Fuel stop given green light to go

AT the Golden Plains Shire’s final council meeting of the term, councillors granted a planning permit for an unmanned fuelling station east of Rokewood on Rokewood-Shelford Road.

Written objections from residents on neighbouring farming properties expressed concern regarding potential light spill, truck noise and fuel run-off endangering the health of their livestock.

Cr David Evans said potential diesel spills at the unmanned station could be a risk, but director infrastructure and development, Phil Josipovic said there are alarm systems in place in case “larger than usual” amounts of fuel flow from pumps.

He added that most station lights will be off until they sense movement, and the application meets all safety requirements.

Cr Nathan Hansford said the fuel station was an “excellent piece of infrastructure” for the area.

“That’s as long as we have things in place that will stop an environmental hazard, like the bowsers being fitted with knock-offs to close off the flow of fuel,” he said.

“Regional Roads Victoria have addressed the entrance and exit, and I think in the long run this will be a good asset, particularly with the building of the wind farm coming up.”

 

World Heritage stamp for Shire?

Cr Helena Kirby reported on her recent experience as an attendee of a World Heritage Listing Zoom meeting.

She said it was informative, looking at protecting significant goldrush history throughout the region from Bendigo, to Ballarat, the Grampians and Golden Plains.

“It’s going to take five years for this to hopefully get up off the ground. I’m very proud that as a council, we’ve been part of making this happen in our region,” she said.

“The next step forward is getting our economic development team on board, and really trying to get some [protection] happening within our Shire.

“The heritage of the goldfields in Golden Plains Shire is what it’s all about.”

Cr Hansford said a World Heritage Listing would be beneficial for tourism.

 

Plan for Inverleigh passes

Councillors adopted the 2019 Inverleigh Structure Plan which received 92 public submissions.

Crs Kirby and Evans voted to defer the adoption of the plan to the next elected council to give the community more time to consider the document, which Cr Evans said will be a “template for other small townships.”

“They need our protection to get this Structure Plan correct…and have ownership over [it],” he said.

Mr Josipovic said it would take a new council a long time to get up-to-date with the detailed document which has been on the Shire’s agenda for about six years, and the motion to defer was defeated.

Cr Des Phelan said the process could continue to go “on and on” as there will always be people who disagree with the plan.

“We’re not going to be governed by people trying to pull us down. The people of Inverleigh have got to get over it and move on,” he said.

 

Buyer beware

The Golden Plains Planning Scheme will be amended to decrease the amount of land subject to inundation overlay next to the Moorabool River and in Riverstone Estate at Batesford.

Earthworks at the estate have changed the floodplain and the LSIO is no longer appropriate.

Cr Evans said he wasn’t “entirely happy” with work on the floodplain at Riverstone.

“Having gone down there and had a good look at it, there are issues with blocks of land to be sold, so buyer beware,” he said.

“The other issue going forward in the future, when there’s higher density development, is that the amount of water that will flow through those properties might surprise a few of those buyers.

“We’ll probably get the blame if somebody’s backyard washes away. If I was a developer, would I sell blocks like that? Probably not.”

 

Works within budget

Director corporate services, Philippa O’Sullivan said the Shire is $500,000 “more favourable” to the revised budget, as reported in the recent finance quarter four document summarising end-of-year financials.

“We achieved $21.4 million in capital projects over this last year, on top of major impacts, especially around COVID which caused major issues with project delivery,” she said.

“Overall, the year has been successful… We’ve come in on budget, delivered a number of programs, and some of the main variances related to employees where there have been [differences] in turnover, recruitment of new employees versus when people have departed, and some lower costs in materials and contracts related to COVID-19.”

 

Begbies to build bridge

Rokewood’s Reserve Road Bridge replacement works tender has been awarded to Haddon business, Begbies Contracting for $393,583.86

Cr Kirby said it was a great outcome for local residents on “the backroads” of Rokewood.

“Especially if they’re involved in farming. To have a contract awarded to one of our local businesses is a must and a win for our whole Shire,” she said.

“Going forward with COVID, the more stimulus within our communities is going to be great for the future.”

Earthworks will be done in-house by the Shire, and any unspent funds from the bridge project will be directed to widening works on Meredith-Shelford Road.

 

Calling time on the term

Retiring councillors, Cr Evans and Cr Phelan were farewelled at the conclusion of the meeting.

Cr Evans served one term with the Shire, while former mayor, Cr Phelan wrapped up over 40 years of service.

Golden Plains Shire mayor, Cr Owen Sharkey delivered his traditional outgoing mayor speech.

His highlights in the last 12 months included the opening of Bannockburn Heart stage one, serving as chair of the Central Highlands Council Victoria, the completion of the Civic Centre and move to the new council chambers.

“The commitment and dedication of council staff at all levels throughout COVID-19 restrictions and changes to operations has been nothing but impressive,” he said.

“Local communities have come together to support each other… for example, the resilience of local businesses to keep serving their customers and the local residents who supported them to keep the doors open.

“Thank you to everyone that cared and made a difference when it mattered. We live in a special corner of the world and have a bright future.”

Cr Sharkey also said it had been a record year for securing government investment.