'd like to think about relevance, a point
of order on relevance.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Well CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Point of order,
Mayor Pattison.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And I've asked Councillor Schonfelder to keep
to the point.
Sorry, I've actually asked him to.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Sadly, Mayor, the truth hurts and CR HEATHER WELLINGTON:
Oh, Mayor Pattison, can you please MAYOR LIZ PATTISON
: Councillor Schonfelder, can you please CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER:
Councillor Schroeter would be turning in his grave MAYOR LIZ PATTISON:
Excuse me, Councillor Schonfelder please be
quiet while we hear the point of order.
That's the Governance rules.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Point of order.
It's a complete lack of respect for current Councillors
and previous Councillors.
One also is in the room.
Councillor McIntyre, welcome to you as well.
You were wonderful to work with and nice to see you here tonight.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Schonfelder, could you please move on
to your closing remarks specifically around the recommendation and keep it
to the point, please.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Well, I endorse the recommendation
and one positive part of COVID I'd say is the fact that people are walking their
dogs more in town and I'm hoping that there
will be water available with the new Mud Hut and I believe it
will be and it would be great if dogs did have access
to water there also and I think the Mud Hut should have been
upgraded years ago.
I won't say any more.
It's caused a lot of stress to me and, sadly,
I feel that some colleagues don't care about that.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: I think we'll leave it there, Councillor Schonfelder.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We'll now put the motion to vote.
All those in favour.
Thank you, and the motion is carried unanimously.
We'll now move on to the next item.
The next one is the potential discontinuance and sale
of Councilowned pathway between Smith and Warner Streets, Winchelsea.
The purpose of this item is to advise Council of the outcome
of the community engagement relating to the discontinuance of the pathway
between Smith and Warner Streets in Winchelsea and to seek approval
to discontinue the pathway and sell the land, being an area
of 243 square metres.
Do I have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Wellington.
Is that as per the recommendation?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Yes, thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And do I have a seconder?
Councillor Schonfelder.
Councillor Wellington, would you like to speak?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thank you very much
This will just be brief.
This is 243 square metres of public land which is no longer needed
for public use.
It's acted as an access point in Winchelsea.
It's effectively a laneway, but it is going to be replaced
with a similar laneway effectively about less than 40 metres to the east
of the current laneway.
So it's been through a consultation process.
There's been no objections.
The sale will be for $31,000.
The money will go into future Winchelsea projects
and the land will no doubt be a lovely additional space
to the four adjacent homes which will get the benefit of it,
or the adjacent blocks.
But from my perspective, it's been through the proper process,
there's no problem with it.
We should just approve it and move on.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Schonfelder, would you like to speak?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: I reserve my right, thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Would any other Councillors like to speak?
Councillor Barker?
CR PAUL BARKER: A question.
How does the approximate value per square metre relate to adjoining land.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: I'll pass that through to our CEO.
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: So the process by which we are required to sell the land
is we have to get it valued and so I don't know what
the how it compares to the value of the land around that,
Councillor Barker, but we have had an independent evaluation
of the land as we're required to do and that valuation came back at $31,000,
which I would imagine is similar to the land in that area,
but I can't speak to that.
CR PAUL BARKER: I can.
On a brief very, very brief assessment it's around
about $125 per square metre compared to around about $1,000 per square metre
for adjoining land.
I think we're getting absolutely reamed on this.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Did you want to speak further to the motion?
No?
Thank you.
Any other Councillors wish to speak?
Councillor Wellington, did you have any closing remarks?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thanks, Mayor Pattison.
Look, I had thought of the same issue and it seems to me it's 243 square metres,
so I didn't look at equivalent values per square metre,
but I thought if you had two and a half of these blocks, you'd effectively have a
small house block in Winchelsea.
So I sort of doubled it by two and a half and got to the price we're getting
for it is about $76,000 and obviously you can't buy a house block
in Winchelsea for $76,000, but I don't know how you value these
pieces of land.
They're a tiny strip behind relatively small strip
behind four other properties.
It's a bit of a windfall for the properties,
but it won't add the value of the whole block.
You know, the question is what value does it add to them?
It certainly adds amenity value.
Whether it adds a lot of value to each individual property I don't know.
Probably the developer at the end of the day of those blocks gets benefit
out of it.
I don't know what the answer to this is.
It's the same issue in Cyprus Lane.
How do you value Cyprus Lane?
It's not a freestanding house block.
Noone can build on it.
This has actually some public health and safety issues I think too that need
to be thought of in this.
So on the basis of it being quite small and on the basis of it being of no benefit
to anybody else, which no doubt would substantially reduce
its market value, I'm satisfied with it.
But I appreciate the point you're making, Councillor Barker, I do understand it,
and I think it would benefit for us it would be a benefit for us
to explain a bit to the community how these valuations are
made, what criteria are applied to valuing a piece of land that's
of no use to anyone else but potentially quite considerable benefit
to a small number of people.
So I'm happy for it to go on this basis, but I understand the point you're making.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
We'll now put the motion to a vote.
All those in favour.
All those opposed.
And the motion is carried.
We now move on to item number 4, the Residential Nature Strip Policy review
The purpose of our next report is to present the reviewed SCS059 Residential
Nature Strip Policy to Council for adoption.
Do I have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Wellington.
Is that as per the recommendation?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And a seconder?
Councillor Bodsworth.
Would you like to speak to the motion, Councillor Wellington?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thank you very much , Mayor Pattison.
Council previously approved, a couple of meetings ago approved,
the Residential Nature Strip Policy and Guidelines.
I didn't support that motion because I felt there was a lot
of inconsistencies and inappropriate prohibitions included
within those documents that had actually no mechanism to be implemented
at that point and there seemed to have been a bit
of a breakdown in the notion of what do we want versus what have we got
the power to implement.
And I thought that that caused a great deal
of community uncertainty potentially, so I then moved a motion
at the following meeting and I explained all my concerns about them
and the Council supported that motion and these documents went back
for further work.
I think the only thing I would say is I think the work that's being done
is really good.
I spent a lot of time going through explaining what I saw
as the issues and regulatory law is my interest, of course, and I went
through explaining the issues that I saw with the policy and they were they've
all been addressed in the new draft.
So all the prohibitions that should never have been in a policy document have been
removed and I think that's a really good thing, so I'm quite happy
with the current draft as a policy.
The guidelines will be now addressed as part of the local law amendment
and they'll be incorporated into the local law,
which then gives a mechanism for them to actually be enforced.
So I'm quite happy with that process.
I think a number of people, including some around this table, huffed and puffed a bit
and said this is you know, it's ridiculous and it's, you know,
not necessary.
It is necessary.
When you're creating a law, which is what the local laws are
and what the guidelines were intended to be, it is absolutely necessary.
It's an absolute principle of administrative law that
they should be no more complex than is necessary to give effect to the policy
and that legislation should enable those affected by the law to understand it
and understand how it applies, and I think that was not the case
with the previous two documents and it is much clearer now
with the current policy at least.
I regret that getting to this point took so much time certainly
for me, but perhaps also for others and I would very much like to see a review
of the processes that this Council adopts when we're making laws
and regulations or we're attempting to impose things on the community such
as in the previous document we said something like
"you'll be penalised if you don't maintain your nature strip".
Now, I don't know how the community would react to that
if they'd have realised that's what was being said to them.
I think there would be a lot of people being penalised potentially
and there might be quite a reaction to that.
So it's not the way to go about dealing with nature strips.
We try to encourage people to make them nice and add to the amenity
and not cause environmental damage, which some of our nature strips,
particularly in North Torquay, there's a tendency to cover them
with compacted gravel, which is environmentally really unsound,
and it's time we stopped it and we should have been enforcing a
long time ago and we need to stop it and this policy now clearly says that's
not and the guidelines, you know, that's not an acceptable way
to treat your nature strip and I'm very much hoping that not only
will we say it, but we'll enforce it because it's very bad for the environment,
particularly the Karaaf Wetlands.
So I'm pleased to see the policy.
If you look at the level of amendment to it, you can see the redline version,
it's been substantially changed, but I think it's good now and I'm happy
to support it.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Bodsworth, did you wish to speak to the motion?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.
I'm also happy to support this policy and I thank Councillors
and Council officers for the work that they've put in
to getting it right.
I think that the version that we've got in front of us is really good.
I particularly would like to thank members of the communities
around the shire who've contributed as well and I particularly would like
to point out the principal basis of the policy and the first principle
is nature strips are a public space that contribute to a sense of place
and community and I think that's particularly relevant
here in Winchelsea, where we had the example of the honest
and free stand, which in fact was one of the I guess exemplars of what was wrong
with the previous approach to nature strips and what could be right
with a new approach to nature strips, which was to try to find ways of people
to love their nature strips and share with their neighbours
and create that sense of community.
It's really an opportunity on nature strips for people to engage
in really local level place making activities that improve
the place that they live in.
So I appreciate that the policy has brought that principles basis
and provides a way for people to do that and to add value to their communities
and increase that sense of community spirit.
Another person that I'd like to acknowledge is Sue Carr
in Torquay who's been a really fierce advocate
around the issue particularly that Councillor Wellington mentioned,
which is inappropriate surfacing of nature strips that reduces
the permeability of the soil and increases rainfall runoff rather than
allowing rainfall to soak into the soil and replenish the sort of soil profile.
So I've learned a lot about nature strips and my appreciation
of nature strips has come along a lot over this process.
They really are they're very valuable pieces of land for all kinds of reasons
and I think this policy sets it out really well.
Thanks.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Gazzard?
CR KATE GAZZARD: Thank you.
Yes, there's been a lot of work done into this policy.
I really like the principledriven so there's
the five principles around public space, sense of place and community,
around safety, around a healthy environment for people,
plants and animals, supporting climate change response
and managing risk of fire and then housing essential services.
So nature strips are very important and we've been talking a lot lately
about place making and what makes a place and I think if we can have feel at home
with our nature strips and things like growing vegetables and sharing,
that can really add to our community and that sense of belonging.
So I think, yes, nature strips are really important in so many ways.
I will just point out the amendments, particularly in principle 3 and 4,
the line has been crossed out about Council not permitting hard surfaces
such as gravel, concrete and artificial turf, so if anyone
is concerned about that, it actually in the next item
that we're discussing, Council are not allowing gravel
or compact surfaces.
So the point that it's taken out of this doesn't actually stop,
it's still not permitted, so just if anyone was concerned about that.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Barker.
CR PAUL BARKER: Thanks, Mayor.
This will be a lesson to Councillors, officers and the community,
but if you want to ram policy through without conducting appropriate due
diligence, you may very well find that work
is doubled up to correct areas.
While I'm opposed to authoritarian policy dictating how
individuals must behave in public spaces, when wording such as
"nature strips play an active role in supporting Council's
climate change response",
you really need to question the validity of such a claim.
Then when you make the loose claim of "trees
and grassed nature strips can contribute to reducing the overall heat effect",
you lose me and many others who are sick and tired of hyperbolic claims.
Then this line, "residents need to have space available in the nature
strip to place their bins for collection on garbage collection days".
I see many examples where placing bins on the road is a far more practical place
for them to be located for collection.
And if I were to be pedantic, I'd edit that line to read "available
on the nature strip",
not "in",
but I failed year 10 English, so what would I know?
