Council Meeting wrap - February 2021

Council Meeting wrap - February 2021

Published on 18 February 2021

The adoption of the Gannawarra Shire Council Community Engagement Policy and awarding of tenders for two major capital works projects highlighted Gannawarra Shire Council’s February 2021 Meeting.

Held at the Kerang Senior Citizens Clubrooms, the meeting was the first monthly meeting for 2021. The meeting was also scheduled to be the first Council Meeting open to the public since March 2020, but the State Government’s five-day COVID-19 lockdown rendered the meeting closed to the public.

One of the major outcomes from the meeting was the adoption of the Gannawarra Shire Council Community Engagement Policy. The policy – which is required under the Local Government Act 2020 - replaces the need to undertake 28-day consultation processes, highlighting that there are different levels of engagement with the community depending on the type of decision that is needed to be made. Community feedback was sought on the draft version of the policy during December 2020 and January 2021, with two responses received.

Meanwhile, two major capital works projects will proceed this year after Council awarded tenders for the expansion of Kerang’s Tate Drive Industrial Estate and the construction of new netball change rooms at the Murrabit Recreation Reserve.

S&R Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd will oversee the expansion of the Tate Drive Industrial Estate, with the $1.3 million project supported by a $900,000 contribution from the State Government. Councillors also approved a $250,000 budget increase to ensure the 13-lot expansion is completed this financial year.

Councillors also awarded Membrey Master Builders with the tender for the construction of new netball change rooms at the Murrabit Recreation Reserve. Instigated by the Murrabit Netball Club and supported by a $219,200 grant from the State Government’s Female Friendly Facilities program, the project will incorporate a new netball change room, umpires rooms, an accessible bathroom, first aid room and the renovation of the current netball change rooms.

Other outcomes from the meeting included:

The adoption of the revised Councillor Code of Conduct; The noting of the 2020/2021 quarterly financial report as at 31 December 2020; Endorsing a submission to Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program for the Sir John Gorton Precinct All Abilities Project Stage 1 for $1.1 million, as well as approving an allocation of $100,000 as part of the 2021/22 Capital Program as a funding contribution to support this project; and The awarding of a planning permit for a three-lot subdivision at Murray Parade, Koondrook.

The February 2021 Council Meeting also saw the reintroduction of Question Time, with queries relating to future meeting venues, water management, ecotourism and forest management addressed on the night.

For more information, including a link to the video from this meeting and minutes, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/meetings