Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Portarlington Cricket and Football Club on 27 January 2016, commencing at 7:00pm.
Dale Park
Warwick Manderson
Roger Smith
Prescilla Pescott
Sandra Gatehouse
Judith Brooks
Dan Cowdell
Anthony Gleeson
Yvonne Adami
Alena Kralova
Mary Wallace
Jennifer Bantow
Sally Nicholas
Councillors:
D Lyons (Mayor)
T Ansett
L Ellis
J Farrell
K Fisher
B Harwood
M Heagney
J Irvine
E Kontelj
P Murrihy
R Nelson
A Richards
K Spiller (Chief Executive Officer)
D Frost (General Manager Strategy and Performance)
P Bettess (General Manager Economic Development, Planning and Tourism)
W Tieppo (General Manager City Services)
L Quinn (General Manager Community Life)
P Jane (Acting General Manager Investment and Attraction)
R Bourke (Co ordinator Governance and Legal Services)
T McDonald (Acting Governance Co ordinator)
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.
Councillor:
R Macdonald (Council Business)
Cr Ansett moved, Cr Ellis seconded –
That Leave of Absence be granted to Cr Nelson from 4 - 9 February2016, inclusive.
Carried.
Cr Irvine moved, Cr Ansett seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 8 December 2015 be confirmed and signed.
Carried.
Cr Eddy Kontelj declared an Indirect Financial Interest in Agenda Item 19 – Tender and Award of Industrial Subdivision, Innovation Drive, Corio in that Drapers Civil are a significant customer of his employer.
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.
Dale Park submitted a question in relation to the Lease to Ocean Grove Golf Club, however as he was not present at the meeting a written response will be forwarded.
Warwick Manderson asked question in relation to the protection of moonah trees and other sensitive native vegetation in Warrenbeen Court Estate, Barwon Heads:
Why Council no longer applies the written consent policy?
When the policy changed and by what process?
What protections has Council put in place to protect the Warrenbeen Court precinct for its “ecological and aesthetic values” which have been recognised in the Structure Plan as “important to the community”?
Cr Richards responded he would ask the Chief Executive Officer to get back to Warwick with a detailed response explaining the situation.
Peter Bettess indicated he would provide a written response within 14 days.
Roger Smith asked:
In November I asked Council if they would consider raising the stakes in protecting the You Yangs from destructive development through the creation of a You Yangs Protection Zone (YYPZ). Peter Bettess responded that the matter would require State Government approval which is a lengthy process, but Council could certainly help and review the current overlays and zones in the area. In light of my previous question – how will Council assist local residents to approach State Government with the aim of Creating the (YYPZ)?
Peter Bettess advised he did not have the information to answer but would provide a written response.
Re the Barro Group Quarry -
Is Council monitoring the impact of mining at this quarry?
Is Council aware that in November 2014 the holders of Work Authority (WA453) were granted rights to quarry hard rock instead of sand at the mine and that this may mean that a) explosives will be used at the mine b) a much larger area of land may be subject to mining – does Council know where water in the dam for this mine comes from?
Is Council aware that a highly visible 2.4 metre high chain mesh and barbed wire fence is being erected around the Barro property?
Does Council know how long this fence will be and what its impact will be on the Significant landscape Overlay in the You Yangs?
What controls, if any, does Council have over what occurs on WA453?
Peter Bettess responded he did not believe it would be a costly exercise and would do in house and see which overlay would be most appropriate.
Priscilla Pescott asked – since reading the Mayor’s proposal to sell some branch libraries, there has been no comment from any other Councillors.
I ask which Councillors support his proposal?
Cr Richards responded that there is no proposal to sell off or close any libraries. Council is in the business of running libraries not closing them. Officers will obviously look at the effect of the new library, but I am not aware of any decision at the moment to close any libraries.
The Mayor responded that his comments made during the interview were of a general nature around many of Council’s assets. Withholding Council assets is important to this Mayor but at the same time Council needs to tighten its belts as we go forward.
