WEBVTT

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CR PATTISON: Welcome, everybody.

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Good evening and welcome
to our April Council meeting.

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I'm Mayor Liz Pattison and it's a pleasure
to welcome members

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of the community joining us tonight.

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This meeting is also being live streamed,
so a big welcome

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to those joining us online and
of course welcome

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to my fellow Councillors.

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We've got Councillor Kate Gazzard online
and also Councillor Wellington who

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will be joining us tonight.

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Live captioning
will accompany the live stream

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of this meeting.

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We hope that this assists those
who have hearing difficulties.

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I would like to acknowledge that here
in Torquay at the main Council office

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we are gathered on Wadawurrung country
and I pay my respects to Elders past,

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present and emerging.

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The Wadawurrung people have nurtured
and protected these lands and waterways

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for thousands of generations
and I'm so grateful for the opportunity

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to live and work in this beautiful part
of the world.

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OFFICER: It's very quiet.

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CR PATTISON: Oh, we'll just get our volume
up a little.

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Can the people in the gallery hear me okay

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Not great?

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Alright, we might pause for a moment
and get the volume up.

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Ah, there we go.

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Thank you.

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Great, thanks for the thumbs up.

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So I've just

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- for those

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- I've said a quick welcome
and acknowledging that we're gathered

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on the lands of the Wadawurrung people.

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We also wish
to acknowledge the traditional owners

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of the lands on which each person
is attending

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and acknowledge any Aboriginal people
viewing the meeting tonight.

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As always, it has been an exciting month
for events in our local community,

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with a major highlight being the 61st Rip
Curl Pro at Bells Beach, which wrapped

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up earlier this month.

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There were some sensational heats
throughout the event and a sunny,

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relaxed atmosphere in the event village.

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I took my kids down and we
all had a lovely time.

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There was something for everybody.

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Two new winners got to ring the bell,
with rookie Cole Houshmand

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and teen sensation Caitlin Simmers making
it a double win for Southern California.

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Looking ahead, Anzac Day
is later this week on Thursday, 25 April

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with the dawn services to be in Torquay
and Lorne and morning services

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in Anglesea and Winchelsea.

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I encourage everyone to head along
to the local service

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to commemorate the sacrifice and bravery
of our servicemen and women.

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On this coming Saturday, 27 April we
will also see the Great Ocean

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and Otway Classic Ride in Torquay.

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A massive 3,200 cyclists
will be enjoying the scenic ride

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along the coast and through our hinterland
over distances of 60km, 145 and 204km,

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so I wish them all the best of luck
with those long distances

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and I think our Deputy Mayor will be there
with the starting gun for the race early

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on Saturday morning.

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And finally, we
will see Australian Indigenous Surfing

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Titles on 24 and 26 May.

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This event will begin
with a traditional welcome to country

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and smoking ceremony at Djarrak,
which is the Wadawurrung name

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for Bells Beach, on Friday morning,
followed by three days

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of competition showcasing the best
of Indigenous surfing in Australia.

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And now on to our agenda for tonight.

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So the process, for those that are new
to one of our Council meetings,

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Council meetings operate
according to our adopted Governance Rules,

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which include the following procedures.

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During the meeting, the mover
of a motion or an amendment may speak

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for a maximum of 5 minutes
to open the debate

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and then a further 2 minutes
to make a closing statement.

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Any other Councillor,
including the seconder, may speak

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to a motion for no more than 3 minutes.

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I ask that members
of the gallery avoid using mobile phones

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during the meeting
as this can distract Councillors as well

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as other members of the gallery.

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I also note that any unauthorised
recording of the meeting is prohibited

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under our Governance Rules.

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However, you can access a copy
of the official recording on our website

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after the meeting.

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I would now like to recite the Pledge
as a sign of our commitment:

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"As Councillors we carry
out our responsibilities with diligence

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and integrity and make fair decisions
of lasting value for the wellbeing

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of our community and environment".

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Do we have any apologies
for tonight's meeting?

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No.

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And confirmation of minutes

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- can I have a mover and a seconder
to confirm the minutes

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of the Council meeting held on Tuesday,
26 March 2024?

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Thank you, moved by Councillor Bodsworth
and seconded by Councillor Hodge.

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Are there any leave
of absence requests from Councillors?

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No.

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Declarations of Conflicts of Interest

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- OFFICER: We need to put the minutes
to a vote.

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CR PATTISON: Sorry, thank you, Governance,
and Liberty.

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Yes, we'll now put the confirmation
of the minutes to the vote.

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All those in favour.

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And that's carried.

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Yes, Kate had her hand up,
so that was moved unanimously.

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And we've done leave of absence requests.

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Declarations of Conflicts of Interest

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- if a Councillor or an officer has
a conflict of interest,

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they must declare it now
and do so again just prior

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to the item being discussed.

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Are there any officers or Councillors
with a conflict of interest?

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No.

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- Councillor Bodsworth,
I believe you've got a presentation.

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CR BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.

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I'd like to update Councillors
on the progress

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of the Anglesea McMillan Street Community
and Health Hub co-design process.

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So co-design workshops 1
and 2 were held last Thursday

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and Saturday respectively.

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The co-design
process brings a community deliberative

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approach to development
of a precinct concept plan.

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39 people are participating,
including precinct stakeholders

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and community representatives selected
from a diverse pool of applicants

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to provide broad representation of ages,
genders, housing status, life experience,

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local knowledge and networks.

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The group's output
will be a draft concept plan

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for wider community review
and then consideration by Council.

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On Thursday,
facilitator Helen Jennings guided

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participants through deliberations
on vision and principles.

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Surf Coast Shire Council
staff provided background,

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including the intent or the why
of the project and the scope

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of the project.

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Participants were asked
to look forward 20 or 30 years.

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On Saturday, design
and planning professionals guided

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participants through functional
and spatial deliberations,

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including a jigsaw piece-type exercise
of allocating space to different functions

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and spatial requirements.

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Many participants were struck
by the amount of space available

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through reorganising buildings and spaces.

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The group was highly energised
and engaged.

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The workshop time flew by.

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The inclusion
of affordable key worker housing

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as a must-have element of the plan
is contentious and clearly difficult

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for some participants to accept.

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Despite that, to their credit,
they stayed in the room.

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I admire the commitment people are showing
by being part of this group.

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I love that we're hearing from lots
of people we haven't heard from before

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and I hope that the group can continue
through the process with a minimum

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of background noise.

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The process priorities creativity
and strength of ideas,

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fairness and representativeness.

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It allows everybody involved
to have an equal say

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and accords everybody equal status.

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The project architects
and urban designers are currently

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considering input from the workshops and
will bring ideas back to the group

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on 2 May.

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The aim of this session will be to agree
on a draft concept plan that

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will then be provided
to the broader community for feedback

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in mid to late May.

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Thank you.

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CR PATTISON: Thanks, Councillor Bodsworth.

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We have no public questions today,
so that means we move into the next item

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- we also have no petitions, so we're going
to move on to Notice of Motions

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and I'll make sure I speak right
into the microphone today.

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It seems to be picking it up not quite
as well as usual.

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So Notice of Motions.

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We've got Notice of Motion 157,
Duck Hunting in Modewarre,

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and we have lost Councillor Gazzard
off the live stream.

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We will progress on
because we do have quorum.

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Governance, could you contact Kate?

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Councillor Kate Gazzard is calling in
from home.

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She's actually unwell.

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But she was well enough
to join the meeting, so hopefully she

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will be back on shortly.

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She is back.

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Great.

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It may have been a technical issue.

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So we've received a notice
of motion relating to duck hunting

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in Modewarre, which was submitted
by Councillor Gazzard and supported

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by Councillor Schonfelder.

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Our Governance team have advised
they have adjusted the formatting

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of this slightly for clarity.

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However, no wording has been changed
from the agenda that was released.

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Can we display
on the screen the slightly amended motion?

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So it's a formatting change.

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Councillor Wellington
and Councillor Gazzard,

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can you see that alright?

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Yes, great.

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Alright.

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So Councillor Gazzard, would you like
to move the motion as displayed?

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Yes, Councillor Gazzard
will move the motion.

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And a seconder for the motion?

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Councillor Schonfelder.

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Would you like to speak to the motion,
Councillor Gazzard?

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You're on mute, Councillor Gazzard,
if you'd like to speak.

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CR GAZZARD: Yes, thank you.

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I would like to move this motion
to close Lake Modewarre

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- CR PATTISON: We're having some

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- we can't hear you, Kate.

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I don't know if you've got

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- there's something wrong
with your internet.

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Perhaps try again.

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CR ALLEN: Perhaps the seconder can

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- CR GAZZARD: Hang on, I'll try

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- CR PATTISON: Ah, much better.

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Yes, take out the ear pods.

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That's far better.

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We could hear you fine when you just
were speaking then.

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CR GAZZARD: Can you hear me?

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CR PATTISON: Yes, perfect.

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It must have been the ear pods,
so that's good.

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CR GAZZARD: Great.

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Thank you.

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Yes, I'd like to move this motion
to close Lake Modewarre, Brown Swamp

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and Lake Gherang to duck shooting.

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The main reasons for this was referred
by the Friends of Lake Modewarre group,

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who we met with in March at Lake Modewarre
and visited one of the neighbouring farms

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at Brown Swamp where the duck shooting
occurs within 50 to 200 metres

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from residents' homes.

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Duck shooting is

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- there's been a Victorian parliamentary
inquiry and overwhelming community support

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to stop recreational duck shooting
in Victoria

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and actually Western Australia, Queensland
and New South Wales have banned

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recreational duck shooting.

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We want our native wildlife to
not only survive, but to flourish and

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to thrive as they are part
of our community as well and

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they just don't get a voice.

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Lake Modewarre
is protected wetland habitat

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home to the blue-billed duck, the brolga,
red-capped plovers and diamond doves.

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Even if there was strict policing,
of which ducks are legally allowed

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to be slaughtered, the effects of hunting
will drive away protected species,

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contribute to noise and litter pollution
and is an effect to the health

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and wellbeing of native birds.

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We need to preserve our native wildlife
and develop a safe habitat

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for wetland species and a safe space
for people to be able to do activities

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to support physical and mental health
and wellbeing for our community.

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It was alarming
to me how close the shooting occurs

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to residents' homes,
including two families

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of very young children, and proximity
to gun shooting is a physical threat

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to health and safety, but also
is emotionally and mentally distressing

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and can have long-lasting effects.

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(Inaudible) is crucial
for children's development and

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all children should feel safe
in their homes and surroundings.

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So I would encourage all
of my fellow Councillors

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to support the motion and thanks
to the Friends of Lake Modewarre

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for their advocacy and lobbying.

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Thank you.

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CR PATTISON: Thank you,
Councillor Gazzard.

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Councillor Schonfelder, would you like
to speak?

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CR SCHONFELDER: Yes, Mayor.

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You can hear me okay, I hope.

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CR PATTISON: Maybe bring your microphone
a bit closer.

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CR SCHONFELDER: I am a previous holder

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- CR PATTISON: Perfect.

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CR SCHONFELDER: Can you hear me now?

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CR PATTISON: Here, Adrian.

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CR SCHONFELDER: I am a previous
licensed firearm holder.

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I have done shooting in the past
and hunting.

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A very good friend of mine
is a champion shooter.

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I acknowledge that
at the Paris Olympics shooting is a sport

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and Australians have done very well
in the shooting category

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- Russell Mark, for example,
and Michael Diamond.

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I support the eradication of foxes,
rabbits, deer, wild pigs and wild dogs

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as an example.

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I visited with Councillor Gazzard
and Councillor Wellington Lake Modewarre

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and met Friends of Lake Modewarre
and a shooter actually came along

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and spoke as well and
all the people present said,

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and I believe that Councillor Gazzard
and Councillor Wellington can confirm this

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, that none of those present said they were
against people shooting.

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It was just the location
of Lake Modewarre, Brown Swamp

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and Lake Gherang due to the proximity
of housing in the area.

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And also I would like to add that CORA,
being billed an international sports

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centre, I feel that if shooting
is taking place nearby,

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:35.000
it would be inappropriate, so that's
like an extra element to consider.

00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:40.000
Very correct
in what Councillor Gazzard said

00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:45.000
about young children
and people residing close

00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:47.000
to these wetlands.

00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:50.000
I know at Brown Swamp there are horses
there as well

00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:57.000
and residents said the horses get startled
and I was surprised

00:14:57.000 --> 00:15:02.000
at how close the housing was
and I know there's a new house that's

00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:07.000
being built at the moment
and there's been more residential

00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:09.000
development in this precinct.

00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:17.000
So I'm someone who's enjoyed fishing
at Lake Modewarre and I'm very familiar

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:23.000
with the area and once again I concur
with Councillor Gazzard

00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:29.000
about protecting the wild ducks
in the precinct and the brolgas as well.

00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:34.000
I've had videos sent to me
of brolgas in the area and I know that

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:39.000
with the recent wet weather we've had,
there's been a proliferation of wildlife

00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:40.000
at Lake Modewarre.

00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:46.000
So I'm not against people duck shooting,
but I feel as though this area,

00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:49.000
it's inappropriate
and notice that the State Government has

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:52.000
actually closed
for this season duck shooting

00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:56.000
at Lake Modewarre, Mayor,
and I congratulate the State Government

00:15:56.000 --> 00:16:02.000
for this and I welcome the contribution
from my Councillors to this item

00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.000
and ask them to support this motion.

00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:06.000
Thank you.

00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:10.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak
to the motion?

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.000
Councillor Bodsworth?

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.000
CR BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.

00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.000
I'm happy to support this motion.

00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:18.000
I recognise that it's an advocacy proposal
and that the Council doesn't have

00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:24.000
authority to decide
on hunting regulations.

00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:31.000
I agree with the notions around the impact
on nearby residents' physical

00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:34.000
and mental health and safety.

00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:38.000
I mean, I have personal views
on duck hunting,

00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:43.000
which aren't really relevant here because
of the scope of the motion.

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:45.000
So I'm happy to support it.

00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:47.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.000
Would any other Councillors

00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:50.000
- Councillor Wellington?

00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:59.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thanks, Mayor.

00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:01.000
I'd just like to ask a question
and make a comment.

00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:04.000
As I understand it,
the State Government has now closed Lake

00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:09.000
Modewarre to shooting because
of the presence of a special kind of duck.

00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:13.000
I'm just wondering
if officers have knowledge

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:16.000
of what's happening with Brown Swamp.

00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:18.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you for that question.

00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.000
I'll pass that to our CEO.

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:26.000
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Councillor Wellington,
we're not aware of anything occurring

00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:30.000
at Brown Swamp in terms of banning,
but one of the things that we know

00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:37.000
from speaking to State Government is that
if people see endangered species

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:43.000
at the swamp and report it
through the online portal at DEECA,

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:47.000
then they will send people out
to investigate and where

00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:57.000
they find endangered or at-risk birds they
will then seek to put that wetland

00:17:57.000 --> 00:18:02.000
on the banned list as well, which
is what happened with Lake Modewarre.

00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:04.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thank you.

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.000
I'd like to comment, if I can.

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:07.000
CR PATTISON: Yes, sure.

00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.000
CR WELLINGTON: Look, I

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:10.000
- well, first of all,
I should say I considered

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:14.000
whether I had a conflict of interest
because my husband

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:19.000
is the financial accountant
for Winchester, which makes the bullets

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:25.000
- or produces
and distributes the bullets in Australia,

00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:29.000
most of the bullets in Australia,
but he doesn't get paid

00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:36.000
according to how many bullets are sold or
not, so I don't think I really have

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.000
a conflict of interest.

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:40.000
In any case, I'm completely opposed
to duck shooting occurring

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:43.000
in these locations in our shire.

00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:46.000
I think this is a reasonable motion
for Council to put forward

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:50.000
because although we have no regulatory
authority over duck shooting,

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:52.000
we have a community which
is directly affected

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:55.000
- not affected
because they're emotionally upset

00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:57.000
about something which
is happening elsewhere or because

00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:03.000
they have a political or policy sort
of objection to some use of resources,

00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:08.000
but they're directly affected
because they've been permitted to buy land

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:14.000
and build houses in an area
next to a swamp and now they're subject,

00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:19.000
and not unreasonably I suspect
they would not have thought to inquire

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:22.000
about duck shooting
because most people have got minimal

00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:26.000
interest in duck shooting and, you know,
would not necessarily think to inquire

00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:29.000
whether duck shooting occurred
in that environment when no doubt

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:33.000
the properties were sold to them
outside the shooting season.

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:36.000
So we've ended up with families
in proximity

00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:42.000
to duck shooting which happens
at the morning and at night

00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:46.000
for a long period and the impact
of that on children, from my perspective,

00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:49.000
is very much a health
and wellbeing issue that is in the domain

00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:52.000
and influence of this council.

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:56.000
So I don't accept what has been put
to me that this is not Council's business,

00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:58.000
it's the governmental authority
that deals with it.

00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:04.000
I think we do have a clear responsibility
here.

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:10.000
It's quite different from the other areas
in which this Council has gratuitously

00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:14.000
involved itself without (inaudible),
but this is not one of those.

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:17.000
I think we should make an amendment
to this motion, which I'll come

00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:20.000
to in a minute, because it seems
to me that Lake Modewarre gratuitously

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:27.000
has been some blue-winged ducks or birds
of some sort that have been found

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:31.000
on Lake Modewarre which have saved those
residents for this season,

00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:36.000
or for the moment anyway,
from the very negative not just amenity

00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:40.000
impact, it's more than amenity impact
in this case.

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.000
It's more than a nuisance.

00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:43.000
It's an emotional

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:47.000
- I would say it is quite dangerous
for children to be exposed to that sort

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:52.000
of input from their environment,
which is normally very quiet and peaceful

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:54.000
and a beautiful rural environment.

00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:58.000
I would like to suggest that we ask
for immediate closure of Brown Swamp

00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.000
as well

00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:02.000
- not just that we write and ask
for permanent closure,

00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.000
but we ask for immediate closure

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:07.000
- and I'd like to stop at this point
and ask whether the mover and seconder

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:10.000
will accept that,
and that we put in a fourth dot point

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:16.000
saying that we request the State
Government or we request the Gaming

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:20.000
Management Authority
to immediately close Brown Swamp

00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:25.000
on the basis of the very negative health
and wellbeing impact of shooting so close

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.000
to residential properties.

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:29.000
CR PATTISON: I just have to seek
if we have a seconder for that,

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:31.000
for your amendment.

00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:35.000
Do we have anyone who would like
to second that amendment?

00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:39.000
CR BODSWORTH: Mayor, can I ask a question,
please, about the amendment?

00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.000
CR GAZZARD: Can I hear it again?

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:43.000
CR PATTISON: Councillor Gazzard,
we need a seconder

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:45.000
and it can't be you or Councillor
Schonfelder.

00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.000
So before

00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:49.000
- CR WELLINGTON: Mayor,
do we need a seconder when we're just

00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:51.000
asking the mover and seconder
if they're willing to

00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:54.000
- CR PATTISON: Because the debate
has already started, we can't

00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:56.000
- we do need a seconder.

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:58.000
CR BODSWORTH: I'm happy to second it.

00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.000
CR PATTISON: Okay, so we have a seconder.

00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:02.000
Now, Councillor Gazzard,
we'll just get that motion up

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.000
on the screen

00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:05.000
- I mean, Councillor Wellington, sorry.

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:08.000
We'll just give governance a moment
to get that up on the screen.

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:10.000
CR WELLINGTON: Can I ask who the seconder
was?

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:13.000
CR PATTISON: The seconder
was Councillor Bodsworth.

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thank you.

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:17.000
CR PATTISON: So is that
as per what you were seeking,

00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:19.000
Councillor Wellington, what we can see
on the screen?

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:21.000
CR WELLINGTON: It is, thank you.

00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:23.000
CR PATTISON: So I'll give Councillors
a moment.

00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:25.000
This is the first others have seen
of the amendment.

00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:29.000
So we'll just give everyone a couple
of minutes to digest the amendment.

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:41.000
Sorry, Councillor Bodsworth, did you

00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:43.000
- I think Councillor Bodsworth had
a question.

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:45.000
CR BODSWORTH: No, it's okay.

00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.000
It was about the wording.

00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:48.000
CR PATTISON: Okay, great.

00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:51.000
Councillor Wellington, would you like
to speak to your amendment?

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.000
CR WELLINGTON: I'll just finish.

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.000
I'd just like
to say I very much appreciate

00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:56.000
the fact that Councillor Bodsworth

00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:58.000
- CR PATTISON: Sorry, Councillor Wellington

00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:01.000
- CR SCHONFELDER: Councillor Gazzard said
she's happy with the amendment.

00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:04.000
CR PATTISON: So
because the debate has already started,

00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:06.000
we need to

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.000
- all of the Councillors will vote
on whether the amendment

00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:11.000
- so I'll move it back to you,
Councillor Wellington, for you to speak

00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:13.000
on the amendment.

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.000
CR WELLINGTON: Well, as I said

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:16.000
- thanks, Mayor

00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:18.000
- the people
near Brown swamp are very much affected

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:20.000
by this.

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:23.000
I know how much shooting affects my dogs
at home and we live in a rural area

00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:25.000
and shooting is part of life
in those sorts of areas

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:29.000
and it's certainly not happening
excessively near our property,

00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:32.000
but when it does happen,
it's very distressing to other animals.

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:39.000
It's nerve racking for, you know,
human beings, I'm absolutely sure,

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:41.000
it would be totally nerve racking
for people,

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:45.000
especially children who are suddenly
exposed to some sort of noise

00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:48.000
like this when they're not used to it.

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:55.000
I think as a Council we have allowed
that land to be developed and subdivided

00:23:55.000 --> 00:24:01.000
and for homes to be built and someone said
to me the duck shooting was there first.

00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:03.000
Well, I'm sorry,
but it's actually much more complex than

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:07.000
that and a nuisance is a nuisance
whether it was there first or second or

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:10.000
third or last, it doesn't matter,
a nuisance is a nuisance.

00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:13.000
This is a nuisance I believe,
a very serious nuisance to those people,

00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:20.000
and it is our responsibility I believe
under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act

00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:24.000
to advocate for these residents and try
to get a permanent solution so

00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:28.000
that they're not living on a knife edge
for the future or, you know,

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:32.000
for this duck season for that sort
of intrusion.

00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:35.000
I think it's appalling, I really do.

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:37.000
So I hope Councillors
will support that amendment.

00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:39.000
Thank you.

00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:41.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you,
Councillor Wellington.

00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:44.000
Councillor Bodsworth, would you like
to speak to the amendment?

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.000
CR BODSWORTH: No.

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:47.000
CR PATTISON: No.

00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:50.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak
to the amendment?

00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.000
Councillor Barker?

00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:55.000
CR BARKER: I won't be supporting any
further incursion into the liberty

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.000
of hunters to do their thing.

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:59.000
I'll be speaking more
on the substantial motion later.

00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:02.000
We'll now put the amendment to the vote.

00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:05.000
So this is the amendment
for Councillor Wellington to see

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.000
if that becomes a substantive motion.

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:09.000
All those in favour
of accepting Councillor Wellington's

00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:11.000
amendment.

00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:13.000
And all those opposed.

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:15.000
So the amendment is carried 8-1.

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:20.000
So the amendment now becomes a substantive
motion and we'll move back to the debate.

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:21.000
Would any other Councillors

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:24.000
- so if you've already spoken,
you can't speak again.

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:26.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.000
Councillor Barker.

00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:30.000
CR BARKER: Thanks, Mayor.

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:33.000
I was going to say let's put aside
the grammar of the last sentence,

00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:36.000
but thank you for fixing that.

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:41.000
But let's focus on its intent,
positive outcome for public safety.

00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:45.000
You know what else would result
in a positive outcome for public safety?

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:50.000
Closing Victoria Police
and prohibiting the sale of sugary drinks,

00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:52.000
including coffee.

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.000
But I won't be calling for these
to be banned

00:25:54.000 --> 00:26:00.000
and I won't be supporting duck hunting
to be banned or contributing to its ban.

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:03.000
Victoria Police shot
at innocent peaceful protesters and sugar

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:08.000
is one of the worst substances that
you can put in your body.

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:13.000
Now, duck hunting has been happening
in this area for well over 100 years.

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:16.000
Like purchasing near airports or moving
into homes

00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:21.000
near airports or railway lines moving
into areas that have noise typically

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:23.000
result in lower housing costs.

00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:26.000
I trust that people moving
into an area conduct their own due

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:30.000
diligence, but
if the sellers or the agents that allowed

00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:33.000
the residents into these homes
without the knowledge

00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:36.000
of duck hunting occurring nearby,
then I think the residents should take

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:40.000
up the issue with those people.

00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:45.000
I'm aware
of the historical issues local residents

00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:49.000
have experienced with their proximity
to fired ammunition,

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:52.000
but I understand that much
of this has been mitigated

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:54.000
through exclusion zones.

00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:59.000
I'm concerned that if this motion
is successful, it will pave the pathway

00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:03.000
to prohibit more outdoor activities
in the future.

00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:11.000
In a closing statement I hope you'll
outline all activities that want

00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:15.000
to be banned in the interests
of public safety.

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:19.000
The Victorian inquiry
into duck hunting had around half

00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:24.000
of respondents in support of duck hunting,
while a large portion

00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:29.000
of the objectors used a pro forming
document as their contribution.

