Councillor Column: Jim Mason from the City of Greater Geelong, April 16

New ways of working
As we do our very best to follow the distancing and isolation restrictions in place due to coronavirus, we’re all having to be a bit resourceful when working, grocery shopping and exercising.
Like everyone, I’m very conscious of not going out, even for work if I can avoid it, meaning I’m having to find some ‘clever and creative’ ways to do my council work.
Usually I encourage community members to say hello to me on the street if they see me, but in lieu of this, I encourage those interested to drop me a line at [email protected] instead.
I’m also interacting with residents through Instagram, so feel free to follow me at @jimmasonbellarine as well.
Most of my council-related meetings have been moved to video and phone calls, with a few technological issues here and there.
Overall, I’ve been finding this new way of working very effective. I share a study with my wife and we’ve been managing just fine working around each other in the small space.
I can assure you the work of the councillors is ticking along well despite the pandemic. We are continuing to work hard and advocate for the community.
The only meeting that I’m still required to attend in person to make formal decisions is the council meeting.
We’ve made changes to our meetings to keep the community safe by holding them at City Hall without residents present. You can still be involved by watching the livestream or submitting a question prior to the
meeting.
However given the seriousness of the global pandemic, my fellow councillors and I are still concerned that we’re required by law to meet in person for these major decisions.
We are lobbying the state government for an urgent and temporary change to this law to allow for councillors to meet over video and/or phone call, like we are with all our other meetings.
This will help to ensure our safety and the safety of City workers required to attend. It would also put councils in line with nation-wide gathering restrictions.
The rest of the country’s workplaces are changing and adapting to our new norm and council must do the same.

Connect virtually
Just because we’re staying at home isolating, it doesn’t mean we can’t gather as a community – albeit virtually.
The City of Greater Geelong has launched a clever and creative response to the current restrictions on mass gatherings.
It’s called ‘Virtual Events’, a new online listing destination for virtual community events that appeal to all ages.
There are sing-alongs, a Reconciliation in the Park online event, business-related workshops and even a Virtual Mother’s
Day Classic.
Head to geelongaustralia.com.au and search ‘virtual events’ to find an event to enjoy from home.
While you’re there, you can also check out the City’s dedicated page listing coronavirus support measures from council, impacts on facilities, services and events and links to state and federal initiatives and other agencies offering support. It’s worth a read: geelongaustralia.com.au/covid19
And a reminder that health-related advice can be accessed on the Department of Health and Human Services – head to dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Farmers and landholders
As the Rural and Coastal portfolio holder, I want to encourage all local farmers and landholders with animals to give feedback on a survey at geelongaustralia.com.au/yoursay.
The online survey is part of the City’s study into the feasibility of an information and livestock exchange, seeking an understanding of what information farmers and landholders would find helpful to run their property and get stock to market.
Engagement has been extended until April 30 after two planned focus groups were cancelled due to social distancing requirements.
It’s vital we get feedback from the whole spectrum of people involved in agriculture, including small land owners who might not identify as farmers, but do have horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or chickens etc.
The results of this feedback and the different options available will be brought together in a report, which will be considered by the Rural and Peri-urban Sub-Committee and Advisory Committee (of which I am a member) by the end of May.
I’m really looking forward to understanding the full picture of our agricultural community and how we can best support them.
I’ll make sure to update you once I know more!

Cr Jim Mason
Bellarine Ward, City of Greater Geelong