Youth activation committee to transition to youth council – Golden Plains Shire council meeting briefs

THE Golden Plains Youth Activation Committee is set to become a formal Golden Plains Youth Council with a youth participation model.

The terms of reference were adopted unanimously by councillors at last week’s meeting.

The committee was initially established as part of the 2022 to 2025 Engage! Initiative and was the first council-led youth leadership group within the Shire.

The aim of the Youth Council is to create a voice for young people within the municipality.

Youth councillors will attend briefings and make presentations about projects and issues affecting young people.

“This will be the next platform for the members to be mentored and undertake training and development in leadership,” Cr Helena Kirby said.

“The youth of the ages 12 to 25 will help assist to shape the future planning of Golden Plains and identify advocacy opportunities.”

Animal plan to be exhibited

The municipality’s draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 to 2029 was endorsed for public exhibition.

The document details how Golden Plains Shire will manage domestic animals, specifically cats and dogs, and promote responsible pet ownership.

Initiatives such as a cat curfew, dog parks and installing public waste bins with disposable bags for excrement have not been implemented due to funding constraints.

Cr Emma Robbins encouraged community members to have their say.

“This plan sets out how council will manage domestic animals over the next four years, not only to meet our responsibilities under the domestic animals act but to ensure we’re supporting responsible pet ownership,” she said.

“The draft plan touches on a wide range of issues, one of the more contentious topics is how we manage wandering animals, especially cats.”

Funding received for gambling harm minimisation

The municipality’s draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy will be publicly exhibited from next week.

A grant was obtained through the Victorian Local Government Partnership to develop the document and it has been informed by research and stakeholder contributions.

“I commend this draft policy for exhibition and thank the officers involved,” Cr Gavin Gamble said.

“While Golden Plains Shire does not have a gaming pokie venue at the moment, we have newsagents… and the rise and presence of online gaming.

“It’s a serious social problem, and this funding we’ve received and the policy is seeking to address it.”

Within Golden Plains Shire, 65 per cent of clubs have said they are interested in participating in an education program.

Cr Kirby said she would like to see this number increase.

“At the moment there’s only 65 per cent uptake of clubs in Golden Plains Shire that will be part of promoting gambling within their organisation so I’d like to see the rest of those community groups get on board,” she said.

Reserve and provision policy updated

The municipality’s Reserve and Provision Funding Policy has been reviewed.

A requirement for council to approve the creation of new discretionary reserves has been included.

More detail was added to the scope through the definition of a financial reserve and adding the types of reserves currently used.

“The main change is a clause requiring council approval if a new discretionary reserve is to be created,” Cr Robbins said.

“Council has to be presented with a report detailing why it is required, where the funds are coming from, what the funds will be spent on and when.”