Council Minutes - Section B: Reports - 28 April 2020
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Reports tabled at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday date held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre in City Hall, 57 Little Malop Street, Geelong.
Source: |
Chief Executive |
Director: |
Martin Cutter |
Portfolio: |
Economic Development |
To provide a response to the Council’s request to consider further financial support for businesses that pay the Central Geelong Marketing Special Rate and those that have had forced operational closure due to the Victorian government’s Restricted Activity Directions (No 5).
At its 14 April 2020 meeting, Council resolved to provide a stage 2 support package valued at over $1.5million. This was in addition to its initial support package of $3.4million which was approved on 24 March 2020.
Council also resolved for the following to be considered by Council at its 28 April 2020 Council meeting:
9.10.2 Businesses that have had forced operational closure due the COVID19 Government direction - waive rates from 1/4/2020 – 30/6/2020 and review again in June 2020. Waiver could result in no payment for fourth quarter and refund towards 20/21 rates if already paid – refer to the 28 April 2020 Council meeting with an officer report and recommendation; and
9.10.3 Waive the Central Geelong Marketing levy from 1/4/2020 to 30/6/2020. Those that have already paid to 30/6/2020 refund as a credit towards their 20/21 Rate and Marketing Levy Notice and waive the charge for those that have not paid yet - refer to the 28 April 2020 Council meeting with an officer report and recommendation.
The Victorian government COVID-19 Restricted Activity Direction 5 (Directions) (Attachment 2) identifies activities that were directed to be closed and/or modified due to COVID-19. The Directions in some cases only provide general examples of types of activities which should be closed or modified, leaving some ambiguity as to which businesses have been closed as a result of the Directions.
A review has been undertaken of the City’s rates database which identified approximately 130 from 5,976 properties in the Commercial and Industrial rate categories that may be considered as being used for a purpose that falls within the requirement to close in the Directions. The affected properties have an estimated quarterly rate value of approximately $262,000.
There are a number of important considerations relating to the proposed waiver of property rates as follows:
Financial support for the payment of rates, fees and charges and rent for businesses closed because of the Directions can be sought through the recently introduced COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy, which provides equal access to those people and business affected by COVID-19 to apply for deferral or waiver of rates in exceptional circumstances;
Whilst a number of businesses have been closed as a result of the Directions, providing a waiver of rates to a limited cohort of ratepayers is no equitable, given that there are a significant number of businesses in the municipality that are suffering financial hardship as a result of the Directions including from downturn in business because of the Stay at Home Directions; and
The rates database identifies properties by use and may not necessarily align with the descriptions set out in the Directions. A verification process would be required to assess eligibility for a waiver akin to the application process under the COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy.
The Central Geelong Special Rate applies to 1,482 property rates and raises $1,135,628 per annum. The Special Rate has been in place since 2001 and is paid in addition to property rates. The funding raised through the Special Rate pays for the development and implementation of programs that support activation of Central Geelong. The programs are developed by a small team of City employees and considered and approved by a Council appointed section 86 committee – the Central Geelong Marketing Committee. A summary of the current program is attached (Attachment 3).
In order to support Central Geelong businesses towards economic recovery, it would be reasonable for Council to consider providing financial support to the businesses who paid the Special Rate to the value of $283,907 (equivalent to one quarter of the yearly Special Rate).
Councillor Kontelj moved, Councillor Aitken seconded -
That Council:
Note there are many businesses within the municipality that may have been required to fully close their business activities as a result of the Victorian Government COVID-19 Restricted Activity Direction (No 5) and endorse the City to waive rates from 1/4/2020 – 30/6/2020 for the approximately 130 businesses within the City of Greater Geelong, which have been identified to have closed as a result of the Victorian Government COVID-19 Restricted Activity Direction (No 5), and review again in June 2020. The waiver should be subject to a validation process established by the City.
Endorse the City to waive rates from 1/4/2020 – 30/6/2020 for any City of Greater Geelong businesses that were not identified as part of the approximately 130 in recommendation 9.1, however, can prove that they were required to close as a result of the Victorian Government COVID-19 Restricted Activity Direction (No 5), and review again in June 2020. The waiver should be subject to a validation process established by the City.
Endorse the City to provide financial support to the 1,482 businesses who pay the Central Geelong Special Rate, to the value of a quarter of the yearly amount paid for the Special Rate, equating to a total amount of $283,907; and
Approve $283,907 in the City’s 2019-2020 budget to fund the support outlined in paragraph 9.2.
Carried.
Division Requested:
For: Councillor Murnane, Nelson, Harwood, Sullivan, Grzybek, Asher, Kontelj, Mansfield, Murrihy, Aitken
Against: Councillor Mason
The estimated 130 properties have a quarterly rate value of approximately $262,000, that could have required full closure of their activities/business as a result of the Directions.
A further 3,600 Commercial rated properties have been identified that may have been required to cease a part of their activities/business as a result of the Directions. These have a quarterly rates value of over $4,100,000.
The Central Geelong Special Rate applies to 1,482 property rates and raises $1,135,628 per annum. If Council provide the $283,907 funding support from the Special Rate contribution this would greatly reduce the Committee’s capacity to develop its program and support businesses in Central Geelong.
Reducing the capacity at this point is not recommended therefore it is proposed for Council to endorse an additional allocation in the 2019-2020 budget of $283,907 to replace the equivalent refunded amount.
The Marketing Committee activities deliver over $20 million of Total Economic Output per year, which in turn generates and maintains jobs within Central Geelong.
The two support packages endorsed by Council have been developed as rapid responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore engagement has been limited to Councillor and staff informal engagement with the community and stakeholders.
It is evident many businesses are significantly impacted by COVID-19. Providing support to only 130 properties across the City of Greater Geelong, may be considered too small of a target group. If a rate waiver was endorsed by Council for these, each property owner would be contacted as part of a validation process to confirm the business activities.
The Council appointed Section 86 Committee, Central Geelong Marketing Committee, held a special meeting to consider the Council’s 14 April 2020 resolution. The Committee supports a financial package to be provided to Central Geelong businesses, and this be through a Council funded package rather than reducing the capacity and resources of the Committee. Reducing its capacity will significantly impact delivery on its current program (Attachment 3).
A recent audit of businesses in Central Geelong suggests almost 50 percent of business are closed.
The City’s support packages approved to date are designed to be targeted to address segments in greatest need and with consideration of the significant Commonwealth and State support programs.
A potential rates waiver for businesses specifically required to close due to the State Directions will only support approximately 130 businesses across the City of Greater Geelong. The types of businesses included are gymnasiums/health clubs, aquatic facilities, cinemas, entertainment complexes such as function centres, amusement parks/centres and club gaming facilities.
It may be perceived this approach does not equally consider the true impacts across many businesses that may not have been required to close due to the Directions, however had to close for financial reasons. Excluded business types that were likely to require a partial closure under the State Directions include hotels, accommodation, cafes and restaurants. However, it is noted the previously approved Support Packages have included refunds of annual registration fees, alfresco dining and A frame fees to these sectors.
Provision of further financial support to businesses that pay the Central Geelong Special Rate is targeted support for 1,482 businesses that have paid a higher rate since 2001.
The Local Government Act provides Council the mechanism to waive rates and is applicable to both elements of the 14 April 2020 resolution.
The Victorian Government COVID-19 Restricted Activity Direction (No 5) (Attachment 2) identifies activities that were directed to be closed and/or modified.
The recommend support package is aligned to the Council Plan in particular:
A thriving and sustainable economy
We will be the ‘leading voice’ of the community by delivering confident governance and strategic planning.
No officers declared a conflict of interest in developing this report.
Caution must be applied in using the rate data base to accurately identify businesses required to be closed as a result of the State Directions. There are multiple descriptions that can be used for the same type of land use. Businesses under the same rate description may have differing activities provided which the City could only determine by site inspections. If Council were to proceed with providing financial support to the 130 businesses identified, it is recommended an application process and/or a validation of the requests to confirm the business services during March 2020.
There is also a risk that if a financial support package included just 130 impacted businesses it may be perceived by other commercial properties as inadequate as it does not support the other businesses that required some of their activities to cease due to the Directions. However, as noted above previous Council Support Packages have included refunds of annual registration fees, alfresco dining and A frame fees refunded to other sectors.
If the Council was to resolve funding financial support to Central Geelong businesses through the Special Rate allocation, rather than City funded as recommended, this would require reducing the capacity and resources available to the Committee. Reducing its capacity will significantly impact delivery on its current program at a time when the businesses in Central Geelong are at greatest risk.
There are no environmental implications relevant to this report recommendations.
Source: |
Customer & Corporate Services – Financial Services |
Director: |
Martin Cutter |
Portfolio: |
Finance |
To adopt the Council Plan 2018-2022, Update 2020-2021 and Proposed 2020-2021 Budget and release both documents for a 28-day public submission period.
In accordance with section 125 of the Local Government Act (Vic) 1989 (Act), Council approved a Council Plan on 26 June 2018. Council Plan 2018-2022 identifies the objectives and priorities of Council. The Council Plan 2018-2022:
Contains 11 strategic priorities, each with deliverables and measures;
Has overarching themes of sustainability, equity and community engagement;
Does not specifically address all the City’s service delivery functions; and
Is supported by the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing plan and the region’s long-term vision Greater Geelong: A Clever and Creative Future.
At least once in each financial year, Council must consider whether the current Council Plan requires any adjustment in respect of the remaining period of the Council Plan.
In accordance with section 127 of the Act, Council is required to prepare a budget for each financial year and must ensure that it contains all required statements, reports and data as prescribed by the Act. These requirements are outlined in Attachment 4.
A full list of Fees and Charges will be provided with the Draft Proposed Budget 2020-2021.
Although the Victorian government offered the option to Council’s to delay release their draft budgets, releasing the draft budget now provides some certainty to the community about the Council’s plans to invest in new and existing projects. These projects will be an important part of our communities’ economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Budget considers the known impacts of COVID-19 in the community and the ability of the organisation to execute its plans. Specific support for the community is described through Support Packages: Package 1 adopted by Council on 24 March 2020 for $3.4m and Package 2 adopted on 14 April 2020 for $1.5m. The draft budget will likely need to be adjusted before it is adopted in June as the impacts of the pandemic become known and in response to further support measures which may be adopted by Council.
