Local councils follow a structured decision-making process for planning permit applications, involving public consultation, environmental compliance assessment, and community concern evaluation. Councilors balance competing interests including waste management needs, environmental protection, and community amenity concerns when approving infrastructure projects like composting facilities. The process requires thorough review of technical reports, consideration of objections, and assessment of long-term operational impacts before reaching a collective decision.
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East Gippsland Shire Council - Council Meeting - 9/06/2026Added:
Good evening and welcome to the East Gibs Landshshire Council meeting of Tuesday the 9th of June 2026.
Council meetings are livereamed, recorded and published via webcasting.
These recordings are available for viewing by the public or by following the link on council's website. During the meeting, any members of the public who are addressing the council will have their image and comments recorded. No other person has the right to record council meetings unless approval has been granted by the chair. If technical technical difficulties are experienced with the live streaming during the meeting, we will adjourn until the issue is resolved. If issues can't be resolved, the meeting may be postponed to a later time or date.
Council acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of this land and pays deep respects to all First Nations peoples and communities with enduring cultural connections to East Gibsland who have cared for and nurtured country for tens of thousands of years. We honor and celebrate the rich diversity, living cultures, and ongoing contributions of all First Nations peoples who live, work, visit, and play across East Gibsland. We also acknowledge the many First Nations communities who together continue to shape and contribute to the region we know as East Gibsland, the place where we as local government deliver services and support to our community.
In line with the Local Government Act, councilors are able to attend council meetings electronically or in person.
When participating in a meeting electronically, a counselor can only be recorded as present when they confirm that they the following criteria is met.
They can hear proceedings and can be heard by other members in attendance and they can see other members in attendance and can be seen by other members.
Councelor Buckley, can you see and hear us?
>> Indeed, I can, ma'am. And can you confirm that you're participating from a private location suitable for confidential discussion if required?
>> Indeed, it is.
>> If a councelor participating online experiences technical difficulties, we may adjourn briefly to enable them to rejoin the meeting. Should they be unable to reconnect within 5 minutes, the meeting shall resume in their absence.
Item 1.2 Two on the agenda is apologies and there are none for tonight's meeting.
Item 1.3, declarations of conflict of interest. Councilors are reminded that the local government act requires conflicts of interest to be disclosed in accordance with the uh procedures set out in the governance rules. Uh this includes stating the following three points. Number one, the item for which you have a conflict.
Number two, whether the conflict is of material or general interest and an explanation of the conflict. Are there any declarations of conflict for tonight's meeting?
Okay. Thank you. I see none.
Next on the agenda is the confirmation of minutes. Councilors, the minutes have of the meeting of Tuesday the 19th of May have been circulated and I trust that everyone's had the opportunity to review them. Do I have a mover to confirm those minutes, please? Thank you, Councelor Ellen and Council.
Councelor Ellen, would you like to speak to the motion?
>> No. Thank you, Mayor.
>> And councelor Crook, would you like to speak to the motion?
>> I need to say the minutes are an accurate reflection of the meeting.
Thank you, Maya. Thank you. Is a motion opposed?
I see none. I'll now put the motion to the vote. All those four.
Thank you, councilors. The motion is carried.
The next council meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday the 23rd of June at 2026 at the corporate center 273 Main Street, Banzo, commencing at 6:00 p.m.
Item 1.6 Six is request for leave of absence and I have received one request from councelor Barry Davies. I'll now call for any councelor to move the motion that leave of absence be granted to councelor Barry Davies for the period of the 5th of June to the 7th of August 2026 inclusive. Could I have a mover please?
>> Thank you mayor. I'd like to move that motion.
>> Thank you council far and a second.
Second that. Thanks, Mayor.
>> Thank you, Council Eastman. Council Far, would you like to speak to the motion?
>> Sorry, Mayor. A point of order. Um, it's Barry Davis, not Davies.
>> Thank you, Council Buckley, if we can note that. Thank you. Thank you, Council Fra.
>> Good. Thank you, Mayor. Um, there's probably not much to speak to that.
Barry has outlined his um situation with all of us, and I think we all agree that uh it needs to be attended to. So that's all need to speak to it. Thank you.
>> Thank you. And councilman, would you like to speak to the motion?
>> No. Thank you, mayor.
>> Uh, is the motion opposed? Councilors.
>> Okay. I see none. I'll now put the motion to the vote. All those four.
Thank you, councilors.
At this point in proceedings, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the following community members who were awarded an order of Australia medal in the King's Birthday honors list for 2026.
Miss Theres Turn OM for her service in community health in the Gibsland region.
Mr. Leo Opton Brow OAM for his service to the community of East Gibsland. And Mr. Murray Culvin ESM who received the Emergency Services Medal for his distinguished service as a member of Surf Life Saving Australia.
Congratulations on being recognized in such a significant way for your contribution to East Gibsland and thank you for all that you do and your ongoing commitment to our community.
And before we move to the open forum uh part of our meeting, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge a special guest in the public gallery this evening. So Zara from Luckno Primary School is here tonight as part of the Rotary Junior Community Ward program. The Rotary Junior Community Ward is a broad program that encourages students to actively engage with their local community. In addition to attending a community meeting like this one, participants complete community service over a school term. Uh take part in physical recreation, learn a new skill, and experience different aspects of community life such as cultural, environmental, artistic, and commemorative events. The program is designed to help young people build confidence, understand how their community works, and develop a sense of responsibility and civic awareness.
Zara's attendance tonight at this meeting contributes to that requirement and provides an opportunity to see local democracy in action. Zara, your participation in this community program is commendable and we are delighted to have you observing the meeting this evening. To recognize your involvement and commitment to learning about your community, I'm pleased to present you with a pin. So, if you'd just like to Okay, we'll now move on to the open forum. The first item is 1.7.1 petitions and there are no petitions on the agenda tonight. We'll now move on to questions of council. CEO. Are there any questions for tonight's meeting?
>> Thank you, Mayor. We have two questions from Mr. Ken Ken White. Sorry, Ken. Um, who's in the gallery, and we'll come forward to, uh, answer the questions.
I'll just get someone to turn on the microphone for you. So, you're >> Thank you.
>> We all know we >> Maybe I'll get you I might get you to use the other one cuz it it works better.
>> Oh, this one?
>> Yeah.
All right.
>> Sorry.
>> I might just do my little part first, Ken. So, before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone when we're uh addressing, just to show courtesy and respect to the council, it staff and the processes we follow and any direction from the chair. During public questions, there'll be no discussion or debate with attendees. uh where a person is making public submission, councils may ask questions of clarification only. As chair, I may need to stop a question or submission if it's deemed inappropriate or not in line with council's governance rules or the mutual respect charter. Each person addressing council is allocated five minutes speaking time and there's a total of two questions tonight. Thank you, Ken. And >> no worries.
>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you, councilors. Um, and thank you Zara for inspiring me to talk to my children when I get home this evening about their need to come and see Democracy at Work.
Thanks for that. A couple of questions in relation to planning application, which I assume will be discussed later tonight to do with uh the proposed food and organic waste facility at 200 Johnston's Road. Uh, so yeah, two questions. I just have some background um before each question. So um background to question one. So despite the time taken since this project was first mooded, plans showing the elevations of a planned shed closed receivable shed uh have not been distributed until earlier today. In the email earlier today, it was described as being not a critical decision-making element because all of the documentation is always referred to an enclosed building. So we are only sharing these elevation plans for completeness. I would like to share for completeness that the planning permit documents uh documents nominate a facility for the inwood inwoods receivable of goods and on the site plans themselves this is noted noted as a hard stand concrete concrete area no shed marked for completeness the reason we raised this matter is that that to the neighbors it is of critical importance whether a shed is built or not because the separation distance required by the EPA differs substantially if the facility is operating either in a closed air or open air receivables environment. It's lovely that at the death nail of an application and approvals process that we now provide this plan for completeness sake and then suggest that it's not a big deal. Question. One of East GIPs Shai Council's core values is accountability.