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:32.000
If we are to consider the merits
of this inquiry, I think it's important

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:37.000
to consider all submissions,
not just the ones we like.

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:41.000
I'd like to foreshadow an alternate motion
if this decision is deferred

00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:45.000
to include a public consultation phase
should this motion fail.

00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:49.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:51.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:53.000
Do you have any closing remarks,
Councillor Gazzard?

00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:55.000
CR GAZZARD: No, that's fine, thank you.

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:57.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.000
We'll now put the motion to the vote.

00:27:58.000 --> 00:28:00.000
All those in favour.

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:02.000
And all those opposed.

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:06.000
And the motion is carried 8-1.

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:08.000
We now move on to the reports
for our Council meeting,

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:13.000
the first one being our Draft Budget
for 24-25 and for that to go

00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:14.000
to public exhibition.

00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:17.000
So the purpose of this report is
to seek Council's endorsement

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:22.000
to place the 24-25 Draft Budget
on public exhibition.

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.000
Do I have a mover of the motion?

00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:25.000
Councillor Allen

00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:26.000
- is that as per the recommendation?

00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:28.000
CR ALLEN: Thank you, Mayor.

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:30.000
CR PATTISON: And do I have a seconder?

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.000
Councillor Stapleton.

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:33.000
Would you like to speak, Councillor Allen?

00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:34.000
CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor.

00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:37.000
This motion is to endorse
and place the proposed 2024-25

00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:42.000
Council budget on exhibition from tomorrow
until 20 May.

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A copy may be obtained
on the Council's website and in hard copy

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at the Council office.

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For members of the public who wish
to make a submission, there

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will be a special council meeting
on Tuesday, 4 June at 6pm.

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The budget will be adopted,
including any proposed changes to rates

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and charges
at the June Council meeting on Tuesday,

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:05.000
the 25th.

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The budget describes the services
and initiatives to be funded and how

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they relate to the Council plan,
which will be in its final year.

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The budget outlines the rates,
service rates and charges

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and an explanation
of the differential rating system that

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we adopt in the Surf Coast Shire.

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The process to develop the budget
is extensive, beginning

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in October last year and it has concluded

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- continued until tonight's presentation.

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Much of the budget is already framed
by previously adopted commitments,

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statutory requirements
and the success or lack thereof

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of grant applications.

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There is not a large degree
of discretionary expenditure, but there

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is some.

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Our rating system, which I think
is generally understood that we are bound

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by the State Government's Fair Go Rates
System for this budget a 2.75 percent

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increase to general rates, this compared
to the rate of

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- the current rate of inflation of 4.1%,
which is declining, it is coming down,

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but it means that the purchasing power
of each dollar that we spend is less.

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A key feature of the budget
is a $25.4 million capital expenditure

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program, 11 million which is
on new projects such

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as a Great Ocean Road bike route
and the upgrade

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to the Aireys Inlet top shopping area.

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The remaining 41.4 million
is ongoing capital works, headlined

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by two facilities,
the Winchelsea pool redevelopment

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and the Surf Coast Aquatic
and Health Centre.

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Across our local road
and footpath networks we are allocating

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more than 13 million to make it easier
and safer for people to move in and

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around their communities.

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Asset renewal is a large component
in our budget.

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We have a 10-year
renewal program which ensures that our

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assets are fit for purpose,
which the community rightly expects.

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The asset renewal allocation is based
on conditional report assessments.

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The overall allocation to renewal
is increasing by over 9%

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over the next four years.

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Affordable housing and accommodation
is a priority of this Council

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and we continue
to lay the groundwork for long-term

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success.

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The development
of the Affordable Accommodation Action

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Plan has already paid dividends.

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Residents
will see that the Anglesea Community

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and Health Hub has an accommodation
component,

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plus our ongoing work in the Fraser Drive
precinct in Aireys Inlet.

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We continue to achieve efficiencies
through our three business reform programs

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, business improvement,
business case investment

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and digital transformation.

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I am pleased that we continue
to support our creative people

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and industries,
a priority in the Council plan,

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articulated
through the recently

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adopted Creative Places Strategy

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- perhaps not to the extent that I would
like, but we must all make compromises.

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I am very pleased that the Council
is supporting Lorne Biennale

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with the commitment of $60,000
for the next two events.

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It is estimated that each Biennale brings
$2 million into the local economy.

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The Draft Budget is a comprehensive
and complex document.

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I have highlighted only a few
of the elements.

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Residents are always keen
to see the budget highlights by ward.

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This is contained in appendix D.

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Again, in my ward there
is continued support of events,

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with the 2025 Gran Fondo World
Championships to be held in Lorne

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and district and a commitment
to the Lorne Men's Shed Parking Design

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Project.

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Appendix A is also of interest
as it details the fees

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and charges schedule that range
from hall hire, statutory planning charges

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to pet registration.

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Thank you, Mayor.

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CR PATTISON: Thank you.

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Councillor Stapleton, would you like
to speak?

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CR STAPLETON: Thank you, Mayor,
and thank you, Councillor Allen.

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Developing the budget
is a challenging process

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and we know that there are many important
and competing priorities

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throughout the shire.

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Operating in a financially strained
environment means that we have to say no

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to many of the things that we'd like to do
for our community.

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It doesn't mean these things are not
important.

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Council has the tough role
of balancing priorities

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and ensuring our spending reflects
the outcomes we have already agreed

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to in the Council plan,
which was developed

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with extensive community input and
is a broad reflection

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of what our community values.

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Choices need to be made
about what we believe

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is in the best interests
of the broader community now,

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while ensuring we are preparing
for future needs of the community for

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at least the next 10 years.

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The budget gets tighter every year
and there are fewer discretionary funds

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to allocate to new priorities.

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With the State Government rate cap
of 2.75%, the revenue collected

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from rates cannot keep up
with escalating costs of the materials

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and services our community needs.

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We also have a growing community and
with it comes growing expectations.

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To help maintain
a sustainable financial position,

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officers are working constantly
through a business reform program

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to find more savings
and efficiencies every year and

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to make incremental changes in the way
we do our business, which helps to free

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up more funds for delivery
of important projects and services.

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Already Council has saved
more than half a million dollars

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through this program.

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The increasing demand on asset renewal
is another key challenge for this Council.

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With a growing community,
we have a growing asset base

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with more facilities
and roads needing renewal.

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Council has committed
to effectively double investment

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in asset renewal over a 10-year period
to help ensure the viability

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of Surf Coast Shire Council in the future.

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Essentially,
we are putting aside money now

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to ensure the demand
for asset renewal can be met

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by the Council that is sitting here
in 2034.

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Council has also introduced new asset
renewal modelling

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to gain a better understanding
of how assets degrade

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and the most optimal time to renew them
to try to get better value for money

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in this space.

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Waste charges look
like being another significant financial

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burden for council, but we
will discuss this further in the next item

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on the agenda.

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Despite many
of the challenges I've outlined,

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there are many positive projects under way
for our community, some

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of which have already been outlined
by Councillor Allen.

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One project I'd like to flag
is the $70,000 allocated to planning

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and design work
for the Aireys Inlet top shop precinct,

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which is based
on recommendations made in the existing

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Aireys Inlet Structure Plan.

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This project would
not only enhance the aesthetics

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and functionality of the area,
but also improve safety and comfort

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for people using the top shops,
whether it be to shop, eat,

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wait for a bus or
to enjoy informal catch-ups

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with others in the community.

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This money would allow detailed design
work to progress, which is needed

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to allow Council to apply
for future funding for a project

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like this.

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I encourage the community to have a look
at the Draft Budget

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and let us know what you think.

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Thank you, Mayor.

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CR PATTISON: Thank you,
Councillor Stapleton.

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Would any other Councillors like to speak
to this motion?

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Councillor Barker?

00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:31.000
CR BARKER: Thanks, Mayor.

00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:35.000
Millions of dollars unbudgeted
for landfill remediation line our future

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- increased rates as we head
into harder financial

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times driven by inflation-inducing
quantitative easing, a white elephant

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:47.000
of a pool that I think
will be a significant financial burden,

00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:51.000
especially so with electrified heating.

00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:54.000
On a positive note,
the open space operations has only had

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:55.000
a marginal increase in costs.

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:57.000
Well done.

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There is a plethora
of other individual items that I could

00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:03.000
address, but with only 3 minutes
to discuss the budget,

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this means that each second needs
to address over $400,000 worth

00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:09.000
of expenditure.

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I'm not going to be able
to address everything, but what I can do

00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:15.000
is talk about the driving forces that lead
to budgets like this.

00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:18.000
First, socialism.

00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:21.000
Thinking that the needs
of the many are more important than

00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:25.000
the needs of individuals
will always result in suboptimal outcomes

00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:28.000
for both individuals
and the whole community.

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This doesn't work
because taking people's money involuntary

00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:37.000
is not only unjust,
it could very well be described as theft.

00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:38.000
Second, statism.

00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:42.000
I believe that centralised control
over social and economic decisions

00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:46.000
is better than leaving decisions
to individuals.

00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:49.000
Who listening to me right now thinks
that someone else knows your life

00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:53.000
better than you
and can make better decisions that affect

00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:55.000
you on your behalf?

00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:57.000
Third, OPM

00:37:57.000 --> 00:38:01.000
- yes, an addiction to OPM.

00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:04.000
When you generate wealth
from your own labour and spend it

00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:06.000
on yourself, you both seek
to spend the least

00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:12.000
and get the highest value for that spend,
but that's not what this is.

00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:15.000
When you take other people's money
and spend it on other people,

00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:19.000
you have very poor incentives
to treat that spending wisely and end

00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:22.000
up spending a high amount,
not getting good value for money

00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:24.000
for that spend.

00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:27.000
That's exactly what this is.

00:38:27.000 --> 00:38:29.000
We need
to get people in the community taking more

00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:34.000
responsibility back from Council,
stop spending on non-essential things

00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:37.000
like Indigenous reconciliation
that triples up on federal

00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:39.000
and state programs; climate alarmism

00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:44.000
- the actions that I've seen us take simply
shift the perceived negatives on

00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:45.000
to other outcomes as

00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:53.000
- on other areas as externalities;
community grants that take money

00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:57.000
from people struggling to put food
on the table and redirecting those

00:38:57.000 --> 00:39:01.000
to pet projects of those
in this group or organisation.

00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:06.000
We should not be picking winners or losers
and stop spending local ratepayers' money

00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:10.000
by interfering in state,
federal or international matters.

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:13.000
The endorsement of this budget to go out
to the public for consultation

00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:16.000
is simply regulatory process.

00:39:16.000 --> 00:39:21.000
Due to cost of living pressures, most near
all residents will not participate in the

00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:25.000
public consultation process as
they simply don't have the time.

00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:29.000
Those that do have the time may very well
be politically apathetic.

00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:31.000
The resulting lack
of objections may be viewed by some

00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:33.000
as an endorsement of the budget.

00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:36.000
I challenge this notion in the strongest
possible terms and

00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:39.000
will not be supporting this motion.

00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:42.000
If you like the non-essential topics
to be paid for through this budget,

00:39:42.000 --> 00:39:46.000
I encourage you to voluntarily spend your
own money and not force them

00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:49.000
on other people to pay for your desires.

00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:53.000
CR PATTISON: Thanks, Councillor Barker.

00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:55.000
Do we have any closing remarks,
Councillor Allen

00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:57.000
- you'd like to speak,
Councillor Bodsworth?

00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:59.000
CR BODSWORTH: I would.

00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:01.000
Thanks, Mayor.

00:40:01.000 --> 00:40:04.000
So I'm going
to address a few specific things first

00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:06.000
and then I want to zoom in
on a particular issue.

00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:09.000
So I'm delighted
to see a proposed allocation

00:40:09.000 --> 00:40:14.000
of $1.3 million for redevelopment
of the Anglesea netball courts, which

00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:18.000
will be a great complement
to the newly completed pavilion

00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:26.000
at the Anglesea netball courts, which
will have its official opening

00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:29.000
on Saturday, a great celebration.

00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:35.000
I also note the proposed allocation
of $250,000 for further stages

00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:40.000
of the McMillan Street precinct
planning and design, which I talked about

00:40:40.000 --> 00:40:46.000
before, and also to note the allocation
of 40,000 for the Anglesea art space,

00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:52.000
which is to essentially lease a shop which
is used for the Anglesea art space,

00:40:52.000 --> 00:40:57.000
which is essentially a community gallery,
and I'd like Councillors to think

00:40:57.000 --> 00:41:01.000
about the potential
for the McMillan Street precinct

00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:05.000
to be the future home
of the Anglesea art space or a

00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:09.000
different version of a community gallery
in Anglesea where we could potentially

00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:14.000
save the money that we spend every year
on leasing a shop.

00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:16.000
I'm sure we can do better than that.

00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:20.000
I also note
the capital allocation to high-priority,

00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:22.000
low-cost actions
from the Safer Cycling Strategy

00:41:22.000 --> 00:41:25.000
and congratulate officers
on their good work on that.

00:41:25.000 --> 00:41:29.000
I'd like to zoom in for a moment
on appendix A, which lists over 10 pages

00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:32.000
of fees and charges,
applying a user pays principle

00:41:32.000 --> 00:41:35.000
to cover some of the cost
of providing hundreds

00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:40.000
of different facilities and services,
but we provide parking free

00:41:40.000 --> 00:41:43.000
across the entire municipality.

00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:48.000
Appendix A lists a $161 per square metre
charge to use public land

00:41:48.000 --> 00:41:53.000
for al fresco dining, so dining
out the front of cafes, for example,

00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:57.000
while on the other side
of the kerb car spaces

00:41:57.000 --> 00:42:01.000
of 14 square metres each are available
for free.

00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:05.000
Free parking benefits individuals at
all ratepayers' expense, which

00:42:05.000 --> 00:42:10.000
is inequitable and contrary
to the user pays principle that underpins

00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:13.000
our other fees and charges
and the Victorian Government ministerial

00:42:13.000 --> 00:42:16.000
guidelines that we're discussing
in the next item.

00:42:16.000 --> 00:42:20.000
On the other hand, we charge for hundreds
of different socially beneficial uses

00:42:20.000 --> 00:42:26.000
of Council assets, like sporting, social,
learning and arts activities.

00:42:26.000 --> 00:42:28.000
The financial cost
of free parking constrains Council

00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:31.000
spending
on other important facilities

00:42:31.000 --> 00:42:34.000
and services, like items
on our asset renewal backlog or

00:42:34.000 --> 00:42:38.000
the pathway improvements communities are
crying out for.

00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:40.000
There are also land use opportunity costs.

00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:45.000
On a site that could park 30 cars,
the Nightingale Ballarat complex provides

00:42:45.000 --> 00:42:51.000
affordable housing
for 50 people plus a cafe and office.

00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:53.000
Ample free parking, particularly
in our town centres,

00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:56.000
also entrenches driving
as the transport mode of choice,

00:42:56.000 --> 00:43:02.000
even when 50% of car trips at 2km or less,
with all the social, environmental

00:43:02.000 --> 00:43:04.000
and health consequences that brings.

00:43:04.000 --> 00:43:09.000
Our budgets and annual reports don't
but should show what free parking actually

00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:13.000
costs Council and ratepayers
and we should engage with communities

00:43:13.000 --> 00:43:17.000
to explore the case for and
against free parking in selected areas

00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:18.000
like town centres.

00:43:18.000 --> 00:43:20.000
Thank you.

00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:22.000
CR PATTISON: Thanks, Councillor Bodsworth.

00:43:22.000 --> 00:43:23.000
Councillor Wellington?

00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:27.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thank you.

00:43:27.000 --> 00:43:30.000
I'd just like to say in response
to Councillor Bodsworth,

00:43:30.000 --> 00:43:33.000
I'd second the motion,
Councillor Bodsworth, if you ever put

00:43:33.000 --> 00:43:38.000
up one, about doing a consultation
and investigation into charging

00:43:38.000 --> 00:43:40.000
for parking.

00:43:40.000 --> 00:43:43.000
I think it's a major gap that's been very
much opposed by some Councillors

00:43:43.000 --> 00:43:46.000
over the years and
to me it's a major lost opportunity when

00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:50.000
we're so short of revenue
and there are so many needs for it.

00:43:50.000 --> 00:43:57.000
I agree with quite a few

00:43:57.000 --> 00:44:00.000
- certainly not everything
that Councillor Barker said, I'm not

00:44:00.000 --> 00:44:03.000
into the political philosophy that
he puts forward,

00:44:03.000 --> 00:44:06.000
but certainly I would agree
with quite a few of what he said

00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:09.000
about the way that we spend money
in this Council and I think there are

00:44:09.000 --> 00:44:12.000
different ways of doing things and again,
those in the community looking

00:44:12.000 --> 00:44:15.000
for community feedback, but the reality
is that very few people have got

00:44:15.000 --> 00:44:21.000
the time or the access or the energy
to actually do that.

00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:22.000
We give them four weeks.

00:44:25.000 --> 00:44:28.000
It's not even a cycle
of community organisations kind

00:44:28.000 --> 00:44:30.000
of meeting times
and we're asking volunteers

00:44:30.000 --> 00:44:36.000
from those organisations even
at that level to be putting in many,

00:44:36.000 --> 00:44:39.000
many hours of research and trying
to understand what this budget means.

00:44:39.000 --> 00:44:41.000
So I think the consultation

00:44:41.000 --> 00:44:44.000
- and the reality
is that the feedback can only be addressed

00:44:44.000 --> 00:44:48.000
very much on the margins anyway
because the budget is being worked on

00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:51.000
for months and is pretty much set
by the time it goes out for feedback.

00:44:51.000 --> 00:44:54.000
There's a few things that really bother me
and I would encourage the rural

00:44:54.000 --> 00:44:56.000
community to comment.

00:44:56.000 --> 00:44:59.000
One is the increase in waste charges,
the disproportionate increase

00:44:59.000 --> 00:45:05.000
in rural areas for waste charges
and I'm concerned about that.

00:45:15.000 --> 00:45:17.000
I'm also concerned about

00:45:17.000 --> 00:45:19.000
- I'm not sure
if it's Councillor Bodsworth or Councillor

00:45:19.000 --> 00:45:21.000
Barker mentioned the generation of

00:45:21.000 --> 00:45:24.000
- you know, the completion
of the Anglesea landfill site

00:45:24.000 --> 00:45:26.000
and the remediation
and the cost that's approaching us

00:45:26.000 --> 00:45:30.000
with that and the gap there that
we haven't got a plan for at this point.

00:45:30.000 --> 00:45:31.000
I'm also concerned about unsealed roads.

00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:35.000
Unfortunately, I think we've just gone
for consultation on unsealed roads

00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:38.000
and probably raised expectations and yet
in this budget there

00:45:38.000 --> 00:45:40.000
is certainly no magic solution
to the unsealed roads,

00:45:40.000 --> 00:45:46.000
the asset renewal gap
and also the maintenance gap, which

00:45:46.000 --> 00:45:49.000
is really significant
and I think a few people got excited

00:45:49.000 --> 00:45:53.000
at the idea that we were listening
to them, but now we've got the budget

00:45:53.000 --> 00:45:56.000
that really comes hot on the heels of that
and is unable to address that.

00:45:56.000 --> 00:45:58.000
So I'll be interested

00:45:58.000 --> 00:46:02.000
- I'll be encouraging the rural community
to comment and feed back

00:46:02.000 --> 00:46:05.000
and hopefully note, but
as Councillor Barker said, the reality

00:46:05.000 --> 00:46:07.000
is it's difficult for people to do that.

00:46:07.000 --> 00:46:08.000
I would ask

00:46:08.000 --> 00:46:14.000
- I believe that hard copies of the budget
will be available at Torquay,

00:46:14.000 --> 00:46:17.000
but I ask that
they also be made available at Winchelsea.

00:46:17.000 --> 00:46:21.000
A lot of people find it much easier
to read hard copies than

00:46:21.000 --> 00:46:27.000
to download a document of this size
and complexity over the internet and

00:46:27.000 --> 00:46:29.000
to follow it, you know,
on a computer or mobile phone or

00:46:29.000 --> 00:46:34.000
whatever they use,
so I think that we should make hard copies

00:46:34.000 --> 00:46:39.000
available in the townships outside Torquay
and I'll be interested

00:46:39.000 --> 00:46:44.000
to see what comments the community brings
back and what we can actually respond to.

00:46:44.000 --> 00:46:47.000
I'm happy to support it going out,
but I feel very pessimistic

00:46:47.000 --> 00:46:52.000
about the budget itself and also,
just to finish,

00:46:52.000 --> 00:46:57.000
about the reliance that this follows
the Council plan, I challenge the process

00:46:57.000 --> 00:46:59.000
for the Council plan.

00:46:59.000 --> 00:47:00.000
It was not

00:47:00.000 --> 00:47:03.000
- it does not reflect this community's
needs or aspirations, in my view.

00:47:03.000 --> 00:47:05.000
The investment in issues

00:47:05.000 --> 00:47:07.000
- CR PATTISON: I'll get you to finish
up there.

00:47:07.000 --> 00:47:10.000
CR WELLINGTON: (Inaudible) which
is not our job, thank you, gender equity,

00:47:10.000 --> 00:47:12.000
a lot of money.

00:47:12.000 --> 00:47:14.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you,
Councillor Wellington.

00:47:14.000 --> 00:47:17.000
CR WELLINGTON: (Inaudible) there's a lot
of money there that I think

00:47:17.000 --> 00:47:19.000
is being waited.

00:47:19.000 --> 00:47:21.000
CR PATTISON: Thanks,
Councillor Wellington.

00:47:21.000 --> 00:47:23.000
I'll get you to finish up now.

00:47:23.000 --> 00:47:24.000
Would any other Councillors like

00:47:24.000 --> 00:47:26.000
- CR HODGE: Yes, very quickly.

00:47:26.000 --> 00:47:27.000
CR PATTISON: Councillor Hodge.

00:47:27.000 --> 00:47:29.000
CR HODGE: Thank you.

00:47:29.000 --> 00:47:31.000
When I get a draft of anything,
what do I look at?

00:47:31.000 --> 00:47:33.000
What's in it for me
and where does my money go

00:47:33.000 --> 00:47:34.000
and this document does show that.

00:47:34.000 --> 00:47:38.000
Councillor Allen mentioned the snapshots,
that starts on page 107, and that breaks

00:47:38.000 --> 00:47:41.000
down the wards and it breaks
down the money going into the wards

00:47:41.000 --> 00:47:43.000
for new projects and for renewal projects.

00:47:43.000 --> 00:47:48.000
For Torquay there was roads, bikes,
environmental parts, sporting pathways,

00:47:48.000 --> 00:47:52.000
and that came up to about 2.2 million,
so that's what's happening in your area.

00:47:52.000 --> 00:47:53.000
You can see it.

00:47:53.000 --> 00:47:57.000
It's very easily read
and that's what's happening in your area.

00:47:57.000 --> 00:48:04.000
If you go to page 16 in the draft,
the $100 of rates are spent

00:48:04.000 --> 00:48:07.000
and it breaks it down
into where your money goes.

00:48:07.000 --> 00:48:09.000
One of the biggest ones, I'm only going
to mention one,

00:48:09.000 --> 00:48:12.000
is the theme healthy connected community
and I disagree,

00:48:12.000 --> 00:48:19.000
I think the Council plan really did set it
out what those people actually helped us

00:48:19.000 --> 00:48:22.000
with that plan and
of course it's the healthy connected

00:48:22.000 --> 00:48:24.000
community, you can see the amount
of expenditure that's there.

00:48:24.000 --> 00:48:28.000
That's where the most of your $100,
every $100 goes, and that goes

00:48:28.000 --> 00:48:33.000
from child care
to health development early years, it goes

00:48:33.000 --> 00:48:36.000
to community facilities,
the wonderful stadiums that we've got,

00:48:36.000 --> 00:48:40.000
the open spaces, the advocacy,
the library, the youth, the social,

00:48:40.000 --> 00:48:45.000
the civil works and range of services,
an absolute huge range of services.

00:48:45.000 --> 00:48:48.000
So when people say rates, roads
and rubbish, there's a lot more to it

00:48:48.000 --> 00:48:50.000
and this is it.

00:48:50.000 --> 00:48:51.000
So you can actually

00:48:51.000 --> 00:48:55.000
- and every topic, the First Nations,
the healthy connected, the environmental

00:48:55.000 --> 00:48:59.000
and further down are all broken down
into exactly where the money is going,

00:48:59.000 --> 00:49:01.000
so it's pretty transparent.

00:49:01.000 --> 00:49:03.000
You know, we're even putting in

00:49:03.000 --> 00:49:07.000
- you know, they say it's from the cradle
to the grave what Council does

00:49:07.000 --> 00:49:10.000
and we're even looking at termites now,
so we're even getting everything involved

00:49:10.000 --> 00:49:12.000
in our buildings and everything.

00:49:12.000 --> 00:49:16.000
So when people say stay
in your lane or your woke, or whatever,

00:49:16.000 --> 00:49:21.000
this is a complete document
on what affects everyone in our community

00:49:21.000 --> 00:49:24.000
and it shows where your money goes
and where it is in your area.

