Special Committee of Council Meeting

 

Held in the

Council Chamber

Whitehorse Civic Centre

379 Whitehorse Road Nunawading

on

Tuesday 11 June 2019

at 7:00pm

 

Members:         Cr Bill Bennett (Mayor), Cr Blair Barker, Cr Raylene Carr,

                            Cr Prue Cutts, Cr Andrew DavenportCr Sharon Ellis, Cr Tina Liu,

                            Cr Denise Massoud, Cr Andrew Munroe, Cr Ben Stennett

Mr Philip Warner

Acting Chief Executive Officer

 

Recording of Meeting and Disclaimer

Please note every Special Committee of Council Meeting (other than items deemed confidential under section 89(2) of the Local Government Act 1989) is being recorded and streamed live on Whitehorse City Council’s website in accordance with Council's Live Streaming and Recording of Meetings Policy. A copy of the policy can also be viewed on Council’s website.

The recording will be archived and made publicly available on Council's website within 48 hours after the meeting on www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au for a period of three years (or as otherwise agreed to by Council).

Live streaming allows everyone to watch and listen to the meeting in real time, giving you greater access to Council debate and decision making and encouraging openness and transparency.

All care is taken to maintain your privacy; however, as a visitor in the public gallery, your presence may be recorded. By remaining in the public gallery, it is understood your consent is given if your image is inadvertently broadcast.

Opinions expressed or statements made by individual persons during a meeting are not the opinions or statements of Whitehorse City Council. Council therefore accepts no liability for any defamatory remarks that are made during a meeting.

 


Whitehorse City Council

Special Committee of Council Minutes                                                           11 June 2019

 

 

 




   

GUIDELINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

OBJECTIVE

To enhance the consultative process and facilitate public participation and involvement of the community in Council decision making in accordance with Council’s Corporate Plan strategies – good governance.

PURPOSE OF GUIDELINES

To facilitate public participation and involvement in meetings of the Special Committee. These Guidelines complement Council’s Meeting Procedures and Common Seal Local Law 2013.

PROVISION FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

(The information below refers to ‘General’ Submissions. Please refer to page 2 of these Guidelines for information on Submissions on Council’s Proposed Budget 2019/20 to be heard at 11 June 2019 meeting of the Special Committee of Council.)

The public has two opportunities to participate in this meeting – either by a submission which may be heard at the start of the meeting,(i.e. Public Submissions, refer below) or if the item is on the agenda, immediately prior to consideration of the item, and by Public Comment later in the meeting.  There is no public interjection during the meeting and speakers are heard in an orderly manner. 

Public Submissions:

A submission may be made on any matter, providing it is not in contravention of Council’s Meeting Procedures and Common Seal Local Law 2013.

A maximum of 10 speakers will be permitted to make a submission and they will be determined in order of registration.

No individual submission shall exceed three minutes.

Where submissions have been made, under the provisions of any statutory process, further submissions shall not be heard, unless the matter is listed as an item of business on the Special Committee of Council agenda.

Procedures for Public Submissions:

Persons wishing to make a submission to the Special Committee on matters other than land planning matters must directly notify the Committee Clerk, Civic Services Department by 4pm on the day of the meeting and register to speak, by telephoning 9262-6337. The person who registers to speak shall be the person who will make the submission to the Special Committee.

Persons wishing to make a submission to the Special Committee on any land use planning matter must directly notify the Committee Clerk, Civic Services Department, at least five working days prior to the day of the meeting and register to speak by telephoning 9262-6337.  The person who registers to speak, shall be the person who will make the submission to the Special Committee.

 

 

 

 

At the time of registering to speak, that person must indicate whether he or she will be speaking in support of or opposition to any planning permit application or Planning Scheme Amendment (or proposed planning permit application or proposed Planning Scheme Amendment).   The Special Committee must not listen to or read anything said by that person unless it is satisfied that, at least four working days before the day of the Special Committee Meeting, a member of Council staff has contacted the person(s) whose interests are inimical to the person who has registered to speak (eg has contacted the planning permit applicant if the person who has registered to speak has indicated that he or she will speak in opposition to the grant of a planning permit application) and invited the first-mentioned person (or a person authorised by him or her) to also register by 4pm on the day of the meeting to attend the Special Committee Meeting and speak.