With that and the above in mind, the councils here believe that it is appropriate from an accountability perspective for East GIPS council to be in this particular application both the applicant, the responsible authority to assess the application and the beneficiary of the application.
>> Thanks, Mayor. Um, given the broad nature of the question, it's probably best that it sits with me to answer rather than to one of our general managers. Um so can I start by saying by being both the applicant um and um the assessor of on this occasion is unavoidable and something that councilors right across Victoria find themselves facing when they are developing projects for and on behalf of the community that trigger the need for a planning permit. So this is not a um a process is that is unique to East GitH Council. all 79 councils across Victoria would find themselves in this position from time to time.
So recognizing this and then to ensure the transparency that Mr. White has mentioned, our council takes some additional measures um to ensure that the separation of the applicant and the assessor roles are very clear. The first of these is um additional steps and these are steps that are not required but steps that we take as a council is to ensure that all applications made by council are referred to a council meeting and councilors for a decision.
Therefore, they're not made under delegation by officers regardless of whether they have objectors to that permit application or not. The second step is to engage a third-party um planning consultant to represent council as the applicant. This means that our planners are dealing with a planning consultant rather than their f fellow officers when assessing an application.
And finally, and whilst not this wasn't part of um Mr. White's formal question I feel it's um worth addressing and I can advise that the application always contemplated an enclosed outbuilding because of the pro the proposal states that all cams um all curbside foggo is to be received and processed within an enclosed drop off station. This was referenced throughout the application.
Um, and if approved, the draft planning permit and associated conditions will ensure that the outuildings will be constructed generally in accordance and that's a planning term with the site plan and elevations that have now been provided.
>> Thank you. Um, we can go on to Mr. White's second question if there's no points of clarification.
>> Sure. Um, thank you. Uh so background to this question over this application journey same application and even as recently as the last two weeks we've seen some inconsistent numbers in terms of the quantities of product to be processed at this site. To my understanding east Gibsland Shire processes at this site approximately 15,000 tons of green waste currently. Uh with that I refer to the council's 10-year waste transition plan. Yet our appointed consultant SMEC just two weeks ago estimated that same number to be 9,000 tons of green waste plus food and organic waste based on the SH's own 10-year waste transition strategy in which the council seeks to benchmark itself against like Shire such as Miljura Council which is within 3 years of establishing a Fogo facility is now processing over 13,000 tons of Fogo in addition to its existing green waste.
This application seeks to endorse a permit for processing and storage of 25,000 tons of green waste and FOGO peranom. Given the above numbers, it appears that it won't be long before East GPS shire runs the risk of exceeding the 25,000 tons of both processing and storage and the and the storage is reliant upon the development of either a market for or a place to distribute this excess product.
question. Given the permit condition of a maximum volume of both processing and storage, what will council do with the excess product and will it seek to amend its permitted volume the moment that it exceeds this threshold?
>> Thanks, Mr. >> Mayor. Um, whilst we're here to to to consider a planning permit this evening, the questions tonight um the second question really goes to the operation of that facility. um which whilst that is really covered by the EPA, I feel it's um probably appropriate that we answer the question, but I would ask um Stuart McConnell, who's our general manager of assets and environment rather than our general manager of place and community.
So that separation um so it's really to do with the operation. So I think it needs an operational response rather than a planning response. So therefore, I'm going to ask um that Stuart responds to your questions.
Thank you. And through you, mayor. So, as as we know tonight, we're here to consider a planning permit application.
And the planning permit refers to um a facility for 25,000 tons um peranom of green waste. And the EPA development license that has already been issued uh for the site sets the same number. That number has been set based on our work that forecasting the the likely requirements for treatment of um green waste on behalf of council. Um the proposed colon fosting facility being established um is aimed at providing for a total forecast volume at the commencement of operations in 2028 to be in the range 15 to 16,000 tons peranom. Now that will vary a little bit between growth on based on growth between now on now and then. And I know um there's a range of numbers that's presented in various documents.
We're happy to um meet again with Mr. White and go through some of those if that's helpful based on this committed capacity for the proposed facility and a volume of throughput at at startup of 15 to 16,000 tons peranom.
We believe there's sufficient capacity for growth in the facility over the over the time and we do not anticipate the need to apply for an amendment for permitted um volumes for receal of waste due to growth during the lifetime of the asset.
Um I do note that those figures were prepared by independent consultants consultants who who did much of the work associated with development of the license application and similar and also to note that in relation to the transition plan and the reference to Mjura um Mr. Whites are correct. Um there are a range of councils presented in that transition plan for the purposes of benchmarking and the figure for mil jury is a little bit of an outlier compared to what most councils are seeing in terms of uh the proportion of food organics as part of the overall mix.
Um what I would say is then is also the product and it's important because there is both the throughput and the storage volume um conditions within the within the development license. Um the compost is intended then to be used for a range of purposes um through different markets including application in a agriculture.
Um so the production the marketing the sale of a quality composting material is a key key issue. We recognize that. So we're as part of this process um last year we undertook a public expression of interest for u people to partner with us in the development of the facility and the response to that was very positive including from the perspective of um the marketing of materials. So there's certainly a strong interest from the market when they understand the nature of the material that we produced. Um so we're confident that that that there will be a product um markets available for that that product um based on the strength of that uh interest from commercial entities and also um we're currently doing work with um the Gibsland Agriculture Group. have entered into an MOU there and actively partnering with them and other stakeholders to test, trial and demonstrate um compost materials and their use in local agricultural activities. Um so again that helps to provide some confidence uh around the market and therefore the constraints or being able to meet the constraints on storage on site but it is the marketing and and end use is a significant part of the overall project.
Thank you, M. McConnell. Councilors, are there any questions of clarification only at this point?
>> Mr. Council Buckley.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um, >> thank you, Mr. Dwight. I' I've got a question of clarification around um just understanding the main concerns that you've presented tonight. Can you just clarify a little bit further about about where they've come from and and and what's underpinning the cons the real concerns so that I can just have a a better understanding of of um the stakeholder position?
>> Uh where am I coming from in terms of these concerns? Is that your question?
Uh my question is is around because you you've I guess it's around future growth and expansion which is sort of underpinning the uh the concerns that you have.
>> So having heard what you've just heard from from Stuart, does that does that clarify >> what your concerns were?
>> Yeah. So I mean the issue that I've had and I've had dialogue with council along the journey about it is that the is that I get a sense that we're not all over the numbers is the main thing I suppose we we know what we process now in green waste. We don't know exactly what we're going to be likely to be processing in terms of FOGO because we don't know exactly what the uptake of that looks like until it rolls out. But we have in our own strategy utilized you know some benchmarking data from other other councils and the most comparable example of that was Miljura and Mjura within 3 years has processed 13,000 tons of Fogo.
So my question was simply if we're applying for a permit now with a a maximum demand, you know, volume of 25,000 and we currently have 14,227 tons of green waste based on a 2023 number that's published in your reports.
And we have 13,000 potentially at a SH that is a very similar demographic size, very similar geographic size. Um, and we used that in our own benchmarking. If we landed at that number within three years like Jura did, I'm not saying that we will, but if we did, uh, well then potentially we've blown our permit volume effectively within 3 years. So my question is basically have we designed this facility for the long term because we won't move it if you know if we exceed a volume and if you look at EPA thresholds around separation distances the moment we go to 36,000 tons of total green and fogo in a year our separation distance increases by another 150 meters and that would encompass the nearest house. That's the question. Have we considered the long term?
>> Thank you, Mr. White.
Okay, >> Council Buckley, are you Can you put your camera back on, please? Or have we lost Council Buckley?
Okay, let me just We'll just check to see I have that technology.
>> Okay, I think we're just checking with it to see if we can coming back.
>> Yes, I'm getting the yes or the no.
>> Oh, nope. Okay, >> we'll just try and get back.
are working on. Okay.
>> Okay. Thank you very much, Mr. White.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> And we'll just wait a couple of minutes to see if we can get Council Buckley back.