Sandra Gatehouse – President of the Barwon Heads Association addressed Council as follows:
Barwon Heads Association members have reported that, when observing removal of native vegetation on private properties, they are advised by Council there is no protection for the vegetation if it is not in an overlay area. A case of considerable concern is the current activity at 16-17 Warrenbeen Court, Barwon Heads. The titles of all 14 properties in the Warrenbeen Estate are subject to covenants to protect the precious indigenous vegetation. These covenants are formally endorsed by Council. We note that the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme Section 52.17 applies. Section 52. 17-2states “a permit is required to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation”. We therefore believe that such removal requires appropriate permits and that the Planning Scheme puts obligation on the Council to ensure compliance and in the absence of a permit the covenants cannot protect the indigenous vegetation:
Why does Council inform complainants that it has no role in enforcing the Planning Scheme?
If it has no role where do residents go to ensure protection of indigenous vegetation?
How many complaints has Council received on this matter?
How are such complaints (by phone or mail) registered?
How many cases of enforcement have Council carried out in the last two years to protect indigenous vegetation?
For the future can we urgently request that Council prepare an overly to protect this very precious area.
Cr Richards requested the Chief Executive Officer to provide a detailed written response. He added it was timely that the Barwon Heads Association met with Peter Bettess to discuss their concerns further. Cr Richards indicated he was happy to facilitate this meeting.
Judith Brooks addressed Council as follows:
Ten years ago the Barwon Heads community and Council agreed on an excellent streetscape plan. Due to funding difficulties the streetscape was not completed. A decade later Barwon Heads has seen a dramatic increase in the usage and extension of its shopping centre, its markets, and its medical facilities from locals, tourists and visitors from the development at Armstrong Creek:
What is the status of plans for the completion of our streetscape and in particular funding for our deteriorating and dangerous footpaths?
The Mayor indicated this subject had been discussed at length last year.
Cr Richards responded that one thing that the Structure Plan has produced is more retail in Hitchcock Avenue, and to do that streetscape on the eastern side from where it ends now to Ozone Road didn’t make last year’s budget, but is the subject of ongoing budget discussions.
William Tieppo responded that in terms of the project for 2016/17 which includes footpaths on both east and west side of Hitchcock Avenue have been submitted in the budget. I am aware of the State Government commitment and conversations with VicRoads will be carried out as part of that project.
Dan Cowdell asked questions in relation to Council’s street lighting operating with inefficient 80W mercury vapour globes:
Why has Council not proceeded with street lighting energy efficiency upgrades?
When will Council review and consider the business case for street lighting efficiency upgrades?
Cr Richards responded this is an idea which has been around for some 6-7 years. Council has considered different versions of what you are proposing and at this point of time unable to afford the cost of doing that kind of project. Officers actively consider this issue each year with the budget.
The Mayor added he has discussed at length with the Environment Minister over the last two months. G21 also does a lot of work around this. Council officers have also been in touch with the Minister’s office.
William Tieppo added G21 Councils have met over the last two months in an effort to submit a joint business case depending on a funding model. The other reason why we haven’t proceeded with LED is Powercor only approved certain amounts and in order to avoid maintenance issues, the right technology is needed.
Cr Macdonald added it is not just about LED lights here, but a move to smart lighting so we can control lights remotely, resulting in considerable savings.
The Mayor indicated that Councillors are extremely aware.
Anthony Gleeson asked how Council invests its funds, and whether its finances are invested in fossil fuel projects. I am not sure if Council is aware that at least 15 Australian local Councils including City of Melbourne have decided to stop risking their ratepayer funds and reserves by removing any exposure they have to fossil fuel projects, or whether Council is actually aware what exposure the City of Greater Geelong’s funds have to fossil fuels?
Has Council started a process of considering doing the same as these fifteen other local Councils and if not, how can local environmental and climate action groups help Council to make this happen?
Cr Richards responded he would be presenting a Notice of Motion in relation to this subject at the next Meeting of Council and will then bring a report back to the Chamber. Residents, ratepayers and activists will then be able to make their views known.
The recent fracking debate took approximately six months to resolve and this will be similar.
