Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre in City Hall, 30 Gheringhap Street, Geelong on 26 April 2017, commencing at 6:30pm.
Graeme Duff
Vicki Perrett
Guy Hampshire
Bronwyn McIntyre
Rebecca Dalton
Karen Firth
Annabel Gill
Rebecca Martin
Mandy Bridges
Sarah Henderson MP
Lex Chalmers
Lester Wissing
Sandra Gatehouse
Dr Kathy Alexander (Chair), L Gardner, P Dorling.
K Spiller (Chief Executive Officer)
P Bettess (Director Manager Planning and Development)
B Luxford (Director Investment & Attraction)
W Tieppo (Director City Services)
M Kuhn (Acting Director Community Life)
J Moloney (Director Finance and Strategy)
A Keen (Executive Manager People and Organisational Development)
R Leonard (Senior Manager Legal Services & Governance)
The Chair declared the meeting open at 6:30pm.
Kathy Alexander (Chair) commenced the meeting by expressing her thanks to the more than 100 Council staff who spent this week assisting with the emergency response to Monday evening’s storm.
The unseasonable deluge severely stretched our stormwater system capacity and as a result there was significant drain excess water on our roads and streets. Kathy also recognized the City’s staff for their tireless work in assisting with incident management, working with SES on more than 200 call outs, and helping to co ordinate other emergency services at our local incident control centre. She also thanked those community members who were using Council facilities who helped in the clean up.
Peter Dorling added how fantastic it was to see thousands of Greater Geelong residents out and about yesterday, despite the poor weather, showing their respect for Anzac Day.
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.
L Gardner moved, P Dorling seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 March 2017 be confirmed.
Carried.
Peter Dorling presented the Chair with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Leopold War Memorial Committee Inc in recognition of the City’s generosity and support in the establishment of the Leopold War Memorial.
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, the Interim Administrator 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.
Graeme Duff submitted questions in relation to Tender T1700018 Cleaning Services for Leisure Centres and the Geelong Arena. Kathy Alexander asked Jo Moloney (Director Finance and Strategy) to respond to Mr Duff after a decision has been made on the awarding of the contract later this evening.
Kathy Alexander pointed out that it is not appropriate to engage in discussions about the tender process or decisions prior to the decision being made. If Mr Duff has a complaint, he can do so on the announcement of the decision.
Vicki Perrett asked the following in relation to the Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy:
Does Council accept its responsibility to lead the Geelong community towards a zero carbon future and to provide support for households and businesses?
Will Council assign resources to enable the collaborative development of the Community Zero Carbon Action Plan?
William Tieppo responded that the answer is “yes” to questions 1 and 2.
Will Council commit to developing measurable and substantial emission reductions targets for residents and businesses?
William Tieppo added funding for the above will be considered as part of the 2017/18 budget process. One of the things we do rely on is partnering with the community to encourage sustainable design and reduce resource consumption.
Guy Hampshire submitted a question in relation to the Additional Bin Service.
A written response will be provided.
Kathy Alexander reassured all persons who wrote to Council in relation to the Library Network that all the Administrators have read the letters and know all the sites in question, and had received input from MP’s on behalf of their electorates and have consulted with the Geelong Regional Library Corporation.
Bronwyn McIntyre asked:
Can you highlight in your library review how you have calculated the value of the following examples:
People having a safe, welcome place to go to connect young children about the importance of libraries, reading, learning and connection with their community?
Alternatively, the negative message sent to children when you take such an important community service away?
Free access to knowledge and information and other resources for all members of our community/
The ability of a citizen with restricted mobility to get out of the house and visit a library to have a chat, read a paper and get some air?
The option for a parent with young children to take a pram ride to the children’s story and rhyme session to let a toddler get some energy out and connect with others as they experience the joy of reading, singing, cutting and pasting, all whilst their baby sibling has a nap and a feed, without having to do the dreaded transfer from car to pram?
A high school student needing a quiet space to study and learn?
Finding a shared space which nurtures connections across generations.?
Kathy Alexander responded that she presumes these questions are rhetorical in that she agrees that the value of all these things cannot be calculated in dollar terms, and added that she will defer discussion of the library until the agenda item is considered.
Rebecca Dalton asked why Council is ignoring the multitudes of positive social impacts that Barwon Heads Community Library offers? The information and data which led to the recommendation to close the Barwon Heads Community Library has not been made available to the community. Why was this information not proactively provided to the community to allow for proper analysis, scrutiny and understanding?
Kathy Alexander responded the information has been displayed on Council’s website for ten days, and the issue has also appeared on various agendas over the last ten years or so.
Karen Firth asked if Council would delay making the decision to close the Barwon Heads Library?
Kathy Alexander deferred the question until further discussion of Agenda Item 1.
Annabel Gill asked why can’t a decision wait until the outcome of the Barwon Heads Structure Plan and the election of our Councillors.?
Kathy Alexander advised that the Administrators have been delegated the responsibility under the Act to carry out all decisions of Council. She also clarified, with confirmation by Peter Bettess, that the structure plan is focused on the way land is used rather than identifying particular service needs. However, a community infrastructure plan is more appropriate.
Rebecca Martin recognised that the Barwon Heads Library has been under review previously, however, can you explain why you did not consult with the community on this occasion and detail why you think that you have met your obligations, and ensured natural justice and procedural fairness on this occasion.
Kathy Alexander advised Council has not made a decision as yet and will defer the question until we consider the item.
Mandy Bridges submitted questions in relation to the Barwon Heads Library which will be responded to in writing.
Sarah Henderson MP provided a letter of support for the continuing operation of the Barwon Heads and Highton Libraries in her electorate.
Lex Chalmers asked what costs will be incurred in selling the Old Geelong Gaol when Council has not assessed its potential through adequate research, and has not maintained it?
Joanne Moloney advised the report is only calling for Expressions of Interest to sell and is not set in concrete. The report provides for public submissions and an opportunity to be heard.
Lester Wissing asked the following questions in relation to the Highton Library:
The Highton Library should not close. There are more and more people coming all the time.
Problems:
The Highton Library is closed half the week, that is: only open between 2pm - 5pm every second day;
Many people come to the Library and find it closed on those days, that is: in the times of 9am – 2pm.
Many older people will find it hard to get to Belmont Library or Warn Ponds, that is: no bus direct to Belmont or easy access from Waurn Ponds.
Kathy Alexander thanked Mr Wissing for his comments.
Sandra Gatehouse asked questions regarding the Barwon Heads Outfall Planning Permit Application PP-1480-2016:
Can you please confirm which entity is responsible for monitoring the health of the water in the Barwon River at Barwon Heads?
How can we get them to do baseline testing and establish standards for quality of the water?
How much of the catchment area in Barwon Heads drains to the pump station?
What is proposed to manage litter entering the drainage system downstream of the pump station?
Can Council provide a report on the Gross Pollutant trap options considered for the outfall?
Has DWELP approved the project?
Flood Plains – Barwon Heads Road:
The latest area of land on the Barwon Heads Road that has been approved for housing development is currently a lake “rainbow riders site”. Is the Council confident that it has adequate planning in place for future development? Where is the comprehensive drainage plan?
William Tieppo responded the questions be taken on notice for a future conversation with Ms Gatehouse.
Nil.
Contents | Next Page: Section B – Reports