There is no adjustment to the strategic priorities, and minor adjustments to the key priorities and measures of success in Council Plan 2018-2022. The annual actions for 2020-2021 have been updated to reflect the proposed 2020-2021 Budget and organisation initiatives.
The elements of the proposed 2020-2021 Budget are contained in Attachment 4. Key outcomes for the proposed 2020-2021 Budget are:
A strategic and community lead approach to the prioritisation and development of community infrastructure;
A focus on asset renewal investment and key heritage assets;
Continued investment in the development and revitalisation of central Geelong including support for the City Deal;
Responding to growth and future planning; and
An investment in business productivity improvement including the Civic Precinct and Digital Modernisation projects.
The Rating Strategy for 2020-2021, Council Policy, procedure, rate assistance and information on the City’s approach to raising the property rates is updated to reflect the outcome of Council’s budget deliberations and known impacts of COVID-19. Attachment 5 provides a schedule declaring the differential rates and charges, as required by the Act.
The Minister for Local Government announced on 13 December 2019 that all Victorian councils would have a rate cap imposed, limiting any increase to a maximum of 2.0%. The City did not apply for a variation to the cap for 2020-2021.
Councillor Aitken moved, Councillor Grzybek seconded -
That Council:
Pursuant to sections 125 and 127 of the Local Government Act (Vic) 1989 (Act):
has considered whether Council Plan 2018-2022 requires any adjustment in respect of the remaining period of the Council Plan;
note that there is no adjustment required to the strategic priorities, and minor adjustments to the key priorities and measures of success in Council Plan 2018-2022 (Attachment 3), but the annual actions in 2020-2021 have been updated to reflect proposed 2020-2021 Budget and organisational initiatives;
receive and consider the proposed 2020-2021 Budget (Attachment 4), which includes Financial Statements, Statement of Human Resources and strategic resource plan projections;
receive and consider the Rates, Municipal Charge, Waste Collection & Recycling Charge and other income (required to meet the appropriate financial requirements as proposed in the 2020-2021 Budget);
receive and consider the proposed declaration of Rates and charges (Attachment 5), for the purpose of:
public scrutiny and comment;
inclusion within the Rating Strategy 2020-2021 of rate waivers under section 171 of the Act as detailed therein; and
inclusion within the Rating Strategy 2020-2021 of rates rebates, under section 169 of the Act as detailed therein.
receive and consider the full list of Fees and Charges provided with the Draft Proposed Budget 2020-2021.
Advertise the proposed Council Plan 2018-2022, Update 2020-2021 and the 2020-2021 Budget in the Geelong Advertiser on Wednesday, 29 April 2020, make copies available on Council’s website or on request and invite written submissions from the public with the submissions closing at 5pm on Tuesday 26 May 2020.
Appoint a Submissions Review Panel (Panel) to:
consider any written submissions and hear any person who wishes to address the Panel in support of a submission on the proposed Council Plan 2018-2022, Update 2020-2021 and 2020-2021 Budget and Differential Rating, at a meeting on or after Wednesday 3 June 2020;
provide a report to Council on its proceedings, including a summary of hearings.
Note that, after considering the report of the Council Plan and Budget Submissions Panel, Council will consider adopting the Council Plan 2018-2022, Update 2020-2021 and the 2020-2021 Budget and declare the rates at a Council meeting.
Carried.
The budget has been prepared in accordance with the direction provided by Council at a rate increase of 1.9% which is lower than the rate cap of 2.0%. Changes in rates, fees and charges have been structured to meet the financial requirements as proposed for the 2020-2021 year.
Expenditure includes the continuation of Council services to the community.
The 2020-2021 budget achieves a comprehensive income result of $102.5 million (m) including underlying result of ($8.0m), recognition of infrastructure $75.0m and capital income of $17.0m.
The Capital program forecasts expenditure of $161.2m in 2020-2021. This includes carryover project funding from 2019-2020 for incomplete projects of $22.6m, $156.6m of new project funding with $18.0m forecast to carry-over into 2021-22.
New loans of $66.9m are proposed for 2020-2021 including $7.3m deferred loans from 2019-20. The projected total amount of loan borrowings as at 30 June 2021 is $138.6m.
A public notice will be published in the Geelong Advertiser on Wednesday, 29 April 2020, advising the proposed Council Plan 2018-2022, Update 2020-2021 and 2020-2021 Budget will be available for public scrutiny and inviting written submissions to be made.
Following the closing date for the written submissions on Tuesday 26 May 2020 at 5:00pm, it is proposed to convene a Council Plan and Budget Submissions Panel on Wednesday 3 June 2020 to review any submissions that have been received. A report will then be put forward to Council on any recommended amendments to the Proposed Council Plan and Budget.
Public notice of the adopted Council Plan 2018-2022, Update 2020-2021 and 2020-2021 Budget and declaration of rates and charges will be advertised following the Council meeting.
The proposed budget identifies the sources and allocation of resources to implement the many social initiatives that impact on the community.
The annual budget is prepared to comply with the requirements of the Act and the Local Government (Planning and Reporting) Regulations 2014. The process also recognises the need to align the annual budget to the direction and allocation of resources identified within the Council Plan 2018-2022.
This report identifies the activities council will undertake in 2020-22 which are aligned to achieving the priorities in Council Plan 2018-2022.
No council officers involved in the preparation of this report have a direct or indirect interest in any matter to which this report relates.
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1989 Council must adopt an Annual Budget each financial year.
The budget has been developed in accordance with a timetable to ensure sufficient time to achieve the adoption timeframe and to include community consultation, meetings of the executive and Council to prepare the Council Plan 2018-2022, Update 2020-2021 and 2020-2021 Budget. The timetable provides a framework to manage risk for Council to meet its statutory obligations and avoid adverse implications if the process is delayed.
The Budget assumptions reflect known information to date in relation to the incidence of COVID-19 pandemic. Council at its discretion under the Act may move to amend Budgets should material changes be required.
The proposed budget identifies the sources and allocation of the resources to implement the many environmental initiatives that impact on the community as outlined with Council Plan 2018-2022.
The proposed Council Plan 2018-2022 Update 2020-2021 and 2020-2021 Budget for the financial year commencing 1 July 2020 has been completed.
The proposed Council Plan 2018-2022 Update 2020-2021 (Attachment 3) and 2020-2021 Budget (Attachment 4) has been prepared on the basis of the best practice guidelines as developed by a local government industry taskforce and issued to all municipalities across Victoria. The proposed budget document has been developed under the following sections:
Link to Council Plan;
Services and Service Performance indicators;
Financial Statements;
Notes to the Financial Statements;
Financial Performance indicators; and
Appendices.
In accordance with the Act, the proposed 2020-2021 Budget also includes clear linkages to Council Plan 2018-2022 and its supporting key strategies and actions.
Specific inclusions in the proposed Budget are a summary by Council Plan Strategic Priorities
The activities and initiatives to be funded in the budget;
How the activities and initiatives will contribute to achieving the strategic priorities; and,
The measure of success in relation to each strategic priority.
IIn addition, a component of the proposed budget is the setting of rates and charges. The Minister for Local Government announced on 13 December 2019 that the 2020-2021 rate cap would be 2.0% for all Victorian councils. The Declaration of Rates and Charges for 2020-2021 is attached (Attachment 5).
The formal Rating Strategy document will be updated to reflect Council’s statements of policy, procedure, general information and historical trends.
Council has declared a special rate in respect of the central business district of Geelong applicable to non-residential, non-exempt properties. The special rate is the Central Activities Area (CAA) rate and is in addition to other rates and charges. The purpose of the special rate is to promote the CAA as a commercial shopping precinct using events, marketing and media.
The Rating Strategy document will be updated to reflect the outcome of Council’s budget deliberations.
Rates and charges are the major source of Council revenue accounting for 65% of the total council revenue annually. An increase in rate income is required to meet the objectives of council aspirations and community expectations for an array of services and new infrastructure.
The Minister for Local Government announced on 13 December 2019 that the 2020-2021 rate cap would be 2.0% for all Victorian Councils.
Not all Council charges are included in the rate cap calculation.
Rates and any Municipal charge are included in the rate cap calculation.
The Waste charge and the Fire Services Property Levy are not included in the rate cap calculation.
The base average rate is calculated as $1,593.43 and the 2020-2021 Budget proposes this will increase by 1.91% to $1,623.79.
The rate cap calculation for 2020-2021 is
Proposed Average Rate Increase all Rateable Property |
2019-2020 |
2020-2021 1.91% |
|---|---|---|
Rates and Municipal Charge (adjusted for Supplementary Rates 2019-2020) |
200,058,105 |
208,368,637 |
Number of Rateable Properties |
125,926 |
128,342 |
Base Average Rate (BAR) |
1,593.43 |
1,623.79 |
The rates and charges for individual properties may have increased or decreased by a different percentage amount to the rate cap for the following reasons:
The valuation of a property relative to the valuation of another property in the municipal district;
The application of a differential rate based on land use; and
The inclusion of other charges not included in the rate cap.
The 2020 revaluation has not had uniform valuation movements amongst the rating differentials. Residential properties have increased by an average of 0.6% compared to a decrease of (1.0%) for farm properties. Other differentials have moved by 5.3% for commercial properties, 8.0% for industrial properties and (1.3%) for vacant land.
After adjusting for the impact of the 2020 revaluation, the Residential differential has increased lower than the 2.0% rate cap at an average of 1.9%. The Farm differential has decreased and when combined with the farm rebate, the overall increase is in line with the residential increase of 1.9%. Other differential movement is as follows, Commercial has increased by 4.9%, Industrial has increased by 0.1%, Vacant land has increased by 2.9%, Cultural and Recreational has increased by 9.5% and Petroleum has decreased by (5.5%).
The Municipal Charge has been discontinued from 2020-2021 and absorbed into general rates with the objective of making this fairer to ratepayers.
The Waste Collection Service charge is calculated based on a fee for service, including direct, indirect and overhead costs. For 2020-2021, the charge includes a standard hard waste service. The charge is also impacted by the cost of recycling processing and the EPA levy of $44.08 per tenement. The charge for 2020-2021 will increase from $332.00 to $360.95 or 8.7%.
