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8.17pm
Thanks for your company tonight, folks.
Council has gone into confidential hearing. Topic on agenda is chief executive Peter Brown’s pay and performance. Latest Annual report puts his remuneration package (salary, superannuation and other benefits) at about $250,000 to $259,999.
8.13pm
KERB & CHANNEL SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME, GOLF COURSE ROAD, HORSHAM – STAGE 4
Cr Pam Clarke said it was great to see people seeing the value of works and supporting them financially. Notes the works will increase property values.
Motion carried.
8.12pm
Councillors are now debating a motion that was previously laid ‘on the table’: Wavell St footpath construction.
Cr Grimble said recommendation for higher council contribution is a budgetary issue, asks if future council will get a say.
Council CEO Peter Brown said the new council will get a chance to review a more detailed report.
Cr Barber said the issue of community contribution to the footpath was “all higgledy-piggledy and and all over the place”.
Motion carried despite opposition from Cr Phelan.
7.58pm
Footpath plan: debate turns to use of yellow lines for trip hazards and reduction of variety of heights.
Cr Barber say he sees plan as lowering of standards, says the accepted deviation should be tighter because of ageing population and shifting soils.
Cr Grimble backs Cr Barber’s statements, says will also oppose.
Cr Radford said he supports provisions to improve footpath fault response, acknowledges concerns but says he will support.
Cr Sue Exell said she will support.
Cr Phillips said its really a budget issue and the council doesn’t have the money to fix all the faults. Says 25 millimetres height difference is only an inch but can trip up vulnerable people
“You can say it’s a risk management issue, but it’s a physical works issue,” she said.
Cr Phelan said the council has liability issues but also has to focus on what it can do efficiently and effectively.
Motion carried despite opposition from Crs Phillips, Barber and Grimble.
7.45pm
Federal government $900,000 contribution for Kalkee Road Children’s and Community Hub.
Cr Radford says thanks should go to Member for Mallee Andrew Broad, Member for Lowan Emma Kealy and Victorian Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford
Cr Grimble asks if there could be a sod-turning ceremony.
Cr Exell said contract going to local builder will create jobs, pride in result.
Motion carried.
7.35pm
10.4.1 ACT@WORK
To notify Council that funding has been received through the Municipal Association of Victoria for an amount of $58,200.00 for the Act@Work program to be delivered by Women’s Health Grampians in local government workplaces in the Wimmera region.
Cr Pam Clarke notes the workplace provisions for people experiencing domestic violence, calls for examples to be set by adults for children.
Cr Phelan says culture change important. Cr Grimble says men need to be ambassadors for change. Cr Grimble recounts presentation by police on high-level domestic violence offenders. Says those offenders are highly predatory, victims can be professionals with well-paid jobs.
Cr Sue Exell says she is happy to support and education was key.
Cr Phillips said presentations have been requested for incoming councillors. Motion passed.
7.32pm
Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal.
Unanimous vote to request permission from planning minister to prepare and exhibit an amendment to the Horsham Planning Scheme to rezone land in Dooen, bounded by the Henty Highway, Wimmera Highway and the Melbourne-Adelaide Rail Corridor, also known as the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal (WIFT) Precinct.
7.29pm
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT (FEES) REGULATIONS 2016 AND THE SUBDIVISION (FEES) REGULATIONS 2016
Cr Robin Barber notes that the planning permit fee for a $400,000 project will jump from $900 to $1200.
Cr Mark Radford said it was a huge increase and said the council should put out a public notice ot explain it.
Mr Brown said regular planning permit users will be notified.
Cr Pam Clarke said the fee had not been raised for some years and it was a shame that the catch up has come all at once.
7.26pm
Councillors are now debating the planning application 10.3.2 VARIATION/REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO DWELLINGS, 1 GLEESON LANE, HAVEN
Crs Barber, Phelan, Exell have said they will oppose it.
Cr Clarke said she sees both sides but said the planning issue really concerns her on a number of levels.
“Sustainability wise, they have been badly designed. You have got two homes supposedly as one on the same block,” she said.
Cr Radford said he will opposed based on report details that properties will not share a vote, notes that the plans are from a commercial designer and for different house models.
Cr Grimble said personal observations are not relevant and they would be one structure as seen from outside property. He said application meets the planning guidelines and he has no reason to challenge it.
All voted to oppose except Crs Grimble and Phillips. Motion lost.
7.06pm
10.3.2 VARIATION/REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO DWELLINGS, 1 GLEESON LANE, HAVEN
A lot of discussion over issues in this application over definition of family relations, definition of connected buildings and the rules around granny flats.
However, this is only a motion to receive the a report on the application. Motion is carried.
6.41pm
Annual report: Cr Pam Clarke says the report is beautifully presented and the information is easy to digest.
“The producers should be congratulated. I’m really proud to be able to show people this report,” she said.
Cr Sue Exell said he first copy was printed back-to-front but her second copy was really good.
Motion to accept report carried.
The report can be downloaded here.
Post-vote, Cr Grimble points out growing ratio of rates revenue to council debt, says rates model is unsustainable.
Director or corporate services Graeme Harrison tells councillors that the debt ratio is within acceptable risk band.
