Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre - City Hall on 10 September 2013, commencing at 7:00pm.
Elaine Mitchell
Amelia Baker
Lex Gugger
Dennis Foster
Cr B Harwood (Acting Mayor)
Crs:
T Ansett
L Ellis
J Farrell
K Fisher
M Heagney
J Irvine
E Kontelj
S Kontelj
R Macdonald
R Nelson
A Richards
S Griffin (Chief Executive Officer)
J Wall (General Manager Corporate Services)
G Van Driel (General Manager City Services)
J McMahon (General Manager Community Services)
D Frost (General Manager Projects, Recreation and Central Geelong)
J Brown (Manager Administration and Governance)
R Bourke (Co-ordinator Governance)
D Chiller (Co-ordinator Communication & Marketing)
The Acting Mayor declared the meeting open at 7:00pm.
The Acting Mayor acknowledged that we are here today on the land of the Wathaurong People and we pay our respects to Aboriginal elders past and present.
P Bettess (General Manager Economic Development, Planning & Tourism)
Cr Richards moved, Cr Heagney seconded -
That an Extension of Leave of Absence be granted to Cr Fagg (Mayor) from 5 August to 16 August 2013, inclusive.
Carried.
Cr Richards moved, Cr Irvine seconded -
That Leave of Absence be granted to Cr Fisher from 16 September to 10 October 2013, inclusive.
Carried.
Cr Fisher moved, Cr Ellis seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 27 August 2013 be confirmed and signed.
Carried.
Cr E Kontelj declared an indirect interest in relation to the Corio Landfill Tender in that several of the tenderers are significant customers of his employer company.
Question Time is an opportunity for questions to be addressed to Council and while the minutes record the general content, they do not purport to be a transcript of what was said by individuals. Likewise Councillor or Officer verbal responses are in summary form only. Views expressed may not be the views of Council.
Council's practice is to provide a separate document on its website setting out questions and responses including any more detailed written responses which may be provided subsequent to the meeting.
Elaine Mitchell addressed Council in relation to the Ceres Hall –
Would the Council in their deliberations about the Ceres Hall take into consideration the following:
The Ceres Hall has for the past 20 years been the site of scores of theatrical productions by Theatre of the Winged Unicorn Inc bringing entertainment and enlightenment to thousands and has given hundreds of people of all ages from Geelong and district the opportunity to develop their skills in theatrical endeavours. Some of these young people have gone on to pursue theatrical careers. It is obvious that should the Ceres Hall cease to be available for these activities the loss to the cultural life of Geelong would be significant. We therefore put forward the option that Council maintains the Ceres Hall in order that Theatre of the Winged Unicorn can continue to provide this valuable community service.
Cr Harwood responded that the question would be addressed during debate.
Amelia Baker asked if Council was interested in hearing a brief summary of the training, experience and relevant skills of the Theatre of the Winged Unicorn Board, in order to allay concerns about there being a lack of community interest in managing the Ceres Hall?
Cr Harwood thanked Ms Baker and added Council has had a briefing on the matter and that her question would be addressed during debate.
Lex Gugger asked why won’t Council take over the Ceres Hall? We always thought when the time came Council would take over the Hall. The time has come when we are getting few in numbers and age has caught up with us. Council in early times were very helpful, carpark, etc. new windows and fans in the ceiling. We only knew about this meeting yesterday and we want further time to debate.
Cr Harwood thanked Mr Gugger for his comments.
Cr Farrell added Councillors are controlled by rules of engagement and cannot publicly support or lock themselves into a particular position. Councillors compile the information supplied and take advice from Council officers.
Dennis Foster asked if Councillors were aware that Telstra propose to install a telephone tower in Hamlyn Park?
There is much concern in the community surrounding this park in regard to the flora and fauna, health issues and the aesthetics of the park.
As the City of Greater Geelong is the landlord for this park – do you, the Council, have the power to reject this permit application?
Cr Harwood responded that Council has the authority to take on board the application and also receive objections.
Cr E Kontelj responded that he is aware of the Telstra Tower approved in Hamlyn Park Reserve. The decision was made at a Development Hearing Panel, however, he is hopeful that Council will have another look at the matter.
Cr Harwood presented a petition from Abervale Retirement Village Residents requesting a bus shelter outside the Abervale entrance.
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