Indoor pool comes a step closer – Moorabool Shire council meeting briefs

CONSTRUCTION of an indoor swimming pool at the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Maddingley is now closer, with councillors authorising officers to proceed with its design.

Councillors gave their approval at the regular monthly meeting last week, where an officer’s report detailed that the Federal Government had allocated $25 million to the project in the wake of the May election.

The report said that figure, added to the State Government’s commitment of $10 million, took total funding available to $50 million when the Shire added $15 to be raised from loans.

Existing concept designs incorporate an aquatic pool hall with a 25-metre pool, a dry sauna, steam room and spa, changing facilities, and a kiosk.

Health and fitness facilities include a gymnasium, a group fitness room, and changing facilities.

A report will be submitted to councillors when a draft design is finalised.

WRL submission endorsed

Councillors voted unanimously to endorse the Shire’s submission on the Western Renewables Link (WRL) Environment Effects Statement (EES) and an associated planning scheme amendment.

About 60 kilometres of the controversial project – a 190-kilometre overhead high-voltage transmission line – will run through the municipality from east to west.

The Shire has proactively advocated for the project to be built underground since it was first announced in 2019.

Concerns raised in the submission – viewable online at moorabool.vic.gov.au/transmissionlines – include but are not limited to bushfire, social, agriculture, visual amenity, traffic, economic, heritage and biodiversity impacts.

Cr Rod Ward, who moved the endorsement, said about 250 Moorabool landowners would be affected by the WRL.

Cr Ward pointed out numerous shortcomings in the EES, which he said did very little to recognise social and tourism impacts and gave scant reference to community benefits.

“So based on our review…the project should not and cannot proceed as it’s ill-considered and incomplete,” he said.

Cr Ally Munari seconded and the recommendation was adopted unanimously.

After the meeting, mayor Cr Paul Tatchell said: “Council remains opposed to the project going ahead in its current form.

“An overhead transmission line would be a scar on the landscape and have unacceptable impacts for Moorabool Shire.”

A public hearing on the EES is scheduled to start on 27 October. The Shire will be represented by a legal team and intends to engage several independent experts.

Dunnstown Rec Reserve plan to go on exhibition

A draft Dunnstown Recreation Reserve Master Plan will go on public exhibition for four weeks.

The draft plan presents short, medium and long-term concepts considered achievable within 10 years, and has been developed by consultants in conjunction with a community asset committee, user groups and tenant clubs.

Feedback received during the exhibition period – the starting date for which has not been revealed – will be taken into account when a final master plan is presented to councillors for adoption.

Kangaroo problems update

Councillors learnt at the meeting that the Shire is part of the current Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2024-2028, which allows for commercial kangaroo harvesting on private properties.

The advice was received in response to a matter of urgent business raised at the July meeting, in which officers were asked to seek information from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on any measures in place to manage the increasing presence of kangaroo mobs in the urban areas of Darley and Bacchus Marsh.

An officer’s report on a meeting with DEECA about the issue said implementation of the harvest plan meant the Shire, which is in the Grampians Harvest Zone, plays a critical role in sustainable management of kangaroo populations.

It said the harvest plan offered a “structured and ethical tool” for addressing pressures caused by kangaroos moving into urban areas.

Cr Moira Berry, who originally raised the urgent business and moved that the report be accepted, said she was still receiving reports from residents about kangaroos on private property and roads.

“Something needs to be done,” she said. “It’s become a very dangerous situation.”

Cr Steve Venditti-Taylor said he had recently spoken to several people about the issue, including a wildlife rescue worker who suggested it was not a major problem and was seasonal as the animals looked for water.

But Cr Tom Sullivan said it actually was becoming an issue because kangaroos were going into areas where they had not been seen before.

Cr Munari said many people had indeed noticed more kangaroos in the past year as they battled drought conditions.

She supported the recommendation to note the department’s response, and also a second point to keep the community informed by updating the council website with information about the program.

“I’d rather be aware of things and be proactive, and be in the conversations with the right people,” she said.

Council wants seat at Treaty table

A notice of motion from Cr Ward that a letter be sent to the State Government insisting that local government is consulted on and actively involved in the drafting of the proposed Statewide Treaty Bill was carried unanimously.

The lengthy motion included seeking clarity on what decision-making powers will be given to Indigenous communities and their impact on local government, and further detail on a proposal to exempt traditional owners from paying taxes, rates and charges related to water – again as to the impacts on local government.

An additional point suggested by Cr Jarrod Bingham was added to the motion: that the council request the Government to ensure that local government is included as a formal partner in designing the treaty bill, and that adequate funding is allocated to support councils in meeting any new obligations.

The motion was carried unanimously, with CEO Derek Madden to report back on the Government’s response.

Green waste kerbside collections probe

Cr Venditti-Taylor successfully moved his own notice of motion that the Shire investigate the feasibility, cost implications and operational requirements of expanding the kerbside green waste collection service to Gordon, Mount Egerton, Myrniong, Greendale, Dales Creek and Blackwood.

The Shire will consult residents in those areas to determine interest and gauge demand for a service.

Crs Munari and Sullivan questioned the need for the specific investigation – Cr Munari because it would be “doubling up” on work already being done by officers and Cr Sullivan because the motion was “really trying to pick winners”.

“If we’re going to do a waste management review it should be…right across the Shire,” he said.

Mr Madden told councillors that there were already two notices of motion on the table, one on hard waste and the other on subsidised waste collection.

Mr Madden said work was already being done on a full review of waste collection and disposal in the Shire in response to a rollout by the State Government of a standardised four-bin waste and recycling system for households by 2027, across all 79 Victorian councils.

He said the two existing notices of motion, along with Cr Venditti-Taylor’s, would be absorbed by the wider review.

“It’s work we’re doing already, basically,” Mr Madden said.

Cr Bingham, who seconded the motion, said he was in favour because the green waste collection would be a user-pays system.

“I’m all for going out to see if anyone wants it, and if they’re willing to pay for it who am I to stand in their way,” he said.

Councillors voting in favour were Venditti-Taylor, Bingham, Ward, Sheila Freeman and John Keogh.

A vote against was not needed because the votes in favour were the majority.