00:49:24.000 --> 00:49:28.000
So I recommend people do look
at the draft, do feed back in

00:49:28.000 --> 00:49:32.000
because we want to hear from people,
but they're the items that I think people

00:49:32.000 --> 00:49:35.000
most look at it, what's in it for me
and where does my money go,

00:49:35.000 --> 00:49:38.000
and it's been set out in a very easy
to read manner.

00:49:38.000 --> 00:49:41.000
Thank you to the officers for that.

00:49:41.000 --> 00:49:43.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Hodge.

00:49:43.000 --> 00:49:46.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Mayor, I'd like
to make some brief comments, if I may,

00:49:46.000 --> 00:49:55.000
and I'd like to thank Gabrielle Spiller
for her work in formatting

00:49:55.000 --> 00:50:00.000
and developing the Draft Budget
for consultation.

00:50:00.000 --> 00:50:05.000
I am the fourth member or
fourth-generation member of my family

00:50:05.000 --> 00:50:13.000
to serve on council in this local area
and I have to say that it's been for

00:50:13.000 --> 00:50:18.000
over a century and we have an initiative
that is responding

00:50:18.000 --> 00:50:22.000
to the climate emergency and I have
in Europe

00:50:22.000 --> 00:50:26.000
and North America visited glaciers
and met with long-term

00:50:26.000 --> 00:50:31.000
residents who have talked
about the changing climate

00:50:31.000 --> 00:50:33.000
and the impacts it's having.

00:50:35.000 --> 00:50:40.000
The inaugural year
of the Growing Our Urban Forest Program,

00:50:40.000 --> 00:50:45.000
which will adapt our townships
to help withstand, as I just mentioned,

00:50:45.000 --> 00:50:51.000
the climate change challenges
through tree planting and canopy cover,

00:50:51.000 --> 00:50:55.000
this is an initiative which I cannot

00:50:55.000 --> 00:51:03.000
- I cannot express how proud I am and it
is a game changer and I believe it

00:51:03.000 --> 00:51:10.000
is an initiative that demonstrates
that our Council is progressive and

00:51:10.000 --> 00:51:15.000
is a leader in the sector and
in particular I'd like to thank Chris Pike

00:51:15.000 --> 00:51:20.000
for his work and his team's work
in relation to this and also the CEO.

00:51:22.000 --> 00:51:26.000
I'm absolutely delighted about it
and it's something that so many local

00:51:26.000 --> 00:51:30.000
people, including members
of the arboretum in Winchelsea,

00:51:30.000 --> 00:51:33.000
are advocating for.

00:51:33.000 --> 00:51:40.000
So once again, I'd like
to just reiterate that the Council Draft

00:51:40.000 --> 00:51:45.000
Budget is open for consultation
in other municipalities,

00:51:45.000 --> 00:51:49.000
neighbouring ones in particular,
such as City of Greater Geelong,

00:51:49.000 --> 00:51:50.000
and the borough of Queenscliff.

00:51:50.000 --> 00:51:54.000
Colac Otway Shire
and Golden Plains Shire are going

00:51:54.000 --> 00:51:56.000
through the same process.

00:51:56.000 --> 00:52:01.000
I would just like to say that I have given
the Council 9 out of 10 for the work

00:52:01.000 --> 00:52:10.000
they do and I know how enthusiastic
the staff members are and how much

00:52:10.000 --> 00:52:14.000
they enjoy working for this organisation,
but Mayor, I would just like

00:52:14.000 --> 00:52:19.000
to say I'm happy to give 10 out of 10
if we had some Christmas decorations so

00:52:19.000 --> 00:52:23.000
we might get some contributions
in relation to that.

00:52:23.000 --> 00:52:24.000
Thank you very much.

00:52:24.000 --> 00:52:27.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you,
Councillor Schonfelder.

00:52:27.000 --> 00:52:29.000
Do you have any closing remarks,
Councillor Allen?

00:52:29.000 --> 00:52:31.000
CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor.

00:52:31.000 --> 00:52:35.000
Could I also thank the staff
for the preparation of the Budget.

00:52:35.000 --> 00:52:38.000
An enormous amount of work goes
into doing it.

00:52:41.000 --> 00:52:46.000
I also agree with Councillor Wellington
that hard copies should go to other parts

00:52:46.000 --> 00:52:50.000
of the shire would be a great advantage.

00:52:50.000 --> 00:52:52.000
It is only

00:52:52.000 --> 00:52:55.000
- this is only going out for consultation,
so I don't really think I should have

00:52:55.000 --> 00:53:00.000
a debate with Councillor Barker
about the merits of the free market

00:53:00.000 --> 00:53:04.000
and its imperfections,
but we could certainly debate that

00:53:04.000 --> 00:53:05.000
for quite some time.

00:53:05.000 --> 00:53:08.000
I don't know that the concentration
of wealth in the form

00:53:08.000 --> 00:53:11.000
of individuals does a lot
for the common good.

00:53:11.000 --> 00:53:16.000
I think Elon Musk would be a great example
of that fallacy.

00:53:16.000 --> 00:53:17.000
So there has to be taxes.

00:53:17.000 --> 00:53:20.000
It's only a matter
of where we draw the line.

00:53:20.000 --> 00:53:24.000
Are they for the roads that we drive on,
are they for the hospitals we go into,

00:53:24.000 --> 00:53:26.000
are they for the Defence Force?

00:53:26.000 --> 00:53:31.000
So we have to draw a line and there
will be continuing debate about the extent

00:53:31.000 --> 00:53:34.000
to which we have to tax to spend
and the areas in which we have

00:53:34.000 --> 00:53:37.000
to be involved in.

00:53:37.000 --> 00:53:40.000
But thank you to the officers
and I encourage people

00:53:40.000 --> 00:53:45.000
to read the document and
to provide us feedback.

00:53:45.000 --> 00:53:46.000
Thank you.

00:53:46.000 --> 00:53:48.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Allen.

00:53:48.000 --> 00:53:50.000
We'll now put the motion to the vote.

00:53:50.000 --> 00:53:53.000
All those in favour.

00:53:53.000 --> 00:53:54.000
And all those opposed.

00:53:54.000 --> 00:53:57.000
And the motion is carried 8-1.

00:53:57.000 --> 00:53:59.000
We now move on to our next item
on the agenda,

00:53:59.000 --> 00:54:02.000
Victorian Government Minister's
Good Practice Guidelines

00:54:02.000 --> 00:54:04.000
for Service Rates and Charges.

00:54:04.000 --> 00:54:06.000
The purpose of this report is
to provide an overview

00:54:06.000 --> 00:54:10.000
of the Victorian Government Minister's
Good Practice Guidelines for Service Rates

00:54:10.000 --> 00:54:13.000
and Charges and implications for Council.

00:54:13.000 --> 00:54:14.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

00:54:14.000 --> 00:54:16.000
Councillor Stapleton.

00:54:16.000 --> 00:54:17.000
Is that as per the recommendation?

00:54:17.000 --> 00:54:19.000
CR STAPLETON: Yes, Mayor.

00:54:19.000 --> 00:54:21.000
CR PATTISON: And seconded
by Councillor Allen.

00:54:21.000 --> 00:54:23.000
Would you like to speak,
Councillor Stapleton?

00:54:23.000 --> 00:54:25.000
CR STAPLETON: I will.

00:54:25.000 --> 00:54:26.000
Thank you, Mayor.

00:54:26.000 --> 00:54:30.000
Two days before Christmas last year
the State Government delivered

00:54:30.000 --> 00:54:32.000
what appeared
to be an early Christmas present

00:54:32.000 --> 00:54:36.000
for ratepayers in the form
of revised Good Practice Guidelines

00:54:36.000 --> 00:54:39.000
for Service Rates and Charges,
which effectively changed the way

00:54:39.000 --> 00:54:43.000
that local councils can charge
for waste services.

00:54:43.000 --> 00:54:46.000
However, what might look
like another saving for ratepayers

00:54:46.000 --> 00:54:50.000
on the surface actually has the potential
to cost our community greatly

00:54:50.000 --> 00:54:55.000
in the longer term and I urge residents
to consider this issue closely.

00:54:55.000 --> 00:54:58.000
Essentially,
the Victorian Government's new

00:54:58.000 --> 00:55:01.000
Good Practice Guidelines, which came
into effect in March,

00:55:01.000 --> 00:55:06.000
state that only waste services directly
linked to a household can be recovered

00:55:06.000 --> 00:55:08.000
by councils through a waste charge.

00:55:08.000 --> 00:55:12.000
This would mean that money allocated
to other waste services that provide

00:55:12.000 --> 00:55:15.000
a general benefit
to the whole community should no longer be

00:55:15.000 --> 00:55:18.000
collected via the waste charge.

00:55:18.000 --> 00:55:20.000
As most Surf Coast ratepayers would be
aware,

00:55:20.000 --> 00:55:24.000
Council does have a separate waste charge
separated from general rates.

00:55:24.000 --> 00:55:27.000
This ensures that waste charges are
aligned with the actual cost

00:55:27.000 --> 00:55:30.000
of delivering waste services.

00:55:30.000 --> 00:55:33.000
Apart from the cost
of obvious waste services that Council

00:55:33.000 --> 00:55:35.000
delivers,
like collecting household rubbish,

00:55:35.000 --> 00:55:40.000
the waste service charge also funds many
other services associated

00:55:40.000 --> 00:55:45.000
with managing waste in our community,
such as processing recyclable materials,

00:55:45.000 --> 00:55:49.000
operating landfills and transfer stations,
dealing with dumped rubbish on the side

00:55:49.000 --> 00:55:54.000
of the road, providing public litter bins
and cleaning our streets and drains.

00:55:54.000 --> 00:55:57.000
We also deliver education
and awareness programs and are now aiming

00:55:57.000 --> 00:56:01.000
to transition to a more sustainable way
of managing waste

00:56:01.000 --> 00:56:05.000
through the Circular Economy Action Plan,
which is currently out

00:56:05.000 --> 00:56:07.000
with the community for feedback.

00:56:07.000 --> 00:56:11.000
All these services would be at risk
under the new Good Practice Guidelines,

00:56:11.000 --> 00:56:15.000
which will directly impact Council's
ability to divert more material

00:56:15.000 --> 00:56:19.000
from the waste stream
and maximise our resource recovery.

00:56:19.000 --> 00:56:23.000
Whilst I support the objective
of the Minister's Revised Guidelines

00:56:23.000 --> 00:56:28.000
to ensure greater transparency
of how waste charges are being spent and

00:56:28.000 --> 00:56:32.000
to make sure that the waste service fee
is actually spent on waste services,

00:56:32.000 --> 00:56:35.000
I have grave concerns
about the limitations outlined

00:56:35.000 --> 00:56:37.000
in the guidelines
and the impact this would have

00:56:37.000 --> 00:56:39.000
on our community.

00:56:39.000 --> 00:56:43.000
Absorbing all the extra waste costs
into general rates would effectively mean

00:56:43.000 --> 00:56:46.000
that Council has
to compromise significantly

00:56:46.000 --> 00:56:48.000
on other services we deliver.

00:56:48.000 --> 00:56:51.000
In fact, full implementation
of the new guidelines would leave Council

00:56:51.000 --> 00:56:55.000
with a $2.4 million shortfall
in the budget each year

00:56:55.000 --> 00:56:58.000
to meet existing community needs.

00:56:58.000 --> 00:57:02.000
And there is a plan for rehabilitation
of the Anglesea landfill when it reaches

00:57:02.000 --> 00:57:05.000
capacity in 2027, with some
of the waste fees allocated

00:57:05.000 --> 00:57:09.000
to a waste reserve
to fund the estimated $16 million that

00:57:09.000 --> 00:57:12.000
will be needed over the next 10 years
for this and for delivery

00:57:12.000 --> 00:57:16.000
of other waste projects such
as a new transfer station for Torquay

00:57:16.000 --> 00:57:19.000
to cater for a growing population.

00:57:19.000 --> 00:57:22.000
There has been substantial advocacy
from the local government sector

00:57:22.000 --> 00:57:26.000
on this issue and fortunately,
the minister has acknowledged that some

00:57:26.000 --> 00:57:29.000
councils may need more time
to align their budgets

00:57:29.000 --> 00:57:33.000
with the revised guidelines,
but that we should demonstrate a pathway

00:57:33.000 --> 00:57:36.000
for compliance in future budgets.

00:57:36.000 --> 00:57:39.000
As indicated in this motion,
Council has attempted

00:57:39.000 --> 00:57:41.000
to ensure the waste
service charge increases

00:57:41.000 --> 00:57:45.000
and new waste initiatives
within this Draft Budget are aligned

00:57:45.000 --> 00:57:49.000
with the minister's revised guidelines,
but we know that much more work

00:57:49.000 --> 00:57:52.000
will be needed to comply fully
with the guidelines and

00:57:52.000 --> 00:57:55.000
to investigate options
for managing the financial impact

00:57:55.000 --> 00:57:59.000
before the new guidelines can
be fully introduced.

00:57:59.000 --> 00:58:02.000
It is interesting
to note that the Victorian Government

00:58:02.000 --> 00:58:06.000
municipal waste levy has effectively
doubled in the past four years, increasing

00:58:06.000 --> 00:58:11.000
from roughly $33 per tonne in 2020 to
more than $64 per tonne now.

00:58:11.000 --> 00:58:15.000
This is an increase of 95%
and while the State Government's waste

00:58:15.000 --> 00:58:19.000
levy continues to rise each year,
local councils are expected

00:58:19.000 --> 00:58:22.000
to carry an increased burden on behalf
of their communities.

00:58:22.000 --> 00:58:25.000
It is in all our interests
to support the long-term

00:58:25.000 --> 00:58:27.000
financial sustainability of councils.

00:58:27.000 --> 00:58:31.000
Think about the services you value
as a resident and what it would mean

00:58:31.000 --> 00:58:36.000
if Council had to cut back on some
of these by $2.4 million each year.

00:58:36.000 --> 00:58:39.000
It may mean we need
to reduce maintenance on footpaths, roads,

00:58:39.000 --> 00:58:45.000
parks and community facilities or cut back
on some of our other community services.

00:58:45.000 --> 00:58:47.000
I'm sure everyone would have
different opinions

00:58:47.000 --> 00:58:49.000
on what those things should be.

00:58:49.000 --> 00:58:51.000
Of course,
Council would develop an approach

00:58:51.000 --> 00:58:54.000
that ensures continuity of service
to the community while

00:58:54.000 --> 00:58:58.000
maintaining financial sustainability,
but more time is needed

00:58:58.000 --> 00:59:00.000
to properly assess the options.

00:59:00.000 --> 00:59:03.000
At the end of the day,
it is vital that Council is able

00:59:03.000 --> 00:59:07.000
to continue providing efficient
and effective waste services

00:59:07.000 --> 00:59:11.000
for the broader benefit of the community
and for the environment.

00:59:11.000 --> 00:59:14.000
These are all considerations
for next year's budget and beyond,

00:59:14.000 --> 00:59:17.000
but hopefully in the meantime,
with ongoing advocacy,

00:59:17.000 --> 00:59:22.000
the State Government may recognise some
of the potential unintended consequences

00:59:22.000 --> 00:59:26.000
of the revised Good Practice Guidelines
for waste charges and take steps

00:59:26.000 --> 00:59:29.000
to prevent negative impacts
on other important services.

00:59:29.000 --> 00:59:32.000
I look forward to receiving a report
from officers later this year

00:59:32.000 --> 00:59:35.000
with future options
for Council's consideration.

00:59:35.000 --> 00:59:37.000
Thank you, Mayor.

00:59:37.000 --> 00:59:39.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you,
Councillor Stapleton.

00:59:39.000 --> 00:59:41.000
Councillor Allen, would you like to speak?

00:59:41.000 --> 00:59:42.000
CR ALLEN: Thank you, Mayor.

00:59:42.000 --> 00:59:45.000
One must always be suspicious
of any government announcement

00:59:45.000 --> 00:59:49.000
on a Friday afternoon, but particularly
of one released on 23 December,

00:59:49.000 --> 00:59:51.000
two days before Christmas.

00:59:51.000 --> 00:59:53.000
In line
with the guidelines contained in the

00:59:53.000 --> 00:59:58.000
Good Practice for Service Charges,
councils when framing future budgets

00:59:58.000 --> 01:00:01.000
will be asked
to align our service rate or charge

01:00:01.000 --> 01:00:04.000
with the specific
and tangible service provided

01:00:04.000 --> 01:00:06.000
to the occupancy it is levied on

01:00:06.000 --> 01:00:11.000
- for example, the kerbside collection
of waste and/or recycling bins

01:00:11.000 --> 01:00:15.000
that are provided for the exclusive use
of the occupancy.

01:00:15.000 --> 01:00:19.000
Litter and waste collection
from public spaces we are told should be

01:00:19.000 --> 01:00:21.000
funded by the Council
through revenue sources

01:00:21.000 --> 01:00:23.000
- ie, the rates.

01:00:23.000 --> 01:00:27.000
In our case, we will need
to find $2.4 million in future budgets

01:00:27.000 --> 01:00:31.000
to provide this service,
thus giving future councils a choice

01:00:31.000 --> 01:00:33.000
to either cut back on existing service

01:00:33.000 --> 01:00:36.000
- fewer footpaths,
reducing spending on gravel roads

01:00:36.000 --> 01:00:41.000
- or cut back on our spending
for public waste removal, which will go

01:00:41.000 --> 01:00:46.000
down a treat in Lorne, where we are
under continual pressure to spend more

01:00:46.000 --> 01:00:51.000
to remove the waste left
by tourists and/or rearranged

01:00:51.000 --> 01:00:54.000
in the township by the cockatoos.

01:00:54.000 --> 01:00:57.000
We are told that it is not good practice
for a council

01:00:57.000 --> 01:01:01.000
to levy a service rate or charge
to fund services that do not provide

01:01:01.000 --> 01:01:02.000
a direct

01:01:02.000 --> 01:01:04.000
- direct

01:01:04.000 --> 01:01:08.000
- benefit to the occupancy subject
to the service rate or charge.

01:01:08.000 --> 01:01:12.000
The waste that is left in Lorne
by tourists and the feeding of cockatoos

01:01:12.000 --> 01:01:17.000
by tourists attract them.

01:01:17.000 --> 01:01:22.000
They then attack our residents' kerbside
bins, spreading rubbish in our streets,

01:01:22.000 --> 01:01:24.000
- directly

01:01:24.000 --> 01:01:27.000
- affecting the amenity of the resident.

01:01:27.000 --> 01:01:30.000
Litter and waste collection
from public spaces and the provision

01:01:30.000 --> 01:01:32.000
of public bins are to be funded
from rates.

01:01:32.000 --> 01:01:35.000
At first sight, there is not a lot
of dispute.

01:01:35.000 --> 01:01:38.000
However, all
of our coastal communities are overwhelmed

01:01:38.000 --> 01:01:44.000
by the rubbish left in public streets
and parks for six months of the year.

01:01:44.000 --> 01:01:48.000
We will be expected to provide
for its removal from a revenue stream that

01:01:48.000 --> 01:01:51.000
is capped and tied
to an ever increasing set

01:01:51.000 --> 01:01:55.000
of deliverables mandated
by the same State Government.

01:01:55.000 --> 01:01:59.000
Something has to give
and the State Government would rather it

01:01:59.000 --> 01:02:01.000
be us than them.

01:02:01.000 --> 01:02:05.000
Either way, the local resident pays,
either through a broad

01:02:05.000 --> 01:02:11.000
but properly targeted service charge or
through what they will forgo as a result

01:02:11.000 --> 01:02:13.000
of service reduction.

01:02:13.000 --> 01:02:17.000
I support the recommendation as it
is taking an advocacy position

01:02:17.000 --> 01:02:20.000
highlighting the ambiguity
and the potential adverse consequences

01:02:20.000 --> 01:02:24.000
of the guidelines, but in doing so,
I do not wish to be silent

01:02:24.000 --> 01:02:29.000
about the State Government's big-stick
approach to correct the actions

01:02:29.000 --> 01:02:32.000
of a couple of councils that
will punish the majority

01:02:32.000 --> 01:02:37.000
and particularly those municipalities
whose economies are tourist based and

01:02:37.000 --> 01:02:41.000
in our situation have four landfill
transfer stations to manage

01:02:41.000 --> 01:02:45.000
and in the case of Anglesea
to rehabilitate.

01:02:45.000 --> 01:02:48.000
Instead of a Fair Go Rates System,
how about a fair go

01:02:48.000 --> 01:02:49.000
for local government system.

01:02:52.000 --> 01:02:54.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Allen.

01:02:54.000 --> 01:02:56.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

01:02:56.000 --> 01:02:57.000
Councillor Bodsworth?

01:02:57.000 --> 01:02:59.000
CR BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.

01:02:59.000 --> 01:03:02.000
I appreciate Councillor Stapleton
and Allen's words on that

01:03:02.000 --> 01:03:03.000
and I completely agree where that.

01:03:03.000 --> 01:03:06.000
There is one specific issue and I'm going
to just hark back

01:03:06.000 --> 01:03:11.000
to the old user pays thing that I was
talking about before on the budget

01:03:11.000 --> 01:03:19.000
because the user pays principle is central
to this guideline as well and page 6

01:03:19.000 --> 01:03:25.000
of the guideline, which is page 153
of the agenda papers, says,

01:03:25.000 --> 01:03:30.000
"When calculating the amount
of a Service Rate or Service Charge,

01:03:30.000 --> 01:03:33.000
it is good practice for a council to",

01:03:33.000 --> 01:03:37.000
second dot point, "focus
on either a subsidised pricing or

01:03:37.000 --> 01:03:41.000
full-cost recovery pricing structure,
including clear rationale

01:03:41.000 --> 01:03:47.000
in cases where councils subsidise
particular users at the expense of others"

01:03:47.000 --> 01:03:50.000
and I call your minds back
to the parking issue,

01:03:50.000 --> 01:03:56.000
where we actually offer a 100% subsidy
on parking at the benefit

01:03:56.000 --> 01:04:01.000
of individual users at the expense
of all ratepayers.

01:04:01.000 --> 01:04:05.000
So I think it's interesting to look
at this guideline on kind of a flip side

01:04:05.000 --> 01:04:08.000
from what is not good practice to what
is good practice

01:04:08.000 --> 01:04:13.000
and apply that good practice principle
to the issue of parking as one

01:04:13.000 --> 01:04:15.000
of our user fees and charges.

01:04:15.000 --> 01:04:18.000
I just thought that was noteworthy
out of the guideline.

01:04:18.000 --> 01:04:21.000
I can't agree more
with the other Councillors.

01:04:21.000 --> 01:04:22.000
Thanks.

01:04:22.000 --> 01:04:24.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:04:24.000 --> 01:04:26.000
CR BODSWORTH: I support the recommendation

01:04:26.000 --> 01:04:27.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:04:27.000 --> 01:04:29.000
Councillor Barker?

01:04:29.000 --> 01:04:32.000
CR BARKER: I welcome the critique
of government by my colleagues.

01:04:32.000 --> 01:04:34.000
It warms my heart.

01:04:34.000 --> 01:04:38.000
Welcome to how I view most things
we do here.

01:04:38.000 --> 01:04:41.000
Having State Government force us
to do things that require us to directly

01:04:41.000 --> 01:04:45.000
- to redirect funding that could otherwise
be directly benefiting our community

01:04:45.000 --> 01:04:46.000
is something that I cannot support.

01:04:46.000 --> 01:04:48.000
The driving policy is flawed.

01:04:48.000 --> 01:04:51.000
If all councils said no
to the State Government, they'd be forced

01:04:51.000 --> 01:04:54.000
to rectify the issues or abandon
the policy completely.

01:04:54.000 --> 01:04:58.000
Say that we live in a society that largely
submit to authority, I would like us

01:04:58.000 --> 01:05:03.000
to push back harder,
but I welcome baby steps

01:05:03.000 --> 01:05:08.000
and I'll support this motion and get ready
for us to be a wrecking ball next time

01:05:08.000 --> 01:05:11.000
they trod on us.

01:05:11.000 --> 01:05:13.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:05:13.000 --> 01:05:15.000
Councillor Wellington?

01:05:15.000 --> 01:05:18.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thank you, Mayor Pattison.

01:05:18.000 --> 01:05:24.000
I think this problem has been around
for quite a while and it really started

01:05:24.000 --> 01:05:31.000
when rate capping was introduced,
so councils across the state were looking

01:05:31.000 --> 01:05:33.000
for uncapped sources of revenue.

01:05:33.000 --> 01:05:40.000
Because the rate capping policy was so
detrimental to council's income,

01:05:40.000 --> 01:05:45.000
they looked for uncapped sources of income
and I think probably there's been

01:05:45.000 --> 01:05:47.000
a significant amount
of costs that have been shifted

01:05:47.000 --> 01:05:51.000
into the waste charges which have led
to the waste charges increasing

01:05:51.000 --> 01:06:00.000
significantly outside the rate cap and so
the consumers are starting to complain

01:06:00.000 --> 01:06:04.000
about that and the government put
in guidelines about how not to do it.

