Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Cloverdale Community Centre, 167-169 Purnell Road, Corio on 12 November 2019, commencing at 7:12pm.
Jennifer Bantow
Councillors:
S Asher (Mayor)
A Aitken
K Grzybek
B Harwood
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 Stevens (Director Community Life)
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.
Ward Councillors, Deputy Mayor Kylie Grzybek and Anthony Aitken provided the gallery with a snapshot of some of the activities and projects happening in the Windermere Ward.
Councillor Grzybek moved, Councillor Mason seconded –
That the Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting held on 9 July 2019 be confirmed.
Carried.
Councillord Grzybek declared a direct interest in Agenda Item 1, Lara Recreation Reserve Master Plan in that she is Secretary of the Lara United Football Club.
Questions received prior to the meeting from Peter Jager and Tina Thorburn will be responded to in writing.
Jennifer Bantow asked the following: in relation to Council’s Planning Process:
I think there is still a 28 day wait, after planners decide to issue a Notice to Grant a Permit, to see if any objector goes to VCAT, so could I ask please how does this new closed non-public internal system speed things up for applicants, and how can Council maintain their stated policy to be transparent about decisions and enable public involvement be maintained in this new process?
How can Council give a strong message to the public that the City of Greater Geelong heritage overlay is an important way to protect our cultural origins?
Can Council strengthen the authority of the heritage overlay and make it less likely that applicants will keep attempting to have these overlays overthrown. Can the planning scheme clauses be reviewed and strengthened?
Can the local laws be made stronger?
The Mayor responded the process has been put in place for a 12 month period at which time it will be further evaluated.
Gareth Smith responded the Planning Committee still exists and as the Mayor stated the change of process will be evaluated and reviewed in 12 months’ time. There is no immediate plans to review.
The Mayor suggested if the lodgement of questions were submitted prior to the meeting a more informative response could be provided on the night. The questions will be forwarded for a further written response.
Nil.
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