Council Meeting wrap - March 2021

Council Meeting wrap - March 2021

Published on 18 March 2021

The extension of the COVID-19 Hardship Policy and the awarding of a combined total of $251,732 to six community infrastructure projects highlighted Gannawarra Shire Council’s March 2021 meeting.

Held at the Kerang Senior Citizens Clubrooms, the meeting was the first Council Meeting to be open to the public since the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions in late March 2020, with six residents watching proceedings in the public gallery.

One of the major outcomes from the meeting was the decision to extend the COVID-19 Hardship Policy for a further three months, with the policy to be reviewed on or before 16 June 2021.

Approved in April 2020 and extended in September 2020, the policy enables Council to hold interest on all outstanding rates-related debts during the COVID-19 pandemic and hold off on legal action of rates and charges.

Meanwhile, six community groups will share in $251,732 of funding thanks to Major Community Projects Fund, with the funds to support projects ranging from facility extensions to amenity improvements.

A highlight of the 2020/2021 Council Budget, community groups and organisations were eligible to apply for between $10,000 and $125,000 of support from Council to develop infrastructure projects on non-Council owned or controlled land, with priority given to projects identified or aligned with Council strategies, such as the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021 and the Gannawarra Shire Council Sport and Recreation Strategy 2019–2029.

Other outcomes from the meeting included:

The endorsement of four reviewed policies - Caravan Annexes; Caravan Park ‘Fly Over’ Specifications; Building Regulations 2018 – Regulation 87 – Erection of Class 10a Buildings on Vacant Allotments; and Media, and the repealing of the Building Regulations policy; The appointment of Francis Crawley as an Independent Member to the Audit and Risk Committee for a period of three years; and The adoption of the scheduled Fees and Charges 2021/2022, effective from 1 July 2021.

Matters relating to tree removal works, the Cohuna Waterfront Connection Project and Gunbower Forest watering regimes were also addressed on the night during Question Time.

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