Smythesdale building to be sold – Golden Plains Shire council meeting briefs

THE building located at 66 Brooke Street, Smythesdale will be sold by the municipality or demolished after a decision made at this week’s ordinary council meeting.

Most councillors endorsed the sale of the building located on the site, and if no one is interested in purchasing it, it will be demolished and removed.

In the event of demolition, the site will be landscaped after.

Golden Plains Shire acquired the building in July 2022 and a building condition assessment indicated the building was in poor condition and it would cost $600,000 to repurpose.

This is more than the current value of the structure.

Cr Gavin Gamble said economic factors aside, experts have stated the building has little historical value.

“As a councillor we have to strongly consider the weight of expert opinion which contends that there’s little historical value to this building,” he said.

“I have confidence in the consultants, they are qualified to make a considered, expert judgment.”

Cr Owen Sharkey voted against the motion, saying demolishing the building would be premature when a plan for the precinct is yet to be developed.

 

Flood mitigation measures get go ahead

The intersection of Argyle Park, Faulkner and King Roads in Inverleigh will be lowered to improve drainage in the area.

The project is expected to cost more-than $1.3 million and is $77,000 over the approved budget.

This option will need to be undertaken with other minor works to achieve the desired effect and there is likely to be a significant impact on residents’ access during construction.

“The requirement of these works is undeniable,” said Cr Clayton Whitfield.

“In October-November 2022 five properties in this catchment received overfall flooding, two separate families were forced to spend almost 12 months in other accommodation while their properties underwent rectification works.”

 

Satisfaction survey results to be discussed

A notice of motion by Cr Sharkey was approved by most councillors stating that the results of last year’s Local Government Satisfaction Survey be presented at the next council meeting.

“We all get ourselves voted in on being transparent and open,” said Cr Sharkey.

Interim CEO Michael Tudbull said the reason the results had not been presented was because a resolution made in July 2023 stated that the results would be released to the public after councillors were briefed.

“Council resolved in July that the Community Satisfaction Survey go to a briefing and be published,” he said.

“The inference that council officers are hiding a report is just wrong.”

Cr Sharkey said just because the results were released to the public doesn’t mean they can’t be presented at a meeting.

“That motion doesn’t exclusively establish that they’re not going to be presented at a meeting,” he said.

“All that motion said was that they were going to be released to the public and made public.”

 

Bridge to become priority project

A report on Golden Lake Road bridge was received by councillors and its repair will become a priority in the bridge replacement program.

At last month’s meeting Cr Ian Getsom submitted a notice of motion requesting a report about options for replacing the bridge including fire access, the rainbow bird trail, its usage by local farmers and usage by tourist buses.

The bridge can currently be used with a weight limit of five tonnes.

The report found the bridge is not critical to the CFA providing an emergency response and it is not advisable to use as an escape route.

An average of 18 vehicles use the Golden Lake Road a day and this number is likely to reduce once the bridge on Linton-Piggoreet Road is replaced.

Cr Getsom said the local CFA had not been contacted about their usage of the bridge.

“Vic Pol have not been approached by council, the only ones that council approached was the CFA and that was in Ballarat, and they only received a letter,” he said.

Cr Sharkey voted against the motion saying more consultation and information was needed.

 

Bridge to be repaired

Federation pedestrian bridge at Inverleigh will be repaired not replaced.

A full replacement of the bridge was approved at the July 2023 meeting, however, the final design was approved and tendered with prices above the available budget of $350,000.

Major repairs are expected to cost $325,000 and prolong the life of the bridge by 25 years, whereas a full replacement would be expected to last 75 years.

“While it’s pretty disappointing that quotes to provide a new bridge came in so far above the allocated budget, the requirement for the bridge is unquestionable,” said Cr Whitfield.

Cr Les Rowe disagreed and said it would be better value for money to replace the bridge.

 

Strategy looks to future

The draft Growing Places Strategy has been endorsed for community and stakeholder engagement.

The report looks at preconditions for future growth in the shire and presents work which has been undertaken since 2021.

Community engagement will occur after the council election caretaker period.

“With this document going out for engagement, we are at the culmination of a mountain of work by the strategic planning team,” said Cr Whitfield.

 

Inclusive framework adopted

The new Disability Action Plan Strategic Framework 2025-2029 has been adopted, providing a guide for council to address the needs of current and future people with disabilities in Golden Plains Shire.

“This disability action strategic framework continues to support council’s commitment to building stronger and a more vibrant community through increase participation,” said Cr Whitfield.

 

A refreshed vision

The revised Community Vision 2040 has been endorsed by councillors following community consultation.

Throughout the engagement period only minor changes were suggested with most responses believing the vision is still relevant.

 

Feedback wanted on water plan

The draft Bannockburn Integrated Water Management Plan has been endorsed for public consultation until Monday 16 September.

The plan looks at managing the impacts of urbanisation and population growth

 

Footpath strategy gets moving

The Footpath Strategy 2024 to 2034 has been adopted, setting out how Golden Plains Shire staff will upgrade formal footpaths over the next decade. Following the community feedback period, nine submissions were received, and no changes were required.