okay welcome counselors officers and
members of the online and public gallery
to tonight's council meeting I'm
Councelor Jude Dwight and I have the
privilege of being the mayor of Knox
City Council I would like to start by
acknowledging that we are on the
traditional lands of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong
people and pay our respects to Elders
past present and emerging I would also
like to acknowledge any Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Island the people that we have
with us
today our statement of commitment the
nox way is characterized by service
Integrity Community participation
accountability and good governance
council is committed to being responsive
to the community and advocating to other
governments and agencies on their behalf
we recognize the importance of local
democracy and council's responsibility
to govern well for all in our city our
history is Rich and in the spirit of the
nox tradition let us move and
prosper we are conducting tonight's
meeting in hybrid format as usual and
have counselors and staff joining us
online I will start by introducing my
colleagues to the left we have
councelor Nicole Seymour representing
chw councelor Maria timle representing K
award councilor Serena and Deputy May
councilor Serena Gro representing dun
award councelor Megan Baker representing
Dobson W and online tonight we have
councelor Ron or representing
bedward also with us in the chamber are
our chief executive officer Bruce
Dobson our director of City livability
Matt
ker our director of connected
communities Judy
Chalkley our director of infrastructure
Grant Thor our director of customer and
performance Greg CIO our Chief Financial
Officer n Len our head of governance s
him where home sorry and other members
of our governance
team tonight's meeting is being recorded
and live streamed on our website in
accordance with our live streaming of
public meetings policy and so Council
does not permit additional recording of
the
meeting members of the gallery should
know that you may be visible in the
background of the live live stream
Vision live streaming and recording will
be suspended if this meeting is closed
to the public to consider confidential
business in accordance with Section 66
of the Local Government Act
2020 I remind everyone that opinions
expressed and statements made during
this meeting are are those of the
individuals making them and not those of
council unless set out in a resolution
passed by
Council Council accepts no liability for
any defamatory remarks made during the
meeting you are responsible for your own
comments and therefore may be personally
liable for any loss or damage they
cause I would also like to ask everyone
present to remain quiet when others are
addressing the meeting and remind the
gallery that this is a midm meeting of
council and that there is no opportunity
for members of the gallery to ask
questions or participate in debate
during the
meeting so moving now to our order of
business the first item on the agenda
tonight is apologies and we have three
apologies tonight from councelor kooper
councelor Lain and councelor
peers item two Declarations of conflict
of
interest if if any counselor has a
conflict of interest to declare tonight
now is an opportunity to foreshadow that
conflict but I'll ask that you declare
your conflict of interest in full later
in the meeting immediately before the
item is considered are there any such
declarations item three confirmation
of
minutes councils tonight this is sorry
tonight is our first mid-mon council
meeting following our decision last year
to no longer convene a monthly strategic
planning delegated committee meeting
given the committee is not meeting
anymore it is proposed that Council
ratify the final minutes of that
committee noting all counselors were
members of of the
SPC is there any opposition to the
minutes of the Strate sorry strategic
planning delegated committee held on the
11th of December
2023 no there being no opposition I
declare the minutes to be
confirmed okay the next item on the
agenda is the officers reports 4.1
monthly transformation report which is
formerly our ICT Capital Works before I
call for a motion as usual I'll just
remind counselors that we may need to
close the meeting if there are detailed
questions or debate about matters set
out in the confidential attachments for
the
report would a councelor like to move a
motion councelor
sour thank
you and is there a second for that
motion councelor gra thank you councilor
Seymour as mover would you like to speak
to this
motion only to say I think we've
affirmed at the last meeting when the
format to these reports changed just
to say how much appreciated it is it
really does make getting on top of a
complex portfolio so much easier to
understand when you can read it and
get the gist very very quickly what
the changes are from month to month so I
thank you for the team for that it's
great to see that things are
progressing so I'm I'm appreci of
that as well and I look forward to
seeing more progress as we continue
through the year thank you thank you
counselor sear councelor grao would you
like to speak to this no would any other
counselor like to speak to this
item all right I'll now put the
motion all those in
favor that motion is
carriage
4.2 Capital re program report would a
councelor like to move a
motion councelor Tim Le thank you and a
second for that motion councel Gro thank
you Council Chim Le would you like to
speak thank you this is one of my
favorite reports I really I spent
quite a bit of time picking through this
one and it's great to see things
progressing