Persons wishing to table written material must provide 15 copies to the Committee Clerk prior to the commencement of the meeting to enable distribution to Councillors prior to the start of the meeting. No material will be distributed during the meeting by any person, including Council staff.

Requests to speak will be registered strictly in the order of receipt.  Speakers for topics not listed on the Special Committee Agenda for the meeting will be heard first, then speakers who wish to cover more than one topic (3 minutes in total, not 3 minutes per topic).

In instances where a number of persons wish to address the Special Committee on the same matter, the Chairperson at his or her discretion may request they nominate a speaker/speakers to represent them.

In accordance with Clause 48.5 of Council’s Meeting Procedures and Common Seal Local Law 2013.  It is not necessary for Standing Orders to be suspended to allow a person to address the Special Committee, subject to compliance with these Guidelines.

Public Comment:

After the “Other Business” Section of the meeting has concluded, the Mayor will invite members of the gallery to indicate by show of hands if they wish to make a comment. Only matters pertaining to this evening’s meeting are to be commented on, (i.e. a Council Officer report or presentation, and any “Other Business” matters) and a 3 minute period per speaker applies.  A maximum period of 15 minutes shall be provided for public comment. The Mayor will call individuals forward to be heard and they should begin by clearly stating their name.  This is a period for comment, not questions or debate and there is no opportunity for any further Public Submissions

ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF THESE GUIDELINES

These guidelines were adopted by resolution of Council dated 21 August 2017 and may be further amended by resolution of Council from time to time. The Chairperson at his or her discretion may vary procedures under these Guidelines, at any meeting of the Special Committee.

*SUBMISSIONS ON COUNCIL’S 2019-20 PROPOSED BUDGET

A person who makes a written submission on Councils 2019-20 Proposed Budget may also  request to be heard by a Committee of Council appointed to consider and hear submissions.

Council at its meeting held 15 April 2019 determined that pursuant to section 223 (1) (b) of the Local Government Act 1989, the Special Committee of Council hear any submissions received in relation to the Proposed Budget 2019/20 on 11 June 2019.

Ten people requested to speak in support of their written submission on Council’s 2019/20 Proposed Budget; in line with statutory requirements these speakers have up to five minutes for their verbal submission.

 

 


Whitehorse City Council

Special Committee of Council Minutes                                                                                      11 June 2019

 

Meeting opened at 7.00pm

 

Present:   Cr Bennett (Mayor), Cr Barker, Cr Carr, Cr Cutts, Cr Davenport

               Cr Ellis, Cr Liu, Cr Massoud, Cr Munroe, Cr Stennett

 

1            PRAYER

 

1a           Prayer for Council

We give thanks, O God, for the Men and Women of the past whose generous devotion to the common good has been the making of our City.

Grant that our own generation may build worthily on the foundations they have laid.

Direct our minds that all we plan and determine, is for the wellbeing of our City.

Amen.

 

 

1b           Aboriginal Reconciliation Statement

“In the spirit of reconciliation, Whitehorse City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on.

We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.”

2            WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

The Mayor welcomed all.

APOLOGIES: Nil 

3            DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None disclosed

4            CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Minutes of the Special Committee of Council Meeting 13 May 2019 and Confidential Special Committee of Council Meeting 13 May 2019.

Special Committee of Council Resolution

Moved by Cr Munroe, Seconded by Cr Ellis

That the minutes of the Special Committee of Council Meeting 13 May 2019 and Confidential Special Committee of Council Meeting 13 May 2019 having been circulated now be confirmed.

Carried Unanimously

 

 

 


5            Public Submissions

Interested parties who wish to address the Special Committee of Council during the Public Submissions period of the Special Committee Meeting must register with the Civic Services Department by telephoning 9262 6337 by 4pm on the day of the meeting.

Persons speaking will be identified and recorded for Council Minutes and become part of a permanent record of the Council.   Please indicate if you do not wish your name to be recorded.

Persons wishing to make a submission to the Special Committee on any land use planning matter must directly notify the Committee Clerk, Civic Services Department, at least five working days prior to the day of the meeting and register to speak by telephoning 9262-6337.

