Grants get go ahead – Golden Plains Shire council meeting briefs

TUESDAY’S Golden Plains Shire regular council meeting saw the approval of more one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars in grants through the Berrybank Wind Farm Community Grants program.

The six successful organisations were the Shelford Duck Race, Maude She Oaks and Steiglitz Community Planning Group, Shelford Public Hall Reserve Committee of Management, Cape Clear Recreation Reserve, Inverleigh Bowls Club, and Inverleigh Sporting Complex.

In total 14 applications were received, and the selected projects will aim to promote physical activity and social connection, enhance accessibility, and improve safety.

While the council was not the decision maker on the grants, their approval was required on the application.

Cr Helena Kirby said it was exciting to see the selected projects and hopes the community supports them to make a positive impact.

“There’s some very exciting projects here and we just hope that all the residents who are involved in each of these community events get on board, help each other out and get these projects done,” she said.

Expenses on the rise

The total expenditure of councillors in the last financial year was revealed at the meeting, with ninety-seven per cent of funds spent.

While in areas such as car expenses and IT and communications councillors came significantly under budget, spending less than 50 per cent of allocated funds, in other areas this was not the case.

More than $9000 were spent on travel expenses last financial year, which is 173 per cent of the allocated budget, and more than $23,000 was spent on conferences and training, a figure which is 129 per cent of the total budget.

Cr Owen Sharkey said that while councillors came under budget, the total cost was still up from previous years.

“Usually at this point we are saying how much we’re under budget and we’re struggling to exhaust our funds,” he said.

“We need to have a reassessment of what we budget for as we are at 97 per cent of spend there.

“It does come at a cost to the community.”

New citizens take the oath

Federal Member for Corangamite, Lobby Coker, attended the meeting and welcomed nine Golden Plains Shire residents who were recognised as Australian citizens.

They were presented with a certificate in a formal ceremony at the start of the meeting.

“It’s always such as pleasure to be at these events,” said Ms Coker.

“It’s such an important step for you to take on Australian citizenship and it brings with it the right to vote, the right to get certain supports and services, and it also means that we can embrace you as an Australian which is beautiful.”

Concerns over mining licence

All councillors voted in favour of writing a letter to the State Minister for Energy and Resources to ask for a mining exploration licence to be removed from land on South Steiglitz Road.

The licence is held by New Hanover Exploration and residents are concerned with how the exploration activities will affect biodiversity as it is next to a National Park.

Cr Gavin Gamble said the mining activity would impact the surrounding environment and tourism potential of the area.

“The exploratory drilling would definitely pose and risk and challenge and threat to those environmental values,” he said.

“It’s an area of great natural biodiversity and richness.”

Tenders awarded

A tender for minor construction and plant hire was awarded to six businesses to carry out works in the Golden Plains Shire.

In total, 32 compliant submissions were received, and the panel of six contractors will seek to ensure a wide range of services can be provided across the municipality.

Selected contractors were East Contractors, Fulton Hogan Industries, Total Plumbing-Solutions, Begbies Earthmoving, Patash and Civil Group, and Begbies Contracting.

Cr Clayton Whitfield said it was an achievement for these businesses to make it to the final stage.

“Reaching this final stage where it comes before us is an achievement in itself given the detailed tender process,” he said.

“By contracting these companies for the minor civil works council is improving its capabilities and responsiveness.”