Motions on notice

THE agenda for the first meeting of the newly-elected council included a few Motions on Notice from me. There was a good discussion around most of them and I thank my council colleagues both for their comments and their unanimous support.

COUNCIL-OWNED LAND AND BUILDINGS
Moved: Cr Bester
Seconded: Cr Lathey
That a list of all land and buildings owned by the council be provided to all councillors.

REVIEW BY COUNCIL'S LAND SALE COMMITTEE
Moved: Cr Bester
Seconded: Cr Graham
That the council's land sale committee be requested to review potential asset sales to fund ongoing works at the Willow Court historic site.

The background to those first two motions is that the available funds for Willow Court are practically exhausted and no further State Government support is on offer. The previous council informally discussed the sale of surplus land as a way to fund urgent works at the historic site. This has been expanded to include a review of all council-owned land and buildings. When the Land Sale Committee meets, it should be open to the public.


WESTERWAY FOOTPATH GRANT FUNDING
Moved: Cr Bester
Seconded: Cr Shaw
That the General Manager investigate and report on loss of grant funding for a footpath at Westerway.

Background:  In 2013 the council secured grant funding of approximately $100,000 to build a footpath at Westerway. More than a year later there is still no footpath and councillors were recently advised that the funding had been withdrawn by the State Government. The general manager's report should determine how the money was lost and what procedures have been developed to ensure no further grant funds are lost.


GLEBE ROAD
Moved: Cr Bester
Seconded: Cr Pearce
That the General Manager investigate and report on the Glebe Road reconstruction carried out last year.

Background: Major works were carried out on Glebe Rd between Lachlan Rd and Poulters Rd last year. For reasons not explained to councillors, the centre line was repainted way off centre, forcing west-bound traffic onto the extreme edge of the road. This has resulted in extensive edge breaking, which is ongoing. The general manager's report should determine why this happened and who is responsible for rectification works.



COUNCIL WORKSHOPS
Moved: Cr Bester
Seconded: Cr Graham
That the council continue its recent practice of holding councillor workshops on the first, second and fourth Thursdays of each month.

COUNCIL WORKSHOP ADVERTISING
Moved: Cr Bester
Seconded: Cr Shaw
That these workshops be advertised and open to the public for the first 30 minutes.
 
COUNCIL WORKSHOP MONTHLY FUNCTION
Moved: Cr Bester
Seconded: Cr Triffett
That a councillor social function be held when a month has a fifth Thursday.

By way of background to the above three motions, in recent months the council has held councillor workshops on a weekly basis and this resulted in an improved flow of information. Continuing the practice will benefit the incoming council. Organising a regular social function was a stated aim of the last two councils but no action was taken to bring it about. During discussion I was asked about the cost burden of advertising and my comment was that no additional advertisements should be necessary as each month's meetings and workshops should be able to listed in a single advertisement.


BRIEFING TO COUNCILLORS BY COUNCIL'S PLANNER
Moved: Cr Bester
Seconded: Cr Belcher
That the Council Planner be invited to conduct a briefing for the new council, covering the Development Application process and the new planning scheme.

Background: Planning matters are often the most complicated and controversial items dealt with by
councillors. A briefing from the planner would be most worthwhile.