>> Proceed.
Couple of minutes.
>> Couple of minutes. May we'll give it a couple of minutes and then we'll continue with the meeting if we can't get her back.
Okay.
Council Buckley, can you We can see you.
Can you hear us? Confirm.
>> Yes, I can. Look, I apologize. I don't know what happened to my system. It shut down.
>> Okay. Thank you very much.
Okay, council's moving on. Uh, the next item on the agenda is 1.7.3 public submission. CEO, are there any public submissions for tonight's meeting?
>> Thanks, Mayor. We have none this evening.
>> Okay. And item 1.8 is items for noting.
Are there any items for tonight?
>> We have no items tonight.
>> Item two on the agenda is notices of motion. Are there any for tonight's meeting?
>> Thanks, Mayor. We have no notices of motion. Item three, deferred business.
And again, we have none. Okay. Item four is council delegate reports. Councilors, I'd encourage you to submit your written reports for inclusion in the minutes.
We'll now move on to the officers reports uh from business excellence.
The first report is item 5.1.1 information communication and technologies professional services panel of providers contract number 2026-0129.
Miss Johnson could you please present your report.
>> Many thanks mayor. Um as you've just outlined before you is a report titled information communication and technologies professional services panel um which is seeking endorsement for issuing of contracts to the preferred tenderers of a collaborative tender undertaken between Wellington Shia council is the lead procurement council um for the panel of providers. So key points for consideration. Obviously this was a collaborative procurement undertaken with Wellington Shire who the lead council in this process to achieve the most cost-effective and efficient result in the procurement of ICT professional services. The procurement is a non-mandatory panel that covers several specialist ICT categories to support and and assist East Gibsland Shire Council and Wellington Shire Council in planning and delivery of ICT enabled services and specialist project requirements for the next three years.
So um the panel outlines pre-approved vendors who are fully compliant and have the capacity to meet the specifications that council put out in the provision of the following services. Business analysis and application support services, infrastructure technical services, operational services, cyber security services and project management and ICT contracting.
So obviously the panel will strengthen alignment with digital transformation, cyber security, privacy and business continuity objectives between both the councils. Um and there's no specific amount allocated to this panel of providers and any work undertaken will be as part of a normal quotation process and be within budgets as allocated.
So also present tonight is our chief information officer um Philipp who's available to respond to questions um of a technical nature as well. Thank you mayor.
>> Thank you Mr. Johnson. Councilors the report contains confidential attachments. So please remember any if you want to discuss any contents or just need to move to a close session but are there any questions for clarification regarding the contents? And councelor Crook your question. Yes, thank you, Mayor, and thank you for the report, Miss Johnson. Um, what safeguards are in place to protect council from cyber security risks when external providers are accessing systems and sensitive information within our and our counterparts, council in Wellington.
>> Thank you, Councelor Cook. It's a really good question. Um, Phil, may I get you to start our response to that particular one, please?
Uh thank you and thank you. Thank you councelor Cook and and through you may councelor Cook. Council has a a strong set of ICT security controls and cyber security controls. We adhere to the Victorian protective data security standards framework. We also align to the U signals directorate uh essential 8 cyber security um uh controls and these really provide a a strong um process and system approach and risk based uh approach to managing um cyber threats and and vulnerabilities. This panel of providers will will allow us to strengthen our ability to deliver reliable and secure and well-governed ICT services to both organizations because it doesn't rely on one provider.
There are 26 pre-qualified experienced providers across the different key areas and cyber security is one of those specialist areas that we can rely on multiple vendors.
Hope uh happy to to go into further detail if required. Thank you councelor Crock. No, it's very good. Very good.
Thank Thank you, Phil. If I might have another question there, mayor. Um I'm aware it is quite a large panel of providers um that are essentially consultants. I'm interested to understand how council will ensure that the proposed arrangement will deliver long-term value um but also build internal capacity rather than creating ongoing dependence on consultants.
>> Thanks, Councelor Crook. Phil, I'll let you start that one off as well.
>> Happy to take Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Crook.
The the panel allows is really for specialist expertise. So, it does allow for us to build expertise and knowledge within our team, but depending on the variety and and the technical depth of the projects across that three-year period, we've got access to a set of pre-qualified specialists who can help us. So we do aim on building internal capability and uh we do look to develop the skills within our staff but at times we can't always and we don't always have access particularly in a regional area to specialist cyber expertise or infrastructure expertise. So our team works with these pre-qualified vendors and through that there is knowledge learning and and knowledge sharing and we do have a good arrangement with our existing partners who are also happy to uh share resources so that we can manage our own facilities.
>> Thanks for the answer >> council. Are there any other questions?
Okay, I see none.
Prior to calling for a move, I just remind you that the recommendation must be moved with the blank field completed to identify identify companies proposed for the contract. There's a recommendation in the report. So, I'll now call a counselor to move a motion.
>> I've got three with no need to feel about that. Okay.
Thank you, councelor Allen. Can I have a seconder for the motion, please?
Councilors, councelor Crook and Council Allen, would you like to speak to the motion?
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I think we've had a demonstration of the importance of it inadvertently 10 minutes ago. Uh, that's just, you know, one of the foles that happened, but cyber attack and all those sorts of things are a constant. and uh we need the expertise available in the event of any of those things to be readily available. So this panel um gives us that ability and uh we've been in a shared arrangement with Wellington all my time and uh not only does it save council substantially annually uh but it also provides a very very good service. So I have no hesitation in moving in endorsing this motion.
>> Thank you councelor Ellen and councelor Crook. Would you like to speak to the motion?
>> Uh certainly just briefly mayor to say look I think we can all appreciate that information technology services are increasingly important component to our lives and our businesses and it's no different here at council as we've heard tonight from our chief technology officer Phil. um some of these services are extremely specialized and it's not realistic to expect that council can retain that sort of capacity internally all the time and so I'd suggest that this is an instance where going external to expert consultants um is a requirement and a pragmatic use of council's resources um and so I also happy to endorse what's being proposed here thanks >> thank you councel councilors is the motion opposed Okay, I see none. Would any other council like to speak for the motion?
Okay, I see none. I'll now put the motion to the vote. All those four.
Thank you, councilors. The motion is carried.
Okay, we'll now move on to reports from police and community directorate.
The first report is item 5.2.1 planning permit application 5.2025.18.1 200 uh Johnston Johnson's Road Forge Creek Composting Facility.
Mr. Stevenson, could you please present your report?
>> Thank you, mayor, and through you. Um, so counselors, before you is a report titled planning permit application for 200 Johnston's Road, Forge Creek composting facility. Uh, the planning permit application seeks approval for the use and development of a composting facility, removal of native vegetation, and a dispensation from car and bicycle parking. The proposal is located at 200 Johnston's Road, Benale, within the existing Ban Bansdale landfill site. The proposal received 25 objections and two letters of support and the application has been amended in response to the objections and the subsequent planning consultation meeting and site visit. On the 21st of January 2026, the EPA granted a development license for organic waste processing at the site. As outlined within the report, it is the office's position that the proposal complies with the relevant provisions of the East Gibsland planning scheme and should be approved subject to conditions.
So, also present tonight, councilors is Kindy Chester, manager of planning and development, who's available to answer any questions, and the report is presented to you for your consideration.
Thank you, Mayor.
>> Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Councilors, are there any questions of clarification?
Councelor Crook.
>> Uh, thank you, Mayor. Look, I've read through the application and I I agree with um the submission we heard earlier this evening that it is a little confusing. The council is the applicant and the determining authority.
And my understanding is that the appropriate processes are being followed. And I'm confident that that's that's okay. Even though it does seem a little strange, I'm happy to acknowledge that. Um, look, I was I've been at the planning consultation meeting for this one. I've reread um all the objections the council has received. Um, and it really does seem that comes down to a couple of key considerations especially from the objectors. The main concern seems to be around odor which I understand in planning terms is uh countenance uh as a an amenity issue. Um I wonder if our manager for planning could just speak briefly to what what conditions are being put on the permit to make sure that those uh I think they're sensitive receptors or the people who live near the proposed facility um how how are we managing that process from a planning perspective?
