Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 13 December 2023

Published on 13 December 2023

To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 13 December Council Meeting.         

Planning and Development

Planning Scheme Amendment C153bawb - Rezoning of public open space areas

Council noted the list of inappropriately zoned Council owned open space areas that are proposed to be re-zoned. 

Council authorised officers to request the Minister for Planning to exempt themselves from the public notification requirements of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 for Planning Scheme Amendment C153bawb pursuant to Section 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987; and,

Authorised officers to request the Minister for Planning to prepare, adopt and approve Planning Scheme Amendment C153bawb pursuant to Section 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, to rezone inappropriately zoned public open space reserves within the municipality to the Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) and Public Conservation and Resource Zone (PCRZ).

PLA0035/23 - 58 School Road, Trafalgar

Council moved to Issue Notice of Decision to grant a planning permit for planning application PLA0035/23 - 58 School Road, Trafalgar, subject to conditions.

PLA0152/23 - 120 Stock Road, Drouin West

Council moved to Issue a Notice of Decision to grant a planning permit for planning application PLA0152/23 - 120 Stock Road, Drouin West.

Community Infrastructure

Council Hall and Reserve Community Asset Committee Annual Report 2022/23

Council noted the Hall and Reserve Community Asset Committee Annual Report 2022/23 and will provide a letter from the Mayor thanking all volunteers managing a Community Asset Committee for the valuable work they do at their respective venues. 

Review Sporting Walk of Fame Guidelines

Council moved an alternate recommendation to;

  • Note and thank Women in Gippsland for the feedback received in relation to the review of the Sporting Walk of Fame Guidelines;
  • Endorse the reviewed Sporting Walk of Fame Guidelines including the new nomination process; and
  • Encourage Women in Gippsland to nominate candidates utilizing the new guidelines.

Small Sites Electricity Contract

Council approved;

  • The engagement of the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) contract (via Red Energy) for the provision of Small Sites electricity from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2030; and,
  • For annual cost savings derived from the VECO Small Sites electricity contract to be transferred to Council's Revolving Sustainability Fund reserve for future investment in sustainability projects.

Draft Tree Management Policy and Plan

Council endorsed the Draft Tree Management Policy and Draft Tree Management Plan and place the Draft Tree Management Policy and Draft Tree Management Plan on public consultation from 5 February to 25 February 2024.

Strategy and Organisational Performance

Live4Life Lead Agency Agreement

Council endorsed Baw Baw Shire Council becoming the lead agency for the Baw Baw Live4Life program until 30 June 2025.

Q1 2023/24 Combined Performance Report

Council noted;

  • The Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter 1 of 2023/24;
  • The Financial Report for Quarter 1 of 2023/23; and,
  • The Capital Works Program Report for Quarter 1 of 2023/24.

Governance and Information Services

Proposal to name a Waster Rise, Warragul Park 'Kelly Koochew Park'

Council endorsed the name 'Kelly Koochew Park' for the park on Stoke Street, Waterford Rise Estate, Warragul, and will commence a period of public consultation from 15 December 2023 to 29 January 2024.

Audit and Risk Committee Chair Report

Council noted the biannual Audit and Risk Committee Chair Report and noted the results of the committee's Annual Self-Assessment Survey, which is tabled in accordance with the Audit and Risk Committee Charter and Section 54(4) of the Local Government Act 2020.

Investigation Report

Council noted;

  • There were no findings of fraud, corruption or misconduct against any staff member; and
  • Acknowledged publicly the impact this situation has had on all involved; and
  • Noted that the recommendations in relation to procurement processes and planning and the progress made on improvements in procurement processes; and
  • Noted the total cost for the investigations of $142,637 (ex GST);
  • Noted the Audit and Risk Committee conclusion that the Julie Reid and Associates overview summary report presented a fair summarisation of the findings of the two independent expert reports and the respective recommendations made by those experts; and
  • Accepted all recommendations made by the independent experts and requests an action plan to be developed detailing how the recommendations will be addressed over the next 12 months and that the action plan be approved by the Audit and Risk Committee at its first meeting in 2024; and
  • The Audit and Risk Committee monitor the implementation; and
  • Write to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission and the Victorian Local Government Inspectorate informing both of Council's decision.

Mayoral Minute

The Mayor thanked Councillors, council officers, submitters, gallery attendees, and those online for their commitment to Council Meetings. She thanked the quiet supporters, the naysayers, the scrutinisers, for their efforts to make Council a wonderful place to live, work and play. The Mayor wished everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. 

Baw Baw Shire Council Council Meetings are open to the public and are held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, beginning at 5:30pm

All Council meetings will be live-streamed, and archived recordings will be available on the Council website for viewing.

The agenda for the next meeting will be available online the Friday prior to the meeting.

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