01:06:04.000 --> 01:06:10.000
But fundamentally the problem
is both the financial might

01:06:10.000 --> 01:06:15.000
of the local government and the tendency
of local government to both accept things

01:06:15.000 --> 01:06:20.000
that State Government wants it to do
without revenue and to impose

01:06:20.000 --> 01:06:26.000
upon itself things that it wants to do
without revenue and so as the mandate,

01:06:26.000 --> 01:06:29.000
self-directed,
of local government increases,

01:06:29.000 --> 01:06:33.000
the costs increase and more
and more costs have been directed,

01:06:33.000 --> 01:06:38.000
I think, I suspect, in many cases,
probably including our own, into the costs

01:06:38.000 --> 01:06:40.000
into the waste stream
and the waste revenue charges

01:06:40.000 --> 01:06:46.000
and knowing our budget this year,
we're going to be charging our rural

01:06:46.000 --> 01:06:50.000
people significantly more for waste,
which is a really big issue in my mind.

01:06:50.000 --> 01:06:53.000
It's going to go down like a lead balloon,
I suspect.

01:06:53.000 --> 01:06:57.000
But fundamentally the problem
is not just the waste revenue or

01:06:57.000 --> 01:06:59.000
the waste levy or the guidelines.

01:06:59.000 --> 01:07:02.000
The problem is the whole funding model
for local government.

01:07:02.000 --> 01:07:08.000
It's unsustainable and, you know,
I think that the solution is twofold.

01:07:08.000 --> 01:07:12.000
We need to contract what we do
and I really object

01:07:12.000 --> 01:07:16.000
to the characterisation of roads,
rates and rubbish or

01:07:16.000 --> 01:07:20.000
- you know, it's either roads,
rates or rubbish or it's fighting wars

01:07:20.000 --> 01:07:23.000
in Gaza, you know, there's no in between.

01:07:23.000 --> 01:07:24.000
There is a place in between.

01:07:24.000 --> 01:07:29.000
It's about reasonable provision
to the community and within the mandate

01:07:29.000 --> 01:07:32.000
of local government
and that's not just roads, rates

01:07:32.000 --> 01:07:34.000
and rubbish.

01:07:34.000 --> 01:07:37.000
Planning is a huge element of that,
obviously, and kindergartens and

01:07:37.000 --> 01:07:38.000
all those things.

01:07:38.000 --> 01:07:42.000
So it's sort of having this throwaway term
that council is only about roads,

01:07:42.000 --> 01:07:44.000
rates and rubbish.

01:07:44.000 --> 01:07:45.000
Well, we're not.

01:07:45.000 --> 01:07:47.000
None of us are.

01:07:47.000 --> 01:07:49.000
I don't think any of us are about that.

01:07:49.000 --> 01:07:51.000
So it's quite annoying
to have that continually stated.

01:07:51.000 --> 01:07:55.000
So my view is that the whole funding model
of local government needs to be reviewed,

01:07:55.000 --> 01:07:58.000
the whole efficiency
of local government needs to be reviewed,

01:07:58.000 --> 01:08:01.000
and in particular the scope
of things that local government attempts

01:08:01.000 --> 01:08:04.000
to involve itself in or accepts
from State Government as part

01:08:04.000 --> 01:08:07.000
of its responsibility, like housing,
where on earth do we get extra funding

01:08:07.000 --> 01:08:09.000
for that?

01:08:09.000 --> 01:08:11.000
You can't put that into a basic levy.

01:08:11.000 --> 01:08:14.000
So the system is in trouble, in my view,
and this is just the minister trying

01:08:14.000 --> 01:08:16.000
to tidy things up
without any real recognition

01:08:16.000 --> 01:08:18.000
of the unseen problems that we have.

01:08:18.000 --> 01:08:19.000
Thank you.

01:08:22.000 --> 01:08:24.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:08:24.000 --> 01:08:26.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

01:08:26.000 --> 01:08:27.000
No.

01:08:27.000 --> 01:08:29.000
Any closing remarks, Councillor Stapleton?

01:08:29.000 --> 01:08:31.000
We'll now put the motion to the vote.

01:08:31.000 --> 01:08:33.000
All those in favour.

01:08:33.000 --> 01:08:37.000
And all those opposed.

01:08:37.000 --> 01:08:40.000
We don't have Councillor Gazzard,
but everyone voted in favour,

01:08:40.000 --> 01:08:43.000
so the motion is carried.

01:08:43.000 --> 01:08:48.000
We now move on to 4.3, Petition Response

01:08:48.000 --> 01:08:50.000
- Gaza Conflict.

01:08:50.000 --> 01:08:53.000
The purpose of this report is to respond
to the petition presented

01:08:53.000 --> 01:08:56.000
at the February 2024 Council meeting
requesting that Council considers a motion

01:08:56.000 --> 01:08:58.000
in relation to the current conflict
in Gaza.

01:08:58.000 --> 01:09:00.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

01:09:00.000 --> 01:09:02.000
Councillor Allen, is that
as per the recommendation?

01:09:02.000 --> 01:09:05.000
CR ALLEN: As per the recommendation,
Mayor.

01:09:05.000 --> 01:09:06.000
CR PATTISON: And do we have a seconder?

01:09:06.000 --> 01:09:08.000
Councillor Bodsworth.

01:09:08.000 --> 01:09:10.000
Would you like to speak, Councillor Allen?

01:09:10.000 --> 01:09:11.000
CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor.

01:09:11.000 --> 01:09:16.000
I believe that this is a carefully crafted
and an appropriate response

01:09:16.000 --> 01:09:20.000
to the petition that we received
at the February meeting.

01:09:20.000 --> 01:09:25.000
There is no denying the grief felt
by both Palestinians and Israelis

01:09:25.000 --> 01:09:27.000
in our community.

01:09:27.000 --> 01:09:33.000
Similar to that felt by a Ukrainian person
who received Australian citizenship

01:09:33.000 --> 01:09:41.000
in this chamber last Wednesday, similar
to that felt by Sudanese residents

01:09:41.000 --> 01:09:45.000
in our community
as there are now more people displaced

01:09:45.000 --> 01:09:52.000
in the Sudan than in any conflict
in recorded human history.

01:09:52.000 --> 01:09:56.000
I can go on to talk about those affected
by the additional 10 international

01:09:56.000 --> 01:09:58.000
conflicts in the world.

01:09:58.000 --> 01:10:03.000
However, we must devote our time
to those matters

01:10:03.000 --> 01:10:09.000
over which we do have jurisdiction and
over which we do have a capacity

01:10:09.000 --> 01:10:12.000
to make a difference.

01:10:12.000 --> 01:10:18.000
The tragedy of the conflict in the Gaza
that began in Israel is the loss

01:10:18.000 --> 01:10:20.000
of innocent lives.

01:10:20.000 --> 01:10:27.000
Now there are new wounds opened
on centuries of scars that

01:10:27.000 --> 01:10:30.000
will be impossible
to heal in the short term.

01:10:30.000 --> 01:10:32.000
Thank you.

01:10:32.000 --> 01:10:33.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:10:35.000 --> 01:10:38.000
Councillor Bodsworth, would you like
to speak?

01:10:38.000 --> 01:10:42.000
CR BODSWORTH: Only to say that I think
that this is a well balanced response

01:10:42.000 --> 01:10:45.000
to the petition.

01:10:45.000 --> 01:10:48.000
It's compassionate, but it's restrained.

01:10:48.000 --> 01:10:50.000
That's all.

01:10:50.000 --> 01:10:51.000
Thanks, Mayor.

01:10:51.000 --> 01:10:53.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:10:53.000 --> 01:10:55.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

01:10:55.000 --> 01:10:56.000
Councillor Barker?

01:10:56.000 --> 01:10:58.000
CR BARKER: Thanks, Mayor.

01:10:58.000 --> 01:11:00.000
Before the timer starts,
just one question.

01:11:00.000 --> 01:11:01.000
CR PATTISON: Yes.

01:11:01.000 --> 01:11:05.000
CR BARKER: How much money was spent
through the administration of the petition

01:11:05.000 --> 01:11:08.000
and the actions that have resulted
from accepting the petition?

01:11:08.000 --> 01:11:10.000
CR PATTISON: I'll pass that to our CEO.

01:11:10.000 --> 01:11:11.000
CR BARKER: Ballpark figure.

01:11:11.000 --> 01:11:16.000
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: It was purely staff time
in preparing the response,

01:11:16.000 --> 01:11:17.000
Councillor Barker.

01:11:17.000 --> 01:11:20.000
I don't have an estimate
of what that would have cost.

01:11:22.000 --> 01:11:24.000
CR BARKER: Okay.

01:11:24.000 --> 01:11:26.000
I wonder what would have happened
if we got a petition

01:11:26.000 --> 01:11:29.000
with less than 20 signatures
from Surf Coast residents

01:11:29.000 --> 01:11:31.000
to not increase rates.

01:11:31.000 --> 01:11:34.000
Would we accept it?

01:11:34.000 --> 01:11:40.000
Now, this motion touches on human rights
as identified in the recommendation,

01:11:40.000 --> 01:11:44.000
but it doesn't touch on the human rights
of the residents of the Surf Coast,

01:11:44.000 --> 01:11:47.000
the ones that were held up
in their homes in lockdowns,

01:11:47.000 --> 01:11:49.000
the business owners whose businesses were
decimated

01:11:49.000 --> 01:11:53.000
by the disproportionate government
response.

01:11:53.000 --> 01:11:57.000
Are we going to get our room tidy
before we go picking on others elsewhere?

01:11:57.000 --> 01:11:59.000
There's a whole range of other issues.

01:11:59.000 --> 01:12:02.000
I'm not going
to support this motion or this

01:12:02.000 --> 01:12:05.000
recommendation
because we simply shouldn't be

01:12:05.000 --> 01:12:06.000
in this space.

01:12:06.000 --> 01:12:11.000
I understand the concerns
of the people that raised it initially,

01:12:11.000 --> 01:12:19.000
but until we've got all our roads sorted,
all our open spaces sorted, all the waste

01:12:19.000 --> 01:12:23.000
under control and we've got a surplus,
then we can start thinking about things

01:12:23.000 --> 01:12:24.000
outside of our remit.

01:12:24.000 --> 01:12:28.000
But I won't be supporting this motion
because of that.

01:12:28.000 --> 01:12:30.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Barker.

01:12:30.000 --> 01:12:32.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

01:12:32.000 --> 01:12:34.000
Councillor Wellington.

01:12:34.000 --> 01:12:37.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thanks, Mayor Pattison.

01:12:37.000 --> 01:12:41.000
I'd just like to say that staff time,
only staff time,

01:12:41.000 --> 01:12:47.000
is actually only ratepayer money
and there's been a lot of work put

01:12:47.000 --> 01:12:49.000
into this and it
is crafted very carefully,

01:12:49.000 --> 01:12:52.000
as Councillor Bodsworth has said.

01:12:52.000 --> 01:12:55.000
It's a motion you have when
you don't have a motion.

01:12:55.000 --> 01:12:57.000
We don't have a motion really.

01:12:57.000 --> 01:13:01.000
I think it's time this Council sat up
and said look, I mean,

01:13:01.000 --> 01:13:05.000
there are many things in the world that
will break people's hearts and I know that

01:13:05.000 --> 01:13:10.000
and I'm as big a softy
and have greatest concern as anyone

01:13:10.000 --> 01:13:14.000
about things like war and conflict
and children being harmed and all

01:13:14.000 --> 01:13:16.000
of those things.

01:13:16.000 --> 01:13:18.000
They're terrible, traumatic things and
as an individual,

01:13:18.000 --> 01:13:25.000
I can do things that I think are
within my choice and I do do things to try

01:13:25.000 --> 01:13:28.000
to contribute towards a better world.

01:13:28.000 --> 01:13:31.000
I think this Council should never have
accepted this motion.

01:13:31.000 --> 01:13:38.000
Its time this stopped trying
to be everything to everybody, trying

01:13:38.000 --> 01:13:41.000
to show solidarity
with different groups in the community,

01:13:41.000 --> 01:13:45.000
spending ratepayers' money on staff time
to try to craft a motion.

01:13:45.000 --> 01:13:48.000
I am grateful that this motion says
that this is outside the scope

01:13:48.000 --> 01:13:50.000
of our powers, duties and functions,
but it's

01:13:56.000 --> 01:13:59.000
- CR PATTISON: Councillor Wellington,
you seem to be freezing.

01:13:59.000 --> 01:14:01.000
CR WELLINGTON: (Inaudible).

01:14:01.000 --> 01:14:05.000
CR PATTISON: Your internet connection
is a little bit scratchy, but keep going,

01:14:05.000 --> 01:14:06.000
it seems to have come good.

01:14:06.000 --> 01:14:09.000
You just froze for a moment there.

01:14:09.000 --> 01:14:17.000
CR WELLINGTON: I think it's time
to park this motion (inaudible) policies

01:14:17.000 --> 01:14:29.000
around (inaudible) all the things that
we are supposed to be responsible

01:14:29.000 --> 01:14:32.000
for should be directing
our resources (inaudible).

01:14:32.000 --> 01:14:36.000
CR PATTISON: Councillor Wellington,
I might ask you to turn your camera off

01:14:36.000 --> 01:14:39.000
and then we can just turn it on
for the speaking and then you might be

01:14:39.000 --> 01:14:41.000
able to speak without cutting out.

01:14:49.000 --> 01:14:50.000
I think we

01:14:50.000 --> 01:14:53.000
- Councillor Wellington, are you there now?

01:14:53.000 --> 01:14:55.000
You're just completely cutting out.

01:14:55.000 --> 01:14:58.000
I think Governance
will give you a call to see what's

01:14:58.000 --> 01:15:00.000
- oh, you seem to be coming back.

01:15:00.000 --> 01:15:02.000
I was just thinking
if you turn your camera off just

01:15:02.000 --> 01:15:05.000
for the speaking, we might be able
to hear you and then have it back on

01:15:05.000 --> 01:15:07.000
for the voting because it was

01:15:07.000 --> 01:15:09.000
- CR WELLINGTON: Thank you.

01:15:09.000 --> 01:15:10.000
CR PATTISON: So if you just want to

01:15:10.000 --> 01:15:13.000
- yes, we didn't hear most of your speech,
so we might just start the timer

01:15:13.000 --> 01:15:15.000
again and you can

01:15:15.000 --> 01:15:19.000
- or I think there was about 2 minutes left
and then you can speak from there, thanks.

01:15:19.000 --> 01:15:20.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thank you very much.

01:15:20.000 --> 01:15:25.000
So I suppose my point is the development
of this motion would have taken quite

01:15:25.000 --> 01:15:26.000
a bit of time of our officers.

01:15:26.000 --> 01:15:30.000
That is ratepayers' money which is spent
on things that are outside our remit

01:15:30.000 --> 01:15:33.000
and solely for the purpose
of showing solidarity

01:15:33.000 --> 01:15:37.000
with a group in the community that is sad
and distressed

01:15:37.000 --> 01:15:41.000
about a conflict that's occurring well
outside our municipality.

01:15:41.000 --> 01:15:45.000
You know, it's not unreasonable for us
as individual Councillors to be sad

01:15:45.000 --> 01:15:47.000
and distressed about what's happening
in Gaza at all,

01:15:47.000 --> 01:15:51.000
but we have our own individual ways that
we can deal with that

01:15:51.000 --> 01:15:55.000
and we should not be taking
the ratepayers' authority they've given us

01:15:55.000 --> 01:16:00.000
to run this shire and turn that
into a political tool to go and talk

01:16:00.000 --> 01:16:03.000
to the Federal Government
about its foreign affairs policy.

01:16:03.000 --> 01:16:07.000
It's nothing to do with us as a Council
and we can do it individually if we wish

01:16:07.000 --> 01:16:09.000
to, but not as a Council.

01:16:09.000 --> 01:16:12.000
I'm not going to vote for this on behalf
of the community, nor am I going

01:16:12.000 --> 01:16:15.000
to vote against it.

01:16:15.000 --> 01:16:17.000
The motion itself is just a non-motion.

01:16:17.000 --> 01:16:19.000
It doesn't say anything.

01:16:19.000 --> 01:16:21.000
It's just trying to appease some people.

01:16:21.000 --> 01:16:25.000
We should have rejected that petition
and we shouldn't have been spending

01:16:25.000 --> 01:16:27.000
ratepayers' money
to develop this response.

01:16:27.000 --> 01:16:32.000
I'm going to abstain from this vote
and that will go down as a no,

01:16:32.000 --> 01:16:35.000
but I'm abstaining really protesting
and saying come on, have a look

01:16:35.000 --> 01:16:38.000
at ourselves as a Council, have a look
at what we're here for,

01:16:38.000 --> 01:16:41.000
let's do some grown-up governance
and let's put a boundary

01:16:41.000 --> 01:16:44.000
around what we delve into
because this is inappropriate.

01:16:44.000 --> 01:16:46.000
Thank you.

01:16:46.000 --> 01:16:49.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you,
Councillor Wellington.

01:16:49.000 --> 01:16:51.000
If you can put your camera back
on so we can see you,

01:16:51.000 --> 01:16:52.000
that would be great now.

01:16:52.000 --> 01:16:55.000
But we could hear you fine
for that section, so that was good.

01:16:55.000 --> 01:16:58.000
Councillor Gazzard, would you like
to speak to the motion?

01:16:58.000 --> 01:16:59.000
CR GAZZARD: Thank you.

01:16:59.000 --> 01:17:02.000
And I'm not feeling very well,
so I might leave after this motion.

01:17:09.000 --> 01:17:12.000
I won't go into great detail.

01:17:12.000 --> 01:17:18.000
Obviously it's very distressing what's
happening in Gaza.

01:17:18.000 --> 01:17:21.000
I don't disagree
with what Councillor Wellington has said

01:17:21.000 --> 01:17:29.000
that it's not in our scope
and there's probably not much to be gained

01:17:29.000 --> 01:17:37.000
and there is possible harm to be caused
by debate and discussion and I don't want

01:17:37.000 --> 01:17:42.000
to cause any divisiveness
in our community, but there

01:17:42.000 --> 01:17:49.000
is also a sense of powerlessness
and despair and I can see that

01:17:49.000 --> 01:17:52.000
in community members and so I feel that

01:17:52.000 --> 01:17:56.000
- I feel a sense of obligation
to take some action however I can.

01:17:56.000 --> 01:17:58.000
There is precedence for this.

01:18:00.000 --> 01:18:05.000
There's been motions passed by councils
in Sydney and Hobart as well

01:18:05.000 --> 01:18:10.000
as multiple Victorian Councils,
including Ballarat, Merri-bek,

01:18:10.000 --> 01:18:16.000
Maribyrnong, Dandenong, Yarra, Kew,
Darebin and Wyndham who have all called

01:18:16.000 --> 01:18:19.000
for a ceasefire.

01:18:19.000 --> 01:18:24.000
I believe no civilian should be the target
of violence and war and I condemn the acts

01:18:24.000 --> 01:18:27.000
of Hamas on the 27th
and the war crimes committed every day

01:18:27.000 --> 01:18:31.000
since towards Palestinians,
particularly the bombing of hospitals

01:18:31.000 --> 01:18:34.000
and children and the resulting lack
of access to amenities

01:18:34.000 --> 01:18:35.000
and basic human rights.

01:18:35.000 --> 01:18:47.000
I think the motion as the recommendation
is measured and thoughtful,

01:18:47.000 --> 01:18:52.000
but a little lacking in any kind
of action, so I would like

01:18:52.000 --> 01:18:58.000
to foreshadow an alternate motion
if this one doesn't get up.

01:18:58.000 --> 01:19:02.000
Is it possible to just display it
on the screen, it's a bit long to read,

01:19:02.000 --> 01:19:03.000
just to show it?

01:19:03.000 --> 01:19:05.000
CR PATTISON: Thanks, Councillor Gazzard.

01:19:05.000 --> 01:19:07.000
Governance, if we could put that
on the screen.

01:19:07.000 --> 01:19:10.000
It's a complex motion, so it's easier
for people to read it.

01:19:10.000 --> 01:19:13.000
So we've now displayed Councillor
Gazzard's foreshadowed motion

01:19:13.000 --> 01:19:15.000
if this lapses.

01:19:22.000 --> 01:19:24.000
We'll just give everyone a minute or so
to read that.

01:19:28.000 --> 01:19:31.000
Governance, could you just move it
across so that the rest

01:19:31.000 --> 01:19:36.000
- I think if you just slide the cursor
across.

01:19:36.000 --> 01:19:37.000
I don't know if that's

01:19:37.000 --> 01:19:40.000
- CR BODSWORTH: I don't think it
is cutting anything out.

01:19:40.000 --> 01:19:42.000
CR PATTISON: Isn't it cutting a few words
out on the edge?

01:19:42.000 --> 01:19:44.000
No?

01:19:44.000 --> 01:19:46.000
Okay, if everyone can read it,
that's fine.

01:19:52.000 --> 01:19:54.000
Thank you.

01:19:54.000 --> 01:19:56.000
We've all seen that, so thank you
for putting that up.

01:19:56.000 --> 01:19:59.000
Councillor Gazzard,
have you finished or have you got more

01:19:59.000 --> 01:20:00.000
that you would like to

01:20:00.000 --> 01:20:03.000
- CR GAZZARD: Yes, that's all, thank you.

01:20:03.000 --> 01:20:04.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:20:04.000 --> 01:20:07.000
Councillor Schonfelder, would you like
to speak?

01:20:07.000 --> 01:20:08.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Yes, please.

01:20:08.000 --> 01:20:11.000
I'm not sure
if you're paying me a compliment or not

01:20:11.000 --> 01:20:12.000
by saying that.

01:20:12.000 --> 01:20:14.000
I will take it as a compliment.

01:20:14.000 --> 01:20:16.000
Mayor,
I understand the sentiments expressed by

01:20:16.000 --> 01:20:21.000
all my colleagues tonight
and I think it's very sad that conflicts

01:20:21.000 --> 01:20:23.000
are taking place worldwide.

01:20:23.000 --> 01:20:26.000
However,
for some reason I do feel

01:20:26.000 --> 01:20:32.000
differently about the Israeli-Gaza
conflict and I feel that most people

01:20:32.000 --> 01:20:36.000
within the Surf Coast Shire, possibly,
I don't know how many,

01:20:36.000 --> 01:20:41.000
but a large proportion would identify
as Christians or they would identify

01:20:41.000 --> 01:20:48.000
as observing Christian traditions
and I feel that many believe the holiest

01:20:48.000 --> 01:20:53.000
place in the world, apart perhaps
from Bells Beach, is Bethlehem,

01:20:53.000 --> 01:20:55.000
where Jesus was born.

01:20:55.000 --> 01:21:00.000
So that's one part of this issue.

01:21:00.000 --> 01:21:08.000
Another one is with point 4 saying that
the "condemns all human rights violations

01:21:08.000 --> 01:21:12.000
in wars and ongoing conflicts
around the world".

01:21:12.000 --> 01:21:20.000
That does refer
to the hostages that have been taken

01:21:20.000 --> 01:21:25.000
by Hamas and I think that's also very
important to highlight that

01:21:25.000 --> 01:21:30.000
and the fact that the hostages need
to be released because I know people talk

01:21:30.000 --> 01:21:35.000
about the chicken and the egg
about the fact that with the conflict it

01:21:35.000 --> 01:21:41.000
is really a hangover from colonialism
because the Ottoman Empire ruled

01:21:41.000 --> 01:21:48.000
over the Middle East and so did
the Romans and so did many other powers

01:21:48.000 --> 01:21:53.000
and I do think that in many respects this
is a result

01:21:53.000 --> 01:21:57.000
of colonialisation in the area.

01:21:59.000 --> 01:22:04.000
I do thank the members of our community
for raising the petition because

01:22:04.000 --> 01:22:09.000
they are entitled to do so
and I do feel that human rights

01:22:09.000 --> 01:22:12.000
is an issue that does affect every
tier of government.

01:22:12.000 --> 01:22:16.000
Even though international relations
and foreign affairs is a matter

01:22:16.000 --> 01:22:22.000
for the Federal Government,
I do once again feel that human rights

01:22:22.000 --> 01:22:27.000
is something that we all cherish
in our jurisdiction.

01:22:27.000 --> 01:22:29.000
Thank you, Mayor.

01:22:29.000 --> 01:22:32.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:22:32.000 --> 01:22:36.000
Do we have any closing remarks,
Councillor Allen?

01:22:36.000 --> 01:22:39.000
CR ALLEN: Mayor, just
to say that I think this recommendation

01:22:39.000 --> 01:22:43.000
does set some boundaries
and although we're not governed

01:22:43.000 --> 01:22:48.000
by the law of precedent,
I think it does set a precedent.

01:22:48.000 --> 01:22:50.000
Thank you.

01:22:50.000 --> 01:22:51.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:22:51.000 --> 01:22:54.000
Just before we go to the vote,
Councillor Wellington,

01:22:54.000 --> 01:22:57.000
are you still online or have you dropped
off?

01:22:57.000 --> 01:22:59.000
CR ALLEN: She was going to abstain anyway.

01:22:59.000 --> 01:23:00.000
CR PATTISON: She's just dropped off?

01:23:00.000 --> 01:23:02.000
Okay.

01:23:02.000 --> 01:23:03.000
That's alright.

01:23:03.000 --> 01:23:07.000
We've still got quorum, so we'll progress,
but I just wanted to make sure it wasn't

01:23:07.000 --> 01:23:09.000
a tech issue and she just had her camera
off.

