Land sale divides council – Golden Plains Shire council meeting briefs

GOLDEN Plains Shire councillors split on a vote regarding the potential sale of council land at Batesford during last week’s regular September meeting.

The municipality owns a narrow strip of land in the Dog Rocks North Estate, which adjoins private residential blocks, and was originally classed as a walkway reserve.

Acting director corporate services Fiona Rae said although it is only a 2496-square-metre block, it’s just 10 metres wide, and its potential use is limited, it would be best suited for sale.

“It is proposed to declare the land described as surplus area and commence the process to sell the land,” she said.

“In order to commence the statutory process to sell, a planning permit needs to be obtained and council is required to comply with section 114 of the Local Government Act 2020 which sets out the legislative process for the sale of council land.

“That requires to publish the notice of intent at least four weeks prior to the sale, to have community consultation, and a valuation to be obtained.”

Deputy-major Cr Helena Kirby said the site would not be big enough for a house, but was in favour of the sale.

“It’s being unused in Batesford at the moment. It’s one of those areas that hasn’t been identified by the community… or used as a walking path,” she said.

“I’d love to see this go out to the community for consultation. Let’s see what the community come back with.

“If it’s not being used for any public purpose, it might be time to sell it and move on. Those funds could go into a community benefit for the whole Shire.”

Cr Gavin Gamble was also in favour of the recommendation, while Crs Owen Sharkey, Brett Cunningham, Ian Getsom, and Clayton Whitfield voted against it.

“I live quite close to this parcel of land. I don’t think that one can argue that it’s not surplus area, and I don’t think anyone can argue about the fact that this is a planned walkway by council to nothing,” Cr Sharkey said.

“It’s planning at its worst to see something like this. Identifying it as surplus area is the right thing to do, but I don’t agree with obtaining a planning permit, and I don’t agree with commencing that process without community engagement first.

“There are five parcels of land like this. Let’s go out to the community and speak to them on all items.”

The issue was then deferred to the next council meeting to allow for further discussion and research.

 

Mayoral election rescheduled

Councillors unanimously voted to hold the Golden Plains Shire mayoral election on Tuesday, 15 November.

Ms Rae said the vote to elect the mayor, and possibly deputy-mayor, had been planned as part of the 2022 scheduled regular meetings approved by councillors in November last year, however it’s been since discover there was a typographical error.

“The mayor electoral meeting was scheduled for 17 November. The 17^th of November is a Thursday, and the intended date was the Tuesday, 15 November,” she said.

“Council may by resolution change the date, time and place of any council meeting, and it’s recommended that council resolve to move the mayoral election.”

Cr Clayton Whitfield said he was happy to move the recommendation as the motion, to correct the clerical error.

 

Allez Darcy!

Young fencing athlete Darcy McClelland received a citizen recognition award from mayor Cr Gavin Gamble for his sporting achievements throughout the year, and beyond.

“Darcy is 16 years old, lives in Bannockburn, and has been fencing for about eight years,” Cr Gamble said.

“Darcy was selected and competed for Australia in the World Cadet Championships in April 2022. Darcy also won two silver and two gold medals at the Oceania and Australian National Cadet Championships in July 2022.”

 

Calling Australia home

Twenty new Australian citizens have based themselves in the Shire.

An Australian citizenship ceremony made up much of the council meeting, with individuals and families formally welcomed.

New citizens in the Bannockburn community are Richard Kinsey, Kurt, Jennifer, Tayla and Kade Beckley, Dishank, Maithili, Arya, Aryan and Misha Ghadge, Jose Arcos Gomez, Sheyla Guerrero Chiliquinga and Eithan Arcos Guerrero Mohamed Hussain, and Samiyah Ifran.

Teesdale has a new citizen in Joseph Heaphey, William and Hollie Hilsdon are in Shelford, Sureerat Vassallo is in Cape Clear, and Linjong Wishart is in Inverleigh.

 

Grenville bridge works awarded

A tender for Grenville’s Arthurs Lane Bridge upgrade works has been awarded.

Ontrack Civil Earthworks will undertake the construction of the bridge and associated road approach works.

“The existing narrow structure is in poor condition and cannot be used to move wider farm equipment across the creek,” director infrastructure and environment Phil Josipovic said.

“The purpose of the proposed bridge replacement is to allow safe access to heavier oversized vehicles and agricultural equipment across the creek.

“The proposed bridge is designed to current standards, and with the target serviceable lifespan of approximately 100 years, will significantly reduce the maintenance burden on council.

The Shire will pay the business slightly less than $444,000 to complete the project over an initial term of 14 weeks, which will also see the existing bridge demolished, a replacement concrete structure built, rockwork along the creek banks, and the installation of new guard rails.