Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council Virtual meeting livestreamed on our website, commencing at 6:00pm.
Councillors:
S Asher (Mayor)
K Grzybek (Deputy Mayor)
A Aitken
K Grzybek
B Harwood
E Kontelj
S Mansfield
J Mason
B Moloney
P Murrihy
R Nelson
T Sullivan
M Cutter (Chief Executive Officer)
G Smith (Director Planning, Design and Development)
G Wilson-Browne (Director City Services)
M Dugina (Director Customer and Corporate Services)
R Stevens (Director Community Life)
S McKew (Manager Governance)
The Mayor declared the meeting open at 6:00pm.
Council acknowledges the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the Land, Waterways and Skies. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We Acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of our Greater Geelong community today.
Nil.
Nil.
Councillor Grzybek declared a Conflict of Interest in Agenda Item 2.3 Amendment C339 - Flood Overlays and Zones (Lara Flood Study, Lower Barwon & Moorabool Rivers, Bellarine Peninsula Coastal Hazard) - Consideration of Submissions in that Councillor Grzybek owns a property in the amendment area.
Councillor Kontelj declared a Conflict of Interest in Agenda Item 2.8 City of Greater Geelong and Changwon City Memorandum of Understanding in that the group of companies of which Councillor Kontelj is a Director has a potential business relationship with Hanwah Corporation.
Councillor Kontelj declared a Conflict of Interest in Agenda Item 2.11 Tender T2100082 - Armstrong Creek West Community Hub - Construction in that the proposed tenderer is a customer of the business of which Councillor Kontelj is a Director.
Councillor Grzybek declared a Conflict of Interest in Agenda Item 6.5 2021-22 Community Grants (Confidential) in that Councillor Grzybek is an office bearer of a club that has submitted for a grant.
Councillor Harwood declared a Conflict of Interest in Agenda Item 6.5 Community Grants (Confidential) in that Councillor Harwood is currently Regional General Manager of AFL Barwon. Two clubs associated with AFL Barwon are receiving grants.
Councillor Sullivan moved, Councillor Mason seconded -
That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 23 November 2021 be confirmed.
Carried.
The following persons submitted questions prior to the Council Meeting:
Dennis Hayes (Corio Cricket Club – Home Ground Conditions);
Neville Whitley (Gambling Harm Minimisation Council Policy); and
Daniel Garcia (COVID-19 Full Vaccination Mandate).
* For those not present at the Council Meeting, the responses to your pre-submitted questions are published on Council’s website and are provided by email.
Dennis Hayes asked if someone could explain to me why my grandson who plays cricket for Corio cricket club, is playing home games in other suburbs because the only suitable pitch is in the middle of the Geelong rugby oval and have been told they can’t play there because the Buccaneers Gridiron club is playing there on Saturdays now, surely the ground west of the rugby club which has a pitch but no Astro turf could be fixed up and made playable, or a pitch put in the ground the Buccaneers used to play at located behind Hendy Street hall.
A few of the kids’ mothers are single mothers and don’t drive and have to rely on other people to transport the kids to games which some of the games are being played at Eastern Park because there is no suitable ground for home games in Corio.
Response (Community Life):
Thank you for your question, Dennis.
The land at 97 Hendy Street is state land, owned by the Department of Education and Training. We have scheduled a meeting with the Department of Education and Training next Wednesday 15 December in order to investigate and explore opportunities for the use of the Hendy Street oval.
The City will make contact with you, Mr Hayes, at an appropriate time.
Neville Whitley asked why is Council getting involved in only one aspect of gambling EGM’s [Electronic Gaming Machines], why is the Harm Minimisation Council Policy aimed at clubs when they are all non for profit, why is the policy heading toward discrimination?
The policy, unfortunately, suffers as a result of not being informed by a background report or any strategic context as to why.
Response (Community Life):
Thank you for your questions, Neville.
The City’s previous Electronic Gaming Policy was due for review in May 2020. The scope of the new draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Council Policy has been expanded to include all forms of gambling and focuses on the wellbeing of the whole community by adopting a harm minimisation framework. Councils are legislated by state government to plan and report on community health and wellbeing.
The draft policy aligns the strategic direction of creating a healthy, caring and inclusive community, as outlined in Our Community Plan 2021-25, by balancing the right to entertainment with the overarching need to promote community health and wellbeing. Council has an ongoing commitment to working with our local sporting clubs and this is emphasised through the draft policy.
Council has existing links with sporting clubs through the provision of grounds, infrastructure and officer support, leasing, rates and licensing agreements, and access to community grants. Our aim is to continue to see local clubs flourish, which is why the draft policy emphasises supporting and working alongside any club, group or organisation which wishes to divest itself of EGMs. Current research, a benchmarking process, local data and consultation with Councillors and across the organisation has informed the development of the draft policy.
The engagement period has been extended until 17 January 2021, with feedback and questions welcome via the Have Your Say page. Following the engagement process, officers will assess all feedback before briefing Council on any suggested changes to the draft policy.
Daniel Garcia asked if all Councillors are Double Vaccinated? What is the Council/the position of each Councillor on mandating appropriate health and safety policies and procedures such as mandating full vaccination of all clinically appropriate Council workers to COVID-19?
Response (Office of the Chief Executive Officer):
Thank you for your questions, Daniel.
Reducing risks to our customers, community and employees – and meeting our legal and Occupational Health and Safety obligations – is central to how we operate.
Under the current state government directions, people aged over 12 years and two months must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend a range of events and activities in the community, or show evidence of a valid medical exemption. Following an extensive risk assessment, the City of Greater Geelong has determined that visitors, including Councillors, aged over 12 years and two months are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or hold a valid medical exemption, to access facilities staffed by City employees. The requirement will help provide a safer workplace, reduce the risk for anyone working or attending one of our facilities, and maintain our level of service to the community.
Vanessa Whittem presented a petition of approximately 1,541 signatures on behalf of Jeanne Nel de Koker regarding Securing the Tree Canopy of Highton and Geelong.
Councillor Mason presented a petition of approximately 23 signatures on behalf of Kerin Fox regarding Trees at River End, Talbot Street, Barwon Heads.
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