Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre - City Hall on 10 March 2015, commencing at 7:00pm.
Debra Schulz
Andrew Kelly
Rieny Nieuwenhof
Kirrily Hayward
Damian Tom
Cr D Lyons (Mayor)
Crs:
T Ansett
L Ellis
J Farrell
K Fisher
B Harwood
M Heagney
J Irvine
E Kontelj
R Macdonald
A Richards
G Miles (Chief Executive Officer)
A Keen (Acting General Manager Strategy & Performance)
P Bettess (General Manager Economic Development, Planning and Tourism)
J McMahon (Acting General Manager City Services)
L Quinn (Acting General Manager Community Services)
J Brown (Manager Administration and Governance)
J Merlo (Senior Media Officer)
A Paterson (EO – Mayor)
The 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.
Crs
S Kontelj
R Nelson
Cr Irvine moved, Cr Harwood seconded -
That Leave of Absence be granted to:
Cr Nelson from 3-13 March 2015, inclusive
Cr S Kontelj from 8 – 22 March 2015, inclusive and
Cr Lyons (Mayor) from 27 March to 2 April 2015, inclusive.
Carried.
Cr Ansett moved, Cr Ellis seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 24 February 2015be 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.
Debra Schulz submitted a question prior to the Council Meeting but as she was not present at the meeting a written response will be forwarded.
Andrew Kelly asked the following in relation to Amendment C276:
The summary of Amendment C276 speaks at dot point 10 of Council awaiting a formal response from the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation regarding the potential impact of the Boral limestone quarry on the subject land and associated separation distances. Has this formal response been received and if so, what does it say?
Peter Bettess responded that a response was received during mid-November which indicates the distance being 250 metres from the limit of extraction shown on the VicRoads plan. Mr Bettess indicated he would forward a copy of the VicRoads plan. A report will be coming back to Council outlining all the relevant information.
A Notice of Motion regarding traffic and vehicle infrastructure in Waurn Ponds approved Council officers to prepare a report covering current and future traffic infrastructure needs for Waurn Ponds and present it to Council by the end of February 2015. I recall the date being quite specific because although not noted in the Minutes, Cr Heagney to her credit was keen to ensure any recommendations could be included in the 15/16 budget. Has this report been completed in the agreed timeframe and if so, is it publicly available?
Cr Richards responded Council officers preparing the report have advised it has become a substantial piece of work. A report is scheduled to be presented to Council at the end of March.
How are the existing user groups (swimming, netball, football (local), football (AFL) and cricket) and wider community users of the precinct protected or compensated from development of the Park which may include the loss of space, car parking, fields, training facilities, amenity, trees etc?
The Mayor advised this has now become a State Government issue.
Rieny Nieuwenhof – President – Geelong Vietnam Veterans Association asked the following:
Councillors may be aware that the Geelong Vietnam Veterans Association has communication with the City of Greater Geelong regarding the Vietnam Veterans Association Avenue of Honour Project (2014-2016).
This project involved three stages:
Stage One – replacement trees have been planted and new signage erected.
Stage Two – a pathway and illuminated panel with the names of the 521 KOA is in process.
Stage Three – will see panels erected along Swinburne Street telling the Vietnam story.
Tonight I wish to speak in regard to the relocation of the large community billboard located within the Vietnam Veterans Avenue of Honour.
Whilst we did receive a phone call that our letter had been received and a further phone call that Council Officers would contact us by mail to organise a meeting, nothing (as this stage) has been progressed further.
As our Councillors are great supporters of the Vietnam Vets, and knowing what we are trying to do to restore the integrity to the Avenue of Honour, I ask that the matter of the community billboard be brought forward in your discussions. I am aware that a budget allocation will need to be made for the relocation of the billboard in the 2016 Budget and hence my urgency in getting some resolution to this matter.
The Mayor responded he will set up a meeting as a matter of urgency to discuss and bring back to Council.
Cr E Kontelj added he has been in contact last week to offer assistance and support regarding the issue. He indicated he would take it up with officers tomorrow and advised he had also briefed Cr S Kontelj (Portfolio Holder for Veteran Affairs) last week. Contact will be made with you upon Cr S Kontelj’s return.
Cr Farrell asked that any Budget allocations be circulated to all Councillors.
Kirrily Hayward asked her question in relation to supported accommodation for people with disabilities:
Can Council please advise how long it would take to occur from here for an actual building to go up on the allocated land for disability housing?
Linda Quinn advised there is a lot of planning to happen and is unable to provide an exact timeframe.
Damian Tom – President – Manifold Heights Cricket Club
Is Council aware of the risk and state of Oval Number 2 Hurst Reserve?
What can Council do to help us redevelop that ground?
Cr Irvine responded he is personally aware of the condition of the land and agreed it is a disgrace and dangerous and will be considered in Council’s Budget deliberations.
Paul Jane advised he will take up the matter with his staff.
Nil.
Contents | Next Page: Section B – Reports
