Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 2 December

Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 2 December

Published on 03 December 2020

To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 2 December ordinary meeting.

Vibrant Communities 

Tender Recommendation Report: Upgrade of Baxter Park Reserve

Council accepted the tender submitted by Polytan Asia Pacific Pty Ltd for the upgrade of Baxter Park Reserve for the total sum of $2,144,427 (excluding GST) and;

Allocated $25,000 from the project budget to cover decanting requirements for the Warragul Soccer Club; Allocated $50,000 for the planting out and jute matting/mulching of the embankment located on site; Allocated the anticipated project savings (borrowings) of $200,573 to assist funding Council's $500,000 contribution towards the Longwarry Kinder Upgrade project; Delegated authority to the CEO to sign and execute the documents required to award the contract and; Continue to seek funding opportunities, including through State Government grants programs, for the remaining stages of the Upgrade of Baxter Park project comprising of: Female and child friendly change rooms and amenities; Carparking; Spectator shelters; and Other relevant ancillary works

Tender Recommendation Report: Construction of the Trafalgar Multi Use Pavilion

Council accepted the tender submitted by Kubale Constructions for the construction of the Trafalgar Multi Use Pavilion for the total sum of $2,491,970 (excluding GST) and;

Allocated $250,000 contingency to the contract for use by the project manager to complete associated works on site including any latent conditions; Allocated $25,000 for the demolition of the existing boxing gym following the completion of the new pavilion; Allocated a portion of the anticipated project savings (borrowings) of $433,030 to assist funding Council's $500,000 contribution towards the Longwarry Kinder Upgrade project; and Delegated authority to the CEO to sign and execute the documents required to award the contract.

Kindergarten Infrastructure and Services Plan 

Council authorised the signing of the Kindergarten Infrastructure and Services Plan for Baw Baw Shire and moved to;

Continue annual monitoring and reviews of any changes in data, information and the local early childhood sector that affects the reliability of the Kindergarten Infrastructure and Services Plan.

Acquisition of 1 Tarwin Street Warragul Council resolved to acquire a property at 1 Tarwin Street, Warragul, to enable the delivery of a new intersection which will improve safety and traffic flow on Pharaohs Road, Sutton Street and Tarwin Street.

Safe and Sustainable Environments

Road Maintenance Contract Update 

Council noted the implementation and performance of the new Road Maintenance Contract. 

Organisational Excellence 

Community Engagement Policy 2021

Council moved to:

Place the draft Community Engagement Policy on public exhibition and invite feedback for a period of three weeks (3 December to 24 December) through a Have Your Say process; and, Collate community feedback, amend the policy accordingly and produce a final version to be presented back to Council prior to the Local Government Act 2020 deadline of 1 March 2021.

Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter 1 2020/21

Council noted the:

Quarterly Performance Report for quarter 1 2020/21; Capital Works Project quarterly update; and The reconstruction of Thurlow's Road, Shady Creek is withdrawn from the 2020/21 Capital Works Program and deferred to a future year in the Long Term Infrastructure Plan. 

Annual Report of Operations 2019/2020

Council noted:

The Report of Operations and Report of Financial Statements were provided to the minister for Local Government on 10 November 2020 as per the Local Government Act 2020; and The reports were prepared according to the Local Government (Planning and Reporting) Regulations 2014. Notice of Motion

Councillor Lucas requested a report be brought to Council, no later than at its 24 February 2021 Council Meeting, considering the costs and any other implications of lowering the admission fee for Veteran (White and Gold Card holders) for access to the Swimming Pools and Aquatics Area at the Warragul Leisure Centre. 

General Business 

Councillor McCabe moved a General Business Motion, requesting that a report detailing the proposed 2020/21 public art expenditure and details of future plans for spending on public arts including what happens to unallocated funds what timelines are considered when funding allocated be brought to Council. Specifically the report must include if funds can be allocated to the restoration of existing public art such as that held by historical societies and the like.

Bereavement Motion

Councillor Kostos moved a bereavement motion to commemorate Mark Long, who was a founding and long standing member of the Neerim District Progress Association, filling the role of Secretary and Treasurer for many years. He was also the driver and designer of the well-known Neerim Bower.

As of Wednesday 2 December 2020, Council meetings have reopened to members of the public. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a maximum of 40 community participants are able to attend Council Meetings. To assist with contract tracing, meeting attendees must register their intention to attend a meeting via this link.

Meetings will remain available to the public via live stream, and community submissions can be made in writing.

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