Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Barrabool Hills Baptist Church on 26 August 2014, commencing at 7:00pm.
Gwen Prosser
Kazimierz Szakiel
Joyce Johnson
Greg Oman
Scott Jennings
Jillian Ovens
Brian Kavanagh
Peter Ovens
Crs:
B Harwood (Deputy Mayor)
T Ansett
M Heagney
J Irvine
E Kontelj
S Kontelj
R Macdonald
R Nelson
A Richards
D Frost (Acting Chief Executive Officer)
M Kelly (Acting 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)
S Cavanagh (Acting General Manager Projects, Recreation and Central Geelong)
T Kerr (Acting Manager Administration and Governance)
R Bourke (Co ordinator Governance & Legal Services)
D Chiller (Senior Co-ordinator Communication & Marketing)
A Paterson (EO – Mayor)
The Deputy Mayor declared the meeting open at 7:00pm.
Council acknowledges Wadawurrung Traditional Owners of this land and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are part of the Greater Geelong community today.
Councillors:
D Lyons (Mayor)
J Farrell
K Fisher
L Ellis
Cr Ansett moved, Cr E Kontelj seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 12 August 2014 be confirmed and signed.
Carried.
Nil.
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.
Gwen Prosser asked the following in relation to Amendment C280:
Would Council give serious consideration to a simple solution of this problem by moving the one hectare block of public open space 30 metres to the north? This would leave 10% of the planned public open space on my property?
This solution would not only meet the landowners request for a more fair and equitable distribution, but would still satisfy the planning regulations of public open space being within 400 metres of each subdivided block.
Cr Macdonald responded the questions raised would be discussed during debate of Agenda Item 1.
Peter Bettess added that the recommendation before us tonight is that the Planning Scheme Amendment C280 be exhibited to provide for full public comment.
Kazimierz Szakiel submitted a series of comments in relation to proposed Amendment C280 – Rezoning Application for Ash Road West, Leopold.
Cr Macdonald responded that the questions would be addressed during debate of Agenda Item 1.
Cr Harwood acknowledged the comments.
Joyce Johnson asked the following –
What is the Council’s agenda or stand on gas fracking, which has such a dire effect on every part of our fragile environment and food chain?
Cr Harwood responded that Councillors are currently undergoing an education process on what “fracking” means and the options available. Council needs to keep an open mind so cannot provide you a definitive answer tonight, but we are listening to community input.
Is there any more discussion or facts on the every 100 years flood plan and how much is it likely to cost ratepayers for something that may never happen?
Gary Van Driel responded that Council has a statutory obligation under the Building Regulations 2006 to designate land as liable to flooding where it reasonably knows it to be prone to flooding. Council does have a lot of questions typically raised and Gary Van Driel advised that he is more than happy to provide you with a set of those questions and answers.
Greg Oman submitted a series of infrastructure questions, but as he was not present at the meeting, were taken on notice for a written response.
Scott Jennings submitted a question in relation to the reduction in crime, but was not present at the meeting. A letter of response will be forwarded.
Jillian Ovens asked the following questions in relation to Motocross:
In the recommendations in tonight’s Council report, Item 2, Motocross, it states” “That Council call upon the State Government, Surf Coast Shire and Motorcycling Australia to redirect the investments made in McAdam Park for future Geelong Regional Motocross Infrastructure”.
Seeing as Council is about to decide on issues on behalf of the SMCC, including the State and Surf Coast funding which the SMCC strived so hard to secure – would Council think it fair that the SMCC should be consulted on these matters prior to any resolutions being made by Council?
Cr Harwood responded the question will be addressed during debate of Agenda Item 2, but noted the concerns raised.
Cr Ansett added Breakwater was the issue – McAdam Park was never on the table.
Just a few years ago the original problem facing motorcycling in Geelong and Surf Coast regions centres around each of our two long running motorcycle clubs simply looking to secure themselves a home track. Now the situation seems to be centering around finding one piece of land for two clubs, which has been tried at McAdam Park and proven totally unsatisfactory.
What does Council consider more important – two very healthy clubs, each with their own home track to service the community, or two very unhealthy clubs having just one track to service the community?
Cr Harwood reiterated the question raised would be addressed during debate of Agenda Item 2.
Cr Richards asked for confirmation that Council had not spoken to the Motor Cycle Club about the report.
Ms Ovens responded that was correct and only learned of the report after reading tonight’s agenda.
Brian Kavanagh addressed Council in relation to Motocross as follows:
If a new land assessment process is to begin, also seeking land appropriate only for smaller scale club operations is an option that all stakeholders must pursue. The Sporting Motor Cycle Club is currently considering several such sites.
In regard to Item 1 of the recommendation in the Motocross report, if a motion is put in tonight’s meeting, will Council please consider an amendment using wording to the following effect: “That Council affirm its support for the development of a Regional Motocross facility or alternatively multiple independent club level facilities operated by individual clubs within the Geelong and adjoining Councils”.
Will Council also please consider using wording to the following effect as an amendment to Item No 3 – “That Council request that surrounding municipalities participate in a regional land assessment to determine the feasibility of placing Motocross facilities in Geelong or surrounding municipalities”.
Cr Harwood indicated the questions would be addressed during debate of Agenda Item 2.
Peter Ovens, Secretary of the Sporting Motor Cycle Club, as would Council be supportive and willing to immediately begin investigations into the option of a temporary riding area at the original Dandos Road site through consultation with the GMCC and Airport management and Motorcycling Australia? And if so, could Council please assure the SMCC that it will then provide a status report to MA once the Airport has given its response?
Cr Heagney advised discussions, in her role on the G21 Planning Pillar, were being held in relation to actually looking at land use, and indicated Council should work with the Motor Cycle Club on this issue.
Cr Harwood asked if there had been any consultation with GMCC.
Mr Ovens responded no - he had only learned about it recently.
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