Community grants provoke opposition – Moorabool Shire Council meeting briefs

TWELVE clubs, groups and other organisations have been selected to receive funding in the Moorabool Shire Council’s August round of Community Grants Program allocations.

Councillors approved the allocations at their monthly meeting last week, but not without dissent.

Three councillors – John Keogh, Sheila Freeman and Steve Venditti-Taylor – voted against a recommendation to approve a total of $95,284 in grant allocations.

The 5-3 vote in favour of the allocations (Cr Ally Munari was not present for the debate and vote after declaring a conflict of interest) followed lengthy discussion and several questions from the council table.

Recipients in the latest round are the Blackwood and District Historical Society, Ballan Cricket Club, Saints Junior Basketball Club, Pentland Calisthenics, Bacchus Marsh Lightning Basketball Club, Walking Football 4 Health Victoria, Bacchus Marsh Scout Group, Bacchus Marsh Golf Club, Moorabool Environment Group, Ri (Norma) Van Veen, Kathy Holowko, and the Clarendon Recreation Reserve Committee of Management.

Cr Keogh’s opposition to the recommendation stemmed from his objection to the golf club receiving a grant to help it upgrade its irrigation system.

He said the program was designed specifically to fund community organisations.

“As far as I’m concerned a community grant should never be used to fund a privately-owned club,” Cr Keogh said.

He said that in contrast, the Mount Egerton Recreation Reserve management committee had contacted the Shire about securing funding for children’s playground equipment there.

“The committee was told that there was no money in the budget and anyway there were many community projects in front of it,” Cr Keogh said.

Cr Freeman also spoke against the recommendation to award the grants – moved by Cr Jarrod Bingham and seconded by Cr Rod Ward – for similar reasons and said she believed the criteria needed to be reviewed.

“There are a lot of community groups out there that are needing funding,” she said. “People are hurting, funding is short, [and] we do need to make sure we aim it at where it is best needed.”

Cr Tom Sullivan, who had earlier in the debate suggested a review of allocation criteria, said he understood Cr Keogh’s concerns but it would be disappointing to make a decision “at this 11th hour” to knock back a grant.

“I don’t believe that private organisations should have access to community funds, however the officers have followed our criteria as it currently stands,” he said.

Illegal dumping summit lauded

Cr Ward told councillors that the recent Shire-organised illegal dumping summit in Bacchus Marsh was “very worthwhile but also very frustrating.”

“The underlying principle in illegal dumping is that the polluter pays, but it doesn’t work that way,” he said.

“We need to stand together in a united position to the State Government, because the way it works now is that the EPA (Environment Protection Authority) is basically lazy, and if we put cones around a truck that’s got cylinders on it we’re liable.”

That comment was a reference to the Shire’s dispute with the EPA over illegally dumped acetylene cylinders at Merrimu, near Bacchus Marsh, which it was forced to pay to have removed.

Cr Ward said it was very encouraging to witness the collaboration between councils and individuals at the summit.

“And I’m looking forward to working with them as we tackle the scourge of illegal dumping,” he said.

Cr Freeman also spoke highly of the event. “It was well presented, informative and constructive,” she said, adding that she was inspired by the attitude of “where to from here.”

Transport strategy out for consultation

Councillors voted to open the Shire’s draft Ballan Integrated Transport Strategy to public comment for a period of four weeks.

The draft strategy has been prepared in the wake of initial community engagement in November and December last year and a consultants’ report that identified several intersections in the town that would come under significant pressure as Ballan grows.

Key themes from last year’s consultation included calls for a local bus service, walking and cycling links, parking, road safety and accessibility.

An officer’s report to the meeting said it was clear that the Ballan community expected safer, more accessible and better-connected transport options – not only for vehicles but also for vulnerable road users.

The draft strategy’s five main themes are the road network, major intersections, active transport, car parking, and public and other transport.

Community feedback will be sought through the Shire’s Have Your Say platform and drop-in sessions, with an aim of adopting a final strategy early next year.

Sustainable Environment Strategy adopted

The Shire’s new Sustainable Environment Strategy 2025-2030 was adopted on a unanimous vote.

The strategy provides a clear framework for a sustainable environment, biodiversity protection, sustainable development and community partnerships.

Minor changes were made to the draft plan after a period of public consultation in August and September, with the final document designed to provide a framework for the Shire to respond to environmental challenges while supporting sustainable growth and community wellbeing.

It focuses on protecting biodiversity, managing natural resources and fostering resilience.

Reserve to be renamed

The Lidgett Street Reserve in Bacchus Marsh will be renamed the Delwyn Leggatt Recreation Reserve.

The renaming proposal was submitted by a member of the community and went out for public comment for 30 days, resulting in eight submissions in support and four against.

Mrs Leggatt was a former Shire of Bacchus Marsh councillor and was the first mayor of the Moorabool Shire Council. She died in 2020.

The Lidgett Street Reserve is an open space reserve and contains a walking track, a basketball half-court and a playground.

It has not had a formal name and is known by its existing name because of its location.