A section 162 Service Charge known as Additional Bins Service was introduced in 2016-17. Households may apply for an additional garbage bin, upsized garbage bin, recycling bin or a green waste bin. The charges for 2020-2021 are $154.85 for a 140L garbage bin, $111.95 to upgrade to a 240L garbage bin, $87.00 for a recycling bin and $82.40 for a 240L green waste bin.
The Farm rebate has been set at 15.2% to maintain an average rate increase consistent with residential rates and represents a cost to Council of $467k. The farm rate in the dollar has reduced in order to maintain the value of the discount applied in the prior year Farm rebate.
Council has reverted to the definition of Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963 from 2017-18. Any properties removed from the differential were eligible for a transitional rebate to the otherwise applicable rate. The transitional was completed in 2019-2020 and will be discontinued from 2020-2021.
The Housing Support Waiver for eligible Charitable Housing will be maintained for 2020-2021 and is available upon application.
The Rates Assistance Waiver is retained for 2020-2021 with the valuation threshold at 50% where the 2020 revaluation may cause financial hardship.
A rates waiver introduced for the New Corio Estate from 2013-14 recognising this inappropriate subdivision and Planning Scheme Amendment C243 will be maintained.
The COVID-19 Hardship policy was introduced by Council on 14 April 2020, supporting vulnerable rate payers experiencing hardship, including the ability to waive and defer rates and interest on rates.
The pensioner concession will increase from $235.15 in accordance with movement in CPI for Melbourne as advised by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to an estimated $239.90 (to be confirmed in May 2020).
The gap between the Commercial and Industrial differential has been reduced from 18.2% in 2019-2020 to 9.9% in 2020-2021 in line with Council policy. The intention is for these two rates being set at the same rate in future years.
The Petroleum differential has been aligned to the Industrial rate in the dollar, as per Council’s adopted Statement of Principle.
The average Capital Improved Value of residential properties within the municipality has increased from $545,998 to $549,063.
The total increase in rates and charges for the average residential property with a capital improved value of $549,063 is $53.54 or 3.3%. This increase is made up of $129.84 for General Rates, ($105.25) for Municipal Charge and $28.95 for the Waste Collection Service.
Residential Properties |
2019-2020 Rates on Average CIV $ |
2020-2021 Budget Rates on Average CIV $ |
Increase % |
|---|---|---|---|
General Rates CIV x Rate in $ |
1,180.37 |
1,310.21 |
11.0% |
Municipal Charge |
105.25 |
0.00 |
(100.0%) |
Total Rates including Municipal Charge |
1,285.62 |
1,310.21 |
1.9% |
Waste Collection Service |
332.00 |
360.95 |
8.7% |
Total Rates & Charges |
1,617.62 |
1,676.76 |
3.3% |
Council declares a waiver under section 171 of the Act for residential land and farm land properties where the valuation of the assessment has increased between the 2019 valuation and the 2020 valuation by 50% or more and that increase is purely attributable to market factors, not attributable, in whole or in part, to improvements made to the assessment by the owner (or occupier). The amount of the waiver be set at:
between 25% and 49.99% of the general rates payable for the 2020-2021 financial year, increasing pro rata according to the valuation increase, for valuation increases between 50% and 59.99%; and
50% of the general rate payable for the 2020-2021 financial year for valuation increases of 60% or more.
The waiver is designed to mitigate the impact of significant valuation increases for ratepayers who can demonstrate low income status (maximum income of $54,677 and owned the property for both valuation periods).
In accordance with the COVID-19 Hardship policy any waiver of rates will only apply in exceptional circumstances. Waivers can only be approved by the Chief Executive Officer and are limited to a total value of $1,000.
Council declare a Housing Support waiver under section 171 of the Act of 100% of general rates for the following types of housing; transitional, emergency, crisis housing, housing for legatees or war widows provided by the Geelong Legacy Club or provided by RSL, and supported housing for people with a disability.
This waiver recognises that these properties provide specific needs within the community. Application can be made to Council to have land classified as being eligible for the waiver.
The New Corio Estate is an old and inappropriate subdivision within an established farming zone in Corio. Since the land is zoned as farming land it cannot be developed for residential use with no services available for the area.
There is no prospect of these services becoming available in the future. In addition, environment reports in recent years have shown that the land contains significant native vegetation which Council is obligated to protect for future generations. Council adopted Planning Scheme amendment C243 which formally protects the native vegetation and provides some certainty over the future of the land. This amendment was approved by the Minister of Environment & Climate Control on 30 April 2013.
From 2013-14 Council declared a waiver under section 171 of the Act of 100% of general rates for privately owned properties in the New Corio Estate. This rates assistance waiver recognises the financial burden associated with ownership of the land and the encumbrances that prevents property owners from making any demands on Council services now and into the future.
Council has 11 rating or tariff groups with the application of differential rates to each of these groups in accordance with section 161 of the Act. The finalised Ministerial Guidelines for Differential Rating were gazetted on 26 April 2013 and came into effect from 1 July 2013. The intention of the guidelines is to provide clarity, consistency and transparency. Council is required to consider the objectives, the suitable uses and the types of classes of land when introducing a differential rate. The guidelines establish three groups of types and classes of land categories for differential rates – those which are considered ‘appropriate’, those which must be ‘carefully considered’ by a council and those which would ‘not be appropriate’.
2020-2021 Proposed Budget forms part of this report. It is provided as a separate document.
In accordance with section 127 of the Local Government Act 1989 (Act), Council is required to prepare a budget for each financial year and must ensure that it contains:
The budgeted statements in the form and containing the matters required by the regulations;
A description of the activities and initiatives to be funded in the budget;
A statement as to how the activities and initiatives described under paragraph (b) will contribute to achieving the strategic objectives specified in the Council Plan;
Separately identified Strategic Objectives to be undertaken during the financial year and service performance outcome indicators in relation to each Strategic Objective; and
Any other details required by the regulations.
In addition, Council must ensure the budget considers the following:
The information Council is required to declare under section 158(1);
If the Council intends to declare a differential rate under section 161, the details listed in section 161(2); and
If the Council intends to declare a differential rate under section 161A, the details listed in section 161(2).
Amount intended to be raised by General Rates, Municipal Charge, and Annual Service Charge for the period 1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021. An amount of $250,062,572 be declared as the amount which Council intends to raise by General Rates, Municipal Charge and the Annual Service Charge, which amount is calculated as follows:
General Rates |
$208,192,372 |
Municipal Rates |
$0.00 |
Annual Service Charge |
$41,870,200 |
General Rates
A general rate be declared for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
It be further declared that the general rate be raised by the application of differential rates.
A differential rate be respectively declared for rateable land having the respective characteristics specified below, which characteristics will form the criteria for each differential rate so declared.
Farm Land – means any land which:
is not less than 2 hectares in area; and
is used predominantly for the business of grazing (including agistment), dairying, pig-farming, poultry farming, fish farming, tree farming, bee-keeping, viticulture, horticulture, fruit growing or the growing of crops of any kind or for any combination of those activities; or
isatisfies the criteria for municipal purpose benefit for large holdings to the extent that it is, for example, land that is predominantly used and maintained for heritage, cultural or environmental purposes, or land that is held as natural bushland under a trust for nature covenant, or land that is held under some other type of similar formal undertaking.
To avoid doubt, 'business' for the purposes of identifying Farm Land has the same meaning as that given to it by section 2(1) of the Valuation of Land Act 1960 for the same purpose, being a business that:
has a significant and substantial commercial purpose or character; and
seeks to make a profit on a continuous or repetitive basis form its activities on the land; and
is making a profit from its activities on the land, or that has a reasonable prospect of making a profit from its activities on the land if it continues to operate in the way that it is operating.
Residential Land - means any land:
that is used exclusively for residential purposes; or
on which a habitable building is erected, which building is unoccupied, and which is zoned residential under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Vacant Land - means any land:
that does not have the characteristics of Farm Land; and
on which no building is erected, save for any uninhabitable shed or shelter, the size of which does not exceed 5% of the total area of the land.
Petroleum Production Land – means any land that is:
used primarily for the production or conveyance of petroleum and/or petroleum by-products; and
is described as such in Schedule A.
Industrial Land – means any land that:
does not have the characteristics of
Vacant Land; or
Commercial Land; or
Petroleum Production Land; and
is used predominantly for industrial purposes, which includes manufacturing, repairing, servicing, processing and reprocessing or warehousing.
Commercial Land – means any land that:
does not have the characteristics of:
Farm Land; or
Industrial Land; or
Petroleum Production Land; and
is used predominantly for the sale of goods or services or other commercial purposes; or
on which a habitable building is erected, which building is unoccupied, and which is zoned other than residential under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Mixed Use Land – means any land that:
has the characteristics of Residential Land combined with the characteristics of Commercial Land or Industrial Land; and
is used partly for residential purposes and partly for commercial and/or industrial purposes.
The Point – Residential Land - means any land that:
is used exclusively for residential purposes; or
on which a habitable building is erected, which building is unoccupied, and which is zoned residential under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme; and
is described as such in Schedule A.
Vacant Land - means any land:
that does not have the characteristics of Farm Land; and
on which no building is erected, save for any uninhabitable shed or shelter, the size of which does not exceed 5% of the total area of the land.
Petroleum Production Land – means any land that is:
used primarily for the production or conveyance of petroleum and/or petroleum by-products; and
is described as such in Schedule A.
Industrial Land – means any land that:
does not have the characteristics of
Vacant Land; or
Commercial Land; or
Petroleum Production Land; and
is used predominantly for industrial purposes, which includes manufacturing, repairing, servicing, processing and reprocessing or warehousing.
Commercial Land – means any land that:
does not have the characteristics of:
Farm Land; or
Industrial Land; or
Petroleum Production Land; and
is used predominantly for the sale of goods or services or other commercial purposes; or
on which a habitable building is erected, which building is unoccupied, and which is zoned other than residential under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Mixed Use Land – means any land that:
has the characteristics of Residential Land combined with the characteristics of Commercial Land or Industrial Land; and
is used partly for residential purposes and partly for commercial and/or industrial purposes.
The Point – Residential Land - means any land that:
is used exclusively for residential purposes; or
on which a habitable building is erected, which building is unoccupied, and which is zoned residential under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme; and
is described as such in Schedule A.
