Agenda and minutes

There were no Mayoral Announcements for this meeting.

In accordance with Chapter 7, Rule 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 7, Rule 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no disclosures of conflicts of interest made for this meeting.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL

Michael Ritter of Montrose asked;

Now that the Housing Strategy 2023 has passed the Community Engagement/Feedback phase in December 2023, when is Council planning to finalise this document and will it need further signoff by the responsible minister, and if so how long might that take.

Kath McClusky, Director Planning and Sustainable Futures:

Thank you for your question, Michael.

The community engagement period on the draft Yarra Ranges Housing Strategy closed on 11 December 2023. Council officers are now reviewing submissions.  The submission will be summarised into a community engagement outcomes report which will be uploaded to the project webpage. 

The community engagement outcomes report will also inform any updates to the Housing Strategy. It is planned for the updated Housing Strategy to be presented to Council in mid-2024 to be considered for Adoption.

If adopted by Council, we will then commence a Planning Scheme Amendment to implement the Housing Strategy.  The amendment is anticipated to take at least 12 to 18 months to complete, as it includes further consultation with the community and approval of the Minister for Planning.

Therefore, we estimate the completion of the Planning Scheme Amendment to occur in mid-2025, however this is dependent on the timing of the Minister’s decision and could take longer.

SUBMISSIONS TO COUNCIL

There were no Submissions listed on the Agenda for this meeting.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rule 60, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rule 60, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, Julia Lamonica spoke in support of the recommendation included in the officer report.

SUMMARY

The Sustainable Environment Advisory Committee (SEAC) is comprised of community representatives, Councillors, Council staff and agency representatives. Community volunteers, selected for their demonstrated interest or expertise in environmental matters serve for three years, providing local knowledge and insight about a broad range of environmental topics.

Since the original SEAC appointments made at the 23 November 2021 Council meeting, there have been five resignations from the Committee. An interim recruitment process has been conducted for the final year of the Committee’s term in line with the Terms of Reference. Expressions of interest were sought from community with 15 responses received including five from young people. There are five members recommended for Council approval, inclusive of two young people.

Cr McAllister left the meeting at 7.26pm prior to a vote being taken.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Division 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Division 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

12.1    Disallowed Petitions to Council

Cr Child highlighted that the administration disallowed recent petitions submitted to the Council due to non-compliance with Governance Rules. Cr Child requested that the lead petitioners be informed of the proper procedures for submitting a petition to the Council.

12.2    Citizenship Ceremony and Community Awards

Cr Todorov noted the Citizenship Ceremony held on Friday 26 January 2024, held at the Yarra Ranges Council Civic Centre, where 60 residents of Yarra Ranges became Australian citizens. Cr Todorov also noted the Community Awards held on the same day and congratulated all recipients of awards on the day.

12.3    Australia Day Honours 2024

Cr Fullagar congratulated his father-in-law, Trevor Ricketts for his Australia Day Honours, and his extraordinary lifetime of service to the Monbulk community. Cr Fullagar noted that Trevor arrived in Australia, from England, at age 16 with sponsorship from a local Monbulk couple.

Cr Fullagar highlighted the following achievements over Trevor’s lifetime: vice president and founding member of the Monbulk Men’s Shed, president of the Monbulk Rotary Club, president and life member of the Monbulk Ranges Soccer Club, club trustee of the Monbulk District Senior Citizen Club, president of the Monbulk Business and Traders Association, Board Member of the Monbulk Sewage Authority, member of the liaison committee of Sherbrooke and Lilydale Council, president of the Monbulk Scouts Parents Committee, treasurer of the Monbulk High School Committee, president of the Monbulk Primary School Committee and a Justice of the Peace.

Cr Fullagar congratulated all Yarra Ranges Council residents who received Australia Day Honours.

12.4    Australia Day Honours 2024

Cr Todorov congratulated Vincent John Feeney, recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to secondary education.

Cr Skelton

-           Attended the Sustainable Environment Advisory Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 13 December 2023 at the Yarra Ranges Council Civic Centre. Cr Fullagar also attended the meeting.

In accordance with Clause 87 of the Meeting Procedures and Use of Common Seal Local Law 2015, as prescribed by Section 14(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Clause 87 of the Meeting Procedures and Use of Common Seal Local Law 2015, as prescribed by Section 14(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Documents for Signing and Sealing received for this meeting.</AI24><AI25>

In accordance with Chapter 3 Rule 24 of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There was no Urgent Business received for this meeting.

In accordance with section 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.

Cr McAllister returned to the meeting at 7.41pm prior a vote being taken.