5.1     General Submissions (Other Speakers – up to 3 minutes each submitter)

 

Nil

 

5.2     2019/20 Budget Consultation (Speakers – up to 5 minutes each submitter)

Budget submitters attended and spoke as per the order in the Agenda, with the exception of Mr J Maxwell who spoke in place of Mr C Trueman – submission 16:

·      Mr D. Berry

  Submission 5

·      Mr B. Head

Submission 6

·      Mr K. Weeks

Submission 7

·      Mr M. Hassett,

Submission 13

·      Mr J. Maxwell

Submission 16

·      Mr D. Dressing

Submission 18

·      Mr K. Oakey

Submission 19

·      Mr P. Clark

Submission 20

·      Mr M. Rodda

Submission 21

·      Ms T. Tescher

Submission 23

 


6            reports from officers

 

6.1         Corporate

6.1.1      2019/20 Budget Consultation

ATTACHMENT

 

SUMMARY

Council resolved on 15 April 2019 to endorse and advertise its Proposed Budget and to call for submissions under Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989. A public notice was placed in The Age on Saturday 20 April 2019, with additional advertising in the Whitehorse Column in the Leader Newspaper. Copies of the Proposed Budget were available for inspection at the three Council service centres (Nunawading, Forest Hill and Box Hill), Libraries and on Council’s website. Council received 23 written submissions on the Proposed Budget 2019/20.

Special Committee of Council Resolution

Moved by Cr Stennett, Seconded by Cr Munroe

That Special Committee of Council, having heard those who wished to speak in support of their written submission, consider all written submissions as part of Council’s deliberations in adopting the Budget 2019/20 at the Ordinary Council meeting to be held on 24 June 2019.

Carried Unanimously

 

background

The Proposed Budget 2019/20 has been carefully prepared following community consultation throughout the year and is guided by priorities outlined in key strategic documents including the Council Vision 2013-2023, the Council Plan 2017-2021, Strategic Resource Plan and other major plans and strategies.

It also takes into account community feedback received through various consultations undertaken by Council. Community consultation is an essential component of the budget process and feedback from community members helps inform the key decisions made by Council. Consultations that have informed the development of this Budget include the 2016/17 Your Say Whitehorse engagement campaign, the 2018 Community Satisfaction Survey, 2019 Mayoral Community Budget Consultation event, and consultation on various Council strategies and plans.

Councillors and officers also held a number of meetings to develop this fiscally responsible budget and longer term strategic resource plan within a rate capping environment.

Council was required under Section 129 of the Local Government Act 1989 to seek written public comment on the Proposed Budget 2019/20. Council was required to give public notice that the proposed document will be made available for inspection for 28 days and that Council will receive submissions made under Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989 in respect of the budget. A person who has made a written submission may also request to be heard by a Committee of Council appointed to consider and hear submissions.


 

A public notice advising that the Proposed Budget 2019/20 was available for inspection was placed in The Age on Wednesday 17 April and Saturday 21 April 2019. Advertisements giving advance notice of the availability of the Proposed Budget 2019/20 document were placed in Council’s column in the Whitehorse Leader. Copies of the Proposed Budget document were placed in three Council Service Centres (Nunawading, Forest Hill and Box Hill), each of the libraries, and on Council’s website on Tuesday 16 April 2019. In addition, there was coverage in Council’s weekly column in the Whitehorse Leader plus a special feature on the Proposed Budget in the May 2019 Whitehorse News and various other press releases.

Council, at its meeting of 15 April 2019, gave notice that it had prepared a Proposed Budget and invited written submissions. Council also resolved that the Special Committee of the Council hear anyone who wishes to speak in support of their written submission in accordance with Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989. The closing date for submissions was Sunday 19 May 2019.

DISCUSSION

Public submissions – Proposed Budget 2019/20

Council has received 23 formal submissions/comments on the Proposed Budget 2019/20. There are 10 people that have requested to speak in support of their submission at the Special Committee meeting.

Submissions were received from the following:

Name

Issue(s) Raised

1

Mr R. Brown,

President, Brentford Square Traders Association

Support for Brentford Square streetscape project

2

Mrs P. Gosbell

Requests sealing of pathway in Eley Road parklands

3

Mr L. Arulanandam

Annual residential parking permits

4

Mr J. Tyson,

Secretary, Burwood Community Garden Inc.

Requests funding for security fences at Burwood Community Garden

5

Mr D. Berry,

President, Blackburn & District Tree Preservation Society Inc.

