Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Belmont Bowls Club, 16-36 Reynolds Road, Belmont on 12 March 2019, commencing at 7:12pm.
St Matthews East Geelong / City on a Hill / McKillop Street, Geelong
Pastor Andrew Grills
Jennifer Bantow
Shane McMurrich
Catriona Rowntree
Marylyn Pettit
George Tolongos
Barry White
Jack Herd
John Winkler
Robert Hall
Dianne Van Vliet
John Findlay
Lionel McWilliam
Peter Stray
Jason Sparks
Ray Tucker
Councillors:
B Harwood (Mayor)
A Aitken
S Asher
K Grzybek
E Kontelj
S Mansfield
J Mason
P Murrihy
R Nelson
T Sullivan
M Cutter (Chief Executive Officer)
G Smith (Director Planning and Development)
B Luxford (Director Investment and Attraction)
G Wilson-Browne (Director City Services)
R Stevens (Acting Director Community Life)
M Dugina (Director Finance & Strategy)
V Shelton (Manager Engineering Services)
R Leonard (Executive Manager Governance and Legal Services)
The Chair declared the meeting open at 7:00pm.
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.
Councillor P Murnane.
Councillor Mason moved, Councillor Nelson seconded –
That Leave of Absence be granted to Councillor Asher from 28 March to 7 April 2019.
Carried.
Councillors Grzybek and Aitken provided the gallery with a snapshot of some of the activities and projects happening in Windermere Ward.
Councillor Sullivan moved, Councillor Aitken seconded –
That the Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting held on 12 February 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Nil.
St Matthews East Geelong / City on a Hill / McKillop Street, Geelong:
In response to the many questions raised in relation to the above issue by the Gallery and others, Council provides the following:
“As explained on Tuesday evening, the City has received complaints from multiple residents regarding the music noise from the Church, in particular the drum noise. The City is currently investigating the music noise matter under the Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008. Under the Act, Council is obligated to investigate and throughout this investigation have been in contact with members of the Church and residents. Investigations include observing and experiencing noise levels at various resident’s properties.
The decision to issue or not to issue an Improvement Notice is the responsibility of Environmental Health Officers based on their investigations, observations and any other relevant evidence.
Prior to any next action being implemented, Council officers are also able to offer referral for mediation through Dispute Settlement Victoria, subject to consent from all subject disputing parties. The City’s experience with such processes is very positive towards achieving resolution between parties. Agreement to provide personal details is of course optional as is attendance to a mediated meeting.
Council provides the above details regarding DSCV to explain that Council’s objective is to see an outcome which is resolved at the level of those involved and supported by the parties without the need for legal proceedings. Council would certainly welcome your feedback about the prospect of any future mediation.
Council officers will inform you of the outcome of their investigations within the next few weeks”.
Pastor Andrew Grills invited Councillors to attend a service.
Jennifer Bantow asked the following regarding Agenda Item 1 Lara Flood Study:
Have the owners of James Austin’s Avalon Homestead 480 Avalon Road, Avalon, Heritage Overlay HO26, and the nearly Avalon Coastal Reserve, in the Environmental Significance Overlay ESO2, Avalon Woolshed 470 Avalon Road, Avalon, Heritage Overlay HO59, Geelong Grammar School, 50 Biddecombe Avenue, Corio, Heritage Overlay HO142, with its marina in Limeburners Bay (or Lagoon) Environmental Significance Overlay ES02, all been involved in the Lara Flood Study process and are the eleven Heritage Victoria maritime archaeological sites around Hovell’s Creek (including Cheetham Saltpans) part of the Lara Flood Study?
The Mayor responded Avalon and Lara catchments are included in the study area.
Agenda Item 3 – Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct Master Plan:
Is there a precise boundary of the Geelong Waterfront Harbour Precinct, and as there are eleven maritime archaeological sites, and some areas of the precinct are under the heritage overly, can the next Draft of the Master Plan please raise the profile of consideration of heritage values of the precinct?
The Mayor responded the boundary of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour precinct generally incorporates the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Fisherman’s Basin and the area to the west of Yarra Street where the new floating wave attenuator is to be installed.
Discussions have been undertaken with Heritage Victoria to safeguard the heritage values and maritime archaeological sites within the precinct. Further assessments by heritage and archaeological consultants will be carried out as the project progresses.
Could the new Heritage Position please be a unit under the Chief Executive Officer to be able to provide help across all Directorates?
Now that we have the Greater Geelong Heritage Strategy 2017, could Council please look at the possibility of adding another heading to the list of important considerations when deciding each resolution, along the lines of: … impact on heritage values, including indigenous, landscape and building and trees under the heritage overlay and significant landscapes overlay?
The Mayor responded he would not speak on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer and would take the question on notice.
Shane McMurrich asked is there a Traffic Management Plan for the Avalon Road, McClelland Avenue, Lara intersection?
Guy Wilson-Browne advised “yes”, Council is currently working with VicRoads to come up with concept designs to upgrade the intersection. There will also be a six week consultation as part of the traffic study.
Councillor Grzybek added she was aware of the issue.
Catriona Rowntree asked:
What are your intentions to promote tourism in this region and beautify the area?
With the recent Avalon Airshow, with approximately 200,000 visitors, the surrounding area remained filthy, the main signage was to the Prisons, the approach to Serendip and the You Yangs is a disgrace with animal carcasses, potholed roads where tourists have to risk their lives alongside the speeding quarry trucks and after three calls to Council about rubbish dumping near Toynes Road nothing has been picked up. A total embarrassment as visitors passed piles of rubbish, this long weekend. We are sick of being lied to, broken tourism promises made and want the area both beautified and promoted?
What are your plans to rectify this?
The Mayor responded Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine have been working with marketing consultants “I SPY” to develop the Brand Narrative for the You Yangs and surrounds. This recently completed document, developed in partnership with the community and industry, provides details of the signature experiences, distinct offer, brand personality and a brand map that will guide future marketing initiatives for the You Yangs and surrounds.
Guy Wilson-Browne apologised and provided assurance a response will be provided and will prioritize the picking up of rubbish.
Marylyn Pettit addressed Council as follows:
At the Community Focus Meeting in Lara on 8 May I asked Council with some urgency to lower the speed limit from 100 kilometres per hour (km/h) on the narrow roads around the You Yangs Park due to the dangers of large heavy vehicle quarry traffic travelling at speed, causing breakdown of road edges and presenting an ever present danger to the public. Ten months later nothing has been done about it. Why? My question is has VicRoads been asked to consider lowering the speed limit because of the danger?
Guy Wilson-Browne responded that as indicated in the Council report, Council will discuss the speed reduction in Sandy Creek Road with Regional Roads Victoria – and then formally apply for a speed reduction. A six week public community period will be held before final recommendations are made to Council.
In answer to my question put to Council at the 8 May Meeting, which is relevant to the Lara Traffic Study draft report on tonight’s agenda, Guy Wilson-Browne advised and I quote “Council officers plan to meet with community and stakeholders once traffic data has been analysed and any revision to heavy vehicle routes, traffic management plans and treatments have been drafted”. The same reply was given to others at that meeting who raised question and concerns over road traffic issues. My question is when will the promised meeting be held as there is no mention of it in the incomplete Lara Traffic Study draft report Council will consider this evening. This is of particular concern as a master plan is scheduled to be presented to Council on 12 June. Is it still the policy of Council to have community involvement?
Guy Wilson-Browne responded the transport team met with representatives from Lara at Council’s office in Brougham Street. They also were on-site at the community information sessions held in Lara. A further session will be held with community to discuss the Draft Action plan and a further meeting to finalise the plan.
Engineering transport team are meeting this week with Regional Roads Victoria and Transport for Victoria to discuss all issues pertaining to Lara transport. The team are also meeting with Wyndham City Council to discuss all issues pertaining to Lara transport.
After these two meetings, Council would be in a position to meet with the residents and put forward the solutions and proposed treatments.
George Tolongos asked:
I submit to Council the following matters for consideration. I would like it noted that I have raised these same issues on numerous occasions and no action has been taken to rectify my concerns. The issues are: the significant noise caused by trucks and heavy vehicles passing my property at night. I submit that Council introduce a curfew prohibiting heavy vehicles from using McClelland Avenue between 9pm and 5am. In addition the truck advisory route should direct heavy traffic to the outskirts of Lara and not through residential areas.
Guy Wilson-Browne responded the City understands that heavy vehicles can pose an amenity issue when travelling through residential areas and understand your request to divert those vehicles away from residential areas.
