WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.000 CHAIR: Hello. 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.000 Good evening, everybody. 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:05.000 I'd like to welcome everyone watching this 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:06.000 Special Council Meeting. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:09.000 My name is Councillor Liz Pattison and I'm Mayor of the Surf Coast Shire. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:13.000 The Surf Coast Shire local government area spans the traditional lands 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:17.000 of the Wadawurrung people and the Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples of the Maar nation. 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:20.000 The main Council offices in Torquay are on Wadawurrung country. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:24.000 The Wadawurrung people have nurtured and protected these lands and waterways 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.000 for thousands of generations and I'm so grateful that we can be here 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.000 today living and working in such a beautiful part of the world. 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:36.000 The Surf Coast Shire Council is committed to walking with traditional owners 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:40.000 of these lands on a journey of genuine reconciliation. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:42.000 Tonight we will be hearing from those who wish to speak 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:46.000 to their written submissions regarding the proposed Community Amenity 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:48.000 Local Law 2023. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:56.000 To facilitate public access, this meeting is being live streamed and the recording 00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:58.000 will be available on Council's website. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:01.000 If a submitter does not wish to be video recorded, 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:04.000 it is their responsibility to turn off their video function 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:06.000 and use audio only. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:09.000 Live captioning will accompany the live stream. 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:13.000 Councillors are bound by the behaviour and obligations under the code of Conduct. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:17.000 Please direct any comments or questions you have through me as the Chair and I 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:20.000 will endeavour to ensure everyone has an opportunity 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:23.000 to speak while also making sure we stick to time. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:26.000 The following procedures will apply during this meeting. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:31.000 Speakers will be given 5 minutes to present their submission. 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:33.000 When the timer on the screen reaches 5 minutes, 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:35.000 you must stop your presentation. 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:37.000 The timer will turn orange when you have 1 minute 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:40.000 left as a bit of a warning and then red when you have 10 seconds 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:42.000 remaining. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.000 Councillors will then be invited to ask questions directly related 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:47.000 to your submission if needed. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:53.000 I request that all of our presenters keep to the content and ensure that language 00:01:53.000 --> 00:02:00.000 of your submissions is respectful as any offensive conduct won't be 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:01.000 tolerated. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:05.000 We want to make sure we're being respectful 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:07.000 in our conduct and I'm sure everyone will. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:10.000 This Special Council Meeting is not a workshop 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:13.000 and it should not be necessary for officers to be asked to make comment 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:14.000 on the submissions. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:18.000 However, if there are any questions of officers, they should be directed 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.000 through me as the Chair. 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:21.000 Councillors will not be making any decisions 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:24.000 in relation to the matters heard tonight. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:27.000 Decision making will occur at a future Council meeting once 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:33.000 all relevant information has been received and reviewed. 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:35.000 I will now recite the pledge. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:38.000 As Councillors we carry out our responsibilities with diligence 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:43.000 and integrity and make fair decisions of lasting value for the wellbeing 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.000 of our community and environment. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.000 Are there any apologies for this meeting? 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:56.000 Councillor Bodsworth? 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:57.000 CR BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:00.000 I believe Councillor Stapleton is an apology for this meeting. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:03.000 CHAIR: Thank you. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:07.000 Can I have a mover of a motion to accept Councillor Stapleton's apology? 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:11.000 Councillor Allen and seconded by Councillor Bodsworth. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:13.000 All those in favour. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:15.000 And the motion is carried unanimously. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:23.000 If a Councillor or officer has a conflict of interest, 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:26.000 they must declare it now and do so again just prior to 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:30.000 - or, you know, we have one motion, which is this Local Law. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:33.000 Are there any conflicts of interest? 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:35.000 No. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:40.000 We now move in to the reports, which is our Proposed Community Amenity Local 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:42.000 Law. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:44.000 We had 84 submissions received for this item 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.000 and tonight we have 6 submitters who have requested to speak. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:54.000 Our first submission tonight will be from Mark Barker and Emma Dumesny. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:05.000 JAKE: Through you, Mayor, Mark and Emma are not online. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:07.000 CHAIR: Okay, thanks. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:13.000 We'll move on to our next submitter, which is Helen Papadimitriou. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.000 Can Helen please be admitted into the meeting? 