Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre in City Hall, 57 Little Malop Street, Geelong on 22 November 2016, commencing at 5:30pm.
Andy Richards
Colin Wallace
Mary Wallace
Priscilla Pescott
Sue Clark
Michael Loughnan
Jennifer Bantow
Dr K Alexander (Chair), L Gardner, P Dorling.
K Spiller (Chief Executive Officer)
W Tieppo (Acting General Manager Strategy and Performance)
P Bettess (General Manager Planning and Development)
R Thomas (Acting General Manager City Services)
L Quinn (General Manager Community Life)
A Keen (Executive Manager People and Organisational Development)
T McDonald (Manager Customer Support and Council Business)
The Chair declared the meeting open at 5:30pm.
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.
Nil.
P Dorling moved, L Gardner seconded –
That Leave of Absence be granted to Laurinda Gardner and Peter Dorling from 26 December 2016 to 9 January 2017, inclusive. Dr Kathy Alexander (Chair) withdrew her leave arrangements.
Carried.
P Dorling moved, L Gardner seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 27 September 2016, be confirmed.
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.
Andy Richards submitted questions in relation to Asbestos Removal to which a written response will be provided within 14 days.
Colin Wallace asked the following:
Dr Alexander, in your letter to me dated 22 August 2016, you said you would not meet with me and did not mention my wife at all, even though when I asked here at public question time on 16 August if you would meet with my wife and me you said you would.
To explain this turnaround, you said in the letter you did some research. Your research did not extend to consulting me or my wife.
You had never met with us and had no communication of any sort to you from us except my questions here on 28 June and 16 August.
Since, according to your letter, the outcome of your research is that you will not meet with us despite saying you would, I am asking would you, Dr Alexander, provide a list of the resources you used in your research, such that each item of information is readily identifiable?
Kathy Alexander indicated that she would not provide the requested information.
Mary Wallace asked questions regarding personnel related matters, and as previously advised, “Council does not discuss personnel related matters in an open forum”.
Priscilla Pescott asked questions regarding signage at Balyang Sanctuary:
Last time I was there, a young woman with several small children had come with a large bag full of french stick bread to feed the birds. She said she was unaware that feeding the birds was prohibited.
When I returned from my walk, there were several of the bread sticks floating in the water, and on the concourse.
The notice of prohibition is only on the bird identification signs, and not very prominent. So I would ask that more prominent signs with this message be erected fronting the car park and beside the lakes.
Rodney Thomas responded that Council will have a look at the signage with a view to improving it.
Sue Clark asked question in relation to 43 Upper Skene Street, Newtown:
Given that buildings and fences currently exist that are not in line with the overlay guidelines and that one side of the street has been excluded, what is the Heritage Overlay trying to achieve by including Upper Skene Street in the precinct?
Kathy Alexander suggested Peter Bettess have some of the planning staff meet and discuss the issues further.
Michael Loughnan asked questions regarding the Annual Global Costings of Armstrong Creek:
so as to retrieve money from developers in keeping with real costs;
to add weight to growing costs of delivery desirable qualities for subdivisions and efficient service delivery.
Peter Bettess advised he would ask his Executive Assistant to make contact in regard to formalising a meeting.
Jennifer Bantow asked questions in relation to the Newtown West Heritage Review and Johnstone Park Concept Plan:
Newtown West Heritage Review:
Is it planned to have any other areas reviewed in the near future?
Is there any annual budgetary allocation for this purpose until all the Outer Areas Heritage Study is completed?
Peter Bettess responded he can’t say what the next areas to be reviewed are, but would be putting to the heritage strategy which will identify those areas that haven’t been studied, which should be.
Johnstone Park Concept Plan:
Does Council consider the closure of Mercer Street and the demolition of the buildings within the Woolstores Heritage Overlay should be endorsed?
Brett Luxford added the Johnstone Park Concept Plan is being put out for a period of 14 days for public consultation and added he is aware of the elements mentioned and is working with Heritage Victoria for the best outcome.
Chris Auret tabled a petition requesting Council resolve the lack of action to demolish or rectify the fire damaged derelict building at 336 Ryrie Street.
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