PROPOSED MINUTES OF THE Council Meeting

HELD AT THE Council Chamber, Moreland Civic Centre, 90 Bell Street, Coburg

ON Wednesday 14 September 2016

The meeting commenced at 7 pm and closed at 12.04 am.

Present: / Time In / Time Out
Cr Samantha Ratnam (Mayor) / 7 pm / 12.04 am
Cr Lita Gillies (Deputy Mayor) / 7 pm / 10.48 pm
Cr Sue Bolton / 7 pm / 12.04 am
Cr Helen Davidson / 7 pm / 12.04 am
Cr Meghan Hopper / 7 pm / 12.04 am
Cr John Kavanagh / 9.26 pm / 12.04 am
Cr Lambros Tapinos / 7.05 pm / 12.04 am
Cr Michael Teti / 7.51 pm / 9.18 pm
Cr Lenka Thompson / 7 pm / 12.04 am
Cr Rob Thompson / 7 pm / 12.04 am
Cr Oscar Yildiz JP / 7 pm / 12.04 am

APOLOGIES:

Cr Teti

Cr Gillies moved, Cr Yildiz seconded that the apology from Cr Teti be accepted.

Lost

OFFICERS:

Chief Executive Officer – Nerina Di Lorenzo

Director Corporate Services – James Scott

Director City Infrastructure – Grant Thorne

Director Social Development – Arden Joseph

Acting Director Planning and Economic Development – Phillip Priest

Acting Executive Manager Organisation Development – Sarah Myles

Manager Governance – Lidia Harding

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS AND/OR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

Nil

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES:

Cr Yildiz moved, Cr Bolton seconded that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 10August 2016 be confirmed.
Carried

Petitions:

PET23/16 Petition for community safety along Sydney Road and Upfield Bike Path
A petition (D16/319328) has been received containing 166 signatures requesting Council to increase community safety by installing more CCTV cameras on Sydney Road, north of Blyth Street, working with Victoria Police for more police patrols and increased street lighting on the Upfield bike path and on the main roads.
Cr Yildiz moved, Cr Bolton seconded that -
Council resolve:
1. The petition be received and noted.
2. The petition be referred to the Director City Infrastructure for consideration.
3. Any proposed action is emailed to all Ward Councillors and Councillors Responsible For, allowing seven clear days for Councillor feedback.
4. The petition organiser be advised of this action.
Carried

Reports from Committee to Council:

Nil.

7.05 pm Cr Tapinos entered the Council Chamber.

QUESTION TIME:

