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 27 August 2019, commencing at 7:00pm.
Maree Fagan
Graham Hobbs
Sanja Van Huet
Judith Macdonald
Jennifer Bantow
Georgia Moore
Cheryl Scott
Lex Chalmers
Ian Yule
Joan Lindros
Charles Cameron
Lloyd Owen
Tina Thorburn
Councillors:
B Harwood (Mayor)
A Aitken
S Asher
K Grzybek
E Kontelj
S Mansfield
J Mason
P Murnane
P Murrihy
R Nelson
M Cutter ( Chief Executive Officer)
B Luxford (Director Economy, Investment and Attraction)
Gareth Smith (Director Planning, Design and Development)
G Wilson-Browne (Director City Services)
S Broadbent (Acting Director Customer and Corporate Services)
R Pedretti (Acting Director Community Life)
R Stevens (Director Governance, Strategy and Performance)
The Mayor 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 Sullivan (leave of absence).
The Mayor, on behalf of the Councillors and the City of Greater Geelong, extended their condolences to the family on the passing of Jordan Mavros.
Mr Mavros was well known in the Geelong community as the former CEO of Diversitat, he was also Visionary Chairman of the Give Where You Live Foundation and founder of the Multicultural Aged Care Services.
In 2007 he was honored with an OAM for services to Geelong and the migrant community.
Councillor Aitken moved, Councillor Nelson seconded –
That Leave of Absence be granted to Councillor Grzybek from 25 September until 7 October, inclusive.
Carried.
Councillor Kontelj moved, Councillor Mansfield seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 30 July 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Councillor Kontelj declared a Conflict of Interest in Agenda Item 5, Tender T1900054 Sparrovale Wetlands Construction Works, in that the contractor noted in the item is a customer of a company of which he is a Director.
Questions submitted prior to the meeting from Graham Smith and Jacqueline Edge will be responded to separately in writing.
Maree Fagan asked:
Has Council discussed plans, and what is their view on it for tackling urban sprawl and the consequences it has for climate changed and the environment in our region.
The Mayor responded Council adopted the Geelong Settlement Strategy in October 2018 which sets out how the City will provide housing for projected population growth to 2036. This includes increasing the share of housing from infill and urban consolidation from 35% to 50%. It also includes increasing housing diversity and density of housing stock.
Currently 85% of housing stock is made up of detached suburban family homes. We are seeking to change this through diversifying housing stock in both established areas and in new growth areas (greenfield development) with a focus on transport corridors and activity centres.
The City is aware of the work of David Holmgren and has previously sponsored a visit by David to Geelong.
Does Council have the courage to face the opposition to higher density living that the Australian public will need to accept to help save our planet?
The Mayor responded Council has policies and strategies in place to increase housing and population density in targeted areas. High quality planning and design are crucial to public perceptions of higher density living. Council seeks to achieve high quality design and amenity outcomes to counter some of the opposition to higher density living. Council also carries out community engagement on planning around these issues to help educate the community and ensure community views and values are incorporated.
In the immediate timeframe what is the Council doing to protect our environment from money hungry property developers?
The Mayor responded Council identifies land that is appropriate for development. Land approved for development is located within a settlement boundary. Land outside the boundary cannot be developed. The City is currently working with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to strengthen our existing settlement boundaries, particularly on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Would Council consider putting aside land in future developments for nature reserves which can never be built on?
The Mayor responded that in terms of nature reserves, this occurs already. Before land is developed studies are undertaken to understand the environmental and biodiversity attributes of an area. High quality areas are set aside to form part of nature reserves or other green spaces such as parks, waterway corridors and recreation reserves. Council also looks at securing land through initiatives such as the Trust for Nature.
Will Council consider a massive tree and meadow planting throughout the City of Greater Geelong to give displaced animals and insects a home?
The Mayor responded that Council has an Urban Forest Strategy which seeks to increase Geelong’s tree canopy cover from 14% to 25% over a thirty year period. Council also encourages the use of locally indigenous plant species in public spaces.
