thank you ladies and gentlemen and those
that are joining us online for our
council meeting of Wednesday the 27th of
September councilors I ask that you
please stand for our opening declaration
we the councilors of the City of Ballarat
declare that we will carry out our
duties in the best interest of the
community and through collective
leadership maintain the highest
standards of good governance
we'd also like to acknowledge the
traditional custodians of the land on
which we meet the Wada Wurrung people and
recognize their continuing connection to
the land and waterways we pay our
respects to their elders past present and
emerging and extend this to all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples please be seated
those members that are in the gallery
this meeting is being broadcast on the
internet and the recording of the
meeting will be published on council's
website
I declare the meeting opened at 6 31 pm
councilors we have
an apology from councilor McIntosh I'm
happy to move the move councilor Johnson
seconded councilor Harris hello as in
favor counselors motion is carried
councilors item three on the agenda is
disclosures of interest are there any
disclosures of interests conflicts of
interest
if there are none item four is matters
arising from the minutes
if there are none counselors item five is
confirmation of minutes if someone's
happy to move councilor Coates moves
seconded councilor Harris any discussion
counselors
if not I'll put the motion all those in favor
against the motion is carried
item six is public question time which
will start at 6 33 pm
we have a number of questions which have
been submitted via the Governance
Department
the first question is from Mr Bruce
Crawford who is not attending and that
will be read out by Mr Montgomery
thank you Mr Mayor the
question is as follows Tan Holland Lake
our city assets owned by residents and
rate payers
these are other schedules I found as a
comparison for you to consider what
reasons could Council have to for
keeping the lighting schedule secret
and director Horslar is a response
through you Mr Mayor and thank you Mr
Crawford for the question so clock and
fountain light-ups are currently
promoted on the Ballarat Council
Facebook page
our current priority is digitizing the
application process for clock and
fountain lighting requests to
allow for applications to be made
through the City of Ballarat website
thank you Mr Horslar
the next question is from Ange Elson who
is not attending so that will be also
read out by Mr Montgomery
thank you and through Mr Mayor the
question is as follows will Council fly
the trans flag to mark trans day of
remembrance on 20 November 2023.
and a response from director Wilson
through Mr Mayor and thank you to Ms
Elson for the question currently Council
resources events for four days of
significance to the LGBTIQA plus
community as directed by our LGBTIQA
plus advisory committee this year the
days selected are trans day of
visibility ? day ? ?
day and the upcoming World AIDS day
these observances involve a flag raising
and an event however community groups
can make enquiries and potential
application to observe other significant
days by flag raising with applications
submitted via council's email at info
ballarat.vic.gov.au thanks Mr Smith
thank you Mr Mayor and Elton also
has a second question Mr Montgomery
will council hold an event on coming out
day on 11 October 2023 in support of the
local lgbti QA plus community
thank you and director Wilson
through Mr Mayor and thank you for the
second question the answer to the
question is the same as the first in the
the same four days of significance are
observed
thank you director Wilson if we also get
back to Miss Elson that she could make
an application by the website that will
be duly considered
okay the next question is from Ms Sue
Broadway who I believe is attending
with us tonight please come forward
just repeat your name and
the suburb where you reside and then ask
your question
Sue Broadway
um East Ballarat thank you Miss Broadway
yep
okay so um with the council's commitment
to community Net Zero by 2030 and the
BZE plan item number 2.2 is aimed at
assisting households I was wondering
what action is the council taking to
support households to transition to
renewable energy and is there any plan
for a council led public education
program to assist residents to
understand the move thank you Miss
Broadway for the question director
Stokes
uh through Mr Mayor and thank you for
your question
um
the City of Ballarat is committed to
climate action uh the climate action
programs proposed in 23/24 that support
improved sustainability outcomes for
households include
um
sustainable incentives scheme pilots
That's a pilot that provides financial
incentives
sustainable technology and reducing
residential and business emissions and
we've brought a written response um so
you don't have to take all the notes if
you like but we'll provide a full
response and support for a pop-up
get a pop-up pocket garden improving
food security that'll be supported this
year also the implementation of
environmental sustainability design or
ESD in new planning applications and and
suburbs
um we also have our reusable nappy
period and Sanitary products rebate for
residents and a compost bin and worm
farm rebate for residents as well we're
also commence planning for the next
financial year the 24-25 40 year and the
actions within the the plants that
you've mentioned and we have an
Electrify everything campaign that's
proposed and that will assist residents
to make the switch from gas to
electricity and renewable energy and
each of those programs will have a
Communications component with them to
help residents understand and deal with
the switch themselves thank you director
Stokes councilor Taylor
is
it distinct
um just on that it's it's great that
there is an opportunity for Council to
be involved around a campaign around
residents around that education with
switching from gas to electricity is
that funded straight by Council are we
actually getting any grants from state
government considering it's their policy
when it comes to this and is there a
broader education that the state
government's doing that we need to be
aware of that we piggyback off instead
of us trying to do it alone
thank you Council Tyler director Stokes
uh through Mr Mayor and thanks councilor
Taylor for the clarification question
the Electrify everything campaign is
planned for the following Financial year
24 25 so we're still working on exactly
what that program looked like looks like
and how how we can support our residents
to to engage with it and we will be
leveraging existing
um
Communications and education materials
that sustainability Victoria in
particular have developed and we'll be
leveraging that and using those as well
thank you director councilor Coates
yes Mr Mayor and thanks for the question
as well it's um it is incredibly
important to provide that information to
the community as well and look at what
we can do to support the momentum
towards climate action so so I'm looking
forward to
considering those those new proposed
programs that both the the budget
mid-budget review and and
um and next year as well so so we'll
keep an eye out for those but a question
for the director is do we have some some
plans of providing some additional
information on the city of Ballarat
website around what's available at the
moment to to assist
um their Community to educate themselves
as well
thank you Council coach director Stokes
through you Mr Mayor and thank you
councilor coach for your question
um we do
um we're working on a list of
improvements to the the website as we
speak
um and each of those initiatives that I
mentioned um some are already on there
but the the actual promotion of those
through social media campaigns Etc is
coming as well this this year yep
thank you director said and Miss
Broadway you suggested you might have a
follow-up or a second question you have
a follow-up question so
um particularly in relation to the
electrification programs so I presume
you'll have to go to budget to get an
allocation and everything so when will
we be likely to like are you going to
work on that program and then the budget
comes through and then you have the
money and your right to go or is this
going to be a long process and we're not
going to see anything for quite some
time
director Stokes
uh thank you through Mr Mayor um the the
proposal is to initiate that program
next financial year so 24 25 it will be
subject to budget approval um budget the
budget process internally with as I
mentioned commence planning for
um we intend therefore to have that
money available and commence the program
um starting July 1.
thank you director Stokes
director of Horseland for the follow-up
director Stokes your light is still on
yeah
I'll look through the mirror I couldn't
miss an opportunity I just wanted to
highlight the fact that we're actually
going out for Budget consultation very
soon for 24 25 and we'll be seeking
feedback so thank you thank you director
thank you Ms Broadway thank you good
questions
the next question is from Mr Shane
Broadway who I believe is attending
Mr Broadway please come forward if you
could just repeat your name in your
suburb and then ask your question
uh shine Broadway ballaratos
my question first question I've got to
with this impending summer period
predicted to be have some excessive
temperature days how's the city of
Ballarat planning on managing the
attendance at the Eureka pool if uh
larger numbers of 10 during the closure
of the brown Hill Pool I.E
reduce capacity what's the council's
plan
thank you Mr Broadway director Wilson
thank you for the question Mr Broadway
our aquatic Services team are currently
working through the detail planning for
the upcoming season with outdoor pools
and they are planning for the for the
hotter summer temperatures as you've
indicated
in terms of resourcing the Lifeguard
team will be increasing from its current
level at 54 to approximately 90 to 100
staff to allow for additional
flexibility when the demand is at its
greatest
we've also appointed additional duty
managers in preparation for the upcoming
summer season to give that flexibility
when needed the point of sale system at
the Eureka pool has been updated to
allow better flow through the the point
of sale the entry point into the pool
and I think importantly to your question
the opening hours of the pool can be
extended during extreme temperature days
where that demand is is greater thank
you director Wilson a second question Mr
Broadway yeah my second question is um
can you please advise the timelines and
bad budgetary details about the
installation of the replacement
facilities of the brown Hill Reserve now
that the pool is being dismantled
thank you director Wilson
thank you Mr Beer and thank you for your
second question Mr Broadway the
decommissioning of the services at the
outdoor pool is complete and the
appointment of a demolition contractor
is being finalized with a view to having
them commence on site in late October or
possibly early November subject to the
relevant approvals to permit The Works
required the design consultant for the
splash park Precinct that Redevelopment
to replace the pool at the brown Hill
Rec Reserve will be appointed in the
coming months the design process will
include Community consultation in
partnership with the brown Hill progress
Association state government election
commitment funding of a million dollars
has been announced towards the the
master plan implementation and this
project has been prioritized in in the
implementation of that master plan so
those funds will be committed towards
that project Council has also
contributed 660
000 from the
2023-2024 budget towards this project
upon me as the initial priority item
identified in the master plan
implementation
so in summary once the design and the
consultation is completed tender
documents will be finalized for project
commencement in 2024.
