Two trips approved – one free, one not

A RECOMMENDATION to approve international travel for the Mayor and a council officer to go to Poland was passed at the last City of Ballarat council meeting on Wednesday, 3 April.

As part of the trip the delegation will attend the 15th World Congress of the Organisation of World Heritage Cities in Kraków, at a cost of $13,000.

The trip was approved by councillors after considerable discussion.

Councillor Grant Tillett, speaking in favour of the motion said the Mayor would be representing City of Ballarat as part of the 13 Local Governments of the Central Highlands Region.

“I see it as a major benefit, we will all profit from this fantastic opportunity,” he said.

Cr Tillett also said that even if no one visits Ballarat as a result of the municipality’s participation it’s still an opportunity to wave the city’s flag.

“As one of the leaders of the state of Victoria we have obligations outside of the state and this would be a missed opportunity if we didn’t go,” he said.

Speaking against the motion Councillor Mark Harris said the community judges the council poorly when elected officials and staff undertake overseas travel.

“I don’t think I have heard anything to convince me that we should go,” Cr Harris said.

Councillor Daniel Moloney was also against the trip.

“We have sent the Mayor overseas for every year for the last number of years and I have yet to see a return on that investment,” he said.

City of Ballarat CEO, Justine Linley said all 13 local governments of the Central Highlands Region have signed on to go to the congress.

Ballarat is not a World Heritage City but being at the Congress will give the municipality opportunity to lobby for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Councillors also approved international travel for the Mayor, or councillor delegate, and a council officer to travel with two Ballarat based business representatives to attend the Shenzhen Smart Cities Forum, NEXUS: Jiangsu-Victoria Start Up Summit and Victoria-Jiangsu sister state anniversary summit in the People’s Republic of China.

The $6000- $8000 cost to send the four people to the Forum is fully sponsored by the StartUp Ballarat Business program, an initiative of the State Government.

Town plan put off

THE resolution to adopt the final Miners Rest Township Plan (March 2019) was deferred by councillors.

Cr Moloney, acknowledging the time and work that has been done so far said, “There have been a lot of consultations, we are so painfully close to have the planning completed.”

He raised the issue of the future use and rezoning proposal for the former Boral quarry, the impact of growth in the area and possible airport development as well as the completion of the Dowling Forest Equine Precinct Planning Controls Master Plan review.

Councillor Jim Rinaldi said the process had been a “debacle” so far and that documents supporting the plan were not complete.

“You don’t go a gallery and buy half a picture, you buy a complete picture,” he said.

Green light for Carbon Neutrality plan

CALLS from members of five community groups in support of the endorsement of City’s Carbon Neutrality and 100% Renewables Action Plan 2019-2025 did not fall on deaf ears.

Councillor Belinda Coates said the passionate representations from the public gallery demonstrated that many community members wanted the municipality to set and achieve the 2025 zero emissions action plan.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the resolution.

Go live in May

COUNCIL meetings will be broadcast live online from May after all councillors voted in favour of a motion, including an amendment asked for by Councillor Amy Johnson.

Now councillors will be able to get a copy of their speeches and their meeting participation from the broadcast to use for social media and other mediums.

Testing of the live broadcasting of council meetings has been under way since February, with a 4K high resolution camera, digital decoder and mixer installed in the council chamber.

Filming of the meetings will be focussed on the Councillors and some council employees.

Each councillor will be responsible for what they say during the meetings.

While the public gallery is not covered by the camera, if members of the public choose to ask a question during question time or make a representation in the chamber they may appear in the broadcasting.

In addition to the live streaming, a recording of each council meeting will be uploaded to the council website within five business days.

MoU with Botanical Gardens

THE Memorandum of Understanding between Ballarat Botanical Gardens and the City of Ballarat was approved by council in August for a further five years.

The BBG sought an amendment to the MoU to add the words “on the other hand the City of Ballarat will advise the Friends in a timely manner of the release of any publicity relating to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens which may impact on any joint projects being undertaken between the Friends and the City of Ballarat”.

It was recommended that council note the request, although it didn’t alter the recently approved MoU because it was beyond the intent and purpose of the agreement.

All Councillors vote in favour of the recommendation.

Rural council transformation a go

THE City of Ballarat will be the lead municipality in a new initiative, knowns as the Central Highlands Delivery of Regional Shared Services Project.

The plan involves splitting the cost of a various council services between a number of municipalities and is aimed at reducing overall spend.

The other councils involved are Ararat Rural City, Central Goldfields Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Hepburn Shire, Moorabool Shire and Pyrenees Shire.

The move was passed unanimously.

Policy underdone

ANNUAL renewal and approval of the City’s Procurement Policy hit a snag in the form of Cr Tillett.

In voting against the updated policy, the North Ward councillor said it wasn’t ready.

“I do not think this policy does the council justice, I bang on about this over and over,” he said.

“This policy needs to be the best policy it can be and this isn’t so I not will support it.”

In voting for the motion, Cr Coates said the procurement policy reflected current practice.

The recommendation was passed in favour with Cr Tillett demanding his vote against be recorded.