I think you should be able to do what you want with your nature strip
if you're maintaining it.
Now, I can appreciate the intent is to provide policy that creates certainty,
but when you go off the rails claiming environmental
alarmism, you get a big fat no from me.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Would any other councillors wish to speak?
Do you have any closing remarks, Councillor Wellington?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thank you very much
Look, I do think that nature strips contribute
very much to our environment.
There's about if you add up all the area in nature strips,
I think it was 800 acres.
I asked that question a few months ago and I think there's about 800 acres
of land in municipal nature strips and if they're covered in granitic sand
and they're not permeable, that does cause a huge impact
on the environment, and the problem with that granitic sand, which
is where this all arose, for me, anyway there was two issues.
One was the free stand in Winchelsea which was closed down sort
of peremptorily by our officers and then was allowed to reopen,
fortunately, and the other one was Sue and Pat Carr, who raised the issue of
all the granitic sand in North Torquay.
That does go down into the waterways, it washes off in storm events
and then goes down and pollutes the Karaaf, and the Karaaf
is the biggest carbon sink that we've got in this shire and it's dying
because there's polluted stormwater going into it.
So I think these nature strips are really important
and I think the policy should not make statements about what people can
and can't do.
That belongs in the local law because that's the only mechanism
we've got to enforce it.
So the policy itself needs to set the framework for what we want
to achieve and generally I think this does way,
way better than the previous one did in any case.
So I'm happy with it.
I appreciate Councillor Barker's concerns, but I do feel it's reasonable to progress
at this point, thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We'll now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And those opposed?
And the motion is carried.
We now move on to the fifth item, Draft Proposed Community Amenity Local Law
2023.
The purpose of our next report is to present the Draft Community Amenity
Local Law 2023 and the Residential Nature Strip
Guidelines to Council for endorsement for public exhibition and
to invite submissions from the community for a period of six weeks.
Do we have a mover?
Councillor Stapleton.
Is that as per the recommendation?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Yes, it is, thanks, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
And do I have a seconder?
Councillor Gazzard.
Councillor Stapleton, did you wish to speak?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: I do.
Thank you, Mayor.
So from time to time Council reviews the Community Amenity Local Law
to make sure that it's up to date and effective.
So by way of background for the community, the current local laws went
through an extensive engagement and review in 2021 and were adopted by Council
in December that year with a resolution to commence a more targeted review
of some specific issues that we knew were important to our community.
These included burning off, gravelling of nature strips, parking
on nature strips, key worker accommodation,
and tiny houses on wheels.
So following a review of those specific issues, Council resolved
in December last year not to make any changes to the laws
around burning off and key worker accommodation.
With regard to tiny houses on wheels, we've announced a twoyear trial
of tiny houses on the Surf Coast, which
is now being conducted separately by officers, so that's not part
of this local law review and amendment process.
And the issues surrounding nature strips have been addressed
through the development of the nature strip policy,
which you've just heard about and has just been endorsed by Council,
as well as the development of new Residential Nature Strip Guidelines
which are being proposed to be included in the local law so that
they are enforceable.
For clarity, because there's a fair bit in this,
tonight we are considering endorsement of the draft amended local law 2023
and we're inviting the community and that includes all of you, hopefully
to provide us with feedback on some of these proposed updates.
So along with the new nature strip guidelines,
the proposed changes include expanding the definition of no smoking areas
to include ecigarettes and vaping; extending provisions for camping
and temporary accommodation and the keeping of animals
to support people fleeing family violence; and allowing for people who identify
as nonbinary or gender diverse to use facilities such
as toilets that are appropriate for them by removing a clause, which
is clause (j) that was referred to earlier.
This would also allow children over the age of 6 to be accompanied
by a parent or caregiver of a different gender when using toilets
and other facilities.
So most of these changes are probably
selfexplanatory, but given the public question
we had earlier tonight regarding the removal
of that clause that changes access to toilets and facilities,
I'll just add a few comments.
So legally, first and foremost legally, this change
is required so that we are compliant with the federal Sex Discrimination Act
and the Victorian Gender Equality Act.
So under the Gender Equality Act, Council is required
to undertake a gender equality impact assessment.
Every time we want to amend or update the local laws or
create a policy or strategies, we now have an officer that
will undertake a gender equality impact statement to make sure that the laws
and the strategies and the policies that we're creating aren't having an adverse
impact on the community.
So essentially, as I think has been explained tonight,
the change or the removal of this clause means that our facilities
would be inclusive and respectful of everyone, regardless of their gender,
so that people who identify as nonbinary or gender diverse can use
the toilets that are appropriate for them.
As was mentioned, it would allow parents to take their 7yearold children
into the toilet with them or, importantly, parents of disabled children to take them
into any bathroom without breaking the law as it currently stands.
Realistically, across the shire we don't expect
to see major changes to the way that the majority
of people use our public toilets as a result of this proposed change.
Many other councils have never had this requirement in their local law or if
they did have, most of them have been removed.
If residents are concerned about their safety, there are laws
in place to protect our community from people behaving
in an offensive or threatening way and people should definitely call
the police if they have any issues like this
from any gender or anyone in the community
We want the Surf Coast Shire to be a place that everyone can continue
to enjoy and appreciate.
A large part of that is to ensure that it is safe and inclusive.
These changes will help to achieve this.
Now, of course I would expect that there are a wide range of views
on what's proposed through our amended local laws
and I appreciate that this may be challenging for some people
in our community, so please use this consultation period
to share your concerns with Council so that
all perspectives can be considered.
I urge my fellow Councillors to support this motion tonight so
the draft and I reiterate this is a draft local law can be placed
on public exhibition for community to consider and respond
over the fourweek period.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Stapleton, you'll need
to finish that up.
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
And Councillor Gazzard, would you like to speak to the motion?
CR KATE GAZZARD: Thank you.
Yes, I'll support this motion.
I think it's really important that we keep our local laws up to date
and a really important area to improve gender equality.
As mentioned, the nature strip guideline changes
that have been made, the gender diversity changes and I think,
importantly, there's some changes around the camping laws and keeping
of animals to allow longer than the maximum
in the setting of domestic people escaping domestic
violence, which I think is really important.
So yes, I'll support this.
I recommend I encourage the community to make submissions
and we'll hopefully hear from you in the fourweek period.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Would any other councillors like to speak
to the motion?
Councillor Barker?
CR PAUL BARKER: Thanks, Mayor.
I'm happy to support the process of placing these documents up
for public exhibition.
Thank you to Beau for his public question at the start of the meeting highlighting
what I think is a significant change to our local law.
What I am concerned about is that this policy
will not be applied uniformly.
There are many places where residents have made use of the nature strip
for vegetation that is inconsistent with this policy.
I don't care so much for this, but if any residents or ratepayers
identify inconsistent policing of this policy in the future,
I'd encourage them to contact me.
A key concern for me is this extract from the agenda, 6.2, "Clause 2(j)
of the Principal Local Law (Behaviour in Municipal Buildings) is deleted
in its entirety as recommended through the GEIA.
The deletion of this clause will remove the prohibition for people
over six years old to enter a Council facility intended
for use by persons of the opposite gender".
Now, with regards to prohibitions on vaping, I do not support this.
Vaping emits water vapour.
It is 95 to 97% safer than smoking cigarettes and
is a great way to transition smokers to healthier alternatives.
You take on vaping on all vapours from all levels of government is disgusting
and I think is a huge attempt at growing tobacco tax
by forcing people who are choosing a healthier option to go back
to smoking cigarettes.
And by the format of the agenda, noting a Councillor's attendance
at briefings is a Y or an N, not an X.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Okay.
We'll take that on board.
Thanks, Councillor Barker.
Any other Councillors?
Councillor Wellington.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thanks, Mayor Stapleton [sic].
I'm not supporting this motion that the local law be sent out
for community consultation.
I'm really concerned about the sort of omnibus nature of this.
There's so many issues in this that actually need
to be debated properly and we've got a whole bundle
of things relating to growing spinach on your nature strip compared
with allowing, for example and I just want to check if I'm correct on this,
but my reading of removing clause 2.1(j) from the local law
is that any adult male could go into a female change room
at a facility such as this and as long as they didn't commit a criminal offence
by well, obvious criminal offences could be
committed, but as long as they just walked through and used the toilets and wandered
around, perhaps used the showers, they wouldn't be breaching any local law.
So that's my reading.
Is that correct?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Sorry, Councillor Wellington MAYOR LIZ PATTISON:
Yes, I think that is correct as long as they're not creating nuisance,
but if they were, you could call the police.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: As long as they're not creating nuisance.
So anyone could go into the female change rooms
at our netball courts down here, any man could wander around,
have children perhaps 10, 12, 14 years old, do their parents need
to be there?
How are those girls, if they're girls, or boys if it's a woman walks
into a boys' change room, how are they going to feel?
Now, I believe that every person, taking women as an example,
which I probably know best every woman and every person who identifies
as a woman should be permitted to use a female facility.
I do not believe that a man who doesn't identify as a woman but decides,
for whatever reason, to go into a female change room I don't believe
that our local laws should not prohibit that.
I think they should prohibit that.
I think if you're expecting a 10 or a 12yearold girl in a netball club rooms
to ring the police when a man comes in and does nothing other than wander in
and use the toilet and wash their hands and probably hasn't committed a criminal
offence, Councillor McIntyre might have more
knowledge of that aspect of the law than me,
but I don't think that would be an offence and then our Council would have nothing
to enforce that to fine people or to enforce that.
So I think Beau has raised a really important issue, which was also
on my agenda.
I know this has caused Councillors in other Councils
to be called transphobic.
I am not transphobic and if anyone chooses to call me that, I will respond and,
you know, that's the reality and I've got experience in doing that.
I am not transphobic.
I'm just saying that there are consequences
of this I don't believe have been properly thought through
and it's buried in the middle of a local law change that addresses
nature strips and vaping and various other amendments
and I think that is inappropriate.
I will not support its release to the community in this state.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Would any other Councillors like to speak?
Councillor Schonfelder.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Mayor, I hope you won't interrupt me
and bully me while I'm speaking on this item.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Oh, point of order, Mayor Stape Mayor Pattison.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Schonfelder , can you please stick
to the item that you're discussing?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: I concur with Councillor Wellington
and I personally believe that if you have male genitalia, you should go
to the male toilet, if you have female genitalia, you go
to the female toilet.
I have no exception to how people are dressed or attired
at any point in time.
So I will be voting against this item.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Bodsworth?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.
As Councillor Stapleton pointed out moving the motion, there are a lot
of different views out in the community on that particular aspect of this item
on the agenda.
I'm looking forward to hearing from people and in that respect I do support putting
this out as per the recommendation.
I've consulted with I've done some reading.
Along with a vast array of different subjective opinions
on this matter, there's also a fairly decent array
of more objective evidencebased research on this issue
and I believe that we've drawn on that already
in putting this position together.
In terms of Councillor Wellington's concerns,
which I share, the local law would still retain the words
"a person must not",
just to read a few of them, "commit any nuisance in a
municipal building, interfere with another person's use and enjoyment
of a municipal building, act in a manner which endangers any
other person, use indecent, insulting, offensive or abusive language".
