A PROPOSAL to create a sister city relationship with a Maltese town has been turned down by Moorabool Shire councillors.<\/p>\n
Cr Rod Ward moved a motion to investigate a partnership between the community of Gharb on the island of Gozo, Malta at the July council meeting.<\/p>\n
It’s believed the mayor of Gharb, David Apap Agius approached the shire last year, raising the possibility of a sister city arrangement.<\/p>\n
“I would like to request a council report investigating the worth of such an arrangement, and to identify the possible goals and benefits,” Cr Ward said.<\/p>\n
The proposal was ultimately rejected, falling short by just one vote.<\/p>\n
Cr Ward said the Catholic Our Lady Ta’ Pinu Shrine at Bacchus Marsh drew many pilgrims from Malta.<\/p>\n
“If by having a sister city arrangement with the island of Gozo we can attract more visitors to Moorabool and invest in our visitor economy \u2026 I would see potential benefits for Moorabool,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The purpose of this report is not to enter into an arrangement, but to investigate the worth of an arrangement.”<\/p>\n
Cr Paul Tatchell, who opposed the motion, said sister city arrangements required a lot of resources to investigate, establish and maintain.<\/p>\n
“If we are going to explore sister cities, why don’t we at the very least consider it against places that are beneficial to our shire?”<\/p>\n
He cited the size of the 1500 person Maltese community as a concern.<\/p>\n
“Five minutes on Google and I think you’ll probably decide it’s not appropriate,” Cr Tatchell said.<\/p>\n
Other councillors called on the shire to investigate the possibility of other sister-cities around the world.<\/p>\n
Cr Moira Berry suggested looking into communities with cultural ties to the area, or the home countries of people moving into Bacchus Marsh.<\/p>\n
“Whilst I like the idea, I’d like to see the extension of other countries into any report as well,” Cr Berry said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A PROPOSAL to create a sister city relationship with a Maltese town has been turned down by Moorabool Shire councillors. Cr Rod Ward moved a motion to investigate a partnership between the community of Gharb on the island of Gozo, Malta at the July council meeting. It’s believed the mayor of Gharb, David Apap Agius […]<\/p>\n