Agenda and minutes

Eric Brooks Dosser

The Mayor read the following statement

I would like to share some reflection of Eric Dosser, who passed away in April. Eric was a very well respected and well-known member of many of our local Returned and Services League.

After he left school, he joined the railway department and in 1957 he was in the first call up of National Service. After his basic training he was selected to be a member of the full-time 3rd Training Battalion Band at Puckapunyal. With them he performed at all the regimental parades and services at Puckapunyal and even acted as a guard of honour at Essendon Airport to welcome US General Maxwell Taylor, Supreme Allied Commander in the South-West Pacific.

As his national service was a six-year commitment he was transferred to the Royal Melbourne 6th Battalion Band and performed with them. This was also a busy period as they performed at many Military, Vice-Regal, State and Melbourne City Council functions.

In the late 1980s Eric became involved with playing the bugle for the Engineers at East Ringwood when they needed a bugler. In 1990 he became the official bugler for the Lilydale RSL at the Lilydale services and soon involved himself with the sub-branch. In 1993 he was elected president at a time when the club was recovering from decades of neglect and Eric continued to help progress the club.

During his first stint as president, from 1993 to 2003, patronage increased, the club received a full licence, significant improvements were made to the clubrooms, and it earned a reputation as a family friendly club. Between 1994 and 2013 he was master of ceremonies at each dawn service and Remembrance Day ceremony at Lilydale and increased attendance there enormously, and if you were present at the Dawn Service last month in Lilydale, you would have heard the kind words spoken about his presence at those Dawn Services.

He was co-chair of the committee to create the Shire of Lillydale WW2 Honour board and worked on a number of local war memorial projects, most notably the Lilydale Wall of Remembrance at the Ralph Goode Reserve. He was presented certificates of appreciation from the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the Victoria RSL for his efforts during this time.

During this time, he became the longest serving president of the Lilydale RSL and in 2019 was presented with a Life Membership of the RSL.

So truly someone who was very valued in our community and pay respects to his military service over many decades.

Vale Eric Brooks Dosser.

Vale Joseph Cullen - CEO Your Library

The Mayor read the following statement

It is with deep sadness that I share the news that Joseph Cullen, esteemed Chief Executive Officer of Your Library Limited (formerly Eastern Regional Libraries), passed away on Sunday 12 May. As a long-term partner and advocate for the Yarra Ranges community Libraries, Joseph’s guidance of our library service over decades has supported the growth and learning of so  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Todorov  and Cr McAllister spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child,
Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil

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.

Tammi Rose, Chief Executive Officer, declared a direct interest in respect of Item 17.1 as it relates to her contract of employment.

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.

There were no Questions or Submissions from the Public 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.

SUMMARY

The following petition be received:

General Petition

1.         Request that Yarra Ranges Council allow residents to "opt out" of the FOGO bin as permitted in the New Circular Economy Act 2021 and return weekly rubbish collection to the residents.

586 valid signatures.

2.         Request that Yarra Ranges Council build an upgraded, modern, aquatic facility on the Kilsyth Centenary Pool site.

1114 valid signatures (677 digital).

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

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

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Cox, Cr Heenan and Cr Child spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child,
Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil

SUMMARY

The application proposes the use of the land and buildings and works for a Residential Village, earthworks, vegetation removal and alteration of access to a road in Transport Zone 2.

The development is confined to the eastern half of the site and includes fifty (50) dwellings and a clubhouse for retirees and/or residents aged over fifty-five (55) years of age. The design response integrates and responds to the constraints of the site and surrounds, including environmental features and hazards.

The application has been advertised and at the time of this report sixty-three (63) objections have been received. Objector concerns relate primarily to environmental impacts to Olinda Creek, flora, fauna and habitat, vehicle access, the scale of the built form and flooding risks.

Overall, the proposed development responds to the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme when assessed against the relevant policies including the Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Policy Framework, Zone, Overlay and particular provisions of the Scheme.

It is recommended the application be approved and a Notice of Decision to Grant a Planning Permit, subject to conditions, be issued.

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, Kim-maree spoke in objection of the recommendation included in the officer report.

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, Lloyd Elliott, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the recommendation included in the officer report.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Heenan, Cr Cox and Cr Child spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child,
Cr McAllister and Cr Fullagar.

Against:       Cr Cox

DIVISION

Cr Heenan called for a division.

In Favour: Cr Child, Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar, Cr Todorov, Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham and Cr Higgins

Against: Cr Cox

Absent: Cr Skelton

SUMMARY

The purpose of this report is to:

1.         Present the 2025 Annual Grants program and budget for endorsement.

2.         Provide an update on changes to the Monthly Grants program.

3.         Note the decision-making process for the Annual Grants due to the local government elections in October.

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, Wendy Wright spoke in objection of the recommendation included in the officer report.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Fullagar and Cr McAllister spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child,
Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil

SUMMARY

Over recent years, Council has been reviewing parking and transport across the municipality as part of delivering committed actions under Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy 2020 – 2040.

Our community has also told us their concerns about congestion and the availability and safety of parking, particularly in our tourist locations during the summer months.

At the start of 2024, Council increased enforcement in major tourist areas to address these concerns. This included using number plate recognition technology, along with physically chalking vehicles.

Tourism is expected to double over the next 10 years. This means we need a clear approach to support our popular townships with this increase.

Currently, all Council owned car parks are free across Yarra Ranges, so visitors use the assets and facilities that ratepayers predominantly fund.

An assessment of parking utilisation in key tourism areas, coupled with community feedback, increased tourism and availability of Council land, has identified Warburton as presenting the strongest opportunity to address traffic congestion and parking issues.

It is proposed to pilot real-time parking information technology alongside a paid parking program for a period of up to 12 months to enhance the existing enforcement effort at Warburton. These actions are consistent with of Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy 2020-2040 Implementation Plan.

Yarra Ranges residents would be exempt from parking fees.

The pilot program is expected to benefit the community by:

·                Improving traffic flow, parking accessibility and safe parking behaviours

·                Supporting local businesses with vehicle turnaround and patronage

·                Providing clarity on the number of parking spaces available within the town

·                Contributing funds to local Council assets 

Paid parking would be for visitors (non-residents) only. A permit process would exempt all Yarra Ranges residents from paying to park within the municipality. Details around the permit process are yet to be finalised. This will be communicated to the community in advance of installation. Parking restrictions and enforcement will still apply to all users.

Future expansion of the pilot across other tourism hotspots would be subject to an evaluation process by Council that would consider operational performance, end to end system performance (including resident permit system), community and local business feedback and the endorsed Parking Management Framework.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Child  and Cr McAllister spoke to the Motion.

SUMMARY

This report seeks to inform Council of the Melbourne East Regional Sport and Recreation Fair Access Policy for endorsement and implementation by the Recreation and Sport Team.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Eastham and Cr McAllister spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child, Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil

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.

There were no Councillor motions listed on the agenda for this meeting.

There were no Items Through the Chair received for this meeting.

Cr Child

-           Attended an Extraordinary Board Meeting of Your Library on 13 May 2024 at the Your Library Administration Building in Scoresby, to elect an acting CEO, following the untimely passing of Joesph Cullen. 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 Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child, Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil

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 were no Urgent Business listed on the agenda for this meeting.

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

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child, Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil

The Mayor called for the meeting to be adjourned at 8.57pm.

The meeting resumed at 9.03pm with all Councillors present.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Todorov, Cr Heenan, Cr McAllister, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Child, Cr Fullagar  and Cr Cox spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child, Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Eastham, Cr Higgins, Cr Todorov, Cr Child, Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil