Climate change letter sparks debate, about process

ALMOST half an hour was spent discussing and amending a tabled letter by Cr Belinda Coates at the City of Ballarat council meeting on Wednesday, 11 September.

The letter was from 13 students requesting the council support joining the global climate strike on Friday, 20 September.

Cr Amy Johnson said she had not received a copy of the letter.

“Is there a reason why you sprung this on us and not sent this to us beforehand,” she asked Cr Coates. “I would prefer time to consider the contents of the letter.”

Cr Johnson then moved an amendment that the letter be received, not tabled, and sent onto the CEO for advice on how to handle the request.

Cr Mark Harris said he supported the idea but issue at hand was more about Cr Coates timing.

“We have spent too long on this and it’s a bit of a nonsense,” Cr Harris said. “Good luck for those kids, hope they are not listening to this debate.”

In summing up the motion for amendment Cr Johnson said councillors needed to adhere to correct procedures.

“Process should not be thrown out the window just because of a time frame and the risk of climate change,” she said.

Cr Coates capitulated, and the amendment was passed by unanimously.

Dowling Road sealing request.

Cr Daniel Moloney advocated strongly when he put forward an alternate motion, to the one presented by council, for the petition request for the sealing of Dowling Road.

He noted that “Dowling Road is a strategically important north-south connector road for the communities of Cardigan, Windemere, Miners Rest and Learmonth.”

Cr Moloney proposed council should fund 50 per cent of the cost of upgrading Dowling Road in order to encourage either State or Federal funding for the balance.

According to an investigation by council officers the volume of traffic currently using Dowling Road does not meet the threshold for sealing a gravel road under Council’s policy.

“We are splitting hairs on the criteria,” Cr Moloney said.

Cr Grant Tillett, in support of the amendment said, ‘’If this road is sealed the number of vehicles would double to treble.”

“There are 310 km of unsealed roads in the regional area of this city and we are not dealing even-handedly with our community,” he said.

Cr Mark Harris, who opposed the amendment, said there is a criteria for the process and it should be followed. He agreed the rural roads are in appalling condition.

“But we only have limited resources and we can’t be seen to be picking winners,” he said.

All councillors, except Cr Harris, voted in favour of the amendment.

Reports approved

IT was a night for unanimous adoption of officer reports.

The Chief Executive Report, which lists the key achievements, projects and events delivered by council, was received and noted by all councillors.

Councillors voted all in favour to accept a Heritage Report on the Ballarat Railway Complex which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The report details the protection work carried out by Heritage Victoria, the responsible authority for the railway station redevelopment site, in the recovery of historic bluestone blocks which will re-used for goods shed conservation works.

Next up on the agenda was the adoption of Annual Statements for 2018/19.

Speaking in favour of the motion Cr Grant Tillett said it’s a statutory report which “shows a great result for the city.

“We should be thankful to the CEO and the CFO for management of the city,” he said.

The motion was carried unanimously.

As a consequence of the acceptance of the Annual Statements the following item on the agenda saw all councillors resolve to approve the addition of just over $36 million as a carryover to the 2019/20 budget.

The carried forward amount, most of which is State and Federal government grants, will be used to complete current projects which were commenced in the last financial year.

“It is refreshing to be in this position,” Cr Jim Rinaldi voting in favour of the motion said.