WEBVTT

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Welcome councilors, officers, and

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members of the gallery to tonight's

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meeting of council. I'm councelor Chris

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Duncan and I have the privilege of being

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the Deputy Mayor of Knox City Council.

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Before we commence, I note that the

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Mayor, councelor Paige Kennett, is

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attending this meeting remotely from

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Canberra, where she is representing

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council at the Australian Council of

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Local Government, which is being held

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prior to the Australian Local Government

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Association's National General Assembly.

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While the Mayor is present and

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participating in this meeting, her

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remote attendance means that she is

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unable to effectively perform the

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functions of chairing of the meeting.

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Accordingly, and pursuant to the Local

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Government Act 2020, I will be acting as

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chairperson and exercise the functions,

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duties, and powers of the chair for this

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meeting.

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Before we begin, council would like to

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acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people

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and Bunurong people of the Kulin

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Nation as traditional custodians of the

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land. Today we meet on the traditional

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lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people and

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pay our respects to Elders both past and

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present.

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A council statement of commitment. The

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Knox way is characterized by service,

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integrity, community participation,

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accountability, and good governance.

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Council is committed to being responsive

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to the community and advocating to other

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governments and agencies on their

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behalf. We recognize the importance of

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local democracy and council's

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responsibility to govern for all in our

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city. Our history is rich and in the

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spirit of the Knox tradition, let us

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move and prosper.

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We're conducting tonight's meeting as a

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hybrid format as usual. I'll start by

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introducing my colleagues and ask each

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counselor to give a bit of a wave as I

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call out their names. Councilors in

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attendance in the chamber tonight are

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councelor Susan Pearce representing

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Taylor Ward, councelor Glen Atwell

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representing Tirhatuan Ward, councelor

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Parisa Considine representing Fryberg

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Ward, councelor Lisa Cooper representing

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Scott Ward, and councelor Meagan Baker

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representing Dobson Ward.

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Also joining us online tonight are the

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Mayor councelor Paige Kennet

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representing Chandler Ward and councelor

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Robert Williams representing Dinsdale

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Ward.

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Joining us also in the chamber is Chief

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Executive Officer Mr. Bruce Dobson,

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Director of Customer and Performance.

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Matt Kelleher, Chief Financial Officer,

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Yvette Lawkin

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Director of Infrastructure, Grant

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Thorn, Interim Director, City

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Livability, Jonathan McNelly,

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Director of Connected Communities, Judy

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Chalkley,

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Manager of Governance and Risk, Andrew

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Dowling, now head of governance, Saskia

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Wareheim, and other members of the

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governance team.

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I'd also like to acknowledge

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former Mayor and counselor Suzanne 

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Lawkins who's joining us this evening.

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Please note that this meeting is

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recorded and streamed live on our

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website in accordance with our live

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streaming of public meetings policy and

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so council does not permit any

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additional recording of this meeting.

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Members of the gallery should note that

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you may be visible in the background of

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the live stream vision.

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Live streaming and recording will be

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suspended if this meeting is to be

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closed to the public to consider

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confidential business in accordance with

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section 66 of the Local Government Act

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2020.

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I remind everybody that opinions

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expressed and statements made during

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this meeting are those of individuals

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making them and not those of council

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unless set out in a resolution passed by

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council.

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Council accepts no liability for any

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defamatory remarks made during a

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meeting. you're responsible for your own

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comments and therefore may be personally

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liable for any loss or damage that they

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may cause. I would also ask everyone

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present to remain quiet while others are

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addressing the meeting and remind the

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gallery that this is a meeting of

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council and there is no opportunity for

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members of the gallery, excuse me, to

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participate in debate during the meeting

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and that questions are only permissible

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during public question time.

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Moving on to our order of business for

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this evening. Our first item is

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apologies and requests for leave of

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absence. We have no apologies this

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evening, but does any counselor wish to

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request a leave of absence?

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There being none, we will go on to our

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declaration of conflict of interests. If

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there are any council  conflicts of

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interest to declare tonight, now is an

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opportunity to foreshadow that conflict.

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I'll also ask that you declare your

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conflict of interest in full later in

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the meeting immediately before the item

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is considered. Are there any such

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declarations?

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Councelor Cooper.

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Thank you Deputy Mayor, I would

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like to declare a conflict of interest

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for item 8.1, the annual budget.

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Thank you, Councelor Cooper

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councelor Baker.

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Thank you. And through Deputy Mayor. I

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also have a conflict of interest for

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item 8.1 and also a transparency

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statement for 8.12. Thank you.

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 Councilor Williams.

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Thank you through you, Deputy Mayor.  I

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also would like to declare a

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transparency statement for 8.1.

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Excellent. And I also have a conflict of

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interest to declare at item 8.1.

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The next item on of business is

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confirmation of the minutes. Is there

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any opposition to the minutes of the

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council meeting held on Monday the 25th

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of May 2026?

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There being no opposition, I declare the

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minutes of the meeting to be confirmed.

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Next on our agenda is item four,

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presentations, petitions, and memorials.

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There there are no presentations

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received this evening. Are there any

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memorials?

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Yes, Councelor Cooper.

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No, not a memorial. Not a problem. No

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memorials. we have one petition

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tonight that will be presented by

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Councelor Cooper. Councelor Cooper,

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would you like to speak to the petition

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received by council?

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Thank you. Yes, I would so we have

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received a petition dated  today for

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parking issues on Tina Road in one

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turner south. And the petition is

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council has received a petition with 25

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signatures as of today's date to request

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for no city council to abandon the

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proposed changes to parking arrangements

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on Tina Road in Wantirna South and to

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retain the existing no stopping um all

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day restrictions on the west side of

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Tina Road. The petition has been

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circulated to all counselors and is

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presented tonight for noting. In

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submitting the petition, the lead

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petitioner argues that the proposed

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changes to the parking arrangements on

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Tina Road would increase the risk of

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blind right turns causing collisions,

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noise, and pedestrian strikes. We also

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understand that the petitioners are

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still actively collecting signatures and

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updates to the petition and they may be

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received moving forward. I'd like to

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note this petition um does not raise any

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matters which can be considered as items

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of urgent business this evening on

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tonight's agenda and that the petition

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will be referred to the director of

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infrastructure who will provide a

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response to the lead petitioner in due

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course. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor

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Cooper.

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We'll move on to the next item on the

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agenda, reports by councilors regarding

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their recent activities since our last

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council meeting.

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Councelor Baker, would you lead us off?

