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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need council members who not only respect our community but who understand what our community needs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Cr Ben Taylor initially opposed the proposal on the grounds it did not follow council governance processes, instead proposing a stakeholder reference group.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what we\u2019ve done for councillors calling for this to come forward is actually jump the gun in the process of what we need to do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Cr Belinda Coates challenged Cr Taylor\u2019s proposal and said, \u201cThere is a report in front of us with a recommendation to establish this advisory committee and that to my mind is good governance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Council ultimately voted unanimously on the committee\u2019s establishment.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Library makeover on the books<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Cr Coates said the full upgrade would cost less than constructing a brand-new facility.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhilst 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\u2019s actually a really good project that will have great benefit for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s lifespan by \u201c15 plus\u201d years.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n VCGLR submission to be made <\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s \u201cvery, very out of date\u201d gaming policy.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hoping that in having a contemporary assessment that will shed some light on the issues,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso 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.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Active Ballarat in action<\/strong><\/p>\n The Active Ballarat Strategy and Action Plan will replace the 2014 Recreation Strategy as the document guiding council\u2019s efforts to get the community moving.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Five key strategic pillars will direct council\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n