Council Meeting Wrap - September 2021

Council Meeting Wrap - September 2021

Published on 17 September 2021

The extension of the Covid-19 Hardship policy and endorsement of a future strategic direction of the Draft Council Aquatic Strategy highlighted the Gannawarra Shire September 2021 Council meeting.  

The Draft Aquatic Strategy Options Analysis was developed based on community feedback, infrastructure assessments, demographic analysis, and financial modeling with leading consultancy firm Otium Planning Group and explored three options as follows:

1. Retain the status quo and maintain all pool facilities across the Shire

2. Develop an integrated facility in Kerang and an outdoor facility at Cohuna

3. Develop an integrated facility at Cohuna and redevelop the Kerang outdoor facility

Council resolved to approve Option 2 for inclusion in the Draft Strategy and to maintain its existing funding contribution to pools until a formal consultation process is completed.  An extensive community consultation and engagement plan will be developed this year and it is expected that the formal consultation process will be undertaken throughout 2022.

Importantly, there are no planned changes to the operations of Council and community-managed pools within the Gannawarra for the upcoming summer season. 

In response to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local businesses and employment, Councillors also resolved to extend the operations of the Covid-19 Hardship policy until a further review on or before 31 March 2022.

The COVID 19 Hardship policy, which has been in place since April 2020, enables Council to hold interest raised on outstanding debts during the COVID-19 pandemic and hold off on legal action of rates and charges. The policy assists residents and business owners who cannot pay any outstanding bills at this time.

Other outcomes from the meeting included:

The endorsement of two reviewed policies – Policy No. 045 Mystic Park Cemetery Trust and Policy No. 073 Dust Control Approval of the ‘in principle’ 2021 Financial Statements and ‘in principle’ 2021 Performance Statement Noting the summary of discussions from the 7 September 2021 meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee Investigations of a possible childcare centre in Cohuna report was noted The awarding of tender G06-2021 for the Road Sealing Program to Boral Resources (Vic) Pty Ltd trading as Boral Asphalt

For more information, including a link to the recording from this meeting and minutes visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/meetings