All online council meetings get green light

THE next City of Ballarat council meeting will be a completely online affair following temporary legislation that allows for changes to attendance requirements.

Included in a sweeping omnibus bill approved by the Victorian Parliament last week, the measures mean councillors and officers will be able to take part in council and other statutory meetings via teleconferencing.

It’s a move Ballarat mayor Cr Ben Taylor said council had been lobbying for since the introduction of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

“We, as a council, welcome the opportunity to continue our valuable work while ensuring we stick to the current stage three social distancing guidelines,” he said.

“I am very relieved that we can continue to carry out the business of running the City of Ballarat and ensuring we can steer the municipality through these difficult times without putting ourselves in any danger.”

The City of Ballarat has been streaming council meetings online since mid-last year and the last two events have seen the public and media prevented from being in the room.

Since the introduction of movement and personal distancing restrictions councillors have been seated about two meters apart from each other, first in the Trench Room and then back in chambers for last week’s meeting.

“It seemed a bit bizarre that we were being forced to meet face to face when all the other restrictions were urging us to stay in our homes apart from the four reasons of shopping for essential services, medical care, giving care to others or exercising,” said Cr Taylor.

The new measures for council meetings were part of the wider COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020.

That bill also included changes to the way courts operate, processes for planning permit applications, laws around renting and evictions, WorkCover payments and healthcare system ratios, as well as a six-month sunset clause.

“These temporary measures will allow us to respond quickly to save lives, protect jobs and rebuild our economy,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.

“Coronavirus is creating unprecedented challenges, but Victoria is ready, we will get through this together.”

The next City of Ballarat council meeting is set for Wednesday, 6 May.