Uh thanks for your question councelor Crook and through you mayor. Uh yes so as part of the application we were provided with an odor report. Um I won't go into the science around that because it's certainly not my area of expertise.
Um however the applicant um also as part of that offered up an odor monitoring system. So that is where there are receptors installed on site to give realtime feedback on odor. Um and that has been put as a planning permit or proposed planning permit condition. Um that that must be designed and installed to the satisfaction of the responsible authority and maintained in perpetuity.
Um my understanding is that would allow the operator to respond to any odor complaints in real time. So it gives real-time data. Um so that's how we've attempted to address that through the planning permit application. I believe it's also um addressed through the EPA development license and any subsequent approvals that are required through the EPA.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um one more if I may out one or two. Um I understand there is the permit is seeking to remove native vegetation. I wonder if you could just outline the nature of that vegetation and also um provide some some clarity for me on what if any um considerations around threatened species particularly birds have been made during the application and any subsequent conditions. Thank you.
>> Thanks again for your question and through you may uh yes you're correct.
Some native vegetation rem removal is required. It's specifically around the access point so along Johnson's Road in the road reserve. Um so the studies were undertaken to consider what vegetation was on site and in that road reserve. Um and the application was also referred to DECA so department of environment energy environment climate action um to give us some um advice in relation to native vegetation removal. Uh they did provide consent subject to conditions and those conditions again are on the draft permit and they talk about a certain level of native vegetation offsets required to be paid. Um and those credits presented to uh council um as the planning authority before development starts. Um there's also a condition in there for a wildlife monitoring plan that includes birds and other wildlife. um and the implementation of that plan at condition I think it's condition 11 um which acknowledges that there is wildlife in and around that site and that there needs to be a plan prepared that describes how they'll be monitored um and how that plan will be implemented again into perpetuity whilst the composting facility if approved is in operation.
>> Thank you >> councelor Eastman.
>> Yeah, thank you May and through you. Um, a couple of questions in relation to the application. Thanks, Mr. Chester. Um, the first ones relate to the approved and endorsed plans amongst the conditions. And I see you've got a few plans there, um, including wildlife monitoring and mitigation and a plan to install odor emission tracking devices. As per condition six, there's no plans in there for vermin control.
I'm a bit surprised that that's not included. And is it too late to do so?
And the other thing with the um approved and endorsed plans with the odor emission tracking devices, are you able to say what other things are in place to ensure we're not just tracking, but we're actually responding to concerns?
Um thank you for the question councelor Eastman and through you may I'll address that slightly separately. So just in relation to the vermin um the component of the kind of raw fog that's proposed to come into the facility would be put into an enclosed uh facility um which by its very nature has the ability to to lock out said vermin. Um I'm happy to look at any specific wording and conditions if we need to tighten that up. Um so no there's no specific condition in there about vermin but it's kind of assumed in the design that when the raw fog comes in it's processed within that um enclosure um which is the type of stuff that the vermin enjoy um and that they the access to that would be extremely limited. Um in relation to your kind of second question, just clarify for me what >> um the odor one and the controls in place like instead of just monitoring something in the conditions to say must be responded to as well, not just monitored.
>> Generally speaking, um the the responses outside the remit of the planning permit and the planning environment act. Um council has obligations if they are the operator. um to comply with the permit and if they are not complying with those permit conditions, council can undertake enforcement under the planning permit.
However, probably the uh more I guess higher order way of that happening is actually the EPA has a lot more um control and ability to do enforcement on these matters under the environmental protection act. Um, so there's that layer of protection where if it turned out that the facility wasn't complying with its odor requirements that the EPA could come in and investigate and potentially take legal action or or hand out fines essentially. Um, council does have the ability to do enforcement under the Planning Environment Act, but it's not as powerful as what the EPA can do under their act. So I wouldn't probably suggest putting conditions in relating to that.
>> Thank you. It's it's quite difficult, isn't it? And I suppose that takes me on to my next question on amenity which is on page 25 of the um today's agenda. So um point four, the use and development must be managed so the amenity of the area is not unreasonably affected through a number of things and I'll get on to those as well. But who determines what's unreasonably affected given that it's council's facility?
I'm assuming that people will have to put a complaint into council. There's nothing in here that I that talks about a complaints management process. Um, which is another concern I guess. But who decides what's unreasonably um in this case?
>> Yeah. So, thank you for your question and through you, mayor. Uh, just like any other um use and development in East Gibsland, regardless of who's operating it, if council gets a complaint, we are obligated to investigate, whether that be our own facility or or another type of use and development, we can do so under the Planning and Environment Act, and we can investigate if they're contravening planning permit conditions.
In terms of who decides, we can decide based on evidence and site inspections and what objections and complaints are saying. However, there's also an ability for the general public to lodge with VCAT to compel council to investigate a certain matter if they feel council's not doing it in the way they had hoped. Now again, that's under the Planning and Environment Act, different to if complaints are made to the EPA, which are managed by the EPA under their separate legislation.
>> It's all confusing when there's and and I think sometimes members of the public might benefit from >> some sort of flowchart for how you might complain in this situation given our dual roles. Um, I think thank you that you've answered my questions there because my next one was how can people be assured the complaints will be heeded and responded to? So, >> oh, and sorry, one final question. Can these conditions be changed at all by council? The council, the application for the permit if it's approved, can any of those conditions be changed post approval?
Uh so planning permits if issued uh applicants can make application to amend the conditions or amend plans or amend what the permit allows. However, there's a it's difficult to explain but essentially if the changes are great then they almost flick themselves back into another permit process. So we might want to give notice we might bring it back to council for a decision. um if it's a small minor change like grammatical error or a timing issue potentially I'd make that call but for anything beyond that given this situation if there was a substantial change requested it would be coming back to council for a decision um and potentially readvertising.
So does that answer your question?
>> Yeah, it does. I'd like to see I'd like to see how it works out. And thank you.
And I don't believe we can ask you any questions about actual operations. So, I'll have to leave it at that.
>> Is that right?
>> I'm just wondering if there might be two sheds rather than one because I'm imagining with the ongoing rolling over of um materials, one shed might not be enough. That's all. But it's probably not in your perview.
>> Yeah. So I have to look at the application before me and that at the moment talks about that tonnage and one particular outbuilding and a certain processing. So I can't really comment on the need for additional sheds. Sorry >> if I can if that would that would constitute a major change and it have to come back to council >> if there was additional sheds.
>> Uh council Buckley.
Yeah. Yes. Thank you. And through you may um my question is around possible future expansion. Uh you know some of the feedback that I've had from stakeholders is the concern that the f that into the future um that the facility may uh need to grow. So can you please um ex explain to me uh if expansion is considered into the future what process council will follow uh and also what will trigger uh trigger that so that any future can expansion um doesn't have negative uh impacts on on surrounding stakeholders.
>> Thank you for your question councelor Buckley and through you mayor. So the application before us is for a maximum of 25,000 tons which is in line with the EPA development license.
um in the event that that was to be exceeded, that tonnage was to be exceeded or the layout of the site needed to change or expand, um the first step would be that council would need to go through EPA to apply for a different license to allow greater tonnage and would see a fresh uh approval with a fresh set of conditions based on the current day standards and guidelines of the day. Um in addition to that they would need to come in for a fresh planning permit application um which would amend not just the tonnage but any other condition or amended plan attached to the live permit um that would allow for that to be increased. So it would be subject to a whole planning permit process open to public notice coming before council for a decision. So that would not constitute an amendment. That would be a start again um go through a full planning permit process. Uh similarly with the EPA, you'd need to go through another development license process.
>> And uh so in regards to that um how does council uh address any concerns about property values, farming impacts and comm uh effects that you know of other nearby facilities etc. you know landfill quaries etc. How how do council address that?
>> Thank you for your question and through you may just to clarify do you mean if it was increased or in the current application before us?