The Point – Vacant Land - means any land:
that does not have the characteristics of Farm Land; and
on which no building is erected save for any small uninhabitable storage shed or shelter, the size of which does not exceed 5% of the total land area; and
is described as such in Schedule A.
The Point – Commercial Land - means any land that:
does not have the characteristics of:
Farm Land; or
Industrial Land; and
is used predominantly for the sale of goods or services, or other commercial purposes; or
on which a habitable building is erected, which building is unoccupied, and which is zoned other than residential under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme; and
is described as such in Schedule A.
A rate pursuant to the Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963 be declared for rateable land having the respective characteristics specified below.
Cultural and Recreational Land -
Any land which -
has the characteristics of Recreational land as defined by the Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963; and
is described as such in Schedule A.
Each differential rate and Cultural and Recreation Lands Rate will be determined by multiplying the Capital Improved Value of each rateable land (categorised by the characteristics described in paragraph 2.3 and 2.4 by the relevant percentages indicated in the following:
CATEGORY %
Farm Land .00145965 (or .145965 percent of Capital Improved Value).
A rebate of 15.2% of the CIV by rate in dollar in accordance with Council policy for farm rating.
Residential Land .00238626 (or .238626 percent of Capital Improved Value).
Vacant Land .00351752 (or .351752 percent of Capital Improved Value).
The Point Residential Land .00238626 (or .238626 percent of Capital Improved Value).
The Point Vacant Land .00351752 (or .351752 percent of Capital Improved Value).
The Point Commercial Land .00531168 (or .531168 percent of Capital Improved Value).
Petroleum Production Land .00583861 (or .583861 percent of Capital Improved Value).
Industrial Land .00583861 (or .583861 percent of Capital Improved Value).
Commercial Land .00531168 (or .531168 percent of Capital Improved Value).
Mixed Use Land .00342593 (or .342593 percent of Capital Improved Value).
Cultural and Recreational .00178969 (or .178969 percent of Capital Improved Value).
It be recorded that Council considers that each differential rate will contribute to the equitable and efficient carrying out of Council functions; and that;
the respective objectives of each differential rate be those specified in Schedule B;
the respective types or classes of land which are subject to each differential rate be those defined in Schedule B;
the respective uses and levels of each differential rate in relation to those respective types or classes of land be those described in Schedule B; and
the relevant
uses of; and
geographical locations of; and
planning scheme zonings of; and
types of buildings on the respective types or classes of land be those identified in Schedule B; and
It be confirmed that no amount is fixed as the minimum amount payable by way of general rate in respect of each rateable land within the municipal district.
Rebates
Farm Rebate
For 2020-2021 Council declare a rebate under section 169 of the Act of 15.2% for all land classified and rated as farm land. Properties defined as farms will be entitled to a rebate recognising that there is a benefit to the community in encouraging the retention of large lot primary producing holdings. An application can be made to Council to have land classified as Farm land.
Cultural and Recreational Rebate
Be discontinued for 2020-2021.
Waivers
Rates Assistance Waiver
Council declares a waiver of general rates under section 171 of the Act for the class of persons comprised of ratepayers in respect of assessments which are categorised as Residential Land or Farm Land where the valuation of the assessment has increased, between the 2019 valuation and the 2020 valuation, by 50% or more and that increase is purely attributable to market factors, not attributable, in whole or in part, to improvements made to the assessment by the owner (or occupier). The amount of the waiver is set at:
between 25% and 49.99% of the general rates payable for the 2020-2021 financial year, increasing pro rata according to the valuation increase, for valuation increases between 50% and 59.99%; and
50% of the general rates for the 2020-2021 financial year for valuation increases of 60% or more.
The waiver is designed to mitigate the rates shock of a valuation increase.
For 2020-2021 Council declares a Housing Support waiver of 100% of general rates under section 171 of the Act for the class of persons comprised of ratepayers in respect of assessments which contain the following types of housing:
transitional, emergency or crisis housing;
housing for Legatees or War Widows, provided by the Geelong Legacy Club or provided by RSL; and
supported housing for disabled people.
This waiver recognises that these properties provide for specific needs within the community. Application can be made to Council to have land classified as being eligible for the waiver
New Corio Estate (Inappropriate Subdivision)
For 2019-2020 financial year, Council declares a waiver of 100% of general rates under section 171 of the Act for the class of persons comprised of ratepayers in respect of assessments which are in private ownership within the inappropriate subdivision known as New Corio Estate. This rates assistance waiver recognises the financial burden associated with ownership of this land. Land within the New Corio Estate is zoned as farming land and the area has been determined to be an inappropriate subdivision due to the difficulty of providing utilities and drainage and due to its distance from other residential areas. The Minister for Environment & Climate Change has approved a native vegetation plan for this land in support of natural temperate grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plains. The waiver recognises the ongoing encumbrances on the land that prevent owners from making any demands on Council services now and into the future.
Hardship Policy
Council acknowledges and inequity for ratepayers is created where rates are waived which would otherwise be charged against the property assets and recognised the deferral of rates and charges as a more equitable outcome for the entire community.
However, Council will consider waiving or reducing rates for certain ratepayers where exceptional circumstances are experienced, and where severe impact can be demonstrated.
Consideration of a waiver can only occur if all financial information has been disclosed to Council with supporting documentation as may be requested. Penalties apply for providing false and misleading information for an application for waiver.
Exceptional circumstances will be determined at the sole discretion of the Chief Executive Officer. Waivers can only be approved by the Chief Executive Officer and are limited to a total value of $1,000.
Municipal Charge
No municipal charge be declared for the period commencing 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Annual Service Charge
An Annual Service Charge be declared for the period commencing 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
The Annual Service Charge to be declared for the collection and disposal of refuse.
The Annual Service Charge to be $360.95 for each rateable land and non-rateable land (or part) in respect of which the Annual Service Charge may be levied.
The criteria specified below, be the criteria, which form the basis of the Annual Service Charge, so declared:
Geographic existence within those areas of the municipal district in which Council provides a domestic refuse collection and disposal service. The charge will be raised irrespective of whether the service is used or not.
Annual Service Charge – Additional Bin Service
An Annual Service Charge – Additional Bin Service, be declared for the period commencing 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
The Annual Service Charge – Additional Bin Service, be declared for the collection and disposal of refuse.
New Service Charge to apply if additional services are requested by the property owners who meet eligibility criteria.
The criteria specified below, be the criteria, which form the basis of the Annual Service Charge – Additional Bin Service, so declared:
The additional bin service charge will be available via application, compliant with the following criteria:
The property owner or their authorised agent signs the additional bin application form, provides appropriate supporting evidence and agrees to the applicable service charge;
In all cases of application for additional bins, Council reserves the right to inspect the applicant’s existing bins to confirm that they are overloaded. If this cannot be confirmed, the additional bins will not be provided;
Applications that meet the criteria will be billed via the Rate, Valuation & Charges notice.
If an application is received and approved in the first six months of the financial year, that is, from July to December, the full annual cost of the additional bin will be charged. If an application is received and approved in the second half of the financial year, that is January to June, half the annual cost will be charged.
The following costs will apply for the additional bin service for 2020-2021:
Garbage bin 140L $154.85
Garbage bin 240L $111.95
Recycling bin 240L $87.00
Green waste 240L $82.40
Central Activities Area Rule
Council has declared a special rate in respect of the central business district of Geelong applicable to non-residential, non-exempt properties and is in addition to other rates and charges. The special rate is the Central Activities Area (CAA) Rate calculated based on the Capital improved valuation and a rate in the dollar. The purpose of the special rate is to promote the CAA as a commercial shopping precinct using events, marketing and media.
A special rate has been declared for the period commencing on 1 July 2016 and concluding on 30 June 2021. The fifth year of the scheme (2020-2021) will raise $1,139,605 ($1,117,259 in 2019-2020). The rate in the dollar for 2020-2021 is set at $0.00059986 and $0.00020211 for Cultural & Recreation (Cultural and Recreation properties are charged a reduced CAA rate, in accordance with the ratio of the recreation rate to the commercial rate).
Incentives
No incentives be declared as the incentives to be given by Council for the payment of General Rates and the Annual Service Charge (described earlier in this document) before the dates fixed for their payment under section 167 of the Act.
Consequential
Notwithstanding anything said in any earlier Resolution of Council, the Geelong Advertiser be chosen, as the newspaper in which the public notice will appear; and
The Responsible Officer of Council be authorised to levy and recover the General Rates and the Annual Service Charge described earlier in accordance with the Act.
Interest
Interest on unpaid rates and charges will be charged in accordance with section 172 of the Act. Interest will be charged at the penalty interest rate of 10% for 2020-2021. In proven cases of hardship where Council approves rates to be deferred, interest will be charged at 3.5% for 2020-2021, except for interest waived under the COVID-19 Hardship policy adopted by Council on 14 April 2020, which will waive interest on a case by case basis.
Petroleum Production Land
All that land generally bounded more or less by Princes Highway, Shell Parade, Corio Bay Foreshore, Wharf Road, Station Road and neighboring land.
The Point Residential Land
All the residential land formerly described in Certificate of Title Volume 09901 Folio 324 and also described as Lot B LP 214468, Lot B PS 635643, PS 640648Y, PS 722221H, PS 722220K, PS 743868K, PS 732908M, PS 638301D, PS 635642R, PS722215C, PS 722214E, PS 743877, PS 816893, PS 743876 and PS 743878, PS 822924, PS 822922, PS 822918 and PS 816907.
The Point Vacant Land
All the vacant land formerly described in Certificate of Title Volume 09901 Folio 324 and also described as Lot B LP 214468, Lot B PS 635643, PS 640648Y, PS 722221H, PS 722220K, PS 743868K, PS 732908M, PS 638301D, PS 635642R, PS722215C, PS 722214E, PS 743877, PS 816893, PS 743876 and PS 743878, PS 822924, PS 822922, PS 822918 and PS 816907.
The Point Commercial Land
All the commercial land formerly described in Certificate of Title Volume 09901 Folio 324 and also described as Lot B LP 214468, Lot B PS 635643, PS 640648Y, PS 722221H, PS 722220K, PS 743868K, PS 732908M, PS 638301D, PS 635642R, PS722215C, PS 722214E, PS 743877, PS 816893, PS 743876 and PS 743878, PS 822924, PS 822922, PS 822918 and PS 816907.