thank you thank you director Wilson
thank you Mr Broadway for your questions
the oh sorry counselor sorry just a
question for the director I think um
every year with that increased Demand on
um Eureka pool I think it's not just
also a matter of the staff that are
patrolling the water and safety and
those kind of things but also the wear
and tear that I notice every single year
that I take my kids there so many more
people sitting on the grass areas and
things like that it tends to Mud it's
every year seems to be an issue I just
wondered whether that was something
that's undertaken as regular maintenance
or perhaps could be you know a good
timely thing to look at before we get
into the busy period
Council Hargraves director Wilson
three Miss Marin thank you for the
question Council Hargraves certainly
something I'm happy to follow up in
relation to any concerns that might be
identified there and provide a response
in detail to councilor Hargraves and
circulate to the to the rest of council
following
thank you director Wilson
the next question is prime minister Sean
Mulkey who is attending this evening is
with us please come forward Mr mulcaine
you just repeat your name in the suburb
where you reside and then ask your
question yep so I'm okay Ballarat North
I don't have my questions on me so Mr
Montgomery might need to correct me if
I'm wrong but from memory I think the
first was around
um getting an update on uh an inclusion
of an lgbtqa plus section on the visit
Ballarat website particularly in the
lead up to the uh chillout Festival next
year there's a good opportunity for us
to attract more tourists towards
Ballarat in line with the inclusion plan
that was pretty good for a memory
without having it in front of you you've
got it pretty well Word Perfect director
Wilson
yeah three Mr Mayor and thank you for
the question Mr mulcay yeah we thank you
actually for the suggestion it does
align very well with the with the item
3.2 in our implementation plan for the
LGBT iqa plus inclusion plan
um the the
I note though that that particular
action is for implementation over years
one and two and we will be bringing a
report on progress to date on the
implementation plan in February 2023
what I can confirm for you is that
officers are now looking at at that
particular item and essentially how we
can make information and resourcing
available so that
lgbtqa plus visitors to Ballarat
feel visibly and fundamentally welcome
to the community when they visit thank
you good thank you director Wilson and a
second question Mr mulcaine as your
memory the second one yes but a test of
the memory I think similarly around a
section on the my community website
which I think was part of the first year
actions under the inclusion plan
correct director Wilson three missed
Mirren thank you for the second question
Mr Smokey we are currently in the
process of replacing the my community
website with a more robust system and
once this new community directory system
is in place there will be an lgbtiqa
plus section created in accordance with
that priority identified in 4.1 of the
inclusion plan thank you Mr Mayor thank
you director
is there any other questions from
members of the sorry Council Maloney
thanks Mr Mayor and um yeah the goal
I'll also throw my my weight behind that
so it's Dr malcase all right you've got
to get your title right thank you uh
it's it's it's not just a feel-good
thing to promote
um businesses and Community
organizations that
um that offer LGBT iqa plus Services it
is something that is actually quite
essential for people within queer
communities but I think it's also really
good for our local economy as well to be
promoting ourselves as as a really
friendly and inclusive place you know
it's again it's it's not just feel good
the the dollars are very much there if
you are a business that genuinely
demonstrates you are welcoming of all
people regardless of who they are their
skin color of their background their
sexuality if you just welcome people in
and you provide that welcoming place
it's a no-brainer the cash register
Rings true to it so I don't see any any
harm in that all I've had to think of
anything it's great for our local
economy so looking forward to the update
um director Wilson in the new year thank
you
thank you councilor Maloney is there any
other questions from members of the
gallery this evening
if there are not we will move on item 7
councils is the chief executive officer
report move counselor Johnson secondary
councilor Eddie councilor Johnson you
have the floor
thank you Mr Mayor just wanted to raise
the reopening of the refurbished Rowan
view Children's Center and congratulate
all those who have been involved in the
renovations
associated with that center it's
exciting that we will have three and
four-year-old Kinder sessions available
there within a quite a specialized
Center as well as a Child Care Program
which is referral only I had the
opportunity to have a look through the
center on its open day and I I can't
believe the standard how high the
standard of the facility is and
certainly it's a high bar but it would
be great to have
that standard maintained across all of
our child care facilities and
kindergartens within Ballarat as well
we know that wendory is the area with
the highest level of disadvantage across
our municipality and that there are many
vulnerable families and children in that
area so looking forward to seeing their
positive impact of that Child Care
Program in particular as to how that can
improve the outcomes for those uh how it
can improve lifelong outcomes for the
children involved
Mr Mayor also just wanted to
raise the excellent initiative that
um
stuff came up with in regard to the the
screen at Alfred Deacon Place obviously
we've got that new large screen down
there and what a wonderful opportunity
to use it than the Matilda's match and
we had 350 people braving the cold
temperatures to watch the
um football I'm not going to say soccer
anymore say football I think those are a
fairly
um
fairly good numbers especially given the
weather and I expect we'll have even
more people visiting to watch the big
screen in the future and great that we
also had some food trucks and a coffee
van down there too but what a great way
to bring the community together and a
bit of camaraderie and um cheer on the
matildas who did a wonderful job so
thank you to all the staff that
organized that
I couldn't agree more councilor Johnson
I did go for the first 20 minutes of the
game before it was too cold and had to
go over at the die hards that were there
in great numbers was fantastic so cancel
yeah cancel already uh thank you and
look just supporting what councilor
Johnson has covered there already I
think that particularly those
initiatives highlighted are particularly
important but again just to thank the
CEO and the senior staff for the
diversity of work that gets covered
month in month out so I think we are in
an ideal place and we're continuing to
move ahead we I know we've had some
serious challenges in recent months with
planning and setbacks on a whole range
of areas and a whole body of work coming
into Council from things like the
housing strategy and that but it's
commendable with the the work keeps
going the day and day out stuff's there
and done on time every time so thanks
very much thank you councilor Eddie any
other Council wishing to speak to the
motion
if not I'll put the motion all those in
favor
against the motion is carried
council's item ages will begin the
officer reports item 8.1 is the access
and inclusion implementation plan
counselor Eddie is that your light's
still on to move
councilor Johnson to move seconder
Council councilor coach second Council
Johnson
through the absolute pleasure that I
move this motion which is an update on
the work that's been undertaken over the
past 12 months
we should be really proud of the way in
which the disability advisory committee
functions and the way that we are
progressing in regard to the disability
access and inclusion plan if you read
through the um the update there is some
pretty outstanding achievements that
have been achieved over the last 12
months alone one thing that stood out to
me as particularly significant is that
we are doing more and more work to train
our staff and to onboard people as to
best practice in regard to disability
awareness training as well as things
like teaching people auslan which is the
Australian deaf sign language as well as
in regards to how we can ensure that
we have accessible Services accessible
infrastructure accessible programs the
range of topics that have been
considered at the disability advisory
committee in the last 12 months alone is
significant and impressive we have
Council staff presenting to us regularly
about different things that are
happening in the organization and often
before they happen rather than us having
to give the feedback afterward whether
that's when infrastructure is being
built programs are being designed
strategies are being put together and
the people on that Community the
community on that committee rather the
committee members have an opportunity to
provide input and feedback based on
their lived experience
um another one that we had was there is
now a new category at the Business
Awards in regard to access and inclusion
which I think is fantastic and we have
been recognizing different Council teams
that do outstanding work across the
organization into in regard to the way
that they ensure access and inclusion in
the work that they do
one other area that I just wanted to
touch on was we actually had some staff
come and talk to us about the process of
recruiting new staff and it was a
tremendous discussion with lots of
feedback from how you can ensure that
environments where people are
interviewed
accessible and also how you can ensure
that the opportunities that are being
presented can be um
I guess modified to suit your applicant
we applicants rather than
um expecting people to to fit into a
one-size-fits-all box and I think that
that feedback was
very valuable and great to see so much
of our feedback as a committee taken on
board now I'm going to ask
um Jeff Johnson who's here with us
tonight to just share about the
um
uh actually my God give me one second
it's not Jeff apologies Jeff you're
doing events we actually just got
nominated for an award and I'm just
going to bring it up
Matthew do you know the excuse me
director Wilson do you know the award
that we've been nominated for I'm just
getting the um
Wilson is shaking his head okay well
bear with me I'll get it up
here we go
uh so to add to this list of
achievements I can share that
the city of Ballarat disability advisory
committee has been nominated for the
2023 National disability Awards in the
category of excellence in Regional and
remote support this award recognizes the
committee's demonstration of excellence
and support for people with disability
and the award ceremony will be held on
the 11th of December so that is another
feather in our cap and thank you so much
to all of the staff that are involved in
supporting that committee thank you
councilor Johnson councilor Coates is
the second
thanks Mr Mayor and thanks councilor
Johnson that was really well summarized
and it is it is really work to be proud
of
um over the last 10 years that that I've
been a counselor I'm a previous chair of
the committee prior to councilor Johnson
so for eight years or so and seeing um