6.36pm
Cr David Grimble foreshadows a motion for chief executive Peter Brown to clarify with Municipal Association of Victoria to clarify caretaker mode so all council election candidates can have equal opportunities in campaigning.
Crs Robin barber and Mark Radford ask for Cr Grimble to be more specific.
Cr Grimble said chief executive should be able to have new councillors speak with him and then represent their concerns to the MAV.
Cr Heather Phillips said there has been confusion on whether councillors can participate in photos or interviews for news media during caretaker mode.
Motion to write to MAv on election issues carried.
5.42pm
Cr Phillips is giving a final delegate report for her current term as mayor. Says there have been good times and frustrating times. Says highlight was winning Tidy Towns again on the weekend.
’Could have knocked me over with a feather,” she said.
Also names revamped Horsham town hall and new art gallery.
5.37pm
Cr Barber says his ABC weather motion might not be of interest to many people but it has annoyed him as a long-term ABC viewer and listener.
Cr Tony Phelan supports the motion, says ABC Sunday TV news bulletin doesn’t have a map.
Cr Sue Exell said she supports it. Mayor Heather Phillips says she does as well.
“Horsham should be put on the map. I suspect it will take more than a few letters,” Cr Phillips said.
Motion passed unanimously.
5.30pm
Welcome to the Mail-Times live blog for the October 17, 2016 Horsham Rural City Council meeting.
On the Agenda tonight:
7.3.1 NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 157 Given by Cr Barber
Cr Robin Barber’s motion on the frequency of ABC TV and radio weather updates for Horsham.
10.2.1 ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16
To present the 2015-16 Annual Report as published on Council’s website for acceptance by Council.
10.2.2 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT
To provide Council with the quarterly financial report for the quarter ended 30 September 2016.
10.2.3 INFORMATION PRIVACY POLICY AND PRIVACY STATEMENT
To present a revised Information Privacy Policy (Appendix “10.2B”) and Privacy Statement (Appendix “10.2C”) for adoption by Council.
10.2.4 REVOCATION OF THE INSTRUMENT OF DELEGATION FOR THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE CAMERONS OVAL RESERVE
To revoke the Instrument of Delegation of the Special Committee of Council, known as Camerons Oval Reserve Committee of Management, and to replace this with a licence with Laharum Sports Incorporated Association (A0045659E) (Laharum Sports Inc).
10.2.5 REVOCATION OF THE INSTRUMENT OF DELEGATION FOR THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE QUANTONG RECREATION RESERVE
To revoke the Instrument of Delegation of the Special Committee of Council known as Quantong Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and replace this with a licence with Quantong Recreation Reserve Incorporated (A0049172Z).
10.2.6 CHIEF EXECUTIVE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND REMUNERATION REVIEW
Referred to the Confidential Briefing Paper.
10.3.1 PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – 10 OCTOBER 2016
To provide a summary of the minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on Monday, 10 October 2016 containing the recommendations provided for Council consideration.
10.3.2 VARIATION/REMOVAL OF RESTRUCTIONS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO DWELLINGS, 1 GLEESON LANE, HAVEN
To consider and determine the application of 1 Gleeson Lane, Haven. Horsham Rural City Council Council Meeting Summary Agenda
10.3.3 PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT (FEES) REGULATIONS 2016 AND THE SUBDIVISION (FEES) REGULATIONS 2016
To provide Council an update the Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2016 and the Subdivision (Fees) Regulations 2016.
10.3.4 HORSHAM PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENT C64 – WIFT PRECINCT STRUCTURE PLAN
This report seeks a resolution from Council to seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning for Council to prepare and exhibit an amendment to the Horsham Planning Scheme to rezone land in Dooen, bounded by the Henty Highway, Wimmera Highway and the Melbourne-Adelaide Rail Corridor, also known as the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal (WIFT) Precinct.
10.4.1 ACT@WORK
To notify Council that funding has been received through the Municipal Association of Victoria for an amount of $58,200.00 for the Act@Work program to be delivered by Women’s Health Grampians in local government workplaces in the Wimmera region.
10.4.2 KALKEE ROAD CHILDREN’S AND COMMUNITY HUB
To advise Council that the Federal Government has recently announced $900,000 of funding for the Kalkee Road Children’s and Community Hub through the National Stronger Regions Fund.
10.5.1 ROAD MANAGEMENT PLAN – FOOTPATH UPDATE Purpose To seek Council endorsement of a minor amendment to the Road Management Plan relating to footpath management.
10.5.2 ASSET MANAGEMENT POLICY AND STRATEGY - MINOR UPDATE
To present some updates to the Asset Management Policy and Strategy.
10.5.3 FOOTPATH CONSTRUCTION POLICY
1. To address a report “laid on the table” at the 1 August 2016 meeting regarding footpath construction in Wavell St. 2. To review the policy relating to footpath construction, including landholder contributions to this construction.
10.5.4 KERB & CHANNEL SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME, GOLF COURSE ROAD, HORSHAM – STAGE 4
To finalise the Special Charge Scheme for the construction of kerb and channel in Golf Course Road between Kendal Drive and Turnbull Drive – stage 4.
10.5.5 CONTRACT VARIATION – ACCEPTED UNDER INSTRUMENT OF DELEGATION
To provide details of contract variations that have been accepted under Delegation.