\nThe Bacchus Marsh Aquatic Centre Community Consortium runs the annual Bacchus Marsh Flower and Garden Show and requested $3000 to host the event in 2019, but only scored 64.93 – well below the score of 70 that is needed to be considered for Council to provide funding.
\nHowever, the turn-around arose when Cr Jarrod Bingham requested an amendment to the original motion at the 3 July meeting to include the Flower and Garden show.
\nOfficer Ian Waugh told the meeting, \u201cthis is an ongoing event with no new component. The budget also did not comply.\u201d
\n\u201cOther applicants did not meet the threshold (70 or above); some with a very similar score. I am unsure of advice we give those people,\u201d Mr Waugh said.
\nAnother \u2018not recommended\u2019 group, the Ballarat Astronomical Society Inc, scored higher than the Flower & Garden Show, with 67.12 and requested only $650 to hold a dark sky astronomy night.
\nCr Bingham said he noted they just fell short by 5.07 points score and asked officers, \u201chave we met the threshold or is there still money in the kitty?\u201d
\n\u201cThere is still money in the fund that is not allocated \u2013 that application deemed to not comply,\u201d Mr Waugh said.
\nVoting on the amendment to become the motion, Cr Bingham said the Flower and Garden Show has been ongoing for number of years with the primary purpose for an indoor swimming pool.
\n\u201cEvery little bit helps. This is a return on investment. Council will see funds raised in years to come,\u201d he said.
\nCrs Keogh and Dudzik supported their fellow councillor\u2019s statement.
\n\u201cEvery now and again a project comes up that has merit,\u201d Cr Keogh said.
\n\u201cThis particular event is a worthy event, I see benefits for young and old to enter in the Flower and Garden Show,\u201d Cr Dudzik said.
\nHowever, Cr Tom Sullivan objected and made his own valid statement.
\n\u201cCouncil put in place a process \u2013 the threshold point is 70 per cent, council agreed this is an appropriate figure. This group scored 64.93 per cent, a substantial amount below.
\n\u201cWhy bother having council officers assess these applications if we are going to make ad-hoc decisions. This is not the way we should be doing business. The threshold was 70 per cent that council decided, and we should stick with that.
\n\u201cIf we don\u2019t use all of the available money, we roll it over to the next lot of Community Grants, this is so we get quality projects,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cWe put in place a process. We have to abide by the process, because if you don\u2019t people will start pointing the finger. We run the risk of reputation and the community will say \u2018what a joke\u2019.\u201d
\nThe vote to amend the motion was passed with Crs Bingham, Dudzik and Keogh voting For, whilst Crs Sullivan and Tatchell voted Against.
\nCr David Edwards and Cr Pat Toohey were apologies at the meeting and did not attend.
\nCouncil had $10,000 available in Round 1 (March) of the Community Events Grants, with $8,240 allocated at the 3 July meeting. This does not include the $3000 requested for the Flower & Garden Show.
\nMoorabool Mayor Cr Paul Tatchell told Cr Bingham that he will present a rescission motion on this item \u201cwhen we have a full council at a meeting,\u201d meaning when all seven councillors are present.
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