We also have environmental and biodiversity strategies which seek to protect what remains and identify at a landscape scale where corridors would benefit local wildlife. This includes planting on both public and private land so community education on programs such as gardens for wildlife is critical.
Graham Hobbs asked why Council appears to divest itself of a unique opportunity to create a centrally located information and social history and a design centre, when this City has a UNESCO category to fulfil. Why not create a magnificent facility similar to the Bendigo former post office which is an invaluable asset to that regional City?
The Mayor thanked Mr Hobbs for his submission and added his points will be considered during the related debate and decision making later in the evening.
Sanja Van Huet addressed Council in relation to declaring a climate emergency:
Will Council declare a climate emergency declaration at the next Council meeting?
When with Council take responsibility for the detrimental effects on the environment of local industry : allowing continued construction of housing with high energy needs: lack of community education in terms of response to climate change and failing to commit to immediate emergency climate action?
Will Council be committed to the extent that they will demand, oversee and enforce that the highest standards are adhered to, and that standards cover pending and future permits for construction within the municipality?
The Mayor thanked Ms Van Huet and noted that Council is going to consider a Notice of Motion at the September Ordinary Meeting in relation to this issue.
Judith Macdonald addressed Council in relation to recycling:
Does Council enquire?
The Mayor advised Council has regularly audited recycling materials collected by its contractor and understands the types of materials likely to be found at contractor depots.
Does Council utilise recyclable resources before sourcing virgin product at lesser cost?
The City assesses recycled content and environment implications when purchasing materials. This includes considerations for increasing use of recycled content, increasing recycling of used material, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste to landfill and reducing water consumption.
Does Council put funds towards researching new areas of recycling?
The City has invested, and continues to invest, in new areas of recycling. For example, using rejected concrete railway sleepers for coastal erosion control works and providing a new hard waste collection and resource recovery program which has resulted in approximately 40% of material collected being recycled.
The City also has new recycling education in place as well as a new Plastic Wise Program currently under development which will audit existing plastic usage and identify opportunities to reduce use.
What plans do Council have for the plastic dumpsite at Lara?
The Lara dump site is privately owned and is not a City or City contractor site. The Environment Protection Authority is undertaking a clean-up of the site.
Is Council willing to embrace bottle deposit schemes such as the German Pfand system?
This is a state government policy area. As the only state in Australia without at least a commitment to a Container Deposit Scheme, the state government must catch up to the rest of the country by getting this vital measure off the ground as soon as possible. Evidence has shown that Container Deposit Schemes are a highly effective way to recoup plastic, aluminium and glass. We are encouraging the state to do this.
Is Council willing to not only declare a Climate Emergency, but to embrace it and be leaders in our community?
The Mayor thanked Ms Macdonald for her question and reiterated his earlier response that a Notice of Motion will be lodged for Council’s consideration in the future regarding this issue.
Jennifer Bantow addressed Council as follows:
How can Council decide to sell the Post Office when what are considered complementary uses are not clearly defined, and when the precinct nor its objective, in which the Post office is sited, are not clearly defined in the recommendation?
Is Council satisfied that - given the uncertainty of a Section 173 Agreement title encumbrance, the heritage values of the Post Office exterior and interior architectural significance, will be permanently safeguarded - the entitlement of the public to use this asset since it was given to the people of Geelong by the state government will be possible if tonight’s recommendation is passed - it has correctly responded to its constituents, who have expressed the opposite view to selling, and have given expressions of the strong social association of the Post Office with the Geelong region, and many other concerns expressed in the public submissions to this proposed sale?
The Mayor thanked Ms Bantow for her submission and the points raised will be considered during the related debate and decision making later in the agenda.
Georgia Moore asked the following questions in relation to Climate Change:
Will you commit to telling the truth and calling this situation what it truly is, an emergency?
Will you stop being complicit with a federal government who thinks it’s okay to take away my future and push for change?
Will you take my future, if not, your own children’s future seriously, by tabling discussion and a vote for a declaration of climate emergency at the next meeting?
