IN what was a heated question time at last Monday\u2019s City of Greater Bendigo regular council meeting, CEO Andrew Cooney said the municipality would not be commenting on the situation in Gaza.<\/p>\n
With the meeting held at the Ulumbarra Theatre due to rain damage at Town Hall, the move to shut down the discussion came after several members of the public gallery asked questions related to the conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is outside the control of council, which is why we haven\u2019t accepted the petition, which is why council are not making comments or are trying to pry in, or trying to push for a resolution,\u201d Mr Cooney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are elements within the Federal Government and Australia, and also internationally, that are trying to resolve this situation and that\u2019s much best left to them to do that rather than our council.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Aus Day events lauded<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the January citizenship ceremony held at the Ulumbarra Theatre on 25 January, 96 residents from 21 countries became Australian citizens.<\/p>\n The event was praised by Cr Margaret O\u2019Rourke.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that we had our citizenship ceremony on that evening enabled Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Rebecca Phillips to be able to attend and that made it even more special,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt meant that our traditional owners were present, and they have not been able to be present at that particular citizenship ceremony each year.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, it was really special, and she was able to give respect and good spirit to our new citizens.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was the first time such an inclusive event was held, and I, for one, think that many of our new residents would\u2019ve had a very warm heart after that evening.\u201d<\/p>\n A day later Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf, Cr O\u2019Rourke, Cr Jennifer Alden, and Mr Cooney, attended a survival day ceremony at Bendigo District Aboriginal Co-operative held in acknowledgement of the loss of traditional owners in the past.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year was the first of our council statement of intent in recognition that there needs to be leadership from all levels of government on the issue of Australia Day that finds a way forward that is more inclusive, respectful, and understanding,\u201d said Cr Alden.<\/p>\n \u201cAustralia Day should be a day for all of us where we acknowledge all aspects of our history, celebrate local and national achievements, and genuinely demonstrate there\u2019s room for everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cI personally look forward to conversations nationally about changing the date so that all Australians can participate, rather than those who wish to retain a 30-year-old date for national celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr O\u2019Rourke shared similar sentiments about looking forward to seeing a change to the date of Australia Day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Election policy <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Council adopted an updated version of its Election Period Policy.<\/p>\n The policy was redrafted after the Local Government Act 2020<\/em> made it necessary for all municipalities to have such a policy and to review it once per council term.<\/p>\n The document is supposed to ensure fair, transparent, and appropriate decision-making during the election period, which the Victorian Electoral Commission advises to be from 12pm 24 September to 6pm 26 October this year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Waste charges <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The municipal Waste Charges Policy has been updated to include the words \u201cresource\u201d, \u201crecovery\u201d, and \u201ceducation\u201d in its title to reflect what the document now represents.<\/p>\n The change includes combining kerbside rubbish charges on residential rates notices for the 2024\/2025 financial year.<\/p>\n There are also updates to the collection of recycling and organics in parts of Bendigo and changes to eligibility criteria for medical exemptions on standard collection.<\/p>\n The new document outlines how businesses at residential properties may be eligible for exemptions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Permits knocked back <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Councillors decided to refuse a permit for a two-lot subdivision on Pethericks Road in Goornong on several grounds, including that it does not support agriculture.<\/p>\n Likewise, a permit for the development of land for a Guzman Y Gomez restaurant at 172-178 High Street in Bendigo was also knocked back.<\/p>\n Lastly, a notice of decision about a planning application for stage four of the Marist College redevelopment at 39 Patas Road in Maiden Gully was deferred for the second council meeting in a row.<\/p>\n Petition responses Cr Julie Sloan said, in principle, the council supports a petition to install virtual fencing along several stretches of road in Greater Bendigo.<\/p>\n However, the installations are subject to securing the necessary funding.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, municipal officers concluded that the installation of rubbish bins and a drink tap for pets in Ross Park Reserve was currently unnecessary due to its size and estimated use compared to other local parks.<\/p>\n Cr O\u2019Rourke said this decision may be reviewed again in the future.<\/p>\n Ross Park is a neighbourhood-level location, which according to City designation, services a much smaller population than bigger, municipal-level parks like Canterbury Park in Eaglehawk or township-level locations like Kennington Reservoir.<\/p>\n Cr David Fagg disagreed with the decision, arguing that while of relatively small size, the park had a playground and sports areas, more facilities than other local parks of similar size, and were grounds enough for Ross Park to be treated differently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n