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A snapshot from the City of Whyalla ordinary meeting on Monday, August 20, 2018.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: Questions from Mr Raj Rajamani on the rate structure and Mr John Scott on the Mt Laura Homestead were answered or referred for further explanations.
YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE: An update of YAC’s activities was presented by Blake Brougham.
DEPUTATION: An extensive presentation was delivered by Michael Kelledy from Kelledy Jones Lawyers on the 2018 Local Government Elections caretaker period obligations for Council and councillors.
TOURISM PLAN: Councillor Tim Breuer asked what was being done in regards to the Tourism Marketing – Action Plan. Cr Breuer commented that we have the strategic plan but it had not been implemented. He said instead of revising the plan, there need to be delivery of actions. This was supported by Councillor Tom Antonio who said it was time for action on the tourism plan.
CONFERENCE POSSIBILITY: Mayor Lyn Breuer made comment on the City Growth department’s talks with Council’s Arts and Cultural Facilitator to determine the feasibility of applying for a Performing Arts Connections (PAC) Australia Expressions of Interest for either the 2019, 20 or 21 conference and performing arts exchange. Mayor Breuer said was an exciting first step towards attracting more conferences to Whyalla and encouraged Council offices to keep pushing for this to happen.
DOG REGISTRATION: A motion was put forward by Councillor David Knox that Council write to the two Whyalla dog training organisations for their opinion on a trained-dog reduction registration fee and that, based on the responses, Council consider the reintroduction of a (reduced) trained-dog fee in setting the 2019-20 dog registrations fees. This was carried.
MASTER PLAN FOR DISABILITY AND AGEING: Councillors agreed on a recommendation to appoint councillors David Knox and Clare McLaughlin to a focus group whose function will be to review the Whyalla Master Plan for Disability and Ageing. The focus group will consist of the two councillors, Ms Kristina Roberts (Director City Growth), Mr David Penfold (Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula) and three community members.
RECYCLED PLASTICS IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Acting on a report presented on the possible use of recycled plastics as a road base, a recommendation was made by Councillor Sarah Minney that Council investigate the possibility of a Melbourne-based company, that deals with this technology, be invited to conduct trials in Whyalla. Mayor Lyn Breuer mentioned the Road Safety Centre as a possible trial site. This was agreed upon.
DROUGHT RELIEF DONATION: Councillor Colin Carter put forward a motion that Council donate $5000 to the national farmers' drought appeal. This was carried.
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
SCHOOL PROPERTY: Councillor David Knox asked about the rundown state of the former McRitchie Crescent School and what was being done by Council to address the issue with the owners. Council officers replied that the situation was being investigated and what Council powers were available under current legislation.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL: In light of the former McRitchie Crescent School site state, Councillor Tom Antonio asked if Council was aware of any State Government plans for the existing three high school sites when the new high school is built. CEO Chris Cowley replied that Council was making it the city’s business to find out what would happen to these sites. He said a motion had been passed at a previous meeting and a letter, in part, asking the State Government exactly that question.
RUBBISH IN OUR REGION: Councillor Tom Antonio asked what has been done about rubbish being dumped in our region and whose responsibility it ultimately was. Council CEO said he was looking into the issue to find out how the removal of this rubbish would be funded on the basis that recovery these funds from offenders could be hard to accomplish.
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
NEW HIGH SCHOOL: Councillor Tim Breuer put forward a motion that Council write to the State Government thanking it for committing to build a new high school in Whyalla. This was carried unanimously.
This a brief summary of the business conducted at the meeting. The exact minutes of the meeting will be available in the near future on the council website.