Council Meeting wrap - December 2021

Council Meeting wrap - December 2021

Published on 16 December 2021

The endorsement of the Draft Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy to proceed to the community engagement stage and the adoption of the Climate Change policy highlighted Gannawarra Shire Council’s December 2021 meeting.

Held virtually via Zoom and broadcast via Council’s website, the key item discussed during the final meeting for 2021 was the Draft Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy.

Developed following feedback from residents and key stakeholders via surveys and meetings, technical assessments of all Council and community-managed facilities in the municipality and the development of a strategic directions options analysis report, the draft document explores the following strategic directions:

The redevelopment of the Kerang Swimming Pool to include a new indoor integrated aquatic centre; Development of a new swimming pool complex in Cohuna, featuring an outdoor leisure lagoon, water play space and learn to swim area, to replace the current facility; Maintain the Koondrook Swimming Pool under current management arrangements; and Work with Department of Environment Land Water and Planning and community asset committees to consider the future of the Leitchville and Quambatook swimming pools.

Residents will be able to provide feedback regarding the Draft Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy via an extensive community engagement process that will begin in March 2022. Highlights of this engagement process include pop-up sessions and meetings with user groups and community organisations that use these facilities.

Importantly, this process will not change the existing operations of Council-managed and community-managed pools within the Gannawarra at this time, with a final decision regarding the future of swimming pools throughout the Gannawarra not expected to be made until late 2022.

The other major item discussed was the adoption of Council’s Climate Change policy, which applies to all Councillors, staff, contractors and volunteers, undertaking Council work related duties that impact directly or indirectly on the environment.

Developed in partnership with the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, the policy commits Council to transitioning to 100 per cent renewable energy and corporate net zero emissions by 2025, and net zero emissions at Council-managed landfills by 2040.

The policy also commits Council to undertake actions that lead the community in achieving a 50 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2040.

Meanwhile, following an increase in Federal Government funding for its Commonwealth Home Support Program Packaged Meals, Council will reduce client fees for this program by $3 from 1 January 2022.

This popular program, which enables clients to have a one-course, two-course or three-course hot meal delivered to their home daily, also provides social interaction to help prevent social isolation.

Other outcomes from the meeting included:

The adoption of two reviewed policies – Procurement and Complaints Handling; The noting of the summary of discussions from the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 9 November 2021; Acknowledging the annual evaluation of the Audit and Risk Committee’s performance; and The approval of a planning permit application for a broiler farm at Kerang East that will have the capacity to house 800,000 birds.

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