Cultural and Recreational Land
Any land reserved under the Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963 including the following:
Ratepayer |
Property Address |
|---|---|
Bareena Bowling Club Incorporated |
89 Noble Street, NEWTOWN VIC 3220 |
Bell Park Sports Club |
10 Lynnburn Road, BATESFORD VIC 3213 |
Barwon Rowing Club Inc. |
2 Barwon Terrace, SOUTH GEELONG VIC 3220 |
Geelong College Rowing Club |
4 Barwon Terrace, SOUTH GEELONG VIC 3220 |
Geelong Church of England Grammar School |
6 Barwon Terrace, SOUTH GEELONG VIC 3220 |
Geelong Rowing Association |
8 Barwon Terrace, SOUTH GEELONG VIC 3220 |
Corio Bay Rowing Club |
10 Barwon Terrace, SOUTH GEELONG VIC 3220 |
Geelong Race Course Trustees |
99 Breakwater Road, BREAKWATER VIC 3219 |
Royal Geelong Agricultural & Pastoral Society Inc |
79 Breakwater Road, BREAKWATER VIC 3219 |
Royal Geelong Yacht Club |
25 Eastern Beach Road, GEELONG VIC 3220 |
Geelong Eastern Park Bowling Club Inc |
51-55 Garden Street, EAST GEELONG VIC 3219 |
Geelong Football Club Limited |
360 Moorabool Street, SOUTH GEELONG VIC 3220 |
East Geelong Golf Club |
401 Eastern Park Circuit, EAST GEELONG VIC 3219 |
East Geelong Recreation Reserve Committee |
137-139 McKillop Street, GEELONG VIC 3220 |
Western Beach Boat Club Inc |
74-90 Western Foreshore Road, GEELONG VIC 3220 |
Highton Bowling Club Inc |
204 Roslyn Road, HIGHTON VIC 3216 |
Barwon Heads Golf Club Incorporated |
1A Golf Links Road, BARWON HEADS VIC 3227 |
Belmont Bowling Club Incorporated |
16-36 Reynolds Road, BELMONT VIC 3216 |
Geelong Lawn Tennis Club Incorporated |
12-20 Sommers Street, BELMONT VIC 3216 |
Geelong Bowls Club Incorporated |
4-10 Sommers Street, BELMONT VIC 3216 |
Geelong Pistol Club Inc |
70-80 Williams Road, MOUNT DUNEED VIC 3217 |
Western District Car Club and |
55 Beach Road, AVALON VIC 3212 |
Geelong Motor Sports Complex Inc |
|
Beckley Park Committee of Management Inc |
40 Broderick Road, CORIO VIC 3214 |
Croatian Community Centre of Geelong (Inc) |
172 Cox Road, CORIO VIC 3214 |
Australian Croatian Sporting Centre and |
15 Gibbons Road, LARA VIC 3212 |
North Geelong Warriors Soccer Club Inc |
|
Geelong Trailable Yacht Club Inc |
105 Mackey Street, NORTH GEELONG VIC 3215 |
Clifton Springs Golf Club Inc |
62-88 Clear Water Drive, CLIFTON SPRINGS VIC 3222 |
Clifton Springs Bowling Club |
39 Springs Street, CLIFTON SPRINGS VIC 3222 |
Drysdale Bowling & Croquet Club Inc |
19-29 Collins Street, DRYSDALE VIC 3222 |
Lonsdale Golf Club |
PARENT - 28 Gill Road, POINT LONSDALE VIC 3225 |
Portarlington Sailing Club |
219 Point Richards Road, PORTARLINGTON VIC 3223 |
Portarlington Bowls Club Incorporated |
2A Harding Street, PORTARLINGTON VIC 3223 |
Indented Head Boat Club Inc |
326A The Esplanade, INDENTED HEAD VIC 3223 |
Indented Head Yacht Club |
326B The Esplanade, INDENTED HEAD VIC 3223 |
St Leonards Yacht Club & Motor Squadron |
1001 Lower Bluff Road, ST LEONARDS VIC 3223 |
Portarlington Golf Club |
92-160 Hood Road, PORTARLINGTON VIC 3223 |
Leopold Sportsmans Club Inc |
131-139 Kensington Road, LEOPOLD VIC 3224 |
Ocean Grove Bowling Club Incorporated |
16-24 The Terrace, OCEAN GROVE VIC 3226 |
St Leonards Bowling Club |
1274 Murradoc Road, ST LEONARDS VIC 3223 |
Ocean Grove Golf Club Incorporated |
9 Guthridge Street, OCEAN GROVE VIC 3226 |
Geelong Watersports Club Inc |
493-499 Wilsons Road, ST ALBANS PARK VIC 3219 |
Lagoon Boat Club Inc |
200 Foreshore Road, CORIO VIC 3214 |
Belrec Incorporated |
68 Calvert Street, HAMLYN HEIGHTS VIC 3215 |
North Shore Football & Netball Club Inc |
39 Rose Avenue, NORLANE VIC 3214 |
Lara Sporting Club Incorporated |
4 Mill Road, LARA VIC 3212 |
Corio Bay Sailing Club |
180 Foreshore Road, CORIO VIC 3214 |
Norlane Bowling Club Incorporated |
26-36 St Georges Road, CORIO VIC 3214 |
Lara Bowling Club Inc |
10 Alkara Avenue, LARA VIC 3212 |
Herne Hill Bowls Club Inc |
200 McCurdy Road, FYANSFORD VIC 3218 |
Seabrae Boat Owners Club Inc |
302 Clifton Avenue, LEOPOLD VIC 3224 |
Barwon Heads Bowling Club Inc |
18 Geelong Road East, BARWON HEADS VIC 3227 |
Lonsdale Golf Club |
69 Fellows Road, POINT LONSDALE VIC 3225 |
City of Geelong Bowls Club Inc |
7-9 Ballarat Road, NORTH GEELONG VIC 3215 |
Farm Land
Rating Objectives:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council generally, including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services; and
provision of general support services.
To encourage and support the business of primary production and, where appropriate, expand the business of primary production.
These objectives will be met by setting the Farm Land differential at 61.2% of the Residential Land differential and by the provision of a farm rebate under section 169 of the Act.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.1 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council. The level of the differential rate less the applicable rebate is the level, which Council considers it necessary to achieve the objectives specified above.
Geographic Location
Wherever located within the municipal district.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to 30 June 2021.
Residential Land
Rating Objective:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council generally, including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services; and
provision of general support services.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.2 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council. The level of the differential rate is the level which Council considers is necessary to achieve the objectives specified above.
Geographic Location
Wherever located within the municipal district.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to 30 June 2021.
Vacant Land
Rating Objectives:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council generally, including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services; and
provision of general support services.
To encourage the prompt development of vacant land to attract new residents and businesses to the City of Greater Geelong.
To discourage untimely and unnecessary divisions of land.
These objectives will be met by setting the Vacant Land differential at 147.4% of the Residential Land differential.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.3 of Appendix 3.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
Wherever located within the municipal district.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Geelong Regional Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Geelong Regional Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
No building must be located on the land or constructed prior to 30 June 2021 save for any uninhabitable shed or shelter that does not exceed more than 5% of the total area of the land.
Petroleum Production Land
Rating Objective:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council generally, including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services; and
provision of general support services.
The Petroleum Production Land differential is set at the Industrial Land rate differential for 2020-2021.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously 2.3.4. of
Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described
in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
As described in Schedule A.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to 30 June 2021.
Industrial Land
Rating Objective:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council generally, including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services; and
provision of general support services.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.5 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
Wherever located within the municipal district.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to 30 June 2021.
Commercial Land
Rating Objective:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council generally, including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services; and
provision of general support services.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.6 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
Wherever located within the municipal district.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to 30 June 2021.
Mixed Use Land
Rating Objective:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council generally, including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services; and
provision of general support services.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.7 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
Wherever located within the municipal district.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to
30 June 2021.
The Point – Residential Land
Rating Objectives:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council generally, including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services;
provision of general support services; and
management of environmentally sensitive land.
To ensure that, following the development of the Point Land, and transfer to Council of the management of environmentally sensitive land, including the provision of a range of services around an existing waterway, constructed lake and canal system, an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of Council's management responsibilities will be made by the ratepayers in respect of that land.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.8 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
As described in Schedule A.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to 30 June 2021.
The Point – Vacant Land
Rating Objectives:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of carrying out the functions of Council, generally including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services;
provision of general support services; and
management of environmentally sensitive land.
To ensure that, following the development of the Point Land, and transfer to Council of the management of environmentally sensitive land, including the provision of a range of services around an existing waterway, constructed lake and canal system, an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of Council's management responsibilities will be made by the ratepayers in respect of that land.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.9 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
As described in Schedule A.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to 30 June 2021.
The Point – Commercial Land
Rating Objectives:
To ensure that all rateable land makes an equitable and efficient financial contribution to cost of carrying out the functions of Council, generally including the:
construction and maintenance of public infrastructure;
development and provision of health and community services;
provision of general support services; and
management of environmentally sensitive land.
To ensure that, following the development of the Point Land, and transfer to Council of the management of environmentally sensitive land, including the provision of a range of services around an existing waterway, constructed lake and canal system, to ensure that an equitable and efficient financial contribution to the cost of Council's management responsibilities will be made by the ratepayers in respect of that land.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.3.10 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
As described in Schedule A.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to
30 June 2021.
Cultural and Recreational Land
Has the characteristics of Recreational land as defined by the Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963.
Types and Classes
Rateable land having the relevant characteristics described previously in 2.4.1 of Appendix 2.
Use and Level of Differential Rate
The differential rate will be used to fund some of those items of expenditure described in the Budget adopted by Council.
Geographic Location
As described in Schedule A.
Use of Land
Any use permitted under the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Planning Scheme Zoning
The zoning applicable to each rateable land within this category, as determined by consulting maps referred to in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Types of Buildings
All buildings which are now constructed on the land or which are constructed prior to 30 June 2021.
Source: |
Customer & Corporate Services - Financial Services |
Director: |
Michael Dugina |
Portfolio: |
Finance |
To authorise the Chief Executive Officer to commence the procurement process for the provision of a $10 million, $2 million and $13 million loan, to accept or reject the lowest confirming tender for each individual loan and to authorise the Chief Executive Officer and Mayor to execute the necessary documentation to secure the loans.