QT90/16 Mary Dyer - Coburg
Ms Dyer enquired as to how many units Council expects to be built on the block fronting and entire site of Moore Street in relation to the C160 planning scheme.
Phillip Priest, Acting Director Planning and Economic Development, advised that the C160 planning scheme did not specify the number of units on the site. The number of units would be established at the permit time.
QT91/16 Richard Cox - Coburg
Mr Cox spoke in relation to 1-9 Moreland Road activity centre zone building height of 4storeys and stated this should apply in this amendment.
Phillip Priest, Acting Director Planning and Economic Development advised that the policy is a generic neighbourhood character policy. In this case there is a specific overlay for this site, which is before Council for consideration.
ON9/16 Colin Dyer - Coburg
Mr Dyer asked as to when the traffic count was undertaken in the C160 Council report, and if this was a safe way of determining traffic lights.
Cr Ratnam advised this question would be taken on notice.
Grant Thorne, Director City Infrastructure advised that there were specific standards, such as the level of traffic going through an intersection.
ON10/16 Gertraud Brunner - Coburg
Ms Brunner stated that she was concerned about the impact of the scale of the C160 Amendment and the impact on infrastructure, especially with public transport between Nicholson Street and Moreland Road. There is also impact on green space at Campbell Reserve and Merri Creek near Moore Street. Ms Brunner stated there are already impacts in relation to traffic and these areas would be further impacted. Has Council considered this?
Cr Ratnam advised that this is an overall concern for the municipality. There are more stages for the Amendment to go through, such as the panel stage. agreeing that there are always impacts to infrastructure. After panel, the amendment comes back to Council.
Cr Bolton replied that there is a Notice of Motion in relation to this issue tonight. Cr Bolton stated that there are public transport pressures across the municipality.
Cr Ratnam took on notice what particular assessments have been done for this site to inform this amendment.
QT92/16 Barbara Gutthann - Coburg
The resident stated that she had requested a meeting between residents and Councillors in relation to amendment C160 at the last Council meeting and enquired when this would happen.
Cr Ratnam apologised this meeting request had been missed. Cr Lenka Thompson advised this was a long process and there was still opportunity to contribute to the process.
QT93/16 Juliet Hall - Northcote
The resident stated that the co-operation between Darebin and Moreland with the Merri Creek Bridge has been appreciated, and asked will Council continue to work with Darebin Council in supporting this bridge?
Cr Ratnam advised there are 2 General Business items later in the meeting in relation to this item, which Council can consider and make a decision.
QT94/16 Mike Puleston - Brunswick
Mr Puleston asked if those Councillors that are nominating again for Council would be running dummy candidates.
Councillors Yildiz, Rob Thompson, Tapinos, Gillies, Ratnam, Hopper, Davidson and Bolton stated that they would not be running dummy candidates.
QT95/16 Mark Higginbotham - Brunswick West
Mr Higginbotham enquired as to what decisions the Urban Planning Committee can make during the upcoming caretaker period.
James Scott, Director Corporate Services advised that Council cannot make major policy decisions during this time however, the Urban Planning Committee does not consider such matters and can operate as normal during this time.
QT96/16 Helen Pavlidis - Coburg
Ms Pavlidis enquired that in recognition of the rate capping environment, how will Council support local traders to stimulate economic activity?
Nerina Di Lorenzo, Chief Executive Officer replied that Council is doing lots of infrastructure works in shopping strips, and continues to support activities such as the Brunswick Business Incubator Service.
Ms Pavlidis stated that since the 2016-2017 budget had been set, and the Council Plan already determined, could Council guarantee there will be no reduction in services to the Moreland community this financial year?
Nerina Di Lorenzo replied that rate capping is a challenge for Council and Council has responded by negotiating staff issues and has made changes such as to insurances to cut costs and to ensure the budget is balanced.
Cr Ratnam replied that Council has done very well to meet this cap and will continue to plan to deliver community services.
QT97/16 Helen Deans - Coburg
Ms Deans stated that of the Pentridge Community Action Group was shocked by the 15 storey proposal, and advised Councillors to visit the development to see the intensity of development in the estate. Ms Deans recommended an audit of all permits.
Ms Deans asked that Council writes to DEWLP to ask for a list of all permits issued for the Pentridge area/northern section, and that the Pentridge Community Action Group receive a copy when the response is provided. Ms Deans expressed concern that as the statement of grounds were too specific for the 11 Urquhart Street VCAT meeting.
Cr Ratnam replied that Council have asked about the masterplans and through through the process, Council should to get answers to Ms Dean’s questions.
Cr Tapinos responded that all the information sought is publically available and does not see why this should not be provided.

On Notice Items from Previous Council Meeting:

ONR7/16 On Notice items (D16/305087)
The following items were taken on notice at the June, July and August Council meetings:
· Mr Nunns – Coronial Inquest
· Ms Aeuckens – Open Space/Pentridge
· Ms Moore – Pascoe Vale Community Facility
Cr L Thompson moved, Cr Davidson seconded that the on notice item from the Council meeting dated 8 June 2016, 13 July 2016 and 10 August 2016 be noted.
Carried

REPORTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS:

MCC25/16 Cr Lita Gillies
Cr Gillies presented the Mayor, Cr Ratnam with a certificate of appreciation from Brite Services thanking Council for their donation to the trivia night.
Cr Gillies congratulated Cr Yildiz on the Bully Zero Charity Ball which was held on 10September 2016. It was a very successful event and the Bully Zero Foundation plays an important role in society.
Cr Gillies congratulated Cr Hopper who has been announced as one of four finalists in the Women's Agenda Leadership Awards in the category of Emerging Leader – Government. Cr Hopper was nominated for her the role in incorporating family violence provisions into the Infringements Act, improving women’s safety in the municipality and her role in the new organisation Run Like a Girl. Winners will be announced in October in Sydney.
MCC26/16 Cr Sue Bolton
Cr Bolton stated that there is no playground in Fawkner to use for an extended period of time, due to lack of public toilets and shade. The Edwards Street playground has recently been upgraded, but does not have these facilities.
Cr Bolton gave an update on the Pentridge Community Action Group – 11 Urquhart Street, Coburg at VCAT. Legal counsel and officers were great; however statement of reasons were too restrictive to allow the Barrister to raise all of the arguments.
MCC27/16 Cr Meghan Hopper
Cr Hopper highlighted the Coburg Primary School concerts in Coburg Town Hall called the ‘Long Way Home’ – they were very successful concerts and Cr Hopper congratulate the school and thank everyone involved.
The South Ward Quality Urban Development Meeting was held last night and was well attended.
Along with Cr Ratnam, I recently attended a meeting Safe Streets Brunswick Group.
Vale Geoff Dudley – member of the Brunswick Branch of ALP and valued member of the community. Cr Hopper paid her respects to his family.
MCC28/16 Cr Samantha Ratnam
Cr Ratnam stated that the Quality Urban Development Meeting are being held in other wards in coming weeks. This is part of strategic work that Council is doing and Cr Ratnam encourages residents to attend these forums.
Cr Ratnam congratulated all of the work and winners of the Moreland Awards and celebration of 20 Years of Moreland held on 1 September 2016.
Cr Ratnam stated that the Coburg Carnivale is starting next week. It is great entertainment and Cr Ratnam encouraged everyone to attend.

