Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Indented Head Community Hall, opposite 326 The Esplanade, Indented Head on 9 July 2019, commencing at 7:00pm.
Janet McDonald
Ingrid Novosel
Cheryl Scott
Marie Reed
Dominic Bonella
Sue O'Riley
Jennifer Bantow
Steven Fleming
Alan Swanwick
Chris Lean
David Lean
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)
B Luxford (Director Economy, Investment and Attraction)
G Smith (Director Planning, Design and Development)
G Wilson-Browne (Director City Services)
R Stevens (Director Community Life)
K Phyland (Executive Manager People and Culture)
R Leonard (Acting Director Governance, Strategy and Performance)
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 Murnane.
Councillor Mason moved, Councillor Asher seconded –
That Leave of Absence be granted to Councillor Peter Murrihy from 29 July to 2 August 2019, inclusive.
Carried.
Councillor Kontelj moved, Councillor Mansfield seconded –
That the Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting held on 11 June 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Nil.
Janet McDonald, on behalf of the Committee – Bellarine Agricultural Society, asked the following questions:
The Bellarine Show has been showcasing the Agricultural side of the region for 29 years in the format of an old fashioned traditional show. We have been a constant in the event calendar for the region.
The show is an important qualifier for the Royal Melbourne Show. Our volunteer organising committee is diverse in age groups, employment areas, balanced in gender representation and is drawn from the local area.
Both the committee, and the 100 plus local volunteers who help on show day, are dedicated to providing a family friendly experience that promotes physical rural activities to be experienced beyond the digital world.
We aim to give children invaluable rural knowledge. Children are encouraged to participate in activities where they learn about where food sources come from. We are the first step in the Paddock to Plate journey - we let them glimpse the paddock.
Each year the size of the paddock we need increases. Each section comes under work safe rules which ask for increased boundaries. Our popularity, and our demographic including small children and elderly, means close by parking is needed. In every year prior to 2019 parking of horse floats was allowed on what is locally known as the old air strip, situated in an area marked recreation reserve land. The gate that leads to this area was put in specifically for our show to utilise that space as a result of consultation between COGG and us in 2017-2018.
The show committee is very grateful for the support and assistance given to our event by the other stakeholders of the Recreation Reserve. There exists a spirit of co-operation between all the clubs in obtaining a healthy vibrant future for the reserve that serves all members of our local community. As our town grows the demands on the reserve also grow.
The Bellarine Show is rare in the show world, as we do not own our own ground. The benefits of a dedicated space is that we would be eligible for Federal grants that could improve grounds that could be enjoyed by all in the community every day of the year.
The costs of running such a show increases every year, each year we just manage to cover costs, mainly because we do BBQ fundraisers at Bunnings and other activities, which shows how committed we are.
As such changes that can seem to be mere hills to some, can be mountains to us in the aspect of financial burden. The burden of the "no tent peg" rule is considerable.
Whilst we fully understand the need to protect valuable underground infrastructure it seems puzzling that in a shire council fortunate enough to have many diverse community spaces used for many wonderfully different events, that a blanket rule exists, rather than a flexible policy that can be assessed on a case by case basis.
There still exists accurate local knowledge of all underground infrastructure at the Portarlington Recreation reserve, and with this expertise, we have been using pegs for 17 years in these exact spots without incident. In fact, considering the proximity to the bay and the changing coastal weather it could be argued that no incident has occurred due to pegs being used to stabilise all tents. To replace a 12 inch peg, a weight of 80kg on each corner on the tent is required.
Providing this weight will be financially onerous considering we need numerous tents, this will also add to the volunteer burden especially in the area of manual handling as men can only safely lift 25kgs, according to WHS rules.
Is there a way we can work with the City of Greater Geelong to receive an exemption of the no tent peg ruling?
Brett Luxford responded that the Events Unit is working closely with the Agricultural Show. With regard to the peg ruling – safety is an important factor and this has been designed around crowd protection.
For future shows may we continue to utilise the "old airstrip" area for competitor parking, especially horse floats, so as to provide better WHS outcomes in the horse section?
Brett Luxford took the question on notice for a written response.
Ingrid Novosel asked the following questions in relation to the Exchange of Land – Indented Head:
The developers payment to Council of $110,000 following the land swap. Will $110,000 to be allocated towards the preparation of a land management plan, plus ongoing funding for the significant river red gums and grassy woodland in the 13 hectares long term conservation?
Guy Wilson-Brown responded that Council is developing a Masterplan to establish what types of work is required and will be presented to Council for adoption this year. It is likely that the $110,000 will go towards the implementation of that Masterplan.
Cheryl Scott asked questions regarding the Naming 97 Christies Road, Leopold to Fred Cook Reserve, Leopold:
During the process I understand the question was raised re having – OAM follow Fred’s name on any signage at the site and it was rejected?
So that this aspect of the history of the Bellarine Rail Trail and Fred’s contribution to it is not lost to time, is it intended that a plaque or descriptive panel will be installed at the reserve to explain who Fred was and why the reserve is named in his honour?
The Mayor responded that the item will be brought forward for discussion later this evening at which time the questions will be addressed.
Marie Reed asked about the Purchase of Land for St Leonards Fire Station and for St Leonards Early Learning Centre:
Can you give us an update on the purchase of land for the development of the St Leonards Fire Station?
Councillor Aitken encouraged Ms Reed to put the question to her local state member for a further update.
Can you also provide an update on the purchase of land for the development of the St Leonards Early Learning Centre ($1,000,000 has been allocated in the Council’s budget for this purpose)?
Robyn Stevens took the question on notice for a written response.
