Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Baptcare Coasthaven Community, 45 Robin Avenue, Norlane commencing at 7:00pm.
Lionel McWilliam
Barry White
Andrew van Gemert
Ted Reeve
Clayton Giles
George Tolongos
Margaret Phelan
John McCarthy
Maurice Anglin
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, Kylie Grzybek and Anthony Aitken provided the gallery with a snapshot of some of the activities and projects happening in the Windermere Ward.
Councillor Mason moved, CouncillorAitken seconded –
That the Minutes of the Community Focus Council Meeting held on 11 February 2020 be confirmed.
Carried.
Nil.
Questions submitted prior to the meeting by Maria De Amicis and Tom Gilfillan will be responded to in writing.
Lionel McWilliam asked the following question in relation to the Proposed Fire Station in Windermere Road, Lara:
Will there be a thorough and independent environmental impact study of the proposed fire station?
on Serendip Creek and its possible effects on the Ramsar Wetlands at the end of Hovells Creek. That is the possibility of chemical spills, diesel fuel runoff etc.
the station’s effect on the wildlife in Serendip Sanctuary re lighting, noise. The impact would result in free ranging wildlife leaving and not returning. This has been a very dubious and secretive development without any community consultation. It is totally out of character with the area, considering its close proximity to the existing fire station. The new fire station should be moved further to the west, irrespective of whether the land has already been purchased. It is a bad decision. This is bureaucracy gone mad by the State Government and Ministers and Members of Parliament involved. This is another example of how the Northern Suburbs are treated by this Government.
Gareth Smith responded that in accordance with the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme the subject site is located in a Rural Living Area and Bushfire Management Overlay. The Planning scheme does not specifically require an environmental assessment of chemical spills to be provided as part of the submission of a planning application. The proposal is currently on public notice in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Following this process Council officers will evaluate and determine if a community consultation meeting is warranted as part of the further assessment of the application.
Barry White referred his question to the Lara Traffic Management Plan:
As it stands, this is a plan to fail – it’s largely a plan to plan – one that is short on real action. Around 179 issues have been identified and listed. Many of these we consider are ‘noise’, around the 6 or 7 major issues which were raised two and a half years ago as key community priorities for action. Virtually nothing, apart from what appears to be some very marginal reductions in speed limits (from 80 to 70kph) on major roads, has so far been achieved. We have consistently advocated to concentrate on solutions for the main problems affecting Lara such as:
Quarry trucks through the township
Rail crossing and grade separation
‘Six ways’ intersection and roundabout
Rail station car park
Developments along McClelland Ave, Lara’s main arterial road to the Princes Freeway
Speed limit reductions.
We expected the 10 year Plan to focus on long term strategic matters, particularly given projected growth, which will compound problems of safety, congestion and amenity previously identified. As mentioned, many outcomes from this Plan are based on outcomes from new plans which will not be completed for several years. It would be fair to say that we are frustrated, probably exasperated is more accurate, given where we appear to be at present.
If this Plan is adopted tonight, will Council arrange a public information session to be held in Lara as soon as possible?
Councillor Grzybek assured Mr White that a community public information session will be held.
Andrew van Gemert asked the following in relation to Forest Road, Lara:
Why are we having to put up with heavy quarry truck traffic? From 5:45am until at times 1:.15pm five days a week and 5:45 am until 1pm Saturdays. The noise transmitted by empty class 2a truck and trailers is like having a thunderstorm every morning. It is destroying our quality of life. The ambience of living in Lara is being severely compromised. These trucks carry huge loads, pass school kids on their way to school at 60 kmh within 4 metres of footpaths. They add unnecessary traffic load to an already busy road for Lara domestic traffic. Quarry traffic needs to use Bacchus Marsh Road not the centre of Lara to get to quarries?
Guy Wilson-Browne responded that throughout the community consultation process it was clear that the truck routes in and around Lara need to be reviewed and were no longer meeting the expectations of the community.
As a result, we have included as a priority action in the Lara Traffic Management Plan to commence working with the Department of Transport on implementing revision to truck routes to within and around Lara township.
Specifically in relation to Forest Road South, the following actions are identified:
Review load limits, truck curfews, speed limits;
Review the roundabout at Canterbury Road to improve safety with RRV;
Request RRV consider installing traffic signals at Buckingham Street; and
Request RRV to widen Forest Road south to accommodate bike lanes (off road).
Ted Reeve asked about the significant difference in infrastructure spending in the northern suburbs compared with the rest of Geelong:
Does Council record the amount of money spent on infrastructure in each ward and can this be made public?
Michael Dugina responded that the City does not report on ward spending as part of our management or statutory financial reporting requirements so we are unable to provide you with the exact breakdown on infrastructure spend by ward.
A list of our capital projects is included as part of the budget process and community updates.
