Council Beat with Liam Durkin
THE last Latrobe City Council meeting for 2024 was held Monday, December 16.
Naturally, with 2024 being a council election year and this the first meeting of the new council right before Christmas, a lengthy agenda awaited.
The near four hour marathon meeting closed at 9.46pm.
All councillors were in attendance, with Cr David Barnes of Boola Boola Ward and Tracie Lund of Morwell River attending virtually.
Both left the meeting early due to illness.
Much of the meeting discussed the Traralgon West Development Plan Overlay (details in separate story below).
An item of interest occurred when Moe Ward Councillor, Adele Pugsley moved a notice of motion regarding council support and expense policy.
A motion was moved to allow councillors to be reimbursed for hospitality expenses, excluding alcohol, for councillors and attendees when undertaking meetings with those in the community, community groups and businesses operators related to council business.
The motion was carried 5-3.
Hazelwood South resident Phillip Edwards asked a couple of hospitality related questions on notice.
Firstly, what was the approximate cost per public council meeting for councillor and staff meals, refreshments and beverages? (If applicable).
Council confirmed the average cost for a public council meeting dinner catering was around $400.
Mr Edwards then asked if Latrobe City councillors had attended functions run by the pro Nuclear Minerals council of Australia, and if so, was there any hospitality provided?
Council confirmed it was not aware of or has not facilitated councillor attendance at any functions organised by the Minerals Council of Australia.
Council agreed unanimously to grant a permit for development of land for a telecommunications facility at 4 Borrmans Street, Moe South (subject to conditions).
Corporate items for decision included the Boolarra Folk Festival, and council appointments.
Council unanimously agreed to fund the Boolarra Folk Festival for the next three years to the amount of $15,000 per year.
Messers Kelvin (Les) Smith, Stephen Foster and Peter Buxton were appointed to the Crinigan Bushland Reserve Community Asset Committee.
Newborough Ward Councillor and Latrobe City Deputy Mayor, Sharon Gibson was appointed to be Latrobe’s representative on the Municipal Association of Victoria.
There was no urgent business.
Acknowledgments
APPROPRIATELY, Latrobe City’s last two mayors, Loy Yang Ward Councillor, Dale Harriman (current sitting) and Tyers Ward Councillor, Darren Howe wished to acknowledge the passing of former Traralgon Shire Mayor, James (Jim) Hood.
Cr Gibson acknowledged the Lions Club of Moe for the Moe Christmas Spectacular and the Traralgon Lions Club Christmas Carols.
Cr Harriman congratulated the Moe Basketball Association committee and volunteers for their annual tournament.
Yallourn Ward Councillor, Steph Morgan acknowledged Events Morwell for their successful event ‘Merry Morwell’ and the Latrobe Theatre Company for hosting the Bruce Awards celebrating musical theatre at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.
Cr Barnes thanked councillors for coming out to the Glengarry Market.
Jeeralang Ward Councillor, Joanne Campbell acknowledged the Rotary Club of Traralgon and other groups involved, including the Lions Club, for the Christmas Parade, in particular Lorraine Paulet.
Budgeree Ward Councillor, Leanne Potter acknowledged the organisers of the Churchill Carols, the Boolarra Community Development Group on its Christmas party and the 139th Budgeree Christmas Tree.
Cr Potter also acknowledged that at the end of November 2024, Yinnar held its combined Christmas and 150th celebrations.
Council meetings have been confirmed for the year.
Venues will alternate between the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon, Kernot Hall, Morwell and Moe Town Hall.
2025 Council Meetings
Monday, February 24: (at Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon)
Monday, March 24: (GPAC)
Monday, April 28: (Moe Town Hall)
Monday, May 26: (Kernot Hall, Morwell)
Monday, June 23: (Kernot Hall)
Monday, July 28: (Moe Town Hall)
Monday, August 25: (GPAC)
Monday, September 22: (Kernot Hall)
Monday, October 6: (Moe Town Hall)
Monday, October 27: (GPAC)
Monday, November 17: (Moe Town Hall – Mayoral Election)
Monday, November 24: (Kernot Hall)
Monday, December 15: (GPAC)
Agendas are available on the Thursday prior to each meeting.
Community attendance at council meetings is welcome. Meetings are also livestreamed on YouTube.
You must register via Eventbrite by 3pm on the day of the meeting to attend a council meeting in person.
Attendance in the public gallery is restricted to 60 people.
For more information, visit: latrobe.vic.gov.au/councilmeetings