Dominic Bonella asked the following regarding Council Funding for Sporting Facilities (Tennis Court):
There has not been any funding allocated to Indented Head since the 2012/13 Budget.
Why isn’t Council contributing funding towards our only sporting facility, a neglected tennis court, in need of funding. Since there is no other opportunity to invest in community/recreational/sporting infrastructure on Council land – just because it’s on crown land should not be a reason for no monetary contribution?
Robyn Stevens encouraged Mr Bonella to take up the opportunity to make application for funding through the Community Infrastructure Grants Program which is available on Council’s website. Applications for 2019/20 are available until 5pm Friday, 2 August.
Sue O’Riley asked about Heritage Overlays:
Currently there is no heritage overly in Indented Head – which means there is no way to preserve the coastal feel and neighbourhood character of the town. The old town areas at Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff have heritage overlays and design guidelines to ensure new homes or developments constructed in existing streets are complementary. Indented Head should have the same protection?
Gareth Smith took the question on notice for a written response.
Jennifer Bantow asked:
Re: Bellarine Peninsula – DELWP Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Program
The Bellarine Peninsula is known for its beautiful rural area, coastal historic towns, and lovely beaches – one of Victoria’s prized tourism and recreation places.
Development pressure means the need to ensure long-term sustainability, and manage threats associated with climate change, and effectively balance growth and protect significant natural and rural assets, is important.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is working in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, the Borough of Queenscliffe and the Wadawurrung to declare the Bellarine Peninsula a Distinctive Area and landscape unter the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
A 50 year vision Statement of Planning Policy will be prepared including long-term settlement boundaries.
City of Greater Geelong Council has already been doing this over many years, the Bellarine is studded with CoGG Heritage and significant Landscape Overlays.
Section 12 Environment and Landscape Values – help to protect the health of ecological systems and the biodiversity and conserve areas with identified environmental and landscape values.
Section 42.03 Significant Landscape Overlays – there are 10 x S L O - 6, 7 Ocean Grove, 8, 9 Barwon Heads, 10 Lake Connewarre, 11 Lake Victoria and Yarram Creek, 12 Swan Bay and surrounds, 13 Murradoc Hill the highest point on the Bellarine, 14 Clifton Springs to Portarlington Coast, 15 Ocean Grove Significant Tree Residential Area.
A Bellarine Peninsula Localised Planning Statement was produced in September 2015 involving the City of Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe Borough and the State Government.
Could you please advise how Council is managing this opportunity for the public to now make submissions, and for a Greater Geelong submission to DELWP, is the process in Strategic Planning?
Gareth Smith responded the state government are leading the Distinctive Areas Landscaped Project through the DELWP. The City has actively engaged with DELWP in the design of the consultation process to encourage appropriate engagement with Bellarine community and Greater Geelong. The City has also provided DELWP the many reports, studies and strategies that already exist for the Bellarine. The City’s key department working with DELWP is the Planning Strategy and Urban Growth team.
Re: Future of the Former Geelong Post Office
On Page 17 Attachment 3 under Summary of Submissions for options for the use and ownership – it says … this was not a statutory submission process.
Submissions for the Former Geelong Post Office were invited through the Have Your Say process.
Does this mean Have Your Say is a toothless tiger - and does not ever result in a Submissions Review Panel?
Could the difference between a Statutory Submissions Process and a Non-Statutory Submission Process please be explained, with examples of City of Greater Geelong submission processes in the recently past?
Part of the recommendation before Council this evening on Page 12 says under 9.2 – whilst the submissions identified possible future uses of the former Geelong Post Office, those possible future uses do not currently align with the Council’s priorities.
As Council’s priorities regarding this building, are said to be enshrined in the Arts and Cultural precinct Masterplan, and the Clever and Creative Future 30 year vision plan, how is the Trust submission, which addressed the objectives of these documents, as do many of the other submissions, not in alignment with Council’s priorities?
Councillor Harwood responded discussion around the Old Geelong Post Office will be held later this evening at which time your questions will be addressed.
* Councillor Kontelj left the meeting at 8:13pm
* Councillor Kontelj re-entered the meeting room at 8:16pm
Steven Fleming asked the following regarding the Drysdale Sporting Precinct:
Despite significant feedback through consultation to date the Masterplan does not include a synthetic pitch or consideration at least.
Will it be further considered? Stage 2 estimate $8.4m does not have any evidence of it?
Councillor Mason responded there may be some good reason why there isn’t a synthetic pitch and encouraged Mr Fleming to further state his case for the synthetic pitch through the consultation process.
Alan Swanwick asked:
What policy is the City of Greater Geelong adopting to encourage investment in infrastructure to supply the Bellarine with recycled water for agriculture, from Barwon Water Black Rock Treatment Facility?
Why is a new north/south road being built from Curlewis, rather than sealing Coryule Road and intersecting at Hermsley Road?
Guy Wilson-Browne responded that Council doesn’t have a formal policy but is working on the development of a water strategy. Your points will be taken up as we progress with Barwon Water.
Chris Lean asked about the Significant Landscape Overlays on The Bellarine:
The proposed residential development on Mollers Lane, Leopold will change the planning scheme of a section of the SLO 10? I am concerned about the random nature of the SLO’s on the Bellarine. Does the Mollers Lane development mean that SLO’s are not that significant?
Gareth Smith took the question on notice for a written response.
David Lean asked will the bike/walk paths connect Bellarine towns, eg Ocean Grove to Portarlington, intersecting the Rail Trail as a complete circuit – maybe a 5-10 year plan?
Guy Wilson-Brown took the question on notice for a written response.
Councillor Mason presented a petition from concerned residents requesting pedestrian and cyclist access along Central Road, Drysdale.
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