So not to take away from what Councillor Wellington is saying
as I said, I share some of her concerns but those things remain in the local law
and they're important to recognise.
In some of my reading I'll read out something that I've gleaned
from Architecture Australia: "There is no evidence that genderneutral
public toilets increase the potential for sexual or other violence
and gendersegregated toilets do not stop men's perpetration of violence"
obviously not just men as perpetrators, that can work in the other direction
"There is not one best option.
The right solution for a given situation depends on factors,
including preexisting building design, the nature of the space and who
will be using it.
Where possible, providing access to genderneutral
and gendersegregated toilets is ideal.
"So that's part of the more objective evidence base
that's out there.
I think we need to continue to draw on this as well as the information or
the perspectives that we get back from the community.
So I support this going out for public input.
Thanks.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Can I have a question, Mayor Pattison?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Yes.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I'm just wondering my experience of local laws in the
past going out for consultation is at least something people alert
to (inaudible) ... (Live stream stops) MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: ...
of Surf Coast Shire Council as to how then we respond
to that when we're aware that we are not we do not have an inclusive local law.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thank you.
So just to be clear, we are not required MAYOR LIZ PATTISON
: Thank you, Councillor Wellington.
You've put forward your questions.
Would any other Councillors like to speak to the motion?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Sorry, just to it would, however my understanding
is that it would breach the Sexual Discrimination Act.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: To not allow men in netball change rooms?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: To have the current local law that we have in place.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I'd like to see the legal advice.
Is it possible for that legal advice to be disclosed
to Councillors or the community?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We can take that on notice, thank you.
Councillor Stapleton, do you have any closing remarks?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Thank you.
Yes.
So look, clearly there's mixed views.
I'm sure we will hear back from community about their thoughts.
I'm also interested in clarity around the legal requirements,
but obviously we have a fourweek window for the community to consider it.
There will be an opportunity for a hearing of submissions if needed
and obviously we'll have access to the relevant legal requirements
around that particular clause.
Just a couple of comments.
In relation to the attack on vaping, my understanding currently
is that there are 2,807 cases of ecigarette or vaping use that are
associated with lung injury, so I think it's legitimate,
and that there have been 68 deaths associated to that condition as well.
Vaping still uses nicotine, which is the addictive substance in cigarettes,
so I'm really happy that Council is actually extending its local law
around smoking to include ecigarettes and vaping.
I just wanted to provide that clarity.
So yes, I urge Council to support this motion.
I know not everybody agrees with all the changes, but it's important that
we do hear from community about what they think, so let's get it out
for public consultation and then we can consider the final
local law in due course.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
We'll now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And all those opposed.
And those abstaining?
Sorry, Councillor Barker, did you change your hand?
CR PAUL BARKER: I voted for.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: You voted for.
Thank you.
And the motion is carried.
We now move on to item 6, Deans Marsh Community Hub Facility
Development Plan Draft for Public Exhibition.
Item 4.6 is requesting Council considers endorsing
the Draft Deans Marsh Community Hub Facility Development Plan
and approves the release of the document for public exhibition for a period
of six weeks.
Do I have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Barker.
Is that as per the recommendation?
CR PAUL BARKER: Yes, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And a seconder?
Councillor Hodge.
Councillor Barker, do you wish to speak?
CR PAUL BARKER: Just very briefly, thank you.
First I'd like to thank Tony for his public question at the start
of the meeting.
His research into comparing liketolike projects
highlights the disparity this project has relative to others,
a concept that I'd already considered.
As you heard from Genevieve's question, there are many regulations
from other levels of government that create hurdles
for the maintenance of older structures.
I do what I can to agitate for the removal of these hurdles.
If you'd like to do this also, please let me know.
I can appreciate the desires and intent of this plan, but to base it
on requiring millions of dollars of funding from the State
and Federal Governments in a declining economy, it is setting this project
up for failure.
You've seen already the amount of projects that are getting pulled
from state and federal budgets and I fear that this will probably be one
of those and if we keep heading down this path with the expectation that
we're going to get this funding and it dries up, what do we do then?
Push on if you wish, but know that I've highlighted
the economic reality we currently live in and the high likelihood that those
external funds won't appear as planned.
I'll support this motion to move on to the public exhibition,
but unless the funding model shifts to one under our control, you'll likely get a no
from me when it comes back to this chamber.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Hodge?
CR ROSE HODGE: Oh, look, just very quickly, I'd like
to thank the Deans Marsh community through the MADCAP
and it has been a long consultation.
This is finally getting all the plans together and
of course we don't know what the future is, especially with funding, but we need
to get it out there and make sure that this design is what
they want, what they're after, and we've already heard
of different views already.
So no doubt there's going to be a lot of discussion and we're going
to hear it back and at least we've got something to go
to the future with and I think that's needed just
in case there is funding and grants available.
The 50 people that were at the community listening post
that I went to, it was really a community spirit and
as we said before, for and against, but I'm really looking forward
to this going out and actually coming back so then
we can see what happens in the future.
And we've got pressures right through the shire
on different infrastructure, so you never know what might come up.
There could be a small regional grant, there could be another grant,
and we've got to be prepared for it.
So I'd like to hear and see what the Deans Marsh
and surrounds people need for us to go ahead with it.
So I think it's great that it's going out for public exhibition.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Would any other Councillors like to speak?
Councillor Wellington.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I just had a question.
I think there was two concept designs that were prepared and presented
to the community and I just wondered whether any of them or either
of them incorporated retention of the current hall or
whether it was always proposed that this be a new development.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Wellington, it's my understanding that there's
significant structural changes that are needed
and maintaining the existing structure wouldn't be compliant once
those changes happened, but I will pass it on to Ms Seymour
if there's further qualifications required
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: So the GM of Place Making and Environment might want
to comment on this, Councillor Wellington, but the option in terms of the retention
of the current hall is challenging because effectively the requirements
around fixing any aspects of the hall, which is part
of my answer that I provided earlier, triggers a requirement for us
to effectively rebuild exactly the same hall from ground up because
of the amount of work that's required to repair the hall and for it
to be fit to purpose, and the work that we've been doing
is really understanding from the community what are their
priorities and needs in Deans Marsh now and into the future and what's required.
Hence the options were around two options of a new hub, as opposed to the retention
of the current hall.
But I don't know if the GM of Place Making and Environment wanted
to comment further on that.
MR CHRIS PIKE: No, nothing to add.
I think you've covered it.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Did you want to speak to the motion?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Yes, I would.
I mean, I'm really concerned that we've got a community hall that's been
of sufficient heritage significance to attract an overlay in the planning
scheme and we've been the custodians of that building and we're now saying
that it's not able to be repaired.
So that concerns me greatly.
What does that mean for other heritage buildings
around this town or it's almost like demolition by neglect
is the term that's used usually as a negative term against developers.
But I really am concerned about the notion that this organisation
has overseen the deterioration of a heritage building
to the point that it's not possible to retain it.
There was a the heritage adviser, David Row, who is a very good adviser,
I think he wrote this.
He said, "Given this is a shire asset with some surviving historic
and social value, retention of existing surviving original fabric
as part of the reconstruction should be considered
and it would be the ideal heritage outcome
Notwithstanding if complete demolition of the hall continues to be pursued,
a heritage impact statement should have been done in accordance
with the Burra Charter.
Graphic evidence that an option for the reconstruction of the hall
as a separate entity alongside a new development
is not functionally reasonable and a conservation management plan
for the recreation reserve is a net conservation benefit
if the demolition of the hall is prepared.
"I don't think that the first or the third ones of those have been done,
as far as I know.
I haven't seen them anyway.
I mean, I'm happy to put this out for community consultation,
but I'm deeply concerned about what seems to be the neglect of a historic place
by this organisation to the point where we then tell
the community it's not possible to restore or retain it and we have
to replace it with a contemporary design.
I do think the design is rather nice, I quite like it, although it did remind me
a bit of a church, I have to be honest, but other than that, it is quite nice,
it's got some very nice features.
But again, it's not about what I like, it's about what the community wants,
and I presume that there is either just acceptance
of Council's view that it's not possible to fix this hall and then add to it,
as we've done with numerous old bluestone homes
around the district, or else they do want a new one
and they're not worried about the heritage.
I'm not sure which is which.
I know Mr Watts has been worried about the heritage very much,
but I don't know how many others in the community understand the issues or
have asked to see the analysis of why it's not possible
to restore this hall as part of a redevelopment.
My only other question was is it possible to offer the hall for sale?
There's numerous churches and community halls
around Australia that have been offered, taken up for private sale, moved
to new locations and restored.
Is that a possibility?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Is that a question, Councillor Wellington?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Yes.
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: It may be a possibility.
I'm not sure that we've considered it, but I guess as part
of the future decisions around the site and the future use of the building,
it could be considered as part of that process.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thank you.
I'd really consider the community look at these issues very closely
in the consultation period.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Would any other Councillors like to speak?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Mayor, I'd like to speak, please.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Sure.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: I'd like to thank the members
of the Deans Marsh community who've been very passionate about their town and,
in particular, their very loved hall, also the National Trust,
who have many volunteers at Barwon Park and throughout the Geelong region
and are very passionate about heritage.
I'd like to emphasise that when it comes
to heritage, we seem to have it being eliminated step by step
and it is of great concern because during the election campaign there was
talk on the Council level about the goose that lays the golden egg
and we don't want to kill the goose, which
is this beautiful unique environment we have, and the uniqueness
and the characteristics of certain places in particular is so important.
Overseas there have been buildings that have been moved and relocated,
there are buildings that have been restored, and in fact there are buildings
that have had multistorey car parks built underneath them and I just would like
to know I won't ask this as a question, I'll just ask it rhetorically,
that to actually restore the hall and possibly even build a neighbouring
hall adjacent to it is also an option and the fact that the most one
of the most famous Australians ever actually performed in the hall
and that was Marjorie Lawrence is something that is
of very high significance.
I think in our country we seem to celebrate sporting heroes,
but I'm very sad that Councillor Allen is not here today because I know
he feels very passionate about it and I know there are conflicting views
within the community and I know this item is asking for community feedback,
but the Council is actually advocating for a brand new building
and I just feel that I agree with Councillor Wellington
in what Councillor Wellington has purported and I believe the new building
is aesthetically pleasing, but it's still not the same
as the current building that has a lot of atmosphere.
I won't be supporting this item, I'm afraid, because I just have seen
over my lifetime the removal of heritage in our area and I believe it's
to our detriment and I also feel that this is akin to what was planned at Point Grey
in Lorne and a lot of people were upset about that.
So thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Stapleton?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Thank you.
Just briefly.
Look, I know that there has been an enormous amount of time and effort
from the community and from officers in considering heritage
and the redevelopment of the Deans Marsh Hall.
I think the design is terrific, but I also appreciate that heritage
is significant and is really important.
I'm confident that heritage has been thoroughly assessed
throughout the process.
I know not everyone is going to agree with the recommendation, but I guess,
on reflection, heritage is much more than just the physical elements
of the building.
It's about the experiences that the Deans Marsh community has had
in that space and it's about the memories, and hopefully there will be other ways
to capture and acknowledge some of that heritage in the new build.
Unfortunately, you know, any change to the hall is going to require us
to rebuild and I think that to meet standards and community needs,
we need to really consider a building that's
going to be for the future and hopefully, through the design process, capture
and interpret heritage along the way.
