Zero emission plan proposed – City of Greater Bendigo council meeting briefs

A FIVE-point plan was proposed to reduce emissions from municipal operations to net zero by the end of 2030 by the City of Greater Bendigo at its regular council meeting on Monday evening.

The five steps aim to calculate emissions, implement reduction plans, offset residual emissions, validate carbon neutral status, and provide a public statement of carbon neutral claim.

The basis of the plan is “the rapid electrification of the City” and Cr Julie Sloan said the approach would need to be carefully considered, but is required.

“It will need a scaled approach to enable infrastructure to catch up with the market that is moving forward on net zero emission plans and to avoid offset where possible,” she said.

“This resolution recognises that climate change will impact Bendigo’s services as it does with all services and requires appropriate council budget allocations to address the associated issues.”

Cr Margaret O’Rourke said council would have some tough decisions to make in the future.

“For zero carbon and net emissions, that is going to take some brave decision making in terms of the budget over the years to come,” she said.

 

Airport lot leased

A 25-year lease agreement has been reached for a lot at Bendigo Airport with a rent review every three years.

A hangar will be built on the 216-square-metre lot to house a recreational aviation school and to hold all equipment and aircraft.

Cr Greg Penna said the development of an aviation school on the site was a sign of continued growth for the airport precinct.

“This gives me even more confidence in the airport’s strong future given the development of the new terminal building,” he said.

“There are only two vacant sites left now with the uptake of the 11 leases given and granted in the past two years.”

 

Off-leash dog park opposed

Council received a petition with 93 signatures in opposition to an off-leash dog park proposed for Molesworth Road in Kangaroo Flat.

The petition claims the proposed area is not appropriate due to surrounding households that already contain pets and they could feel threatened by the presence of other dogs.

The petition also stated the area was home to native flora which could be put at risk, as well as the proposed site being popular place for local children to play.

Cr Rod Fyffe was pleased to receive the feedback and said he wanted to hear from more pet owners about animal management plans.

“I would like to encourage people who own pets, particularly dogs and cats to put in a submission regarding the domestic animal management plan,” he said.

“Their responses will certainly be used to guide our offices and the community as to the best way of looking after our animals.”

 

Contracts awarded

Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises acting as Trustee for Djandak Fixed Trust was awarded a 10-month contract for the Bendigo Creek instream works with an option of an extra 12-month contract period.

Djandak will oversee project management, engagement, and design of the works with a budget of more than $100,000.

Cr O’Rourke said this was a substantial contract, and it was great to see local businesses continuing receive municipal jobs.

“This is the great thing about the City’s work, the businesses that receive these contracts through the procurement process are mainly local,” she said.

“It can’t always happen, but we have in these past few years increased the appointment of locals by 20 per cent.”

 

Proposed developments

A total of six proposed development sites were discussed during the meeting with all but two receiving approval.

A permit for a 24-hour gym at 909 Wellington Street in Strathfieldsaye was refused due perceived unacceptable impacts relating to hours of operation, noise, light spill, and traffic generation.

A permit for a two-lot subdivision at 22 Old Ford Road at Redesdale was granted, as was the removal of native vegetation.

A permit for a three-lot subdivision and the construction of two homes was granted for 8 Lester Street in Eaglehawk.

Yet a proposed horse husbandry and dog breeding facility at Lot 2 Drummonds Lane at Derrinal was denied due to the lack of appropriate waste management, operations management, and land management plans.

A permit was granted for the development of a motor vehicle servicing business at 9 Schroder Street in Strathdale.

Finally, the development of community care accommodation at 12 Whipstick Road in Eaglehawk was given the go ahead and includes the construction of two single-storey buildings comprising of five units.