A REVISED budget has been adopted by Golden Plains Shire councillors at this week\u2019s ordinary meeting.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A $2 million overdraft facility was created to ensure smooth cash flow throughout the year.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am just very concerned about council having a credit card to the value of $2 million,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had six to eight years of knowing the position we are in today\u2026 it has not been acted on, and I feel we are now in the position where we shouldn\u2019t be.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, mayor Cr Owen Sharkey called a point of order and said that overdraft facility was the correct terminology.<\/p>\n
\u201cCredit card does imply flippancy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Cr Des Phelan said it is important to remember the overdraft facility is to allow adequate cash flow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that people are failing to understand what an overdraft is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn overdraft is not borrowing money; an overdraft is a facility that you use when you have a cash flow problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Kirby was the only councillor to vote against the revised budget.<\/p>\n
A draft of the document was open for community consultation between late September and early October.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Procurement policy adopted<\/strong><\/p>\n A new procurement policy and exemption procedure was adopted to ensure it is prioritising value for money and creating benefits for the wider community.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The businesses are listed by the Human Rights Council as being involved with specified activities related to Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Cr Dom Cook said a United Nations resolution should not be considered when making Local Government decisions.<\/p>\n \u201cThe documents referred to are by the UN, which is an international body, it\u2019s not something that should be considered by a Local Government,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The amendment to the policy was not supported and the original motion was carried.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clyde Hill Road permit refused<\/strong><\/p>\n A planning permit to build a service station at three Clyde Hill Road Bannockburn has been refused.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Bridge significant landscape area.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen councils make planning decisions that go against their own growth plans and strategies, what you end up with is outcomes that don\u2019t support our priorities and objectives for the local community,\u201d Cr Emma Robbins said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Annual report approved<\/strong><\/p>\n The annual report was adopted unanimously by councillors which provided an overview of the achievements, challenges and future plans of Golden Plains Shire.<\/p>\n During this period, the Bannockburn female-friendly changerooms and the new Rokewood Community Hub were completed, while the Growing Places Strategy was adopted.<\/p>\n Municipal-run events during the last year include the Victorian Seniors Festival 2024, the Golden Plains monthly farmers market and annual twilight market, Children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Cr Gamble said the report was a time for reflection and it was also important to recognise areas for improvement.<\/p>\n \u201cI do think we need to balance the assessment of the year that\u2019s been with noting some of the realities and concerns,” he said.<\/p>\n Areas of concern listed by Cr Gamble included community perceptions, negative media coverage, changing CEOs, and the deaths of two schoolchildren.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n