LGBTIQA+ committee sparks debate

AN LGBTIQA+ advisory committee and action plan will be established in the region after council voted in favour of the proposal put forth by members of the community, but not without debate.

Some LGBTIQA+ people gave their support for the committee, and peer navigator for trans and gender diverse community health at Ballarat Community Health, Alexander Bravo, said not enough was being done currently.

“We need council members who not only respect our community but who understand what our community needs,” he said.

“It’s not enough for a flag to be raised or a pin to be worn, we need LGBTIQA+ inclusive education as well as representation amongst our leaders,” he said.

Cr Ben Taylor initially opposed the proposal on the grounds it did not follow council governance processes, instead proposing a stakeholder reference group.

“I think what we’ve done for councillors calling for this to come forward is actually jump the gun in the process of what we need to do,” he said.

Cr Belinda Coates challenged Cr Taylor’s proposal and said, “There is a report in front of us with a recommendation to establish this advisory committee and that to my mind is good governance.”

Council ultimately voted unanimously on the committee’s establishment.

Library makeover on the books

OVER $4.5 million dollars will be allocated to carry out a total upgrade and refurbishment of the Ballarat Library after existing works brought to light the need for further upgrades not included in initial cost estimates.

Council considered four options to improve the 28-year-old building which has an expected lifespan of only five more years in its current state.

Cr Coates said the full upgrade would cost less than constructing a brand-new facility.

“We’ve known that the library has been too small in its footprint and underdone for a very long time and this amount of money as compared to building a new library is actually quite small,” she said.

“Whilst it has been a bit of a shock and a bit disappointing to see that the costs are higher than we anticipated at the same time being philosophical about that it’s actually a really good project that will have great benefit for the community.”

The money will go towards upgrading mechanical equipment, electrical systems and even replacing the current roof which director Matthew Wilson said will increase the building’s lifespan by “15 plus” years.

VCGLR submission to be made

Councillors will submit their commentary to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation regarding an additional eight electronic gaming machines at the Robin Hood Hotel on Peel.

Cr Coates said she hoped the submission, which will include insight from relevant experts on the impacts of increased poker machines available in the community, will inform council’s “very, very out of date” gaming policy.

“I’m hoping that in having a contemporary assessment that will shed some light on the issues,” she said.

“Also bearing in mind this is a very difficult space for us as a council as many, if not all, councillors agree that poker machine cause harm in our community and we want to advocate strongly to reduce that harm but some of the levers are really difficult and rely on State Government actually stepping up and implementing the productivity commission recommendations from way back in 2010.”

Active Ballarat in action

The Active Ballarat Strategy and Action Plan will replace the 2014 Recreation Strategy as the document guiding council’s efforts to get the community moving.

The new plan will provide the municipality with strategic direction on the planning, development and management of recreation facilities and services in the city and Cr Des Hudson said the document will look at physical activity of all kinds.

“We want people to participate in a whole range of offerings both structured and non-structured by having improved playground facilities and skateparks and other things that lead to people wanting to be out there, wanting to be active, putting the devices down, getting off the couch and being out there enjoying the great outdoors,” he said.

Five key strategic pillars will direct council’s focus to areas like broader and more inclusive participation to boost community sport participation rates which are around 10 per cent lower in Ballarat than the country Victoria averages for zero to 14 year olds.

Friends of Ainaro funds transferred

UP to $5000 will be added to the Ballarat Friends of Ainaro’s donation to support cyclone recovery efforts in the East Timor city after council voted in favour to transfer the money from the committee’s trust fund.

The fund was established to hold money raised by the group’s subcommittee for emergency situations like the fatal cyclone Seroja last month and Cr Peter Eddy said the amount will be added to BFA’s own fundraising efforts totalling $25,000.

“It’s a real pleasure to see this local group of community volunteers driving this agenda so passionately to deliver something to people in far worse conditions than we are in Australia,” he said.

Cyclone Seroja led to 42 deaths across the country with 10 of those in Ainaro and lanslides and heavy rain have continued to block and destroy roads in the town, complicating relief and recovery efforts.

The City of Ballarat has been formally connected to the Ainaro municipality through a friendship agreement since July 2003.