>> I think both is relevant.
>> Okay. So um current so property values are not a planning consideration. um they're not something we can look at when we're making that decision and it's not something that the likes of say BC cattle planning panels consider either.
We do have to consider existing surrounding land uses and whether they fall into sensitive categories. So dwellings, hospitals, schools, things like that. Um the EPA does provide guidance on buffers. So essentially in the case of the landfill, there's a 500 meter buffer that's nominated that says this is the known kind of amenity impact buffer that the landfill might um give off from time to time. um this particular facility has been located within that same footprint to try and make sure that that buffer is stays at that 500 meters. In the event that it was uh the tonnage was increased and the uh it was all to expand again that fresh application would have to consider those sensitive receptors such as dwellings um and it would have to be able to comply with the buffer distances of the day set by the EPA. If it couldn't, we would not be able to approve it and we'd have to look at alternative sites. So expansion on the same site may not actually be a reality in the future. It could be that we'd have to go somewhere else because we could no longer comply with the requirements of the EPA and the planning scheme.
>> And just so you know, a segue to finish off that that question um into health and environmental impacts. Has there been any risks identified with public health or environmental impacts through the studies that have that have been done um or you know identified future impacts because of this facility?
>> Thanks for your question and through you may um based on the information submitted um you know amenity and human health was a consideration. My understanding is it's also one of the considerations of the EPA development license process and that they wouldn't issue that if they had concerns about the human health and amenity side of things. So um based on that council's relied heavily on their approval and the conditions contained therein when thinking about this particular matter.
Um so based on the EPA approval and what was lodged with the planning application uh council as the planning authority satisfied that there's no um human health impacts that yeah that would impact this being approved.
>> One final question if you could indulge me mayor just in regard >> one more council.
>> Yep. Just in regards to the initial processes undertaken for this um application, was there a business case done and uh was there any market analysis done on the on the on the final product or is that something that goes into the next phase of um of operational matters?
>> If perhaps mayor, I'll answer this one.
I think we're drifting into operational territory. Um it's not usual that you'd need to submit a business plan for um a planning permit. So that's when we can take on notice and um I understand that there was but that's not a planning consideration for this evening.
>> Thank you CEO and councelor White you've got a question.
Thank you, mayor. But I think it's partially been answered because my question was around um what uh Ken White presented in his questions to council was about if we were to exceed the the limit at that site and he mentioned that the exclusion zone could actually finish up in encroaching on the home that's on the property. So, you possibly answered that to Sonia's question, but uh that that would then need to go back to the EPA for um for approval.
>> Yeah, thanks for your question, Councelor White, and through you, Mayor.
Um just to be clear, the current limit of processing and storage is 25,000 tons, and that's reflected in the draft planning permit and the EPA license. And yes, that is based on the context of the closest dwellings and the buffer distances etc. In the event that the facility was to ever exceed that tonnage or expand its footprint, you would again need to go back and look at where those dwellings are and can those u buffer distances be reasonably accommodated or not. And it would again be a fresh planning permit application, a fresh EPA process. Um so there's no ability to just add on a couple of tonnage here and there or add another building um without considering those buffer distances and impacts and effectively starting again with your approvals.
>> Okay. Thank you councilors.
So councilors there is a recommendation in the report. So I'll now call on any councelor to move a motion.
Councelor Crook and is there a seconder?
Councelor Fakqua. Thank you. And councelor Crook, would you like to speak to the motion?
>> Yeah, sure. Thanks, Mayor. And I'll just start by saying I find the planning matters in council often some of the most difficult decisions that we need to make in this place.
Look, the cost of putting waste in the ground is significant already and it's rising. food organics and garden organics processing is becoming standard across Victoria both due to state mandates um but also because a lot of this material is in fact reusable we don't need to pay to put it in the ground we can do other stuff with it so while council could continue to bury this resource at significant cost a better solution is to turn this waist stream into a resource and in fact into a commodity so Well, the need and the opportunity I think is clear. Um, for me, I really need to balance that against the concerns that we've heard from both residents nearby and other people in the community. Importantly though, I think the reports before us this evening really do suggest that this proposal is very much more sophisticated than um, you know, the old open window row method com of composting. This is not just some chuck it in a pile and hope for the best solution. This is going to be um if it's passed tonight and goes to fruition uh a state-of-the-art facility and one that involves early stage uh material handling that's enclosed. The pasteurization process is controlled.
The monitoring is automated and in this case mandated through condition. Um separation distances were were increased after the consultation. I understand we're doing revitation work to try and lessen the visual amenity impacts that uh also have been raised as concerns in the objections. I appreciate people are concerned. This is going to smell. It's going to smell where you live. I understand those concerns and I think we're trying to do everything we can to ensure that we can actually quantify that impact if it occurs so we can do something about it. And my understanding is that when these processes operate as they should, the spill should be minimal, no more, I would suggest, but I'm not an expert, um, than the existing landfill. It's when these processes go wrong that the amenity impacts can be significant. And we I am satisfied that in the reports before us this evening, we can see that there are controls in place to make sure that there are um adequate responses available to council if any of those processes go wrong.
So, I recognize that and note that, you know, we do have several members of our community who due to their location and the location of where this thing is proposed next door to where they live, um, that they would prefer that the location be somewhere else. I understand and and acknowledge that. The real question for me is does the long-term need for our food organics, garden organics processing outweigh uh the manageable operational risks provided that we've got strong oversight and accountability um remains in place. And I think the answer to that is yes on balance. So I'm happy to move the office of recommendation that the application for this evening be approved. Thank you mayor.
>> Thank you councel cook and council far.
Would you like to speak to the motion?
>> Thank you, mayor, and u thank you councelor Crook. Um this proposal development is directly in line with vto Victorian government policy. The mandatory roll out of food and garden organics recovery services to households that don't already have access to the will commence 2627 with all Victorians having to access the bin service by 2030.
So currently our five tons of um FOGO or organic waste is delivered and we bury it. So it's the smell is already there as far as I'm concerned. The green waste is already there and we do treat the that green waste over there. So what we're doing now is lifting that out, putting it into a paddic next door and we're going to treat it, pasteurize it, chop it up, sell it as a commodity. So yeah, I have full intentions to see this project through and I think it's a great idea. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council Farqua. Is the motion opposed, council? Oh, >> apologies, councelor Eastman.
>> Yes, sorry. And it's >> Are you speaking for or against?
>> I'm speaking against and it's it's with a pretty heavy heart that I am actually because I really believe in this FOGO concept and everything that's happening.
I support better waste management. I know we're under an obligation from the state of Victoria. Um, and I know that everyone's doing the best they can in this situation, but supporting that is not the same as supporting the application in its current form.
The community has had a lot of concerns.
They're not minor, and I just don't think they've been adequately resolved because you can't often resolve things on just a promise to do better. And I've seen far too often so many communities having to go through the trauma of promises not being met. And that's not to say even with the best intentions sometimes they're not. And having no recourse at all being dragged through VCAT and and had some dreadful experiences through no fault of their own because they're exposed to different things. So I would really like to see some more certainty in some of these conditions before any approvals are in place. So residents have raised really serious concerns about odor, vermin, noise, dust, and the potential contamination of surface water and ground water. They're not abstract fears. They're practical concerns about what's what this means for them, neighboring properties, local farming activities, and the surrounding environment.
And what troubles me most is that the response to these concerns is all about monitoring plans and future management.
But there is no solid um mention of any actual controls in place so that if the odor goes beyond what it should that there is an automatic response. Now prior to this meeting we did have some good discussions with officers the community is not privy to those discussions about how these will be managed. I would be feel I'd feel a lot more comfortable if some of those things were upfront in the planning application. and there's no reason why they shouldn't be in some of those conditions and all that. A recognition that there are steps in place. The way it's being managed would actually allay fears in including things about the shed and I won't go into the detail. So anyway, um for me it comes down to trust, precaution, responsibility.