7.51 pm Cr Teti entered the Council Chamber.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

DED73/16 Amendment C160 to the Moreland Planning Scheme: 1-9 Moreland Road, Coburg - Decision Gateway 2: Report on results of public exhibition (D16/286410)
This report was deferred at the August 2016 Council meeting (DED62/16) and has been updated following further briefings with Council and discussions with the proponent.
Amendment C160 affects land at 1-9 Moreland Road, Coburg (the site) and is summarised as follows:
· Rezone the site from Industrial 3 Zone (IN3Z) to part Commercial 2 Zone (C2Z) and part Mixed Use Zone (MUZ).
· Introduce a new Design and Development Overlay (DDO25) to the site. DDO25 applies built form requirements including mandatory building heights ranging from 4 to 6 storeys across the site.
· Modify the extent of the Heritage Overlay (HO) to apply to the office building fronting Moreland Road.
· Apply the Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) to the precinct to ensure potential contamination issues are addressed.
In December 2015 Council resolved to seek the Minister’s authorisation to prepare the Amendment and following receipt of authorisation, to publicly exhibit the amendment (DED104/15).
A total of 16 submissions were received following public exhibition. The submissions were generally supportive of the proposed rezoning but concerns were raised with regard to:
· Building height in relation to Moore Street, Campbell Reserve and the Merri Creek corridor.
· Car parking and traffic impacts on Moore Street.
· The proposed reduction in the extent of the Heritage Overlay.
· The implementation of landscaping for the site.
· The implementation of Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) measures.
In response to submissions, Council Officers have proposed modifications to the planning controls (DDO25) including:
· Additional guidance on building heights facing the Merri Creek.
· Clarifying that the proposed various heights (ranging from 4 to 6 storeys) are mandatory heights.
· Additional design guidance to reduce the visual impact of buildings facing the Merri Creek corridor.
· Additional guidance on landscaping.
In addition, a further change is recommended to ensure the Amendment is consistent with the Moreland Industrial Land Strategy 2015-2030 (MILS) and associated Amendment C158 which is awaiting the Minister’s approval.
The next step in the Amendment process is to request the appointment of a Panel. The Panel hearing will provide a further opportunity for submitters to have their issues considered. Council Officers will report back to Council on the Panel’s recommendations after the Panel report is received.
Cr L Thompson moved, Cr Bolton seconded that -
Council resolve to:
1. Note the summary of submissions received in response to the exhibition of Amendment C160 to the Moreland Planning Scheme, provided in the table at Attachment 2.
2. Endorse the response to submissions outlined in this report and included in the table at Attachment 2, to form the basis of Council’s submission to a Panel.
3. Endorse the proposed changes to the Design and Development Overlay (Schedule 25) in response to submissions, shown in Attachment 3, with the additional changes:
a)  Clause 3, Built Form - revise the second dot point to state "...four (4) storeys (12 metres)..."
b)  Clause 3, Merri Creek and Campbell Reserve Interfaces - revise Figure 1 to ensure that the eastern boundary building setback is 50m from Merri Creek or 12m from the eastern boundary, whichever is greater.
c)  Clause 3, Circulation and Access - add a further requirement that a section 173 agreement is entered to confirm that the eastern boundary building setback (as set out in 3 (b), excluding landscape areas immediately adjoining the buildings) is kept publicly accessible.
d)  Clause 3, Landscaping - add a further requirement that the use of permeable surfaces is maximised within the eastern boundary setback.