Petition calls for BREAZE funding to be restored – City of Ballarat council meeting briefs

AT last week’s ordinary council meeting, councillors received a petition regarding funding for BREAZE which will be referred to the CEO for a response.

The environmental group were stripped of $285,000 in funding for the Electrify Your Home project following alleged anti-Semitic social media content by the organisation’s former president.

The petition, which contained 268 signatories, called for the City of Ballarat to resolve the issue with transparency and urgency by restoring the funding.

 

Frank Bourke Pavillion contract awarded

A contract of more than $4.4 million has been awarded to Modular by SHAPE to build a new pavilion and changeroom at Frank Bourke Oval.

The existing pavilion which is used by North Ballarat Football Netball Club and North Ballarat Cricket Club is unsuitable for use.

The installation of two modular buildings including four player changerooms, meeting rooms, a veranda, a kitchen/canteen, a kiosk/bar, and umpire changerooms with storage makes up the project.

“It’s a bit of a different way of looking at how we deliver the pavilions,” Cr Ben Taylor said.

“It provides opportunities to look at consistency as well… sometimes when we have budget it doesn’t mean we have to spend it all plus more, we can actually work within that budget.”

 

Partnerships and Grants Policy endorsed

The revised Partnerships and Grants Policy was endorsed by councillors, providing principles to guide a fair and transparent partnerships process.

These principles include measures to ensure transparency, accountability and fraud risk control.

The policy’s scope has been extended to include the creative inspiration and heritage grants programs.

Cr Des Hudson said he was concerned with the removal of community representatives from the Community Impact Grants panel but understood the need to comply with governance rules and other Local Government Areas.

“Having members of the community that understand the community has a real benefit,” Cr Hudson said.

“I am that little bit disappointed… I’ve seen it working so well by people who have given years of service.

“If all councils are going this way, you don’t want to be a trout swimming against the stream.”

 

Lease and license policy updated

The City of Ballarat’s revised Lease and License Policy was adopted by councillors.

The policy guides the transparent leasing and licensing of the City of Ballarat’s property portfolio which includes more than 300 buildings.

Changes to the policy included updates to definitions, clearer language, a more consistent approach to tenure terms, the removal of lease and license transfer fees, administrative updates, the addition of a table with relevant levels of delegation, and the introduction of an agreement renewal process.

“It is so important that we have that flexibility and that we have the opportunity to individually make sure our lease and license agreement are appropriate for that facility,” Cr Samantha McIntosh said.

 

Intercultural plan progress noted

Councillors noted the implementation of year two of the Intercultural Strategic Plan 2022 to 2026.

Key achievements during 2024 included providing cultural inclusion and allyship training to 80 City of Ballarat staff members, strengthening the Inagawa Sister City Agreement, the Intercultural Ambassador Program, and the completion of the Intercultural Garden and the Rizal Park upgrade.

 

Financial Reserves Policy adopted

The Financial Reserves Policy was adopted by councillors which outlines how reserves will be created, used, managed and closed.

The policy requires a council resolution to create a discretionary reserve, all financial reserves to be 100 per cent backed by cash and cash equivalents and/or other financial assets at the end of the financial year, that additional discretionary reserve transfers which are not part of the annual budget must be approved by a council resolution, and that a resolution must be passed to alter the purpose of a discretionary reserve or borrow from one.

The operation investment procedure outlines the type of financial institutions the City of Ballarat invests with, their required credit rating and how much can be invested with each type of institution.

 

Art Gallery annual report noted

A report on the annual activities of the Art Gallery of Ballarat from 2023 to 2024 was noted by councillors.

During the 2023 to 2024 financial year, the Art Gallery of Ballarat has a 32 per cent increase in visitation with 150,713 visitors.

There were more than 40 temporary exhibitions, and the ArtScreen in Alfred Deakin Place began the 24/7 program

There were 355 volunteer guided tours, and 306 works were acquired for the gallery’s collection.