Overdraft facility sparks debate over revised budget – Golden Plains Shire council meeting briefs

A REVISED budget has been adopted by Golden Plains Shire councillors at this week’s ordinary meeting.

The revised budget reflects changes which occurred since the adoption of the original budget in May, including new asset valuations which have led to increased depreciation costs, and budget roll-forwards for multi-year or grant-funded projects that are underway.

A $2 million overdraft facility was created to ensure smooth cash flow throughout the year.

Cr Helena Kirby said she was concerned the $2 million was like a credit card and that more should have been done in previous years.

“I am just very concerned about council having a credit card to the value of $2 million,” she said.

“We’ve had six to eight years of knowing the position we are in today… it has not been acted on, and I feel we are now in the position where we shouldn’t be.”

However, mayor Cr Owen Sharkey called a point of order and said that overdraft facility was the correct terminology.

“Credit card does imply flippancy,” he said.

Cr Des Phelan said it is important to remember the overdraft facility is to allow adequate cash flow.

“I think that people are failing to understand what an overdraft is,” he said.

“An overdraft is not borrowing money; an overdraft is a facility that you use when you have a cash flow problem.”

Cr Kirby was the only councillor to vote against the revised budget.

A draft of the document was open for community consultation between late September and early October.

 

Procurement policy adopted

A new procurement policy and exemption procedure was adopted to ensure it is prioritising value for money and creating benefits for the wider community.

Updates to the previous policy include a commitment that the Shire will work with suppliers who follow ethical practices and comply with modern slavery laws.

An amendment to the policy by Cr Gavin Gamble called for the policy statement to also include a reference to not using listed businesses on the database of business enterprises pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 31/36 and 53/25.

The businesses are listed by the Human Rights Council as being involved with specified activities related to Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“I believe ratepayers, like the majority of Australians, would not want their money being used to conduct business with companies that engage in or support the act of killing and starvation of civilians,” he said.

Cr Dom Cook said a United Nations resolution should not be considered when making Local Government decisions.

“The documents referred to are by the UN, which is an international body, it’s not something that should be considered by a Local Government,” he said.

The amendment to the policy was not supported and the original motion was carried.

 

Clyde Hill Road permit refused

A planning permit to build a service station at three Clyde Hill Road Bannockburn has been refused.

Reasons for the refusal include that the location is outside the proposed growth boundary identified in the Bannockburn framework plan, and it is inconsistent with the Golden Plains planning scheme as it promotes out of centre development and will have an impact on the character of the area, including the visual impact within the Russell’s Bridge significant landscape area.

“When councils make planning decisions that go against their own growth plans and strategies, what you end up with is outcomes that don’t support our priorities and objectives for the local community,” Cr Emma Robbins said.

 

Annual report approved

The annual report was adopted unanimously by councillors which provided an overview of the achievements, challenges and future plans of Golden Plains Shire.

During this period, the Bannockburn female-friendly changerooms and the new Rokewood Community Hub were completed, while the Growing Places Strategy was adopted.

Municipal-run events during the last year include the Victorian Seniors Festival 2024, the Golden Plains monthly farmers market and annual twilight market, Children’s Week 2024, the Wiser Driver Program, careers expo 2025, Take Part Local Art 2025, school holiday program 2024/2025, the Golden Plains Local Food Network forum, and Active Golden Plains 2025.

More than $9 million was awarded in external funding for projects such as Meredith-Shelford Road bridge replacement and upgrades at the Woady Yaloak Recreation Reserve.

Cr Gamble said the report was a time for reflection and it was also important to recognise areas for improvement.

“I do think we need to balance the assessment of the year that’s been with noting some of the realities and concerns,” he said.

Areas of concern listed by Cr Gamble included community perceptions, negative media coverage, changing CEOs, and the deaths of two schoolchildren.

 

Woady Yaloak masterplan looks to future

The Woady Yaloak Recreation Reserve Master Plan has been adopted following community and stakeholder engagement.

The plan will assist with the prioritisation of projects, decisions about investment, and opportunities to gain external funding.

Some priority recommendations include upgrades to player and umpire change room, kitchen and internal toilets, upgrades to the netball pavilion to ensure it aligns with Netball Victoria guidelines, the development of a multi-purpose active recreation space on the former asphalt netball courts, and a shade structure behind the recreation facility.

External funding will likely be required to progress the projects.