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Thank you, Deputy Mayor I attended

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the Knox Disability Advisory Committee

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meeting last month. I also attended the

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Knox Sports and Leisure Awards held last

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week with Mayor Kennet, yourself, Deputy

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Mayor Duncan, and Councelor Pearce at

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the civic center. I would also like to

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congratulate all the nominees and award

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recipients on the night. Um, and also

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noting that there were two clubs from

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the Dobson Ward who received awards on

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the night a shout out to both the

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club of the year which went to Ferntree

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Gully Tennis Club and club person of the

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year adult Lee Thompson from the Ferntree

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Gully Cricket Club. a fantastic effort

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from all our volunteer community members

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who continue to make such a positive

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impact and appreciate their time and

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effort that they contribute to the to

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our community. I have got a a couple of

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issues of note. Um I've also had

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residents contact me over recent works

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regarding the row works currently

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underway at the Blackwood Park and Orman

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Road intersection and Ferntree Gully. I

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acknowledge their frustrations and I

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have also raised these concerns with the

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organization and have been advised that

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these works are expected to be completed

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by the 30th of June weather permitting.

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I've also received ongoing feedback

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about green back green bank reserve in

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the Caron Estate and Lististerfield. I

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have been in regular communication with

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the officers and continue to work

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through these matters with them and

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also of note about Bin Lid changes 

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that will be coming to council 

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streets very soon. And I note that on

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council's website from the 20th of July

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this year, obviously council will begin

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changing the recycle bin lids from blue

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to yellow lids and knocks are being

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changed to align with the state

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government mandate of councils which

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require everyone in Victoria to have the

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same household bin lids bin colors. This

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is the final household bin lid color

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change to occur in Knox that needs to be

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aligned with the state government

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requirements and further information can

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be found on council's website. That's

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all. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor

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Baker. Councelor Cooper,

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thank you. I'll submit a report in

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relation to  the events that I've

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attended, but I do just want to raise um

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to council's attention that the 

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Boral Quarry site at 191  George

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Street in one Turner South has

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officially received government 

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Victorian government approval  to um

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go ahead with the redevelopment of the

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site. So with amendment C1 194 Knox

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officially gazetted on the 6th of March

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in 2026 this year um the new planning

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framework with the development plan

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overlay schedule 16 will guide long-term

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transformation of the site into a

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vibrant new community with strong

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protections for traffic management flora

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and fauna affordable housing open space

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and community infrastructure.

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Importantly, the plans include new

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parks, trails, community facilities, and

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upgraded road connections to support the

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future residents. Um, already having

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seen how well a quarry can be 

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regenerated into a new living area in

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Fry Gully, um I'm quite excited to see

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this come along, especially for the

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residents who live in the area who would

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like to see that transformation. and I

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look forward to seeing um obviously how

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everything moves forward over the next

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um few years. Thank you.

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Thank you, Councelor Cooper. Councelor

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Conite.

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[clears throat]

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Thank you,  through you, Deputy Mayor.

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I will submit my report later. Thank

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you.

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Okay. Thank you.  councelor Atwell.

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Thank you  Mr. Deputy Mayor Duncan

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a few things from  Tirhatuan Ward.

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 I just wanted to note, and this is

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not normally a positive note that I like

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to begin on, but over the King's

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Birthday long weekend, Saturday 6th of

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June the muchloved and still quite

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new accessible playground at Stud

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Park in Rowville was was very

00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:51.560
badly damaged by fire I've had

00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:53.976
plenty of contact from local families

00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:56.935
and parents who are are disappointed,

00:11:56.959 --> 00:11:58.696
, who have kids that that treasure

00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:01.255
that play space. um certainly one of the

00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:03.016
best in Tirhatuan Ward and one of our

00:12:03.040 --> 00:12:05.176
newer  more modern playgrounds across

00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:07.736
the municipality. So it was  deeply

00:12:07.760 --> 00:12:10.760
disappointing and and  really 

00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:13.255
frustrating quite frankly to see um

00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:15.416
something that brings um so much joy to

00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:17.255
our community  treated and

00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.896
disrespected in that way. So I want to

00:12:19.920 --> 00:12:21.495
thank the council officers who were able

00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:24.519
to get down there  quite quickly. Um I

00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:26.615
know Vic P Vic Poland fire crews were

00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:28.776
there to make the area safe. Um the

00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:31.176
playground has now reopened with some um

00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:33.495
small areas fenced off and we are in the

00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:36.216
process of  waiting on or ordering and

00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.815
waiting on some replacement equipment

00:12:37.839 --> 00:12:39.976
and we'll continue to keep the community

00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.416
 up to date in terms of the time

00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:43.736
frames. But  in the meantime for those

00:12:43.760 --> 00:12:46.136
looking for more accessible um options

00:12:46.160 --> 00:12:48.296
there's u great playgrounds at Wally Chu

00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:51.016
Reserve and Mari Wallace.  and I would

00:12:51.040 --> 00:12:53.016
just say that all of these facilities

00:12:53.040 --> 00:12:54.615
are shared community assets. There's

00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:56.776
things that we all  pay for and need

00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:58.216
to look after. They're built for our

00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:00.055
kids and they deserve to be respected.

00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:02.935
So, I would ask everyone to help us um

00:13:02.959 --> 00:13:04.696
look after them and look out for them.

00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:06.856
Um and I look forward to seeing the Stud

00:13:06.880 --> 00:13:09.255
Park Playground  back at its full 

00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.976
full capacity  soon enough.  a

00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.896
couple of other items. I attended the

00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:16.296
audit risk advisory committee  for

00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:18.696
your library limited on the 28th of May.

00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:21.096
 we worked through all manner of um

00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:23.016
audit risk and finance matters. So I

00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:24.615
won't labor the detail but I wanted to

00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:26.776
just note that  that work is being

00:13:26.800 --> 00:13:29.495
done. Um and just a couple of other ward

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:31.815
issues. I've had a few a bit of contact

00:13:31.839 --> 00:13:33.976
and some emails regarding um street

00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:37.000
sweeping.  also  an issue relating

00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:39.736
to bin collection or or some issues with

00:13:39.760 --> 00:13:41.576
non-collection due to access in Rowville.