I know it's not ideal, but we have to work with what we've got and, yes,
I encourage Councillors to support this going out
for community consultation.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Bodsworth?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: I don't have anything to add in terms of the substance
of the proposal, but I would just like to raise this as an example
of where we've had a really high level of local engagement
and really persistent local engagement, including from people who aren't happy
with how things have been going as well as people who've collaborated
to guide the proposal that we've had in front of us and I just think it's a
great example of how important it is for us to continue our relationships
with local communities.
I mean, our coming out here to Winch tonight is part of that
and I guess I'd just like to encourage people in communities,
even if you end up feeling like you're not getting what you want,
we so appreciate hearing from people and hearing people's passion
and putting us on the spot to sort of be here and defend our decision making.
I think it's all really important stuff.
So I'd just like to encourage people to continue to engage
like that in the process.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Gazzard?
CR KATE GAZZARD: Thank you.
Yes, Deans Marsh community are a really engaged, passionate
and insightful community who are really wanting to improve things
for their community while maintaining the heritage.
This community engagement was really very impressive.
The project steering group had 15 meetings
There were 30 people at the community presentation.
There were 55 submissions and 11 reference user group submissions.
So there has been a lot of work done and a lot of community engagement.
I think, from the heritage point of view, heritage is more than just the building
and the heritage adviser has said whether we can use part of the materials
and construction of the new building.
The architect the design is very impressive and it's got a sixstar
green star ESD performance, so a very environmentally stable design,
and it just looks like a really beautiful community hall
with multipurpose rooms that will support the community,
support the arts, support day care and families.
So I'm really very impressed and I'll support the motion to go out
for public exhibition and hear from our community.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Barker, did you have any closing remarks?
CR PAUL BARKER: Just briefly.
You've heard a range of different opinions on the subject.
If this is of interest to you, I would highly encourage you to engage
with the public submission process and if you don't, forever hold your peace.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
We now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And opposed?
And the motion is carried.
We now move on to item number 7, Response to Petition Beach Hotel Temporary Extended
Outdoor Dining Area.
Our next report is seeking Council's consideration
of the response to the petition 'Beach Hotel Outdoor
Structure'.
Do we have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Gazzard.
Is that as per the recommendation?
CR KATE GAZZARD: Yes.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
And a seconder?
Councillor Hodge.
Councillor Gazzard, did you wish to speak?
CR KATE GAZZARD: Yes, thank you.
So we received a petition regarding the Beach Hotel outdoor
structure, which in the Jan Juc Village the Beach Hotel during COVID opened
up their outdoor dining area which, you know, there are a lot
of bad things about COVID, but some of the community bonding and the outdoor
and sort of parklet dining areas were I think
a really actual a positive that came out of it.
The problem with so the outdoor dining area is lovely,
but now that all the COVID restrictions are gone,
the Beach Hotel only had another six months to have the outdoor dining area
open.
We got a petition with 1,464 responses to extend the outdoor dining area.
So this recommendation is that we move forward
with noting the petition, developing a policy and guideline
to extend outdoor areas and we can there was a parklet policy so
that we can keep our outdoor areas thriving and particularly in the streets
and in our dining areas even sorry, I'm really babbling contributing
to the sense of community in our dining areas.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Hodge?
CR ROSE HODGE: Thank you, Mayor.
Yes, I live about 400 metres from this area and
if you know the Jan Juc Village, it does need a bit of vibrancy
around it occasionally.
And after with COVID and everyone sitting outside,
it really rejuvenated that area.
Most of the shopkeepers were happy.
There are residents there.
The police were a little bit concerned, but I know our officers are talking
to the police about that.
We won't be the only Council doing this.
I know there's many other Councils in urban and Bayside that have experienced
what we went through and now they're going through drafting clear processes
for place making and it's requests from the community that they've really
enjoyed in this time that can they continue.
And sometimes we've got to set aside business as usual
and really look at new things that can incorporate
the community and incorporate places that people like to visit.
It's next to a doctor's and a coffee shop and a physio and it really stimulated
that area and I'd like to see it go forward.
It's not too good in winter, so we don't know if it's going to continue
through winter time, but I really hope our officers work
not only with the owners of the Bells Beach hotel, the police
and the local residents that are there too , because it does abut on to a residency.
But I've certainly had no complaints there and living so close to it myself,
I did see the benefits and it would really be fantastic
to see those benefits continue after COVID.
So we'll see how we go.
Anything new can go up and down and a few bumps along the way,
but I think the community have realised now after COVID these
outside places are really, really important
and I think the Jan Juc Village is one of those places where it would really
benefit the area and the businesses around it with a couple of car parks.
There's not a lot to ask.
So I look forward to moving ahead with a policy on this
and hoping the people of Jan Juc and the people that attend that area
really see a different change in the vibrancy
and how it's a better place making and friendly area.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Any other Councillors wish to speak?
Councillor Wellington?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thanks, yes, look, I'm happy to support this because it's
about developing a policy and guidelines.
I just have a word of caution.
As a longstanding Councillor with an interest in planning,
I often get people contact me from outside my ward about planning issues
and amenity issues are probably the most common that people are concerned
about being a minority where a whole community wants
the exciting outdoor entertainment, but the people who are immediately
affected can often be sort of almost viewed by others as oh, well,
you know, put up with it because everyone else is enjoying it.
You know, there's got to be a balance and under the planning scheme amenity still
does rate a mention.
In fact, I think the planning scheme generally
produces the right outcomes to these sort of applications.
So it has to be a reasonable amenity impact
and no individual's home and experience in their home should be sacrificed
for you know, completely sacrificed for the sake
of the majority in the community.
So it's not a numbers game.
It's about what's reasonable in the context.
I'm not familiar with Jan Juc Village really other than
in passing and I've certainly not had any complaints
from anyone there, but I have had complaints
along the esplanade at Torquay about the temporary facilities that were
put up I think maybe last summer and also about a homebased business there
where people were you know, the complaints about music, loud music,
and incessant exposure to doof doof music was one
of the complaints I got from somebody in Torquay as a result
of the temporary permit given to someone over the COVID period.
So I'm not saying this is not a good spot, it may well be a great spot.
I went to a coffee shop this morning in Highett and it was fantastic outside
and lovely and I don't think was causing a problem for anyone,
but I do hope that we have a good balance in assessing these kinds of proposals
to make sure that we don't sacrifice individuals unfairly for the greater good.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Bodsworth?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Yes, I agree with that and I think that's the good thing
about a policy and guidelinesbased approach to this,
rather than an ad hoc type of approach, is that it provides well, two things.
It provides us with a mechanism to work through it sort of methodically and
to unpack all the issues and presumably include permitting or
licensing arrangements that address the kind of issues that Councillor Wellington
just talked to and also it provides transparency
for the community to understand where we're at on it.
So I fully support this recommendation.
Thanks.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Barker?
CR PAUL BARKER: Thanks, Mayor.
I appreciate the concerns that were the catalyst for this petition
to be raised, but I would call on anyone creating a petition
to do their best to ensure that only relevant signatories
sign the petition.
When petitions like this are heavily weighted
with supporters from outside of the municipality,
it devalues the total number who've signed
But regardless of that, what I do hope comes from this
is that public space is activated for long term with consideration
for neighbouring residents.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Mayor, I would like to advocate the fact that there are
many people who visit our municipality and I think that their thoughts are also
important because it helps businesses with their revenue
and we are a large tourist area and it also includes the hinterland
as well and I know that in relation to this petition there are issues
that are relevant to other parts of our shire as well
because there's an increasing trend for pedestrianisation
and also the fact that to make it easier for people who are disabled or elderly
to have access to certain public areas.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Gazzard, did you have any closing remarks?
CR KATE GAZZARD: Thank you.
Yes, I agree with what the Councillors have said.
In this case, it has really revitalised the Jan Juc Village and it's
next to Swell, which also has an outdoor dining area
and it does have more of a sense of vibrant community,
particularly in the summer months when we have lots of visitors.
I think in winter it will obviously be a little quieter.
But I think it will be great if we have a policy that can help our
businesses thrive and help our community thrive as well.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We'll now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
Can I now call for a motion to suspend standing orders for 10 minutes?
I know we've all been sitting for two hours now
and there's probably need for a cup of tea.
Councillor Bodsworth, and seconded by Councillor Stapleton.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried.
So it's now (inaudible) resume at a quarter past 8.
(Short break) MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And can I have a motion
to resume standing orders, please?
Councillor Bodsworth, and seconded by Councillor Barker.
All those in favour.
And we will now resume Standing Orders of the meeting.
So welcome back, everybody.
We now move on to item number 8, Quarterly Budget Report March 2023.
The purpose of the next report is to receive
and note the Quarterly Budget Report for March 2023.
This includes the Comprehensive Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement
of Cash Flows, Statement of Changes in Equity and Statement of Capital Works.
Do we have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Hodge.
Is that as per the recommendation?
CR ROSE HODGE: Yes, thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And a seconder?
Councillor Bodsworth, thank you.
Councillor Hodge, would you like to speak?
CR ROSE HODGE: Yes, look, just very quickly on this one.
The report documents Council's financial position and variations to budget and
if you look at it, it's easy to read, it's got the financial statements
of the income revenue, balance sheet, changes in equity, cash flow statement
and capital works, and sometimes people are very interested
in that, and you'll note numbers next to it and that's variations
of the budget and all those variations are listed below.
So it's an easy document to read and it's a requirement that we show you it
for transparency in our finances.
So if you do have a read of it, it's quite easy to read
and I'm sure you'll enjoy some well, enjoy some of the financials that are
in it.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Bodsworth?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: No, thanks, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Any other Councillors?
Councillor Barker.
CR PAUL BARKER: We continue to receive more money from taxpayers from
around the state and country than initially budgeted for
and given the surpluses, I see it's quite apparent that largely
we don't need this external support.
I'd love to see us wean ourselves off the teat of external taxpayer funds,
but that's only going to be possible when we get back to basics and stop interfering
in topics that are outside of our remit.
If you have a look at the state budget released today,
you'll see that property owners are getting slugged hard
for the financial mismanagement over previous years.
We as an organisation cannot continue on a business as usual plan.
We'll need to rein in our own spending to limit our impost on the wallets
and purses of residents and ratepayers.
For the purposes of this motion, I will support the noting of the item.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Hodge, did you have any closing statements?
CR ROSE HODGE: Oh, it's just a term of words I wouldn't use of wanting to get
off the teat of the ratepayer, but if some people want to say it as,
so be it.
I just hope people accept this report as is.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: I now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
We now move on to item 9, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program
Update.
Item 4.9 is seeking Council's endorsement of a revised approach to deliver projects
under the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Do we have a mover?
Councillor Stapleton.
Is that as per the recommendation?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Yes, thanks, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And a seconder?
Councillor Schonfelder.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Can I just ask a question?
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Yes, sure.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Can I just ask a question, Mayor?
I think there's a slight error in the motion.
Part 2 says "reallocates $2.1 million of Council funds currently assigned
for projects identified in 1c above".
I don't know I can't see a 1c above.
I think it means in item 1.1, 1.2 and MAYOR LIZ PATTISON:
I'll just seek clarification on that one, please.