seeing the progress over the last 10
years has been pretty incredible
actually the community participation is
outstanding on this committee and to see
see the way that access and inclusion
has become really embedded in the
organization and going from strength to
strength in even some of those more
challenging areas like employment and
recruitment is is really incredible and
a couple of the major projects for 2023
that are on the cards include that
really Innovative program around the
assistance dog relief area as part of
the accessibility ability arts and
assistants dogs in the Ballarat CBD
project and that was Community LED which
is pretty incredible suggested by a
participant on the disability advisory
committee and to see it come to fruition
is incredibly rewarding for us as
councils and also for people on the
committee so that's a great one as well
as building on this up for this year
building on the success of the Victoria
Park inclusive play space and hasn't
that just been an amazing Regional
project that really really is an
exemplary example of inclusion in a in a
play space that everyone can enjoy and I
remember when the parents at the
specialist school first raised that idea
more than 10 years ago and to see how
well used and loved that is now and the
new project with sensory friendly Stay
and Play Zone that will be completed
easier to really build on that as well
is terrific so um
yeah really thanking congratulate all
the community members who work really
hard and give their time so generously
to make ballarata more inclusive place
and commend all the officers and staff
involved as well they do terrific work
and it's greatly appreciated thank you
councilor Coates is there any other
Council wishing to speak for the motion
speak against the motion I'll put the
motion all those in favor
the motion is carried
council's item 8.2 is our annual
community engagement report
any move counselor Taylor Council II
any counselor
second Council Hargraves Council you
have the floor thanks Mr Mayor
um pretty straightforward it's just
really an update of where we're at from
uh um from annual community engagement
it's actually
uh this is probably one of the most
challenging things we find as a
counselor how do we engage with the
community get their feedback and even
the stats in the reports show that that
you know some of them are really
underrepresented represented when you
start looking at some of the items that
are there
um where we we go hard and when we go
out publicly such as the waste we're
able to get great feedback but still 5
000 submissions I'm just double checking
that 5151 for sorting our waste which is
still though a small percentage of the
community as a whole so it's a real
Challenge on on that but then when you
look at other things such as Marty Bush
we're only talking you know 62 people
that are providing feedback it's not a
lot
um so how do we do better when it comes
to community engagement and we can see
in that report that through our customer
satisfaction we have dropped to 49 from
51 was our score rating so it's a
challenge that we have it's a matter of
how we continue to do it you're looking
at continuous Improvement it has been a
great uplift from previous years in
relation to the engagement and also
online commitment
the question is how can we continue to
improve it so it's up to the team to
keep working on that and then as ask
councilors to try to get the message out
when it comes to those items that we
want to engage directly with community
on so I think it's a fairly standard
report it's just an update but it shows
the positives but also then shows work
that we need to do as well so thank you
Council councilor Hargraves
thank you Lucas councilor Taylor stated
really well it is a a report it's more
of a look at where we are and what we
need to do to continually improve
um consultation is always a challenge I
think
um but you know all we can do is
continue to try and get people to tell
us what we tell us what they think tell
us what their views are and take that
into consideration so I think
um the My say page does do a good job
but there's always room for improvement
as well thank you
cancer Hargraves any Council wishing to
speak against the motion
speak for the motion
I'll put the motion all those in favor
against the motion is carried
council's item 8.3 is the event strategy
move counselor Hargraves
Council which is second councilor Eddie
councilor Hargraves you have the floor
thank you Mr Mayor and so this is this
is a report or it's looking at the
report card for how our event strategy
is tracking
um and I mean the informations there
were doing really well particularly in
the short term
um strategy priorities but look I think
it shows or it speaks to the fact that
we do have a really robust and
wide-ranging event strategy we have so
many things to bring people to Ballarat
to visit us as well as provide those
livability objectives for people that
already live here there's a massive
Financial
impact I think it says 44 million 295
135 dollars that it brings to our city
with an investment of around 3 million
263 000 so we're doing really well from
that Financial perspective and knowing
that the the events deliver a lot more
than just the dollars too as I've
mentioned the livability but also so
we've got such a great range of
different type of events from Sports and
music and Heritage I think people know
the big ones like the photo biennale
it also makes really good use of our
infrastructure so getting people into
those buildings her majesties the art
gallery The Mining Exchange and of
course beautiful lake wendoree so
there's a lot of value to
um to the report and tracking where
we're doing and it seems that we're
tracking really well I think the team
does a brilliant job
and just as a personal note I sit on the
tourism Grant so I actually chair that
committee and we spent all the money
which is awesome I think and every time
we meet we do find there's there's
always new events that come up there's
always
um you know recurring events that do
really well and I think
um
you know that's what we want to see new
ideas New Life new new catering to to
all the different age groups and
interest groups that people have as well
that live here so yeah for me I think
this is all very very positive and I'm
very happy to
um yeah get it up there thank you
councilor Hargraves Council ready is the
second ah thanks and I thank councilor
Hargrove has covered very much uh most
of the body of that work and it is a
pleasure being on that subgroup in terms
of the the diversity and the initiative
that comes from our community largely
and local equivalent to a large extent
in terms of ideas of how to attract and
bring new events to Ballarat or to
continue events and and to look at ways
that they engage not only our community
but the broader Community to bring
tourist Olas to Ballarat I think it's
really heartening too on top of those
figures that councilor Hargrove just
mentioned you look at something like the
begonia Festival that you know that
attracted over the three-day cycle this
year 65 000 people through just as an
experience and it it's not just about
dollars it's not just about bringing
people to Ballarat just as many people
in our Ballarat Community get out for
that weekend experience what's on go up
to the show the the actual Gardens
during that period and the attractions
that are put on for you know a diverse
range of people from young kids through
to seniors is just amazing and I really
think it's a credit to the staff and the
organization that we continue to build
and I'd just like to congratulate
everyone involved that we've come out of
some really difficult times but I think
when you look at this plan the officers
have been very focused on continuing to
achieve results and to build on what
we've had in the past they don't sit
idly by accepting that's enough and we
continue to strive to get better and I'm
sure we'll grow this area in the future
thank you thank you cancer Eddie another
Council wishing to speak for the motion
councilor Taylor thank you I will speak
very quickly I think what's been
presented by a council of Hargraves and
Eddie has been great one thing that
stood out to me was council's commitment
and where we put that money in and one
where it comes to council delivered
events they're more the local events and
we we might not get the bang for buck
but actually we're bringing the
community together such as the begonia
festival and others um but the big thing
is then putting the money up there where
we can actually give it to those
organizations that can deliver those big
events to bring those visitors into
Ballarat and that's when we look at
those numbers you know we're getting the
return investment of 1 to 22 from 1.5
million 1.6 million we're getting an
economic benefit about uh 35 and a half
million which is fantastic outcome and
that's where I think we can really
generate that economic benefit by
bringing those external people to
Ballarat and that's what benefits the
whole city in I've got to comment on the
weekend with the western United cup I
think it's called so female
participation in soccer you know three
to four thousand people coming to
Ballarat with their family well that's
their families a whole lot to support
their their um their children playing
which is just awesome to see and that
brings so much money to the economy uh
through Ballarat from the hospitality to
the accommodation to just general
getting out and feeling the vibe of this
beautiful city so the more of that the
better and I think we get great bang for
buck but maybe we've got the road gnats
that's uh we've only got one left is
then how do we then maximize that spend
as well to get the best bank for buck
for
I'm not just looking from a numbers
point of view on a piece of paper but
actually for the community and for the
businesses in the city so absolutely
great strategy and continue to build on
it thank you councilor Taylor the
council wishing to speak for the motion
councilors I'll just speak very briefly
I think from a point of view today and
sports tourism which I think is an
excellent opportunity and something that
we do very very well it showcases the
wonderful ground staff that we have in
turning out facilities that people are
loving coming to Ballarat to play on at
the moment there are two national
championships of sport which are
occurring in Ballarat and have been for
a number of days today I was out for the
opening of the national under-15
lacrosse championships which runs from
today right through until Tuesday of
next week 18 teams from Western
Australia South Australia Victoria and a
team from New Zealand that's come across
the ditch to play they will be vying for
National selection and also on Saturday
I'll be speaking at the under 13 and
under 17 yonics National badminton
championships in Ballarat as well that
have been running now four days and will
culminate on Saturday
earlier this year we had the under no
sorry had the school boys and girls
National Cricket championships
we also had the school boys and girls
National Football Carnival in Ballarat
uh Queen's birthday weekend of course we
had the basketball tournament the Junior
tournament that we know Phil's Ballarat
we also had the Victorian country soccer
championships as well and you could not
get a bed in Ballarat at the time
the bolds community is looking forward
to their sevens tournament which is