01:23:09.000 --> 01:23:11.000
So we'll now put the motion to the vote.

01:23:11.000 --> 01:23:12.000
All those in favour.

01:23:12.000 --> 01:23:14.000
All those opposed.

01:23:14.000 --> 01:23:17.000
And Councillor Gazzard, are you abstaining
from this vote?

01:23:17.000 --> 01:23:18.000
CR GAZZARD: Yes, I'll abstain.

01:23:18.000 --> 01:23:20.000
CR PATTISON: Okay, thank you.

01:23:20.000 --> 01:23:24.000
So the motion is carried and it is 5-3.

01:23:27.000 --> 01:23:29.000
We will now move on

01:23:29.000 --> 01:23:32.000
- CR GAZZARD: Mayor, can I excuse myself
from the rest of the meeting?

01:23:32.000 --> 01:23:33.000
Thank you.

01:23:33.000 --> 01:23:36.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you for coming
along when you're unwell.

01:23:36.000 --> 01:23:38.000
We appreciate your presence tonight.

01:23:38.000 --> 01:23:39.000
Thank you, Councillor Gazzard.

01:23:39.000 --> 01:23:41.000
Bye.

01:23:41.000 --> 01:23:44.000
We now move on to item 4.4,
C138 Planning Scheme Amendment

01:23:44.000 --> 01:23:46.000
Winchelsea Industrial Estate.

01:23:46.000 --> 01:23:48.000
The purpose of this report is
to consider the adoption

01:23:48.000 --> 01:23:52.000
of Amendment C138surf following
public exhibition and resolution

01:23:52.000 --> 01:23:54.000
of agency submissions.

01:23:54.000 --> 01:23:56.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

01:23:56.000 --> 01:23:59.000
Councillor Schonfelder, is that
as per the recommendation?

01:23:59.000 --> 01:24:01.000
Yes.

01:24:01.000 --> 01:24:02.000
And a seconder?

01:24:02.000 --> 01:24:04.000
Councillor Barker.

01:24:04.000 --> 01:24:06.000
Would you like to speak,
Councillor Schonfelder?

01:24:06.000 --> 01:24:09.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Yes,
I'll just briefly mention that this

01:24:09.000 --> 01:24:13.000
is referring to the rezoning of land
to be industrial 1, which

01:24:13.000 --> 01:24:16.000
will provide additional industrial land
supply in Winchelsea

01:24:16.000 --> 01:24:21.000
to support local business
opportunities and investments.

01:24:21.000 --> 01:24:25.000
If the Council do approve this
recommendation,

01:24:25.000 --> 01:24:31.000
then the amendment C138surf
will be submitted to the Minister

01:24:31.000 --> 01:24:34.000
for Planning for approval.

01:24:34.000 --> 01:24:37.000
The expansion
of the Winchelsea Industrial Estate

01:24:37.000 --> 01:24:41.000
is consistent with the policy directions
of the Growing Winchelsea Shaping Future

01:24:41.000 --> 01:24:46.000
Growth Strategy 2015,
which identifies the general area

01:24:46.000 --> 01:24:48.000
as future employment land.

01:24:48.000 --> 01:24:51.000
The proposal is supported
by an industrial land supply

01:24:51.000 --> 01:24:54.000
and demand assessment.

01:24:54.000 --> 01:25:00.000
The report findings include Winchelsea has
a limited supply of vacant industrial land

01:25:00.000 --> 01:25:04.000
and the delivery of small industrial lots
is both strategically

01:25:04.000 --> 01:25:08.000
and economically justified,
with Winchelsea expected to grow by 10,000

01:25:08.000 --> 01:25:12.000
people by the year 2050.

01:25:12.000 --> 01:25:18.000
There are other relevant issues pertaining
to this and I know that when you drive

01:25:18.000 --> 01:25:22.000
into Winchelsea from Geelong
and you cross the river

01:25:22.000 --> 01:25:26.000
and you head further westwards,
it's to the northern side

01:25:26.000 --> 01:25:30.000
of the town so it is
like an industrial precinct

01:25:30.000 --> 01:25:38.000
and I welcome the recommendations put
forward to us tonight.

01:25:38.000 --> 01:25:43.000
And I'd like to add that in relation
to Venice and New York City,

01:25:43.000 --> 01:25:47.000
both places very picturesque,
very much tourist destinations,

01:25:47.000 --> 01:25:53.000
they have industrial precincts and
they have very large industrial precincts

01:25:53.000 --> 01:25:57.000
and there is a saying that where
you have industry, you have community

01:25:57.000 --> 01:26:03.000
and once again, with our circular economy,
having people work locally I imagine some

01:26:03.000 --> 01:26:07.000
people would be able to walk
to the industrial precinct, which

01:26:07.000 --> 01:26:10.000
is even better,
and I think Councillor Bodsworth would be

01:26:10.000 --> 01:26:15.000
happy if they also cycled as well
and used active transport.

01:26:15.000 --> 01:26:21.000
So I welcome this recommendation
and encourage my colleagues to support it.

01:26:21.000 --> 01:26:22.000
Thank you, Mayor.

01:26:22.000 --> 01:26:24.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:26:24.000 --> 01:26:26.000
Councillor Barker, would you like
to speak?

01:26:26.000 --> 01:26:27.000
CR BARKER: I'll be very brief.

01:26:27.000 --> 01:26:30.000
I will support this motion not
because I support zoning

01:26:30.000 --> 01:26:33.000
because I think zoning
is a ridiculous external control

01:26:33.000 --> 01:26:36.000
on what people do with their land,
but because I support businesses being

01:26:36.000 --> 01:26:38.000
able to be established and grow.

01:26:38.000 --> 01:26:40.000
I look forward to the growth
and the vibrancy

01:26:40.000 --> 01:26:42.000
of the Cressy Road precinct.

01:26:42.000 --> 01:26:44.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:26:44.000 --> 01:26:47.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak
to this motion?

01:26:47.000 --> 01:26:50.000
Do you have any closing remarks,
Councillor Schonfelder?

01:26:50.000 --> 01:26:53.000
We'll now put the motion to the vote.

01:26:53.000 --> 01:26:55.000
All those in favour.

01:26:55.000 --> 01:26:57.000
And the motion is carried unanimously.

01:26:57.000 --> 01:27:04.000
We now move on to 4.5,
Final Torquay Wayfinding Signage Strategy

01:27:04.000 --> 01:27:05.000
and Design Guidelines.

01:27:05.000 --> 01:27:07.000
Do we have a mover of a motion.

01:27:07.000 --> 01:27:09.000
Councillor Hodge.

01:27:09.000 --> 01:27:10.000
And a seconder?

01:27:10.000 --> 01:27:12.000
Oh, as per the recommendation?

01:27:12.000 --> 01:27:13.000
And a seconder?

01:27:13.000 --> 01:27:15.000
Councillor Bodsworth.

01:27:15.000 --> 01:27:17.000
Would you like to speak, Councillor Hodge?

01:27:17.000 --> 01:27:18.000
CR HODGE: Yes, thank you, Mayor.

01:27:18.000 --> 01:27:21.000
Just quickly on this, this was
from a grant that we received

01:27:21.000 --> 01:27:24.000
which was very good, but when you go
through Torquay and certainly further

01:27:24.000 --> 01:27:28.000
down the coast, but
in Torquay there's signs everywhere

01:27:28.000 --> 01:27:29.000
and I think it's just been

01:27:29.000 --> 01:27:36.000
- this will bring in a planned approach
to it in a much more uniformed style

01:27:36.000 --> 01:27:41.000
and that style is on page 220 when it went
out for community consultation.

01:27:41.000 --> 01:27:44.000
People fed into it about the colours
and things like that, so that

01:27:44.000 --> 01:27:46.000
will be really good.

01:27:46.000 --> 01:27:49.000
The word wayfinding I think sort of

01:27:49.000 --> 01:27:54.000
- it should just be signage to me, but it
will be logical, it will be legible,

01:27:54.000 --> 01:27:58.000
it will be functional, economical
and easy to execute.

01:27:58.000 --> 01:28:03.000
It's highly legible typeface,
universally understood pictures,

01:28:03.000 --> 01:28:07.000
and high contrast colours, which
is very important, and where appropriate,

01:28:07.000 --> 01:28:09.000
tactile and Braille will be as well.

01:28:09.000 --> 01:28:12.000
But I think it will be lovely
by the time this is all through and

01:28:12.000 --> 01:28:16.000
all the locations are in the report
and then to slowly take some

01:28:16.000 --> 01:28:19.000
of the unnecessary signs down, especially
along the highway,

01:28:19.000 --> 01:28:23.000
will make it a more attractive area
as you drive through, but also visually

01:28:23.000 --> 01:28:27.000
for pedestrians and things
to have a uniformed nice colours

01:28:27.000 --> 01:28:32.000
and exactly you know where you're going,
which I think will be beneficial to all.

01:28:32.000 --> 01:28:37.000
So I thank the officers that went out
and thank the 11 submitters that came in

01:28:37.000 --> 01:28:42.000
because it certainly helped finalise this
stage and hopefully we'll move on

01:28:42.000 --> 01:28:44.000
to the next stage in the next couple
of years.

01:28:44.000 --> 01:28:47.000
So looking forward to getting rid of a lot
of signs once this is up.

01:28:47.000 --> 01:28:48.000
Thank you.

01:28:48.000 --> 01:28:50.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:28:50.000 --> 01:28:51.000
Councillor Bodsworth?

01:28:51.000 --> 01:28:53.000
CR BODSWORTH: Oh, yes, thanks, Mayor.

01:28:53.000 --> 01:28:55.000
I also strongly support this.

01:28:55.000 --> 01:29:00.000
This kind of signage is kind of
like greeting people who are unfamiliar

01:29:00.000 --> 01:29:05.000
with the area
and helping them understand what's there

01:29:05.000 --> 01:29:08.000
and where
to find the things that they're interested

01:29:08.000 --> 01:29:17.000
in, so it's important that we as the sort
of local community

01:29:17.000 --> 01:29:26.000
through these signs are greeting people
in a sort of highly legible, well-designed

01:29:26.000 --> 01:29:30.000
, agreeable way that enhances their
experience of this place that we're

01:29:30.000 --> 01:29:34.000
all proud of and that they're visiting
and are unfamiliar with.

01:29:34.000 --> 01:29:38.000
So this is actually really important
to people.

01:29:38.000 --> 01:29:39.000
It's also really important

01:29:39.000 --> 01:29:48.000
- the process of design and sign placement
and planning is super important,

01:29:48.000 --> 01:29:50.000
so I look forward
to seeing how that progresses.

01:29:50.000 --> 01:29:52.000
I'm sure, based
on the work that's been done to date,

01:29:52.000 --> 01:29:54.000
that it will be excellent.

01:29:57.000 --> 01:30:00.000
Ongoing ownership, inspection
and maintenance of signs

01:30:00.000 --> 01:30:05.000
is incredibly important as well
and that's often where signs, well,

01:30:05.000 --> 01:30:10.000
literally fall down
is that ongoing ownership and maintenance,

01:30:10.000 --> 01:30:13.000
so I also look forward
to us doing a good job of that.

01:30:16.000 --> 01:30:18.000
And that's probably all I need to say
about it.

01:30:18.000 --> 01:30:20.000
I think bring it on.

01:30:20.000 --> 01:30:26.000
I will note that years ago when I worked
for the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee,

01:30:26.000 --> 01:30:30.000
I did an audit of signs and a cull
of signs in Aireys Inlet.

01:30:30.000 --> 01:30:37.000
We got rid of over 100 signs in Aireys
on the coast of Crown Land Reserve alone,

01:30:37.000 --> 01:30:41.000
including signposts that had no sign
left on them,

01:30:41.000 --> 01:30:44.000
signs that were completely illegible,
signs that referred

01:30:44.000 --> 01:30:46.000
to things that were completely defunct.

01:30:46.000 --> 01:30:51.000
So I do hope that the rollout
of this new sign system is accompanied

01:30:51.000 --> 01:30:53.000
by an appropriate level of sign culling.

01:30:56.000 --> 01:30:58.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Mayor,
can I just ask a question?

01:30:58.000 --> 01:30:59.000
CR PATTISON: Yes.

01:30:59.000 --> 01:31:03.000
CR SCHONFELDER: This template
will be rolled out across the whole shire,

01:31:03.000 --> 01:31:04.000
is that envisaged?

01:31:04.000 --> 01:31:06.000
CR PATTISON: I'll pass that one
to our CEO.

01:31:06.000 --> 01:31:09.000
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Thanks,
Councillor Schonfelder.

01:31:09.000 --> 01:31:15.000
We have a limited budget, so we will start
in Torquay is the intention

01:31:15.000 --> 01:31:19.000
and we'll see how far that gets in Torquay
and then over time,

01:31:19.000 --> 01:31:23.000
as we have budget available, we will seek
to roll it out more broadly

01:31:23.000 --> 01:31:25.000
across the shire.

01:31:25.000 --> 01:31:27.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Thank you, Mayor.

01:31:27.000 --> 01:31:29.000
I'd just like to briefly speak, if I may.

01:31:29.000 --> 01:31:30.000
CR PATTISON: Sure.

01:31:30.000 --> 01:31:34.000
CR SCHONFELDER: And say that I think
the layout and the designs are excellent

01:31:34.000 --> 01:31:37.000
and I did go to Niagara Falls
about four years ago and

01:31:37.000 --> 01:31:41.000
they have similar signs
and I know that you can use Google Maps

01:31:41.000 --> 01:31:46.000
and have other methods of looking
at different signage,

01:31:46.000 --> 01:31:49.000
but I know that when you have a sign
that tells you when you're walking

01:31:49.000 --> 01:31:53.000
along where another attraction is,
it can be really helpful as well.

01:31:53.000 --> 01:31:56.000
And I know that with the Council plan
we have the local

01:31:56.000 --> 01:32:00.000
- we have the small town feel
to keep local charm

01:32:00.000 --> 01:32:02.000
and I feel this does add to that.

01:32:02.000 --> 01:32:05.000
And following on
from what Councillor Bodsworth said

01:32:05.000 --> 01:32:09.000
about an audit of signs,
there can be an oversupply of them and

01:32:09.000 --> 01:32:11.000
they can look cumbersome.

01:32:11.000 --> 01:32:17.000
So this is a great initiative
and congratulations to the Council.

01:32:17.000 --> 01:32:18.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:32:18.000 --> 01:32:20.000
CR ALLEN: Mayor, could I ask a question,
please?

01:32:20.000 --> 01:32:22.000
CR PATTISON: Yes, sure.

01:32:22.000 --> 01:32:26.000
CR ALLEN: Is there a budget and/or a plan
to remove the signs that are made

01:32:26.000 --> 01:32:29.000
redundant?

01:32:29.000 --> 01:32:31.000
CR PATTISON: Yes.

01:32:31.000 --> 01:32:32.000
CR ALLEN: That's budgeted for?

01:32:32.000 --> 01:32:34.000
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: It's part of the project

01:32:34.000 --> 01:32:38.000
- it's part of this project,
Councillor Allen, so yes.

01:32:38.000 --> 01:32:39.000
CR ALLEN: Okay.

01:32:39.000 --> 01:32:43.000
In that case, I'll support it,
even though I don't like wayfinding.

01:32:43.000 --> 01:32:45.000
CR PATTISON: Would you like to speak,
Councillor Allen?

01:32:45.000 --> 01:32:47.000
CR ALLEN: No, thanks.

01:32:47.000 --> 01:32:48.000
CR PATTISON: No.

01:32:48.000 --> 01:32:50.000
Councillor Barker?

01:32:50.000 --> 01:32:53.000
CR BARKER: Yes, first one, good question,
how much is it going to

01:32:53.000 --> 01:32:55.000
- similar to these, but how much
is it going to cost

01:32:55.000 --> 01:32:59.000
to implement this strategy relative
to current signage costs when compared to

01:32:59.000 --> 01:33:00.000
like for like signs?

01:33:00.000 --> 01:33:02.000
CR PATTISON: I'll pass that to our CEO.

01:33:02.000 --> 01:33:05.000
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Councillor Barker,
I don't have that comparison

01:33:05.000 --> 01:33:11.000
with me tonight and in relation
to the remaining budget that we have

01:33:11.000 --> 01:33:15.000
to roll this out, I think we have 320

01:33:15.000 --> 01:33:23.000
- something of the order of $320,000
to do a rollout as far as we can

01:33:23.000 --> 01:33:27.000
with that amount of money,
but I can't tell you what the like for

01:33:27.000 --> 01:33:31.000
like of our current signage system would
be.

01:33:31.000 --> 01:33:33.000
CR BARKER: Okay.

01:33:33.000 --> 01:33:36.000
Given that
and the constrained financial environment

01:33:36.000 --> 01:33:41.000
that we're moving into,
I'm concerned that while this

01:33:41.000 --> 01:33:45.000
is a lovely idea, I don't particularly
like the colour contrast, like steer away

01:33:45.000 --> 01:33:50.000
from black where possible,
but I'm concerned that if we head

01:33:50.000 --> 01:33:55.000
down this path and it's not fully funded,
not fully budgeted, we may end up

01:33:55.000 --> 01:34:00.000
with a town that's got this mishmash
of signs and that I think is going

01:34:00.000 --> 01:34:03.000
to look far worse than what we've got
at the moment even

01:34:03.000 --> 01:34:05.000
with the degraded signs.

01:34:05.000 --> 01:34:10.000
So yes, unless it's fully planned out
and budgeted for, I can't support it.

01:34:10.000 --> 01:34:14.000
Otherwise like you heard it here,
if we end up and we can't afford it

01:34:14.000 --> 01:34:17.000
and we've got this mismatch
of signs, don't say you weren't warned.

01:34:20.000 --> 01:34:21.000
CR PATTISON: Councillor Stapleton?

01:34:21.000 --> 01:34:27.000
CR STAPLETON: I'll just speak very quickly
to add that on page 222 of the agenda,

01:34:27.000 --> 01:34:33.000
item number 1 under the action plan
for this project is the removal of 18

01:34:33.000 --> 01:34:39.000
to 20 outdated signs identified
for rationalisation and consolidation.

01:34:39.000 --> 01:34:44.000
So just to reassure other Councillors that
that has been included in the action plan.

01:34:46.000 --> 01:34:49.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you
for clarifying that.

01:34:49.000 --> 01:34:51.000
Do we have any closing remarks,
Councillor Hodge?

01:34:51.000 --> 01:34:53.000
CR HODGE: No, thank you.

01:34:53.000 --> 01:34:55.000
CR PATTISON: We'll now put the motion
to the vote.

01:34:55.000 --> 01:34:57.000
All those in favour.

01:34:57.000 --> 01:35:00.000
I think Councillor Wellington
is paused again.

01:35:00.000 --> 01:35:02.000
All those opposed.

01:35:02.000 --> 01:35:06.000
Just to clarify, Councillor Wellington,
were you in favour or opposing

01:35:06.000 --> 01:35:08.000
because you were frozen,
so it was unclear.

01:35:10.000 --> 01:35:12.000
And you've frozen again.

01:35:16.000 --> 01:35:18.000
And you're still frozen.

01:35:18.000 --> 01:35:19.000
We are having

01:35:19.000 --> 01:35:21.000
- CR WELLINGTON: I'm in favour.

01:35:21.000 --> 01:35:22.000
CR PATTISON: In favour, okay, great.

01:35:22.000 --> 01:35:24.000
So that is carried 7-1.

01:35:24.000 --> 01:35:26.000
Thanks for clarifying.

01:35:26.000 --> 01:35:30.000
We now move on to 4.6,
Local Government Performance Reporting

01:35:30.000 --> 01:35:33.000
- 1 July-31 December 2023.

01:35:33.000 --> 01:35:36.000
The purpose of this report is
to note the Local Government Performance

01:35:36.000 --> 01:35:40.000
Reporting for the period of 1 July
to 31 December 2023.

01:35:40.000 --> 01:35:43.000
I note that officers have advised that
the date headings

01:35:43.000 --> 01:35:47.000
for the first three columns
in attachment 1 currently refer

01:35:47.000 --> 01:35:50.000
to the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.

01:35:50.000 --> 01:35:56.000
They should refer to 2021, 2022, and 2023.

01:35:56.000 --> 01:35:58.000
The data in the columns is accurate.

01:35:58.000 --> 01:36:01.000
Only the headings needed to be updated
and this

01:36:01.000 --> 01:36:03.000
will be corrected in the meeting minutes.

01:36:03.000 --> 01:36:05.000
Do I have a mover of a motion?

01:36:05.000 --> 01:36:06.000
Councillor Barker

01:36:06.000 --> 01:36:08.000
- is that as per the recommendation?

01:36:08.000 --> 01:36:09.000
CR BARKER: With the amendments.

01:36:09.000 --> 01:36:11.000
CR PATTISON: With the amendments, yes.

01:36:11.000 --> 01:36:13.000
And do I have a seconder?

01:36:13.000 --> 01:36:14.000
Councillor Allen, thank you.

01:36:14.000 --> 01:36:16.000
Would you like to speak,
Councillor Barker?

01:36:16.000 --> 01:36:18.000
CR BARKER: Pretty briefly.

01:36:18.000 --> 01:36:21.000
As you can see, our transparency
is getting better, but there's still a lot

01:36:21.000 --> 01:36:23.000
of room for improvement.

01:36:23.000 --> 01:36:25.000
Community satisfaction is still very low.

01:36:25.000 --> 01:36:30.000
To have 50 to 60% satisfaction
as a business owner

01:36:30.000 --> 01:36:34.000
from customers would leave that business
broke.

01:36:34.000 --> 01:36:36.000
The only way we survive is
because the funds we are paid

01:36:36.000 --> 01:36:40.000
through are involuntary means.

01:36:40.000 --> 01:36:43.000
I'll support the motion
as it simply notes the Local

01:36:43.000 --> 01:36:46.000
Government Performance Report,
but I would strongly encourage residents

01:36:46.000 --> 01:36:50.000
to go through the report and see
if it matches with your thoughts and those

01:36:50.000 --> 01:36:52.000
in your networks.

01:36:54.000 --> 01:36:56.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Barker.

01:36:56.000 --> 01:36:58.000
Councillor Allen, would you like to speak?

01:36:58.000 --> 01:36:59.000
CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor.

01:36:59.000 --> 01:37:02.000
The Council is required
to present six-monthly report

01:37:02.000 --> 01:37:04.000
of indicators measuring
the Council's performance.

01:37:04.000 --> 01:37:08.000
Listed in section 2.8
of the Draft Budget are nine areas where

01:37:08.000 --> 01:37:10.000
a performance report is mandated.

01:37:10.000 --> 01:37:13.000
They're highlighted in bold letters.

01:37:13.000 --> 01:37:16.000
There are nine such areas and
in this six-month period we are reporting

01:37:16.000 --> 01:37:18.000
on six of them

01:37:18.000 --> 01:37:21.000
- animal management, food safety,
governance, libraries, maternal

01:37:21.000 --> 01:37:25.000
and child health, and statutory planning.

01:37:25.000 --> 01:37:28.000
There are several pleasing outcomes
that I wish to highlight.

01:37:28.000 --> 01:37:29.000
Animal management

01:37:29.000 --> 01:37:32.000
-
that there's a reduction in the percentage

01:37:32.000 --> 01:37:35.000
of stray cats is excellent,
a reduction in the time

01:37:35.000 --> 01:37:38.000
to action a request made by our residents.

01:37:38.000 --> 01:37:42.000
It's pleasing to see the introduction
of food safety samples.

01:37:42.000 --> 01:37:44.000
It's a new measure.

01:37:44.000 --> 01:37:48.000
Therefore, there's nothing to measure it
against, but it's a good inclusion.

01:37:48.000 --> 01:37:54.000
The number of items on the agenda closed
to the public has been reduced by 68%;

01:37:54.000 --> 01:37:57.000
more procurement items
with commercially sensitive elements

01:37:57.000 --> 01:38:00.000
redacted now in the open agenda.

01:38:00.000 --> 01:38:04.000
I see that 100% success at VCAT,
but noting a decrease in the number

01:38:04.000 --> 01:38:07.000
of matters during this reporting period.

01:38:07.000 --> 01:38:11.000
This may be a result of longer time taken
to determine applications due

01:38:11.000 --> 01:38:15.000
to greater efforts to resolve disputes
between objectors and applicants,

01:38:15.000 --> 01:38:18.000
which is a desired outcome.

01:38:18.000 --> 01:38:21.000
I note that library

01:38:21.000 --> 01:38:24.000
- CR PATTISON: It's nothing to do with you,
Councillor Allen.

01:38:24.000 --> 01:38:27.000
We're just trying to work
out what the buzzing is and

01:38:27.000 --> 01:38:28.000
whether our phones have created it.

01:38:28.000 --> 01:38:30.000
CR ALLEN: Sorry, I thought I'd made a

01:38:30.000 --> 01:38:32.000
- CR PATTISON: Keep continuing, sorry.

01:38:32.000 --> 01:38:33.000
Sorry to disrupt.

01:38:33.000 --> 01:38:35.000
CR ALLEN: I note that library
participation

01:38:35.000 --> 01:38:38.000
and utilisation figures are now included
in the report.

01:38:38.000 --> 01:38:39.000
As such, there is no benchmark.