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:22.000 JAKE: Through you, Mayor, Helen is being admitted into the meeting now. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:23.000 CHAIR: Great. 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:25.000 Thank you. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:30.000 Hi, Helen. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:32.000 We can see you there now. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:35.000 If you can turn your mic on and your video if you're happy to be filmed. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.000 That's great, thank you. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:39.000 And welcome and I'll now pass it over to present. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:42.000 You have got 5 minutes to present your submission. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:44.000 HELEN PAPADIMITRIOU: Great. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:45.000 Thanks, guys. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:47.000 Thanks for having me. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:48.000 Really appreciate it. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:52.000 And I also wanted to thank the Councillors that I spoke to a couple of weeks ago, 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:56.000 so Mike Bodsworth and Heather and, I don't know, the other woman 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:57.000 from Anglesea. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:01.000 So I really appreciate those conversations and the time that people gave to me 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:07.000 and also Shannon from Council because I also spoke to Shannon as well. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:10.000 Okay, so I reviewed my submission before coming tonight 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:15.000 and I can see that it's actually very emotional and I think that speaks to 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:19.000 - it speaks to how emotive this topic can be 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:23.000 and also how important women's spaces are to women, right? 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:29.000 We hold them dear for many reasons, mostly for safety and dignity and all 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:31.000 of that stuff. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:34.000 So basically I've got four points. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:37.000 My concern was about the consultation process 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:39.000 that Council undertook. 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:41.000 After I spoke to Shannon, I must say I was a bit shocked 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:45.000 that no women's groups were considered in that consultation, 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.000 given that this will affect women-only spaces. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:55.000 Why was Our Watch not consulted, ANROWS, Gender Equity Victoria? 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:01.000 I found that odd that the four groups consulted, none about women. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:07.000 So I think, yes, if anyone can tell me at some point, that would be great 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:09.000 because I think that's part of the problem. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:13.000 I think if women's groups aren't consulted , then what you don't hear about 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:17.000 is the way women self exclude when they're uncomfortable 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:22.000 and the way that women tell each other avoid places and we stop going, 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:26.000 and I'm sure that's not the intention of any changes, 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:31.000 but women's behaviour is particular, you know, and that's what we do when 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:34.000 we no longer feel safe somewhere. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:39.000 Given that violence against women is increasing, not decreasing, 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:42.000 Brittany Higgins, the whole shebang, I have 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:47.000 to question why Council would remove even the smallest lever that it has 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:54.000 at its disposal to use to keep women safe and as part of a preventative strategy 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:58.000 to kind of deal with this and even have a tick a box that says, 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:00.000 you know, at least we've got that. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:03.000 And in my discussions with everyone, everyone said oh, you know, this rule 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:05.000 is not enforceable. 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:07.000 Well, you know, it doesn't matter. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:10.000 Social contract relies on a whole lot of behaviours, a whole lot 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:11.000 of rules in place. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:14.000 What would it hurt to keep it there? 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:19.000 Which leads to the next point, which is how can protecting half the population 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:24.000 be considered discriminatory, but it's not discriminatory to remove 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:27.000 all protection of single spaces? 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:33.000 Like I just don't understand the legal advice and the way the laws interact 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:34.000 if that's the case. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:38.000 We are half the population. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:43.000 Finally, the other serious concern I have is that apparently Council, 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:46.000 if this change does go through, is not intending to let women know. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:50.000 So essentially if this goes through, women's spaces, changing rooms, toilets, 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:54.000 become mixed sex, but no-one is going to tell women. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:57.000 No-one is going to tell the Muslim groups that come down, 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:00.000 the Chinese groups that come down, like no-one is going to tell anyone. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:03.000 So how does that work? 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:07.000 Why would you make such a change and keep it a secret? 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:10.000 It just doesn't make sense. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.000 So they were my four points. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:17.000 CHAIR: Thanks so much, Helen. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:20.000 I appreciate you sharing those views and it gives us lots to think about. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:22.000 Do we have any questions from our Councillors? 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:28.000 Councillor Bodsworth? 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.000 CR BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:33.000 Helen, thanks for joining us and making your submission and also I'd 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:37.000 like to thank you for the way that you've engaged on this, 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:41.000 which has been a really good, constructive engagement, so thanks 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:42.000 for that. 