GOLDEN Plains Shire councillors split on a vote regarding the potential sale of council land at Batesford during last week\u2019s regular September meeting.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Acting director corporate services Fiona Rae said although it is only a 2496-square-metre block, it\u2019s just 10 metres wide, and its potential use is limited, it would be best suited for sale.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is proposed to declare the land described as surplus area and commence the process to sell the land,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn order to commence the statutory process to sell, a planning permit needs to be obtained and council is required to comply with section 114<\/em> of the Local Government Act 2020<\/em> which sets out the legislative process for the sale of council land.<\/p>\n \u201cThat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Deputy-major Cr Helena Kirby said the site would not be big enough for a house, but was in favour of the sale.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s being unused in Batesford at the moment. It\u2019s one of those areas that hasn\u2019t been identified by the community… or used as a walking path,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to see this go out to the community for consultation. Let\u2019s see what the community come back with.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Gavin Gamble was also in favour of the recommendation, while Crs Owen Sharkey, Brett Cunningham, Ian Getsom, and Clayton Whitfield voted against it.<\/p>\n \u201cI live quite close to this parcel of land. I don\u2019t think that one can argue that it\u2019s not surplus area, and I don\u2019t think anyone can argue about the fact that this is a planned walkway by council to nothing,\u201d Cr Sharkey said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s planning at its worst to see something like this. Identifying it as surplus area is the right thing to do, but I don\u2019t agree with obtaining a planning permit, and I don\u2019t agree with commencing that process without community engagement first.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are five parcels of land like this. Let\u2019s go out to the community and speak to them on all items.\u201d<\/p>\n The issue was then deferred to the next council meeting to allow for further discussion and research.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mayoral election rescheduled<\/strong><\/p>\n Councillors unanimously voted to hold the Golden Plains Shire mayoral election on Tuesday, 15 November.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s been since discover there was a typographical error.<\/p>\n \u201cThe mayor electoral meeting was scheduled for 17 November. The 17th<\/sup> of November is a Thursday, and the intended date was the Tuesday, 15 November,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cCouncil may by resolution change the date, time and place of any council meeting, and it\u2019s recommended that council resolve to move the mayoral election.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Clayton Whitfield said he was happy to move the recommendation as the motion, to correct the clerical error.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Allez Darcy!<\/strong><\/p>\n Young fencing athlete Darcy McClelland received a citizen recognition award from mayor Cr Gavin Gamble for his sporting achievements throughout the year, and beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cDarcy is 16 years old, lives in Bannockburn, and has been fencing for about eight years,\u201d Cr Gamble said.<\/p>\n \u201cDarcy 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.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Calling Australia home<\/strong><\/p>\n Twenty new Australian citizens have based themselves in the Shire.<\/p>\n An Australian citizenship ceremony made up much of the council meeting, with individuals and families formally welcomed.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n