Council Minutes - Section C: Notice of Motion - 13 May 2014
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Notices of Motion tabled at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 13 May 2014 which was held at City Hall in Little Malop Street, Geelong.
The Barwon River Users Group (BRUG) is an advisory group drawn together from various interest groups and users of the Barwon River and environs that are managed by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA). The group’s input on relevant issues enables the CCMA to be more responsive to the changing needs and concerns of the river issues.
The role of the BRUG is to create a link between the CCMA and the community that ensures greater awareness of river management issues and the activities, projects and actions undertaken.
The aims of the BRUG are to:
strengthen the CCMA’s relationship with the Geelong community and user groups in the long term management of the Barwon River in Geelong;
seek the input from the community and user groups in the management of the Barwon River in Geelong.
CCMA have recently extended the BRUG’s terms of reference to include a COGG Councillor whose ward has a direct interface with the management area. Currently there is staff representation through the Sport and Recreation Department. Other members are drawn from major river users of the Barwon River and environs, environmental management or interest groups and general community. It is chaired by a CCMA Board member appointed by the board.
Membership will be initially for a two year term. The BRUG meetings are held quarterly.
The CCMA has approached Cr Dr Stretch Kontelj to seek his interest in filling this position.
Cr S Kontelj moved, Cr E Kontelj seconded -
That Council support the nomination of Cr Dr Stretch Kontelj to the Barwon River Users Group.
Carried.
In November 2008 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), as part of its early childhood reforms, endorsed the national agenda, including Universal Access to Early Childhood Education (15 hours of kindergarten).
Universal Access to Early Childhood Education (UAECE) is a commitment by the Commonwealth Government to provide access to a quality early childhood education program for all children in the year before formal schooling by 2013, delivered by a university trained early childhood teacher, for 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year, (often referred to as ‘preschool’ or ‘kindergarten’).
Currently the State Government funds 65% of the total cost of delivering 10 hours of the kindergarten program, the Commonwealth Government funds 65% of the remaining 5 hours and the community through parent fees, fundraising and Council support fund 35% of the government shortfall.
However, the Commonwealth Government has not committed to continue funding the five hours beyond December 2014. Without continued funding, kindergarten programs hours would be reduced back to 10 hours or parents would be required to meet significant fee increases.
The Commonwealth Government is currently undertaking a review of the National Partnership arrangements and the MAV has been working to ensure the funding continues. With the Review report due at the end of June, it is timely for Council to write to local and state members of parliament to stress the importance of maintaining the 15 hours of kindergarten for every 4 year old in Victoria.
Cr Fisher moved, Cr Heagney seconded -
That Council:
Write to -
Local Federal Members of Parliament seeking confirmation that they will support for the continuation of Commonwealth Government funding towards the provision of 15 hours of kindergarten education, and
State Government Members of Parliament seeking their support to raise this matter with their Federal Government counterparts.
Seek a meeting with State and Federal Members of Parliament to raise Council’s concerns about the future funding of 15 hours of kindergarten education.
Carried.
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