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 20 September 2017, commencing at 6:30pm.
Peter Linaker
Jean Grimes
Bret Dolder
Terry Wills Cooke
John Pierotti
Grant Chapman
Jennifer Bantow
Doctor K Alexander (Chair), L Gardner, P Dorling.
K Spiller (Chief Executive Officer)
G Lawler (Acting Director Planning and Development)
B Luxford (Director Investment & Attraction)
P Godfrey (Acting Director City Services)
L Quinn (Director Community Life)
P Anderson (Acting Director Finance & Strategy)
A Keen (Executive Manager People and Organisation Development)
R Leonard (Senior Manager Legal Services & Governance)
The Chair declared the meeting open at 6:30pm.
Council acknowledged 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 22 August 2017, be confirmed.
Carried.
P Dorling moved, L Gardner seconded -
That the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 5 September 2017 be confirmed.
Carried.
Nil.
On behalf of Council, Doctor Kathy Alexander (Chair), acknowledged the resignation of William Tieppo (Director City Services) for his significant contribution to Council and thanked him for the assistance he provided to the Administrators during their term of office.
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.
Peter Linaker asked the following question:
Is Council aware of the ‘Covenant’ on titles of the original 1887 subdivision of Ocean Gove prohibiting the ‘manufacture or sale’ of alcohol?
Geoff Lawler responded ‘yes’ Council is aware of the Covenants on titles.
Is Council further aware that the City of Greater Geelong, under the hand of the Planning Manager recently issued a permit for licensed premises under Planning & Environment, challenged the Covenant, determined however by VCAT to be valid but unenforceable owing to the passage of time?
Geoff Lawler advised In 2013 Council sought legal advice on the covenant which revealed that these covenants can be removed from particular titles under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 through a planning permit application.
Will Council now support the wishes of the community to uphold the temperance heritage of Ocean Grove to have permits determined by local referenda conducted by the Liquor Commission, as has applied already for some 100 years in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne?
Geoff Lawler responded that the issue of the ‘dry area’ in Eastern Melbourne is a different issue as those areas are not covered by a covenant but come under controls stipulated in the Liquor Control Reform Regulations 2009. The Act requires a vote conducted by electors in the neighbourhood of a proposed licensed premises. The conduct of the poll is specified in the Liquor Control Reform Regulations 2009 and only relates to the Cities of Whitehorse and Boroondara. The Act does not apply to Ocean Grove.
Kathy Alexander added a written response would be forwarded.
Jean Grimes submitted questions but was not present at the meeting. A written response will be forwarded.
Bret Dolder asked:
Please advise of City of Greater Geelong’s knowledge of the Midland Highway Duplication and the four options that VicRoads have proposed?
Peter Godfrey advised that the City is aware of the options proposed.
Have the City of Greater Geelong been asked to consult with the residents affected by this duplication? Namely, Pennsylvania Avenue, Lynburn Road and any property to the CoGG boundary, Batesford?
Peter Godfrey responded that Council has not been asked by VicRoads to consult with the community on these options. All four proposed options include sections of the Midland Highway that sit within the Western Geelong Growth Area. As such we are working with VicRoads to understand how their planning for Midland Highway will affect the planning Council is currently undertaking for this future growth area. Council will be engaging with the community on a draft planning framework for this growth area in early 2018.
Does the City of Greater Geelong have studies at hand to examine the outcomes of the VicRoads duplication proposals?
Peter Godfrey responded that VicRoads have prepared background studies to understand a range of landscape, environmental and other considerations to inform their options. Council’s preparatory work for its growth area planning project will acknowledge and respond to the landscape and environmental values of the area.
Terry Wills Cooke, President, Geelong Gallery presented the following statement:
The Geelong Art Gallery Board and Management once again confirm their strong and enduring interest in expanding into a part of the City Hall buildings. This can be done in such a manner as to maintain great pride in our civic past and to provide for the continuation of City Hall’s historical function as a social ceremonial place, whilst realising its potential as a grand exhibition space and a leading cultural facility which inspires civic pride.
A Business Case for the Gallery’s expansion was completed in 2014. This case very strongly identified the expansion of Geelong Gallery as having enormous potential as an arts and cultural tourism attractor for the city and the region. Proof of this has recently been provided with two major exhibitions Arthur Streeton in the Western District and Fred Williams in the You Yangs attracting record attendances both from within the region and from the wider Victorian Community. These will be followed in October by the Archibald Prize which is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors.
There is widespread support from the community, 1290 surveys were completed as part of the Business Case which resulted in 98.6% rating the expansion as important or very important and 98.9% agreeing that the Geelong Gallery plays an “absolutely vital” role in the City’s cultural wellbeing.
However, the Gallery’s ambition to contribute more to Geelong’s “clever and creative” economic and cultural renewal is seriously restricted by a lack of adequate space, which limits our ability to display and to store the great riches of the magnificent collection owned by the people of Geelong and to develop and attract large scale drawcard exhibitions which would provide significant economic outcomes for the City.
The Gallery has a strong commitment to community engagement and audience development embedded in its new Strategic Plan. We believe in the benefits of a shared space in particular areas of City Hall. The Gallery’s expansion into that building would be designed so as to re-purpose this beautiful old heritage building into a 21st century city asset, provide greater opportunities to contribute meaningfully and economically to the redevelopment of the cultural and civic precinct and to engage with Johnstone Park’s newly established raingarden in the green spine.
Great cities all have great galleries and here is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a truly great gallery in Geelong.
Kathy Alexander thanked Mr Cooke for his submission.
John Pierotti asked if Council agreed that Community Investment and Support Fund grants should also use all other policies relevant to Council principles, such as heritage overlays and the aims of the Heritage Strategy 2017 before Council this evening?
Kathy Alexander responded - be very clear that any grant the City provides to any community group should be consistent with Council Policy and legislative requirement in order to be eligible for funding..
Grant Chapman asked a question in relation to Amendment C367 – Mollers Land, Leopold:
Has there been a Risk Assessment done in relation to the Gaming Reserve and in particular to the behaviour of the shooters?
Geoff Lawler responded the recommendation in relation to Amendment C367 before us tonight calls for Council to exhibit the planning scheme amendment which provides the community with the opportunity to make a submission.
Jennifer Bantow asked the following re the Heritage Strategy 2017-21 and the Old Geelong Gaol:
Geelong Authority:
Could Council please advise whether the Minister has responded to the Administrators proposal that permit applications in the CBD of a scale that is referred to the Geelong Authority, be placed in the weekly City News and that neighbouring properties are advised, and that Council and Council officers veiws would be considered before the Minister issues a permit?
Kathy Alexander responded that she was sure a response had been received but would have to follow up. Geoff Lawler to follow up and contact Ms Bantow.
Old Geelong Gaol:
Greater Geelong Council Meeting 22 August 2017, Recommendation was adopted:
That Council endorses the sale of the Old Geelong Gaol by Expressions of Interest – see Attachment 2. Attachment 2 says that the sale would be advertised and maketed though an appointed estate agent.
Could Council please advise if a real estate agent has been appointed and if so who the agent is and how does the public find out about the details of the sale?
Peter Anderson advised that an estate agent has been appointed and he would contact Ms Bantow with the details.
Nil.
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