00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:44.055
And um would just pass on my thanks to

00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:46.375
the the relevant officers. I'd actually

00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.896
received an email from the resident just

00:13:47.920 --> 00:13:50.296
this evening saying they had received a

00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:52.696
very satisfactory response and um were

00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.055
hopeful that the issues were resolved

00:13:54.079 --> 00:13:56.055
and were appreciative of the of the

00:13:56.079 --> 00:13:57.656
contact they'd received from  the

00:13:57.680 --> 00:14:00.216
waist team. So  thank you officers for

00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.976
your assistance there and I'll  I'll

00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:04.055
submit a report with the rest.  thank

00:14:04.079 --> 00:14:05.576
you Deputy Mayor. Thank you very much

00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:08.600
councelor councelor Pearce.

00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:10.696
Thank you Deputy Mayor. It's been a

00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:13.016
quite a month in Taylor ward. I attended

00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:15.255
the concert at the Polish club to chant

00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:18.279
the battle of Monte Casino. It was a

00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:20.615
moving event featuring Polish songs,

00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:23.639
speeches, powerful firsthand accounts.

00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:27.399
The soup afterwards was fantastic.

00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:30.055
I attended the Knox Leisure and Sports

00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:33.079
Awards on the 17th of June 2026

00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:35.815
with Mayor Kennet, Deputy Mayor Chris

00:14:35.839 --> 00:14:38.536
Duncan, Megan, and Councelor Megan

00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:41.495
Baker. I I present the award for the

00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:43.976
best um club with the best initiated

00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:47.000
program to Een Park Cricket Club which

00:14:47.040 --> 00:14:49.976
is one of my clubs in my area.

00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.976
Congratulations to all the nominees and

00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:54.296
award winners who was who are as

00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:56.696
follows. Club of the year went to Fernry

00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:59.336
Gully Tennis Club. Clubman of the year

00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:01.255
went to Lee Thomas of Fernry Gully

00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:04.279
Cricket Club. Woman of in sport

00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:07.639
leadership went to Beck Dawson Dorbson

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:11.255
sorry Dorbson of Bazewater Football

00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:14.279
Club. Junior club person of the year was

00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:17.720
Ardan Ysef Hannah Tucker Jack Riddle

00:15:18.880 --> 00:15:21.880
Jackson Velaso Lucas Santan I think I've

00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:26.680
got right Santanel and Talia Snell.

00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:29.656
There was also awards for service awards

00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:32.680
to Peter Williams for 30 years service

00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:35.416
and for David Wright for 50 years

00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:38.440
service for the Knox baseball club.

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:42.360
What a fantastic effort. There was also

00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:45.416
a very moving tribute to Ben Austin, the

00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.255
young cricketer who tragically died from

00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:49.255
sporting injury.

00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:51.815
In addition, I held various meetings

00:15:51.839 --> 00:15:54.839
with residents, footpaths and planning

00:15:54.959 --> 00:15:57.735
matters and seniors activities.

00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:59.735
There was one other event that I wish

00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:01.976
hadn't happened in Rowville.

00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.935
There was a dog attack. I ask all pet

00:16:04.959 --> 00:16:07.656
owners to keep their pets securely

00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:09.255
confined.

00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:11.815
Thank you to the local law staff who

00:16:11.839 --> 00:16:13.735
attended the dog attack. They were not

00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.096
only professional, but they were

00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:18.120
fantastic. So, thank you to them. That's

00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:20.296
all for Taylor Ward.

00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.976
Thank you very much, Councelor Pearce.

00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:25.000
, councelor Williams.

00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:27.576
Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Um, a busy

00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:29.656
month in Dinstar Ward. So, um, we've had

00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:31.096
a few bin issues still happening around

00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.375
McCauley Place and I know that's being

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:35.016
addressed with the shop owners and ,

00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:37.096
our local laws and um, various teams to

00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:39.016
see what we can do to fix that um, and

00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:40.216
just clean up the place a little bit

00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:42.935
more. Um, homelessness issues have

00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:44.856
unfortunately popped up again  around

00:16:44.880 --> 00:16:46.935
NOX and I've been talking with um Gail

00:16:46.959 --> 00:16:48.696
and the team around a few of those and

00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:51.416
what we can do to hopefully help out um

00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:54.440
our homelessness in  Knox. Um I

00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:56.456
attended um with the Mayor Knox

00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.456
Community Garden Sensory Garden opening

00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.896
um recently and that was a great event

00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:02.776
and a great um great facility for people

00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:05.096
to come up and enjoy um the gardens at

00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.696
Knox community gardens. If you haven't

00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:08.216
been there, highly recommend heading up

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:10.295
there. It's um I say it's the best part

00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.895
of Knox, but I know others might

00:17:11.919 --> 00:17:14.919
disagree. Um attended the RSL Bazewater

00:17:15.600 --> 00:17:17.736
with John who's the president there and

00:17:17.760 --> 00:17:19.576
the team just talking about their um

00:17:19.600 --> 00:17:21.815
anniversary next year and also around

00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:23.655
how council can assist with grants and a

00:17:23.679 --> 00:17:25.895
few things  for them coming up next

00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:28.136
year. Attended the World Environment um

00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:30.856
tree planting day um recently as well

00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:32.936
which was um a great event and great to

00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:34.936
see um even a couple years later what

00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.696
happens and  what our environment

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:39.576
looks like there.  the Mayor Eleanor

00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:41.736
and myself also attended um Feed One

00:17:41.760 --> 00:17:43.336
Feed All um recently and that was a

00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:45.576
great event  to attend and see what

00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:46.775
they're doing and how many meals they're

00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:48.936
pushing through  to assist people in

00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:51.960
Nox and beyond. Um a few of us um and I

00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.816
won't name cuz there's quite a few, but

00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:55.336
we attended the Bazewater Bowls lighting

00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:57.496
upgrade. Um and that was another great

00:17:57.520 --> 00:17:59.096
um facility upgrade that we've done for

00:17:59.120 --> 00:18:00.456
the Bazewater bowls. And now they can

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:03.096
run a nighttime session um well any

00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:04.136
night of the week, but they're

00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.336
definitely planning on a Friday night to

00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:07.015
get a few social games in and get a few

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.936
people down, which is great to see. Um

00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.976
we've got the yak coming up on

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.015
Wednesday. So looking forward to

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:13.655
attending that on um on Wednesday. 

00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:15.336
also attended the volunteer week

00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:17.816
afternoon tea. Um that was just great to

00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:19.256
um show the appreciation to our

00:18:19.280 --> 00:18:20.696
volunteers in Knox and just seeing what

00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.376
they  [clears throat] what they do for

00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:24.216
us here in Nox. Um, and I'm probably

00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.096
going to pronounce the words

00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:26.936
incorrectly, so apologies if I do, but

00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:29.960
the we attended the Bak Negaru , the

00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.816
artwork launch as well, which was um, in

00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:33.256
my ward recently, and that was that was

00:18:33.280 --> 00:18:35.655
great to um, sort of be there as well.

