Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Vines Road Community Centre, 37-61 Vines Road, Hamlyn Heights on 9 April 2019, commencing at 7:00pm.
Amanpreet Kaur and Katrin Mester
Bernard Clancy
Ken Baker
Bill Votsaris
Jennifer Bantow
Rocco Trinchera
Wendy Maloney
John Pierotti
Councillors:
B Harwood (Mayor)
A Aitken
S Asher
K Grzybek
E Kontelj
S Mansfield
J Mason
P Murnane
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)
R Leonard (Executive Manager Governance & 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.
Nil.
Councillor Asher moved, Councillor Murrihy seconded –
That Leave of Absence be granted to Councillor Ron Nelson from 19 April up to and including 27 April 2019.
Carried.
Councillors Mansfield, Murrihy and Kontelj provided the gallery with a snapshot of some of the activities and projects happening in the Brownbill Ward.
Councillor Mason moved, Councillor Sullivan seconded –
That the Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting held on 12 March 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Nil.
Amanpreet Kaur and Katrin Mester submitted questions prior to the meeting and will be responded to in writing.
Charles Cameron asked that the two storey dwelling on the south east corner of the proposed Conference Centre at Deakin University be conserved?
The Mayor responded that the building will remain as considerable work has been carried out on the dwelling and is an integral part of the waterfront.
Bernard Clancy asked the following regarding Osborne House:
On the understanding that work to remove mould from Osborne House and annexes has been completed, has any remedial work been done to prevent mould and water ingress re-occurring. If not, why not? Is any preventative work planned? If so, when? If not, why not?
Michael Dugina responded that Council has put aside $1 million in next year’s budget for restoration works which will start in the next three months.
Travis Kirwood added the leaking roof has been addressed.
Ken Baker directed his remarks to the Mayor in relation to Osborne House:
In your column printed in the Geelong Advertiser recently you indicated that Osborne House suffered damage due to inactivity at the building!
When the Geelong and District Sub-branch of Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia took a lease of the Branscombe Room it was quite run down and in a filthy condition inside and out. However, over the next five years before its closure the Sub-branch kept it clean and in good condition and advised Council many times of the leaking roof and gutters which ultimately led to the serious mould situation and finally two years ago Council closed the facility. This was “demolition by neglect” by Council not due to inactivity.
In addition the report in the paper suggests that the ultimate fate of the building would have it as a grand entrance to the hotel or function centre in private hands? I am under the understanding that Council has already resolved that this facility was to remain in public hands and would not be disposed of privately. Your comments appear to be contradictory to a Council resolution already passed in the Council chamber?
The Mayor responded the comments were referring more to the building’s full potential. The property could remain in public ownership and be subject to a long term lease.
Bill Votsaris asked about parking in the CBD and asked when Council is considering the parking policy the traders should not be disadvantaged. The policy should be considered across the needs of the whole City.
The Mayor thanked Mr Votsaris for his comments.
Jennifer Bantow asked would Council please direct those undertaking the Master Plan to use the words that the elected Councillors have resolved, and the words House, Stables and Precinct needs to be deleted and the name of Item 5 should be Osborne Park Master Plan Update. AND could Council please direct Council staff that the Osborne Park Master Plan should be (as resolved by Council 26 July and 11 December) … for the future use of Osborne Park by the relevant community stakeholders … listed in the resolutions by Council 26 July and 11 December, rather than for the benefit of neighbouring privately owned commercial premises?
Two important matters about the future of Osborne Park, I understand are not part of the considerations of a Master Plan. These are:
Firstly, a suggestion for a Management Structure comparable to the Kardinia Park Trust, where the property remains owned by the City of Greater Geelong, and a Management Board or Committee, some people appointed, others may be elected community representatives, makes decisions about the leasing, or renting, or tenancies, hiring for functions, events, visitation, of the various parts of the property.
And secondly, a consolidation of the various parts of the property, into one parcel, whereby the property remains owned by the City of Greater Geelong and is converted in its entirely into Crown Land, not to be subdivided.
Could Council please consider these suggestions of an Osborne Park Management Structure like Kardinia Park, and a consolidation of Osborne Park, the buildings and all the grounds (perhaps adding the area used for car parking for the Highland Gathering on St Patrick’s Day), into one parcel?
Re the City’s highly significant heritage properties:
City of Greater Geelong owns or manages, or has some jurisdiction over, some of the most significant heritage places in the municipality. Such as – Osborne Park, the Post Office, the Town Hall, the Customer House, perhaps the Railway Station, the Court House, and out of the City, for instance at Drysdale, another Court House and the Library, and no doubt many others.
Of the approximate 900 Council owned properties in the remit of the Property and Procurement Department in Finance and Strategy, about 20% are under the City of Greater Geelong planning scheme heritage overlay. This is a huge task. For instance, Johnstone Park is one, the property is in Property and Procurement, the heritage items, such as the Hitchcock gates, and the urns, the bandstand and the peace Memorial and others, I think are in Arts and Culture, the gardens are in Park and Gardens.
Should Council consider a special unit, with special expertise, with a special budget, to manage and maintain these iconic places which embody the heritage that remains of our post contact history?
The Mayor thanked Ms Bantow for her comments.
Rocco Trinchera outlined his comments in support of the Free Parking Trial, that is: better for businesses in the CBD; better for people visiting; increase Council brand so more businesses relocate in Geelong; lost revenue if applied to rates, ratepayer will be better off financially.
The Mayor thanked Mr Trinchera for his comments.
Wendy Maloney asked that consideration be given to both the availability and affordability of parking in the CBD for both the retail and commercial sectors. Both sectors are critical for a vibrant CBD. Many professional services have vacated the CBD in favour of suburbs with free parking?
The Mayor thanked Ms Maloney for her comments.
John Pierotti asked:
Given Geelong’s position as a UNESCO City of Design, why is Council considering the sale of the Post Office, when it is perfectly placed in the Arts and Culture sector of the City to house a publicly owned museum, which could and should hold locally created and internationally recognised designs and inventions, such as James Harrison’s refrigeration system and the utility car, both of which are currently not being exhibited anywhere?
Since the close of the Post Office, it has been neglected and not maintained. What is the justification of the Council not following nor implementing its own Heritage Strategy in regards to the demolition by neglect of the Geelong Post Office?
The Mayor thanked Mr Pierotti for his comments and added his questions would be addressed during debate of the item later this evening, if not, a written response will be provided.
Nil.
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