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:46.000 In relation to the last point that you made about no plans to let women know 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:52.000 about these changes, what are you basing that on? 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:55.000 You've got some information on that that I'm not aware of, 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:56.000 so can you just run through that? 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:59.000 HELEN PAPADIMITRIOU: Just from the conversations. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:01.000 I think it was Shannon and maybe Libby even said, "Oh, 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:05.000 we're not going to change the signage on the toilets." 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:07.000 If you don't change the signage, they really 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:11.000 - I mean, if they're mixed sex toilets, they should be called mixed sex toilets. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:13.000 That's kind of what I think. 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:15.000 Otherwise, yeah, it's a little bit 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:19.000 - not deceptive, but you know what I mean, it's like deception by omission, 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:21.000 or something. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:22.000 CR BODSWORTH: Mmm-hmm, okay. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:25.000 HELEN PAPADIMITRIOU: You know, if you make a decision 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:28.000 if you've got religious concerns, if you've got small kids that you want 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:31.000 to send in, like it's kind of important to know that, I think. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:33.000 People make decisions based on that stuff. 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.000 CR BODSWORTH: Mmm-hmm, I understand. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:37.000 Thanks, Helen. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:39.000 CHAIR: Okay. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:40.000 Thank you, Helen. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:43.000 We'll now move on to our next presenter. 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:49.000 Can Adam Aleksandrowicz please be let into the meeting? 00:09:56.000 --> 00:10:01.000 JAKE: Through you, Mayor, that resident isn't online at the moment. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:02.000 CHAIR: Okay, thank you. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:05.000 Can Russell and Norma Adams be let in, please? 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:10.000 JAKE: Through you, Mayor, Russell and Norma are being admitted 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:12.000 to the meeting now. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:13.000 CHAIR: Great. 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:15.000 Thank you. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.000 Hello, Russell. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:23.000 Could you please 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:25.000 - I'm not sure if it's Russell or Norma. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:27.000 You've got Russell written on your thing. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:32.000 Could you please turn your microphone on and, if you're comfortable, your video? 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.000 That would be great. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:44.000 Russell and Norma, it would be great if you could turn your mic 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.000 on so we can hear you and your video if you're comfortable. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.000 RUSSELL ADAMS: Is that right now? 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:07.000 CHAIR: Did you want to turn your video on, Russell, or are you happy to be off video? 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:10.000 RUSSELL ADAMS: Well, I'm not quite sure how I turn the video 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:12.000 on. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:13.000 CHAIR: Oh. 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:16.000 Well, next to the mute button and the microphone there's 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.000 like a little video camera button. 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.000 It says 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:22.000 - if you click on that at the bottom left hand of your screen, 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.000 that's how you can turn the video on. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:26.000 But look, we've got your sound, so if you're happy, we can just progress 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:28.000 with just the sound. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.000 It's up to you. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:35.000 RUSSELL ADAMS: Yeah, okay, I'm not really good with the computers. 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:37.000 CHAIR: That's alright, Russell. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.000 Thanks for coming on. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:40.000 Let's just leave it with the voice. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:41.000 That would be great. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.000 So I'll pass it on to you, Russell 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.000 - RUSSELL ADAMS: Alright, thanks. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:46.000 CHAIR:- 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:47.000 - for you to give your submission. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:49.000 Thanks for coming along. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:51.000 RUSSELL ADAMS: Reading your information, Council say 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:54.000 they have a proud history against gender-based violence to manage 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:58.000 and control and regulate activities and use of land that may be dangerous or 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:04.000 cause a nuisance or damage to others, but the facts show 1 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:10.000 in 5 women experience sexual violence from the age of 15. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:16.000 93% of the victims experience this violence from males. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:23.000 And from my information, the UK Times in 2018, using the Freedom 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:32.000 of Information laws, they found that 90% of sexual assault in 2017-18 took place 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:35.000 in unisex facilities. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:41.000 It seems to me that this will place our female members 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:47.000 of our family in danger, or possible danger, from this. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.000 I can't see 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:55.000 - this law, Victorian Equal Opportunity Act of 2010, 00:12:55.000 --> 00:13:01.000 means that individuals can already access bathroom facilities aligned 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:10.000 with their gender ID rather than sex, so why is Council suddenly moving 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:16.000 to promote this idea of unisex toilets? 