Thanks for drawing that one to our attention.
Ms Seymour?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: I think you're right, Councillor Wellington.
But perhaps our GM of Place Making and Environment may wish to clarify.
MR CHRIS PIKE: Through you, Mayor and thanks for picking that up,
Councillor Wellington yes, that's a formatting mistake.
That should be 1.3, rather than 1c.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Actually, I'm not sure that's correct either
because the three items, the Surf Coast Aquatic
and Health Centre project isn't identified previously in that motion at all.
I think it would be better just to say "pending approval",
et cetera, "currently assigned for projects identified as follows"
because I don't think the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre project
is otherwise included in the motion.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Wellington.
I'll just allow Councillor Mr Pike to give us some confirmation on that one.
MR CHRIS PIKE: Through you, Mayor Pattison,
so they should be two different lists.
The 2.1 million of Council funds so in point 2, the "$2.1 million
of Council funds currently assigned for projects identified in 1.3",
these are projects that would be effectively removed
from the renewal program, thereby freeing up funds which would be allocated
according to points 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, so they should be different lists.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Sorry, I just I don't think that's correct.
I'm sorry to be pedantic, but we do need to get the motion right.
I think the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre project, item 2.3,
isn't identified anywhere above, so obviously there's been a different set
of projects proposed at some point and that's just been carried over,
but it doesn't at the moment MAYOR LIZ PATTISON:
I'll just seek further clarification.
Thanks for raising your concern.
I think what Councillor what Mr Pike has said stands, that we're talking
about a reallocation of funding is that correct, Mr Pike, it is
as per you said that 1.3 replaces the 1c?
MR CHRIS PIKE: That's right.
So those projects identified at points 1.3.1 to 1.3.4 are projects
that are currently within Council's draft budget to be funded
from the asset renewal program and the proposition in 1.3 is
to move those into phase 3 of the Local Roads
and Community Infrastructure program, thereby freeing up $2.1 million of funding
in Council's budget.
Point 2 and the subsequent points propose an allocation of that 2.1 million
across the three projects, being the Horseshoe Bend
Road/Blackgate Road Intersection, the Multi Arts Centre project,
and the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre project.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I'm sorry, but MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you
for clarifying that.
That does make sense to me.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: It doesn't make sense, I'm sorry.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: It does, and can we move on
with Councillor Stapleton moving her CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: The motion is flawed,
I'm sorry.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Unfortunately if we can allow Councillor Stapleton
to speak to the motion, I'm sure she can clarify that for you.
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Perhaps, before I speak to the motion,
just to make sure we're all comfortable with the motion that's been moved, my read
of it is simply an issue of commas, and I know some people don't think grammar
is very important, but I think in this instance after 1c,
which should actually be 1.3, there should be a comma, so "1.3 above",
comma, "as follows".
So number 2 is talking about how that 2.1 million
is going to be reallocated and those three projects listed there make
up the reallocation of that $2.1 million.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Yes, no thank you, I understand that,
but item 1.c does not mention the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Care project.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: No, it's not supposed to be mentioning it.
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: It's not supposed to be mentioning it.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Sorry, item 1.3, it says "projects identified in 1.3 above"
and then the Horseshoe Bend Road project is there,
the Multi Arts Centre project is there in 1.3 above, but the Surf Coast Aquatic
and Health Centre project is not there, so MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And it's not
supposed to be because it's saying we're taking
as Councillor Pike Mr Pike, sorry, explained, we're reallocating funding
and we are then using that funding that's been freed up.
So if we move on to the motion and we allow Councillor Stapleton to speak
to the motion, it will become clearer for you as others debate it.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I doubt it, Mayor Stap Mayor Patterson.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We'll move on with the motion, thank you.
Councillor Stapleton please speak to your motion, thank you.
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Thank you, Mayor Pattison.
So I will move the motion as per the recommendation, noting that
in item 2 officers will update the projects identified in 1c
to 1.3 and possibly put in a comma after "above"
just for clarity.
So clearly already the community will have heard that this
is quite a complex agenda item, albeit, in essence, it's a really simple outcome.
So the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund
is designed to enable councils across the country
to deliver priority projects for their communities
and the Federal Government knows and the State Government that local
government is not in a position to deliver all of the priority projects that it needs
to do.
So this is one such grant process that's available to local councils
to deliver important road renewals, road projects
and community infrastructure.
This motion before us is asking Council to revise the selected projects that
we have nominated for that fund and the order of delivery
of those projects to ensure that our commitments can meet
the existing and revised timeframes that have been provided
by the Federal Government.
So without getting too bogged down in the details, it is important
to note that Council remains committed to delivering the Multi Arts Centre
project in Torquay and the Horseshoe Bend Road/Blackgate Road
intersection as part of phase 4 of the program, which is scheduled
for completion by June 2025.
In addition, by supporting this motion, it will enable Council
to deliver extra projects to reduce the road renewal backlog
and reallocate some funds to partially close the funding shortfall
for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.
All the details of these various projects and the amounts allocated
to them are in the agenda report if people are interested in reading it,
but the bottom line is that the revised approach
to this funding program will ensure that the projects
we are committed to already will be completed
and that we can bring forward some important road renewals in the process
as well as allocate 1.05 million to reduce some of the funding gap
in relation to the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre project.
Hopefully that helps to sort of explain to the community what the fund is about,
why we have this agenda item before us.
All the projects that we're committed to will still be delivered and as far
as the motion is concerned, I'm really comfortable that item 2,
reading through it, "Pending approval of Council's Phase 3 nominations
by the administering federal government department,
reallocates $2.1 million of Council funds [that are] currently
assigned for projects identified in 1.3
and the " as follows
is in reference to the reallocation of the 2.1 million, not in relation
to the projects listed at 1.3.
So the motion is to reallocate that 2.1 million
of Council funds to Horseshoe Bend Road/Blackgate Road,
the Multi Arts Centre project and the Surf Coast Aquatic
and Health Centre project.
Hopefully that helps to clarify some things for Councillors
and the community.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Stapleton.
I appreciate the clarification.
I hope that's clear for others now.
Councillor Schonfelder, would you like to speak?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Yes, please, Mayor.
I'd like to just emphasise that on page 394,
Horseshoe Bend Road/Blackgate Road Intersection project due
to a related third party infrastructure delay and that's an electrical substation
that requires relocation, that is the main reason why that project has
just been postponed.
It will still be delivered.
So I just thought I'd emphasise that and it does happen quite often that
we have to liaise with other third parties and delays occur from time to time.
Thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Would any other Councillors like to speak to the motion?
CR PAUL BARKER: Yes, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Barker.
CR PAUL BARKER: Thanks.
Putting semantics aside, I think if you're dealing with this sort of money
and you can't have your t's crossed and i's dotted,
there's a significant potential issue there.
The LRCI is a Federal Government program.
The Federal Government is in a trillion dollars of debt.
To expect that they will continue dishing out taxpayer funds is economic insanity.
I'll not be supporting any effort to make our children's future being laden
with a mountain more debt on top of what's already a monstrous amount.
If we can't look after own back yard with our own funds,
then we've royally screwed up.
If it's a federal road, the Federal Government should pay.
If it's a state road, State Government should pay.
If it's a local road, local government should pay.
I won't be supporting this motion.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Wellington?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I'm not going to support it because I can't follow it
and that's not I'm not very good on finances, but I can usually follow
a motion and I simply cannot follow this.
I can't follow the figures and we're talking about multiple millions
and the explanation just made no sense to me at all.
So I'm not going to support it on that basis.
I think we are talking about very large amounts of money
and the motion needs to be very clear and it's clearly got an error
in it identified in 1c which has now been replaced
with 1.3.
But it still doesn't make sense to me on that basis, so I won't support it.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Stapleton, do you have any closing remarks?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Look, just essentially that it's been proposed
that we bring forward some asset renewal projects so that Council is able to commit
to project deadlines required by this funding program and as a result,
it frees up some of the funds in our asset renewal budget to allocate
to other priority projects.
Accepting this motion will fulfil the aims of the Local Roads
and Community Infrastructure program, which are to support local councils
to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects,
support local jobs, and build the resilience
of local economies and communities.
I think it's a really important fund that enables councils
to achieve really important projects in their communities.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
We'll now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
All those opposed.
And the motion is carried.
We now move on to item 10, 2023 DEVELOP Artist and Creatives Grants.
For this item, we have a recommendation requesting
Council notes the awarding of the 2023 DEVELOP Artists
and Creatives Grants.
Do I have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Barker.
And a seconder?
Councillor Bodsworth.
Councillor Barker oh, sorry, I should have asked, is it
as per the recommendation, Councillor Barker?
CR PAUL BARKER: Yes, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Would you like to speak?
CR PAUL BARKER: Just briefly, thank you.
I think this will be one of the only times you'll see me move
a motion that involves grants, but simply because it's only noting a grant,
I can live with that.
It pains me a little bit, but anyway.
The voluntary interaction between consenting adults, this philosophy
is what drives me.
Grants are antithetical to this philosophy.
If you think forcibly taking other people's money and dishing it
out willynilly is a wise thing to do, go for it, but I think it's heartless
and it's theft and it's a redistribution of wealth that is totally unjust
and unfair.
I'll support the motion as it's only noting the grants,
but just so you know, grants are contributing
to the longterm economic stress of future generations.
If you should choose to support grants in the future, so be it.
Just know that the tradeoff is that you're going to negatively impact
the financial future of our children and their children's future.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Bodsworth, would you like to speak?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Just well, I'd like to congratulate both the successful
and the unsuccessful applicants for this grant round.
The DEVELOP Artist and Creatives Grants are part
of a larger suite, a larger grants program that
the Council administers.
They're all administered in accordance with a range of sort of set criteria,
so there's at least regardless of notwithstanding Councillor Barker's
opposition to the grants concept, the grants program is well structured
and it has led to many, many years of amazing outcomes throughout the shire.
I'm sure there's people in this room who've been successful grant
applicants in the past, and we've got another grants item coming
up next, the Events Grants.
I know that the money that is put out into communities via grants
is multiplied many times by the people delivering those projects
and I may well say the same thing with regard to the next item
and I think it's important for us as Councillors to continually be reminded
of the all the grant applicants have to do acquittal reports
to acquit their grants and it's an important part of that for us
to understand as Councillors where our grant funding
went and how it multiplied throughout the community and led
to both financial and nonfinancial benefits as well
as understanding any problems and how they can be fixed.
So I fully support this and I congratulate the successful people
and I'm looking forward to seeing what the outcomes are.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Wellington?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thank you.
I just wanted to mention the Marjorie Lawrence
Celebration of Soprano festival, which I think is going to be a really,
really significant event.
I don't know whether people on this Council truly understand
the impact Marjorie Lawrence had on music globally, on singing globally.
She was a worldrenowned soprano and she grew up in Deans Marsh
and her father built the Winchelsea Globe Theatre for her to have an event space.
Then she went on to become a world you know,
a globally recognised soprano.