look it's really operational but it
really is a delight to understand the
different projects that are going on
throughout our
municipality thank you councelor Tim
councelor
Gro also one of my favorites because
there's just so much happening to
improve and benefit all Wards from
Bridges renewal program Road surface
renewal program footpath renewal program
bicycle and shed path renewal program
playground renewal program Etc there
are quite a number across all Wards
including asbestos removal that's
another one that I highlighted of
particular importance they they're all
they're all important but also in
Dale Ward Westfield Library the
permanent Library design and fit out and
it's on track for opening in in
late March Lewis Park master plan
implementation of stage one waterways
and again for all W solar in
community facilities that's fantastic to
see so there's there's something that I
highlighted pretty much on every page
and in baz waterer Mari Wallace oval
storm water harvesting upgrade that's
commenced Bay Water overal cricet net
renewal guy Turner Reserve flood
lighting upgrade that have had
substantial amounts of money in this
Capital Works program so U fantastically
excited so absolutely commend it thank
you councelor gra would any other
counselor like to speak counselor
SEO just briefly cuz I think it's
worth celebrating some Milestones
that come have come through this one of
them which was in the bullet points of
highlights was the wall mirror at
Carrington Park multi-purpose hall now
small things make big differences and
this was a project that was requested by
the community very straightforward
there's a lot of function rooms in there
that get hired out by dance groups and
seniors groups and they had told
Council that there were no Community
buildings in KNX that actually had
mirrored walls so the request came and
Council we advocated for it it's the
last budget bid and were able to
implement and already I was stopped in
my shopping center by a user so excited
to thank me for for the mirror being
inall stalled so something that
hasn't cost this Council very much money
at all is absolutely felt by the
community so that's really fantastic and
and just a small win to celebrate the
other ones worth celebrating as well is
the lighting in our dog parks so again
users of the dog parks had been asking
for a long time can they please have
some lighting to facilitate Twilight use
for people who work in one and we were
able to implement that as a result of
community requests so we always
report out on our big projects and
ongoing Capital works but we've also got
some really fantastic little projects
that we're working through as well that
has that big Community impact so
thank you to the teams for delivering on
those and making our community happy
thank you thank you councelor SEO would
any other counselor like to speak to
this motion no thank you
Council I'll now put the motion all
those in favor that motion is
carried 4.3 amendment to 2024 meeting
schedule would a councel like to move a
motion councilor Le and is there a
second that's as per the officer's
recommendation councelor Baker thank you
Council CH Lech would you like to speak
thank you Med right this is
just an administrative change to our
already adopted meeting schedule just
with a primary reason to amend the last
meeting of the Year from a 5:00 p.m.
start to a 700 p.m. start I'm fully
supportive of this we've attempted to
do a 5:00 p.m. start in order to get
people away early for Christmas and
what it in fact does is actually run
to be an incredibly long meeting and
is inconvenient for our public who do
like to attend meetings and find it
difficult to start at the 5:00 p.m. so
I'm more than happy to align the
December council meeting to the start
time throughout the year thank you
councelor Tim Le
Rea all right thank you would any other
councelor like to speak to this
motion no I'm just going to quickly Echo
I did feel very responsible for that
that last meeting that we had at the end
of last year and all of work that
goes into to the meetings that we run in
the end of end of the month meeting
and trying to squeeze that in at an
earlier time recognizing that it was the
end of the year it actually was was very
difficult for everybody involved and
I as much as I would love to have it
different given that it's the end of the
year I recognize that we we need to do
it this way and I'm glad that we're able
to make the change councelor Tim Le all
right I'll now put the motion all those
in
favor that motion is
carried 4.4 contract 3013 Egan Le Sports
field variation I might just jump
back before I call for a motion as usual
I will remind councilors that we may
need to close the meeting if there are a
detailed questions or debate about
matters as set out in the confidential
attachments for this report would
counselor like to move a
motion counselor Seymour as per the
office recommendation and a second for
that motion councelor Tim Le thank you
councelor Seymour would you like to
speak thank you but I've got two
questions first before I do that
one is this particular document refers
to some of the information being put
in the
confidentiality bucket so I just want
to clarify with our governance team
whether at what point will that
amount be publicly available I'm
assuming that when the capital Works
reports come through there will
ultimately be a total budget figure for
that particular
project thank you councilor SEO I'm
seeing some people
point I'll I'll direct that question to
our director of emphas structure thank
you grant thank you mayor and thanks
for the question yes ultimately in
the reports it will show the actual
