Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Armstrong Creek Community Centre, 46-70 Central Boulevard, Armstrong Creek on 10 September 2019, commencing at 7:12pm.
Victoria Moore
Neil Collins
Lisa Larcombe
David Phillips
Sanja Van Huet
Tina Thorburn
Ann Bullen
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)
B Luxford (Director Economy, Investment and Attraction)
G Smith (Director Planning, Design and Development)
G Wilson-Browne (Director City Services)
M Dugina (Director Customer and Corporate Services)
R Pedretti (Acting Director Community Life)
K Phyland (Executive Manager People and Culture)
R Leonard (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.
Nil.
Councillors Harwood, Murnane and Nelson provided the gallery with a snapshot of some of the activities and projects happening in the Kardinia Ward.
Councillor Mason moved, Councillor Murrihy seconded –
That the Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting held on 13 August 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Councillor Sullivan declared a Conflict of Interest by a close association in Agenda Item 2 Amendment GC104 – Proposed Train Stabling and Maintenance Facility at 255 Reservoir Road, Waurn Ponds, in that his partner’s family owns an adjoining property.
Nil.
Victoria Moore submitted a question prior to the Council Meeting which will be responded to in writing.
Neil Collins asked the following question in relation to the proposed site selection for the Waurn Ponds Train Maintenance and Stabling Facility:
What is the Council’s position on noise mitigation in the planning application?
What is the Council’s position on reducing the negative impact on ratepayer’s property values?
What is the Council’s position on the use of prime farmland for this project when soon to be disused Boral Cement factory site will be available, reducing impact to the whole community?
The Mayor thanked Mr Collins for his questions and responded that the issue will be further discussed later in the evening.
Lisa Larcombe asked the following regarding the Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility:
Will the Council support our family and our community in assisting a visible and accountable process as per our letter, through your submission to the Committee?
The Mayor responded, ‘yes’ and will make further comment later in the evening during debate of the item.
David Phillips asked the following in regard to the Zero Carbon Targets:
Will Council make the 2015 Emissions data available?
The Mayor responded the City would be happy to make available data relating to its 2015 emissions.
The Director of City Services says ‘the latest figures show we have abated approximately … 8% … compared to the baseline’. This is a long way from a 50% reduction target and 2020 is only months away. The Director also says that Council will develop a plan to source 100% of renewable energy together with 40 other Councils to power buildings and street lighting. This expected to meet 2020 targets.
What are the details of this plan? How many megawatt hours of power will be sourced? When will the plan be in place?
The Mayor responded the City is developing a plan to potentially invest in a renewable power purchase agreement. The amount of power purchased will depend upon its needs at the time. The plan is expected to be put in place in 2020, details of which will be made publicly available.
Will the Council provide cumulative data on power usage across the City environs for the public to follow?
The Mayor responded the City provides annual emissions information via annual reports, incorporating electricity, gas and fleet generated emissions. The City’s electricity retailers are currently unable to provide live tracking of electricity usage across the City’s many sites.
Electricity tracking across the broader community would need to be provided by the distributor (Powercor). Given the technical nature of these questions City officers are happy to discuss in further detail.
Sanja Van Huet asked the following question in relation to Council to vote for a Declaration of a Climate Emergency:
What do you want to be remembered for? What will be your legacy?
Councillor Harwood advised a decision in relation to this issue will be made at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 24 September.
Tina Thorburn asked Council to act upon and declare a Climate Emergency:
Is there anyone on Council who is in denial about the current climate crisis?
Councillor Harwood responded the question will be answered at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 24 September.
Ann Bullen asked what controls can Council impose on any land rezoned for the purpose of the Train Stabling Facility that protects surrounding farm zoned land?
Councillor Harwood responded that as this is a State Government initiative Council can only lobby on behalf of its ratepayers. There will be further discussion on the item later in the evening.
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