00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:37.176
So, been another busy month and that's

00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:39.096
probably it from me.

00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:41.655
Thank you, Councelor Williams. , Mayor

00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:44.679
Councelor Kenneet.

00:18:45.280 --> 00:18:48.136
Thank you and through you, Deputy Mayor.

00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:51.160
 I'll just raise a few things that I

00:18:51.520 --> 00:18:53.336
wanted to speak about and then I'll

00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:56.360
submit a report for the rest. I wanted

00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:59.640
to note um and thank Ben Austin's family

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:03.416
for attending the Nox Sport and Leisure

00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:06.296
Awards and want to acknowledge the

00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:09.015
courage and um the year that they've

00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:12.039
been through and the support that  the

00:19:12.320 --> 00:19:14.616
Fenty Football Club have provided the

00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:16.216
family.

00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.240
Um, I attended the neighborhood policing

00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:22.360
forum which was held with um in

00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:25.416
conjunction with Knox Police and Knox

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:28.376
City Council that residents were able to

00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:31.400
attend and ask police direct questions

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:35.240
um around policing within Knox. It was

00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:39.160
um a wellsupported event by police. So,

00:19:39.360 --> 00:19:41.176
I want to thank Knox Police for coming

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:43.576
down and showing interest in hearing

00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:45.576
from our residents.

00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:48.600
I attended three tree planting events

00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:52.600
over the last four weeks and over 3 and

00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:54.696
a half thousand plants and trees have

00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:57.336
been planted  across those three

00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:59.816
events. So, thank you to the friends of

00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:02.616
Danny Nong Creek and the friends of

00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:05.640
Colunga  for helping with all that

00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:07.816
tree planting.

00:20:07.840 --> 00:20:10.840
Um and finally I attended the CEO winter

00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:14.600
sleepout which is held um and hosted by

00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:18.440
St. Vincent Depal. And the reason that I

00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:21.015
felt that that was necessary was to

00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:24.039
raise awareness and and some  critical

00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:27.176
funds for homelessness, which isn't just

00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:29.816
an issue across Australia, but it is an

00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:32.216
issue for us here in Knox as well with

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:35.240
over 200 notifications of people

00:20:35.679 --> 00:20:38.679
sleeping rough in the past financial

00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:41.880
year. Um, [snorts] of the almost 300

00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:44.216
participants that the CEO went to sleep

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:47.240
out, over $1.7 million was raised and

00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:51.015
that money will go towards building a

00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:53.496
emergency shelter which will support

00:20:53.520 --> 00:20:55.976
over 20 families

00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:59.000
um that are homeless or sleeping rough.

00:20:59.280 --> 00:21:02.135
So, , shout out to St. Vinny's for all

00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:05.159
the work that they do and um and for the

00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:07.416
rest I will submit a report. Thank you,

00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:09.976
Deputy Mayor. Thank you, Mayor Kennet.

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:12.296
, for myself, I will also submit a

00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:14.456
report. Um, and council Williams, you

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:16.696
did very well with the pronunciation. I

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:18.775
just said the weaving basket artwork

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:20.616
sculpture celebrating the life of Auntie

00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:23.416
Do Peters. Um, and not try and pronounce

00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:26.440
that. So, thank you. Um, I attended a

00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:29.576
VGA training session on roles and the

00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:31.336
impact councilors can have within their

00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:33.416
community this month. Was also at the

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:36.056
Nox Sporting Awards.  the opening of

00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:38.296
the Bazewater bowls light lighting had a

00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.976
youth advisory committee meeting with

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.416
council Williams. All those have been

00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:43.895
summed up by my colleagues. Um I would

00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:45.496
just like to highlight I attended a

00:21:45.520 --> 00:21:47.176
fundraising event for the Turner South

00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:50.135
Junior Football Club on the weekend. Um

00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:52.216
and I will be off to Elga tomorrow to

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:55.240
join the Mayor in CRA. Um a few things

00:21:55.280 --> 00:21:57.336
within Collie Award itself that I'd like

00:21:57.360 --> 00:21:58.936
to bring to your attention. the the

00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:01.816
property at seven  276 one Turner Road

00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:03.655
that development a year and a bit on

00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:06.679
still hasn't started. Um however it does

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:09.496
appear to be a dumping ground for people

00:22:09.520 --> 00:22:11.256
in the area. So council have been

00:22:11.280 --> 00:22:13.736
alerted to to the  soil that has been

00:22:13.760 --> 00:22:14.936
dumped there and are looking into that

00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:17.336
at this point in time. Um, I've also had

00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.936
quite a few inquiries, as I'm sure you

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.856
all have, about the bin lid changes that

00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:23.015
that we're having. , tonight's budget

00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:25.655
discussion, um, and some feedback on the

00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:27.336
local laws review, which I'll bring to

00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:28.856
the table when we discuss that at a

00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:30.936
future meeting. , and also some

00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:33.096
footpath damage and parking issues

00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:35.576
around the Knox Hospital. So, and I will

00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:38.600
submit a report for the remainder.

00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:42.376
So, thank you councilors. The next item

00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:44.936
on our agenda is planning matters.

00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.936
Report of planning applications decided

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:49.496
under delegation from the 1st of April

00:22:49.520 --> 00:22:52.520
2026 to the 30th of April 2026. Would a

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:56.376
counselor like to move a motion?

00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:58.775
Councelor Baker officer's recommendation

00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:01.799
and seconded councelor Atwell. Councelor

00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:03.895
Baker has moved. Do you wish to speak?

00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:05.895
Thank you through your Deputy Mayor. 

00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:08.775
this is a report um that comes to us

00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:11.015
each month. Um and for the month month

00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:14.039
of May there are 48  reports or

00:23:14.320 --> 00:23:15.976
applications that have been reported on

00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:19.000
under under delegation. Thank you

00:23:19.520 --> 00:23:21.416
councelor. Well as seconded do you wish

00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:23.176
to speak to the motion? No. Does any

00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:25.096
other councelor wish to speak to this

00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:27.336
motion?

00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:29.416
I'll now put the motion. All those in

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:32.440
favor

00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:35.640
that is car that is carried unanimously.