Yvonne Adami asked:
In the Geelong Advertiser on January 22 the Mayor proposed to sell of “underutilised suburban libraries”. Given that the Annual Report does not support his claim, will the Mayor provide evidence that in fact libraries within the GRLC are underutilised?
The Mayor responded in 2015 the new Library wasn’t built. Council officers will be taking a holistic approach in relation to all Council assets across the region. An informed recommendation will be made to the City of Greater Geelong Council by officers for the future operation of libraries within the municipality. Recommendations will be presented to Council for a decision once the evidence has been collected and analysed.
Cr Richards added the Library Corporation doesn’t make decisions to sell libraries. Council has no position around closing libraries or selling them off at this point of time.
Alena Kralova asked if Council would help with bus transport times on Route 24 – it affects not only myself but thousands of people – last bus is at 6.50pm.
Cr Richards responded that concerns should be provided in writing so Council may advocate on your behalf in relation to public transport. Cr Richards agreed bus services could be improved.
Cr E Kontelj suggested concerns be lodged in writing and was happy to meet to discuss further.
Cr Ansett further added the need for a light rail service.
Mary Wallace asked:
My husband Colin and I received a letter dated 28th August 2013 signed by then Acting Mayor Bruce Harwood. It came out of the blue and less than two weeks after Mayor Keith Fagg resigned. This letter is misleading and I believe it was intended to intimidate us, and my question to Deputy Mayor Bruce Harwood is, who composed this letter?
Cr Harwood took the question on notice.
Did the other Councillors at the time – which included Cr Stretch Kontelj – know about and consent to this letter being composed and sent to us?
The Mayor took the question on notice.
At the Council Meeting on June 24th 2014, my husband asked Mayor Lyons to consider if an evident breach by Council of a Section 173 Agreement was deliberate and Cr Michelle Heagney intervened, saying my husband had been sent a letter which she did not identify. At the Council Meeting on April 28th 2015, my husband asked Cr Heagney to identify the letter but she refused point-blank.
So I am asking Cr Michelle Heagney, is the letter I have raised tonight the one you refused to identify?
Cr Heagney took the question on notice.
Jennifer Bantow addressed Council as follows:
Is it correct that planning permit application in Central Geelong are not advertised and no public participation or submissions are considered?
Which authority determines the future of which developments in Central Geelong and in particular the Old Geelong Gaol. It appears to be in the Central Geelong Marketing Area Plan on page 33 of tonight’s agenda? Is it in the Central Geelong Action Plan, in the Geelong Marketing Area Plan or is it part of the Geelong Planning Authority’s jurisdiction?
Peter Bettess responded the question probably needs a diagram that shows the different areas. Council is responsible for Central Geelong other than specific developments where Ministerial approval is required.
Re former Cheetham Salt Land:
Do Sanctuary Living and the Ridley Corporation have sole ownership of the former Cheetham Salt Land, and is any of this land Crown Land or some other kind of definition of public land?
Peter Bettess indicated he would provide a map where private and public land is located. Going through process now and are waiting for submissions to look into it.
The Mayor took the questions on notice for a written response.
Sally Nicholas asked questions in relation to 405-455 Sandy Creek Road and 172- Bacchus Marsh Road, Little River – “Use and Development of the Land for Stone (Sand and Soil) Extraction and Removal of Native Vegetation”:
What is being addressed as far as the traffic impact assessment commissioned by L Bisinella Developments which is dated 18 February 2014. This document is two years old, no surveys were done on the roads stated with being used for traffic distribution to Melbourne. Only the roads moving traffic to the west or south towards Geelong, also these surveys don’t tell you what type of traffic were surveyed. Heavy vehicles, cars or cyclists?
Peter Bettess responded that he was unable to answer as its going through a planning permit process.
Will Council redo the surveys to all affected roads and the damage to the Grant Bridge built in 1867 on You Yangs Road, Little River?
Cr Ansett agreed the historic Grant Bridge built in 1867 is a major issue.
Cr Harwood presented a petition containing 375 signatures from residents of Geelong Grove Village in relation to traffic management issues.
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