This event Winchelsea has got a great history in music and this event is
about promoting awareness of her career and her impact and the idea is that there
will be there's been a documentary made about her which is a fascinating film,
it's just fabulous, and that will be shown and then there will be a music competition
and this is actually contestants the contestants to be attracted
to this are really highlevel singers themselves, so these are people
with very significant talent and experience who will be singing
in this competition and it will be a great event and it
will attract people from across probably the state
and possibly even across the country because
she was so well known and so well regarded
The issue, of course, is the Globe Theatre and my understanding
is Tony Phelps still here?
Yes.
My understanding is that it's been the event has been
postponed until the following year because the Globe Theatre has no floor
and it really just you know, because of the termites.
It's a tragedy really for the people who've worked really hard
to get this event planned and they've got all the contacts with, you know,
the promoters of these kinds of events which are all done
by people who are just passionate about good music and it would be it
is going to be a wonderful event, but it's critical that the Globe Theatre
is not subject to project time like the leisure time centre or
the shire hall, with the greatest respect.
We have had multiple as I think Jenny pointed out earlier,
Jenny Matheson pointed out, we have multiple facilities
in Winchelsea that have been closed for long periods of time and they're
all attributed to project management problems.
We cannot allow that to happen to the Globe.
This grant will get used next year and hopefully can be used next year
if it's allowed to carry over in some way.
But it's a very significant event and it's going to be held
in a very significant venue, the Globe Theatre, and that theatre,
this Council needs to see this as a theatre emergency, okay?
We've got a climate emergency and we're, you know, doing a bit on that.
This is an emergency for this community to get that theatre up and running again.
It really is.
And I think there needs to be extreme transparency about the project management
of it.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Gazzard?
CR KATE GAZZARD: Yes, I think are we down to the 4 point the events grants?
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Sorry, my apologies.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We are currently on the DEVELOP grants CR HEATHER
WELLINGTON: I beg your pardon.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: but some important words raised
around the next item, Councillor Wellington.
Councillor Gazzard, did you want to speak on the DEVELOP CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: I
can say it all again.
CR KATE GAZZARD: Just regarding the Artist and Creative Grants,
I think these are really important.
Art is such an inspiring area, particularly for young people,
and it's a real way of the community coming together
and celebrating, so I think supporting financially
through grants is one way that we can help.
So I'm really excited by these grants and I'll support this motion.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Stapleton?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Yes, just quickly, I would like
to acknowledge that the DEVELOP Artists and Creatives program was new last year
and obviously it's resonated with the artists in our community
because we've had an increase in applications of 300% from 2022.
Putting those numbers into perspective, we've had 27 applications this year.
So 300% is a lot, but it's relative to the number
of applicants that obviously applied last year.
But the good news story here is that it has resonated with community
and the quality of those applications that have come
through have been outstanding and I note that Council has been able
to endorse eight projects for full funding.
You can read through the various projects
in the agenda report.
They're from various parts of the shire, including the Winchelsea Ward have
a project called No Through Road Collective by three local artists.
There's artists from the Torquay Ward and the Anglesea Ward
and the projects just sound amazing.
I note that the scores for some of the top projects were above 90,
which is significantly higher in terms of assessment compared
to last year's program.
So it's a terrific grants program.
It's really making a difference to the arts and creative community
across the Surf Coast and, yes, I encourage Councillors to support it.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Barker, did you have any closing remarks?
CR PAUL BARKER: I can appreciate what Councillor Stapleton raises
about more people seeking funds, but if you've got the grants magic money
tree dishing out funds, the demand is going to be quite high.
I'd rather we tighten that or remove it altogether and then we won't see
that amount of people reaching out for it again, but I'm only one voice
of nine, so the grant magic money tree continues.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
We move on to the 202324 Event Grants Program Funding
And do we have a mover of a motion sorry, this relates to 4.11
and requests Council notes funding awarded to 21 Event Grant recipients
under the 202324 Event Grants Program.
Councillor Bodsworth as per recommendation?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Yes, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And a seconder?
Councillor Schonfelder.
Do you want to speak, Councillor Bodsworth?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Yes, please, mayor.
So Councillor Wellington kind of stole she didn't steal my thunder,
but suddenly I was struck by thinking oh, no, I didn't mention the Marjorie Lawrence
memorial festival and then realised that we were talking about different items.
But yeah, I was really pleased to see.
That sounds really exciting and I totally agree
with what Councillor Wellington said on that one.
So events are a huge part of life on the Surf Coast, the Surf Coast
and hinterland, in the Surf Coast municipality.
Events are really important to local communities, they're important
to event providers, to local clubs.
They bring a great sense of pride.
They bring a great vitality to our streets and places where the events take place.
They bring a lot of people to visit, a lot of whom visit again.
We have reporting that shows that, and as I mentioned before,
we have reporting also showing that the multiplier effect of the funding that
is handed out to support events.
So there's a few that I'd like to mention.
In particular there are 10 outdoor sport and recreation events supported,
five of which use trails.
So I'm a passionate advocate of outdoor recreation and trails
and I know that there's the Winchelsea Arboretum Trail project here,
which I think is fantastic.
I think these event grants underscore the importance of trails
out there in the community and we as a Council need
to make sure that we're looking after them as they deserve.
Another one that I'd like to mention is the Sound Doctor music events
that take place in the Anglesea Memorial Hall.
The thing I really love about the Sound Doctor
is that it's utilising a much loved community facility, a historic hall.
It's allowed that hall to be refitted with stateoftheart AV equipment
and it's bringing in worldclass acts to use that fantastic old facility.
So it's a great mixture of contemporary acts,
absolutely topquality presentation and a great use
of a historic community facility.
Another one that's been funded is the Aireys Inlet Dark Sky event.
The Aireys Inlet community has worked hard towards having Aireys designated
as a Dark Sky destination, which is a really great idea that fits well
with our economic development strategy and the ideas of slow
and purposeful tourism, which is not that people come rushing in
and go rushing out again, but they come into our community, spend some time there
and experience really rich experiences of the local place.
So the Aireys Inlet Dark Sky event is all about that.
I was at the last one and it was really amazing.
As I mentioned, the Marjorie Lawrence memorial festival,
I'm not going to talk any more on that because others might like to.
There's also a seaside community celebration
at the Anglesea Community Precinct, which is an area
with currently a master plan being prepared for it,
a tremendously important area and that event sounds fantastic as well.
So, yeah, we're noting this one, but I think it's a great program
and thanks to all the people who help make our event
such a success.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Schonfelder?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Mayor, I'd like to touch
on the Marjorie Lawrence Celebration of Soprano.
The current or the former Mayor Libby Stapleton and Councillor Wellington
and I attended the premiere of Marjorie Lawrence: The World At Her
Feet and it was absolutely fantastic and the way that Marjorie Lawrence rolled
her Rs my sister is able to do it and a lot of Scottish people are able to.
It's quite remarkable.
The Marjorie Lawrence Celebration of Soprano is
"a multiday event that celebrates and promotes the awareness of one
of Australia's greatest international opera stars Marjorie Lawrence.
The event also aims to promote the careers of those aiming to follow her
through a singing competition "I believe it should say"
crowning", it says"
crowing "there"
crowning the inaugural Marjorie Lawrence Award.
"A brief overview of the event includes on Friday night the viewing
of Marjorie Lawrence: The World At Her Feet, and I will be attending that.
I'm sorry that it's delayed by a year and I agree with Councillor Wellington
that the Globe Theatre is a very important asset that
needs to be renewed as soon as possible.
That documentary will be followed by a country supper.
Saturday afternoon and evening there will be 12 contestants singing two arias
each with adjudicators providing feedback and choosing the top four,
with a threecourse dinner to follow, and then Sunday afternoon the four
finalists compete for the inaugural Marjorie Lawrence Award
and cash prize.
In March this year I visited the daughter of John Brownlee, who is my fourth cousin,
and he was the mentor for Marjorie Lawrence and
as Councillor Wellington rightly said, Marjorie Lawrence was
at one stage the most famous person in the world
and was the equivalent not exactly the same, obviously, but the equivalent
of Madonna, you could say, in our recent lifetimes
and I think it's something to be very proud of,
the fact that Marjorie Lawrence even continued performing after getting polio
and she was actually disabled and continued to teach and continued
to perform.
And I know people from Deans Marsh and Winchelsea in particular are very
proud of her achievements and I think having this celebration
of soprano is a wonderful way of commemorating her.
But as Councillor Bodsworth said about the other events,
I think they're fantastic also.
Thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Would any other Councillors wish to speak?
Councillor Stapleton?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: I'll just keep it short and call out a couple
of community events that haven't been mentioned yet the Deans Marsh Community
Festival, which I know is a favourite in the Hinterland community
and one that I and many others across the Surf Coast enjoy going to,
so it's great to see that one on the list.
The Surf Coast Kite Festival, kudos to those guys.
Last year the organising committee created an event that was carbon neutral, thanks
to another Council grant, and it's a whole lot of fun getting
out there and seeing young kids and families flying kites.
So good to see that one.
The Art of the Minds festival is a really important festival that's held
every October to highlight mental health issues.
Keep an eye out on the sort of range of community events that come up
under the umbrella of the Art of the Minds.
They do some really great events, really important topics,
and they have a really important presence in the community.
So I encourage you to get along to some of those.
And finally, the Surf Coast Roller Discos boy am I
excited about that.
Some people here may be aware that I've recently taken up roller skating,
so if you want to see Councillor Stapleton trying to get
around on a pair of roller skates, get along to one
of the Surf Coast Roller Discos, which is a new event I see,
and hopefully I'm able to participate on my feet, or at least on my wheels.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Gazzard?
CR KATE GAZZARD: The Events Grants are a really excellent way of injecting
into our community economy, actually.
Many of these events people come from around Victoria and Australia
for the weekend and they'll stay in our shire and go to small businesses
and support the shops around, so I think they're really good
for boosting our economy and they're so important
for making I guess like memory making and bookmarking time, which
for me personally the feeling of all of the lockdowns and COVID
without any kind of events and things that you can attach a memory
to, it just dragged into this long kind of depressing period,
whereas now that we can come together again and celebrate
and showcase our beautiful like trails and celebrate music,
it's just such a great way to come together.
So I think I support this wholeheartedly.
I think all the events are so important.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
And Councillor Bodsworth, any closing remarks?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: No, thanks, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Oh, sorry, Councillor Barker, did you want to speak
to this?
CR PAUL BARKER: Yes, thanks, Mayor.
In addition to what I said about grants before, I think they're a good way
for public servants and elected representatives to feel good
about supporting good causes.
If they are good, they'll be able to attract voluntary provided funding.
If they aren't, then they'll fall on their face.
It doesn't matter how good you think these ideas are, what they still are
is forcibly taking the hardearned money from residents and ratepayers
and putting them towards a certain cause.
You can't tell me there's any particular cause even if you found the cure
for cancer, I wouldn't support the forcible extraction
of people's money to fund it.
Because it's noting, I'll support it, but any time grants come up,
you'll not see me support the spending of your hardearned money on some project.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Bodsworth, closing remarks?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: No, thanks, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: I now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
We now move on to item number 12, the EOI Assessment for 2 Fraser Drive,
Aireys Inlet Process, outcome and approve preferred EOI Respondent.
Item 4.12 is seeking Council's endorsement of Housing Choices Australia,
being the preferred proponent of the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing
Project Expressions of Interest Process.
As part of this recommendation was redacted
in the agenda, I will ask officers to share the unredacted recommendation
on the screen before we proceed.