If we approve it now, we're asking the community to carry the risk while just hoping that safeguards are in place that the ones in place will be enough. And I don't believe that's the right approach because I I think communities are too vulnerable and agencies have just got too much um power in this situation. I think we need to do a bit more to support our communities.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council Gman. Would anyone else like to speak for the motion?
Would anyone else like to speak against the motion? Council White.
Um, thank you, Mayor. Um way way back when I first got on council, the um the manager of the landfill was uh Wayne Bath and he just embarked on something that I was really excited about and that was uh turning the the mulch into compost and I've been quite excited about it all these years and it's finally come to this. But there was no mention then of food waste going into that mix. This has just been legislated upon us. So my thoughts on this are about mostly about the odor and it's about if the odor can extend say to somebody who is a neighboring dwelling. It's also extending through the actual landfill site itself. So therefore people who are dropping off their rubbish if there is odor they will smell it. The staff will have to put up with it. Um, and uh I that's that's the worry. So I'm just saying this that nobody should have to put up with any smell regardless of the magnitude of it because um that's not how they're living at the moment. They don't have that um in their lives. So close people who are living close, they shouldn't have to uh put up with the possible odor that may or may not occur.
So um I'm I'm just not comfortable. I think it needs to be perhaps tweaked a little more before I'd be comfortable in voting for it. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councelor White.
Would anyone else like to speak for the motion?
Anyone else like to speak against the motion?
Okay, Council Crook, you now have the right of reply. Thank you.
Thank you, mayor, and thank you councilors for your considered opinions there. Um, I do understand them, but I disagree that we're asking the community to accept the risk here. I think what we've got in the proposal here um is a development application seeking approval that goes into great detail about how those risks will be managed both through design and the development monitoring and externally regulated compliance of both environmental and human amenity risks that do arise from this project.
They are real risks that have to be managed.
But I believe those risks are adequately managed. And I believe that there is enough um enough detail in the documents before us to ensure that if those risks if it is found through the monitoring those risks are not being appropriately managed, there are mechanisms in place to enforce that they are.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council Crook. Councilors, I'll now put the motion to the vote. All those four.
Thank you. All those against >> and council Buckley is abstaining. Is that correct, Council Buckley?
Thank you.
>> That's correct. Yes.
the numbers I believe. Fiona Co.
>> The motion is carried.
>> The motion is carried. Thank you, councilors.
Okay.
The last report for tonight's uh agenda item is 5.2.2, two, which is the culture and creativity service agreement review. Mr. Stevenson, would you please present your report?
Thank you, mayor. Um, and through you, uh, council, before is a report titled culture and creativity services agreement review.
This report represents sorry presents the findings of the culture and creativity service agreement review and outlines a proposed transition to a more contemporary and strategically aligned funding model. The review identified that current funding arrangement arrangements while historically valuable were established prior to the adoption of the cultural and creativity strategy and do not provide the flexibility, transparency or strategic alignment now expected of council investment. In response, officers are recommending a shift towards a funding model that focuses on supporting creativ creative outcomes across the region rather than maintaining fixed funding to a small number of organizations.
It is however important to acknowledge that this work is not a reflection on the value or contribution of organizations currently funded through the service agreements. These organizations have delivered significant outcomes for our community over many years and continue to play an important role in the region's cultural landscape.
Rather, the intent of the recommendation is to improve transparency, transparency and equity in how council allocates funding to create opportunities for a broader range of cultural and creative organization and practitioners who are also contributing to the prosperity and vibrancy of East Gibsland and responds directly to feedback requesting more open and inclusive pathways.
The proposed approach balances this shift with the continued recognition of key regional cultural infrastructure while creating broader and more accept accessible opportunities for the sector.
Councilors um officers have made a slight adjustment to the recommendation tonight to include a point that says council under undertakes to explore additional funding opportunities within the 2728 budget and through external sources to enable further funding of arts and cultural projects and groups including heritage focused initiatives.
councilor this um with me tonight I have Peru McTagot and Ashley B are here to answer any questions and the reports presented to you for consideration.
Thank you.
>> Thank you Mr. Simmons and counselors are there any questions councelor Crook?
>> Uh thanks I've read the reports I think it's a good idea but I do have a couple of questions. Firstly, um I'm interested to understand how the new funding and service agreement model would ensure that smaller um volunteer-led organizations are not disadvantaged compared to larger more established groups.
>> Thank you uh councelor Crook and through you mayor. Um to answer that question I think um you'll notice in the report that probably our largest organization that is staffled which is the East Gibson Art Gallery is um subject to remain on a service agreement and that is really a key factor. We felt that um to be competitive in funding it probably isn't fair for those organizations that are scaled at that scale with staff to be entering into a competitive round. So we have um roughly about 17 current creative organizations amongst you know hundreds of artists that are would become eligible for this funding if it was approved tonight. Um I think the majority of those are volunteer-led and I think that goes to the statement that's in the report many times that we don't undervalue the impact of those current organizations either. Um and you guys know better than than I do the impact that volunteers have in our community. I think for the arts that's the same. I'd say the majority are volunteerled and in the case of East Gibsland Art Gallery, we've deliberately um I guess treated them different in the proposal.
>> Hope that answers your question.
>> Yeah, know it does. Thanks. Thanks very much. Um my next question, if I may, mayor, it's maybe not answered directly in the report, but something I often find myself asking that maybe as our arts guy, you might be able to provide some more insight for me. Um, and that's about how council measures the long-term community, cultural, and economic benefits of our arts investment. Um, beyond simple like attendance and how many people turn up to events. I know that the benefits are broad, but I'm interested in how council actually quantifies that um in a return on investment, you know, raw economics type evaluation or or more broadly if you if you can.
>> Thank you, councelor Cook. Dreams came true. um referred to as the arts guy. I like that. Um I would like to yeah I guess that the best um point to raise there is that you know culture and creativity now within the council sits under economic development. So it's not a recreational activity. We know that the arts and the creative industry play a significant role. We know that in Australia over 4% of all workers are working as in the creative industry. I'd like to think that East Gibsland has 4% of our population working the in the creative industries and I hope that we we exceed that. I think the answer to your question uh is about the culture and creativity strategy that was adopted in 2023. It outlines some really key economic things that we're trying to look for within our region. Um but that includes things like visitation. It includes things like our workability here. How many people are getting jobs and measuring that? How many people um are choosing to come here to work as an artist here and then choosing to live here. And I think that says a lot about the impact. We're not just measuring how many people walked through an exhibition today. What we're actually measuring is how many people see this place as a place they want to live, place they want to work. And ultimately, we'd like to think in 10 years time that you're looking at East Gibsland thinking, well, that's creative, vibrant place that we want to invest in. Um, so for us, we're trying to measure those measures as well. I don't think numbers are a great representation. You think about a gallery, you could say, you know, five people walked in, but if four of those people just went on and purchased a $50,000 piece from an artist from his skips land, that's $200,000 of impact those four people had. So, I think we need to measure beyond that. And at the moment, uh, the way those stand, we're not measuring that. So, the idea is by proposing this that we start to measure against the strategy, those economic drivers.
>> Thank you very much.
>> And councelor Ellen. Thank you, Mayor Ash. Uh, as I understand it, the strategies aimed at widening the field that can apply for grants to smaller uh, organizations. And if I could just quote from somewhere in the reports that I read that people drew a clear line between the creative side, which stays energized, and the admin administrative side, which exhausts people as part of this process.
Will applications be simplified so that it's not only the uh organizations who got grant writer for one of a better term involved so that people are accessible.
>> Yeah. Um thank you for the question councelor Alan and through you may the short answer is yes it will be simplified. I think if you look at the report that we did the creative summit on tour in March which was essentially consultations from Malakuda out to Omio and I would say you'll read the report the number one thing that came out is yes we want funding no not if it's going to cost us everything that we've got and I think what we've done is we will be proposing is an expression of interest style grants program where the first step isn't an application to funding the first step is a simple you know half a page explanation of what you're trying to achieve what objectives you're trying to meet and from there we would assess whether or not it's worth your time essentially applying and putting in the application. Going back to the point that was raised by um councelor Crook mostly volunteer-led organizations we don't think it is fair to to ask them all to apply for a limited amount of funding. So expression of interest would be our first step I guess in making it easier for people to apply for funding.