00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:42.296
We now move on to our next item, which

00:23:42.320 --> 00:23:45.256
is public question time. Council

00:23:45.280 --> 00:23:47.015
allocate 30 minutes to consider

00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:49.015
questions from the community. I'd like

00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.616
to take this opportunity to remind

00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:52.376
everybody that public question time is

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:54.616
not your only opportunity to engage with

00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:57.336
council. If you have any questions, I

00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.856
encourage you to consider contacting

00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:01.015
council through the usual channels,

00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:02.535
including through our customer service

00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:05.559
team or via our website. I would also

00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:07.176
encourage everybody to make the most of

00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:09.256
our have your say page to access

00:24:09.280 --> 00:24:11.496
information about current projects and

00:24:11.520 --> 00:24:13.416
to submit questions and provide feedback

00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:16.056
to them. Our protocols for submitting

00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:17.816
and considering public questions are set

00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:19.895
out in council's governance rules which

00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:21.736
include an opportunity for submitters to

00:24:21.760 --> 00:24:24.696
log lodge a maximum of two questions and

00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.296
for submitters to speak to their

00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:29.176
questions for up to two minutes. Before

00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.936
we move to questions, I note for

00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.936
submitters that copies of your questions

00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:34.535
have been submitted and have been

00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:37.015
circulated to councilors in full,

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:39.096
including any commentary or background

00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:41.976
material that has been provided. I'll

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.895
remind submitters too that this is an

00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:45.736
opportunity to introduce your question

00:24:45.760 --> 00:24:47.976
that you have already submitted and not

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:50.296
the opportunity to participate in debate

00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:53.320
or an opportunity to change to or add to

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.096
the questions that you have already

00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:56.775
submitted.

00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:58.856
By choosing to participate, submitters

00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.936
acknowledge that your name, submissions,

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:03.096
and your images are being captured and

00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:05.416
may be broadcast on the live stream and

00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:07.976
recording. I also remind you that you

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.736
are personally responsible for your own

00:25:09.760 --> 00:25:12.456
comments and and therefore may be held

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:14.616
personally liable for any loss or damage

00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:17.255
they may cause. I would also ask that

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:19.416
respect be afforded to all participants

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:21.496
and that the gallery remain silent when

00:25:21.520 --> 00:25:23.895
people are speaking. We'll now move on

00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:26.919
to our questions.

00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.856
this

00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:31.880
one here.

00:25:33.919 --> 00:25:36.376
Our first question this evening is from

00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:39.400
Kirstston Joear. Our first qu questioner

00:25:39.679 --> 00:25:41.496
has requested that the public question

00:25:41.520 --> 00:25:44.520
from the 27th of April 2026 be

00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:46.856
reconsidered. As they are not with us

00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:48.376
this evening, they have asked that I

00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:50.216
read their preamble for the benefit of

00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:52.616
the counselors and the gallery in lie of

00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:54.535
them making a submission themselves to

00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:57.015
provide context to the question. The

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:59.895
preamble is as follows. Council marked

00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:02.775
the start of Islamic Ramadan on 18th of

00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:04.775
February. Please refer to the link that

00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:07.416
has been circulated to all counselors

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:10.056
and on Facebook. Council has promoted

00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:12.216
and acknowledged Ramadan multiple times

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:15.240
in recent years. The 18th of February,

00:26:15.520 --> 00:26:17.895
Ash Wednesday, also marks the start of

00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:19.976
Christian Lent, which extends 18

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:22.696
February to the 2nd of April. Council

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:24.856
are not promoting or acknowledging Lent

00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:27.880
this year or in any previous years.

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:31.000
According to ABS 2021, there are 67,873

00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:37.080
Christians and 2,455

00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:39.895
Muslims living in Nox. The focus on

00:26:39.919 --> 00:26:41.976
Islamic Ramadan and no acknowledgement

00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:44.296
of Christian Lent is disproportionate to

00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:47.320
Nox's population. The question is, can

00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:50.216
councilors explain how the decision to

00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:52.456
repeatedly ignore Lent and regularly

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:55.255
spotlight Ramadan was made? I will

00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:57.336
direct this question to director of

00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:59.655
community  connected communities Judy

00:26:59.679 --> 00:27:02.679
Chalkley to respond.

00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:05.976
Thank you. Thank you through you, Deputy

00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:08.616
Mayor. No city council is proud to serve

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:10.936
a diverse and inclusive community with

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:13.336
people from many cultural cultural and

00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:15.736
faith backgrounds. Council is committed

00:27:15.760 --> 00:27:17.655
to recognizing and celebrating this

00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:19.576
diversity in a way that is respectful

00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:22.056
and balanced. There are many religious

00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:23.655
and cultural occasions that are

00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:25.176
important to different members of our

00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:26.936
community

00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:29.096
through sorry different for our

00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:30.456
community throughout the year. While we

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:32.216
acknowledge the significance of these

00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:34.296
occasions, it is not feasible for

00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:36.456
council to individually promote every

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:38.775
event or observance.

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:41.416
Our approach is to ensure council

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:43.176
communications and activities reflect

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:45.416
the broad diversity of our community and

00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:47.336
in in an inclusive

00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.775
Just pause for one second, please.

00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:51.255
Director Chley,

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:54.279
we've just lost the zoom.

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:08.375
, we just momentarily lost internet in

00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:09.816
the chamber, but appears we're back up

00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:11.176
and running. So, could you please

00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:13.096
continue, Director Chalkley?

00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:15.336
Thank you. Our approach is to ensure

00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:17.336
council communications and activities

00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:19.096
reflect the broad diversity of our

00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:21.336
community in an inclusive and considered

00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:23.976
way. This includes recognizing a range

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.816
of cultural and faith-based events

00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:27.976
across the year, as well as supporting

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:30.056
initiatives that bring people together,

00:28:30.080 --> 00:28:31.816
including multiffaith events and

00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:34.616
community celebrations. Council is not

00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:36.135
ignoring Lent or other Christian

00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:38.296
observance or ceremonies. Christian

00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:40.216
events and traditions continue to be

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.655
acknowledged and supported through a

00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:43.255
range of council activities and

00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:45.736
communications. In relation to Christian

00:28:45.760 --> 00:28:47.736
occasions specifically, council has

00:28:47.760 --> 00:28:50.135
shared messages and supported events

00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:53.159
such as the car the Knox carols which

00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:55.816
include a multiffaith prayer, a meril

00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:57.336
Christmas message and Easter

00:28:57.360 --> 00:29:00.360
communications. Thank you.