01:38:39.000 --> 01:38:43.000
This data will be important for the future
of mobile libraries for us

01:38:43.000 --> 01:38:44.000
to understand the pattern of use.

01:38:44.000 --> 01:38:48.000
Anecdotally, there is a difference
in recent usage in Lorne compared

01:38:48.000 --> 01:38:49.000
to Deans Marsh.

01:38:49.000 --> 01:38:52.000
It may be one-off, but it
will be interesting to see if there

01:38:52.000 --> 01:38:54.000
is a trend.

01:38:54.000 --> 01:38:58.000
This is a service that's highly valued
in remoter communities.

01:38:58.000 --> 01:39:03.000
The one major concern that I had was
the reduced participation in maternal

01:39:03.000 --> 01:39:08.000
and child health
and this bears closer scrutiny

01:39:08.000 --> 01:39:11.000
if this trend is reflected
in annual figures,

01:39:11.000 --> 01:39:15.000
but I have had an update and I'm grateful
to Mr Waight for supplying me

01:39:15.000 --> 01:39:19.000
with additional information
from this morning's meeting.

01:39:19.000 --> 01:39:23.000
The data collection system for MHC

01:39:23.000 --> 01:39:24.000
- sorry, MCH

01:39:24.000 --> 01:39:29.000
- is set up to report on financial years,
so extrapolating data

01:39:29.000 --> 01:39:33.000
for six months can present some anomalies.

01:39:33.000 --> 01:39:38.000
The Department of Health is aware
of the suboptimal data collection system

01:39:38.000 --> 01:39:42.000
and are currently in the design phase
of rolling out an improved system

01:39:42.000 --> 01:39:45.000
and I'm delighted
to see that the Surf Coast nurses are

01:39:45.000 --> 01:39:49.000
engaged with the co-design process.

01:39:49.000 --> 01:39:51.000
Regardless of the data limitations,
we are always seeking

01:39:51.000 --> 01:39:57.000
to maximise participation in MCH services.

01:39:57.000 --> 01:40:00.000
That's really great and I have confidence
that that wonderful team that looks

01:40:00.000 --> 01:40:05.000
after maternal childcare health
will continue to monitor the situation.

01:40:05.000 --> 01:40:07.000
Thank you.

01:40:07.000 --> 01:40:09.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Allen.

01:40:09.000 --> 01:40:12.000
Would anyone else like to speak
to the motion?

01:40:12.000 --> 01:40:14.000
Do you have any closing remarks,
Councillor Barker?

01:40:14.000 --> 01:40:16.000
CR BARKER: No.

01:40:16.000 --> 01:40:18.000
CR PATTISON: We'll now put the motion
to the vote.

01:40:18.000 --> 01:40:20.000
All those in favour.

01:40:20.000 --> 01:40:21.000
And the motion is carried unanimously.

01:40:21.000 --> 01:40:25.000
We'll now move on to item 4.7,
Proposed Discontinuance

01:40:25.000 --> 01:40:26.000
of Wadawurrung Way Torquay.

01:40:26.000 --> 01:40:29.000
The purpose of this report is
to advise Council of the outcome

01:40:29.000 --> 01:40:33.000
of the community engagement
for the proposal to discontinue a portion

01:40:33.000 --> 01:40:35.000
of Wadawurrung Way, Torquay and
to seek Council approval

01:40:35.000 --> 01:40:41.000
to discontinue a 2,535
square metre portion of this road.

01:40:41.000 --> 01:40:42.000
We have a recommendation before us.

01:40:42.000 --> 01:40:44.000
Do we have a mover of the motion?

01:40:44.000 --> 01:40:46.000
Councillor Hodge,
as per the recommendation?

01:40:46.000 --> 01:40:48.000
And a seconder?

01:40:48.000 --> 01:40:49.000
Councillor Schonfelder.

01:40:49.000 --> 01:40:51.000
Would you like to speak, Councillor Hodge?

01:40:51.000 --> 01:40:53.000
CR HODGE: Oh, just very quickly.

01:40:53.000 --> 01:40:55.000
This was needed to be done
to ensure that the area was able

01:40:55.000 --> 01:40:59.000
to be started, hopefully very soon,
on the Torquay Aquatic Centre or

01:40:59.000 --> 01:41:04.000
the Surf Coast Aquatic Centre,
so this road now will be slightly deviated

01:41:04.000 --> 01:41:06.000
to allow that to happen.

01:41:06.000 --> 01:41:07.000
Thank you.

01:41:07.000 --> 01:41:09.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:41:09.000 --> 01:41:10.000
Councillor Schonfelder?

01:41:10.000 --> 01:41:13.000
CR SCHONFELDER: I just briefly would like
to say that this road named

01:41:13.000 --> 01:41:18.000
after the Wadawurrung is quite significant
and when the new part of the road

01:41:18.000 --> 01:41:24.000
is constructed, I would advocate for it
to be exposed aggregate.

01:41:24.000 --> 01:41:28.000
I think that would be a fitting tribute
to the First Nations people in our area.

01:41:28.000 --> 01:41:30.000
Thank you, Mayor.

01:41:30.000 --> 01:41:32.000
CR PATTISON: Thanks,
Councillor Schonfelder.

01:41:32.000 --> 01:41:34.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

01:41:34.000 --> 01:41:36.000
Councillor Barker?

01:41:36.000 --> 01:41:38.000
CR BARKER: Though I disagree
with the decision that resulted

01:41:38.000 --> 01:41:41.000
in the discontinuance being necessary,
given that's occurred,

01:41:41.000 --> 01:41:44.000
I don't see any need
to not support this motion.

01:41:44.000 --> 01:41:45.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:41:45.000 --> 01:41:47.000
Do any other Councillors wish to speak?

01:41:47.000 --> 01:41:48.000
No?

01:41:48.000 --> 01:41:50.000
Any closing remarks, Councillor Hodge?

01:41:50.000 --> 01:41:52.000
CR HODGE: No, thank you, Mayor.

01:41:52.000 --> 01:41:54.000
CR PATTISON: We now put the motion
to the vote.

01:41:54.000 --> 01:41:55.000
All those in favour.

01:41:55.000 --> 01:41:57.000
And the motion is carried unanimously.

01:41:57.000 --> 01:41:59.000
We now move on to the Future Commitment
to G21.

01:41:59.000 --> 01:42:02.000
The purpose of this report is
to confirm Council's commitment

01:42:02.000 --> 01:42:05.000
to the G21 Geelong Region Alliance,
including endorsement

01:42:05.000 --> 01:42:09.000
of Council's financial
contribution for the 2024-25

01:42:09.000 --> 01:42:11.000
financial year.

01:42:11.000 --> 01:42:12.000
We have a recommendation before us.

01:42:12.000 --> 01:42:17.000
And I note that there is a typo in point 3
of the recommendation and this should read

01:42:17.000 --> 01:42:21.000
"the draft 2024-2025 budget".

01:42:21.000 --> 01:42:22.000
Do we have a mover of a motion

01:42:22.000 --> 01:42:25.000
- Councillor Stapleton,
as per the recommendation?

01:42:25.000 --> 01:42:27.000
And seconded by Councillor Schonfelder.

01:42:27.000 --> 01:42:30.000
Would you like to speak,
Councillor Stapleton?

01:42:30.000 --> 01:42:31.000
CR STAPLETON: Thanks, Mayor.

01:42:31.000 --> 01:42:34.000
So this item relates
to Council's ongoing commitment to G21,

01:42:34.000 --> 01:42:37.000
the Geelong Regional Alliance,
which has been operating for

01:42:37.000 --> 01:42:42.000
more than 20 years as an advocacy body
for the region representing five

01:42:42.000 --> 01:42:45.000
local government areas,
including Surf Coast, Geelong,

01:42:45.000 --> 01:42:49.000
Queenscliff, Colac Otway
and Golden Plains.

01:42:49.000 --> 01:42:52.000
From my time on the G21 board,
and last year as part

01:42:52.000 --> 01:42:56.000
of the committee working
on the G21 region plan for 2050,

01:42:56.000 --> 01:43:01.000
I have seen the value of the organisation
not only in the way it advocates to State

01:43:01.000 --> 01:43:03.000
and Federal Governments,
but in its ability

01:43:03.000 --> 01:43:06.000
to bring together leaders
and community representatives from

01:43:06.000 --> 01:43:11.000
across our region to address common issues
like housing and climate change and

01:43:11.000 --> 01:43:15.000
to consider opportunities that impact our
region as a whole, like transport

01:43:15.000 --> 01:43:17.000
and planning.

01:43:17.000 --> 01:43:20.000
G21 is not only represented
by the five local councils

01:43:20.000 --> 01:43:24.000
but more broadly by business, education,
health and other important sectors

01:43:24.000 --> 01:43:28.000
of our community who are part
of the broader membership base.

01:43:28.000 --> 01:43:33.000
More recently G21 has been bolstered
by the addition of a First Nations pillar

01:43:33.000 --> 01:43:37.000
to guide regional priorities
for our Indigenous community.

01:43:37.000 --> 01:43:40.000
From my observations,
I have confidence in the role that G21

01:43:40.000 --> 01:43:44.000
plays to represent our region and
to amplify the voice of local communities

01:43:44.000 --> 01:43:47.000
and I support the recommendation
to continue our membership

01:43:47.000 --> 01:43:51.000
and to allocate $70,000 to G21
through the Draft Budget.

01:43:51.000 --> 01:43:55.000
Surf Coast Shire Council has been
a longstanding member of G21

01:43:55.000 --> 01:43:58.000
and an active participant
in its projects and programs.

01:43:58.000 --> 01:44:01.000
Historically,
each council's funding contribution has

01:44:01.000 --> 01:44:05.000
been based on a payment in proportion
to its population, which

01:44:05.000 --> 01:44:10.000
for Surf Coast has equated to $70,000
a year over the most recent four-year

01:44:10.000 --> 01:44:16.000
period of the agreement, which is due
to conclude on 30 June 2024.

01:44:16.000 --> 01:44:19.000
Last year, the City
of Greater Geelong resolved to exit G21,

01:44:19.000 --> 01:44:22.000
which was to be effective
from April this year,

01:44:22.000 --> 01:44:26.000
prompting the G21 board
to review its operation and model.

01:44:26.000 --> 01:44:29.000
However,
in March Geelong City Council resolved

01:44:29.000 --> 01:44:32.000
to renew its membership
for another three years, albeit

01:44:32.000 --> 01:44:36.000
with a reduced
financial contribution from $500,000

01:44:36.000 --> 01:44:39.000
to $250,000 in the next financial year.

01:44:39.000 --> 01:44:43.000
Given this, it is expected that the
other G21 councils

01:44:43.000 --> 01:44:46.000
will reconsider or consider their
respective membership commitment

01:44:46.000 --> 01:44:49.000
for coming years based
on the reduced contribution

01:44:49.000 --> 01:44:51.000
by the City of Geelong.

01:44:51.000 --> 01:44:56.000
G21 has modelled various options
to account for the reduced contribution

01:44:56.000 --> 01:45:02.000
and the likely outcome is that Surf Coast,
based on a pro rata payment,

01:45:02.000 --> 01:45:09.000
would make a contribution between $42,500
to just over $55,000.

01:45:09.000 --> 01:45:11.000
However, it
is recommended that Council

01:45:11.000 --> 01:45:15.000
retain the full $70,000
allocated in the budget for G21

01:45:15.000 --> 01:45:18.000
to ensure we have capacity
to contribute to G21-led projects

01:45:18.000 --> 01:45:21.000
and programs over the coming years.

01:45:21.000 --> 01:45:23.000
I'm hopeful that
all five councils remain committed

01:45:23.000 --> 01:45:28.000
to G21 so the organisation can proceed
with a new memorandum of understanding

01:45:28.000 --> 01:45:33.000
for signing by each member council
and I urge my fellow Councillors

01:45:33.000 --> 01:45:34.000
to support this motion.

01:45:34.000 --> 01:45:36.000
Thank you.

01:45:36.000 --> 01:45:37.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:45:37.000 --> 01:45:39.000
Councillor Schonfelder?

01:45:39.000 --> 01:45:42.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Mayor, I'd like
to add that last year I had the privilege

01:45:42.000 --> 01:45:47.000
of attending the launch
of the G21 Region Plan 2050 along

01:45:47.000 --> 01:45:56.000
with yourself and Councillor Stapleton
and the CEO, Ms Seymour, also attended

01:45:56.000 --> 01:46:03.000
and the work that G21 does is invaluable
and a number

01:46:03.000 --> 01:46:09.000
of other regions nationwide have followed
suit and have formed their equivalents

01:46:09.000 --> 01:46:13.000
and I know that
at a forum that was held at Torquay,

01:46:13.000 --> 01:46:16.000
the Deputy Premier at the time,
Jacinta Allan, attended,

01:46:16.000 --> 01:46:21.000
who is now Premier, so it's so important
to be able to lobby and I know tonight,

01:46:21.000 --> 01:46:26.000
as evidenced by Councillor Wellington
and even Councillor Gazzard

01:46:26.000 --> 01:46:32.000
having communications problems,
these bodies lobby different tiers

01:46:32.000 --> 01:46:37.000
of government to help
with different issues that are region

01:46:37.000 --> 01:46:43.000
wide, such as telecommunications
and the data divide.

01:46:43.000 --> 01:46:48.000
So I once again encourage my colleagues
to support this item.

01:46:48.000 --> 01:46:49.000
Thank you.

01:46:49.000 --> 01:46:51.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:46:51.000 --> 01:46:53.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

01:46:53.000 --> 01:46:54.000
Councillor Allen?

01:46:54.000 --> 01:46:56.000
CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor.

01:46:56.000 --> 01:46:59.000
I mean, the power
of five councils combining to advocate

01:46:59.000 --> 01:47:03.000
to State and Commonwealth Government
is a fairly obvious advantage,

01:47:03.000 --> 01:47:07.000
particularly when you include the power
of the City of Greater Geelong.

01:47:07.000 --> 01:47:10.000
So that is fairly obvious to me.

01:47:10.000 --> 01:47:14.000
Where I'd like to take my remarks is
to the importance, I believe,

01:47:14.000 --> 01:47:18.000
in networking.

01:47:18.000 --> 01:47:20.000
I'm on the economic development

01:47:20.000 --> 01:47:23.000
- the culture
and economic development pillar

01:47:23.000 --> 01:47:27.000
and recently the Lorne
Community Connect Committee,

01:47:27.000 --> 01:47:30.000
because we're trying
to establish Lorne Community Connect

01:47:30.000 --> 01:47:36.000
as a centre for the arts, organised a tour
to the Geelong Gallery and because

01:47:36.000 --> 01:47:40.000
of my connection on the pillar,
I had the confidence or I knew Jason Smith

01:47:40.000 --> 01:47:42.000
as the director of the gallery.

01:47:42.000 --> 01:47:47.000
So I could ring Jason up and he agreed
to come and speak to the group of people.

01:47:47.000 --> 01:47:52.000
Now, all of these people are volunteers
and they're all

01:47:52.000 --> 01:47:56.000
on other voluntary organisations
in the town.

01:47:56.000 --> 01:48:02.000
For Jason to come along and talk to them
and gave quite an inspirational talk

01:48:02.000 --> 01:48:06.000
about the gallery
and how the gallery could support

01:48:06.000 --> 01:48:09.000
small organisations
like Lorne Community Connect gave

01:48:09.000 --> 01:48:16.000
enthusiasm and renewed vigour
to that group of volunteers

01:48:16.000 --> 01:48:20.000
and that can't be underestimated
and I know other Councillors

01:48:20.000 --> 01:48:25.000
and I know officers would also have
that networking opportunity.

01:48:25.000 --> 01:48:32.000
So to me it's the combined power
of advocacy with the networking advantages

01:48:32.000 --> 01:48:36.000
that the G21 provide the Council,
so I support the motion.

01:48:36.000 --> 01:48:38.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:48:38.000 --> 01:48:40.000
Any other Councillors?

01:48:40.000 --> 01:48:41.000
Councillor Barker?

01:48:41.000 --> 01:48:43.000
CR BARKER: I'll be very quick.

01:48:43.000 --> 01:48:46.000
While support for G21 is dropping,
as noted,

01:48:46.000 --> 01:48:50.000
and I fear that some cost fallacy
is being experienced

01:48:50.000 --> 01:48:52.000
through continuing the partnership.

01:48:52.000 --> 01:48:56.000
While membership cost is relatively low,
that $70,000, or a couple

01:48:56.000 --> 01:48:58.000
of bucks per ratepayer,
would go a long way to paying

01:48:58.000 --> 01:49:04.000
for the repairs to Baynes Crescent
at the Surf Coast Highway, Duffields Road,

01:49:04.000 --> 01:49:08.000
or the many other issues our road network
faces.

01:49:08.000 --> 01:49:11.000
With regards to the networking, yes,
there's plenty of great opportunities,

01:49:11.000 --> 01:49:19.000
but I don't think it's fair that
we force this cost on ratepayers for

01:49:19.000 --> 01:49:24.000
if it is worthwhile, we should stump
up our own money for it,

01:49:24.000 --> 01:49:30.000
but it's just another blip on the radar
in terms of budget that

01:49:30.000 --> 01:49:33.000
will probably be supported,
but every dollar counts.

01:49:35.000 --> 01:49:36.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:49:36.000 --> 01:49:38.000
Councillor Hodge?

01:49:38.000 --> 01:49:41.000
CR HODGE: Every dollar does count too
and I think you can see

01:49:41.000 --> 01:49:46.000
with the people that have gone to G21
over the years the amount

01:49:46.000 --> 01:49:51.000
of money coming back into the region,
such as the Geelong deal, Point Grey,

01:49:51.000 --> 01:49:57.000
that was $8 million done by a group
of councils and I've been to Canberra,

01:49:57.000 --> 01:50:01.000
luckily, two or three times with it
and a member in the audience Jill Evans

01:50:01.000 --> 01:50:04.000
was in me on one of them
as a representative of Golden Plains,

01:50:04.000 --> 01:50:08.000
I think, Jill, and out of that money came
a lot of the money that we get back.

01:50:08.000 --> 01:50:13.000
So the $70,000 and with what we put in
to going

01:50:13.000 --> 01:50:16.000
to Canberra you get a lot more bang
for your buck when it comes

01:50:16.000 --> 01:50:18.000
to a budget time
and I think it's well worth it.

01:50:18.000 --> 01:50:22.000
I think Councillor Allen was spot on when
he said it's the networking

01:50:22.000 --> 01:50:23.000
and it's the strength of five.

01:50:23.000 --> 01:50:28.000
Usually when councils go up by themselves,
they might see public servants or

01:50:28.000 --> 01:50:30.000
they might see a junior minister.

01:50:30.000 --> 01:50:34.000
With G21, you're sitting there
with Prime Ministers, you're sitting there

01:50:34.000 --> 01:50:37.000
with Deputy Prime Ministers,
you're actually sitting there

01:50:37.000 --> 01:50:39.000
with the ministers and their advisers.

01:50:39.000 --> 01:50:42.000
So you're not just talking
to public servants, you're talking

01:50:42.000 --> 01:50:44.000
to the minister eyeballing them,
and to me that's

01:50:44.000 --> 01:50:48.000
- the $70,000 and the money that we spend
is really well spent

01:50:48.000 --> 01:50:51.000
and the money coming back,
we couldn't do it on our own

01:50:51.000 --> 01:50:54.000
and neither could Golden Plains,
neither could Queenscliff

01:50:54.000 --> 01:50:56.000
and neither could Colac Otway.

01:50:56.000 --> 01:50:59.000
But all together with Geelong,
and I'm really glad that they've come

01:50:59.000 --> 01:51:02.000
back into this,
now this power little group can go up

01:51:02.000 --> 01:51:06.000
and try to get as much funds as they can
to take off local ratepayers,

01:51:06.000 --> 01:51:10.000
but the money coming back
from federal outweighs the amount that

01:51:10.000 --> 01:51:11.000
we put in.

01:51:11.000 --> 01:51:13.000
So I recommend this.

01:51:13.000 --> 01:51:14.000
Thank you.

01:51:14.000 --> 01:51:16.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:51:16.000 --> 01:51:18.000
Councillor Wellington, would you like
to speak?

01:51:18.000 --> 01:51:21.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thank you.

01:51:21.000 --> 01:51:23.000
I think it would be nice
if we had a proper evaluation

01:51:23.000 --> 01:51:25.000
of this body, G21.

01:51:25.000 --> 01:51:33.000
I mean, $70,000 is a modest allocation,
I suppose, and I would support it,

01:51:33.000 --> 01:51:39.000
but rather than just a report that says,
you know, it's highly regarded and we go

01:51:39.000 --> 01:51:42.000
to Canberra and we get money back,
of course we do, we're entitled

01:51:42.000 --> 01:51:43.000
to get money back.

01:51:43.000 --> 01:51:46.000
The question really
is do we get more money back

01:51:46.000 --> 01:51:48.000
because we're a member
of G21 than we would get

01:51:48.000 --> 01:51:56.000
if we were operating in a different way.

01:51:56.000 --> 01:51:57.000
I don't know the answer to that.

01:51:57.000 --> 01:52:00.000
I think there is benefit in networking
and partnerships

01:52:00.000 --> 01:52:03.000
and there probably are measurable outcomes
that we get from this.

01:52:03.000 --> 01:52:05.000
I'm a bit disappointed that
we don't (inaudible)

01:52:05.000 --> 01:52:11.000
and we haven't really got a report
that tells us here's what we've got

01:52:11.000 --> 01:52:14.000
with G21 that we wouldn't have got
otherwise,

01:52:14.000 --> 01:52:20.000
or here's how we've improved our share
of the whole pot that's doled out

01:52:20.000 --> 01:52:24.000
by the Federal Government
since we've been a member of G21.

01:52:24.000 --> 01:52:25.000
(Inaudible).

01:52:25.000 --> 01:52:29.000
I'll support it, but I don't
like making decisions on the basis

01:52:29.000 --> 01:52:32.000
of anecdotes and feel-good things, I like
to think that this

01:52:32.000 --> 01:52:34.000
is evidenced (inaudible).

01:52:34.000 --> 01:52:36.000
Thank you.

01:52:36.000 --> 01:52:38.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:52:38.000 --> 01:52:41.000
And Councillor Stapleton,
do you have any closing remarks?

01:52:41.000 --> 01:52:43.000
CR STAPLETON: No, thanks.

01:52:43.000 --> 01:52:44.000
CR PATTISON: No.

01:52:44.000 --> 01:52:46.000
We'll now put the motion to the vote.

01:52:46.000 --> 01:52:47.000
All those in favour.

01:52:47.000 --> 01:52:49.000
And opposed.

01:52:49.000 --> 01:52:51.000
And the motion is carried 7-1.

01:52:51.000 --> 01:52:54.000
We now move on to 4.9, Audit
and Risk Committee Charter.

01:52:54.000 --> 01:52:57.000
The report is for Council
to consider adopting the reviewed Audit

01:52:57.000 --> 01:52:59.000
and Risk Committee Charter.

01:52:59.000 --> 01:53:01.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

01:53:01.000 --> 01:53:03.000
Councillor Wellington

01:53:03.000 --> 01:53:04.000
- is that as per the recommendation?

01:53:04.000 --> 01:53:06.000
And a seconder?

01:53:06.000 --> 01:53:07.000
Councillor Bodsworth.

01:53:07.000 --> 01:53:10.000
Would you like to speak,
Councillor Wellington?

01:53:10.000 --> 01:53:11.000
CR WELLINGTON: Thank you very much.

01:53:11.000 --> 01:53:14.000
This is just a periodic review
of the charter which is the sort

01:53:14.000 --> 01:53:17.000
of foundational document for the Audit
and Risk Committee.

01:53:17.000 --> 01:53:20.000
I've been a member of this committee
for several years now

01:53:20.000 --> 01:53:23.000
and I think it functions really well
and I think it really adds value

01:53:23.000 --> 01:53:29.000
to this Council in terms of not just kind
of keeping things in check,

01:53:29.000 --> 01:53:36.000
but actually initiating conversations
around areas for compliance,

01:53:36.000 --> 01:53:42.000
so I think it's an initiative that's
really good and the two Council members

01:53:42.000 --> 01:53:44.000
on it, I think we learn a lot
from being part of it,

01:53:44.000 --> 01:53:46.000
but we also can contribute.

01:53:46.000 --> 01:53:47.000
So it's a good committee.

01:53:47.000 --> 01:53:52.000
The charter is just a document that sort
of sets the rules around how it operates

01:53:52.000 --> 01:53:58.000
and you can see in the redline version
there's been some minor amendments.

01:53:58.000 --> 01:54:03.000
Probably the most significant one for me
is the point on page 318

01:54:03.000 --> 01:54:07.000
of the agenda adding that "From time
to time provide insight

01:54:07.000 --> 01:54:11.000
into Council policies/procedures
within areas of collective expertise".

01:54:11.000 --> 01:54:16.000
The terms of reference focus more
on legislative compliance,

01:54:16.000 --> 01:54:19.000
so if a policy was compliant,
the committee would tick it off,

01:54:19.000 --> 01:54:22.000
but really the discussion would suggest
there was insight

01:54:22.000 --> 01:54:26.000
from the community members, who are
all very experienced.

