Agenda item

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 FROM THE PUBLIC

 

QUESTION 1

 

Anonymous asked;

1. What is the frequency of refresher Privacy training for Councillors and Council Executives at Yarra Ranges Council to ensure they know their obligations under the Privacy and Data Protection Act?

2. Are ALL Councillors, ALL Council Executive and ALL Council Officers up to date and compliant with their Privacy training?

 

Andrew Hilson, Director Corporate Services

Thank you for your question.

I can confirm that all Councillors completed mandatory privacy training during their Councillor induction training program in 2020 and 2021. Councillors are required to undertake privacy training every four years.

All staff including Council Executive and Council Officers are required to undertake a range of mandatory training modules including privacy training.  

Council’s privacy awareness training module is required to be completed by all new staff and again by all staff on a three yearly cycle. This training module’s most recent completion rate was 100% for all Councillors and Council Executive members, and overall at 89% across all staff. Please note that this response rate includes Council’s outdoor workers, remote staff such as school crossing supervisors, staff on leave, casual and temporary staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 2

 

Anonymous asked;

Soon Australian Federal government will vote on a proposed Digital l.D. bill, where government gives itself permission to collect and store, in one place, private data of every Australian. If the Digital l.D. bill is accepted, 350,000 public servants would be given access to private information of every Australian.

I’ve encountered repeated targeted harassment, as a result of public servants breeching privacy policies and sharing my data.

How can I get my email and phone details removed from Yarra Ranges Council database, before the federal government comes looking for data?

 

Andrew Hilson, Director Corporate Services

Thank you for your question.

I can confirm that at your request in your question that your email and phone details have been removed from our database. We have also added alerts and restrictions in our database to limit access to your data and to prevent your contact details being re-added without your permission.

However, where you have contacted Council via email this correspondence remains in our file management system as per our data management obligations.

It is Council’s understanding that the federal Digital ID Bill seeks to put in place a framework to create an economy-wide Digital ID system in Australia, ensuring strong privacy and security safeguards for people who choose to use a Digital ID, with accredited providers. Thank you.

 

 

 

QUESTION 3

 

Eric Adams of Mooroolbark asked;

If the Quality Assurance Officer is assessing the public facilities how are they getting such a state before the anything is done to clean them up?

If you are paying the contractors to clean the facilities and the facilities are not cleaned why are you paying the contractors to go back and do what they have already been paid to do?

 

 

Phil Murton, Acting Director Built Environment & Infrastructure

Thank you for your question, Eric.

Our facilities are regularly inspected by our Quality Assurance Officer to ensure that cleaning is occurring to the agreed standard which our contractors adhere to.

As one part of their diverse role, inspections are carried out on toilets, BBQ’s and other assets. These assets are on a cleaning schedule with quality assurance checks to ensure that contractors are conducting cleans to the expected levels. They are not, however, checked after every clean. With a large municipality and lots of assets to inspect, there may be times when there is a lag between when an amenity is made dirty or a poor clean occurs and is assessed for quality. In most cases the regular cleans will pick this up, but there will be some instances where this unfortunately doesn't occur. 

In the event that a clean does not meet the required standard of Council, contractors are required to return and undertake cleaning until satisfactory, at no additional cost to Council or ratepayers.

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 4

 

Anna Di Pietrantonio of Chirnside Park asked;

What happened to changes Edward/Paynes Road Intersection, has the funding been lost, proposal was due in March 24.

 

Phil Murton, Acting Director Built Environment & Infrastructure

Thank you for your question, Anna.

Council is continuing to progress this project and funding is still available.  We have prepared preliminary design options for roundabouts at the intersection and submitted them to the Department of Transport as our funding partner. 

Council is also in the process of consulting impacted property owners. This consultation process and outcomes will play a key role in determining the ultimate intersection layout. 

Council will continue to progress the consultation and design process. The costings for this project are supported by funding from the Department of Transport. If further funding is required, this will form part of council’s future Capital works program. If you would like further information or for a Council officer to give you a phone call, please let us know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 5

 

Ray Lister of Kallista asked;

What is the cost of grading 1km of unsealed road?

 

Phil Murton, Acting Director Built Environment & Infrastructure

Thank you for your question, Ray.

Council’s unsealed road network is graded as part of a lump sum contract – there are 1,256 roads that are graded on this program at a frequency ranging between 1-6 maintenance visits per annum.

Typically, a road is graded at an average cost per grade of $1500 per kilometre.

 

Cr Higgins left the meeting at 7.12pm and returned to the meeting at 7.17pm.

 

SUBMISSIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Wesburn Junior Football Club - Wesburn Park Pavilion

Wayne Morgan (President of the Wesburn Junior Football Club) sought to present an update to Councillors regarding the current situation of the Wesburn Junior Football Club and the need for better facilities, particularly for girls.