Decisions from the Ordinary Council Meeting—24 June 2020

Published on 29 June 2020

Council approved the recommendation that a letter, under the Common Seal of Council, be presented to Ronald Alexander OAM, Jay Bonnington AM, Dr David Kram AM, Dr Susan Mayes AM and Julien O’Connell AO, in recognition of their 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honour Awards.

Council resolved to issue a Notice of Decision to refuse an application for a planning permit to resubdivide two (2) lots into fifteen (15) lots at 142 and 144 Barry Street, Romsey. Council agreed the proposal was contrary to the Planning Policy Framework of the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme, as it does not protect neighbourhood character and sense of place, with lot sizes inconsistent with the area.

Council resolved to adopt the Heritage Assessment for trees at the intersection of Bunjil Creek, Gisborne Road and Melbourne Road, Gisborne, Plan Heritage, May 2020. It also resolved to request the Minister for Planning authorise the preparation of Planning Scheme Amendment C143macr to the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme to apply Heritage Overlay (HO351) permanently to the Bunjil Creek Bridge and Channel and identified English Elms, and to extend the H0289 Memorial Precinct (Howey Reserve) to cover and protect three trees identified as elms and oaks.

Council endorsed the draft Gisborne Structure Plan, draft Gisborne Urban Design Framework and draft Gisborne Neighbourhood Character Study for community consultation subject to changes to include land located at 284 Kilmore Road, Gisborne in the proposed settlement boundary and for that land identified to be included in the Urban Growth Zone in the draft Gisborne Structure Plan. Council also resolved that after considering the results of forthcoming community consultation, it will provide a revised version of the draft documents for a further period of community consultation.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is a member of the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils (PUGRC) and the PUGRC was successful in attracting funding to develop an Economic Development Strategy. Council was asked to provide feedback on the PUGRC Economic Development Strategy (draft). After reviewing the strategy, Council resolved not to adopt the PUGRC economic development strategy (draft) and to notify the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils of its decision.

Council received an update on the Aged care and Disability Reform Impact on home support services and noted that community feedback on the aspirations, future needs and priorities of older people in the shire has been sought and will be reflected in the new Positive Ageing Plan 2020-25.

Council endorsed the recommendation to place the draft Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on public exhibition for a four-week period and to conduct stakeholder consultation in July 2020. The draft RAP was developed in consultation with the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples, local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Councillors, Council staff and the broader Macedon Ranges community. It also incorporates feedback from two reviews by Reconciliation Australia.

Council noted that a contract will be awarded under delegated authority for construction work to redevelop the change rooms and toilets at Dixon Field Number 2 pavilion in Robertson Street, Gisborne.

Under the Small Project Grants program, Council resolved to approve funding to: $1500 to Scouts Victoria—Noonameena Camp (Lauriston) for a secondhand, ride-on mower. $1500 to the Macedon Ranges Croquet Club for the purchase of outdoor furniture, and $1500 to the Kyneton Art Group Inc. for exhibition art display boards.

Council resolved to adopt the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Procurement Policy 2020 and directed that the adopted policy be placed on Council’s website.

Council noted a report, and the draft minutes of the Audit Committee Meeting held on 6 May 2020.

Council resolved, under s224 of the Local Government Act 1989 and s147(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, to revoke the s11A Instrument of Appointment and Authorisation (Planning and Environment Act 1987) for John Edwards, effective 24 June 2020.

Council resolved to approve a revised Instrument of Delegation to the CEO in preparation for the commencement of new delegation provisions in the Local Government Act 2020 and that the instrument comes into force immediately the common seal of Council is affixed to the instrument and the previous Instrument of Delegation Council to CEO is revoked.

Council noted the drafting of the Mobile Trading Guidelines, that community consultation was undertaken in March 2020, and that the consultation with the community and businesses was hindered by COVID-19, resulting in low engagement.

Council resolved to defer further consultation on the draft Mobile Trading Guidelines for up to 12 months, pending COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, and to defer the introduction of mobile trading permits and associated fees from 1 July 2020, until such time as further community consultation is undertaken and the Mobile Trading Guidelines are adopted by Council. A further report will be presented to Council by the end of June 2021, proposing a timeline to recommence the public consultation process for the draft Mobile Trading Guidelines.

The Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy 2019 will be amended to remove the sentence stating, “It is proposed that mobile trading will be permitted from 1 July 2020,” and these changes will be communicated to the community.

Council resolved to write to relevant State and Federal Government Members of Parliament to request that additional funding be allocated to initiatives that contribute to protection and enhancement of conservation values on public land within the Macedon Ranges Shire.

Minutes from the meeting will be available within five working days of the meeting.