GOLDEN Plains Shire council\u2019s first meeting of the year, which took place on Tuesday night, began contentiously with a packed gallery eager to see development on the proposed rezoning of Dardel Drive halted.<\/p>\n
Taking place at the Golden Plains Civic Centre at Bannockburn, the motions regarding the potential subdividing of parts of the town\u2019s recreation reserve were expedited for the gallery.<\/p>\n
Though the group\u2019s petition was submitted to council, Cr Owen Sharkey\u2019s decision to withdraw a notice of motion requesting an information session and to publish an updated information sheet for petitioners drew complaint from the gallery.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was meant as an olive branch,\u201d he said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t meant to create any angst or anything as such.\u201d<\/p>\n
The group\u2019s petition, which contained 256 signatures, called for the municipality to put the potential sale and sub-division up of 3.5 hectares of public land on hold and to provide further community engagement on the matter.<\/p>\n
Cr Ian Getsom said it\u2019s important residents\u2019 voices are hears. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t want to be told what they are doing, they want to be part,\u201d he said. \u201cThey need to be give the opportunity to voice their concerns. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a local council, not a private developer and we need to start acting like one. We don\u2019t own this land. The community does.\u201d <\/p>\n
Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham declared a conflict of interest prior to both items due to a family member opposing the development. <\/p>\n
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Delegation discussed<\/STRONG><\/p>\n The question of whether to increase the financial responsibilities for the municipality\u2019s chief executive officer in award contracts drew debate between councillors. <\/p>\n With the CEO\u2019s current delegation of $450,000 and inflation to account for, Cr Les Rowe unsuccessfully attempted to let the matter lie with an alternative motion. <\/p>\n Following that, Cr Sharkey brought forward an alternative which would see the item pushed and the idea of forming a dedicated contract-handling subcommittee explored. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is a happy medium,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is just deferring it. It\u2019s not suggesting an increase, it\u2019s just suggesting we look at it in a different matter.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Helena Kirby opposed the alternative in reference to a similar sub-committee that had phased out years earlier. <\/p>\n The motion was passed with Crs Kirby and Rowe against.<\/p>\n \n Tenders awarded <\/STRONG><\/p>\n The contracts to deliver two major projects, one for the region\u2019s infrastructure and the other for its sports offerings were awarded by council. <\/p>\n The first motion saw the nearly $750,000 tender to replace Bamganie\u2019s Hendersons Road Bridge go towards developers Road and Bridge with the majority of cash received through the Federal Government. <\/p>\n \u201cThis will have another 100-year lifespan,\u201d Cr Kirby said. \u201cWithout this sort of [Federal] money coming forward, there\u2019s no way council would be able to afford to build them.\u201d<\/p>\n The next motion saw the more-than-$2 million contract to develop the Inverleigh Youth Active Space awarded to LJM Construction. <\/p>\n Set to expand on the Yerram Yaluk Bun Play Space with the inclusion of a new skate park, pump track, basketball courts and other amenities, the project was steered by the community via the Inverleigh Progress Association. <\/p>\n Cr Clayton Whitfield said the project spoke to the importance of community involvement.<\/p>\n \u201c[It\u2019s] an example of what can be achieved through community engagement and participation,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe Inverleigh Progress Association initiated this from findings in their community survey, they lobbied sitting MPs\u2026 and created the groundswell that council staff have run with.\u201d<\/p>\n \n Constraints considered <\/STRONG><\/p>\n A tightening of the belt proved a frequent topic for councillors throughout the meeting with budgetary constraints discussed with the municipality\u2019s financial sustainability called into question.<\/p>\n With cost increases, and the squeeze of windfall tax, cost-shifting and inflation, Cr Whitfield brought forward an alternative motion that the municipality publicise the report and lobby for State, Federal and ministerial support.<\/p>\n \u201cThis report is to inform the people of Golden Plains that council is facing some financial constraints going forward and that we\u2019ll have to find efficiencies perhaps from other income streams or by reducing spending,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The alternative motion was passed unanimously and will see the document available during an upcoming Smythesdale Country Market. <\/p>\n The topic of funds was further explored with Cr Sharkey saying the situation was \u201cpretty grim\u201d when discussing the municipality\u2019s quarterly finance report.<\/p>\n Priority projects endorsed <\/p>\n Councillors signed off on their list of priority projects for 2024 with developments like the Growing Place Strategy, Bannockburn\u2019s expansion, and a lack of health services and public transport listed. <\/p>\n Cr Kirby said the document is a great guide for state and federal members as well as for candidates when the latter government\u2019s next election arrives. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an excellent source of information for our MPs,\u201d she said. \u201cIt contains projects that can be funded form external sources that otherwise council could not fund.<\/p>\n \u201cElection commitments are part of this project\u2026 which ensures the priorities for our community are met.\u201d<\/p>\n \n