happening in January another opportunity
for us so
in amongst all our events and sometimes
people don't focus on just what sports
tourism is able to bring but it is
something that our officers across our
Parks Gardens and Recreation can combine
with the events team and the organizers
of those events at every opportunity
where they've said to me that they have
just loved working well with our events
team and the staff that are preparing
some of the greatest surfaces that
they've played on so well done to
everyone involved
now the council speaking for the motion
against the motion put the motion allows
in favor
the motion is carried
okay council's item 8.4 is the
recommended budget carryovers I might
ask director Horsley to just give a
brief introduction of this item
thank you Mr Mayor and through you
um so for the
20223 financial year officers have gone
through and assessed the timing of a
range of projects which are yet to be
completed but for which we have the
funds available to deliver these
projects what officers are seeking is
for councilors endorsement to move those
projects that are funded into the 2324
budget and there's a list of projects
attached to the agenda broadly council
is able to fund all these projects from
the funds that it has available in the
bank and I would note that there are a
couple of items that officers would also
see counselors support in ensuring our
funding which were inadvertently missed
through the budget one being some
additional funds for the botanic gardens
irrigation and the other being the
botanic gardens master plan this will
then result if counselor supports this
resolution in a very small amount of
funds remaining which offices are
recommending go into account council's
future debt repayment Reserve thank you
Mr B thank you director holzak question
councilor Johnson
thank you Mr Mayor I'm interested in the
process that you undertook to determine
where that
additional revenue of 450
450 000 I think it's more than that but
the projects listed for the Botanical
Gardens
come to a total of 450. what your
process was in determining where that
additional funding should go
yeah thank you Mr Mayor thank you
councilor Johnson for the question for
these two projects as I said these were
projects that we were already committed
to do which we had inadvertently missed
in the budget process the irrigations
for the botanic gardens is taking a
program which would put in the 2324
budget from 700 000 to a million that
was something we missed and we'd like to
see corrected in regards to the botanic
gardens master plan that is something
that we were doing and as I said we
inadvertently missed that when we went
through and developed the budget so
we're seeking to have those amounts for
projects that we believe Council has
already committed to funded from the
surplus funds and then thereafter the
remaining funds were just seeking to put
into our existing Reserve
follow Christian cancer Johnson yes
thank you Mr Mayor
I might
just say before my question we have a
lot of Master plans though don't we we
now have a master plan for the brown
Hill
uh Precinct with many unfunded projects
um one that I'm going to raise later
tonight is we have the the Black Hill
Reserve master plan with many unfunded
projects and priorities in that so the
language was that it was these these
were Mister in the budget process and to
be clear I have no issue with the money
going to these
particular projects I'm just interested
as to how do they bubble to the top of
the
um pot as far as getting funded when we
have so many other uh other
items that are that remain unfunded
Council Johnson director hosler all
right look through the me I'm not sure I
can add too much further officer's
understanding of these Pro these
projects that council's already
committed to doing and that we miss
putting into the budget so we're seeking
to correct an era of offices for
projects that we we already believe are
priorities of council yep Mr CEO
uh through you mayor and thank you
councilor Johnson for that question and
it's a great question
um Council has
over 200 different strategies and master
plans of which many of them
um aren't aren't funded and aren't
allocated into into future budgets and
we're actually undertaking an exercise
at the moment to go through and have a
look at all of those strategies and
master plans
to work out what the best way going
forward is to it is to do deal with
those these two particular items there
is a resolution of council around the
the master plan for the Botanical
Gardens and it was an agreement from
Council to undertake a review of the
existing master plan and particularly to
have a look at the infrastructure there
and what might be the best way forward
for some of the infrastructure in in the
garden so it was a a way of dealing with
a lot of requests coming in for the
gardens and making sure that there's a
clear strategy around the sequencing of
infrastructure into the gardens the
irrigation project it was included in
the budget but unfortunately we didn't
actually include the correct amount to
be able to do the the um the irrigation
so we're we're fixing two errors of of
the budget so we weren't particularly
picking items ahead of anything else
they were just missed in the budget
process
thank you Mr Sayo
is there a council wishing to move the
recommendation councilor Harris Council
Wilson to second the motion
a new councilor Council ready to second
councilor Harris
um thank you Mr Mayor and think you um
Council Johnson II for picking up there
I mean they are they're still there you
know they've been missed there's no two
ways about it
um councilors I know it's it often gives
it like you know
some pause when you do look at the
budget and you look at what
what potential slippage there's been
I do favor this you know a report when
it comes through it does we all gives us
pause for thought but in reality I think
it's been very clearly put I um
appreciate there's only my time in
Council it's actually one of the the
clearest and most straightforward way of
looking at carryover here and I find no
evidence of it's been tricky times to
get stuff done I mean there's the bottom
line and I think actually I'm reassured
by the position we find ourselves with I
save those couple of things that would
be nice if they weren't there I I but I
think in their time in Council the
rallies it wouldn't it we wouldn't have
seen some of the clarity in this in
other years that we've been here so I
think it's um it's well presented it is
where we are I think we can honestly own
it and I'm more than happy to recommend
it thank you councilor Harris councilor
Eddie is the second
thank you Mr Mayor and I support the
comments made by councilor Harris and
I'm particularly pleased that um we are
looking at the the length and breadth of
the master planning strategies that over
the years we've all thought I'm sure in
this Council term and other Council
terms have been a good idea at the time
but they really mean nothing without a
budget strategy beside them so I think
again to follow on from what councilor
Harris has said in regard to how we're
seeing the current budgets and and the
work that goes into that and the
reporting on it but also the fact that
we're looking to tidy up the trail and
make sure that we can actually work in a
more positive way in the future so I'm
happy to second that motion thank you
councilority is there a council wishing
to speak against the motion
speak for the motion cancel codes a
question question actually uh just to
clarify a question for the director
around the request for
a follow-up report at the mid-budget
point as well particularly
regarding the sustainability projects
and climate action projects which are
relevant to some questions that were
asked earlier this evening by by one of
the residents to absolutely thank you
Council coach director hosler thank you
and through the man thank you coach for
the question the briefing is scheduled
for the 18th of October where we will
cover additional climate mitigation
projects that officers have considered
as a result of your request
council is anyone else speaking for the
motion
if not I'll put the motional as in favor
against the motion is carried
council's item 8.5 is the art gallery of
Ballarat
board appointments councilor Harris to
move count to have Accounts at a second
Council Taylor Council Harris you have
the floor uh things cancer it's pretty
much um this is Administrative Dynamic
but this is doing is a new board
appointed in the last
you know so from from zero so we just in
order to stagger the board we've had um
two of the members um great members
David constant David Herman
um will be reappointed so we don't get
the whole board tip at the end so it
just a way of sort of accumulating some
experience and getting people uh on so
it's a way of graduating it through so
apologies in some sense it has to come
back to council for that approval but
there's um it is the same point ease
that we've had for 12 months and just no
an effort to stagger the board when it
does still thank you councilor Harris
cancer Taylor Mr Speaker you know the
council wishing to speak for the motion
against the motion
put the motion all those in favor
the motion is carried
councilors item 8.6 is the council plan
action plan we have a public submission
from Mary debrett who is not attending
but that presentation will be read out
by Mr Montgomery
thank you and through you Mr Mayor the
presentation is as follows
regarding eight item 8.6
2023 to 2024 council plan action plan
under goal one an environmentally
sustainable future the action 1.1
transitioned towards zero emissions
notes in the second line council's
intention to engage with key
stakeholders and Community to help
deliver the Net Zero Community emissions
Target
as a community organization committed to
helping to drive ballarat's Net Zero
2030 emission Target Breeze Inc urges
Council to take up solar Vic's new
initiative which is intended to assist
in-home electrification for Victorian
households
Municipal governments across the state
are currently undertaking home
electrification programs to facilitate
the transition to solar PV and energy
inefficient hot water heat pumps such
programs harness the cost advantages of
bulk buys the bulk and the public trust
invested in local government and the
cost savings such programs can offer at
a time of rising Energy prices
these home electrification programs also
make the process easier for time poor
Working Families and help those confused
by the technology perhaps most
importantly however by helping
households switch off gas they also help
to cut emissions
solar Vic's new initiative which opened
this week is an Innovative expression of
Interest process in which they are
seeking to partner with Innovative
organizations who have the capacity to
make or enable bulk insulation of solar
PV and or hot water in a minimum or 50
new or end or new existing residential
premises to help accelerate the
transition to fully electric homes
City councils are among the
organizations eligible to apply via the
eoi process given the relatively low
uptake of rooftop solar across greater
Ballarat at 17.2 percent Breeze Inc
asked the city of Ballarat to take
advantage of this opportunity to help
local households get off gas and cut
their energy bills and greenhouse gas
emissions in line with action 2.2
transition to all electric homes in
council's own Ballarat zero emission
plan crob 2022 page 33.