To provide heavy vehicle users guidance and consistency across the road network, higher function category roads, such as arterial and high function local roads known as collector roads and secondary distributor are generally appropriate for heavy vehicles to travel on. There are also times when heavy vehicles need to travel on local residential streets for local destinations or to operating facilities. Often in these cases, permits may be required and trucks may be exempt of restriction if undertaking deliveries on road of limitation and is of shortest route of access.
Council, with support from Transport for Victoria and Regional Roads Victoria are reviewing the truck movements and restriction and associated advisory routes with a focus to reduce truck trip movements and improve residential amenity for the Lara township. Due to the scale of movements and road network conditions, this is an ongoing matter that the City will continue to resolve.
The danger to motorists and residents as a direct result of vehicles exceeding the speed limit on McClelland Avenue. I respectfully submit a 60km/h speed limit be introduced. We have also asked for an extra lane to be provided to aid residents to turn into and out of their properties in McClelland Avenue safely. At present the road does not allow all residents to safely slow down and turn into their properties due to speeding vehicles approaching from both directions causing numerous accidents and near misses that Council are aware of?
Guy Wilson-Browne indicated Council is aware of increasing movement on McClelland Avenue and this can create turning difficulties to the adjacent side streets and properties. Council have prepared plans for the introduction of turning lanes for the intersections located on McClelland Avenue. This project is pending contribution from Regional Roads Victoria “Fixing Country Roads” funding for construction in the July 2019-June2020 financial year.
Council supports a speed reduction on McClelland Road to improve safety and driver reaction time for drivers, particularly those undertaking turning movements. Council has an application lodged with Regional Roads Victoria (speed limit approval authority) and we are awaiting feedback and any requirements.
On 22 December 2018 Councillor Grzybek and an officer from the City of Greater Geelong traffic management me with myself and neighbours outside our properties on McClelland Avenue and witnessed numerous near miss accidents for themselves and both agreed the current situation was dangerous.
The Mayor responded Council has recently resurfaced and slightly widened with new road line markings on McClelland Avenue to improve road user experience and driver awareness. Council have also had discussions with Regional Roads Victoria regarding the configuration of the exit ramps onto Avalon Road, this matter is still ongoing. Council are keen to resolve these items as part of a number of other road safety and amenity concerns raised by the local community to improve the Lara community.
Council Transport units are working on the following:
To provide turn lanes at key intersections along McClelland Avenue;
Review speed limits to reduce it to 60 km/h;
Review installing “truck engine brake” signs to reduce noise issues;
Review “truck curfew” times to restrict trucks travelling after 7pm along McClelland Avenue;
Upgrade intersection at Avalon Road – faded line marking “re-painted”;
Left turn lane at the Hicks Road roundabout and the rail crossing – exists;
Road surface between McClelland Avenue and railway crossing repairs.
Barry White addressed Council as follows in relation to the Lara Traffic Study Update:
Will Council reject the recommendations under point 10 until priority actions are clearly specified?
Guy Wilson-Browne indicated the recommendations support the preparation of the Draft priority action plan which will be released for community consultation. The Engineering team will arrange a meeting with the Township of Lara Care Group to go through the draft priority action plan and seek their specific feedback.
Will Council convene a special public meeting (at an appropriate time and place in Lara) to present a draft of the plan to the Lara Community for discussion before releasing a final public document?
Guy Wilson-Brown responded a further meeting with the Lara Community will be scheduled following this next consultation phase to discuss the final document before presenting to Council for adoption.
Jack Herd asked his question in relation to “Waverley” Heritage House:
As a current Deakin student, I’ve spend two years studying an important heritage building on this site, on the corner of Gheringhap and Western Beach, a two-storey brick house facing Corio Bay at 94 Western Beach, called Waverley. This is the only building on the car park site and is currently owned by Deakin University. Since the City Deal was first announced, I have campaigned for the restoration and adaptive re-use of this building, and approached government politicians and University officials.
Waverley received a Geelong and Region Branch National Trust and City of Greater Geelong Heritage Award in 2014 for re-slating the roof in Welsh slate. It is also under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme heritage overlay, individually listed as HO339 and within the Woolstores Industrial Heritage Area precinct overly HO1638.
