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Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 27 October 2021

To keep our community up to date with key council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from council's Wednesday 27 October meeting.

By news@gippsland - 27th October 2021 - Back to News

Rapid population growth increases the demand for residential land, community services and infrastructure. A predominantly rural shire, the rate at which growth is presently occurring is unsustainable in the medium-to-long term. With a growing population and thriving economy, Baw Baw Shire provides a unique village lifestyle with strong communities, cultural groups, and access to quality infrastructure and services.

Baw Baw Shire Council is increasing its transparency and community engagement by holding open community briefings that will help them create a more liveable community for the shire

Baw Baw Shire Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan

Council noted the submissions to the draft Baw Baw Shire Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025

• Moved to adopt the Baw Baw Shire Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025.
  Council will write to the Department of Health and to all submitters to advise them of Council's decision
• Planning Scheme Amendment C142 - The Gables Heritage Overlay - Post Panel Report Council, having considered the Panel report in respect of Amendment C142bawb, have adopted Amendment C142bawb
• The adopted Amendment C142bawb documentation, together with the prescribed information will be submitted to the Minister for Planning for approval

Council will write to the submitters to Amendment C142bawb to advise them of Council's decision.

Kindergarten on School Site Opportunity - Drouin West

Council moved to:

• Agree to a co-contribution for the fit-out and any additional car park works associated with the new kindergarten at Drouin West Primary School
• Allocate $300,000 in the 2022/2023 budget towards this project
• Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to execute a lease with the Minister of Education for the ongoing operation of the kindergarten

Baw Baw Shire Council's 2021/22 Community Development Grant Program - Application Assessment

Council moved an amended recommendation to consider the 2021/22 Community Development Grant recommendations, and authorise officers with sufficient financial delegation to execute Funding Agreements to the applicants recommended for approval.

Baw Baw Shire Council Advocacy Priorities 2022-2025

Council moved to:

• Endorse Tier 1 & 2 Advocacy Projects as per report
• Approve the inclusion of the Advocacy Strategy to be included in the draft Baw Baw Shire Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy 2022-2025
  Continue to advocate on behalf of the community for other much-needed services and infrastructure, including a new West Gippsland Hospital, more schools and improved connectivity and electricity services;
• Support the delivery of the proposed Advocacy Strategy until endorsement of the Baw Baw Shire Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy 2022-25

Providing a further briefing to Council on the resourcing options are required to achieve this Advocacy Strategy.

Petition Response, Pedestrian Refuge at Normanby Street, Warragul

Council endorsed the nomination of a project involving the installation of a pedestrian refuge near the medical centre on Normanby Street, Warragul, for inclusion in the 2022/23 draft Long Term Infrastructure Plan under Councils Local Roads Safety Improvements Program.

Community Vision and Council Plan 2021 - 2025, Long Term Finance Plan 2021/22 - 2030/31

Council adopted the Community Vision, Council Plan 2021 - 2025, and Long Term Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2030/31 as amended. The Council Plan will be submitted to the Minister of Local Government within 30 days, and Council will notify submitters how submissions were considered in this decision.

Ripplebrook Cemetery - Closure and Transition to Historic Cemetery Park

Council resolved to formally close the Ripplebrook Cemetery and seek to transition it into a Historic Cemetery Park.

General business

Cr Peter Kostos raised a general business motion requesting;

• Preparation of a report detailing the responsibilities of the relevant authorities for maintenance, upgrades and improvements to North Canal Road, Yarragon, and the adjacent North Canal/Moe Drain waterway, including but not limited to the costs Council has incurred from ongoing maintenance and repairs, and future ongoing maintenance and repairs
• Formally write to West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) advising of this motion.

Chief Executive Officer of Baw Baw Shire Council, Mark Dupe, raised a general business motion requesting;

• That the consultation period for the Warragul and Drouin design Guidelines be extended, to close on 8 December 2021, to allow the community more time for consultation
• That the communications department develop a communications plan to facilitate broader community consultation to run in parallel with the current Have Your Say survey

The broader community consultation opportunity will use plain English where possible.

Mayoral minute

"Baw Baw Shire is losing one of its best employees. 31 years of service - Robyn D'Arcy. Almost 31 years at Baw Baw Shire, and you think about the corporate knowledge and the experience and what she's taking with her. I think for those 31 years she's left an extraordinary legacy, given much support to Councillors, CEOs, Executive and staff - and couldn't she tell some stories of Councillors and CEOs over the years!"

She would have been involved in just about every project in Baw Baw Shire, doing research in some capacity. I think Baw Baw Shire will miss Robyn enormously. She epitomises what a true public servant should be; pleasant, honest, selfless and humble. On behalf of the Councillor group we wish her well, she takes with us her gratitude and thanks and we appreciate everything she has done for Baw Baw Shire." Cr Goss.

In line with COVID-19 restrictions across Victoria, Council will be limiting attendance of its Council meetings.
Continuing with the Wednesday 10 November 2021 Council Meeting:

• Only essential officers and Councillors will attend Council Meetings
• There will be no public access/gallery attendance at Council Meetings

Meetings will remain available to the public via live stream, and community submissions can be made in writing. The agenda for the next meeting will be available online the Friday prior to the meeting.

Pictures from Cr. Michael Leaney Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com