More library space needed – City of Greater Bendigo council meeting briefs

BENDIGO’S libraries do not have enough space, according to the Goldfields Library Corporation.

The issue was raised at Monday’s regular City of Greater Bendigo council meeting, where councillors voted to adopt the library services and infrastructure strategy, which will guide future planning and development.

The region currently has five “distinct” libraries located in Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Heathcote, Eaglehawk and Elmore.

According to the corporation, for libraries to service Greater Bendigo’s population of about 124,000 people, there should be 4945 square metres of floor space, while the five libraries combined falling just over 300 square meters short.

“City of Greater Bendigo is experiencing rapid growth for a regional city… [and is] falling slightly below the recommended standard for floor space for current and future populations,” the corporation’s strategy said.

It also recommends working with the Axedale community on the feasibility of a library within a community hub.

Councillor Matthew Evans said the push for an Axedale library has been led by the community “so hopefully through this strategy we’re able to support that.”

According to the corporation, more than 600,000 people visit a library in Greater Bendigo each year.

More planning at that Kangaroo Flat and Eaglehawk facilities was recommended, as well developing Bendigo Library into a “community hub” with more health and early years services.

Pooch prohibition petition

A petition could see dogs prohibited from roaming unleashed at Quarry Hill Golf Course and the Quarry Hill Recreation reserve and oval.

Ten Quarry Hill residents are leading the call and councillors agreed to look in the matter, guided by the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025.

There are currently 10 reserves across the region where dogs must be on lead, including Rosalind Park, Lake Weeroona, and White Hill Botanical Gardens.

Cr Rod Fyffe said he has heard concerns from people in Quarry Hill, including that they are regularly picking up dog droppings at the golf course and adjacent reserve.

Cr Jen Alden said the issue has been raised by residents previously.

“Seventy-six per cent of respondents on the Domestic Animal Management Plan formulation thought dogs should be on lead at all times, that’s similar to what happens in 60 per cent of councils in the state.”

Push for breastfeeding clinic

Councillors also heard a petition for a new walk-in breastfeeding clinic to be established in the region.

The call asked council to consider the “very much needed” facility.

Bendigo Health currently offers lactation consultant appointments up to six weeks postpartum, however petitioners said women may breastfeed for years.

Cr Julie Sloan thanked the 82 petitioners and said more should be done to support infants in the region.

“Breastfeeding is the backbone of early nutrition,” she said. “It offers protection against infection, some diseases and is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk factors including high blood pressure.

“Families, carers, babies and young children require evidence-based support and access to best practice infant feeding guidelines to optimise infant health and development,” she said.

Councillors will prepare a response withing two meetings.

Supporting Heathcote fluoridation

Council has backed the Heathcote community’s push for fluoridation of the town’s water supply.

According to a City staff report, Heathcote is the largest community in the region that does not have fluoridated water, and an action for advocacy is included in its five-year community plan.

The report said the cost of works would be about $920,000 and would “likely be prohibitively expensive” and the funding responsibility should sit with the State Government.

Cr Sloan said almost 50 per cent of Victorian children have signs of tooth decay, which is a “disgrace.”

“As the Victorian action plan to prevent oral disease 2020-2030, 43 per cent of children between five and 10 have signs of tooth decay and a lack of preventative effects of fluoride is cited as one of the main causes,” she said.

“The plan also recognises oral disease is a key marker of disadvantage, with Heathcote one of the most disadvantaged in our municipality.”

Councillors agreed to advocate unanimously.

Pet therapy blocked

Council has blocked a proposal for a pet therapy breeding to be established near the Woodvale evaporation ponds.

The applicant sought approval to build an enterprise comprising of a total of 20 animals across more than 16 hectares of space.

The report presented to councillors outlined concerns raised by the Environment Protection Agency, which included possible health effects and a strong sulphur odour as a result of the nearby evaporation ponds.

The ponds were previously used by mining companies to evaporate extracted groundwater.

Cr Alden said large amounts of arsenic have been deposited in the ponds since the 1980s.

“Historic scientific data would seem to indicate that the area is not suitable for any disturbance and this would preclude construction of the dwelling and any animal enterprise associated with it,” she said.

Cr Penna was the only councillor who spoke in favour of the proposal, saying pet therapy has benefits of supporting people with dementia and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“This is a much-needed addition to the health and being of our community,” he said.

Cr Penna received little support from fellow councillors, including Cr Dave Fagg, who said he opposed the proposal due to its potential to fragment the agricultural land it would be located on.

Tester premises passes

A licensed vehicle tester will be able to continue operations in Myers Flat, after considerable council debate resulted in a permit being granted retrospectively.

The main debate was whether the vehicle testing was a form of industry, which would make it inappropriate for the low-density residential zone.

Cr Vaughan Williams led those in favour of granting the permit, saying the business owner is a licensed roadworthy certificate tester, and not a mechanic.

Concerns were raised about potential noise coming from the site, but Cr Williams said the only noise would be from removing wheels to check brake pads and suspension.

Cr Fagg conceded he was in two minds of the proposal, as the definition of industry should include vehicle testing, however there are little impacts from observing a cars roadworthiness.

Cr Marg O’Rourke opposed the proposal due to the shed being constructed last year as associated with the house on the site, and there was no mention of the activity associated with the shed.

“It’s a fairly considerable size,” she said. “In my view a precedent gets set if we continue to accept businesses not operating in the way in which they should be in the zoned areas.”

Crs Penna, Williams, Alden, Fagg, and Metcalf voted in favour of the proposal, which was carried.