expenditure subject to what happens
tonight the reason for the
confidential parties in part because it
relates to A variation or contract
issues it's that's why that part is
in the confidential attachment But
ultimately the full project cost will be
in the public reports that I produced
for
councel thank you that's what I was
assuming and my second question
is it's okay I'm going to hold that one
because I can do it separately so I'm
going to talk to the motion if that's
okay as the move I'd just like to ask
you if you would like that question
recorded in the minutes for tomor yes
please thank
you okay would you like to speak to the
motion yes thank
you so in the absence of my colleague
counselor Cooper I thought I would move
this particular motion for her she's
been a very strong advocate for this
particular project and as a a key
advocate for her group being KNX City
Football Club who have been STS in terms
of their contribution to nox this has
been one that we as councilors have
debated quite a lot because it
includes discussion around
introducing synthetic pictures is into
our mix and in a sensitive area
however this par we're not in a place
and and the report was crystal clear on
this for me and that's why I was happy
to move the motion we are so far down
the line that we're not in a position to
change tact so whether you have an
opinion or don't have an opinion on
synthetic pitch versus grass we're
not at a point that we can debate that
out anymore that that's D and dusted
the other fact that is clear as per the
report is that the circumstance that's
requiring us to make this variation
could not have been projected
beforehand and was an unknown and an
an unknown beyond our contingencies so
we find ourselves having to find extra
budget to to be able to address this
issue in terms of making the the area
fit for purpose to be able to put the
synthetic pictures in there I would
hate for us not to do it and not to do
it properly and then find that we have
issues with the pitches down the track
so it's not something that we can
second guess or try and cut costs or
whatever if you're going to invest this
level of money in putting synthetic
pictures in there then making sure the
foundations are 100% good to go is
critical so on that basis that the
report made it crystal clear all we've
got had two lots of external experts
give very clear advice we found
ourselves in the predicament that we
have to do this and therefore we have
to find money in other projects you
know I guess it's a separate discussion
when it comes to time when we do find
money in other projects about how that
where that's found and how that money is
spent but we can save that for Budget
discussion for the purpose of tonight
colleagues I think we have to do this
we have no choice thank
you thank you councelor SEO councelor
timas Le would you like to speak look
only briefly I think Council SEO has
done an excellent job articulating the
predicament that this particular
project is in and I really you know
support the words that she's already
said said I agree I think that we
need to continue moving forward with
this project and endorsing this
variation now the impact already to
the club of this sizable nature is is
already significant and they are being
currently dispersed throughout the
municipality should we not proceed
with this project in a timely manner
than what we're going to see sees that
impact knocking on to other clubs and
other sports within the
municipality so I think on top of
what council seo's already so
beautifully articulated keeping
the availability of our our pictures
for all users in the municipality is
really important and getting this
project completed and the club back on
site we'll make sure that other
clubs also will be able to reclaim
use of their other ovals as well so it
does have a broader Municipal wide noon
effect so I'm happy to endorse this
tonight looking forward to seeing this
project continue on and ultimately get
to a really great great conclusion for
our
municipality thank you councelor timy
would any other counselor like to speak
to this item councelor
orid can everyone hear me me okay we can
hear you fantastic noting what my
colleagues have already mentioned I I
will be speaking actually against the
officers recommendation tonight and this
centers around the environmental
financial and operational risks
associated with synthetic Services
consider this as me raising my concerns
with this specific project
sustainability and value but I'll be
brief the report tonight does detail
how officers have encountered those
unexpected issues
with the ground at Eagan Le Reserve
knoxfield and that it requires
Council to rethink their approach
this project initially appealing for its
promise of durability and low
maintenance is now presenting
significant perhaps unforeseeable
challenges I have concerns about the
unexpected soil issues that now require
extensive stabilization and it is
my opinion that these complications
highlight a critical underestimation
of the Project's environment
enironmental and logistical complexities
this council is aware of the various
environmental concerns that arise from
synthetic materials and stabilization
processes potentially harming the
surrounding ecosystem and increasing
carbon emissions which contradicts a
policy position with Net Zero goals our
financial burdens increase with the need
for additional funds further impacting
resource allocation for other
community projects and based on this
report I I could make assumptions that
there's a risk of future surface failure
due to the strict installation
tolerances so you know are we prepared
