QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES TO QUESTION TIME
TUESDAY, 24 JULY 2012
The following questions were addressed to the above meeting. Some questions were adequately responded to at the meeting, however others required a more detailed response in writing.
This document includes both verbal and written responses. In this instance, no written responses were provided as issues were adequately addressed at the meeting.
Campbell Miller submitted questions in relation to the Corio/Norlane Structure Plan, but was not present at the meeting.
Tim Stephens addressed Council as follows:
Would Council please note the following relevant to the application by P J Cook to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation to operate 40 electronic gaming machines at the Fyansford Hotel. The Fyansford Hotel, as many of you will know, is a very pleasant venue in a unique setting with great road exposure, parking and the additional patronage from guests to the Truffleduck reception centre opposite. The meals at the Hotel won the Golden Plate award three years in a row in recent history The P J Cook Group operates 28 hospitality venues across Australia although only 8 of those included electronic gaming machines. If approved, it is estimated that the annual expenditure on these 40 machines would be just over $1.5 million dollars. Geelong already has 24% more electronic gaming machines per capita that the Victorian average. Expenditure on the existing electronic gaming machines within the Geelong municipality during the 2010-2011 financial year was over $116 million dollars. Considerable weight in making the decision to initially approve the application was placed on community objection or support. Council commissioned telephone survey : Opposed : 45% Support : 32% Neither Opposed or Supported : 23% Applicant commissioned survey : Supported : 44%. It is understood that some new information or evidence would be required for the Commission to overturn its decision. What I can offer to this point, is to prepare for Council within 14 days, a petition based on face to face discussion with residents of Fyansford and some surrounding areas, which based on the feeling I have sensed in the community will indicate greater opposition to the phone surveys so far.
Cr Farrell expressed her thanks for the work and effort in producing the document tonight and also expressed her appreciation for the offer and indicated she would be back in contact.
QUESTION TIME (CONT’D)
Heather Wellington asked questions in relation to the Geelong Motorcross Club site:
My question related to corporate ethics. Does the Council consider it is ethical for a responsible authority such as the City of Greater Geelong to close a facility in its own municipality because of the public health effects of noise, actively work to support the relocation of the club, the noise and the problem into a neighbouring shire (where the noise is causing considerable distress to a number of residents) and then wipe its hands of the problem because it is no longer in its municipality?
Will the City of Greater review the independent noise evidence which confirms the problem at Barrabool and reconsider its support for the relocation of the GMCC to Barrabool?
Cr Granger responded the questions would be taken on notice for a written response.
A subsequent written response was provided by the
Mayor in the following terms:
Thank you for your questions at the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 24th July 2012.
Question 1:
The City of Greater Geelong had long protracted negotiations with the Geelong Motocross Club as to their relocation. Council spent considerable time, effort and resources to examine the Dandos Road proposal near Avalon Airport. The Club declined to take up this proposal after initially agreeing to support it. The Club has from this time on rejected the Dandos Road proposal and has continually supported the move to Barrabool. The Dandos Road proposal is no longer supported by the owners of Avalon Airport.
Question 2:
All matters relating to the alleged noise from the Barrabool venue have been referred to the Surf Coast Shire. This is entirely appropriate as the Surf Coast Shire is the responsible authority.
Question 3 (P Morgan):
Council’s resolution of 25 May 2010 supports the relocation of the Geelong Motocross Club to McAdam Park, noting that opportunities for formal Motocross activities are limited in the Geelong Region.
Question 4 (P Morgan):
The Chief Executive Officer will be on annual leave from 6th until 24th August 2012. Arrangements to meet with him in September will be made.
Paul Morgan asked does Council believe that the impact of the Geelong Motocross Club on the health and well being of Barrabool residents is relevant to its decision to continue to support the relocation of the Geelong Motocrosss Club to Barrabool?
Will Council officers (and Councillors) please agree to meet with us and other Barrabool residents to ensure they understand the scope of this problem?
Cr Granger responded the question would be taken on notice for a written response.