thank you Mr Brits question Council
coats uh yes just a follow-up question
to request that perhaps we take that on
node as a question on notice to follow
up with the with the team around whether
whether it is potentially something city
of Ballarat can follow up or
um or support a community group to do
and or follow up with the central
Victorian Greenhouse Alliance whether
whether it's something collaboratively
other councils are looking at I'm not
quite across it myself yet either so it
would be good if we could potentially
take that on notice and do some research
and provide that response back to Mr
Brett as well as part of that submission
um the next submission is from Mr Paul
Gordon Smith who we are I believe is
attending with us this evening
thank you Mr Gordon Smith here just
repeat your name in the suburb where you
reside and then we're happy to hear your
submission
Paul Gordon Smith trelawny Black Hill
thank you okay good evening all
uh sustainability both built and
environmental
is our goal as as you say and the
principle which could be properly stated
to drive all relevant Council decisions
could possibly be stated as preserve
life at all costs
this is not a balancing decision to make
the unconscious human driver to be
sustained from the built environment is
from the ornamental design elements of
traditional Heritage architecture
this is evidence from the present decade
and is unavailable to the training and
knowledge base of present city planners
and architects who have qualifications
over a decade old
these design elements that are in
ornament are absent from modernist
brutal architecture that avoids ornament
and the 15 essential properties found in
the natural order are and exemplified by
the use of such as exterior glass panels
blank walls of steel cement car sheeting
and paneling
Etc
and all of which are not humanly
sustaining
proper that is sustaining built form
planning scheme controls
will be the same as those found in
traditional architecture and expressed
in a way that supports and encourages
their variation and allow for modern
Technologies
furthermore form controls that are
informed by recent architectural
evidence and practice to which humans
can relate will best support Urban
change
residents will be healthier
less stressed
and more comfortable in leading their
lives in a structural form environment
whose elements are in harmony with those
of traditional architecture that we're
fortunate in inheriting
I urge our Council please don't put
Dracula in charge of the blood bank
thank you
thank you Mr Gordon Smith for any
questions counselors
if not thank you for the submission Mr
Gordon Smith
and the next representation is from Mr
Stuart Kelly who is here with us in
person thank you Mr Kelly please just
repeat your name in your suburb and then
over to you for your presentation
Stuart Kelly Ballarat Central thank you
um I wanted to talk about section 4.2
respect conserve and celebrate our Rich
heritage
it has the statement continue to
progress with the Heritage gaps analysis
and work towards a planning scheme
amendment to ensure that our built form
controls can better balance Heritage and
urban change
the first part is not controversial in
my mind
it's a
89 Magpie Street I think showed that we
really do need to spend more and put
more effort onto the Heritage gaps
analysis as a matter of some urgency
it's the second part of the statement
which causes a bit of concern
specifically the better balance Heritage
and urban change the use of the word
balance
to me seems to be well I suppose you
might call me nitpicking but it seems to
be
um
to perpetuate a view of Heritage as
being opposed to development
the idea that you can have old or new or
you can have the past or the future
um
this brings me to remind people that
Ballarat Heritage watch used to be
called
citizens for thoughtful development
and to my mind that's a better name
I believe that
it's a matter of good design whether we
can complement existing buildings
and can serve areas with respect
to the historic character
rather than try and have some sort of
opposition between the old and the new
therefore I'd like to see that the
latter part of this Clause was replaced
by some wording which was more in line
along the lines of work towards a
planning scheme amendment to encourage
and support development which respects
the existing Heritage character of the
city
this would more closely reflect the
heading of the Clause respect conserve
and celebrate our Rich heritage
thank you thank you very much Mr Kelly
is any questions of Mr Kelly
if not thank you Mr Kelly for your
submission Council as I'm now in your
hands is Council willing to move the
recommendation
everyone's quiet side counselor
coats to move is there accountants or
willing to second
the motion
any counselors
thank you councilor Taylor Council coach
you have the floor
[Applause]
look it is
it is essentially fairly procedural in
some ways too and holds us to account as
to how we're tracking on actions in the
council plan so it is is good that some
community members are are watching and
and doing exactly that holding us to
account as to how we're tracking with
those things and
um as we all should be doing as
counselors to to ensure that what we've
committed to as as strategies and a high
level
actions are getting followed through in
a timely manner so um
look it's relatively self-explanatory
and great to see some Community
engagement at this point and
um yeah I'm personally looking forward
to
the item that um that I raised in
relation to the the
um the Midway budget review to how we're
tracking with climate action that's
obviously coming coming to the to the
fore and has been for a very long time
so um look I'll largely take the report
as as being read thank you councilor
coach councilor Taylor anything to add
thank you Mr Mayor and thank you
presenters tonight to come along and um
it is a challenge when we have such a
long council plan that we give those
updates it's the question is how do we
make that change and Mr Kelly you
mentioned that that good discussion and
saying with Mr Gordon Smith as well
um I think would provide a lot of
opportunities to have those discussions
in the community and right now we have
the housing strategy that's out and
that's part of our action plan to
deliver as well as the Heritage gaps
analysis which we all agree and admit
that that we are behind on that and
we're being more reactive than proactive
in that space so we need to do better in
that area the challenges here are is how
do we then balance what we have as a
city and how do we continue to grow and
I think the housing strategy is a great
opportunity for everyone to be part of
that and have those uh those discussions
especially when it comes to Heritage and
that you'd say the conflict between in
fuel lens and what's already there from
existing
um the reply is pretty straightforward
that we we set ourselves a very
ambitious plan from our council plan
this is an update of where we're at with
it and is there's a lot of continuing to
deliver deliver on which is good that
we've set those policies and we continue
to deliver it for what the community
needs the challenges are we have an
ambitious plan we have ambitious budget
and we just had the previous so I had
him with the carryovers which adds on to
our previous carryovers which means it's
a lot of money but great news is we are
getting on and delivering we're spending
that money that's needed and really we
just got to continue to do that and
deliver what we said we're going to do
before we take on maybe some more bigger
projects but we're going to keep doing
it though so it's very very happy to
second the motion
it Council Tyler any other Council
wishing to speak for the motion
councilor Eddie
thanks Mr Mayor and again without going
over those comments already made I think
that um it is good and thank you to the
two presenters for taking the time to
present and just remind us of some of
the things that are important to large
segments of our community and also
perhaps take the opportunity to thank
the council group particularly and the
officers for the drive and oversight to
keep these plans going
um one of the things perhaps hasn't been
mentioned that I think is fairly
significant is that while we can set a
plan and as councilor Taylor said it's a
very ambitious plan
we are at the mercy of external factors
and be that covered recovery be that
planning Law changes but you know be
that the change in cancellation of the
commonwealth games there are serious
factors that will always impact on our
plan so I think I'd commend everyone
who's involved in just keeping us on
focus and keeping us on task and
hopefully despite external changes and
influences we can make a good job of
this plan thank you the key accounts
ready you know the council mission to
speak before the motion
against the motion put the motion all
those in favor against the motion is
carried
council's item 8.7 is tender
578 of
2022-23 stage two part A Ballarat
Regional Landfill capping construction
councilor Taylor movie yeah just a quick
question before I do just want to
clarify and it's just the wording of the
report are we talking about the budget
which is part A in Part B tonight we're
dealing with the item which is part A
there is another part which is then the
part B component which then has is that
to come to Future has that all been
bundled up as part of this one tender
director Stokes if you could
or if I
uh through Mr Mayor and thank you for
the question councilor Taylor Part B is
to occur uh and come to council at a
later date in the following Financial
year November 2024.