00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:02.775
Thank you, Director Chalkley.  there

00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:04.936
was a second question. It was does

00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:07.655
council intend on spotlighting Christian

00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:10.679
Lent in the future and if so when? If

00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:13.255
you could please answer that as well.

00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:15.576
Thank you. through WME. Council

00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:17.255
appreciates and values the feedback

00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:19.255
provided by you and has taken these

00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:21.976
views on board. Requests and suggestions

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:23.736
raised will be considered into the

00:29:23.760 --> 00:29:25.736
future as council continues to review

00:29:25.760 --> 00:29:28.056
how to how it acknowledges and supports

00:29:28.080 --> 00:29:30.375
significant cultural and faith-based

00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:32.696
occasions across a municipality. Council

00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:34.296
remains committed to fostering and

00:29:34.320 --> 00:29:36.696
supporting a diverse community where all

00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:38.696
people feel respected, included, and

00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.936
represented. Thank you.

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:43.496
Thank you, Director Chalkley. Our next

00:29:43.520 --> 00:29:45.336
question has been submitted by Nox

00:29:45.360 --> 00:29:47.655
Advocates.

00:29:47.679 --> 00:29:49.015
Is there someone in the gallery

00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:51.015
representing Knox Advocates this

00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.775
evening? Would you please come forward

00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:55.799
to the lect turn and introduce yourself?

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:59.976
Hello.

00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.816
What what is your name? Sorry. So I can

00:30:01.840 --> 00:30:03.096
address you correctly.

00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:04.456
Ashley Morgan Shay.

00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:07.480
Ashley Shay. Thank you. Ashley. Um I'll

00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.416
read your question and then you'll have

00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:11.976
two minutes to speak to your question.

00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:14.375
Your question as submitted is could you

00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:16.775
please tell us the number of cats, dogs,

00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:19.799
and other animals by species surrendered

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:22.296
and charged since the animal surrender

00:30:22.320 --> 00:30:25.320
fee was initiated in 2025.

00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.936
You have two minutes to speak to your

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:28.135
question, Ashley.

00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:31.015
Animal Welfare Victoria writes that

00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:34.039
local councils cannot charge mandated

00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:37.080
animal surrender fees. Domestic Animals

00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:40.360
Act section 33A sites must accept

00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:44.840
surrendered animals. A council must

00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:47.816
accept any dog or cat kept in that

00:30:47.840 --> 00:30:50.840
district which is given to the council.

00:30:51.600 --> 00:30:54.056
Charging a fee conflicts with council's

00:30:54.080 --> 00:30:56.696
mandatory duty to accept the animal

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:58.856
without conditions.

00:30:58.880 --> 00:31:01.416
This budget's animal surrender fee of

00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.936
$146

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:05.895
per animal means that more cats end up

00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:08.919
on the streets. Noox fee for a mother

00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:12.679
cat with four kittens is $730.

00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:17.096
Unex cats are dumped and pregnant

00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:19.976
females try to care for their kittens in

00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:22.616
a city where a cat seen outside is an

00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:25.496
illegal criminal. Rescuers receive

00:31:25.520 --> 00:31:28.216
threats and abuse.

00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:31.240
90% of Victoria's impounded cats are

00:31:31.679 --> 00:31:34.679
homeless with no one to contain, to

00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:37.960
charge, to pay. Euthanasia causes vets

00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:42.039
to leave the profession. Every kitten

00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:45.159
struggles, begs for a chance to live.

00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:48.456
Knox residents are struggling too, and

00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:51.480
community health is harmed. A lawyer

00:31:51.760 --> 00:31:54.760
says council pounds being domestic

00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:57.880
animal businesses under the act does not

00:31:58.080 --> 00:32:00.616
give councils authority to charge

00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:03.640
surrender fees. An animal surrender fee

00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:07.000
is likely to reduce animal welfare,

00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:10.039
encourage abandonment of fertile cats

00:32:10.320 --> 00:32:13.255
and thus increase predation on wildlife

00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:16.279
and damage to the environment.

00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:18.296
You have 10 seconds left, Ashley, or is

00:32:18.320 --> 00:32:20.135
that the end?

00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:21.655
That's the end of your question. Thank

00:32:21.679 --> 00:32:24.535
you. Um, I will direct your question to

00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:26.535
the interim director of city livability,

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:29.559
Mr. Jonathan McNell, to respond.

00:32:30.320 --> 00:32:32.456
Thank you. And through you, Deputy

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:34.856
Mayor. Um, thank you for your question,

00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:37.655
Ashley. Since the animal surrender fee

00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:40.375
was introduced in 2025, there have been

00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:43.399
31 surrenders relating to 13 cats and 18

00:32:43.760 --> 00:32:46.535
dogs where the fee has been paid,

00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:49.015
representing 31% of total animals

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:51.416
surrendered to council. During the same

00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:53.736
period, 67 animals were surrendered

00:32:53.760 --> 00:32:55.976
without a fee being charged, comprising

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:59.000
of 54 cats, 12 dogs, and one rooster.

00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:02.616
While the number of unpaid cat surreners

00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:05.416
is higher than for dogs, this is largely

00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:07.976
attributable to a small number of cases

00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:11.000
involving multiple animals. Notably, 30

00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.775
cats were surrendered from a single

00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:14.856
property and several other cases

00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:16.856
involved multiple cats from properties

00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:19.015
experiencing animal management or animal

00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:21.895
welfare issues. These circumstances have

00:33:21.919 --> 00:33:23.576
a significant impact on the overall

00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:25.736
figures and are not representative of a

00:33:25.760 --> 00:33:27.416
typical surrender pattern through a

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:29.576
year.

00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:32.600
Thank you, Director Mali. Um, there is a

00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:34.856
second question that you have posed,

00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:36.535
Ashley, which is, how does Knox

00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:38.616
Council's mandatory animal surrender fee

00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:41.015
meet the legislative obligation set out

00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:43.576
by section 33A

00:33:43.600 --> 00:33:46.600
2025 of the domestic animal management

00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:49.880
act 1994 that council must accept

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:52.936
surrendered dogs and cats not subject to

00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:54.936
any conditions. You have a further two

00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:56.936
minutes to speak to that question.

00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:59.960
Animal Welfare Victoria advised in

00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:01.495
writing.

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:04.456
Councils must accept any dog or cat

00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:07.015
surrendered within their municipality.

00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:09.335
The obligation set by the domestic

00:34:09.359 --> 00:34:11.976
animals act to accept surrendered dogs

00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:15.000
or cats is not subject to any conditions

00:34:15.520 --> 00:34:17.736
under the legislation.

