Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre - City Hall on 24 September 2013, commencing at 7:00pm.
Peter Poehland
Peter Linaker
Barton van Laar
Colin Wallace
Mary Wallace
John Burke
Cr B Harwood (Acting Mayor)
Crs:
T Ansett
J Farrell
J Irvine
E Kontelj
S Kontelj* (7:10pm)
R Nelson
A Richards
S Griffin (Chief Executive Officer)
J Wall (General Manager Corporate Services)
P Bettess (General Manager Economic Development, Planning and Tourism)
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)
J Merlo (Senior Media Officer)
The Acting Mayor declared the meeting open at 7:06pm.
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.
L Ellis
K Fisher (leave of absence)
M Heagney
R Macdonald (leave of absence)
Cr Richards moved, Cr Farrell seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 10 September 2013 be confirmed and signed.
Carried.
Cr Ansett declared an Indirect Interest in relation to C265 Flood Overlays in Portarlington East, Corio, Newcomb and Whittington – Consideration of Panel Report and Adoption in that his parents live within the flood overlay area in Corio.
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.
* Cr S Kontelj entered the meeting room at 7:10pm
Peter Poehland asked questions in relation to Agenda Item 1 – C265 Flood Overlays:
According to Council’s map, our home was built on a raised slab in the area of our block which was free of 1 in 100 year flood event. We ask why did the panel report of 25 May 2013 not at least acknowledge this?
Peter Bettess, General Manager Economic Development, Planning and Tourism, responded that the flood mapping is showing the land potentially subject to flooding.
The overlays are applied to areas where modelling of the 1 in 100 year rainfall event shows that there could be overland flows once the underground drainage system reaches its full capacity. Council is therefore obliged to apply the overlay according to the flood modelling.
The Acting Mayor responded the question would be responded to in writing within 14 days.
Peter Linaker addressed Council as follows in relation to the Ocean Grove Covenant:
Is this Council aware, and have Councillors been informed of the handling of covenants elsewhere in Victoria, and progress in reviewing the 1920 covenant against liquor in Camberwell, Boroondara?
Cr Farrell responded that Council was not advised of the restriction in the Camberwell/Box Hill areas as seen from Mr Bettess’ written response today. Council was not advised as there is no parallel with Ocean Grove. The covenant has not been lifted. Council has acted in good faith and we will defend that position at VCAT.
Barton van Laar, President of Bike Safe, asked the following questions:
Adopt the Principle Bicycle Network as an overlay for guidance, as early as possible?
Implement the applicable recommendations of the Geelong Road Safety Strategy as early as possible?
Combine budgets from Road Safety, Health and Well Being, Sports and Recreation and Environment Departments. Plan for increases to match required infrastructure outcomes?
Streamline responsibility and accountability?
The Acting Mayor took the questions on notice.
Cr Richards added a response will be forwarded in writing, and further advised Council has been working with Bike Safe for some time and a report will be coming back to Council shortly.
Colin Wallace submitted various comments which Council did not deem questions and therefore a response was not required.
Mary Wallace’s first comment was not deemed a question and therefore a response was not required.
Since I did not get an answer to my question, I am asking, should Council have a quote from Surbo Holdings for an amount I assume is tens of thousands of dollars for works on the east side of First Street, Geelong West in 2010, that is for removing trees and making a new footpath with fence in First Street?
The Acting Mayor responded the question would be taken on notice.
John Burke, President Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group, asked what further actions will Council take to support the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the City of Greater Geelong?
Cr Eddy Kontelj responded that Council recognizes this extremely momentous occasion in relation to Agenda Item 4, which discusses the flying of the Aboriginal Flag on a permanent basis at City Hall, along with the existing Australian National Flag
Council acknowledges there is much to do as far as Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation are concerned, and are working on the adoption of the draft Karreenga Aboriginal Action Plan, which is currently in draft form. The Plan has been strongly supported by the local community and is aligned to City Plan as part of the Annual City Plan Actions 2013-2014.
Council is also hopeful of Aboriginal employment opportunities through the Home and Community Care Department, however, there is still much to do in the compiling of the Plan.
Nil.
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