happy to move
secondary counselors
congratulations to second the motion
second councilor Harris councilor Taylor
thank you Mr Mayor and uh it's a big sum
of money that what we deal with when it
comes to just part of uh that the um
when it comes to the landfill
um it's a challenge but that's what we
do when we have a landfill we have to
manage it otherwise we would be putting
it on trucks and probably paying the
same amount of money or more to ship it
somewhere else and let someone else deal
with it um thanks for the clarity it was
just that wording when we started
talking about stage two ANB but in the
uh the resolution we're very clear on
part A so it's good to get that
clarified and look forward to the future
uh a future tender as it comes through
but uh it's great we're able to be more
open and we've actually changed the
wording now we're also talk about
authorizing the CEO to then sign off and
finalize it and actually we look at that
maximum amount so even though it's our
schedule of rates we've got a very clear
amount we had a we had one in here
recently where the amount kind of kept
getting bigger and bigger because we
didn't have that Clarity when the tender
came through so great work by the team
CEO and the team to actually get that
Clarity and and really word it to what's
needed and gives the CEO that confidence
to sign the contract so happy to move
councilor Taylor councilor Harris who's
the second
similarly Mr Mayor I'm happy with the
process and um other than giving us
pause to reflect two million dollars for
burying our rubbish you know you know we
just gotta think what that represents
and as if we judge no doubt via
grandchildren for some of these some of
these things but uh the reality is that
it is what it is and um uh I think the
um
uh offices for um getting this contract
up and going it has to be done
you Council Harris any other Council
wishing to speak for the motion against
the motion I'll put the motion all those
in favor the motion is carried
council's item 8.8 contracts approve a
delegated committee minutes move
counselor Taylor second councilor Harris
counselor Tyler
uh thanks Mr Mayor I wasn't going to
because this is the PowerHouse of this
Council to move through this kindness
that we deal with uh but but it is
actually good to note that that as part
of council we are delegated to have a
committee to deal with these so we can
get on and deliver we deal with the
larger ones here within this chamber but
these uh again have the same scrutiny as
what we do the same back end the same
evaluations everything's being done
actually we we have a very good
complement of staff on those committees
I think even today there's something
like six or seven officers that are
there to answer any questions that we
have on on those items and sometimes
more depending on them so as you can see
these actually have been then approved
and delegated or through the delegated
committee and the CEOs then signed and
got on and delivered um so really it's
just noting those minutes and those
contracts
councilor Taylor Council Harris
any other cancellation respect for the
motion
against the motion I'll put the motion
allows in favor motion is carried
counselors councilors item 8.9 largely
procedural section six instrument of
Delegation members of Staff move
counselor Hargraves seconded counselor
Harris councilor Hargraves any
discussion Council Harris any discussion
any Council wishing support for the
motion against the motion put the motion
all those in favor against the motion is
carried
item 8.10 again another instrument of
appointment and authorization of
delegations again can't move councilor
Harris secondary councilor Eddie any
discussion counselors
if not I'll put the motion all those in
favor against the motion is carried
council's item 8.11 is any outstanding
Question Time items of which there are
none
item nine is any notice of motions which
are none council's item 10 reports from
committees and Council laws in your
hands counselors
Council Maloney
a couple of items the first one uh is to
actually request a leave of absence for
the month of October which includes the
meeting of the 25th of October I don't
think there's a planning meeting to miss
so I think that's being canceled or
deferred but certainly at least that one
do I need to if you're moving
secondary Council or second councilor
Harris
any discussion counselors if not put the
Motionless in favor
against that's duly carried thank you
fellow councilors I'm looking forward to
having a meeting off as I carry through
a lot of meditate and other work at the
moment so thank you for that
um tonight I also
um rise uh ahead of the the upcoming
referendum to ask the people of Ballarat
to please consider voting yes at the
upcoming referendum
two Sundays ago I was joined by about a
thousand locals to walk along sturt
street through the gardens to offer a
deacon place in support of our
Aboriginal and Toro shade Islander local
residents while it's very true there's a
wide range of views among the broader
community and within First Nations
communities as well consistently polls
are showing that more than 80 percent of
Aboriginal Ontario said honor people
want a constitutional recognition and
want a voice to represent them on issues
that affect them and it can be that
simple
we are simply being asked on October 14
if we do or don't accept that simple
request so request from a meeting of
mobs from Across the Nation represented
in the form of the Uluru statement of
the heart and that statement finishes
with the words we invite you to walk
with us in the movement of Australia of
the Australian people for a better
future
the hand of reconciliation has been
extended and to be a shame to slap it
away or pretend that that denial of a
request has no impact on our nation's
identity
for those of us who are not Aboriginal
or Torres Strait Islander people there
is no cost to voting yes we will
experience notice advantage
nor loss as non-indigenous people
however we have the chance to be part of
something positive
and we have the chance for our first
Nations uh people to be finally
recognized in our nation's founding
document
I also call in our City's leaders to be
visible during the few weeks of
uncertainty that's what leaders do they
don't shy away from debate because
there's a range of different views they
offer a Way Forward they represent those
views they represent a positive future
for their City their state and their
Nation and I'm not just talking about
our nine counselors and our and several
Council directors I'm talking about
leaders across our community from
business Education Health social
services Sports the Arts to provide
visible representation of people who
live here in Ballarat our Aboriginal and
Tara said Island community
it's too easy to say it's not relevant
to our organizations but the welfare of
all of our residents should be important
to us all it's what I love about
Ballarat
back in 2017 our nation and our city was
asked if we supported giving same-sex
couples the opportunity to marry
Ballarat overwhelmingly said yes with 70
70.5 percent voting in a favor
demonstrating to the destination that we
are one of regional Australia's most
welcoming and inclusive cities
together
locally the the borough industry the
Aboriginal Cooperative bad act has come
out in clear support of recognition so
if we're waiting for a local Aboriginal
representatives to come out strongly
will they have that come out and they're
very clearly said in their statement now
is our time to stand up and be counted
to continue the work of our predecessors
and work toward a better future for the
next generation of Aboriginal Torres
Strait Islander people so thank you to
the Thousand Ballarat locals who showed
up
to be counted at the recent walk of
support and thank you to those who've
already learned their voice of support I
encourage our City's residents to again
show up to support progress but whatever
your view even if you have a view of no
that's okay as long as we continue to be
kind to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people because they're doing it
tough right now and we have to call out
racism we have to call out inconsiderate
language and just as we did during the
pandemic we need to be kind to each
other so during these next few weeks I
encourage us all to go forward with that
in mind thank you
councilor Maloney
other councilors with updates from
committees counselors
cancer Hargraves
thank you Mr Mayor I believe this event
was mentioned before I think by
councilor Taylor but on the weekend I
was lucky enough to get to go along to
the Western United cup at the Ballarat
regional soccer facility and help
presenting the medals and just doing a
quick speech and it was such a lovely
atmosphere such a positive event so it
was all girls you know from ages I think
9 up to 21 so such a great
space to see that participation and
encouragement of girls in sport and of
course any genders in sport at all we
were all about
um you know supporting that and and
helping people to to move and connect
and all those sorts of things and it's
also just that time of year I guess
where winter sports are wrapping up uh I
know was it last weekend or the one
before there was hockey Grand finals
there's footy there's netball there's a
lot of use of all of those Community
infrastructure
venues and I think it's just worth
noting that a lot of hard work goes into
that from the organization itself and
they're doing a really good job and you
know well done to everyone who's played
Sports I'm not one of them but there are
plenty out there
congratulations thanks cancer High
Graves now the councilors
of items Council Tyler thank you Mr
Mayor I just want to report uh just uh
one of the many things that we do as
counselors one I actually got the
opportunity to go to Canberra to the uh
national roads conference
um which was really good really
interesting probably one of the big
things is what we've seen is when there
is natural disasters or when there is a
flood if the data's not there and the
images of the before art taken that it
actually puts a whole lot of pressure on
trying to get the money to repair it
after which is a real challenge
to do that if you haven't got good asset
management and good uh that that good
standard there so that was one that was
really pushed around how can we get that
data and and reflecting on that back in
the city how do we make sure we've got
that asset management system in place
and I know we're working through that
now even with software but taking those
images even to the basic one Council
literally had a GoPro on the front of
their car and just drove uh just to
actually track that data which is not
the greatest way of doing it if
someone's got to then download all that
that information Nation the other thing
was also then a standard in relation to
national roads there isn't really a
clear standard councils we set our own
in relation to what our expectations are
from a maintenance point of view and
when we respond and how long that's not
consistent across Victoria let alone
across Australia so how do we then set
that standard and then most importantly
it how are we going to deal with it with
fuel exercise if we're actually
transitioning to a electric vehicle
um we rely a lot of our income in
relation to roads on on a fuel exercise
if that then changes because we go
electric what's that mean to that that
tax
it wasn't made to us when it comes to
money coming back to local roads so
these are real challenges that we're
that we're seeing uh and and also uh
other we had case studies in relation to
um roundabouts and what it means and
also though uh how it affects the road
coming in and out and then some case
studies around the benefits of what they
did around Works outside of that not
just the intersection itself so it was
very informative
um and again jam-packed for a day and a
half and also added a few extra things
with Minister Bowen around the
Renewables in the transition especially
around gas to electric so uh very
productive and I know we've even had
conversations when I was there with the
CEO about even looking at bundling up
some of the road projects so we do one
tender instead of say 10 tenders and it
means we could actually get a larger
contractor and maybe look at some cost
efficiencies as well so yeah it was well
attended and it was a good good couple
of days
Council Tyler question without