>> Thanks Ash councelor Buckley.
Oh yes, furthermore to that discussion um when there is going to be uh provisions put in for applicants, will there be the opportunity for them to be funded for multiple years so that they don't have to reapply?
>> Thank you uh for your question, councelor Buckley. I would say that's probably and three men, sorry. The second thing that came up the most is, you know, we don't also want to apply for one-year initiatives. And I would say when you're looking at a 10-year strategy that we're looking at, I don't think one year initiatives to get there would do it. So the short answer is there'll be two streams. One that is a single year stream for those that are trying to do initiatives, but the majority will be spent in multi-year funding.
>> And um so going back to if you could please put the the uh change to the notice of motion back on the screen. Uh just in regards to the the uh the further um uh point that was made in under the D under case for additional funding opportunities uh in regards to to doing that um to ensure that because the main issue in this particular change to this to this funding agreement is to to get rid of the um existing current agreements with East Gibsland music and the heritage network of East Gibsland.
uh and so that has been that's created a little bit of angst in in the community and I just wanted to be assured by the addition of of point D that uh we will make sure that we have focused initiatives for those those groups in in under our provisions. So my question is how will that look? How will that process um of going through external sources and um being able to fund these types of initiatives? What will officers undertake and how will that be delivered and and how will that be reported back to council on?
>> Thanks for the question councelor Buckley and through you mayor. Um, so council regularly works with our heritage groups around various projects and we're working collaboratively with a group up at Omio and Swiss Creek at the moment around exactly that, an application for funding to support the delivery of a project um, up there. um we can certainly continue to do that and I think the transition process that we've put in place around this change will also enable us over the next 12 months to get a better understanding of of you know how we can continue to support our heritage uh networks and organizations within the SH um and understand what their priorities are and how we can better connect them in with um other funding sources or through um the funding that's available through council as Okay. I look forward to being able to assess the next budget to ensure that we're looking after this really important part of our community. Thank you.
>> And council far.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Through you, mayor.
I'm just a little concerned about we've chosen the art gallery to maintain their their funding, but the Ben doll citizen ban. So they're going to be thrown into a pool where they have to apply for their funding in amongst a new group of maybe 30 or 40 people. Is that what we're saying?
>> Uh thank you councelor Farqua until you met. Um yeah essentially that they would need to apply. I think what came out of the service review was really clear that the organization is is meeting the needs of the strategy. So I would suggest that they're they're an applicant into that funding. But at the moment it's not equitable. We have like you said 30 other organizations that deserve the opportunity.
>> Yep.
>> And at the moment it's just east music and the heritage network.
>> So the chances of them getting the same level of funding is going to be very limited in that respect.
>> Um through May uh well I guess it depends on what they put forward and how many other organizations apply. Yeah. It would be a competitive round. Um so that you know but I think that's kind of the way it's done in other sh and it was that was noted in the report as well.
Okay, thank you. No worries. Thanks, >> Councelor Eastman. Question.
>> Thank you. May I answer you? I've still got so many questions about this. Um, just some clarification though. So, basically what we're putting forward to us at the moment is saving around $38,000 by not funding the heritage networks and the band and putting that money aside to other groups. And you have said there might be a bit more money too, but it seems I'd just like a comment. I suppose it seems like a very small amount of money to potentially create quite a bit of angst in the community, particularly with places like the heritage network that supports 12 groups who are the only volunteers that capture our history um no longer being funded. And I'm just wondering if you're concerned at all about the reputational risk to the show of of this sort of decision.
>> Thank you, Councelor Eastman. It's through you, Mayor. Um, look, I think we all agree it's a it's a small amount of money. The the budget for this particular program is a small amount of money, and I think the service review also identified that it was a small amount of money. Um what we're proposing here is about how we get the most out of the funding that we've got.
Acknowledging that coming to council at this point in time for an increase to that budget um was not thought to be kind of the direction um a direction that we could take at this particular point in time. Not precluding that occurring as uh councelor Buckley mentioned in in next year's budget potentially looking to increase that.
Um, but we were trying to do the most with what we've got and create some transparency and address some of those concerns that were coming through from from the cultural arts and cultural community um around what they were looking for from council around transparency and um the best utilization of the funding that we've got.
>> I guess I still have sorry questions.
Ben Art Art Gallery fantastic venue or um art center the same. I'm just wondering why those two aren't and they're both obviously very very good economically for the town for the visitor economy. Um I'm wondering why they're not treated the same or are they in terms of funding and yeah anyway >> so the East GIFs sorry um thanks for the question Council Eastman through you may um the East Gibsland Art Gallery has an existing service agreement that's been in place for some time um and in recognition of the role that they play as a regional institution and connection into the broader kind of arts community within Victoria um it was proposed to continue that arrangement. The funding that they receive also enables them to access um or meet the requirements for creative Victoria funding. Um so the role that they play is at a is a regional level. Um and I guess we have had that arrangement in place for quite some time. The service that they provide there if we were to bring that inhouse would be cost us a lot more than what the current service agreement does. The um Orbost Exhibition Center is a smaller gallery um and we've had separate conversations around um the role that they play and the funding that's supporting them. Um so obviously we had conversations as part of last year's budget and there's been some support that was provided as a one-off support to help them to reach financial sustainability moving forward. And there's another arrangement that is currently going through the budget process to support them into the future as well. So they are slightly different entities. They've got obviously both volunteer boards of management. Um and they have a different reach and a different impact in the communities that they exist in. Both of them significant.
>> Yeah. Sorry I'm not. So they have different funding arrangements basically as your >> Yes. So the Eastland Art Gallery has been on a service agreement for >> No, no, you've you've explained that. So you haven't got a service agreement for the or heart center and there's no intention of like at this moment. It doesn't look like there will be one. Um final question with the saving of $38,000 and going across to what I understand is going to be an EI process from which you will then possibly invite people to put an application in. Is is that correct?
Is that what you were saying, Ash?
>> Yeah, that that would be correct.
That seems to be quite administratively burdensome in many ways for council. So I'm wondering to actually manage this, what sort of resource are you looking at staffingwise to manage the $38,000 you save from not funding these other two organizations?
>> Yeah. So the funding pool for the grant program would be around $90,000. And we've got um within within Ash's team, we have a places officer that would play the primary role um in that grant process. Um but the work that we will do from here based on the principles that have been agreed to by council would be to work out what the process around that looks like. Um and then yeah, so we've got existing resources within the culture and creativity team that would oversee that process. that the 90,000 is in addition to the resources that we have already like we don't have to pay for the resource out of >> No, so there's no proposal for an increase in FT to service the funding arrangement.
>> Thank you.
>> Um, councelor Travascus.
>> Um, thank you ma'am. Um, the only organization that uh hasn't got to seek funding is the IPS Gibbs and Art Gallery here in Benstdale. Um, so it's in some ways relieved of a lot of extra stress and whatever else has there any thought of reinvisioning the art gallery here so that it's not just a resort for Benzel itself but can be a resource for the rest of the uh SH in that supporting services or something else.
Thank you uh councelor Travascus and through you mayor. Um the East Gibsland Art Gallery is an East Gibsland uh resource for the arts and cultural community within East Gibsland. They have board members from across the Shire. They represent artists both within East Gibsland and outside of East Gibsland. So sorry they they promote artists from across East Gippsland, but they also promote those artists outside of our region. So the the role that they play is very much as a shywide um conduit for the arts community and that's both represented in in the the artists that they represent and their board members as well.
>> Thank you councilors. There is a recommendation that was on the screen.
Could we put that back up please? So I'll now call on any councelor to move a motion. Please counselors.
Councelor Crook and a seconder.
Thank you councelor. Councelor Crook.
