Council Beat with ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
LATROBE City Council was back at Kernot Hall, Morwell for its monthly meeting on Monday, April 8.
Councillor Sharon Gibson was an apology for the meeting.
Discussion at the meeting was quite lively, with many people attending both in person and online for public participation time in relation to agenda items.
Petition on governance rules
THE council supported officer recommendation and resolved not to make any changes to the Governance Rules following a petition requesting significant changes.
The petition in question contained 102 signatures requesting that council amend the Governance Rules on the requirements for a petition to be presented to a council meeting.
Taylah Ling, the head of the petition, spoke of the need to change the Governance Rules, citing democracy and Freedom of Information as reasons for removing restrictions on online and third-party petitions to council.
There was 116 signatories to the petition; however, of these, 14 were invalid, 11 were duplicate entries, and three did not meet the information requirements.
As Latrobe City Council currently stands, people have to request to e-petition the council.
A petition must be in the prescribed template format, terms must not exceed 250 words and must meet necessary criteria, without being changed.
Ms Ling’s petition aimed to remove word counts and structured formats to the current system.
A concerned party, Lina Reed, spoke to support the council officers’ findings saying the current system works.
“When looked at 102 signatures is a very small percentage of the community wanting change,” Ms Reed said.
Officers also cited security concerns in regard to e-petitions, with online platforms such as change.org not meeting state and federal privacy laws.
“Given the limited number of petitions received, the recent community consultation on the Governance Rules, without any submissions on the petition rules, and that the current process supports the community to petition in both paper and electronic formats, officers recommend that the requested changes to the Governance Rules not be progressed at this time,” the officers report said.
A local, Oscar Machen, also spoke at the meeting to support the status quo.
“I think one of the most significant reasons for why these rules don’t need to be changed is that we are standing here today speaking on a petition that was submitted successfully with a great number of submissions … that’s a solid piece of evidence that the current petition system works well,” he said.
Mr Machen went on to say that there are rules in place for a reason to make this petition system fair and accessible like the current format provides.
The majority of the council supported the officers’ recommendations, while only Councillors Dale Harriman and Melissa Ferguson opposed after Cr Harriman’s alternative motion was knocked back.
Lord’s Prayer debate
SINCE council removed the Lord’s Prayer from the start of meetings last year, much debate regarding a replacement statement has taken place. Some have pleaded for council to reinstate the Lord’s Prayer, citing its long-standing history, but some like speaker Stephanie Morgan say that Latrobe City constituents deserve an opening statement that reflects the diverse identities of the region.
Council received and noted the officer’s report on options of opening statements as requested by council last month.
The report provides options for the potential inclusion of an individual councillor statement of commitment or prayer, a mayor-read statement on behalf of the council, a silent reflection – or nothing at all.
Council will vote on its decision at a later stage.
Sponsorship of Gippslandia magazine
COUNCIL voted for the Mayor to write to OneGippsland to advocate for each Gippsland council to provide an annual sponsorship of $5000 to support the ongoing publication of Gippslandia. The magazine is a not-for-profit quarterly print in newspaper format.
The illustrator, designer and digital content manager behind Gippslandia, Lacey Yeomans, used public participation time to plead for the council’s financial support to secure the magazine that showcases the vibrant life in the region.
One of Gippslandia’s co-founders, John Calabro, echoed his concern for the magazine’s viability and urged council for support.
“The common thread is always to paint the entire region of Gippsland in a positive and optimistic light, the articles share the success of locals, inspire and engaged our youth in dialogue about the region and give a voice to quiet minority groups,” he said.
Mr Calabro said many businesses alongside his own had worked very hard to keep the magazine afloat, but “now resources are running thin”.
Cr Dan Clancey encouraged businesses in the region to advertise in Gippslandia, and was happy to support the motion.
Cr Harriman said the magazine gives a voice to those in the community that aren’t normally heard, and promotes Gippsland in a positive light.
The Mayor will approach OneGippsland to urge funding for Gippslandia.
Chestnut Avenue Morwell closure
PREVIOUSLY presented with a petition requesting that Chestnut Avenue in Morwell be reopened to vehicles, council consulted with local residents who want the road to remain closed.
The road was shut off in 1984 by Morwell Shire after the road was used as a “rat run” for speeders and hoons.
Of the 45 submissions received by council, 34 submissions opposed the reopening, while 11 submissions supported the reopening. Five of these 11 submissions supported the reopening only if council provided appropriate controls and infrastructure improvements were implemented.
Council unanimously voted to keep things as they are, with Chestnut Avenue closed.
Traralgon West Precinct Development
A LOT of confusion came from concerned stakeholders when council resolved to process Amendment C144 to apply for a Development Plan Overlay to the Traralgon West Precinct.
Council noted the most recent report that was tabled at the meeting, which outlines discussion with the Traralgon Golf Club, which has major concerns that the overlay will adversely affect its activities.
Council has reassured the golfing community that no adverse impacts would fall on the golf club after the amended plan overlay motion.
Special Charge Scheme review
THE Special Charge Schemes provide a legislated process where council can levy property owners a rate, charge, or fee in addition to normal statutory rates and fees to contribute to the cost of new or upgraded infrastructure.
The previous policy underwent review as the previous policy pre-dated rate-capping.
Council passed an alternative motion to extend the Special Charge Scheme’s over three financial years as the policy changes require property owners’ contributions to increase.
Council voted to make the increase incremental to make it easier for ratepayers.
Social Housing and Urban Design Guidelines
ACCESS to affordable homes has been an issue not only in Latrobe City, but statewide. Council adopted the final Social and Affordable Housing Strategy.
The draft Latrobe Social and Affordable Housing Strategy 2021 (the strategy) was endorsed, and council resolved to implement the strategy through a Planning Scheme Amendment at the council meeting held on Monday, December 6, 2021.
The amendment was put on hold because the state government intended to release a state-wide policy on social and affordable housing, however this never eventuated, so authorisation for the amendment was applied.
“The Latrobe Social and Affordable Housing Strategy 2021 is council’s response to the growing need for social and affordable housing in Latrobe City,” the report said.
Hazelwood House back on the market
COUNCIL will re-start the sale process for Hazelwood House, 59-91 Philip Parade, Churchill.
In November 2023, Quantum withdrew from the sale process.
Councillor Ferguson said the fall-through of Hazelwood House was certainly a misfortune.
“What I’m hearing in the community – people obviously would like it sold,” she said.
Council has committed for proceeds of the sale deal to go towards redevelopment of the local recreational space in Gaskin Park.
The council was eager to put Hazelwood House back on the market, and voted unanimously to undertake the statutory process under Section 114 of the Local Government Act to sell the property.
“So, that money that originally came from the Churchill community can go back into the Churchill community,” Cr Clancey said.
Draft Fenced Dog Park Plan
COUNCIL has received feedback from local greyhound owners who outlined the issues with the proposed dog park plan.
While council ultimately endorsed the Fenced Dog Park Implementation Plan and released the plan to the public, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan pushed for further talks to take place with the Latrobe Valley Greyhound Group regarding specific breed conditions.
Old Methodist Church
COUNCIL unanimously moved to continue to engage with VicTrack about obtaining a community lease for the Old Methodist Church at Lot 84, Traralgon.
The council previously voted to demolish the building, but received much community pushback. Since then, council has worked with community groups to seek a better solution for the building, which has much historical significance.
The council will receive a further report when VicTrack provides an update after the end of VicTrack’s stakeholder engagement.