notice but in any of the sessions was
there any discussion around the standard
at which
roads a bit we seem to be growing more
and more in heavier Vehicles we're
seeing the impact of Roads failing but
is anyone talking about increasing the
standard to a much stronger or
alternative base not specifically but
the challenge you're absolutely right
and a lot of councils raise the issue
where some roads have been downgraded
especially the the national roads or
arterial roads which meant those
Vehicles were then going through through
local roads which aren't designed for it
so as I said before there isn't a clear
standard Across the Nation and it needs
to be looked at and one of the big
things there is is it's tough because
you actually need the data to say what
actually works well and what doesn't and
I know the CX raised that we're looking
at doing some data here around some
construction that's been done how we
monitor it and then how do we go back
and look at improvements around the
subsurface the surface and then
maintenance in the future but that is
the biggest challenge is there is not a
consistency and you look when you travel
you know further north it starts to go
from Asheville to concrete and then
what's the cost benefit analysis of that
and it might work great at the time
because the lower cost earlier in the
years now the cost at an improved
concrete is pretty dramatic to do it so
there's challenges there for councils to
look at how do they manage their Road
network but upgrading that road Network
so there isn't a consistent approach
well done thank you other councils with
reports from committees Council Coates
uh yes Mr Mayor firstly like councilor
Maloney I'll be on the public record
supporting a yes vote in the upcoming
referendum because
the status quo is nowhere near good
enough it's just not and it's clear that
much more needs to be done in regard to
all aspects of Human Rights Health
social justice for indigenous people in
this country
the referendum on voice won't in and of
itself be a silver bullet but a step
towards following through on the request
made as part of the Uluru statement of
the heart and is on balance a step in
the right direction
and so much change is needed
um
and a step towards truth and treaty is
needed at all levels of government and
Community I'm I'm too really mindful of
the difficult position that Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander community
members are in at the moment they're at
the the Forefront of the
bigotry and abuse that that is a result
of some of the dis public discussion
happening around this and my heart
really goes out to them and I would call
on all of us to be
really mindful on calling that behavior
out being respectful and kind
regardless of views
um it's it's a very very difficult time
as we we get closer to that referendum
most people recognize the devastating
impact that colonization has had on the
First Nations people in this country
here and across across the globe and we
can't deny that
poor environmental stewardship has
pretty much led us to the brink of
ecological collapse
these are really important issues and
the status quo is not acceptable and
this country needs to do better and and
work harder to address this so I'll be
on the public record voting yes in the
upcoming referendum and I hope that it
is a step towards addressing some of
those systems in our society that have
entrenched severe in inequality and
social justice and have impacted on
human rights of First Nations people
here
that's my first issue
um the the second one is I would I would
like to offer heartfelt congratulations
to Neil parash his wife Suga and their
children navash Kati and Neve who have
been successful in being granted
permanent residency after 10 years in
Ballarat and
what a journey it's been
having known Neil and his family for all
that time and I can only imagine how how
just how relieved they are I I can't
imagine it I can't imagine it and
I can't I can't believe that cruelty
that they've been subject to as well as
other refugees and Asylum seekers in
that 10 years and I'm sure Neil will
continue to be an outstanding Advocate
and I believe there is a
public a city of Ballarat formal
reception coming off up soon so it was
only six weeks ago I was at the send-off
for Neil when he he embarked on his
1000 kilometer journey to Sydney and he
almost got there he got on the outskirts
of Sydney it was the day before I think
that it was announced that he and
and sugar his wife and that their two
daughters who
um weren't considered permanent
residents the third one was already
because she was born here
um were found out so
um
so look I can I can
see Kath Morton's face actually
um Kath Morton the late Kath Morton who
was was like a a mum and grandmother to
to kneel and sugar and the the girls she
would be
I'm sure just so warmly delighted for
them um and Neil said that every day he
was walking Kath was Kath was in his
mind so many of you will know that Kath
was former senior of the Year here at
city of Ballarat as well
um so look forward to look forward to
formally giving them congratulations as
part of that that ceremony that's coming
up soon I believe
um interrupts Council cards in reaching
out to to Neil I'm about to use his
family and asking him dates that suited
and the fact that he now is or has a
permanent Visa can be looking for work
he's at any time that I'm actively out
looking for work and sugars out looking
for work as well that he was Keen to
yeah to work with just shows his
commitment to the community so
they're absolutely Exemplar community
members and we we I feel like we're
extremely fortunate to have them have
them in our community here we're lucky
that you know they they chose they're
here in Ballarat as community members
too so that's
um it's great and we are proudly a
welcome Refugee Zone as well
for that very reason that people give
back so much to their to their
communities and it's it's in our
interest as well to make them welcome
um another important item to mention is
our recent delegation to Timor list and
the inaro district as part of um part of
our commitment to
the ongoing friendship re-signing of the
agreement by yourself Mr Mayor and the
laying of the stone
um for the the playground that city of
the Arts made a small contribution
towards and that's been matched by
Community fundraising as well so it
really puts our
um our privileging perspective being in
a community like that where where the
preschool the facilities that they have
and the things that they don't have are
just it's just so Stark this is the
first playground in the district of of
its scale and where it will be placed
you know the children at the the
kindergarten have very few materials
um
the schools
have very few materials so it's it's it
was so warmly received it was great to
have community members from Ballarat
along with us as well who who were
self-funded such as their long
long-standing commitment so I really
feel that the relationship we have with
Tim all left and the friends of inaro is
probably the broadest and deepest
cultural connection that we have in the
city because it cuts across education
and health
it would be reasonable to say a couple
of hundred students have have been to
inaro from Ballarat over that over that
20 years
numerous teachers have lived there for a
few months and we've we've just had
someone training young people in
Hospitality they're from the friends of
I know so it's it's a such it's such a
great story and we get so much out of it
as a community it people learn a lot
we learn a lot about ourselves in giving
back to a community not very far away
who who have so little when we we have
so much and take so much for granted so
um it was it was really just amazing to
to be there 20 years later
um re-signing the commitment and being
able to say hand on heart that you know
when we made that commitment 20 years
ago it was a long-term relationship
and it is it's a genuine friendship and
a genuine exchange so we get back as
much as we put in I think in in
um
in just learning learning and
contributing something that's that's
bigger than ourselves uh so so yeah
hearing about the Disaster Response work
that they're doing as well was was
pretty incredible
um
when we think about
climate change and the impact that
that's having
it's it's really start to be reminded
that our nearest neighbors who have such
a small
um
consumption footprint of consumption are
the ones being you know most severely
impacted we saw firsthand the the
impacts of the Cyclone just a year ago
and getting the briefing from the Red
Cross there those those disasters are
definitely happening more often and and
they're more severe and impacting on
more people
um
and just lastly just to mention that in
my role as counselor I was at the
National Climate Summit a few weeks ago
as well and
um
that was top of the climate disasters
were top of the agenda that they are
happening more regularly and more
severely in Australia and that's
impacting
um on the bottom line as well Insurance
costs are going up and local governments
at the Forefront of um respond both
responding to those disasters but also
looking to address climate change
through local action mitigation and
adaptation
tip for me thank you Council Coates any
other counselor with counselor
councilor Harris
councilor Johnson I won
thank you Mr Mayor
I attended the daughters of the West
Graduation here at the Town Hall last
night with 41 graduates who participated
in the 10-week program
which was delivered in partnership with
the Western bulldogs and a number of
other key agencies and sponsors
the overarching message of the night was
that women are less likely to carve out
the time to look after our own health
and well-being and and so often are in
caregiver roles and putting other people
first so it was reiterated that it's so
important at any stage of your life and
at every indeed every stage of your life
you need to ensure that you are
um
putting on your oxygen mask first I
think was the metaphor it was a
really inspiring event to be part of
people that hadn't been active for many
years taking the chance and putting them
putting themselves on the line
um
with the intention of improving overall
health and well-being and there were
lots of really inspirational people that
there last night I wanted to
congratulate Rosie who won the Club
Championship award so that was about not
only
um
trying uh hard but also supporting the
other participants within the daughters
of the West programs just wanted to give
her a special mention Mr Murray also
attended the western United cup which
councilor Hargraves has uh already
touched on I just wanted to reiterate
the significant economic impact that
that has on our city with an estimated 4
000 visitors to our city across the
three-day event and what an incredible
cash injection that is for our local
economy
uh one other one that I attended was the
little things exhibition and I wanted to
give this a special shout out as well
because if you haven't seen it yet
um please do it's uh a photographic
exhibition which is part of the Ballarat
International Photo biennale and it's
delivered in Partnership of Center for
Multicultural Youth and it essentially
asks young people to think of what are
the little things in your life that
contribute to your overall health and
well-being and the photos that are
featured are are amazing from
um
you know just a pair of airpods on the
train and being able to block other
people out to pictures of countries that
many of these young people have
originally immigrated or immigrated
rather from and
um you know sharing food together with a
friend an opportunity to have a nice
clean space within your house that you
keep neat and tidy where the rest might
be a bit messy but you've got that that
one space that you go to and it
contributes to health and wellbeing it
was interesting to see the different
themes that emerged and the opportunity
for people who viewed the exhibition to
um provide a photo which would be
printed off and then
featured as part of that exhibition as
well
a couple of other quick ones Mr Mayor
one of which is the Black Hill master
plan we have discussed this in recent
times of raised it at Council probably
around 12 months ago and I am just
looking for a briefing back to council
um in regard to the what's been achieved
against the master plan that was
developed in 2013 and what progress has
been made I would really love
