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 29 October 2019, commencing at 7:00pm.
Sanja Van Huet
Maree Fagan
Georgia Moore
Erica Hunt
Ronald Fletcher
Luke Anderson
Azadeh Doosti
Ali Shaterzadeh
Sally Nicholas
Councillors:
S Asher (Mayor)
A Aitken
K Grzybek
B Harwood
S Mansfield
J Mason
P Murnane
P Murrihy
R Nelson
T Sullivan
M Cutter ( Chief Executive Officer)
B Luxford (Director Planning, Design and Development)
G Smith (Director Planning, Design and Development)
G Wilson-Browne (Director City Services)
M Dugina (Director Customer and Corporate Services)
R Stevens (Director Community Life)
R Leonard (Director Governance, Strategy and Performance)
K Phyland (Executive Manager People and Culture)
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 E Kontelj.
Councillor Mason moved, Councillor Grzybek seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 24 September 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Councillor Sullivan moved, Councillor Aitken seconded –
That the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 9 October 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Councillor Mansfield moved, Councillor Murrihy seconded –
That the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 15 October 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Nil.
Questions relating to Climate Emergency were submitted/received from the following: Sanja Van Huet; Maree Fagan; Georgia Moore; Erica Hunt and Ronald Fletcher.
The Mayor provided the following response:
This Council debated and decided the issue of climate emergency in the chamber on 24 September 2019. We have heard further questions about our decision and about declaring a climate emergency at our last meeting, and again tonight we have more of the same questions.
The Council has voted to develop a Sustainability Framework which will be presented to the Council for consideration in February next year.
In line with our public question and submission time policy, I will not entertain repetitive questions on a topic that has been answered and therefore will not be providing a response.
Question submitted prior to the meeting by Samantha Robinson will responded to in writing.
Luke Anderson addressed Council as follows:
The Community Leadership group were very impressed by the presentation given by Simone Boer regarding the Community Plan. A Clever and Creative Future. The vision in that document was very exciting given the growth in population and diversity facing Geelong and the significant changes in the economic landscape over the last few years. With this in mind we are very interested in opportunities for innovation in the business environment, namely support for start-ups, and support for more targeted approaches to business development in disadvantaged area.
Are there any (or plans for) incentives for businesses to target specific areas of need and high unemployment, for example: Norlane?
The Mayor responded that Council is leading the Regional Industry Sector Employment Program (RISE) which is a collaboration between local government and industry and is a solution to the construction industry skill shortage. RISE designed to connect people and the industry via training and recruitment, mentoring and support. The RISE program is open to all but targets specific areas of known high unemployment in the North and East of Geelong. It is well known and understood that there are a range of challenges required to be addressed to reduce the levels of high unemployment and the availability of jobs being just one of these. Council also leads Opportunity East. Opportunity East, supported through the Whittington Works Alliance, is a partnership that develops flexible, long-term training and employment solutions for residents in eastern Geelong and the northern Bellarine.
What range of support does Greater Geelong provide or leverage for start-ups, social enterprises and innovative business?
The Mayor added Council provides a range of support programs and services for start-ups and innovative businesses including:
Runway, a business accelerator program located at Federal Mills, supporting 15 start-ups over a three year period.
Cleantech Innovations Geelong which is a business and industry support program with a vision is to establish Geelong as a Centre of Excellence for clean technologies in Australia, by attracting investment, creating jobs and building skills.
The Better Approvals Process which supports small business by streamlining the permit and licence approvals through a single point of contact for businesses into Council and delivering a faster and better communicated experience.
Azadeh Doosti asked:
What plans directly, or advocacy is Council involved in with the State Government to increase affordable housing and public housing stock in the Geelong region?
The Mayor responded Council has been funded by the State Government to develop a Social Housing Plan. This plan highlights the emerging need over the next twenty years at least and the Plan is scheduled for a Council briefing in November. Once Council has reviewed the plan, it will then be scheduled for a four week consultation process whereby all residents can have their say on the Plan prior to final adoption.
What plans are in place to manage traffic and congestion particularly in congestion “hot spots”?
The City has commenced the Growth Areas Transport Infrastructure Strategy which is a whole of transport network assessment for the municipality. It considers future growth and the performance of the Network applying current traffic volumes and applying future scenarios. The strategy assesses all modes of transport – vehicles – car and freight, public transport, active transport – cycle and walking. The strategy will test interventions and identify strategic actions and solutions to mitigate issues. Many solutions are likely to sit at State and Federal level for intervention.
What plans are in place to ensure that there are adequate public open space for community use, particularly in new development in the Geelong region?
The Greater Geelong Planning Scheme provides that new subdivisions contribute 10% of the land area or an equivalent cash contribution towards public open space. The City aims to deliver local parks within a 400m walking distance and sporting reserves within 1km of homes in new residential subdivisions. The City is currently preparing an open space network report to provide clear direction on the appropriate provision of public open space in new developments, as well as reviewing and identifying improvements to the open space network within established areas of Geelong. These provision standards will inform the Social Infrastructure Plan, which will guide the City’s planning for social infrastructure and which will be presented to Council in November 2019.
And finally, how can the community be involved in this issue alongside Council?
Community engagement is an important part of our projects and we include consultation in our significant projects and strategy development such as reference groups, online surveys and feedback and/or hold community forums. These are publicised through the City’s website and social media.
Ali Shaterzadeh asked the following:
The Pako Festa is a significant festival in Geelong showcasing Geelong’s multicultural communities. Whilst being a fantastic community event, its but once a year. The Multicultural Action Plan 2018-2022 aims to increase our multicultural community’s participation and highlight the benefits of diversity and social inclusion. This will be done through co-ordinating and promoting a range of events throughout the year.
What other ways are you planning to promote a deeper level of intercultural exchange and connection between the diverse cultural communities in Greater Geelong – and how will you involve the community in these plans?
The Mayor responded Council has a specific community advisory committee called MAPAC – Multi-Cultural Action Plan Advisory Committee, that is made up of representatives of different agencies and cultures. This Advisory Committee’s work is directly linked to the adopted plan called MAPAC. There are various ways in which Council wishes to connect with diverse cultural communities in Greater Geelong including:
The development of a number of events that raise awareness of specific cultural groups such as Refugee Diversity Week.
Developing a tour of Council services for people who have recently arrived to Geelong; and
Working with our communications team to provide positive portrayal of members from culturally diverse communities.
Sally Nicholas commented on the need for the Lara Pool to provide extended hours so local residents are able to use this community pool.
Ms Nicholas also questioned why Council is charging $2 for parents to enter the pool area at the Lara Pool, yet there is no charge at Waterworld or Leisurelink?
Robyn Stevens, Director Community Services, took the questions on notice for a written response.
Councillor Grzybek presented a petition from residents of St Laurence Retirement Village, Lara in relation to the intersection at Willow Drive and Station Lake Road, Lara.
Peter King on behalf of the Mount Duneed Working Group presented a petition/submission containing signatures of more than 75% of the Mount Duneed and Lower Amstrong Creek residents which are affected by the DELWP Surf Coast Declared Area extension into the adjoining City of Greater Geelong precincts without any appropriate consultation.
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