00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:19.976
A mandatory fee required for the

00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:22.855
acceptance of a surrendered dog or cat

00:34:22.879 --> 00:34:25.256
would not meet the legislative

00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:28.280
obligation set by section 33 of the

00:34:29.200 --> 00:34:31.976
domestic animals act.

00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:34.615
The budget also claims that curfew

00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:36.936
reduced officer time and community

00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:39.960
effort. With only 10% of cats getting

00:34:40.399 --> 00:34:42.536
reclaimed and relying on trapping

00:34:42.560 --> 00:34:45.560
programs, how is that cost effective?

00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:48.776
Community rescuers are overburdened and

00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:51.800
get no help from council. Casey spends

00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:55.240
1.8 million annually on curfew, failing

00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:57.736
to save wildlife.

00:34:57.760 --> 00:35:00.760
Victoria has 90% of homeless impounded

00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:04.440
cats, endlessly costing councils. A

00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:07.896
mandated animal surrender fee pushes

00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:10.536
more understetched cats and vulnerable

00:35:10.560 --> 00:35:13.416
kittens onto the streets, worsening

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:16.440
welfare for cats, wildlife, community

00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:19.480
carers, vets, and rescuers.

00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:22.536
Costs to councils and residents continue

00:35:22.560 --> 00:35:25.176
to rise by using failed punitive

00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:28.200
methods. Switching to community cat

00:35:28.240 --> 00:35:30.536
programs, intensive targeted free

00:35:30.560 --> 00:35:33.335
dissexing would offer effectiveness and

00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:36.359
welfare for the community for cats and

00:35:37.200 --> 00:35:40.200
wildlife at low cost.

00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:43.016
Thank you very much, Ashley. I'll again

00:35:43.040 --> 00:35:44.696
call on the interim director of city

00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:47.016
livability, Mr. Jonathan Mcnelli, to

00:35:47.040 --> 00:35:48.856
respond.

00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:50.776
Thank you. And through you, Deputy

00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:52.936
Mayor. Council does not currently charge

00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:55.960
a mandatory surrender fee. Section 33A

00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:58.856
of the domestic animals act 1994

00:35:58.880 --> 00:36:01.256
requires council to accept the surrender

00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:03.335
of a dog or cat where the owner is no

00:36:03.359 --> 00:36:05.176
longer willing or able to care for the

00:36:05.200 --> 00:36:07.656
animal. Council has a prescri has

00:36:07.680 --> 00:36:10.055
prescribed an animal surrender fee. The

00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:12.055
purpose of which is to recover a portion

00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:14.055
of the costs incurred by council in

00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:16.696
fulfilling its legis legislative respon

00:36:16.720 --> 00:36:19.720
responsibilities following surrender.

00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:22.055
Council Council's animal surrender fee

00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:23.815
does not impose any condition on

00:36:23.839 --> 00:36:26.376
surrender as council accepts surrendered

00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:28.136
animals in accordance with the act and

00:36:28.160 --> 00:36:30.055
does not refuse acceptance solely

00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:32.456
because a voluntary surrender fee is

00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.976
proposed.

00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:35.496
Officers have generally applied

00:36:35.520 --> 00:36:38.216
discretion when applying the fee.

00:36:38.240 --> 00:36:40.536
However, we can see how there might be

00:36:40.560 --> 00:36:42.376
some confusion around how council

00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:44.856
applies this discretion. As such, our

00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:46.616
process for managing the surrender of

00:36:46.640 --> 00:36:49.256
pets through section 33A of the act is

00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:52.280
currently being reviewed. The fee is an

00:36:52.720 --> 00:36:54.936
an administrative charge associated with

00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:57.960
the surrender process rather than a

00:36:58.160 --> 00:37:00.696
condition precedent to council accepting

00:37:00.720 --> 00:37:03.335
an animal under section 33A. The

00:37:03.359 --> 00:37:05.095
legislative obligation to accept

00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:07.095
surrendered animals remains unchanged

00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:09.095
and is fulfilled irrespective of the

00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:11.095
existence of the fee.

00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:13.176
The animal surrender fee reflects the

00:37:13.200 --> 00:37:15.736
principle that those accessing a

00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:17.736
specific service contribute toward the

00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:19.896
cost of of providing that service,

00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:21.896
reducing the overall financial burden on

00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:24.776
the broader rateayer base. As identified

00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:27.736
in my response to your first question,

00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:30.760
in 68% of the instances of surrender, an

00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:33.575
owner has elected not to pay the

00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:35.896
voluntary fee. In such cases, council

00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:38.776
has nonetheless accepted the dog or cat

00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:40.536
which is consistent with its obligations

00:37:40.560 --> 00:37:43.560
under the act.

00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:46.599
Thank you, Mr. McNell.

00:37:49.520 --> 00:37:51.416
If if you need to bring more

00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:53.256
information, Ashley, you are welcome to

00:37:53.280 --> 00:37:54.776
submit another question at a future

00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:56.296
council meeting.

00:37:56.320 --> 00:37:58.456
in the letter that council cannot

00:37:58.480 --> 00:38:01.176
present it as fe

00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:03.416
and and I'll have to take the director's

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:05.095
answer for that one. So if you'd like to

00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:06.696
bring another question next council

00:38:06.720 --> 00:38:09.256
meeting, please feel free to do so.

00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:11.256
Thank you.

00:38:11.280 --> 00:38:13.815
And our next question is from Lisa

00:38:13.839 --> 00:38:16.296
Shurenovic. I hope I've got that

00:38:16.320 --> 00:38:19.095
pronounced correctly. Is is Lisa with us

00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:22.119
today?

00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:31.335
I'll I'll read the question while you're

00:38:31.359 --> 00:38:32.696
getting your thoughts together. No

00:38:32.720 --> 00:38:35.720
worries.  Lisa's question is on what

00:38:35.839 --> 00:38:38.216
legal advice does Knox City Council

00:38:38.240 --> 00:38:41.095
charge a mandatory animal surrender fee,

00:38:41.119 --> 00:38:43.575
now $146?

00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:45.496
And has Knox tested this against the

00:38:45.520 --> 00:38:48.520
domestic animal act section 33A?

00:38:49.440 --> 00:38:51.575
that council must accept surrendered

00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:54.599
dogs and cats as given without barriers.

00:38:56.240 --> 00:38:58.296
 Lisa, you now have two minutes to

00:38:58.320 --> 00:39:01.320
speak to your question. If you wish

00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:05.880
don't wish to speak to your question,

00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:10.696
can just bear with me for one second,

00:39:10.720 --> 00:39:13.720
Ashley, if that's okay.