The Mayor thanked Ms Moore for her questions and reiterated his earlier response indicating that a Notice of Motion will be lodged for Council’s consideration in the future regarding this issue.
Cheryl Scott addressed Council as follows in relation to the Masterplan for Osborne Park:
Would Council please clarify which department of Council will now be undertaking the Masterplan process since it apparently no longer sits with the Property, Procurement and Asset Management in the Customer and Corporate Services Department of Council?
The Mayor responded that following the Council resolution of 13 August, the Chief Executive Officer has established a working group of senior officers from across the organisation to support the next stage of this project, which is re-scoping of the Osborne Park Masterplan and developing the process for future community engagement.
This cross functional team will be led by our Community Life and Planning Departments.
Explain what is involved in re-scoping the Masterplan and how the community will now be addressed and involved in regards to rescoping the Masterplan?
The Mayor added the decision to rescope this project was only taken 14 days ago, officers are still considering the rescoping and process of future community engagement. Detail regarding the project rescoping and the process of future community engagement will be part of the discussion and workshop with Councillors over the coming month or so with a report brought to Council when there is general consensus in respect to approach and expected outcomes
Explain why remedial works to the carpark drainage issues and restoration of windows in the heritage building cannot commence immediately since these works are imperative and have no impact on the future use of the property. Neglect of these required works are likely to cause greater damage and create a larger repair cost?
The Mayor pointed out that as the masterplan has not been adopted, the prioritising of any future works will also be considered during the rescoping exercise and be considered as part of the report to Council.
Lex Chalmers asked the following in relation to the former Geelong Post Office:
Council’s appointed Heritage Advisory Committee last week voted to advise Council that it should keep the Post Office ‘for the vision that it supports the Arts and Culture Precinct, the Clever and Creative Futures Plan 2017, the Council Plan 2018-22 priorities and the Heritage Strategy’.
It also plainly supports the principles expressed in those Council documents. The Committee’s advice is not mentioned in the report preceding the recommendation to proceed with the sale: Why is it not mentioned?
Can Council encourage its department to increase their efficiency by even 1% to fund the forward-looking initiative of re-purposing the Post Office?
In light of the petition from over 1100 people and the accompany comments – are you prepared to listen to your community and vote to retain the former Post Office for community use?
The Mayor thanked Ms Chalmers for her submission. In response to question one, the report was deferred from the Community Focus Council Meeting on 9 July 2019, and therefore had to be submitted to this meeting unchanged. As it is a matter that we are dealing with tonight, points made in your submission will be considered during the related debate and decision making later in the agenda.
Ian Yule asked the following regarding Climate Change:
Will Council make the ‘declaration’ and take the system-wide steps needed to counteract it without further delay?
The Mayor thanked Mr Yule for his question and referred to his earlier response indicating that a Notice of Motion will be lodged for Council’s consideration in the future regarding this issue.
Joan Lindros asked why does Council not keep the Post Office for a period to see if an opportunity for uses for the Post Office for civic and community groups, together with some economic uses arises, rather than sell it now?
The Mayor responded the issue will be discussed later in the evening.
Charles Cameron addressed Council in relation to the former Geelong Post Office asking that the community asset not be put up for sale.
The Mayor thanked Mr Cameron for his comments.
Lloyd Owen asked that given Council is just now putting in place a new appointment and new organisational arrangements for heritage management, might it be premature to dispense with pubic ownership of such an iconic Geelong landmark as the Old Post Office?
The Mayor thanked Mr Owen for his comments.
Tina Thorburn asked if Council is willing to step up and help save all of us – the first step of which is to declare a Climate Emergency?
The Mayor thanked Ms Thorburn for her submission and added Councillor Mansfield will be presenting a Notice of Motion for Council’s consideration in the future regarding this issue.
Councillor Mansfield presented a petition containing 1,589 signatures calling for Council to declare and act on the Climate Emergency.
A petition was presented to Council from Lex Chalmers calling for Council to retain the former Post Office as both a heritage icon and a potential venue to fill community needs.
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