um to request that that document be
updated but perhaps as a result of that
briefing that may be explored I
understand that we have many plans and
strategies on the go and I just wanted
to quickly touch on
um some figures and facts about how much
work actually went into forming that
2013 master plan there was multiple user
groups involved including Club mud
Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club there
were 130 community members blackhill
Primary School units Department of
environment and primary industry people
with historical knowledge we also had a
whole range of our staff from different
areas of council that came together to
um
not just provide feedback but as part of
a working group that put that together
and in 2003 there was the Black Hill
Reserve management plan which was then
updated in 2012 and again in October
2013 so I'd be interested to see where
that Black Hill Reserve management plan
is at now
whether it has been updated and then of
course the draft master plan my
apologies it was 2014 that it um was
adopted and the committee was formed in
2013. I think one thing that is
important for that Precinct moving
forward is access to public toilets
they're they're desperately needed in
that area there are many many people
that use it every single day and
particularly on the weekends so
um looking forward to a briefing and
would also enjoy and not enjoy I would
um request rather that some information
be provided to us in regard to risk
management within that area and that was
touched on in the original master plan
that that work needed to be done so I'm
interested to know has it been done have
we stayed on top of it as far as a
public safety risk presented by existing
features including the the viewing
platform steps stairs from memory
there's like Star pickets you know in
some of those steps so are there um are
there things that we can do to improve
the overall safety of that Precinct
um
a congratulations
um to our social media team
all right so what
um a video of Tara
um being interviewed in relation to her
role at the Ballarat animal shelter
um and I thought it was absolutely
brilliant so thank you to Tara for for
doing that one of our staff and also
Amanda and the comms team we have a
great story to tell we have lots of
Staff doing really important work every
day let's keep doing it it was great
it's very good and my last item
is just to
um
uh say that it's fantastic that we're a
major sponsor of owlets of the let's go
Ballarat campaign that we're delivering
in partnership with a number of others
including 3ba and Power FM I got to
speak this weekend sorry this week
rather in relation to visiting friends
and relatives and the messaging was
essentially that if you invite friends
and relatives to come and stay in
Ballarat and they stay your
accommodation and don't have to pay for
accommodation they're more likely to
spend more money so that's the long and
short of it and 68 of money spent
locally within Ballarat will stay here
rather than approximately three percent
which
is what we retain when we spend it on a
business that's based out of town
um yeah so
once again great work to um our staff
that are working in that area it was a
wonderful opportunity to
express how important it is to shop
locally thank you thank you councilor
Johnson
other counselors to
councilor Harris thanks Mr mad that
Victorian government released a housing
strategy a week getting together
sometime to perform a position I think
our community be wanting us to say
something might be
chewing gum and talking at the same time
but we've got our own housing policy out
there with the community having a look
at it so if we got something on the
agenda that we can get Council together
and get something out to our community
Mr CEO
thank you through Mr Mayor and thank you
Council Harris for that uh for that
question or suggestion uh we'll
certainly be bringing a briefing to
council very shortly to to go through it
it's a very extensive package of Works
which is still rolling out at the moment
some of them have already been
implemented so on the day of the
announcement there was two gazettes of
two amendments which appeared in our
planning scheme that night so some
things have actually already occurred
some will occur in the future as part of
reviews of the current planning
Provisions so plan is to bring a
briefing to council to be able to have a
conversation around
what is included in the statement and
what does it mean going going forward
briefing so timing yep so October
briefing session yeah yeah
okay Council ready could I just ask a
follow-up question of the CEO on that is
is the announcements that have been made
and then face that's been put out do we
have the opportunity to respond to any
of that obviously that that's already
been legislated and implemented we can't
do much about but is there a deadline
for us to go back to government with any
feedback or is that not on the table
uh through you Mr Mayor and thank you
Council lady for that question
um government hasn't sought any feedback
from local government in the development
of it or the future implementation of it
MAV is certainly calling for local
government to be involved in future
components of it particularly when they
start looking at planning scheme reform
we continue to ask for involvement We
Believe local government is actually the
experts in the planning areas we're the
ones who actually do the vast bulk of
planning in in the state and we believe
we have a very important voice to add to
that reform moving forward but at this
point in time there's been no request
for any input at this stage
thank you Mr Council ready
uh thanks Mr B and just two things um
firstly and it's more just an awareness
to raise an issue I suppose that there's
an increasing number of requests from
those residents just living on the
peripheral edges of Ballarat around the
100 kilometer speed limits
um and I know speaking to some of the
officers in the traffic department
there's been a lot of good work done to
improve some of those areas where
they're still 100 K's but um certainly I
think it is an issue we need to start to
think about collectively I know it's not
our domain and we don't have Authority
for it and there's guidelines that we
need to work to but certainly I believe
that we need to start the develop a bit
of a strategy of high risk areas it
seems too often we wait until there is a
fatality or an accident and then say
oops we better do something and maybe
there are better ways to start to engage
with the community and have a look at
that so I'm just raising that as an
issue that I'm Keen to pursue and the
second one listening to both councilor
Maloney and councilor coaches that you
know I certainly would be supporting me
yes vote in the referendum I think the
overwhelming majority of our indigenous
Community have recognized that they've
asked they want to be Listen to I think
whatever's been tried to date for
whatever reasons with supporting our
religious community clearly has some
work to any great extent
and it's often been to their detriment
while often perhaps commercially to the
benefit of those people who have been
able to seek funding or get support to
do things that really haven't worked and
helped so I think
I I too recognize there's two sides for
this debate and there'll be people that
want to consider both sides and I
respect that entirely but again all I
ask is people look at the facts and and
make up their own minds I think it is an
individual decision but it's facts we
should be considering in history in
terms of what has been achieved rather
than you know anything that's just a
throwaway line thank you
thank you councilor Eddie
thank you councilors and I'll just add a
couple of comments as well firstly it
was a privilege to be part of the 20th
anniversary of the Friendship
agreement with anaro and signing the
document that
we continue to go forward there has been
an enormous amount of
fantastic work done by many Community
people across a range of different
Community groups from as councilor
Coates said teachers for Timor
friendship schools Health initiatives
ayita Ryder Cheshire and other
organizations that have all had a very
common purpose entire in terms of
trying to repair and make better some of
the devastation that was caused when the
Indonesians left and raised much of
timor-lest and when you walk on their
soil in those communities and even drive
from Community to community you
understand how privileged we are to live
in Australia with much of the the
benefits that we have when you can see
the Stark reality of those who don't so
small Investments by us on the
humanitarian level and small amounts of
funding funding can absolutely deliver
significant results at the other end and
it was great to be welcomed by the
district administrator to have the
opportunity to speak
didn't speak anywhere near as eloquently
as counselor Coates who was able to
Converse in tetan which was
significant to say not only on on one
occasion but a couple of occasions
councilor Coates had opportunities that
was really highly noted
I think also to shine a lot on on
councilor
codes we visited a school that was
devastated and virtually destroyed in
the hurricane Cyclone last year and
councilor Coates and partner Stewart
played a significant role in
the the donation of funds that has built
a brand new school facility pretty
humbling so congratulations Council
codes doing that just quietly behind the
scenes and the people over there that
recognize your contribution was
fantastic
councils yesterday I'm sure
you may or may not have been surprised
when we all learned that the premier of
Victoria Dan Andrews had tended his
resignation and then today where we
found out the new leadership team
for the state government in the new
premier the 49th premier of Victoria is
jacinta Allen and the deputy is Ben
Carroll I've taken the opportunity to
formally write to both the premier and
the deputy Premier to congratulate
congratulate them on those positions and
that we look forward to working with
them cooperatively as we go forward
interesting that the Premier Inn former
Minister jacinta Allen had some
responsibility around Commonwealth Games
Legacy and I'd had a couple of
conversations with her
um the announcement out at Miner's rest
and then a recent meeting with her over
in Bendigo where we looked at each other
in the eye and there was certainly that
commitment to honor those projects that
Ballarat has been promised as a part of
our being a regional Hub 5 000 extra
seats at Mars Stadium the new athletic
track facility at the Ballarat show
grounds
the facility out at Miner's rest for
Community use and extra sporting
infrastructure and some
minor upgrades at the Ballarat sports
and entertainment and then also the
provision around
public housing that was meant to be or
considered for the sale yards so while
we wish
Premier Allen all of the very best as
she goes forward in that role but we'll
be continuing to ensure that we continue
to advocate for those projects that we
had been not only promised and spoke
about with Minister Allen but Minister
Xing as well in the days and weeks
following the cancellation of the
Commonwealth game so we certainly won't
be dropping our momentum in terms of
wanting to continue advocating for those
projects our community expects that and
that was what we believe has been
promised and we'll be making sure we
continue that while wishing them the
best of the work I think Minister Allen
will bring to the role an understanding
of regional communities being the member
for Bendigo East you'll know some of the
issues that face Regional cities so I
think that's an important opportunity
for us as well
councilors I do need to that's all from
reports from committees I do need to
take you back to the outstanding
question times items even though there
was none there is still an officer
recommendation
to notes so move counselor code
secondary counselor hargroves any
discussion councils put the motion all
those in favor against that's carried
um counselors any items of urgent
business
es the items in section 66 are only just
noting and not for voting so there are
no items in section 66 therefore
councils I declare the meeting closed at
8 15 pm thank you everyone good evening
to those of you that are still watching
online all the members in the gallery
other than our one person who remains
have a safe night thank you very much