01:54:26.000 --> 01:54:30.000
So I think it's helpful to formalise that
and to say to the committee we

01:54:30.000 --> 01:54:34.000
like what you do
and when this Council gets back

01:54:34.000 --> 01:54:39.000
a policy or a procedure or something
that's gone through the Audit

01:54:39.000 --> 01:54:44.000
and Risk Committee, we used to sort
of tick it, oh, it's been done by audit,

01:54:44.000 --> 01:54:45.000
you know, they've said it's okay.

01:54:45.000 --> 01:54:48.000
Well, that wasn't always necessarily
the case because sometimes

01:54:48.000 --> 01:54:52.000
they were more looking at
whether it was legislatively compliant,

01:54:52.000 --> 01:54:56.000
as opposed to whether it was good or,
you know, best practice in terms

01:54:56.000 --> 01:54:58.000
of policy.

01:54:58.000 --> 01:55:01.000
So I think it will be clearer that this
is part of the terms of reference

01:55:01.000 --> 01:55:06.000
and when we get a policy review by Audit
and Risk coming back to this Council,

01:55:06.000 --> 01:55:13.000
it really ought to be very clear
whether (inaudible) legislative compliance

01:55:13.000 --> 01:55:19.000
or whether they've given it a tick
as being best practice policy.

01:55:19.000 --> 01:55:20.000
So I'm happy with these amendments.

01:55:20.000 --> 01:55:22.000
They're quite

01:55:22.000 --> 01:55:24.000
- not often, but they're useful
and we should adopt them.

01:55:24.000 --> 01:55:26.000
Thank you.

01:55:26.000 --> 01:55:28.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:55:28.000 --> 01:55:30.000
Councillor Bodsworth, would you like
to speak?

01:55:30.000 --> 01:55:32.000
CR BODSWORTH: Nothing to add,
thanks Mayor.

01:55:32.000 --> 01:55:34.000
CR PATTISON: Councillor Barker?

01:55:34.000 --> 01:55:35.000
CR BARKER: A quick question.

01:55:35.000 --> 01:55:38.000
Point 20 on page 315 briefing attendance
is empty of data,

01:55:38.000 --> 01:55:40.000
is that going to be fixed?

01:55:40.000 --> 01:55:43.000
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Yes, Councillor Barker,
we'll fix that in the minutes.

01:55:45.000 --> 01:55:48.000
CR BARKER: Yes, they're minor changes,
but sound improvements,

01:55:48.000 --> 01:55:52.000
especially the business day prelude
to the agenda and stuff like that,

01:55:52.000 --> 01:55:58.000
but the committee charter is improved
and I support the amendments.

01:55:58.000 --> 01:56:00.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:56:00.000 --> 01:56:02.000
Any other Councillors?

01:56:02.000 --> 01:56:06.000
Any closing remarks,
Councillor Wellington?

01:56:06.000 --> 01:56:07.000
We now put the motion to the vote.

01:56:07.000 --> 01:56:09.000
All those in favour.

01:56:09.000 --> 01:56:11.000
And the motion is carried unanimously.

01:56:14.000 --> 01:56:17.000
We now move on to item 4.10,
Appointment of Council Representative

01:56:17.000 --> 01:56:19.000
-
Point Grey Development Community Reference

01:56:19.000 --> 01:56:21.000
Group.

01:56:21.000 --> 01:56:24.000
The purpose of this report is
to seek Council's appointment

01:56:24.000 --> 01:56:26.000
of a representative
to the Point Grey Redevelopment

01:56:26.000 --> 01:56:28.000
- Lorne Reference Group.

01:56:28.000 --> 01:56:29.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

01:56:29.000 --> 01:56:31.000
Councillor Barker.

01:56:31.000 --> 01:56:32.000
Is it as per the recommendation?

01:56:32.000 --> 01:56:34.000
And a seconder?

01:56:34.000 --> 01:56:35.000
Councillor Schonfelder.

01:56:35.000 --> 01:56:37.000
Would you like to speak,
Councillor Barker?

01:56:37.000 --> 01:56:41.000
CR BARKER: I'm just very happy
to support Councillor Allen to this role.

01:56:41.000 --> 01:56:42.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:56:42.000 --> 01:56:44.000
Councillor Schonfelder?

01:56:44.000 --> 01:56:46.000
CR SCHONFELDER: I'd like
to echo the sentiments expressed

01:56:46.000 --> 01:56:49.000
by Councillor Barker and I have said this
before that at Point Grey

01:56:49.000 --> 01:56:53.000
at the restaurant there was the last time
I took my grandmother out to lunch

01:56:53.000 --> 01:56:56.000
before she died, she was aged 91
and when I visit Lorne,

01:56:56.000 --> 01:57:03.000
the affection the Lorne community have
for Point Grey is enormous

01:57:03.000 --> 01:57:07.000
and I would even add that
throughout the whole shire people are very

01:57:07.000 --> 01:57:11.000
fond of Lorne, in particular the pier
and that precinct.

01:57:11.000 --> 01:57:18.000
So I look forward
to Councillor Allen's role in as far

01:57:18.000 --> 01:57:21.000
as an observer, I understand.

01:57:21.000 --> 01:57:22.000
Thank you.

01:57:22.000 --> 01:57:24.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

01:57:24.000 --> 01:57:25.000
Would any other

01:57:25.000 --> 01:57:27.000
- Councillor Allen, you'd like to speak?

01:57:27.000 --> 01:57:29.000
CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor.

01:57:29.000 --> 01:57:33.000
I think it's a very positive move and it
is possible

01:57:33.000 --> 01:57:37.000
to have a Councillor representative
on this body because the value

01:57:37.000 --> 01:57:41.000
of the revised precinct master plan
is $12.59 million.

01:57:41.000 --> 01:57:49.000
Now it bypasses this Council
for planning permits, which it

01:57:49.000 --> 01:57:53.000
will now be considered at a state level,
so it's possible for a Councillor to be

01:57:53.000 --> 01:57:56.000
on that body from the Surf Coast Shire.

01:57:56.000 --> 01:58:00.000
The future of Point Grey has been
on the drawing board for over a quarter

01:58:00.000 --> 01:58:03.000
of a century.

01:58:03.000 --> 01:58:09.000
There is a high level of frustration
and cynicism in the community.

01:58:09.000 --> 01:58:12.000
This revised plan has
to reflect the aspirations

01:58:12.000 --> 01:58:18.000
of the community and those in the shire
who use and appreciate the space.

01:58:18.000 --> 01:58:22.000
It cannot afford to fail this time
because the result would be a loss

01:58:22.000 --> 01:58:25.000
of the funds under the Geelong City deal.

01:58:25.000 --> 01:58:29.000
I am pleased to be involved, albeit
as an observer.

01:58:29.000 --> 01:58:32.000
In the short time that I
will have in the role,

01:58:32.000 --> 01:58:38.000
I believe I can provide an effective link
between the community, GORCAPA

01:58:38.000 --> 01:58:41.000
and the shire
and I thank my fellow Councillors

01:58:41.000 --> 01:58:45.000
for their confidence.

01:58:45.000 --> 01:58:47.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you, Councillor Allen.

01:58:47.000 --> 01:58:48.000
Councillor Bodsworth?

01:58:48.000 --> 01:58:50.000
CR BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.

01:58:50.000 --> 01:58:54.000
I also think it's great that Councillor
Allen gets to participate in this way.

01:58:54.000 --> 01:59:00.000
My memories of Point Grey hark back
to when I was a kid and there was still

01:59:00.000 --> 01:59:05.000
a working fishing port in Lorne
and the pier was covered in couta boats

01:59:05.000 --> 01:59:08.000
and there was a crane out there that used
to crane couta boats onto the water

01:59:08.000 --> 01:59:11.000
and back up again when they came back
with their catch.

01:59:11.000 --> 01:59:15.000
The co-opt
was still a functioning fishing co-opt.

01:59:15.000 --> 01:59:20.000
Point Grey to me is all about that era,
which was completely authentic.

01:59:20.000 --> 01:59:26.000
It was a working site
and it was totally central to the life

01:59:26.000 --> 01:59:28.000
and economy of Lorne.

01:59:28.000 --> 01:59:31.000
I don't think those days are ever going
to come back.

01:59:31.000 --> 01:59:33.000
Point Grey is now

01:59:33.000 --> 01:59:35.000
- well, it's a wonderful site.

01:59:35.000 --> 01:59:40.000
I'm personally quite a big fan
of the pier architecturally

01:59:40.000 --> 01:59:44.000
as a promenading pier and
as a recreational pier,

01:59:44.000 --> 01:59:48.000
but I do fear what could happen
to Point Grey

01:59:48.000 --> 01:59:53.000
because it's such a fantastic site
and I think just

01:59:53.000 --> 01:59:57.000
because you could make something huge
and impressive there doesn't mean that

01:59:57.000 --> 02:00:01.000
you should and that the character
of the site

02:00:01.000 --> 02:00:06.000
and its natural voice should be allowed
to speak and not be drowned out

02:00:06.000 --> 02:00:08.000
by something grandiose.

02:00:08.000 --> 02:00:11.000
So those are my personal feelings
about it.

02:00:11.000 --> 02:00:17.000
I think Councillor Allen is highly attuned
to those kind of risks and is very attuned

02:00:17.000 --> 02:00:19.000
to the heritage of Lorne
and has very deep roots in Lorne,

02:00:19.000 --> 02:00:24.000
so I can't imagine somebody better
in that role.

02:00:24.000 --> 02:00:25.000
Thanks.

02:00:25.000 --> 02:00:27.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:00:27.000 --> 02:00:29.000
Do you have any closing remarks,
Councillor Barker?

02:00:29.000 --> 02:00:31.000
CR BARKER: No.

02:00:31.000 --> 02:00:33.000
CR PATTISON: We'll put the motion
to the vote.

02:00:33.000 --> 02:00:35.000
All those in favour.

02:00:35.000 --> 02:00:37.000
And the motion is carried unanimously.

02:00:37.000 --> 02:00:42.000
We now move on to 4.11,
All Abilities Advisory Committee

02:00:42.000 --> 02:00:43.000
Appointment of Members.

02:00:43.000 --> 02:00:45.000
The purpose of this report is to appoint

02:00:45.000 --> 02:00:49.000
- CR SCHONFELDER: Mayor, can we adjourn
for a small break because it's 8 o'clock.

02:00:49.000 --> 02:00:50.000
CR PATTISON: Sure.

02:00:50.000 --> 02:00:53.000
CR SCHONFELDER: So suspension
of standing orders.

02:00:53.000 --> 02:00:56.000
CR PATTISON: Yes, we'll move
to suspend standing orders, moved

02:00:56.000 --> 02:00:59.000
by Councillor Schonfelder and seconded
by Councillor Stapleton.

02:00:59.000 --> 02:01:00.000
All those in favour.

02:01:00.000 --> 02:01:02.000
All those opposed.

02:01:02.000 --> 02:01:04.000
And the motion is carried.

02:01:06.000 --> 02:01:09.000
And we will suspend standing orders
for 15 minutes.

02:01:09.000 --> 02:01:11.000
We'll come back at 8.15.

02:01:11.000 --> 02:01:12.000
Thank you.

02:01:12.000 --> 02:01:16.000
(Short break) CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:01:16.000 --> 02:01:17.000
Welcome back, everybody.

02:01:17.000 --> 02:01:19.000
We'll now resume standing orders.

02:01:19.000 --> 02:01:21.000
Can I have a mover, please?

02:01:21.000 --> 02:01:22.000
Councillor Bodsworth.

02:01:22.000 --> 02:01:24.000
And a seconder?

02:01:24.000 --> 02:01:25.000
Councillor Stapleton.

02:01:25.000 --> 02:01:27.000
All those in favour.

02:01:27.000 --> 02:01:29.000
And the motion is carried unanimously.

02:01:29.000 --> 02:01:32.000
We'll now start on our first item
on the agenda

02:01:32.000 --> 02:01:35.000
- CR BODSWORTH: That was included
in that vote.

02:01:35.000 --> 02:01:36.000
CR PATTISON: Thanks, great.

02:01:36.000 --> 02:01:38.000
So we will resume standing orders.

02:01:38.000 --> 02:01:39.000
That's passed unanimously.

02:01:39.000 --> 02:01:42.000
And 4.11,
All Abilities Advisory Committee

02:01:42.000 --> 02:01:43.000
Appointment of Members.

02:01:43.000 --> 02:01:46.000
The purpose of this report is
to appoint five new members

02:01:46.000 --> 02:01:48.000
to the All Abilities Advisory Committee.

02:01:48.000 --> 02:01:49.000
Do I have a mover of a motion?

02:01:49.000 --> 02:01:51.000
CR HODGE: Yes, happy to move, Madam Mayor.

02:01:51.000 --> 02:01:53.000
CR PATTISON: As per the recommendation?

02:01:53.000 --> 02:01:54.000
CR HODGE: Yes.

02:01:54.000 --> 02:01:56.000
CR PATTISON: And a seconder?

02:01:56.000 --> 02:01:57.000
Councillor Bodsworth.

02:01:57.000 --> 02:01:59.000
Would you like to speak, Councillor Hodge?

02:01:59.000 --> 02:02:03.000
CR HODGE: Yes, thank you, and I'd like
to thank the five women that have put

02:02:03.000 --> 02:02:04.000
their hand up to join this committee.

02:02:04.000 --> 02:02:08.000
It's a committee that meets five or six
times a year and usually these people

02:02:08.000 --> 02:02:11.000
that are picked can really advise
and advocate for improving access

02:02:11.000 --> 02:02:13.000
for people in the Surf Coast Shire.

02:02:13.000 --> 02:02:17.000
They all live and work in the area
and I know most of them and they've

02:02:17.000 --> 02:02:21.000
all got a different ability or they've
been a carer and they know

02:02:21.000 --> 02:02:23.000
of different abilities and how to cope
with them.

02:02:23.000 --> 02:02:27.000
So these five people will be invaluable
to our new look

02:02:27.000 --> 02:02:30.000
- there will be a new look committee.

02:02:30.000 --> 02:02:35.000
A couple of people that are leaving,
Caroline Maplesden, I think she's been

02:02:35.000 --> 02:02:39.000
- she was on it for close to two decades
and Richard Porter too and they sort

02:02:39.000 --> 02:02:42.000
of rolled over
because we didn't have enough numbers

02:02:42.000 --> 02:02:45.000
and their work
on this committee has been invaluable

02:02:45.000 --> 02:02:49.000
and there was Mark Modra, from Winchelsea,
who did his term, he was terrific,

02:02:49.000 --> 02:02:53.000
and Thomas Byrnes, a young man with autism
from Deans Marsh.

02:02:53.000 --> 02:02:55.000
So it is
all different abilities themselves or

02:02:55.000 --> 02:02:59.000
their carers and it's voluntary,
which is terrific.

02:02:59.000 --> 02:03:03.000
Tim Harte is the Chair and he's
from Nullawarre and Alex Edwards

02:03:03.000 --> 02:03:05.000
is from Anglesea.

02:03:05.000 --> 02:03:07.000
So we're trying to get people right
across the shire.

02:03:07.000 --> 02:03:10.000
Most of these women I think are
from Torquay, but their knowledge

02:03:10.000 --> 02:03:15.000
of disabilities and how
to make the world better for them,

02:03:15.000 --> 02:03:17.000
especially in Surf Coast,
will be invaluable.

02:03:17.000 --> 02:03:19.000
So I welcome them,
but also a big thank you

02:03:19.000 --> 02:03:20.000
to the people that are leaving.

02:03:20.000 --> 02:03:22.000
Their work has been fantastic.

02:03:24.000 --> 02:03:26.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:03:26.000 --> 02:03:29.000
And Councillor Bodsworth?

02:03:29.000 --> 02:03:32.000
CR BODSWORTH: I'd just like
to add that Councillor Hodge was

02:03:32.000 --> 02:03:35.000
on this committee,
a council reference committee,

02:03:35.000 --> 02:03:37.000
for a long time,
so I acknowledge her contribution

02:03:37.000 --> 02:03:40.000
to the committee and she still contributes
and I'm on the committee now,

02:03:40.000 --> 02:03:47.000
but Councillor Hodge provides some
great ideas to help out with that

02:03:47.000 --> 02:03:51.000
and I'd encourage any other Councillors
to come along.

02:03:51.000 --> 02:03:53.000
You could always sit in and be part of it.

02:03:53.000 --> 02:03:59.000
It's a great committee and, yeah,
Tim Harte is an excellent chair.

02:03:59.000 --> 02:04:01.000
He's done a great job since he's been
on there.

02:04:01.000 --> 02:04:04.000
Alex Edwards has been fantastic
and I look forward

02:04:04.000 --> 02:04:07.000
to meeting the new members
of the committee.

02:04:09.000 --> 02:04:11.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:04:11.000 --> 02:04:13.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

02:04:13.000 --> 02:04:15.000
Councillor Hodge, any closing remarks?

02:04:15.000 --> 02:04:16.000
CR HODGE: No, thank you, Mayor.

02:04:16.000 --> 02:04:18.000
CR PATTISON: We'll put the motion
to the vote.

02:04:18.000 --> 02:04:20.000
All those in favour.

02:04:20.000 --> 02:04:21.000
And the motion is carried unanimously.

02:04:21.000 --> 02:04:26.000
We now move on to item 4.12, T24-017
Construction of Intersection,

02:04:26.000 --> 02:04:29.000
Bristol Road-Surf Coast Highway Torquay.

02:04:29.000 --> 02:04:31.000
The purpose of this report is
to seek Council approval

02:04:31.000 --> 02:04:37.000
to award Contract T24-017 Construction
of the Intersection Bristol Road-Surf

02:04:37.000 --> 02:04:38.000
Coast Highway Torquay.

02:04:38.000 --> 02:04:43.000
Now, officers will just put on the screen
for us the unredacted version so

02:04:43.000 --> 02:04:47.000
we can see who the contract is awarded
to in the public.

02:04:47.000 --> 02:04:49.000
So if everyone can have a look at that.

02:04:49.000 --> 02:04:51.000
It's to Fulton Hogan Industries.

02:04:51.000 --> 02:04:54.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

02:04:54.000 --> 02:04:56.000
Councillor Schonfelder

02:04:56.000 --> 02:04:57.000
- as per the recommendation?

02:04:57.000 --> 02:04:59.000
Thank you.

02:04:59.000 --> 02:05:00.000
And a seconder?

02:05:00.000 --> 02:05:02.000
Councillor Hodge.

02:05:02.000 --> 02:05:04.000
Councillor Schonfelder, would you like
to speak to the motion?

02:05:04.000 --> 02:05:06.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Yes, please.

02:05:06.000 --> 02:05:09.000
I'd like to say that I do travel
along Bristol Road quite often

02:05:09.000 --> 02:05:13.000
and I do turn left and then I have
to do a uey to turn right to go back

02:05:13.000 --> 02:05:17.000
because I live in the hinterland and
to be honest, at times it is quite hairy,

02:05:17.000 --> 02:05:21.000
like traffic comes and time of day
with different light

02:05:21.000 --> 02:05:27.000
and obviously the traffic volumes
have increased there.

02:05:27.000 --> 02:05:30.000
I do remember being a Barrabool Shire
Councillor

02:05:30.000 --> 02:05:33.000
and there were no traffic lights
in Torquay at all

02:05:33.000 --> 02:05:35.000
and there were no traffic lights
in the shire

02:05:35.000 --> 02:05:41.000
of Barrabool or the shire of Winchelsea,
but our population has grown and

02:05:41.000 --> 02:05:44.000
with traffic lights,
they do break the traffic up,

02:05:44.000 --> 02:05:48.000
so that means other people
from other service roads are able to come

02:05:48.000 --> 02:05:51.000
in on to the Surf Coast Highway.

02:05:51.000 --> 02:05:58.000
I just also mention the fact that
in Winchelsea I do believe traffic lights

02:05:58.000 --> 02:06:03.000
are warranted east of the river
because people have trouble crossing

02:06:03.000 --> 02:06:05.000
the highway there.

02:06:05.000 --> 02:06:06.000
So traffic lights

02:06:06.000 --> 02:06:10.000
- I know people say they're a nuisance,
but then pedestrians' safety

02:06:10.000 --> 02:06:13.000
is very important
and there are other factors that need

02:06:13.000 --> 02:06:15.000
to be considered.

02:06:15.000 --> 02:06:20.000
So I look forward to this being upgraded
and like Coombes Road, I saw similarities

02:06:20.000 --> 02:06:21.000
with these two intersections.

02:06:21.000 --> 02:06:23.000
Thank you, Mayor.

02:06:23.000 --> 02:06:24.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:06:24.000 --> 02:06:26.000
Councillor Hodge, would you like to speak?

02:06:26.000 --> 02:06:28.000
CR HODGE: Yes, thank you, Mayor.

02:06:28.000 --> 02:06:31.000
I think Torquay needs another set
of lights like a hole in the head

02:06:31.000 --> 02:06:33.000
at times I think.

02:06:33.000 --> 02:06:41.000
It's just so many lights, but anyway,
they do need to be done by safety and

02:06:41.000 --> 02:06:44.000
of course I realise that there was a
big call for a roundabout.

02:06:44.000 --> 02:06:46.000
That wasn't part of this.

02:06:46.000 --> 02:06:52.000
It would have taken up too much space
around that area and with the amount

02:06:52.000 --> 02:06:57.000
of bikes we've got now and pedestrians,
I do take into account that there's a lot

02:06:57.000 --> 02:06:59.000
of pedestrians that walk
from the main town down

02:06:59.000 --> 02:07:02.000
to the church estate,
so they need a safe crossing.

02:07:02.000 --> 02:07:06.000
So the lights will give them this
and children will be able to cross there

02:07:06.000 --> 02:07:09.000
as well to be able to go
to the shops in the church estate and

02:07:09.000 --> 02:07:11.000
to those row of shops that are there
as well.

02:07:11.000 --> 02:07:13.000
So the money is coming

02:07:13.000 --> 02:07:15.000
- is critical infrastructure
as a requirement

02:07:15.000 --> 02:07:19.000
of the Torquay Jan Juc
Development Contribution Plan,

02:07:19.000 --> 02:07:25.000
so I'm hoping these will be done in a time
where the traffic is less,

02:07:25.000 --> 02:07:28.000
but I don't know what time of year that
will be because it's nearly all year

02:07:28.000 --> 02:07:30.000
round now.

02:07:30.000 --> 02:07:31.000
But it is needed.

02:07:31.000 --> 02:07:36.000
I know a lot of people didn't want
the lights, but it is a necessary item

02:07:36.000 --> 02:07:41.000
to get people to and from areas safely,
so I will support this.

02:07:41.000 --> 02:07:43.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:07:43.000 --> 02:07:45.000
Would any other Councillors like to speak?

02:07:45.000 --> 02:07:46.000
Councillor Barker?

02:07:46.000 --> 02:07:48.000
CR BARKER: Thanks.

02:07:48.000 --> 02:07:51.000
When I first moved to Torquay, the drive
in to Geelong took 20, 25 minutes.

02:07:51.000 --> 02:07:54.000
Now we're closer to 30, 35 minutes.

02:07:54.000 --> 02:07:56.000
Every set of traffic lights adds
to this travel time.

02:07:56.000 --> 02:08:01.000
Obviously the ones in Armstrong Creek,
we don't have any impact on that,

02:08:01.000 --> 02:08:06.000
but what we do have is an impact
on what happens in the Surf Coast Shire.

02:08:06.000 --> 02:08:09.000
Previously I had discussions
behind the scenes

02:08:09.000 --> 02:08:13.000
about making the Coombes Road-Rosser
Boulevard intersection roundabout,

02:08:13.000 --> 02:08:16.000
but I'd now like to be on the record
as opposing this intersection being

02:08:16.000 --> 02:08:22.000
controlled by lights only as it
will add significant time to the commute.

02:08:22.000 --> 02:08:25.000
The contract for this project
is not yet signed.

02:08:25.000 --> 02:08:29.000
While there may be some reputational risk
and minor cost variations if we change

02:08:29.000 --> 02:08:32.000
at this stage, I would like
to propose that we move an alternate

02:08:32.000 --> 02:08:36.000
motion to defer this project
and instead build a small roundabout

02:08:36.000 --> 02:08:38.000
at this intersection
with lights that activate

02:08:38.000 --> 02:08:44.000
in peak times similar to roundabouts
in Melbourne's outer south east.

02:08:44.000 --> 02:08:50.000
These work by performing
like a roundabout traditionally and

02:08:50.000 --> 02:08:55.000
at peak times lights can come on
to allow side road traffic

02:08:55.000 --> 02:08:56.000
to enter the main area.

02:08:58.000 --> 02:09:02.000
Endorsing this project
will be another hurdle to commuting

02:09:02.000 --> 02:09:05.000
by cars
and I won't support further hurdles

02:09:05.000 --> 02:09:08.000
as it's already challenging enough.

02:09:08.000 --> 02:09:13.000
I appreciate the concern
about having more traffic lights

02:09:13.000 --> 02:09:16.000
and there's no compulsion to support this.