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:31.000 And I think that's about all that I've got to say about it, except for one thing, 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:37.000 and you might laugh at this, but I have been a teacher 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:41.000 and I have access to teachers at the moment and 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:44.000 they tell me that a lot of children 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:46.000 - I shouldn't say "a lot", 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:54.000 but a significant amount of children now identify as cats, 00:13:54.000 --> 00:14:01.000 so I don't know what this is coming to and whether Torquay Surf Coast will have 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:04.000 to put kitty litter in public toilets. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.000 CHAIR: Thanks, Russell, for your presentation. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:13.000 We'll just check if any Councillors have any questions. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.000 Councillor Allen. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:18.000 CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:20.000 Thanks, Russell, for your submission. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:25.000 Could you let us know the UK research? 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:27.000 Maybe if you could, through Governance 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:29.000 - if you could share the origin 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:34.000 - the source of that research for us so that we could read that, please. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:36.000 RUSSELL ADAMS: Yes, I can. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.000 CR ALLEN: Thank you. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:39.000 CHAIR: That would be great. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:42.000 I'm sure Jake in Governance, or Liberty, will be able to have a chat to you and get 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:46.000 in touch around that, so that would be good, thanks. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:48.000 Do we have any further questions for Russell? 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.000 No. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:54.000 Thank you, Russell, for your time coming online to speak 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:56.000 with us and share your submission. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:58.000 We appreciate that. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:01.000 We now move on to Bo Carter. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:03.000 Can Bo Carter please be let in? 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:17.000 Just checking with Governance, do we have Bo Carter online? 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:20.000 JAKE: Through you, Mayor, we're just admitting Bo into the room. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:21.000 CHAIR: Oh, great. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:24.000 Thank you. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:26.000 Oh, hi, Bo. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:28.000 You've got your video and your mic. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:32.000 So thanks, Bo, you've got five minutes and I'll pass over to you. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.000 BO CARTER: No worries. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:35.000 Thanks for letting me 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:37.000 - giving me the opportunity to talk again. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:44.000 I've got a couple of submissions, one from me and then one from a friend. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.000 So I'll read first. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:52.000 As the leader of this petition against this amendment, 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:56.000 I have spent the last few weeks engaging in the Surf Coast community 00:15:56.000 --> 00:16:03.000 in the towns of Torquay, Winchelsea, Anglesea and surrounding areas. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:07.000 The response I have received from a very diverse range of people, 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:12.000 including some women from the LGBT community, is that this 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:18.000 is a massive power imbalance towards our women and they do not feel safe. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:22.000 Another very common feeling out in the Surf Coast community 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:28.000 is that the local Council should not be getting involved in these sorts of issues 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:33.000 as lots of people feel it's more of a State or even Federal Government 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:35.000 issue. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.000 That was my one. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:42.000 Do you want me to move straight on to the next one? 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:45.000 CHAIR: We'll just see if any Councillors have any questions 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:47.000 of you because we probably won't do questions 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.000 of the next person, so does anyone 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.000 - given that you'll be reading it. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:53.000 Does anybody have a question for Bo? 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:56.000 Councillor Wellington? 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:59.000 CR WELLINGTON: Yes, thanks, Bo. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:02.000 Are you saying that people feel 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:04.000 - when you say they think these are State or 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:06.000 Federal Government issues, people are attributing this 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:09.000 as a political move, is that what you mean by that, 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:12.000 or is it an ideological sort of position or 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:18.000 - BO CARTER: Oh, sorry, go on, Heather. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:21.000 CR WELLINGTON: That's just the question, when they say we shouldn't be involved 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:27.000 in it, I mean, there are toilets and it is our local law, but do people view it 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:31.000 as being driven by something that's beyond Council's planning? 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:38.000 BO CARTER: They see it as like sort of the woke agenda which 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:42.000 they don't believe that Council should be implementing. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:44.000 They think it should be coming from a higher 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:52.000 - it's not local government sort of deal to get involved with political agendas 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:57.000 as such is sort of the feedback I'm getting I would say. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.000 CR WELLINGTON: Thanks, Bo. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:01.000 CHAIR: Councillor Bodsworth, have you got a question? 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.000 CR BODSWORTH: Thanks, I do. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:04.000 Thanks, Mayor. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:07.000 Bo, thanks for your involvement in this and also I'd like to thank you for the 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:11.000 - you've been heavily involved and thanks for the respectful way that you've 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:15.000 approached your involvement in this. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:19.000 Now, my question was in the engagement that you've had with people in the streets 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:22.000 and with regard to the petition, have you got any views on 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:28.000 whether people have looked at the FAQs on the Council website, yes or no, 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:33.000 and if so, have they found those valuable and, you know, 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:39.000 have their views been informed by those FAQs on our website? 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:45.000 BO CARTER: I think it's a little bit misleading the way it's wrote on there, 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:50.000 as in it just says about taking your child of another gender into the toilet 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:52.000 is kind of how it reads. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:58.000 So I think they're a little bit confused, to be honest, and I think a lot 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:03.000 of people I spoke to are like, "Oh, yeah, we're all for other toilets, 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:09.000 but if you're forcing us women to maybe have to go with a strange man, 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:11.000 well, we're not really 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:16.000 - we don't really feel safe. " A lot of people when I said 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:20.000 - when I was out in the streets with the petition and I said, "Oh, this is 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:24.000 for genderless toilets", 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:27.000 they were like, "Oh, yeah, no, I agree with that", 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:29.000 but then I sort of explained that men 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:31.000 - any man will be 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:36.000 - that they want to amend the Local Law that men will be able to come 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:40.000 into your toilet and then the attitude would sort of change 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:43.000 and they'd be like, "No, I really don't feel safe with that." 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:51.000 And that was I would say 90% of women I spoke to. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:20:00.000 So I just think it's a bit misleading the way it's actually worded 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:02.000 on the Surf Coast Shire's website. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.000 CR BODSWORTH: Okay, no worries. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:07.000 Thanks, Bo. 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:09.000 CHAIR: Thanks for the feedback, Bo. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:11.000 We'll have a look at those and make sure it's not misleading. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:16.000 Would you like to move on with your next that you're reading, yes, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:18.000 the submission that you're reading? 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.000 BO CARTER: Yes, no worries. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:25.000 This is from Lauren Chenhall: "Hi, I am a local mother who finds this 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:32.000 proposal to amend this local law very concerning as the thought of going 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:36.000 to a bathroom with a male seems very intimidating 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:42.000 and feels like a massive power imbalance, especially for my young daughter who uses 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:46.000 the toilets at the basketball court weekly. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:51.000 If Council was to pass this amendment, neither me or my daughter would be using 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:54.000 the bathrooms as it would not feel safe. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:57.000 A lot of mothers in my group feel very strongly the 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:59.000 same way. 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.000 Kind regards, Lauren Chenhall. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:07.000 "CHAIR: Thanks, Bo, for reading that online behalf. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:13.000 That brings our hearing to an end. 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:15.000 We've heard from those that are present. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:19.000 Governance, we don't have any of the other submitters that have come 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:22.000 online since we've done our submissions? 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:25.000 Oh, sorry, Councillor Schonfelder, did you have a question? 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:27.000 CR SCHONFELDER: Thank you, Mayor. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:30.000 I was just going to ask whether Bo could pass on to Lauren 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:36.000 and thank her on behalf of the Council for her submission, please. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.000 BO CARTER: No worries. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:39.000 Will do. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.000 Cheers. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.000 CHAIR: Thanks. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:45.000 Governance, did we have any of the other submitters that have come 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.000 online? 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:49.000 JAKE: Through you, Mayor, no, no-one else has come online. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.000 CHAIR: Okay. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:53.000 So Councillors, we have no further submissions 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:55.000 to hear tonight and so we have a recommendation before us 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:58.000 as per the report, which is that Council receives a note 00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:01.000 for submissions relating to the Proposed Community Amenity 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:04.000 (Amendment) Local Law 2023. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:07.000 Can I have a mover of a motion, please? 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:08.000 Councillor Schonfelder 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:10.000 - is that as per the recommendation? 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.000 It is. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:13.000 And a seconder, please? 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.000 Councillor Hodge. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:18.000 All those in favour. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:20.000 And the motion is carried unanimously. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:25.000 So that brings our hearing of submissions 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:29.000 - given there is no further business, I'd like to declare the meeting closed 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:32.000 at 6.23pm. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:36.000 Thank you, everybody, for coming online and thanks to everyone watching online. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:38.000 Thank you. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.000 Bye.