Council adopted its 2019-2020 budget on 25 June 2019. The budget provides for loan borrowings of $35.3 million.
Loan borrowings are timed based on working capital requirements and expenditure forecasts for each specific capital project.
A review of project cash flows by project has been completed and loan borrowing requirements for the 2020-2021 financial year identified to be $66.9 million.
The 2019-2020 budget included provisions for new borrowings of $35.3 million, including $6.4 million deferred borrowings from 2018-19.
It is proposed that, based on project cash flow requirements, a loan tender for a $10 million, $13 million and $2 million loan be issued. A total of $7.5 million will be deferred in the 2020-2021 budget mainly due to retiming of developer contribution projects.
The 2019-2020 loan borrowings are sought for Civic Precinct (the project to be partly funded by asset sales) Elcho Drain, Drysdale Family Services Hub and Purnell Road Child and Family Centre projects. The projects are included in Council’s capital works programs and will provide significant economic input.
Tight timeframes apply to acceptance of loan borrowing tenders with financial institutions only holding quoted interest rates for a short period of time, requiring draw down within one week in some cases. This constraint prevents Council from having an opportunity to formally consider the tender prior to acceptance.
In accordance with the Council Borrowing Policy, authorisation is sought for the Chief Executive Officer to commence a procurement process for a $10 million loan for a term of 5 years, with fixed interest repayments, a $13 million loan for a term of 10 years with principal and fixed interest repayments and a $2m loan for a term of five years with principal and fixed interest repayments. Authorisation is also sought for the Chief Executive Officer to accept the lowest conforming tender for each loan, and for the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer to sign and seal the necessary documentation to secure the $10m, $13m and $2m loan (such documentation would include: Bank – Letter of Offer; Deed of Charge and Certificate in relation to Deed of Charge).
An updated confidential report will be presented to Council to notify the final rate settlement agreed for each of the loans.
The revised loan borrowings will result in a loan balance as at 30 June 2020 of $82.3 million.
Councillor Aitken moved, Councillor Grzybek seconded -
That Council:
Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to commence the procurement process for a:
$10 million fixed interest rate only loan for a term of 5 years;
$13 million principal and fixed interest rate loan for a term of 10 years; and
$2 million principal and fixed interest loan for a term of 5 years.
Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to accept or reject the lowest conforming tender for the three specified loans; and
Authorise the Chief Executive Officer and the Mayor to sign all documents to enter into the loan contract/s.
Carried.
Table 1 summarises the forecast annual principal repayments and loan balance amounts to 30 June 2020.
Year |
Opening loan Balance |
New Borrowings |
Principal Repayments |
Loan Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2019-2020 |
65,842 |
25,000 |
8,556 |
82,286 |
Table 2 summarises the planned loan borrowings relative to the original budget provision
Project |
Budget borrowings 2019-2020 |
Deferred borrowings $’000’s |
Borrowings not required $’000’s |
Borrowings 2019-2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Drysdale Family Services Hub |
7,420 |
|
|
7,420 |
Bell Park/Bell Post Hill Enhanced Early Years and Community Hub |
2,000 |
|
2,000 |
0 |
Purnell Road Child and Family Centre |
5,920 |
|
340 |
5,580 |
Armstrong Creek projects |
6,828 |
6,828 |
|
0 |
Civic Precinct |
10,000 |
|
|
10,000 |
Elcho Drainage Channel |
2,000 |
|
|
2,000 |
Other |
1,131 |
721 |
410 |
0 |
Total |
35,299 |
7,549 |
2,750 |
25,000 |
Financial performance indicators for loans and borrowings indicate that Council can be described as having low to medium debt levels with capacity to increase debt levels into the future for major infrastructure projects. The table below shows the increase in debt levels due to initial loans associated with the Civic Precinct project.
Indicator |
Description |
Greater Geelong |
Similar Council comparison |
Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internal Financing (%) |
Net operating cash flow / net capital expenditure |
84.78% |
Not available |
Medium |
Indebtedness (%) |
Non-current liabilities / own sourced revenue |
30.07% |
27.81% |
Low |
Debt Commitment Ratio |
Interest bearing loans / rate revenue |
34.18% |
31.61% |
Low |
Borrowing Rates Ratio |
Interest & principal repayments / rate revenue |
4.59% |
3.98% |
Low |
Provision for loan borrowings was communicated through the 2019-2020 budget process.
There are no social equity considerations associated with the acceptance of this tender.
The report is required to comply with Council’s Loan Borrowing Policy.
This report contributes to responsible and sustainable financial management as aligned to the Council Plan strategic objective ‘Innovative Finances and Technology’.
No officer involved in the preparation of this report has any direct or indirect conflict of interest in the matters raised in this report.
There are no risks associated with the acceptance of this tender.
There are no environmental implications arising from the subject of this report.
Source: |
Community Life - Connected Communities |
Director: |
Robyn Stevens |
Portfolio: |
Leadership and Governance |
To note the first report to Council from the Youth Council Advisory Committee 2020.
Twelve local young people were elected to the City of Greater Geelong Youth Council Advisory Committee (Youth Council), and during their 12-month term will serve as the region's official 'youth voice'.
Aged between 12 and 17, the Youth Councillors represent a spread of local towns and suburbs, with three representatives from each of the four Council wards – Bellarine, Brownbill, Kardinia and Windermere.
Junior Mayor, Farzana Hussaini, has written the first of her Youth Council reports of 2020 about Youth Council’s tasks, findings and recommendations (Attachment 2).
The focus of the Junior Mayor’s report is to highlight Youth Council achievements since induction was completed in February 2020. The report notes recent actions undertaken including the development of Youth Council key priority areas: mental health and well-being; environment and sustainability; and safe and accessible communities. It also notes actions in relation to Youth Council’s charter and youth award categories.
Youth Council have amended their format for meetings to comply with government direction on slowing the spread of coronavirus and since April, are meeting monthly online via Zoom. The Junior Mayor presents the group’s findings and recommendations to Council four times a year in a report to Council. This is the first of those reports for 2020.
Councillor Mansfield moved, Councillor Murnane seconded -
That Council notes the first report to Council from the Youth Council Advisory Committee 2020.
Councillor Grzybek left the meeting room at 8.05pm.
Carried.
Councillor Grzybek Councillor Grzybek re-entered the meeting room at 8:11pm.
Councillor Murnane left the meeting room at 8:11pm
Funding for the Youth Council program and activities has been allocated as part of Council’s annual budget process.
Youth Councillors have engaged a number of young people in their wards to gain essential feedback and input from young people. During COVID-19 restrictions, Youth Councillors will endeavour to continue this engagement, to the extent they are able, via online connections.
The Youth Council provides an opportunity for young people to contribute to and be included in civic life.
The activities of the Youth Council comply with the Committee's terms of reference.
The Youth Council terms of reference ensure a forum for young people that aligns with Council Plan priorities of:
Improved health and safety of our community – consult with the community on safety issues that are impacting them;
A more inclusive and diverse community – further developing programs that support young people in our community;
Effective environmental management – educating and assisting our community; and
Organisational leadership, strategy and governance – communicating and engaging with the community.
No City officers or contractors who have provided advice in relation to this report have declared a conflict of interest regarding the matter under consideration.
The Committee provides advice to Council on specific issues relating to young people in our community and do not speak on behalf of the Council or the City. The terms of reference for the committee provide their framework and guidelines.
There are no environmental implications.
Source: |
City Services - Environment and Waste |
Director: |
Guy Wilson-Browne |
Portfolio: |
Environment |
To seek Council endorsement to release the Draft Environment Strategy 2020-2030 for stakeholder and community engagement.
The Draft Environment Strategy will be supported by subordinate plans and strategies including the Climate Change Response Plan (currently being developed), an updated Biodiversity Strategy, Urban Forest Strategy, Stormwater Services Strategy and Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy.
The development of the Draft Environment Strategy was a key action contained within the recently adopted Sustainability Framework. The implementation of the Environment Strategy will support the key priorities established by the Sustainability Framework.
The Draft Environment Strategy 2020-2030, and the associated Environment Strategy Action Plan 2020-2022, have been developed to replace the Environmental Management Strategy 2014-2017. It is intended to guide our response to significant environmental issues and associated impacts on our region.
The Strategy identifies the following strategic goals:
Move towards a zero-emission, climate-ready city region;
Create greener community spaces;
Contribute to a circular economy by reducing waste;
Protect, enhance and restore our regions biodiversity; and
Better integrated water management through planning and design.
These goals will help guide the City’s decision making, operations and programs to reduce environmental impacts, build resilience to climate risks and enhance our urban and natural environments. The strategy also guides our role in collaborating with the community, all levels of government and other stakeholders on environment and sustainability issues.
Councillor Kontelj moved, Councillor Mansfield seconded -
That Council endorse the release of the Draft Environment Strategy 2020-2030 (Attachment 3) for stakeholder and community engagement from April to 26 June (8 weeks).
Councillor Murnane re-entered the meeting room at 8:15pm.
Councillor Nelson left the meeting room at 8:17pm.
Councillor Nelson re-entered the meeting room at 8.19pm
Carried.
Funding required to implement the actions of the Environment Strategy 2020-2030 will be considered in the annual planning and budget cycles. The City will also seek external funding opportunities to deliver the actions within the Draft Strategy.
The development of the Draft Strategy was informed by the following engagement processes:
Organisational workshop;
Community stakeholder workshop;
Consultation with key stakeholders;
Community Open House; and
Organisational peer review of the Draft Strategy.
The Draft Environment Strategy 2020 - 2030 recognises the importance of equity, access and inclusion as a key priority area contributing to the long-term sustainability of our community.
The implementation of the Draft Strategy will influence the amendment of relevant existing policies and the development of new policies.
Sustainability is a key consideration/theme of Council Plan 2018-2022 and features strongly throughout the community’s 30-year Clever and Creative vision.
There are no direct or indirect conflict of interest issues associated with officers and the development of the draft strategy.
The delivery of the actions within the Draft Strategy will minimise risks to the environment, human health and infrastructure assets.