Now, it will be quite small and probably most
of you here can't actually see the screen, so I'll read it out
to you so that you know what it's saying there because the names
of the preferred EOI wasn't included in the paper that was published.
So "That Council: 1.
Endorses Housing Choices Australia as the preferred proponent
of the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project Expression of Interest to continue
to the codesign phase of the project and work
with the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project Community Advisory Group
to develop a design concept.
2.
Authorises the Chief Executive Officer to execute a 'heads of agreement'
with Housing Choices Australia for the purpose
of developing a concept design, management model, land release model
and any other relevant matters to inform the parties' future
decisionmaking.
3.
Considers a more detailed proposal for the development of affordable housing
at Fraser Drive, Aireys Inlet at a future meeting of Council.
"Do I have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Stapleton, that was your hand was
up very quickly there.
As a local Aireys Inlet resident, I can understand you're enthusiastic.
And seconded by Councillor Schonfelder.
Councillor Stapleton, would you like to speak?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Thank you.
So addressing the affordable housing crisis remains a key focus for our Council
and I'm very pleased to move this motion tonight
to endorse Housing Choices Australia as the preferred proponent
for the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project at 2 Fraser Drive following
the expression of interest process that has been
undertaken.
This is a really significant step
in the process to deliver this project and I'm so excited
by the opportunity it presents to do things differently
on the Surf Coast.
It is important to note that Council received three very
highquality submissions to the EOI process and it is clear that each
of them spent significant time on their applications.
Proposals were comprehensively assessed by a panel and the recommendation
before us is based on Housing Choices Australia having
the greatest alignment to Council's objectives for the site
as well as the community's vision, which has been identified
through extensive community engagement.
The vision and objectives of the site are documented
in the agenda report but, in essence, the aim of this project is
to achieve a highquality, social and affordable housing development that
is compliant with the Surf Coast Planning Scheme,
is innovative in its design and function, and meets specified design criteria,
such as enhancing neighbourhood character, exceeding a sevenstar rating
and optimising the health and wellbeing of residents.
In addition to their management and financial capacity to deliver
on the project, proponents needed to provide a proposed design approach
and demonstrate their understanding of the Fraser Drive site,
which includes obligations to existing social housing units
and a commitment to support and consider the interface
with the existing community garden and public open space.
They also, importantly, needed to embrace the opportunity
to work alongside the Community Advisory Group to deliver the most suitable outcome
for social and affordable housing at Fraser Drive.
The Community Advisory Group will be an integral part
of the next phase.
It is made up of 10 community members and includes a wealth
of experience and expertise, from specialist designers and builders,
to people with lived experience in social and affordable housing, local residents
and key stakeholders.
They will participate in a community codesign
process, including an upcoming designing workshop,
and work with Housing Choices Australia to develop a concept for this project,
and that's what I really love about this project
is that the housing provider will be working so closely with community
and with Council to make sure we get an outcome that is benefiting all parties.
While we don't know exactly at this point what the housing will look
like and how many people it will house, we do know that we now have
the opportunity to work with a highly credentialed housing
provider which has the capacity to work with community to deliver this project.
Housing Choices Australia is a notforprofit registered housing
agency that provides safe, secure and affordable homes for people on low
and middle incomes.
They have a demonstrated commitment to the region already and they're keen
to work with Council and the community to consider all options
for the best outcome possible for all parties.
This is a really important milestone as we take another step to being part
of the solution to address the affordable accommodation
crisis and I encourage Councillors to endorse this motion tonight.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Schonfelder
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Thank you, Mayor.
And I know it was said earlier tonight that one Councillor stole the thunder
from another and I think that Councillor Stapleton has
stolen my thunder and has expressed the desire aims
of this item quite eloquently.
One of my favourite sayings is that the value
of compassion there's no price it can bring and I think it really draws
on the fact that the community that we want to have on the Surf Coast
is a community where we welcome all types of people and we're able
to have housing available to people who are not necessarily
high income earners.
I know we don't have a magic wand and we don't have a magic bullet
to fix housing concerns, but I find that this initiative
is in a way a bit like a pilot program just
to see how it transpires.
It's not entirely dissimilar to the Winanglo initiative that's been
developed in Winchelsea and I think it's something that really
should be encouraged.
And I know that when it comes to different areas, including Winchelsea
and the Hinterland, where property prices
have increased substantially, there are members of families many
of whom cannot remain living in the area that they grew up, so that's something
of a concern.
So I'm really proud to be a member of a Council that's trying to
in I would say a small way trying to address this challenge.
So I really look forwards to what transpires, particularly
in relation to the design of the housing complex.
I would encourage the design to be sympathetic to the neighbourhood
of Aireys Inlet and to have like a seaside beachtype architecture
and this has happened in Torquay, fortunately, with different developments
that have happened there to try to keep that.
That's a part of our Council plan to have a small town feel,
and I know we've come a long way and Mr Pike has said previously
with briefings that we've come a long way with social housing and different types
of community housing when it comes to the stigma
and the fact that some Government Housing people dislike having that in their area.
So I'm really excited about this, Mayor.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Do we have any other Councillors that wish to speak?
Councillor Bodsworth.
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.
I agree with what's been said already and I particularly like the report.
I think it's a really thorough report.
The fact that we got three really highquality respondents to the EOI I think
is a good indication that the work that we'd done leading up
to that had been goodquality work.
We had a quality process that resulted in some goodquality applications.
So I think we're in a really fortunate position hitting this point in the process
As Councillor Stapleton said, I'd particularly like
to acknowledge the good faith and good work
of the Aireys Inlet community in this process.
There was a lot of unease about the prospects heading
into this process, but I think that was really methodically
worked through and very respectfully and really a great example of engagement
with the community on a very respectful partnering kind
of a basis, which has been a really big part of the success of this up
to this point and gives me makes me feel confident
that in the future this process will continue to be successful.
So yes, others have spoken about the importance
of affordable housing.
I don't think there's any doubt about that.
So yes, I'm really pleased to see this and endorse it for the next stage.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Wellington.
CR HEATHER WELLINGTON: Thanks very much.
I'm happy to endorse it for the next stage too.
I do still I'm still somewhat unclear, and I'm not sure
whether the shire community is clear, about the intended client group and
whether this is about developing homes for people who live in the shire and want
to stay in the shire, which is what the Winchelsea project was
very much about, it was about providing options
for older people really as people age to stay in their community
in affordable housing, or whether so as I said, this is an asset, this land,
which as I understand it, is owned by the community or it's owned
by the Council on behalf of the community and I'm presuming that there
will be a model of more or less transferring this very
valuable piece of land perhaps.
We'll have to see, I guess, what comes back with the proposed model.
So we might be and with Winchelsea the land was virtually
donated, I guess, to Winanglo, but it was also originally donated
to Council.
So I'm just kind of interested in seeing who's the client group.
Are we simply contributing to the State Government's agenda
about social and affordable housing across the state,
in which case I would say the State Government should be the funders of that,
or are we contributing to a social and affordable housing solution
for the residents and ratepayers of our shire?
That's never been clear to me about this project and I'd very much like
to see that laid out because if it's about the State's agenda, this would have
to be, I suspect, one of the most valuable pieces
of land that could be used for that purpose
and there might be other ways of doing it that Surf Coast Shire
ratepayers don't need to pay for, effectively.
So I'm happy for this to move on to the next step, but I'm very keen
to see the model and the client group and how it's going to be assured that
that model will in fact be implemented for the benefit
of the people or the communities that have contributed to the purchase
of this land because it is their asset and, as I said, we hold it
on their behalf even though I see it's mortgaged.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Barker.
CR PAUL BARKER: Thanks, Mayor.
Firstly, I feel for those that fall on hard times
and do find the affordability of housing a challenge.
But do you continue to engage in symptom management or do you address
the causal factors?
Now, this Council has a history of advocating
for issues that are state or federal in nature and I'd like to talk briefly
about some of the causal factors that can contribute to someone falling
on hard times and not being able to afford housing.
Some of those include taxation, reducing an individual's capacity
to actually afford housing.
Then you've got building regulations, stamp duty, zoning, a whole bunch
of other hurdles that governments chuck in the way.
Now, governments at every level break your legs,
steal your wallet, give you some crutches and expect you to be thankful.
I'd rather work on removing the hurdles than giving
out crutches and giving a little bit back to those who fall on hard times.
I want to take the hurdles away so that we don't need
to continue this symptom management.
As part of that broken leg, we've got a femoral bleed and this
is just putting a bandaid on it.
Now, I know it probably makes you feel good to put a bandaid on a femoral bleed,
but does it really help in the long run?
I don't think so.
So are we going to continue to engage in symptom management or are we going
to advocate to state and federal levels to remove some of the hurdles
to allow people to afford their own homes, rather than forcibly extracting money
and creating these special little enclaves that can only house so many people that's
then going to cause an amount of people to be haves and have nots.
If you get into this place, good for you, but what if you're the next one
that doesn't make the cut?
Stop focusing on these projects that make you feel good and if you are going
to create these climate emergencies, advocate for the banning
of offshore gas exploration.
Why don't we have an economic emergency and advocate to state and federal levels
to remove the hurdles that create victims within the community that then require
help?
Most people are quite resilient and if you take away the hurdles,
they'll be able to continue.
I think this project has potentially got some merit, but the problem is that it
is focusing on the symptom and not the cause and because of that,
I will not be supporting it.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Stapleton, do you have any closing remarks?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Thank you, Mayor.
Yes.
Look, I guess it's important to note that there are a range
of factors that influence the lack of affordable housing we have not just
in our shire but across the country and Council certainly takes its
opportunities to advocate to State and Federal Government to make changes
at a policy setting that will hopefully impact the broader
community and not just the Surf Coast Shire.
But for us as Council we are responsible for the Surf Coast Shire
and we're doing what we can to address the impact of the lack
of affordable housing in our community and Aireys Inlet,
or the Fraser Drive project in Aireys Inlet, was identified as one
of only a few blocks of land or locations in the shire
that were suitable for the development of social and affordable housing.
So it is a really important opportunity for us to make a difference
at a local level.
If this motion is supported tonight, our CEO will execute a heads of agreement
with Housing Choices Australia to move this on to the next stage
of the process, which includes the development
of a concept design, management model, land release model
and any other relevant matters such as financing arrangements.
I agree with Councillor Wellington's point that it's really important that
we understand who the potential clients are going to be.
I know that officers have indicated that there's
over 600 local people who are already on the social housing register in need
in our community, in Anglesea and Aireys Inlet, so the need
is definitely there, but we do need to make sure that that local need
is prioritised in a fair and equitable way with others who also need housing.
Councillors will obviously consider a more detailed proposal
for the development at a future meeting and I look forward
to seeing what that looks like.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
We'll now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And opposed?
And the motion is carried.
We now move on to item 13, Tree Risk Management Plan 20232027.
Council is presented with the Tree Risk Management Plan
20232027 for adoption this evening.
Do I have mover of a motion?
Councillor Bodsworth.
As per the recommendation?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Yes, thanks, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And a seconder?
Councillor Hodge.
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: So this Tree Risk Management Plan,
it's a really important piece of work.
It provides a systematic approach to the management of risks from trees
on Councilmanaged land.
