Annual report arrives – Golden Plains Shire council briefs

THE Golden Plains Shire’s Annual Report 2021/22 was received at this month’s regular council meeting, and CEO Eric Braslis said it was a “fantastic snapshot” of the year.

“As you know, it’s a good reflection at this time of year to look at where we were in July of last year, through to end of June this year,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity not only for you as councillors, and for the community, and in fact staff across the organisation, to reflect on all the work that’s been done in the last 12 months.

“It’s like a little yearbook. We sit down internally and reflect across the organisation all the work and effort.”

The Annual Report covers operations, includes performance and financial statements, an auditor’s report on both of those, and any other business.

Cr Clayton Whitfield said the 21-22 financial year was a positive one.

“There was a $900,000 favourable variance to the budget over the course of the year, ending in $527,000 in adjusted underlying surplus,” he said.

“I’m particularly pleased to say that loans and borrowings against rates have been reduced by 14 per cent.”

Cr Brett Cunningham acknowledged significant State and Federal funding received throughout the year, and the advocacy work of the CEO, mayor and council officers.

Cr Owen Sharkey said the report is an attractive document for easy reading. His stand-out projects for the year included the Turtle Bend upgrade, Lethbridge and Linton cricket facilities, Enfield and Garibaldi playgrounds, Bannockburn bowling green, the Youth Hub, skate parks, and sporting complexes.

 

Climate plan adopted

Councillors approved the Golden Plains Shire Climate Emergency Plan 2022-2032.

In order to draft the plan, acting director infrastructure and environment Ben Jordan said council officers have consulted with other local government areas, community members, councillors and staff, and analysed feedback, since council declared a climate emergency in July 2021.

The document outlines what people across the Shire can do to respond to climate change and minimise their footprint.

“The plan gives context to the current and future impacts of climate change within the Shire and lays out actions for council to undertake over the next 10 years under five themes; embedding climate action in council, resilient and adaptive communities, caring for the land, climate responsive development, and sustainable transport and travel,” Mr Jordan said.

“There is a strong imperative for council to reduce emissions and prepare for the change in climate.”

 

Fourth-quarter finance

Acting director corporate Services Fiona Rae presented a Final Quarter Finance Report for the 12 months ended 30 June 2022.

She said an operating revenue of $52.6 million was reported then, and expenditure of $46.5 million.

“The result is a year-to-date surplus of $6 million. This is $1.5 million unfavourable compared to the original budget and $252,000 unfavourable compared to the revised budget,” she said.

“The variance against the revised budget is due to operating grants. The financial assistance grant payment in advance has increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent resulting in an additional $1.7 million funds received.

“Capital grants, $3.5 million, reclassified as payments in advance due to accounting requirements.

:We’ve had an additional $1.3 million of gifted assets higher than forecast, and we had $2.3 million of operating projects in relation to materials and services, carried forward to the 22-23 year, resulting from some delays in materials being provided.”

Capital works spending totalled $14.4 million, which was $10.8 million below the revised budget.

 

Battle-axe block permitted

A planning permit for a two-lot subdivision at 48 Daruma Way in Batesford has been granted.

Director community, planning and growth Steven Sagona said the one-hectare site has a house and shed, but the property owner plans to subdivide it into two half-hectare lots.

“Proposed Lot 2 [would be] in a battle-axe-type configuration,” he said.

“The application also proposes the variation of a covenant which would otherwise serve to prevent the construction of more than one dwelling on the total balance of the land,” he said.

“In accordance with the Planning and Environment Act, a notice in relation to the proposed variation of the covenant was given by mail to owners and occupiers of land that also benefited from the covenant.

“Officers recommend that a permit be issued to allow the two-lot subdivision and to vary the restrictions of the covenant.”

A notice was placed in the Geelong Advertiser, on the land, and on the Shire’s website, and no objections were received.

Cr Whitfield asked how the recommendation to approve the application could be reconciled with a battle-axe lot.

“As a growing peri-urban council, Golden Plains does have a role to play in accommodating a share of the… region’s population growth,” Mr Sagona said.

“An appropriate place to locate such growth is also within existing towns, as in-fill development, where that is possible.

“In this case…it is not possible without a battle-axe configuration, thereby making it unavoidable. There are several other battle-axe properties in the area.”

Mr Sagona said a notice of intent to subdivide was not sent to any surrounding neighbours, and the neighbour at the rear of 48 Daruma Way is not a covenant beneficiary.

Cr Whitfield said he was confident the application complies with requirements, but said the system of advertising the plans was “flawed.”

“Every person has a right to know what is being proposed next to their property,” he said.

Cr Owen Sharkey had an interest in the matter and left the meeting for this ite