Meeting goes on without public, media in the room

THE regular City of Ballarat council meeting took place on the evening of Wednesday, 1 April but it was far from business as usual.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic only councillors and a handful of municipal staff were allowed in the room for the meeting, with everyone else left watching via video streaming, albeit with challenging audio.

The meeting was also moved from the regular venue of council chambers and down the hall to the Trench Room where councillors were spread out at least two meters apart for the duration of the approximately two-and-a-half-hours session.

Much of the first part of the meeting was taken up as councillors gave praise to municipal staff regarding the proactive handing of the pandemic and giving different takes on how the community is managing social distancing and self-isolation.

“So many various online networks have sprung up,” said deputy-mayor Cr Belinda Coates. “It’s really incredible and almost ironic that the social isolation had led to a bit more social connection.”

Cr Samantha McIntosh was positive on the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic so far, focusing on staff, directors and the CEO.

“I think it’s important we highlight the wonderful job they have been doing on our behalf,” she said.

“Our community are online asking council to be leaders and I think as a group of councillors we’ve all been really very supportive of the way that’s been managed.”

Blue ribbon decision

A new home for the Ballarat Showgrounds in one step closer after council voted in favour of a motion to allow work to start at the Mount Rowan site.

It wasn’t a rubber stamp through, with elements of the plan coming in for scrutiny.

As public were prevented from making presentations on the issue council planning officer Terry Demeo read a long list of opponent concerns and Cr Daniel Molony subsequently took up their cause, questioning officers on things like parking, site access, flooding and noise from fireworks.

Cr Amy Johnson went one step further, arguing council shouldn’t decide on the issue until members of public could directly take part in the process. She subsequently abstained from the vote on those grounds.

Advise received from Regional Roads Victoria and Central Highland Water on the day of meeting went someway to allaying some concerns of some councillors.

Part of the plan for the new site at 6 Rose Hill Road, Mount Rowan limits Ballarat Agricultural & Pastoral Society to 50 events at the venue a year.

Money borrowed

Councillors gave approval for the refinancing of a $10 million loan set out in the 2019/20 financial year budget.

The motion requested the OK to seek expressions of interest relating to the borrowing of a further $3,910,000 to be used for the refinancing the $10 million.

While supporting the motion, Cr Mark Harris sounded a word of caution.

“The reality is interest rates are now in a good space,” he said. “I am deeply concerned about borrowings in this sector. I think at some juncture there’s no way they’ll be held at low interest rates.

“I think borrowing that’s early and an appropriate rate will serve us well.”

Road by any other name

The western end of Webb Road in Bonshaw will now be known as Ascot Gardens Drive. The renaming came to better align street names in the area.

Previously Webb Road ran north/south from Schreenanas Road and took a 90 degree turn to the west from Ascot Gardens Drive to Cherry Flat Road.

It’s that western section will now become the continuation of Ascot Gardens Drive.

The new street numbering will begin at the north end of Webb Road with existing lost set for new numbers.

Incidentally, Schreenanas Road makes the same hard right-angle turn where Webb Road ends.