A NOTICE of motion introduced by Cr Tess Morgan was carried at last week\u2019s ordinary council meeting calling for the City of Ballarat to undertake a review of FOGO collection during its first 12 months.<\/p>\n
The notice also calls to include community feedback and to receive a report of the findings when one year of implementation is reached.<\/p>\n
Fortnightly kerbside FOGO, or food and garden organics, collection was introduced on Monday 3 November alongside monthly kerbside glass collection.<\/p>\n
Early results show that the volume of waste going into landfill hasn\u2019t changed, despite the introduction of the new bins.<\/p>\n
Cr Morgan said it is critical to investigate costs, feedback from the community, and the potential for behaviour change.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be blunt, lots of councils have done this already and the councils that encourage FOGO by collecting FOGO weekly see a big change in behaviour,\u201d Cr Morgan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe councils that encourage rubbish by collecting rubbish weekly, and we\u2019re one of those, don\u2019t see much change at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a real risk we don\u2019t change anything and keep paying for mountains of rubbish, and that\u2019s where listening to the community comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Samantha McIntosh voted in support of the notice of motion but said it\u2019s important to remember the new bins were introduced very recently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have enormous concern that we spend a heap of time in the council chamber that is not necessary,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s every opportunity when we\u2019ve only been in this space for three weeks, for us to listen and review and respond.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s early in the piece.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Arts recommendations get go ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n Councillors unanimously endorsed the recommendations of a report on Ballarat\u2019s creative community which calls for an arts and culture infrastructure report, the development of terms of reference for an arts and cultural advisory committee, and the investigation of creative land trusts models.<\/p>\n The report was created following a notice of motion from Cr Jay Morrison at the July 2025 council meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cThis report represents an exciting and important step forward for our city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just about a one off event or program, it\u2019s about building a solid framework that supports and empowers local artists, makers and creative businesses to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nature strip guidelines adopted<\/strong><\/p>\n Nature strip garden guidelines for the municipality were adopted, based on similar guidelines present in the City of Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n The guideline provides a checklist for residents to help them to develop a safe and thriving nature strip.<\/p>\n Cr Ben Taylor said it was critical to have these guidelines for the community to provide a reminder of the responsibilities of a nature strip garden.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is serious\u2026 it may seem like a great idea but there is also challenges,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to be aware of the impression we give the community that it\u2019s okay, it\u2019s okay to do something with your nature strip tomorrow.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, it may not be okay, there\u2019s requirements we need to follow, there are risks involved.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Her Maj funds decision deferred<\/strong><\/p>\n The decision of where to transfer donations currently held by the City of Ballarat for Her Majesty’s Theatre will be deferred until February 2026.<\/p>\n The City of Ballarat currently holds more than $140,000 of donations but due to changes to regulations by the Australian Taxation Office, they must be transferred to a charity or entity that can accept tax deductable gifts.<\/p>\n The officer\u2019s recommendation was to transfer the funds to the Ballarat Foundation, however Cr Morrison introduced the alternative motion which called for the deferral of the transfer and an expression of interest process for local organisations.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a responsibility to ensure not only are these funds used for the original purpose, which is supporting the Ballarat arts community, but also that this process is done in a way that is open, considered and transparent.\u201d<\/p>\n A public submission was made by Ballarat Arts Foundation board member Michael Whitehead calling for the municipality to consider other organisations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reconciliation Action Plan adopted<\/strong><\/p>\n The Reconciliation Action Plan 2025 to 2027 was adopted alongside the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country guidelines 2026.<\/p>\n The Reconciliation Action Plan provides background about the City of Ballarat\u2019s reconciliation journey, is based on the five pillars of relationships, respect, opportunities, truth telling, and governance, and includes 67 deliverables.<\/p>\n The plan was publicly exhibited in September and October 2025 and most of the feedback was around the plan\u2019s implementation and therefore didn\u2019t require updates to the actions.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is fair and reasonable and just that we do enter into the RAP understanding that First Nations people are significantly disadvantaged across our community,\u201d Cr Des Hudson said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the small bit we can do as a Local Government Area with other partners is significant.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n