for any potential costly repairs in the
future rhetorical we're also facing
further project delays and these
impact our community you our community
users and cause disruption to their
activities which is compounded by
reputational risks from budget overruns
and and Technical problems and I can
continue to question the long-term value
of these extensive measures for
synthetic field installation does it
justify the financial and environmental
cost especially when alternative natural
Turf options could have offered
comparable benefits with fewer fewer
drawbacks I wish we had time to
consider alternatives that that align
with our environmental values and fiscal
responsibilities opting for a more
sustainable solution not only preserves
our community's resources but also
ensures longevity and safety of our
recreational spaces I understand the
reality of where we are and the current
status of the project so I can only hope
that we're learning from our
decision
thanks thank you councelor
or would any other councelor like to
speak to this motion councelor
bacon thank you and through you M white
this report and acknowledging that we
are progressively down the track with
this since our last deliberations
regarding this Sports field I
acknowledge that we are obviously this
far down and the concerns with budget
discussions down the track potentially
that may result if this is ratified
tonight certainly a challenging one
but one that I have to consider that we
are this far down the path as well so
acknowledging the views of my co-
counselors as well it is certainly a
challenging one but one that is hard to
go back on now so thank
you thank you counselor
Baker any other counselor wish to speak
to this
item
okay oh we've heard some really strong
strong points strong arguments from from
both sides and I've struggled to
support this project particularly as we
don't have a clear h of organization
decision-making framework for the
replacement of natural Turf with Turf
with a synthetic
surface although the substantial cost
might be justified through increased
usage the budget since this was
originally proposed has blown out
significant L at the same time we are
fighting rate capping windfall gains tax
increased interest rates and CPI and our
teams and officers across the
organization are being asked to find
cuts and cost
savings council is seriously entertained
the possibility of getting rid of the
pension or rebate all of these things
weigh on my mind so throwing more and
more money at a project that does not
have sound decision- making criteria
sits very uneasily with
me however we can't Back Time a contract
has been signed Works have commenced and
this council is essentially committed to
ensuring the delivery of this
project counselor said councelor SEO
said it really well when she said that
we have no choice and I'll be honest
that's I'm finding that really
frustrating
tonight councilor SEO would you like
your right of
reply thank you I would firstly I'd
like to commend both councelor ID and
yourself Madame mayor for
articulating so beautifully the
policy complexity of the decision that
we have before us pre tonight I've
absolutely been on in the camp of is
synthetic pitch the right way to go
should natural Turf have been the
preferred option I think if we check
back
on my voting patent I would have voted
that way for natural Turf
particularly at the Eagan Le Reserve so
this is one of those examples where
we commit to a project with the best
of intentions the best information
before us with robust debate around
costings and then something comes out of
left field that doesn't sit
particularly well but we find ourselves
in a predicament that that you can't
wind back you can't go and put all of
that dirt back that's been removed we're
locked into a contract we've given clubs
commitment so do I share the
environmental concerns absolutely it
worries me about with the stabilization
regarding putting lime and cement in
a in a wetland environment I hope to
goodness that there's no leeching or any
flow on impact the experts say no but
you know these unintended consequences
I'm a novice I I worry about that do
I worry about the financial impost
absolutely there is so much Weighing on
our shoulders on at the moment as we go
into budget discussions next week
that finding more for contingencies
like this hurts and it hurts deeply
because you think well well what's going
to go like how do we find that money
it's not a never-ending Money Pit so
thank you so much for sharing those
opinions I agree with you but
unfortunately with this we I we have no
choice we're locked in and need to
proceed as recommended Well Done
Right at
time all right with that I'll now put
the motion all those in
favor all those
opposed all those
abstaining
that motion is
carried mayor okay with you can I
have my opposition noted in the minutes
tonight please sure and I think I'll
request
that sure that's fine is that yeah so
a division's been called so I'll put
that motion again all those in
favor all those
opposed sorry names I always forget that
councelor Baker councelor Gro councelor
timas leech councelor more all those
opposed councelor or red councelor
Dwight that that motion is
carried okay item five motions for which
notice has been previously been given
there are no such items this evening
supplementary items there are no such
items this
evening items of urgent business any
counselor wish to raise a matter of
urgent
business okay there being no urgent
business I'll move on to confidential
business and there is no there are no
such items this evening so I now declare
the meeting closed thank
you