The Draft Environment Strategy will help the City to improve environmental performance of significant urban developments and in our own operations, including our buildings, built assets and fleet, the natural assets and public open spaces we manage and the services we deliver in partnership with the community.
The extensive community consultation and feedback has confirmed that the community want improvements to biodiversity, sustainable urban development, decreased water usage, lower greenhouse gas emissions and better waste management.
The community support a broad range of actions across all 5 Goals to improve the region’s sustainability.
The key strategic actions to address the community feedback include:
Amend our Sustainable Building Policy to include strengthened energy-efficiency standards and support carbon-neutral operation of all City owned facilities;
Develop a climate change response plan to consolidate and renew our existing efforts in climate change adaptation and mitigation;
Source renewable electricity for our operations and public infrastructure;
Develop a new biodiversity strategy to guide actions that will protect and improve our region’s nature reserves;
Plant more than 20,000 indigenous plants every year;
Develop masterplans for priority waterways to improve the social, environmental and economic values of urban waterways; and
Implement innovative recycling projects, such as the PlastiPhalt recycled plastic road material trial, to divert recyclables from landfill.
Working in partnership with the community and stakeholders is essential for the delivery of the Strategy. The Strategy references examples of how the City, local businesses, utilities and community are working towards improving our environment. This includes conservation restoration programs and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: |
City Services - Environment and Waste Services |
Director: |
Guy Wilson-Browne |
Portfolio: |
Waste Management |
For Council to consider and adopt the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30.
The Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30 sets a vision and goals that will ensure that the City and our community manage waste and resources by transitioning to a circular economy and minimising impacts on the environment.
The draft Strategy was informed by the extensive community and stakeholder engagement between November 2018 and September 2019.
The draft Strategy was released for public consultation between 12 December 2019 and 7 February 2020. 65 submissions were received from our community and stakeholders.
The Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30 sets our waste and resource management vision ‘the City contributes to a circular economy by leading and supporting the community to actively avoid waste and increase resource recovery’. It outlines a series of actions and targets for the next 10 years to achieve our vision and goals.
The consultation responses from the community and stakeholders show overwhelming support for the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30. Over 3,000 page views, 401 document downloads and 65 submissions were received.
All levels of government have responsibilities and roles in waste and resources management. The City shows our support and contribution to the national and regional circular economy by aligning our targets and actions in the Strategy with the new policies and guiding documents released by the Australian and Victorian Governments in recent months.
The new policies and documents considered include the Recycling Victoria: A new economy, the National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019, final report for the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into recycling and waste management, and Infrastructure Victoria’s evidence-base report for recycling and resource recovery infrastructure.
Councillor Nelson moved, Councillor Harwood seconded -
That Council:
Note the Community Consultation Report (Attachment 4) for the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30, which includes the feedback from the community and stakeholders, the review of the new National and State policies, and a summary of the proposed changes to the draft strategy previously released; and
Adopt the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30 (Attachment 3) and support its implementation.
Carried.
Funding required to implement the actions of the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30 will be considered in the annual planning and budget cycles. The City will also seek external funding opportunities to further progress our vision, goals and actions.
The draft Strategy was informed by the extensive community and stakeholder engagement between November 2018 and September 2019. Four discussion papers and a draft Background Report were released during the Geelong’s War on Waste community consultation process. Our community’s feedback was received through the Have Your Say survey and the Online Advisory Community forums during February and April 2019.
The draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy was released between 12 December 2019 and 7 February 2020 for an 8-week period to seek community and stakeholder feedback. 65 submissions were received, with 401 document downloads and over 3,000 page views.
The key stakeholders who provided written submissions include the Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, Barwon Water and Geelong Sustainability.
The City has also consulted external and internal stakeholders through open house events and workshops. External stakeholders such as Sustainability Victoria, Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, Barwon Water, Barwon Health, Deakin University and various waste services providers have participated and provided feedback. Councillors, executive team and staff from different departments within the City have also been engaged to design goals and actions for the Strategy.
The delivery of actions under the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy enables all residents and community members to manage their waste and resources and minimise impacts on the environment.
The Australian and Victorian Governments have released new and emerging policies and guiding documents in recent months. These new policies and documents include the Recycling Victoria: A new economy, the National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019, final report for the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into recycling and waste management, and Infrastructure Victoria’s evidence-base report for recycling and resource recovery infrastructure.
In addition to considering feedback from the community and stakeholders, the above new policies and documents have been reviewed and embedded in the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy.
It is important to take note that the Victorian Government will establish a new dedicated Waste and Recycling Act to govern all aspects associated with waste and recycling services. Through the new Act, a new waste authority will be established in 2021. The Victorian Government will consult with local governments and businesses about the proposed reforms including the purpose, functions and powers of the new waste authority in 2020.
The Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30 supports the strategic priority of effective environmental management and shows leadership to address waste, climate change and environmental challenges.
No City officers or contractors involved in the preparation of this report have a direct or indirect interest in the matters to which this report relates.
The delivery of actions under the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30 will enable the City to support a national and regional circular economy, adjust to the changes in the waste industry, and prepare for Geelong’s population and economic growth. It will minimise and control the City’s risks in waste and resource management.
Waste management is a complex and multifaceted system that requires all levels of government, businesses and communities to take responsibility and play their role. The partnerships and advocacy actions in the Strategy will guide the City to advocate and influence issues that we do not have control over to reduce and manage our risks.
The Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30 sets a vision, goals and actions that provide leadership for the City and our community to manage waste and resource recovery and to minimise impacts on the environment.
The extensive community consultation and feedback has confirmed that the community desire improvements to waste management, resource recovery, development of the circular economy and protection of the environment.
The community have expressed a desire to work in partnership with Council to deliver the Draft Strategy.
The following is a summary of the feedback provided by the community on the Draft Strategy:
Strong level of support for our strategic direction, including our vision, focus on a circular economy and our goals;
Support for the introduction of a kerbside food organics collection;
Promotion of home composting systems;
Support for additional waste education and behaviour change programs;
More recycling options at the kerbside, including more bins, smaller bins and increase in recycling collection frequency; and
That the City advocate for reduction in packaging of food.
In addition to community feedback, we have also incorporated emerging national and state policies and guidance documents in the final Strategy.
The following provides a summary of key recommended changes made to the draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-30 following the review of feedback from our community and stakeholders and the emerging waste policies and reports.
Revised target under Goal 1 to “15 per cent reduction in total waste generation per capita between 2020 and 2030”.
Revised target under Goal 2 to “50 per cent reduction in the volume of organic material going to landfill between 2020 and 2030, with an interim target of 20 per cent reduction by 2025”.
New target under Goal 2 “In addition to the existing garden organics service, households have access to a food organics recycling service or local composting by 2030”.
New Action 1.3 – Strengthen the City’s Procurement Policy to align with Australian Government’s Sustainable Procurement Guide and put waste minimisation into procurement practice.
Expanded Action 1.19 – Advocate to state and federal governments for waste minimising design, manufacturing and packaging policy and legislation, and more product stewardship schemes.
Updated Action 2.9 – Prepare a business case for developing waste and resource recovery facility and services that fosters a circular economy with regional partners and local governments.
Expanded Action 2.14 – Maximise recycling of plant and infrastructure at the time of asset replacement or disposal, which includes the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste.
Remove Action 2.36 – from the Strategy which was “advocate for waste reduction targets at the State Government level”. The advocacy for State waste reduction targets is no longer required as the targets are now set under the new Recycling Victoria policy.
Source: |
City Services - Environment and Waste Services |
Director: |
Guy Wilson-Browne |
Portfolio: |
Environment |
For Council to consider adopting the Plastic Wise Program Action Plan 2020/21 aimed at reducing plastic waste in Council operations.
In August 2018, a notice of motion was initiated by Councillor Mansfield for Council to develop a Plastic Wise Program to reduce single use plastics at City events and offices.
This program includes opportunities to reduce plastic (particularly single use plastic) generated within council offices and events.
The Program aligns with key City documents and projects including; A Clever and Creative Future, Council Plan 2018-2022, Civic Precinct Project, Draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy and Draft Environment Strategy.
Waste audits were completed at CBD council offices in December 2019. Key recommendations include introducing a staff awareness program and upgrading and standardising waste systems to improve waste management and environmental outcomes.
The City’s current events processes and documentation have been reviewed. The Event Application Form, Event Permit, Event Planning Guide and Community Events Grant Guidelines have been updated with wording encouraging recycling, the reduction of single-use plastic and non-recyclables, and other waste minimisation actions.
The City’s Procurement Policy and Sustainable Buildings Policy will be reviewed in 2020. These reviews aim to improve waste management in Council buildings and identify opportunities for more sustainable purchasing.
Councillor Mansfield moved, Councillor Mason seconded -
That Council:
Adopt the Plastic Wise Program Action Plan 2020/21 (Attachment 3); and
Note that the Action Plan includes the development of a Plastic Wise Policy.
Carried.
Funding required to implement the actions of the Program will be considered in the annual planning and budget cycles.
Extensive community consultation has been conducted as part of the development of the Councils Draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy. There has been strong community feedback that Council should take a leadership role in reducing and preventing the use of single use plastic.
Consultation has also been completed with internal stakeholders, including Waste Services, Events, Procurement and Facilities Maintenance teams. External stakeholders including the Barwon South West Waste Recovery and Recycling Group were also engaged.
The Plastic Wise Program Action Plan supports community initiatives to reduce waste including litter clean-ups and education.
The provision of high quality waste and recycling services will help ensure social equity via waste minimisation, increase amenity and service levels and reduce environmental impacts.
A review of the City’s Procurement Policy and Sustainable Buildings Policy will take place in 2020. These reviews aim to improve waste management in Council buildings and identify opportunities for more environmentally sustainable purchasing options.
Officers will also commence work on the development of a Plastic Wise Policy.
The Plastic Wise Program aligns with the Council Plan priorities of Planned Sustainable Development and Effective Environmental Management:
Reducing single-use plastic across the region (Council Plan Update 2019-20, p.16);
Have 100 per cent of new large, City-owned buildings rated 5-star 'Green Star' (Council Plan Update 2019-20, p.14); and
Have 60 per cent of garbage, recyclables and green organics collected from kerbside bins diverted from landfill (Council Plan Update 2019-20, p.16).
No City officers or contractors involved in the preparation of this report have a direct or indirect interest in the matters to which this report relates.