Would you like to speak to the motion?
>> Sure. I think this is a really good idea. I think it provides um both a more equitable and a more trans transparent process. see David. Um albeit for as we've heard tonight a fairly small amount of money and I think we're obviously with uh part D there we we're we're potentially looking at at options to expand that amount of money going into the arts because I certainly see the value in it and um this what will be a competitive process. It's never good to have to compete for funding, but it's a way that our council can assure our community that we are getting the best value for our investment. And we've we've heard some commentary around how we manage and how we val how we quantify um that investment tonight. So, I think change is never easy in this space, but I think this is a step in the right direction.
uh a culture and creativity strategy speaks at great length um about the need for us to change and adapt the way we manage this process. I think this is a good start to that. It's certainly not the end. Um and hopefully there's going to be plenty more to come. Thanks.
>> Thanks Council Cook and Council. Would you like to speak to the motion?
>> Thank you, Mayor. I think councelor Crook covered most of it, but the thing that gives me comfort in this motion is paragraph D. Uh, as councelor Crook said, change can be very difficult, especially for organizations that have built their structure around an ongoing uh financial stream. Uh so I think it's important that we make sure that uh they're not left high and dry and out in the limb uh because for most of them it's in the heritage sector uh which is very very important in preserving our history. But they're also pretty much invisible in a lot of ways.
Unless you go looking for them, you don't find them. whereas a lot of the uh arts area uh are everywhere you look. So I think uh it's important that we remember that there is more to arts and heritage than just the arts part and the heritage and our history are equally important.
Thank you.
>> Thank you councelor Ellen. Councilors, is the motion opposed?
>> Councelor Eastman, >> no.
>> Council Faroff.
>> Yeah, I'm I'm afraid I can't support this. I think there's certain institutions around here that we have service agreements with and to break those service agreements after quite a number of years. Um, I would prefer to see those service agreements maintained and then add a $150 or $200,000 um, additional funding to the arts and they can those smaller groups can apply for that. But um, I think we're weakening one of our major institutions as in the band and uh, to see them having to apply for funding that they've Yeah, it just doesn't make sense to me.
So, uh, so I can't support it. Yeah.
Sorry.
>> Thank you. Council Barker, councilors, is there anyone who would like to speak for the motion?
>> Is there anyone that would like to speak? Councelor Buckley, you're speaking for the motion.
>> Yes, Mayor. I'm speaking for the motion.
uh you know look I acknowledge councelor Farqua's reservation in regards to you know uh maintaining the status quo because I'm a great supporter of of um of music and also of um and I had made sure as you're all aware during our um council planning uh stage that heritage was right up at the top of the importance of you know capturing storytelling and and and the historical um you know the stories of of uh of East Gibsland and having said that change is difficult but I'm satisfied by adding the extra um the uh extra directive to the motion that we will start to open the pool of funding more financially beneficial to a a larger range of people and I am sure that the the um previous uh East Gibsland Music and Heritage Network of East Gippsand will be more than capable of putting in longerterm you know um applications for grant funding not just 12 monthly but three yearly and also that will allow a a wider range of creatives and other people access. So I will support this motion. I was at the beginning a little bit reserved, but I think that we have found a a good step forward and it it's nice and comforting to see all of the counselors uh acknowledging that we need more money in the budget so that we support what's really important in our community. And there's nothing more important in in my view, sports really important and we we've spent a a great deal more on that.
But when it comes to um artistic endeavors and music, it's the soul of the region and we need to support and ensure that we we uh work harder to get external funding and to support our uh our cultural heritage and have a good time with it. So, it's a yes from me.
>> Thanks, Councelor Buckley. Would anyone like to speak against the motion?
Council Eastman, you've got a light on there. I'm not sure if it's for or against.
>> So much on the fence, which is tricky, isn't it?
>> It's tricky, isn't it? So, we're talking for >> I will speak for the motion reluctantly.
>> Um, which I'm going to go in good faith here that there is a genuine attempt to actually seek more funding. I doubt that that is going to come externally. So, it means seeking more funding from inside council. Um, I'm very happy to see that addition of that last clause in the motion. It does concern me though that we put heritage in with the arts and culture thing because to me it is a very different line of of work of endeavor.
It's almost like throwing the introverts in with the extroverts. Um, and you did say they're very different things because they're not seeking that sort of that that public that audience or whatever. They're seeking to do a completely different type of work which is capturing our past so that we have it to remember the past and to go forward to the future with. And to me, it's a very very different um very different endeavor and an incredibly important one. And I I really loathe seeing the funding from that network going the way it is next year. And I certainly hope, although I support this motion now, I would actually like to see a turnaround to see ongoing um funding for that network. We have it in our council plan in section making the most of what we've got, section 3.2.1.
Um, we've done very little in that council plan towards supporting heritage. Um, the only thing we've been looking at from what I can can see is supporting a potential video in Swiss videos in Swiss Creek to capture stories, but that's not supporting the rest of our heritage network. So, I'll support the motion, but I do believe it's um our responsibility to do a lot more to support our heritage networks. Thank you.
>> Thanks, Council Eastman. Council Crook, you've got the right of reply. Thank you.
>> Oh, council.
>> Sorry, Council White.
>> Council White, are we going for or against? Apologies.
>> Please see.
>> Yeah, that you might have something else to reply to. Are we going fordeed?
>> I'm going for.
>> You going for? Thank you.
>> Not to rock the boat. Um yeah, I I just appreciate that that council does support as much as possible in the arts and heritage. Um have attended many functions over the years and and also gone to many exhibitions.
And what's what really sticks in my mind is the skill sets that artists in our area and and musicians and other what they demonstrate. You know, the they're the local people, but their skill sets are amazing. So, I'd like to support this um and hope hope that in the coming years we can just find a little bit more money um in a very tight budget period, but find some more money to support these people because they uh they're worth going to see.
>> Thank you.
>> And Crystal, it's really good to see you here tonight.
>> Thank you, Councelor White, Councelor Crook. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mayor. And thanks councilors.
Look, I respect councelor Ezman's reluctant enthusiasm.
Um, and also the support that the other councilors have expressed for this initiative tonight. And to councelor Farqua, to your reservations, I say we are maintaining those agreements under this arrangement. We are grandfathering them for a further 12 months so we can to continue to support those two important cultural entities within our cultural landscape to continue to exist and to benefit our communities if that's what they want to do. So we're not abandoning them. This actually secures their investment for the next 12 months and commits us to helping them while providing a more equitable, transparent, and fair process for all our other arts, culture, and heritage communities and individuals.
I'm very boyed counselors, by what I hear from you here this evening. This group doesn't often come together with a bit of enthusiasm for a particular thing. We often debate and pingpong back across the room. But what I'm hearing here tonight is that we we're celebrating the arts in East Gibsland and we're not just celebrating, we're acknowledging that it's that we've got a lot of diversity here. We're not just talking about paintings or music. We're talking about heritage and we're talking about culture. It's even dare I say a mature conversation.
Um >> so we've we've added heritage to that. I think that's I think that's great. I think it it's an addition. It makes it richer. Um I'm really confident that this proposal allows us to move forward together. We're not leaving people behind. We we're in fact committing to try and grow the pie so no one is left hungry. So I'm happy to support it this evening and I welcome councilors to do the same. Thanks.
>> Thank you councelor Crook. Councilors, I'll now put the motion to the vote. All those four.
Thank you. All those against.
Thank you, councilors. The motion is carried.
Next. Next on the agenda is item six, urgent business. CEO, I believe there is no urgent business for tonight. Thank you, mayor. No urgent business.
>> Uh the next item is item seven, confidential business. Do we have any confidential?
>> We have no confidential business, mayor.
>> Thank you, councilors. This concludes the proceedings for tonight's meeting.
Thank you to everyone who watched online and thank you to those left in the public gallery, Crystal and Zara. A big shout out for Zara staying for the whole meeting as our rotary attendee. Thank you. And I'll now declare the meeting closed with the time being 7:41.
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