Funding for Whitehorse street tree program, Urban Forest Strategy, ParksWide; and management of public open space reserve funds

6

Mr B. Head

-   Funding for road infrastructure

-   Construction site management

7

Mr K. Weeks

Restoration of Elgar Park ponds

8

Mr S. Ziemer

Requests consideration of rate relief in budget

9

Mr R. Colman

Questions about rate rise and what council services provided in return

10

Mr and Mrs Easden

Supporting budget allocation for open space development at 21 Wattle Valley Rd, Mitcham

11

Mr and Mrs McLean

Supporting budget allocation for open space development at 21 Wattle Valley Rd, Mitcham

12

Mr and Mrs Miniken

Supporting budget allocation for open space development at 21 Wattle Valley Rd, Mitcham

13

Mr M. Hassett,

Metro-East Bicycle User Group Inc

Funding for bicycle projects/strategy

14

Mr A. Tonkin

Funding for Easy Ride Routes: Design and Construction

15

Mr A. Tonkin

Reallocation of funding for Bushy Creek path connection

16

Mr C. Trueman,

Correspondence Secretary, Whitehorse Active Transport Action Group

Reassessing and reallocation of funding for cyclical programs, including Easy Rides routes program, footpath renewal program, and Bushy Creek path connection

17

Mr J. Maxwell,

WATAG Management Committee

Supporting WATAG's submission to seek funding for active transport.

18

Mr D. Dressing,

President, Vermont South Club inc.

Requests funding for an extension to the club in Livingstone Road

19

Mr K. Oakey,

Chairman, Heatherdale Reserve Pavilion Action Team

Requests funding for Heatherdale Reserve pavilion redevelopment

20

Mr P. Clark,

Treasurer, Heatherdale Tennis Club

Requests funding contribution for proposed deck/viewing platform and lighting improvements

21

Mr M. Rodda,

Strength and Conditioning Coach, Heatherdale Tennis Club

Supporting Heatherdale Tennis Club's submission to seek funding for remodelling and modernisation of the club

22

Mrs K. Cummings

Various issues

23

Ms T. Tescher,

Whitehorse Ratepayers and Residents’ Association

Various issues

The full text of the submissions are attached.

The following people have requested to speak to their submissions:

 

Name

1

Mr D. Berry,

President, Blackburn & District Tree Preservation Society Inc.

2

Mr B. Head

3

Mr K. Weeks

4

Mr M. Hassett,

Representative of Metro-East Bicycle User Group Inc

5

Mr C. Trueman,

Correspondence Secretary, Whitehorse Active Transport Action Group

6

Mr D. Dressing,

President, Vermont South Club inc.

7

Mr K. Oakey,

Chairman, Heatherdale Reserve Pavilion Action Team

8

Mr P. Clark,

Treasurer, Heatherdale Tennis Club

9

Mr M. Rodda,

Strength and Conditioning Coach, Heatherdale Tennis Club

10

Ms T. Tescher,

Representative of Whitehorse Ratepayers and Residents’ Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment

1        2019-20 Budget Submissions     


Whitehorse City Council

Special Committee of Council Minutes                                                           11 June 2019

 

7            Other Business

7.1   Public Arts Brief – Nunawading Community Hub reallocation of funding

 

Special Committee of Council ReCOMMENDATION

Moved by Cr Davenport, Seconded by Cr Barker

That Council:

1.     Notes the Public Arts Brief for the Nunawading Community Hub received from fjmt studio dated 21 May 2019

2.     Resolves to reallocate $200,000 set aside for public art in the foyer of the Nunawading Community Hub to

a)      $180,000 for the Vermont South Bowls Club refurbishment.

b)     $20,000 for the Heatherdale Tennis Club sporting deck.

LOST

 

A Division was called.

Division

For

Cr Barker

Cr Davenport

Against

Cr Bennett

Cr Carr

Cr Cutts

Cr Ellis

Cr Liu

Cr Massoud

Cr Munroe

Cr Stennett

On the results of the Division the motion was declared lost

 

8            Public Comment

Persons speaking will be identified and recorded for Council Minutes and become part of a permanent record of the Council.  Please indicate if you do not wish your name to be recorded.

Nil

9            Confidential ITEMS

Nil

10          Close Meeting

Meeting closed at 8:27pm

Confirmed this 8th day of July 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________

CHAIRPERSON