Can Council please uphold the heritage overlay, and ensure that Waverley” survives intact, and is restored inside and outside?
The Mayor responded that if the dwelling is heritage listed it is well protected.
John Winkler asked the following regarding Kyema Drive Flooding:
What is Council doing about allocating budget for the works required to protect Kyema Drive in readiness for the Flood Study report release given the requirements are well known and previously promised in 2009?
Will that be completed in 18 months?
Guy Wilson-Browne responded that it is up to Council to determine which projects it funds in subsequent years. Council cannot guarantee the works can be carried out in the next 18 months.
Councillor Aitken added there will be an opportunity to submit on the study any changes you would like to see in the study. Councillor Aitken urged residents to take advantage of the opportunity to re-submit.
Robert Hall asked about the use of the “Triangle Common” Reserve on the Corner of Staughton Vale Road and Balliang-Bacchus Marsh Road:
A local resident is using the public reserve for a carpark for his large collection of trucks and heavy vehicles. Direct contact has not altered his behaviour. Public reserves should not be used for residents to run their business from, particularly when this is having a detrimental environmental impact?
The Mayor took the question on notice.
Dianne Van Vliet asked about the inappropriate use of crown land triangle on the Corner of Murphys Road and Geelong/Bacchus Marsh Road:
Who is responsible for looking after this parcel of land? Is it Council or Regional Roads Victoria? A neighbour uses it as his own parking lot for his trucks which impacts the indigenous grasses and the 300 year old tree on the parcel of land. Would be good to maintain it for everyone to use it equally not for commercial use.
The Mayor took the question on notice.
John Findlay asked the following questions in relation to the Water Usage by Chelvon Quarry in Lynch Road, Maude:
The quarry has been in operation since approximately 2005 and has expanded significantly to in recent years.
During the millennium drought, the quarry operated a single tanker of about 25,000 litres capacity which probably made about 10 deliveries to the quarry per day. Monday to Friday and sometimes on Saturday.
The quarry now operates a large B Double Tanker which would carry approximately 55,000 litres and two single tankers that would carry about 25,000 litres each – their combined capacity would be approximately 100,000 litres. These three vehicles start loading very early and take about two hours for the three of them to load, deliver and return to reload. It is estimated that would transport about 1 million litres of water per day.
Given the extreme dry spell we are in now, everyone is getting water deliveries. We have been buying water since before Christmas as have our neighbours. All the local dams are dry so stock are being watered with town water.
I am not against quarrying as such but I do believe the quarry should not be using fresh drinking water to wash its sand and gravel.
With climate change, continued reduced annual rainfall in our area and the possibility of another large sand quarry owned by the Barrow Group right next to the Chelvon operation, the thought of even more water being taken from our local supply is of great concern?
The Mayor thanked Mr Findlay for his comments.
Lionel McWilliam asked if Councillors are aware that, based on a weekly ticket, there is a difference of around $1,372 per annum between Zone 2 Lara and Zone 3 Corio and North Geelong, and around $1,722 per annum between Zone 2 Lara and Zone 4 Geelong exists.
There is a significant financial advantage for people to travel to Lara and use the car park.
The Mayor thanked Mr McWilliam for his comments.
Peter Stray asked the following in relation to Stacey’s Road Recycling Facility:
What is Council doing to ensure compliance with permits – growing stockpile, rubbish blowing everywhere, potential fire hazard and potential for long term hazard?
Gareth Smith responded that Council has been investigating the issue and will continue to monitor.
Jason Sparks asked about the Proposed Quarry at 215 Clarkes Road, Anakie:
I represented a group of concerned residents in trying to find information on the proposed quarry and expressed our concerns about dust in our water tanks, truck traffic noise and water usage of quarries in the area?
Gareth Smith took the question on notice.
Councillor Grzybek added there is an application coming to Council.
Councillor Aitken indicated that until an application is lodged, Council doesn’t know about it.
Ray Tucker asked about trees growing between the white posts and road edge which force grain and stock transports to cross over the white line to avoid vehicle damage. Also a speed reduction in De Motts Road to 60km/h?
Councillor Aitken thanked Mr Tucker for his comments.
The Mayor presented a petition from members of the “City on a Hill” Church / St Matthews East Geelong asking Council to re-consider drawing up a legal order against the church banning drums from its weekly worship services.
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