King kicks off first meeting – City of Ballarat council meeting briefs

For his first ever City of Ballarat council meeting in his role as the municipality’s new CEO, Evan King got started by tabling his initial report at the Tuesday, 24 February event.

Continuing with many of the points interim CEO Janet Dore had passed along to him, Mr King said he’s also looked forward to working on many of the City’s future projects.

“My start was a little different then planned… I’m still working through catching up with the organisation and a whole range of stakeholders,” he said.

“Over the weekend, we conducted a significant councillor executive workshop… I think it was a most successful two-day workshop that we could have hoped for, incredibly optimistic, incredibly open, honest conversation.

“Council has an enormous strategic agenda on its plate over the first twelve months of being a council from preparing four-year budgets, to council plans and municipal public health and wellbeing plans, to community visions.”

 

Missing link

As proposed by The Friends of Canadian Corridor, council considered the purchase of 55 Recreation Road, Mount Clear, to complete the Buninyong Rail Trail.

After hearing from a representative from FoCC, councilors agreed the acquisition of land and adding to the the walking and cycling trail would be beneficial, however, the details of the purchase needed to be teased out.

In support of a motion for the CEO to continue further negotiations, Cr Mark Harris said he thought asking for $45,000 from ratepayers for the land was a high price to pay.

“This is such a golden opportunity, I don’t think there is a councilor in the room that doesn’t want to pursue this with absolute vigour,” he said. “I just would’ve thought it would’ve been gifted to us.”

Cr Des Hudson said the project was bringing community partners together.

“If we can get a better outcome, the message to government is that we could spend that $40,000 on community in another way,” he said.

Seconding the motion, Cr Belinda Coates added, “It’s just such a really great example of the power of community… and it’s really important for people’s physical and mental health.”

 

3×3 courts approved

After the tender process, councillors moved to award a contract for the further redevelopment of the Ballarat Sports and Events Centre to H Troon Pty Ltd.

For the total tendered price of $3,984,090, the project involves the building three-on-three basketball courts, a learning space and regional strength and conditioning centre.

Cr Ben Taylor said the project that further feeds into the positive activation happening at BSEC.

“This is a chance to really grow sport, and Ballarat does an amazing job,” he said. “These are the next stars for the future we’re engaging… we have the facilities to do that.

“This allows people from Western Victoria to come here to Ballarat and enjoy these facilities… and thank you to the state government for the money to deliver this project just under the $4 million, under budget.”

 

Irish Lalor ties strengthened

Following discussions with Laois County Council in Ireland, the ancestral home of Eureka Stockade leader Peter Lalor, Tenakill Lalor House established cultural ties with Ballarat’s own Eureka Centre.

Due to the shared history between the two places, a cultural accord was proposed to solidify their historical significance.

At a meeting of Laois County Council late last year, “Members unanimously agreed to proceeding with the signing of the document.”

The City of Ballarat council subsequently moved to sign the accord, with Cr Harris saying he looks forward to fostering the cultural relationship between Ballarat and Lalor’s birthplace.

“It’s a great link and wish it all the success it deserves,” he said.

 

Amendments made

Revision of both the Community Engagement Policy and the Councillor Code of Conduct were passed.

Changes were made after feedback that the Community Engagement Policy should be more extensive, inclusive to diverse community members, more authentic and be reported back to participants.

Cr Belinda Coates said she looks forward to seeing community involvement in local government developed further.

“I see the whole area of community consultation and practice as an area for continuous improvement and I do see that we have had some improvements,” she said.

Seconding and supporting the motion, Cr Peter Eddy said, “It will also give us the confidence to be more decisive decision makers.”

In addition, the revised and updated Councillor Code of Conduct, which aims to guide councillors behaviour to ensure it is ethical and legal, also moved through council.

The revisions relate to treatment of others, performing the role of councilor, compliance with good governance measures and maintaining reputation.

Cr Coates said while there are some minor changes it doesn’t change the key things councilors should do like treating others with respect and maintaining the highest standards of governance.

“Similar to the Community Engagement Policy, this updates and upgrades this particular piece of work to be in line with the Local Government Act,” she said.

“I look forward to signing the revised code of conduct and continuing to raise the bar… it’s an opportunity for continuous improvement.”