The Council is required to make decisions in the best interests of the municipality as a whole, and decisions about prioritisation of investment in infrastructure are driven by a number of factors, including condition assessments on existing infrastructure, as well as by community need which is documented as part of the City’s social infrastructure planning.
Specifically, can you advise what is planned to fix the flooding on the Hovells Creek Path under the M1 Freeway. This flooding has been persistent for the last three years or so and seems to have got worse in the last twelve months despite the installation of a non-return valve designed to allow water to escape from the path but not come back in. I can provide photos if required?
Guy Wilson-Browne advised Council is aware of the flooding issue on the shared use path.
Council undertook measures to reduce the flooding by extending the barrier kerb to prevent creek water inundating the path along with a one-way vale to allow any water in the bike path to drain when the creek returns to a lower level.
The creek is remaining higher for longer periods of time which prevents the path from dewatering.
We are limited in our scope to lift the bike path due to headroom constraints of the freeway bridge overhead.
We have referred the issue to the Lara Flood Study team to investigate other options to improve pedestrian and cyclist access through this key route.
Clayton Giles asked when and if Council intends to repair the pedestrian/bicycle track bridge on the intersection of St Georges Road, Seabeach Parade and Lowe Street? Was damaged by a vehicle accident approximately twelve months ago?
Vicki Shelton, Manager Engineering Services, responded there is currently a tender out for its repair and works should be carried out this year.
George Tolongos asked the following in relation to the ongoing road safety issues along McClelland Avenue in Lara:
Residents have been asking for a speed limit reduction on McClelland Avenue from 80kph to 60kph. I see in the latest plan, Council has proposed a reduction in speed to 70kph. Why not set the new limit to 60kph and bring it in line with all the other major feeder roads into Lara such as Forest Road and Patullos Road?
Heavy trucks continue to use McClelland Avenue day and night causing noise and safety concerns for residents in McClelland Avenue and Lara in general. When will the truck advisory route be changed to direct this traffic away from the middle of Lara?
In the latest Lara traffic plan, Council has committed to commence work on ‘right turn lanes’ to service side streets along McClelland Avenue. What action does Council propose to take to address the safety issues raised by residents living on the section of McClelland Avenue that is not serviced by a service road. The combination of fast moving traffic (including heavy trucks) with an ever increasing volume using this single lane major road makes it a very dangerous stretch for residents getting in and out of their properties?
Councillor Grzybek thanked Mr Tolongos for his statements.
Margaret Phelan asked if Council has any plans for the future use of Sutcliffe Reserve in Plantation Road as it is a significant green space asset?
Councillor Grzybek advised there was a possibility of a regional sporting facility, however going forward Council will investigate what other options may be available, but also respecting the significance of public open space.
John McCarthy asked about graffiti problems in shopping areas around Norlane:
Rose Avenue, Labuan Square, Alkira Avenue, and Robin Avenue have real issues with the problem of graffiti. I understand Council is aware of this and maybe developing a strategy to deal with it. However, the removal seems to be ever so slow. Discussions with traders needs to be proactive to improve the area?
Guy Wilson-Brown responded that Council acknowledges the graffiti problem as a difficult issue and one that we are very well aware of. Council’s dedicated graffiti removal team are working flat out across Geelong addressing its removal. Council has recently obtained additional funding from the Department of Justice to further progress this issue.
Submission from Maurice Anglin (Chair Geelong Food Relief Centre):
Firstly thank you to the team in the Social Planning and Investment Department who have co ordinated the input from the Food Relief Stakeholder Group with the consultants – Social Ventures Australia. Also thank you to the Councillors for allowing the group to contribute to their decision making.
Current annual food relief demand in the Geelong region is estimated to be 2.5 million meals increased to 3.25 illionm by 2030 – a 30 percent increase. GFRC has seen a 7.5 percent increase in food voucher redemptions in the last year and a massive 92 percent increase in the overall amount of food passing through the North Geelong facility – 900 tonne last year.
Existing facility of a 360 square metres of building on700 square metres of land is totally inadequate for current demand let alone a further 30 percent increase. That’s like a 36 square house on less than one fifth of an acre.
No one agency can solve the food relief challenges. The coming together of local, state based and national agencies in the food relief stakeholder group has been critical to the development of a solution.
GFRC needs to move to a bigger facility inviting smaller agencies to access a larger and wider food range. Andrew has already committed Second Bite and the good relationships with Food Bank and Fare Share will be expanded. Space will be available for other agencies to share. The intention is to add extra services such as a food kitchen and training capability.
Food relief is volunteer driven with GFRC along having over 90 volunteers. About 100 more are involved through other organisations.
The increased capacity and expansion of operations will have a major impact on the region’s food relief activities which involves about 70 separate agencies. It will involve a more co ordinated approach with expanded capacity to meet the growing demand while supporting smaller agencies to address their local needs.
Nil.
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