Council Minutes - Section C: Urgent Business - 9 June 2015
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Note: Introduction of Urgent Business requires two-thirds majority of Councillors present.
Cr Heagney proposes to raise the following item as Urgent Business:
Cr Heagney moved, Cr Richards seconded -
That Council considers as Urgent Business a motion concerning the Geelong Waterfront – Safe Harbour Precinct.
Carried.
Regional Development Victoria (RDV), Sport and Recreation Victoria, Tourism Victoria, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and Council officers have been working together to prepare the groundwork for the development of a business case and strategic master plan to provide confidence to and guide potential investment in sustainable safe harbour facilities, improved event capacity and public access improvements within the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct. The need for this business case was identified by Council following a presentation by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club to Councillors earlier this year.
An independent business case is proposed at a cost of $80,000 with Regional Development Victoria having set aside $35,000 (subject to approval), the Royal Geelong Yacht Club contributing $15,000, Sport and Recreation Victoria contributing $15,000 and a Council contribution of $15,000.
The RDV funding is contingent upon Council being a partner through a contribution of $15,000 and being the key signatory to the funding submission.
This is an urgent matter because the RDV funding needs to be approved in the current financial year, with a funding application submitted by 10 June 2015.
The provision of sufficient safe harbour has long been a significant impediment to the management of the Festival of Sails yachting event which returned in the order of $14m to the local economy from the last event. This safe harbour can also provide economic benefits from other events and visiting private vessels cruising the bay.
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club has presented to Council previously on their plans for the provision of a safe harbour through the implementation of floating wave attenuation and also on improvements to the Club facilities.
This business case is designed to quantify how such proposals would be financed constructed and managed, and importantly what economic and social benefits would be generated from the proposed works, to determine its viability as a serious investment by Governments.
Council has been advised by officers at RDV that the application must be made by Wednesday 10 June 2015 to have it considered and submitted to the Minister for approval this financial year.
Cr Heagney moved, Cr Richards seconded -
That Council allocates a sum of $15,000 towards the “Geelong Waterfront – Safe Harbour Precinct: Business Case and Strategic Master Plan” in the 15/16 Amended Budget.
Carried.
Division Requested:
For: Crs Ellis, Farrell, Harwood, Heagney, Irvine, E Kontelj, S Kontelj, Lyons, Nelson, Richards
Against: Nil
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