Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 17 April 2024

Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 17 April 2024

Published on 17 April 2024

To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 17 April Council Meeting.           

Community Infrastructure  Draft Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2024/25 - 2023/34

Council approved in principle the draft Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2024/25 - 2023/34 and will place the draft Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2024/25 - 2023/34 on public exhibition in accordance with Council's Community Engagement Policy, from Thursday 18 April 2024 and invite submissions until midnight Wednesday 8 May 2024.

Council will hear submissions on the draft Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2024/25 - 2023/34, at a Council Meeting to be held on 15 May 2024 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul.

Strategy and Organisational Performance Draft Annual Budget 2024/25, Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2024/25 and Draft Financial Plan 2024/25 - 2033/34 for Public Exhibition

Council approved in principle the draft Annual Budget 2024/25 (including the Schedule of Fees and Charges), the draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2024/25 and the draft Financial Plan 2024/25 - 2033/34 as required by Section 94 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Council authorise the Chief Executive Officer to give public notice of the preparation of the draft Annual Budget 2024/25, draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2024/25, and draft Financial Plan 2024/25 - 2033/34 and make available copies of the documents for public inspection.

In accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy 2021, Council invite submissions, until Wednesday 8 May 2024, and provide submitters with the opportunity to be heard in person by Council.

Council will hear any submission made in accordance with the Council’s Community Engagement Policy, on any proposal (or proposals) contained in the draft Annual Budget 2024/25, draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2024/25 and draft Financial Plan 2024/25 - 2033/34, at a Council Meeting to hear submissions, to be held on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul; and,

Council will consider the adoption of the draft Annual Budget 2024/25 (including the Schedule of Fees and Charges), the draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2024/25 and the draft Financial Plan 2024/25 - 2033/34 at the Council Meeting to be held on Wednesday 19 June 2024 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul.

Draft Revised Council Plan 2021 - 2025 for Public Exhibition

Council approved in principle the draft revised Council Plan 2021 – 2025 and will place the draft revised Council Plan 2021 - 2025 on public exhibition in accordance with Council's Community Engagement Policy, from Thursday 18 April 2024 and invite submissions until Wednesday 8 May 2024.

Council will hear submissions on the draft revised Council Plan 2021 - 2025, at a Council Meeting to be held on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul.

General Business Item Proposed closure of Erica Preschool

This General Business Motion calls for a report be brought back to Council at the June 2024 Council meeting outlining the following;

Brief recent history of the kindergarten service provided from the Erica Preschool; Current and future kindergarten service provision and demand for the Erica Preschool based on current officer knowledge; Options available to Council to pursue the retention and enhancement of kindergarten services in Erica for the benefit for the community in Erica and surrounds, subject to future Council direction and resolution; The Mayor write a letter to the Minister of Education, the Hon. Ben Carroll MP stating our disappointment at the proposed closure and requesting that the service be continued to alleviate the negative impact this closure would have on remote communities in the shire; and,  The Mayor write a letter to the Minister for Children, the Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP stating our disappointment at the proposed closure and requesting that the service be continued to alleviate the negative impact this closure would have on remote communities in the shire. 

Baw Baw Shire Council Council Meetings are open to the public and are held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

Council Meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of the month and commence at 1.00pm for a 6 month trial period.

Following the conclusion of the trial on 30 June 2024, Council will either revert back to twice-monthly Council Meetings at 5.30pm or resolve to continue once-monthly Council Meetings.

All Council meetings will be live-streamed, and archived recordings will be available on the Council website for viewing.

The agenda for the next meeting will be available online the Friday prior to the meeting.