02:09:19.000 --> 02:09:22.000
I would love to look back at my time
in Council and

02:09:22.000 --> 02:09:28.000
at least have some contribution
to preventing more traffic lights slowing

02:09:28.000 --> 02:09:31.000
down more traffic,
causing more carbon emissions

02:09:31.000 --> 02:09:35.000
if that's a concern to individuals
and having a small roundabout

02:09:35.000 --> 02:09:40.000
with temporary lights would reduce
that carbon emission

02:09:40.000 --> 02:09:44.000
and keep everybody happy,
but more than likely that's not going

02:09:44.000 --> 02:09:47.000
to happen
and I'll simply vote accordingly.

02:09:49.000 --> 02:09:51.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:09:51.000 --> 02:09:53.000
Any other Councillors want to speak
to this motion?

02:09:55.000 --> 02:09:59.000
CR SCHONFELDER: I will reserve my right
of reply.

02:09:59.000 --> 02:10:00.000
CR PATTISON: Oh, you don't want to

02:10:00.000 --> 02:10:02.000
- okay, yes.

02:10:02.000 --> 02:10:04.000
So there's no other speakers,
so you have no closing remarks?

02:10:04.000 --> 02:10:06.000
We'll now put the motion to the vote.

02:10:06.000 --> 02:10:09.000
All those in favour.

02:10:09.000 --> 02:10:11.000
And all those opposed.

02:10:11.000 --> 02:10:12.000
And the motion is carried 7-1.

02:10:16.000 --> 02:10:18.000
We now move on to 4.13,
Project Budget Adjustments

02:10:18.000 --> 02:10:20.000
and Cash Reserve Transfers

02:10:20.000 --> 02:10:21.000
- April 2024.

02:10:21.000 --> 02:10:24.000
This report contains proposed
project budget adjustments

02:10:24.000 --> 02:10:27.000
and cash reserve transfers
for Council approval.

02:10:27.000 --> 02:10:32.000
The report presents adjustments including
existing projects requiring adjustment,

02:10:32.000 --> 02:10:35.000
project closures, new projects
to be initiated, CEO approved transfers

02:10:35.000 --> 02:10:39.000
under delegation or corrections
to prior reports presented to Council.

02:10:39.000 --> 02:10:41.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

02:10:41.000 --> 02:10:42.000
Councillor Allen

02:10:42.000 --> 02:10:44.000
- is it as per the recommendation?

02:10:44.000 --> 02:10:45.000
CR ALLEN: Yes, Mayor.

02:10:45.000 --> 02:10:47.000
CR PATTISON: And a seconder?

02:10:47.000 --> 02:10:48.000
Councillor Bodsworth.

02:10:48.000 --> 02:10:50.000
Would you like to speak, Councillor Allen?

02:10:50.000 --> 02:10:52.000
CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor.

02:10:52.000 --> 02:10:55.000
I'd just like to refer
to table 1 in the report referring

02:10:55.000 --> 02:10:58.000
to projects requiring adjustment and
to the electric vehicle charging

02:10:58.000 --> 02:11:00.000
infrastructure which is grant funded.

02:11:00.000 --> 02:11:07.000
We received an additional
grant funding of $273,022

02:11:07.000 --> 02:11:11.000
from the Department of Energy, Environment
and Climate Action

02:11:11.000 --> 02:11:14.000
to install faster electric
vehicle charging stations.

02:11:14.000 --> 02:11:23.000
The initial funding of $154,000
was to support three 22 kilowatt stations

02:11:23.000 --> 02:11:27.000
at Aireys Inlet, Winchelsea and Anglesea
and a 50 station at Lorne.

02:11:27.000 --> 02:11:29.000
That was in 2021.

02:11:32.000 --> 02:11:36.000
The project was delayed seeking assent
from the department in order

02:11:36.000 --> 02:11:38.000
to complete an audit of all stations
to see

02:11:38.000 --> 02:11:41.000
if their installation was appropriate
under the terms of the Marine

02:11:41.000 --> 02:11:43.000
and Coastal Act.

02:11:43.000 --> 02:11:47.000
Mind you, the one at Lorne is located
at our visitors information centre.

02:11:47.000 --> 02:11:52.000
It's 20 metres from the Great Ocean Road
and the coast is well

02:11:52.000 --> 02:11:57.000
over a kilometre away, so why there had
to be an inquiry into that is

02:11:57.000 --> 02:12:04.000
beyond my belief, but anyway,
they're better minds than mine.

02:12:04.000 --> 02:12:08.000
We received advice from the department
in 2023 that the additional grant funding

02:12:08.000 --> 02:12:13.000
was available and that
all four stations would be 50 kilowatt,

02:12:13.000 --> 02:12:17.000
which is great that that was successful
and that's going to happen.

02:12:17.000 --> 02:12:20.000
But I'd just like to explain
to the members of the Lorne community

02:12:20.000 --> 02:12:25.000
who have been frustrated by the delay that
after the work to check compliance

02:12:25.000 --> 02:12:29.000
with the act,
we experienced difficulties obtaining

02:12:29.000 --> 02:12:36.000
the stations and hence the further delay,
but I'm pleased to be informed today that

02:12:36.000 --> 02:12:41.000
they may be installed sooner than
indicated in the report,

02:12:41.000 --> 02:12:43.000
so I thank the officers for that.

02:12:43.000 --> 02:12:44.000
Thank you.

02:12:44.000 --> 02:12:46.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:12:46.000 --> 02:12:48.000
And Councillor Bodsworth?

02:12:48.000 --> 02:12:49.000
CR BODSWORTH: Thanks, Mayor.

02:12:49.000 --> 02:12:52.000
I just want to touch briefly
on the first item in table 1, which

02:12:52.000 --> 02:12:57.000
is park furniture renewal,
funding source being the asset renewal

02:12:57.000 --> 02:13:01.000
reserve, and it's
all good the way I read it,

02:13:01.000 --> 02:13:02.000
but it does leave aside

02:13:02.000 --> 02:13:09.000
- it talks about renewal of park furniture
and talks about how it was realised that

02:13:09.000 --> 02:13:14.000
the park furniture that was inspected had
life left in it

02:13:14.000 --> 02:13:18.000
and the amount wasn't required yet,
but it does seem

02:13:18.000 --> 02:13:24.000
to leave aside the question
of new furniture and

02:13:24.000 --> 02:13:26.000
to my observation in a lot
of neighbourhoods

02:13:26.000 --> 02:13:29.000
around the shire there's particular lack
of seating

02:13:29.000 --> 02:13:33.000
to support people walking
within townships.

02:13:35.000 --> 02:13:38.000
So I'm not sure what

02:13:38.000 --> 02:13:41.000
- I mean, I only thought
of this this afternoon,

02:13:41.000 --> 02:13:46.000
so I haven't had time to kind of inquire
about the sort of broader background

02:13:46.000 --> 02:13:52.000
to this issue and what work we do to scope
out new furniture like seating,

02:13:52.000 --> 02:13:55.000
but it's so important for people
to have seating to break

02:13:55.000 --> 02:13:58.000
up their walks around towns.

02:13:58.000 --> 02:14:01.000
If we're fair dinkum
about encouraging people to get

02:14:01.000 --> 02:14:09.000
around towns without relying on cars,
then we need to back them up with seating.

02:14:09.000 --> 02:14:14.000
I also note that the Anglesea Men's Shed
have aspirations to roll

02:14:14.000 --> 02:14:18.000
out some seating that
they fabricated in the Men's Shed

02:14:18.000 --> 02:14:20.000
and I think that by

02:14:20.000 --> 02:14:23.000
- with us not taking a lead on issues
like this, it kind

02:14:23.000 --> 02:14:29.000
of leaves a vacuum that groups
like the Men's Shed want

02:14:29.000 --> 02:14:32.000
to fill that vacuum
by providing furniture for people.

02:14:32.000 --> 02:14:36.000
We then get involved in this kind
of sometimes awkward situation where

02:14:36.000 --> 02:14:41.000
we might not approve the standard
of seating that they want to deploy

02:14:41.000 --> 02:14:46.000
and it becomes kind
of a downer where we really should be

02:14:46.000 --> 02:14:50.000
proactive on that and involving them
in fabricating things

02:14:50.000 --> 02:14:52.000
to our specifications to make sure
they work.

02:14:52.000 --> 02:14:55.000
I'm sure we do all of that,
but it's not set out here,

02:14:55.000 --> 02:15:00.000
so I just wanted to highlight that one
to me.

02:15:00.000 --> 02:15:02.000
Thank you.

02:15:02.000 --> 02:15:03.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:15:03.000 --> 02:15:05.000
Councillor Schonfelder?

02:15:05.000 --> 02:15:08.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Mayor, I'd like
to just add that members

02:15:08.000 --> 02:15:11.000
of the community have said to me they
like red gum seating and I think

02:15:11.000 --> 02:15:16.000
if the seating is similar, it adds
to a uniformity and it does contribute

02:15:16.000 --> 02:15:20.000
to the small town feel, which is part
of the Council plan.

02:15:20.000 --> 02:15:25.000
I note the Moriac Greensfield Reserve
Stage 2 and the grant is

02:15:25.000 --> 02:15:28.000
from the Department of Energy, Environment
and Climate Action

02:15:28.000 --> 02:15:33.000
to deliver stage 2 upgrades
to the Moriac Greensfield Reserve,

02:15:33.000 --> 02:15:38.000
delivering improved drainage
infrastructure and providing pathway link

02:15:38.000 --> 02:15:41.000
to Hendy Main Road and this stage will be

02:15:41.000 --> 02:15:46.000
- should have been completed
and it included fitness equipment,

02:15:46.000 --> 02:15:52.000
park benches and pathway,
very much welcomed by the community

02:15:52.000 --> 02:15:55.000
in Moriac and district.

02:15:55.000 --> 02:16:01.000
And also the Mount Moriac Reserve Pavilion
, the floor replacement, funds that were

02:16:01.000 --> 02:16:07.000
to rectify damage to a portion
of the hardwood timber substructure

02:16:07.000 --> 02:16:11.000
at the Mount Moriac Pavilion, I don't know
if I could ask a question, Mayor,

02:16:11.000 --> 02:16:15.000
that with the flooring, my memory
is exhausted,

02:16:15.000 --> 02:16:20.000
was it a timber floor that was being
replaced or was it concrete that was being

02:16:23.000 --> 02:16:27.000
poured
to replace the former timber flooring?

02:16:27.000 --> 02:16:31.000
CR PATTISON: I'll pass that one
to our General Manager, Chris Pike.

02:16:31.000 --> 02:16:35.000
MR CHRIS PIKE: Through you, Mayor, yes,
it's the timber floor being

02:16:35.000 --> 02:16:37.000
replaced with concrete, yes.

02:16:37.000 --> 02:16:42.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Well,
obviously it was needed and the community

02:16:42.000 --> 02:16:47.000
will be very happy
to have that flooring replaced

02:16:47.000 --> 02:16:50.000
and I'm very pleased to hear that.

02:16:50.000 --> 02:16:52.000
Thank you very much, Mayor.

02:16:52.000 --> 02:16:53.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:16:53.000 --> 02:16:55.000
Would any other Councillors wish to speak?

02:16:55.000 --> 02:16:57.000
Councillor Barker?

02:16:57.000 --> 02:17:00.000
CR BARKER: I won't be supporting these
adjustments as they take hundreds

02:17:00.000 --> 02:17:03.000
of thousands of dollars from taxpayers
to build infrastructure

02:17:03.000 --> 02:17:06.000
for a very small percentage
of people who own electric vehicles, yes.

02:17:06.000 --> 02:17:12.000
I can understand improving the capacity,
but it's just a huge cost

02:17:12.000 --> 02:17:15.000
and I can't support the theft
of that money back to us

02:17:15.000 --> 02:17:18.000
- well, not even us,
just a small percentage of those

02:17:18.000 --> 02:17:20.000
in our region and those travelling
through.

02:17:24.000 --> 02:17:27.000
CR PATTISON: Do you have any closing
remarks, Councillor Allen?

02:17:27.000 --> 02:17:28.000
CR ALLEN: Thanks, Mayor.

02:17:28.000 --> 02:17:30.000
Just to Councillor Bodsworth,
if he could suggest

02:17:30.000 --> 02:17:35.000
to the Anglesea Men's Shed that
they consult the Lorne Men's Shed

02:17:35.000 --> 02:17:43.000
because the Lorne Men's Shed built four
seats and very sturdy seats, I might add,

02:17:43.000 --> 02:17:48.000
and with the cooperation of the shire,
the shire installed those seats

02:17:48.000 --> 02:17:53.000
along Mountjoy Parade up past the hospital
to provide seating for people walking

02:17:53.000 --> 02:17:57.000
up towards Point Grey,
so it was a very successful program and

02:17:57.000 --> 02:18:01.000
they might like
to contact the Lorne Men's Shed.

02:18:01.000 --> 02:18:02.000
CR BODSWORTH: Thanks.

02:18:02.000 --> 02:18:04.000
CR PATTISON: Great.

02:18:04.000 --> 02:18:06.000
We'll now put that motion to the vote.

02:18:06.000 --> 02:18:08.000
All those in favour.

02:18:08.000 --> 02:18:09.000
And opposed?

02:18:09.000 --> 02:18:12.000
And the motion is carried 7-1.

02:18:12.000 --> 02:18:16.000
We now move on to 4.14,
Councillor Expenses and Attendance

02:18:16.000 --> 02:18:17.000
at Meetings

02:18:17.000 --> 02:18:19.000
- January 2024 to March Quarter.

02:18:19.000 --> 02:18:24.000
This report is to present a report
of Councillor allowances, expenses

02:18:24.000 --> 02:18:27.000
and attendance at meetings
for the March 2024 quarter.

02:18:27.000 --> 02:18:29.000
Do I have a mover of a motion?

02:18:29.000 --> 02:18:31.000
Councillor Schonfelder

02:18:31.000 --> 02:18:33.000
- is that as per the recommendation?

02:18:33.000 --> 02:18:34.000
And a seconder?

02:18:34.000 --> 02:18:36.000
Councillor Stapleton.

02:18:36.000 --> 02:18:38.000
Would you like to speak,
Councillor Schonfelder.

02:18:38.000 --> 02:18:41.000
CR SCHONFELDER: Mayor,
I'll just say that this exemplifies

02:18:41.000 --> 02:18:45.000
transparency
and just informs our community

02:18:45.000 --> 02:18:50.000
about the undertakings that we've taken
as Councillors and our roles in relation

02:18:50.000 --> 02:18:53.000
to travel expenses,
professional development expenses

02:18:53.000 --> 02:18:56.000
and expenses to support our roles.

02:18:56.000 --> 02:18:58.000
Thank you.

02:18:58.000 --> 02:18:59.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:18:59.000 --> 02:19:01.000
Councillor Stapleton?

02:19:01.000 --> 02:19:02.000
No.

02:19:02.000 --> 02:19:04.000
Councillor Barker?

02:19:04.000 --> 02:19:06.000
CR BARKER: I'm happy
to see there's one Councillor who's

02:19:06.000 --> 02:19:10.000
providing exceptional value for money
and has done for many years now.

02:19:10.000 --> 02:19:12.000
CR HODGE: Thank you, Councillor Barker.

02:19:12.000 --> 02:19:15.000
CR PATTISON: Would any other Councillors
like to speak?

02:19:15.000 --> 02:19:16.000
Councillor Wellington?

02:19:19.000 --> 02:19:20.000
CR WELLINGTON: I have a question.

02:19:20.000 --> 02:19:24.000
I don't know if you can answer it here,
but Councillor Stapleton's expenses

02:19:24.000 --> 02:19:27.000
for professional development are quite
elevated and I just wondered

02:19:27.000 --> 02:19:28.000
is there a reason for that.

02:19:34.000 --> 02:19:36.000
That the community could be provided?

02:19:40.000 --> 02:19:43.000
CR PATTISON: Councillors are
allocated professional development,

02:19:43.000 --> 02:19:46.000
but it's whether they choose to use it,
that makes up that component,

02:19:46.000 --> 02:19:48.000
and there's a number
of other aspects that make

02:19:48.000 --> 02:19:50.000
up that component.

02:19:50.000 --> 02:19:55.000
I can pass it to our CEO or we can take
that one on notice if need be.

02:19:55.000 --> 02:20:00.000
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: Councillor Wellington,
I don't have that with me tonight,

02:20:00.000 --> 02:20:04.000
so I'm not able
to answer that question tonight.

02:20:04.000 --> 02:20:08.000
CR PATTISON: Would you like to speak
to the motion, Councillor Wellington?

02:20:08.000 --> 02:20:11.000
CR WELLINGTON: Look, I mean,
I don't have any particular issue with it,

02:20:11.000 --> 02:20:14.000
but I do think there's not a lot of point
in just putting figures up like this.

02:20:14.000 --> 02:20:18.000
You know, this is for the quarter,
so we haven't got year to date and,

02:20:22.000 --> 02:20:25.000
you know, there's a couple
of things that just jump out.

02:20:25.000 --> 02:20:29.000
Obviously we're allocated funds,
but what's the purpose of putting this up?

02:20:29.000 --> 02:20:35.000
We might as well just put
up something saying everybody is operating

02:20:35.000 --> 02:20:38.000
within the allocated funding
and there doesn't seem to me to be a lot

02:20:38.000 --> 02:20:44.000
of point to put forward figures that
we can't explain (inaudible).

02:20:44.000 --> 02:20:45.000
Yes, it just strikes me as

02:20:45.000 --> 02:20:53.000
- I mean, I'm sure it's legitimate,
I'm not questioning that at all,

02:20:53.000 --> 02:20:55.000
but I can't see the point
of having figures

02:20:55.000 --> 02:20:59.000
if you don't know what they're for,
especially expenses to support a role.

02:20:59.000 --> 02:21:02.000
Is that travel expenses to social
and professional development or something,

02:21:02.000 --> 02:21:04.000
is it?

02:21:04.000 --> 02:21:07.000
CR PATTISON: Sorry, Councillor Wellington,
I'll pass that to our CEO.

02:21:07.000 --> 02:21:10.000
MS ROBYN SEYMOUR: So my understanding
is that the expenses

02:21:10.000 --> 02:21:15.000
to support performance relate
predominantly to a mileage claim,

02:21:15.000 --> 02:21:16.000
Councillor Wellington.

02:21:23.000 --> 02:21:25.000
CR PATTISON: I think we'll take this

02:21:25.000 --> 02:21:27.000
- CR WELLINGTON: What
is the travel dollars, what are they?

02:21:29.000 --> 02:21:33.000
OFFICER: Travel is in relation
to professional development.

02:21:33.000 --> 02:21:34.000
CR WELLINGTON: Oh, I see.

02:21:34.000 --> 02:21:36.000
Right.

02:21:38.000 --> 02:21:42.000
CR PATTISON: Did you want to speak
to the motion and we can go through this

02:21:42.000 --> 02:21:43.000
in further detail.

02:21:43.000 --> 02:21:45.000
CR WELLINGTON: Well, I would like to

02:21:45.000 --> 02:21:48.000
- I think if we're going to put it up
and it's going to be meaningful

02:21:48.000 --> 02:21:51.000
to the community, we probably need
to explain it in sort of, you know,

02:21:51.000 --> 02:21:54.000
(inaudible) expenses,
and we also probably need to put year

02:21:54.000 --> 02:21:55.000
to date figure as well.

02:21:55.000 --> 02:21:57.000
So that's the only comment I have.

02:21:57.000 --> 02:22:04.000
It's sort of a bit meaningless really
the way it's presented,

02:22:04.000 --> 02:22:08.000
when you see different figures jump out
and there doesn't seem to be much point

02:22:08.000 --> 02:22:11.000
in presenting them to people
if we don't understand them.

02:22:11.000 --> 02:22:12.000
That's all.

02:22:12.000 --> 02:22:14.000
Thank you.

02:22:17.000 --> 02:22:21.000
CR PATTISON: Would any other Councillors
like to speak to the motion?

02:22:21.000 --> 02:22:24.000
CR STAPLETON: I'll just add
because it also jumped out at me

02:22:24.000 --> 02:22:27.000
and I think it's reasonable
for Councillor Wellington

02:22:27.000 --> 02:22:35.000
to have raised it that the $1,645
under expenses to support the performance

02:22:35.000 --> 02:22:42.000
of the role do primarily relate to mileage
over that preceding three-month period,

02:22:42.000 --> 02:22:47.000
but it appears that no other Councillors
have had mileage allocated

02:22:47.000 --> 02:22:50.000
to their expenses and I'm not sure why
that would be,

02:22:50.000 --> 02:22:54.000
or perhaps no other Councillors
have claimed them.

02:22:54.000 --> 02:22:57.000
CR PATTISON: It may be that Councillors
haven't put their claims in yet.

02:22:57.000 --> 02:23:03.000
It doesn't always happen until, you know,
lump claims go through and the like.

02:23:03.000 --> 02:23:04.000
Thank you for clarifying that.

02:23:04.000 --> 02:23:07.000
Do you have any closing remarks,
Councillor Schonfelder?

02:23:07.000 --> 02:23:09.000
CR SCHONFELDER: No, thank you.

02:23:09.000 --> 02:23:11.000
CR PATTISON: We'll now put the motion
to the vote.

02:23:11.000 --> 02:23:12.000
All those in favour.

02:23:12.000 --> 02:23:15.000
And that motion is carried unanimously.

02:23:15.000 --> 02:23:20.000
We now move on to item 4.15, s6 Instrument
of Delegation Update.

02:23:20.000 --> 02:23:23.000
This report is
to present the s6 Instrument of Delegation

02:23:23.000 --> 02:23:26.000
from Council to members
of Council staff which has been

02:23:26.000 --> 02:23:27.000
reviewed and updated.

02:23:27.000 --> 02:23:29.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

02:23:29.000 --> 02:23:30.000
Councillor Hodge

02:23:30.000 --> 02:23:32.000
- as per the recommendation?

02:23:32.000 --> 02:23:33.000
CR HODGE: Yes, thank you.

02:23:33.000 --> 02:23:36.000
CR PATTISON: And seconded
by Councillor Barker.

02:23:36.000 --> 02:23:38.000
Did you want to speak, Councillor Hodge?

02:23:38.000 --> 02:23:39.000
CR HODGE: Not particularly.

02:23:39.000 --> 02:23:44.000
This is just a way to show what staff are
on that Instrument of Delegation,

02:23:44.000 --> 02:23:45.000
so it's pretty well explained.

02:23:45.000 --> 02:23:47.000
Thank you, Mayor.

02:23:47.000 --> 02:23:48.000
CR PATTISON: Thank you.

02:23:48.000 --> 02:23:50.000
Councillor Barker?

02:23:50.000 --> 02:23:51.000
CR BARKER: No, thanks.

02:23:51.000 --> 02:23:53.000
CR PATTISON: Any other Councillors?

02:23:53.000 --> 02:23:54.000
We'll now put the motion to the vote.

02:23:54.000 --> 02:23:56.000
All those in favour.

02:23:56.000 --> 02:23:58.000
We'll just wait.

02:23:58.000 --> 02:24:00.000
Are you in favour, Councillor Wellington?

02:24:00.000 --> 02:24:01.000
Yes.

02:24:01.000 --> 02:24:03.000
The motion is carried unanimously.

02:24:03.000 --> 02:24:05.000
We'll move on to 4.16, Conflict
of Interest Records.

02:24:05.000 --> 02:24:08.000
This report is to present conflict
of interest records received

02:24:08.000 --> 02:24:10.000
since the previous Council meeting.

02:24:10.000 --> 02:24:12.000
Do we have a mover of a motion?

02:24:12.000 --> 02:24:13.000
Councillor Stapleton

02:24:13.000 --> 02:24:15.000
- is that as per the recommendation?

02:24:15.000 --> 02:24:16.000
CR STAPLETON: Yes.

02:24:16.000 --> 02:24:18.000
CR PATTISON: And a seconder?

02:24:18.000 --> 02:24:19.000
Councillor Schonfelder.

02:24:19.000 --> 02:24:22.000
Would you like to speak,
Councillor Stapleton?

02:24:22.000 --> 02:24:23.000
CR STAPLETON: No, thanks, Mayor.

02:24:23.000 --> 02:24:26.000
CR PATTISON: Councillor Schonfelder,
would you like to speak?

02:24:26.000 --> 02:24:28.000
CR SCHONFELDER: No, thank you.

02:24:28.000 --> 02:24:30.000
CR PATTISON: Would any other Councillors
like to speak?

02:24:30.000 --> 02:24:32.000
No?

02:24:32.000 --> 02:24:33.000
We'll now put the motion to the vote.

02:24:33.000 --> 02:24:35.000
All those in favour.

02:24:35.000 --> 02:24:37.000
And the motion is carried unanimously.

02:24:37.000 --> 02:24:40.000
There is no urgent business
and that moves us into the closed section.

02:24:40.000 --> 02:24:42.000
So Councillors,
we have a confidential item

02:24:42.000 --> 02:24:43.000
to consider tonight.

02:24:43.000 --> 02:24:46.000
We'll now turn off the live stream,
so thank you and good night

02:24:46.000 --> 02:24:49.000
to everyone who has been watching
from home and thank you

02:24:49.000 --> 02:24:51.000
to those that are here in the gallery
with us.

02:24:51.000 --> 02:24:54.000
We'll just wait a moment for our members
to go from the gallery, but once again,

02:24:54.000 --> 02:24:57.000
thank you so much and we
will see you again another time.

02:24:57.000 --> 02:24:59.000
Thank you.