A subsequent written response was provided by the
General Manager Projects, Recreation and Central Geelong in the following terms:
Thank you for your questions at the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 24th July 2012.
Question 1:
The City of Greater Geelong had long protracted negotiations with the Geelong Motocross Club as to their relocation. Council spent considerable time, effort and resources to examine the Dandos Road proposal near Avalon Airport. The Club declined to take up this proposal after initially agreeing to support it. The Club has from this time on rejected the Dandos Road proposal and has continually supported the move to Barrabool. The Dandos Road proposal is no longer supported by the owners of Avalon Airport.
Question 2:
All matters relating to the alleged noise from the Barrabool venue have been referred to the Surf Coast Shire. This is entirely appropriate as the Surf Coast Shire is the responsible authority.
Question 3:
As the McAdam Park facility exists within the Surf Coast Shire, approvals for development and compliance with operating conditions are a matter for that Shire Council.
The City of Greater Geelong would expect that the Surf Coast Shire will consider all relevant matters, including the health and wellbeing of local residents as appropriate, in its decision making processes.
Question 4:
As the facility operates within Surf Coast Shire, any issues related to the development of the facility and/or operation of the facility should be addressed to that Shire Council.
Ian Kelly asked will Council reconsider their objective to relocate the Geelong Motorcross to Barrabool and how does this fit within Council Policy on Sport and Relocation.
Cr Granger responded the question would be taken on notice for a written response.
A subsequent written response was provided by the
General Manager Projects, Recreation and Central Geelong in the following terms:
Thank you for your questions at the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 24th July 2012.
You are correct to note that the decision of the City of Greater Geelong resulted in the closure of the Motocross facility in Breakwater in 2007.
Simultaneously, Council was seeking to relocate the club to a new facility within the City of Greater Geelong. Following an extensive review of approximately 25 sites, it was determined that only one site, in Dandos Road, Avalon, was viable.
Council undertook detailed investigation, planning and design to develop this site. As this work was progressing the Geelong Motocross Club determined that this site was not ultimately suitable and preferred to relocate to McAdam Park, Barrabool. Council has supported this decision of the Geelong Motocross Club.
The City of Greater Geelong is a member of the G21 Regional Alliance. It is common for Councils to partner with neighbouring municipalities to pursue service planning and projects on a regional basis.
Given this, it is consistent with Council policy to recognise the role McAdam Park as a Motocross facility and support the relocation of the Geelong Motocross Club to this facility.
Joan Lindros asked her question in relation to the Notice of Motion to remove elm trees at Fyans Park:
Is Council aware that the formal and agreed management plan for the Barwon River Parklands includes the removal of these trees and replacement with local indigenous species as is happening all along the river through Geelong from Buckley Falls, with GEC, Council and FOBF, Park Victoria and CCMA all contributing. The restoration is planned to go from the ringroad to Barwon Heads?
Cr Kontelj responded that as you can understand removal of trees is a highly emotive issue and the Notice of Motion before Council tonight calls for an investigation into the heritage significance of the elm trees and if found to be warranted, that the trees be retained and placed onto appropriate tree registers to prevent their removal.
A subsequent written response was provided by the
General Manager City Services in the following terms:
Thankyou for your question in relation to the Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Stretch Kontelj at the Council meeting on the 24 July 2012 regarding the removal of elm and ash trees along the Barwon River. Council has been advised that the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) is proposing to remove elm and ash trees that are situated along the Barwon River in the vicinity of West Fyans Street.
Councillor Stretch Kontelj put forward the Notice of Motion following concerns raised by local residents that the trees may be of historical significance, in that they were gifted and or planted by the former City of Newtown.
Given this information, the City has requested that the CCMA immediately stop work on the proposed removal of a stand of elm and ash trees in parkland fronting the Barwon River, Newtown to enable Council to investigate the historical significance of the trees.
If following this investigation the trees are found to have historical significance, and if found warranted, Council proposes that the trees be placed onto appropriate tree registers to protect the trees from removal.
Please contact Councils Arts and Culture team on 5272 4701 if you have any enquiries in relation to this matter.