![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/Cr-David-Evans_2016-Nov_Bannockburn-Shire-Hall-5-222x300.jpg\")
Before the meeting even hit the main agenda, Cr David Evans sought to move a motion of no confidence in mayor Owen Sharkey.<\/p>\n
Cr Sharkey denied the move under powers as chair of the meeting. Cr Evans then sought to move a motion of descent, demanding that Cr Sharkey vacate his role as chair of the meeting, but Cr Evans was again denied.<\/p>\n
After the meeting Shire CEO Eric Braslis said that Cr Sharkey\u2019s actions in denying Cr Evans\u2019 attempts was lawful under the Local Government Act<\/em>.<\/p>\n Originally only four councillors planned to attend the meeting, Crs Sharkey, Evans, Helena Kirby and Nathan Hansford.<\/p>\n The three latter councillors voted against Cr Sharkey at November\u2019s mayoral election.<\/p>\n However, despite being ill, Crs Des Phalen and Les Rowe, the latter in personal protection equipment, attended the meeting to give at least a three\/ three split on any move against the mayor meaning that even if Cr Evans was able to get his motion presented for decision, the status quo would have remained.<\/p>\n After the meeting Cr Evans defended his actions, confirming that he was seeking to unseat the mayor though reduced numbers of support.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was an element of that and that\u2019s politics,\u201d he said. \u201cThe fundamentals are I have a great deal of concern with how the mayor is running his job.\u201d<\/p>\n However, Cr Sharkey was highly critical of Cr Evans\u2019s attempted coup d’\u00e9tat<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cUnder the circumstances with corona and COVID-19 it\u2019s disappointing that Cr Evans tried to stall the whole meeting by playing politics,\u201d he said. \u201cThis wasn\u2019t the meeting for that.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cost to the ratepayers is something this I\u2019ve raised before. These items come up and we have to go an seek legal advice. It adds to the burden of ratepayers, which is always disappointing. It\u2019s fair to say that Cr Evans has racked up a fair bill in his time here.\u201d<\/p>\n Piggery call put off<\/strong><\/p>\n A decision on a planned expansion to a piggery located on the Midland Highway north of Lethbridge was deferred so councillors could get more information on elements of the application.<\/p>\n The expanded high-intensity farming operation is set to increase from 200 to 400 animals and include an artificial insemination laboratory, house and sheds.<\/p>\n Originally concerns were raised by 52 objectors about plan to take waste from the pigs and spread them on nearby fields, so the applicant subsequently withdrew that element of the application.<\/p>\n However, it seemed it still wasn\u2019t clear where the waste product was to go, with one objector who spoke at the meeting, Cameron Steel, saying that the best he could work out it was to be removed from the site and taken to another location nearby.<\/p>\n When the original plans before the piggery came before VCAT in 2003 over 150 people objected to them.<\/p>\n Cr Evans said that ultimately there was a \u201ccontract\u201d between those objectors 17 years ago and the current farmers and all 150 should be contacted for their opinion on the plans for expansion.<\/p>\n Old Shire office up for grabs<\/strong><\/p>\n The future of the Bannockburn Shire office on High Street will go out for expression of interest.<\/p>\n With work nearly complete on the expanded Golden Plains Shire buildings in Pope Street, future council meetings will be held there, leaving the old Shire office surplus.<\/p>\n It is expected that the EOI will be close mid-May with a decision made shortly afterwards and new tenants possibly occupying the space by October.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very important building in our town and once we as council no longer meet there, I\u2019d hate to see this building to go rack and ruin,\u201d said Cr Hansford in supporting the motion.<\/p>\n Cr Evans was less sympathetic to the historic buildings fate.<\/p>\n \u201cPersonally, I\u2019d like to bulldoze these things, but we\u2019re stuck with it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n