It's part of fulfilling our duty of care to the public to take all reasonable steps
to keep members of the public safe on Council land.
There was no feedback from the consultation period.
This Tree Risk Management Plan is about taking a proactive approach
to the management of trees and Council employs a highly skilled tree
management team who are capable of bringing a professional approach
to the management of trees.
It also aids the retention of trees that don't pose unacceptable
risks, which is an important part of it in that we don't go around getting rid
of trees unless that's necessary and this management plan provides
that framework to know when it's necessary or not.
People who are interested should look at there are a number of different parts
of it, but you'll find in there timeframes,
for example, of how quickly tree risks will be attended to.
It's an important thing to know.
If you're a person who's out and about in your community, for example,
in Winchelsea, where you've got a lot of big trees and trails,
the Tree Risk Management Plan contains important information
to help you know how those are managed and also the timeframes for responses
to tree hazards that either are picked up proactively or reported by members
of the public.
So a really important piece of work, a really good piece of work, and I'm happy
to recommend it to you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Hodge?
CR ROSE HODGE: I think Councillor Bodsworth has covered everything
all the major points and I too agree with this.
It is a duty of care.
I mean, one of the saddest things that can occur when people are killed
by falling branches and it's so difficult to know when that's going to happen,
or whatever, but having this in place and arborists going around checking,
we're trying to cut down any risk that we can.
It's probably an impossible task, but this policy really sets
out what we intend to do and how we can do it,
and as Councillor Bodsworth said, it's our duty of care and this is one
of the processes that we're doing it with our tree management.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Schonfelder?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: I'd just like to state that the purpose
of the Tree Risk Management Plan is to set out a system for Council to inspect,
identify and evaluate health condition and defects that may contribute
to the loss of structural integrity in trees and then program
and undertake maintenance works for those trees.
We're very fortunate in the Surf Coast Shire to have so many beautiful trees
and this also includes Norfolk pine trees which may be in part of GORCAPA land,
but I'm not aware if any trees within the shire have been classified
as trees of significance and I would suggest that, in particular,
in Winchelsea there are some scar trees that were very significant
to First Nations people and very old trees that are
on council land and as Councillor Bodsworth
and Councillor Hodge have earlier stated, this policy refers to trees
on Council land.
So I do also agree with Councillor Hodge that when it comes to risks
of the condition of trees, it is very serious and I know that myself
when I was younger, I used to water ski and I was told that when you go camping,
you don't erect a tent underneath a red gum tree
because they're referred to as widow makers and the limbs fall
with no many times with no sound.
They just simply fall.
And they can crush cars.
And I know we try to do the best that we can do because we don't want to cut
down every tree that exists to try and achieve a safe community, so there
is a balancing act in relation to it all.
But I think it's a fantastic policy and I encourage it.
Thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Bodsworth, any closing remarks?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: No, thanks, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We'll now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
We now move on to item 14, which is the Surf Coast Shire 058
Graffiti Management Policy.
The purpose of this policy is to present the Graffiti Management Plan
to Council for adoption.
Do we have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Hodge.
And seconded by Councillor Gazzard.
I'm assuming that's as per motion.
CR ROSE HODGE: Yes, as per, thank you.
It's a pity Councillor Allen isn't here tonight from Lorne.
He's been a major driver of this because of the graffiti that's been in Lorne,
and we have that problem right across the shire.
But this policy principle is a guide and commitment
to minimalise the negative impacts of illegal graffiti and the policy will go
on to say we encourage prompt reporting, so you can go on your phone or ring
up the shire and report it, because that's the first port of call,
minimalise incidence of graffiti, facilitate engagement
and education of stakeholders, and support the community
to minimise incidents of graffiti on private property
because that's a concern as well.
I noticed in Torquay just the other day, and I don't know how they even get up
on the roofs of buildings to graffiti the second storey,
but if we can work with those landowners of private property to mitigate the risk
of not only whoever is doing it getting up there, but to minimalise how
they can get up there and not be able to do that.
We try to I know years ago we were able to get a grant
and actually give graffiti removal kits to shop owners because they seem
to be targeted a lot.
It's also we've got to report it a lot better and quickly too
and it's not our infrastructure, such as Powercor boxes and traffic boxes,
and if you see it, please report it, and if you send it to us, we'll advocate
and go on for it.
But it needs to be removed as quickly as we can, especially some
of the obscene graffiti that sometimes is on.
But hopefully with this policy we can work with people in the community,
business people and hopefully lower the negative impacts
of what graffiti can do because it's such a blot on our society
and the beauty of this area and our buildings.
So thanks to officers for putting through this.
We did put it out for community consultation.
I think 13 people answered back.
I think most of them were from Lorne, so Councillor Allen did a good job doing
it.
So it's good to see it in an actual form and a policy that we can work with
and move on in the future that we can hopefully
have, as I said, that negative impact of graffiti on our property.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Gazzard?
CR KATE GAZZARD: I agree with what Councillor Hodge has said.
I think there was a study done that showed the presence
of graffiti doubled the people who littered
and committed other crimes nearby, so something that we need to act
on promptly, and all the more reason to support our arts so that young people
have avenues to express themselves, rather than doing it
on our public buildings.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Schonfelder?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Mayor, I'd like to highlight the fact that
the offensive graffiti, Council will endeavour to remove it
within 24 hours.
Council will prioritise the removal of any graffiti deemed offensive
on Council assets, including buildings, open space
and private property where consent has been provided.
In relation to the standard service levels,
it's within 20 business days and times can be delayed due
to inclement weather or complexity of the surface.
As far as private property is concerned, it's the responsibility
of the private property owner and also with the public infrastructure owner it's
the responsibility of the asset owner.
Thank you very much.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Hodge, any closing remarks Councillor Barker,
did you want to speak?
CR PAUL BARKER: Thanks, Mayor.
Page 367, point 15, procurement of graffiti kits, what will that cost us?
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: I'd have to take that on notice, Councillor Barker,
unless our GM of Community Life has any knowledge
of that.
MS GAIL GATT: Thank you, Robyn.
I don't have the exact cost of that, although I know we have looked into it.
We're talking about a sum of money that can be accommodated
in our operational budget.
It's not a huge amount of money, I just don't know the exact cost,
but we're talking in the order of about $2,000 for a number of for sort
of I think in the order of 20 to 30 kits.
CR PAUL BARKER: Okay, thank you.
Based on that information, I can support the policy,
but when it comes to the financial implication
for the hardearned money that ratepayers are contributing,
I think it's important that we know what we're spending money on with regards
to certain policy settings.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Bodsworth?
CR MIKE BODSWORTH: Just one quick thing to add that I appreciate about this which
is that the work that officers have done putting this together in consultation
with other authorities, like the Great Ocean Road Coast
and Parks Authority with regard to coast and crown land reserves and also
with utility companies like Powercor, Telstra, Barwon Water
because obviously it's going to be far less effective if we're doing this
on our own than if we're able to do it in cooperation with other managers
of surrounding land and facilities that also get graffitied.
So just a particular highlighting of that.
But otherwise I support it.
It's good policy.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Hodge, any closing remarks?
CR ROSE HODGE: No, I think it's all been covered, thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: We'll now put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
We now move on to Project Budget Adjustments
and Cash Reserve Transfers for May 2023.
The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval
of the project budget adjustments and ratification
of the project budget adjustments endorsed by the Executive Management Team outlined
in tables 1 to 8 of the report.
Do we have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Stapleton.
As per the recommendation?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Yes, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And seconded by Councillor Gazzard.
Did you wish to speak, Councillor Stapleton?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: Just quickly.
This is a regular report that is provided to Council at each meeting
to help ensure financial viability and transparency
to ensure strong financial management by recording the allocation and movement
of project funds that may impact on the budget and
to help ensure projects are successfully delivered.
So on a regular basis money does need to go in and out of different funds
and be reallocated and this essentially is outlining where that money is moving,
if any money is moving, and what needs to come back to Council
for ratification or approval.
Just one item in that table that I'd like to note is the $45,000
that's been allocated to an environmental study on the impacts
of stormwater on Deep Creek.
I'm really pleased to see that that money has been allocated.
These funds were originally set aside for Council's Strengthening
Town Boundaries Project, which was superseded
by the Distinctive Areas and Landscape Project, known as the DALP.
So this recommended allocation is for an environmental study
to improve Council's understanding of the impacts of stormwater on Deep Creek
and includes the development of a waterway management plan.
We know this is really important.
It's extremely important to Council, given that Deep Creek is identified
as an area of biodiversity significance
in the statement of planning policy, and with proposed developments
on the horizon close to Deep Creek, we must have a deep understanding
of the potential cumulative impacts on our waterways as a result
of these proposed developments.
There's nothing else in the report that I really wanted to highlight,
so I just encourage Councillors to approve and ratify the various adjustments.
Thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Councillor Gazzard?
No?
Do any other Councillors wish to speak?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: I'd like to just very quickly say I'm very pleased
that there's the supporting growth initiatives
for the Winchelsea South East growth corridor planning.
There's funds held in reserve for sorry for implementation of growth initiatives.
Release of funds will enable commissioning of studies to aid planning
for the Winchelsea South East growth corridor which is to which
is further afield where the reserve is here and heading towards more
of a southerly direction, which also borders the river.
It includes urban design guidelines, a vegetation and biodiversity assessment
and an arbour cultural assessment.
There's also supplements for the 2023 and 2024 draft budget allocation
for a stormwater study and inhouse liaison with the Education Department
regarding a possible school precinct, and I know that I went
to the closest secondary school to where I live, which
is Christian College in Highton, and I think the community here would
really welcome the possibility of having a secondary school.
So I find that something that's really important for our community.
Thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Thank you.
Any closing statements, Councillor Stapleton?
CR LIBBY STAPLETON: No, thanks.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: No?
We'll now put the motion to vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
We now move on to Instrument of Appointment and Authorisation Planning
and Environment Act 1987.
This item seeks Council's endorsement of authorised officers under the Planning
and Environment Act 1987 through the updated instrument
of authorisation and appointment.
This report results from recent staff appointments.
Do we have a mover of the motion?
Councillor Barker.
As per the recommendation?
CR PAUL BARKER: Yes, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And seconded by Councillor Schonfelder.
Would you like to speak to it, Councillor?
No.
Councillor Schonfelder, would you like to speak?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: No, thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Any other Councillors?
No?
We put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
We now move on to the final it's the final one wake up,
everybody the final motion for tonight, the Conflict of Interest Records.
We have a recommendation to note the Conflict of Interest Records
since the previous Council meeting.
Do we have a mover of a motion?
Councillor Schonfelder.
As per the recommendation?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: Yes, Mayor.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: And a seconder?
Councillor Barker.
And Councillor Schonfelder, would you like to speak?
CR ADRIAN SCHONFELDER: No, thank you.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: Councillor Barker.
CR PAUL BARKER: No.
MAYOR LIZ PATTISON: No?
Anyone else?
We put the motion to the vote.
All those in favour.
And the motion is carried unanimously.
And that is the end of our meeting.
So I now declare the meeting closed at 9.29pm.
Thank you so much, everyone, for coming to our community meeting in Winchelsea.
It's been a great success and we've loved seeing you
all here tonight, so thank you very much.
And safe driving home.
Good night.