The delivery of the Plastic Wise Program will help reduce financial and environmental risks associated with excess waste.
The Plastic Wise Program aims to reduce waste produced by the City and by events on Council owned and/or managed land. This will minimise impacts on the environment.
In 2017 it was estimated that 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic were produced globally. This is expected to rise to 34 billion tonnes by 2050.
Data from local beach litter clean-ups show that plastic is by far the largest contributor to beach litter.
The majority of beach litter plastic was single use plastic including plastic food packaging, plastic drink bottles and plastic film.
The City is working in partnership with community groups to reduce plastic and has provided funding for the following projects:
Minimising single use plastics in Ocean Grove (in partnership with Repair café);
War on Waste: Green Cafes project (in partnership with Geelong Sustainability); and
War on Waste: community education including development of an interactive searchable online directory as well as a 12-page A5 colour printed booklet (in partnership with Geelong Sustainability).
The City’s efforts to reduce the use of plastic and minimise its impacts also include:
reducing the use of single use plastic in key office buildings including replacing plastic disposable cups and cutlery;
participation in events that reduce the impacts of single use plastic on the environment including Clean-up Australia Day; and
participation in the Caring for Our Bays program coordinated by the Bellarine Catchment Network. The Program initiatives aim to raise awareness of litter and its impact and reduce the amount of litter, sediments and nutrients that enter waterways and the bay.
Source: |
Community Life - Social Planning and Investment |
Director: |
Robyn Stevens |
Portfolio: |
Sport and Recreation |
To seek Council endorsement to release the Draft Social Infrastructure Plan (Attachment 2) for community consultation for a period of six weeks.
The City invests more than one-third of its annual expenditure toward social infrastructure, both services and facilities.
The 2016 Council Transformation Program identified developing a social infrastructure plan as a priority project to guide Council’s future investment in social infrastructure; aimed at providing an evidence-based plan that considers the City’s long-term vision and provides links with asset management, open space and service planning.
The Council Plan 2018-2022 identifies the Council vision, ‘Putting the Community First’, as a key consideration for delivering future services and facilities, with a strategic priority for ‘informed social infrastructure and planning’.
During 2018 and 2019, the City undertook extensive community and Councillor engagement as part of a review of social infrastructure planning. The engagement provided insights about the community’s social infrastructure needs and what the community believes Council should consider when making decisions about infrastructure investment.
In August 2019, the Draft Social Infrastructure Policy was released for community consultation. The draft policy articulated Council’s future role(s) in social infrastructure planning, development and investment, establishes a set of principles to be applied when determining priorities, and defines the processes that will guide and support decision making into the future. The draft policy received strong community support; with 89% of respondents in support of the new policy.
The Draft Social Infrastructure Plan (SIP) delivers on Council’s commitment to develop the City’s first municipal, multidisciplinary and integrated plan based on evidence of need and recommendations for improving equity, accessibility, integration, operation, maintenance, use and experience of the City’s social infrastructure.
This first public draft of the SIP incorporates Council’s policy on how decisions are made and a plan for the delivery of social infrastructure in the short and medium term.
In the current context, and the community dealing with the impacts of COVID-19, the draft SIP articulates Council’s intention to continue with its investment in social infrastructure that can support the health, wellbeing and connectedness of our community into the future. This next stage of community consultation will be designed to gain further insights from the community for consideration by Council prior to potentially endorsing the SIP later in 2020.
Councillor Nelson moved, Councillor Kontelj seconded -
That Council:
approve the release of the draft Social Infrastructure Plan (Attachment 2) for community consultation for a period of six weeks; and
note that planning for the Portarlington Recreation Reserve has commenced and for this to be included in the draft Social Infrastructure Plan prior to release.
Carried.
There are no budget requirements associated with the public exhibition of the Draft Social Infrastructure Plan.
Council is committed to processing investment decisions fairly and transparently. The draft SIP outlines how Council and the City of Greater Geelong will make investment decisions in the future.
Generally, the key funding mechanisms available to deliver social infrastructure are; the annual Council budget, internal and external grants, and funding contributions from clubs or community organisations.
Recommendations and propositions identified in the draft Social Infrastructure Plan are subject to available resources at any given time.
In April 2018, Council resolved to review and revise the Social Infrastructure Plan (2015), following preliminary engagement with the community.
In response to the initial engagement findings and aligning with the Council Plan 2018-2022 priority of working towards more informed social infrastructure planning, it was identified that a new SIP was needed to guide our future activity and resources to deliver infrastructure, services and programs to the community in a sustainable way.
Between August and December 2018, the City undertook extensive community and stakeholder engagement to inform the drafting of a new SIP. The engagement provided insight from the community about their social infrastructure needs, as well as insight into the matters the community believed Council should consider when making decisions about social infrastructure investment.
The purpose of the engagement was to involve individuals, clubs and community groups, peak governing bodies and Councillors alike, to help develop a clearer understanding of the needs and priorities for the municipality as well as identify what the community believes should be driving our decision making.
Multiple engagement approaches were used throughout the process and included the following:
Multilingual engagement opportunities, via an online survey and online mapping tool (1,064 survey respondents);
Stakeholder workshops and community focus groups, including over 40 representatives from the health, community, sport and related service sectors;
School holiday program activities to capture insights from young people; and
A series of face-to-face ‘meet and talks’ with 25 community groups and clubs.
A series of cross-departmental meetings and four Councillor workshops were conducted throughout the development of the draft policy, between December 2018 and September 2019.
A clear need and directive emerged from the engagement process in relation to the policy, the plan and its function. Key stakeholders, Councillors and the organisation are seeking a policy framework and plan that is:
simple;
flexible;
adaptable and responsive; and
fair
Engagement with our community, key stakeholders and interested parties directly informed the development and function of the draft SIP, and these documents respond to the needs and preferences indicated by our community, with reference to their desire for much needed clarity around roles, responsibilities and how decisions are made.
In August 2019, the Draft Social Infrastructure Policy was released for community consultation and received strong community support with 89% of respondents in support of the new policy. The draft policy articulates Council’s future role(s) in social infrastructure planning, development and investment, establishes a set of principles to be applied when determining priorities, and defines the processes that will guide and support decision making into the future. This policy is now embedded in the draft SIP for further consultation.
Some strong themes emerged from the 28 submissions received (on behalf of both individuals and community groups). Positive comments were around the following themes:
well-rounded and holistic (i.e. for all people and places);
thank you / congratulations / commend Council / Council leadership;
virtuous and promising, Clever and Creative / innovative;
inclusion of evidence and intelligence;
good / makes sense;
fair and equitable / consistent and transparent;
adaptable;
prioritisation framework; and
considers existing infrastructure and ongoing maintenance and management.
While some respondents raised concerns and considerations such as:
needs to be more explicit around Access and Inclusion, Gender Equity and Clever and Creative;
needs connection to how the policy will be managed and implemented;
needs a stronger focus on and integration with budget, not just a reference and a comment that it does not currently align with the existing budget process;
that the policy doesn’t specifically address the perceived imbalance in support for the community interest in heritage, arts and culture compared with other recreational pursuits; and
concern that the ‘adaptive and reuse’ objective is not applied in practice.
The draft SIP explicitly incorporates the principles of social equity, consistent with Council’s endorsed Social Equity Principles (September 2017) where it was acknowledged that it would be difficult to achieve any of the aspirations contained in the Geelong Clever and Creative City Strategy unless inequity is addressed.
At that time Council adopted the following principles that are reflected in the SIP definition of ‘equity’:
all activities of the City will be informed by up to date demographic and geographic information on social equity in the region which identifies priority areas and groups for attention;
planning of all activities will be informed by effective, focused partnerships and engagement with priority groups and areas, aimed at fully understanding the particular needs and obstacles they experience in accessing services and facilities; and
service and infrastructure design, location, communication and support arrangements will address the particular needs and obstacles faced by priority areas and groups.
The aim of adopting these principles is to drive greater consideration of equity when making decisions. The way we plan and deliver our social infrastructure can play an important role in improving equity, accessibility and connectivity while reducing disadvantage across our City.
The policy framework outlined in the draft plan, is proposed to both guide the decisions of Council and to provide guidance to the City on the matters that Council would like the organisation to consider when providing advice for decisions.
The City of Greater Geelong Council Plan 2018 – 2022 outlines how we will work towards making Greater Geelong a Clever and Creative city region. It will guide our resources to deliver infrastructure, services and programs to the community in a sustainable way.
The draft plan delivers on the strategic priority of the Council Plan that calls for ‘informed social infrastructure and planning’ and sets the foundation for Council’s commitment to ‘strive for social equity in the infrastructure and services we deliver for our community’.
The draft SIP will also guide future decision making on a number of key priorities related to ‘informed social infrastructure and planning’ as outlined in the Council Plan, these priorities are:
providing more quality spaces that support active lifestyles;
supporting the growth of localised and regional sporting facilities;
delivering accessible and attractive community infrastructure, based on community need;
advocating and planning for a range of social and affordable housing options; and
maintaining our public open space.
No City officers or contractors who have provided advice in relation to this report have declared a conflict of interest regarding the matter under consideration.
The lack of an existing policy position or plan related to the planning and investment of social infrastructure, can result in a risk of unsustainable or inequitable decision making. If not addressed there is a risk that the community will become increasingly frustrated with the lack of clarity about what is planned in their communities, and any current inequity across the various networks will remain, and fair access to services may be impacted. This means Council may not be able to deliver on their objective for fair and equitable decision making and for social equity in the infrastructure and services we deliver for our community.
Through Council’s Asset Management Transformation program and the new SIP, Council aims to focus on establishing a process of asset management stewardship, a robust approach to assessing asset criticality, to inform clear and transparent decision making, and to ensure accountability for our asset management approach.
Sustainability, including environmental sustainability, is a key principle that underpins the draft plan and is proposed to form part of Council’s decision-making process in relation to social infrastructure planning and investment.
Source: |
Customer & Corporate Services |
Director: |
Michael Dugina |
Portfolio: |
Finance |
Councillor Sullivan moved, Councillor Nelson seconded -
That in accordance with Section 89 (2) (d) of the Local Government Act 1989, this contractual matter be considered at the conclusion of all other business at which time the meeting be closed to members of the public.
Carried.
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