HORSHAM Rural City Council held its March meeting on Monday night.
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If you were unable to attend, here are some of the key agenda items that were discussed.
Rating strategy and policy adopted
The council adopted its new rating strategy and policy which included which included a recommendation to change the farm rate differential from 80 per cent to 67 per cent of the general rate to help ease the rate burden carried by the farming sector.
The draft policy and strategy were released to ratepayers for feedback following the council's January meeting.
As part of its rating strategy, the council also adopted a recommendation to make the industrial and commercial differential 95 per cent of the general rate. It also adopted the recommendation to provide a $30 per property rebate for eligible pensioners.
Corella management plan discussed
The council moved a motion to note the progress of the Corella Management Plan.
The birds wreaked havoc on the region last year, causing extensive damage to Horsham's Coughlin Park, Horsham College Oval, Horsham City Oval, Horsham Lawn Tennis Club and the city's croquet club.
Council's development services director Angela Murphy said there was still consultation to be done and data from interim plan needed to be collected.
"There's not just one solution but a number of options for managing corellas," she said.
Cr David Grimble wants council to advocate for dedicated Rail Minister
Cr David Grimble made a Notice of Motion asking council to advocate to the state and federal Government the need for a dedicated Rail Minister.
"Horsham is well placed to advocate for a Rail Minister, noting we own rail infrastructure and one of the few councils nationally to own and lease intermodal facilities, whilst appreciating the complexities of rail," he said outline
"It is in our best interests to have a dedicated state and federal Minister to enable us a direct conduit intoGovernment that will best suit the regions."
All councillors voted in favour of the motion.
See council's March 2019 meeting agenda below
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