00:39:25.680 --> 00:39:27.656
Okay. Sorry, Ashley. We're just seeing

00:39:27.680 --> 00:39:29.335
if it was actually acceptable within the

00:39:29.359 --> 00:39:31.016
governance rules for somebody to speak

00:39:31.040 --> 00:39:33.656
on somebody else's behalf. Um, it's not

00:39:33.680 --> 00:39:36.055
clear. So, I'm happy to accept your

00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:38.456
speaking on Lisa's behalf.

00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:40.776
It's just that in the letter from animal

00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:43.800
welfare Victoria they say that councils

00:39:44.079 --> 00:39:47.079
can ask for a donation towards homing

00:39:47.119 --> 00:39:50.119
rehoming costs but they cannot have any

00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:53.480
fee. It must not be presented as a fee

00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:55.815
at all.

00:39:55.839 --> 00:39:56.456
Okay.

00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:59.176
And I understand that quite some time

00:39:59.200 --> 00:40:02.200
ago council did get informed all the

00:40:02.240 --> 00:40:04.456
councils of this but we only learned a

00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:06.696
few days ago from a lawyer.

00:40:06.720 --> 00:40:08.536
Okay. Thank you very much for that

00:40:08.560 --> 00:40:10.776
Ashley. Um I will direct that again to

00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:12.936
the director of city livability Mr.

00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:15.960
Jonathan McNelli to respond.

00:40:16.800 --> 00:40:19.575
Thank you and through you Deputy Mayor.

00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:22.599
Thanks for your question Lisa. Um as

00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:25.416
previously identified council does not

00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:27.335
currently charge a mandatory animal

00:40:27.359 --> 00:40:29.896
surrender fee. Section 33A of the

00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:32.456
domestic animals act requires council to

00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:34.856
accept the surrender of a dog or cat

00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:36.616
where the owner is no longer willing or

00:40:36.640 --> 00:40:39.640
able to care for the animal. Council has

00:40:39.680 --> 00:40:41.656
pres has prescribed an animal surrender

00:40:41.680 --> 00:40:43.656
fee, the purpose of which is to recover

00:40:43.680 --> 00:40:45.256
a portion of the costs incurred by

00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:47.335
council in fulfilling its legislative

00:40:47.359 --> 00:40:50.136
responsibilities following surrender.

00:40:50.160 --> 00:40:52.216
Council's animal surrender fee does not

00:40:52.240 --> 00:40:54.456
impose any condition on surrender as

00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:56.536
council accepts surrendered animals in

00:40:56.560 --> 00:40:58.696
accordance with the act and does not

00:40:58.720 --> 00:41:00.696
refuse acceptance solely because a

00:41:00.720 --> 00:41:03.575
voluntary surrender fee is proposed.

00:41:03.599 --> 00:41:05.016
Officers have generally applied

00:41:05.040 --> 00:41:07.016
discretion in applying the fee. However,

00:41:07.040 --> 00:41:08.536
we can see how there might be some

00:41:08.560 --> 00:41:10.376
confusion around how council applies

00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:13.016
this discretion. As such, a process for

00:41:13.040 --> 00:41:15.256
managing the surrender of pets through

00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:17.416
section 33A of the act is currently

00:41:17.440 --> 00:41:19.496
being reviewed.

00:41:19.520 --> 00:41:21.335
As identified in my response earlier

00:41:21.359 --> 00:41:24.216
this evening, in 68% of the cases of

00:41:24.240 --> 00:41:27.016
surrender over the past 12 months, the

00:41:27.040 --> 00:41:29.176
owner has elected to not pay the

00:41:29.200 --> 00:41:32.200
voluntary fee. In such cases, council

00:41:32.240 --> 00:41:34.216
has nonetheless accepted the dog or cat

00:41:34.240 --> 00:41:36.055
surrender.

00:41:36.079 --> 00:41:38.856
Thank you very much, Mr. McNelli. Um,

00:41:38.880 --> 00:41:41.016
our next question comes from Mr. to

00:41:41.040 --> 00:41:42.856
Darren Wallace. Darren, are you with us

00:41:42.880 --> 00:41:45.880
tonight? Yes.  Darren, your question

00:41:46.079 --> 00:41:48.055
was, could council tell me about any

00:41:48.079 --> 00:41:50.136
register of significant trees on

00:41:50.160 --> 00:41:52.456
private, public, or council land within

00:41:52.480 --> 00:41:54.936
the municipality and any proposed

00:41:54.960 --> 00:41:57.416
framework surrounding and definition of

00:41:57.440 --> 00:41:59.976
significant trees on private property.

00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:01.496
You have two minutes to speak to your

00:42:01.520 --> 00:42:02.376
question, Darren.

00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:04.216
Thank you and thank you council for the

00:42:04.240 --> 00:42:06.776
opportunity.  this question is loosely

00:42:06.800 --> 00:42:08.856
asked with respect to the local laws

00:42:08.880 --> 00:42:10.936
review and vegetation protection

00:42:10.960 --> 00:42:13.575
elements within that. Um I'm not

00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:15.896
convinced this council has any idea of

00:42:15.920 --> 00:42:18.920
what significant trees exist within the

00:42:18.960 --> 00:42:21.960
municipality given there appears to be a

00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:24.616
very very significant information gap in

00:42:24.640 --> 00:42:27.640
this sort of data. If the 1992 Knox

00:42:28.560 --> 00:42:30.776
heritage study is anything to go by,

00:42:30.800 --> 00:42:32.696
that is the last document I could find

00:42:32.720 --> 00:42:34.456
that council has that contains any

00:42:34.480 --> 00:42:37.480
information about um trees of heritage

00:42:37.839 --> 00:42:40.136
or significant value.

00:42:40.160 --> 00:42:41.896
I would suggest that you don't know how

00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:43.575
many vehicles you have in your fleet. I

00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:45.095
would suggest you know how many staff

00:42:45.119 --> 00:42:47.896
you have within the organization. I'd be

00:42:47.920 --> 00:42:50.616
very very interested to hear about 

00:42:50.640 --> 00:42:53.176
council's knowledge on how many 

00:42:53.200 --> 00:42:55.176
significant trees or any documentation

00:42:55.200 --> 00:42:57.335
surrounding that that they might have.

00:42:57.359 --> 00:42:59.496
Thank you.

00:42:59.520 --> 00:43:01.575
 thank you Mr. Wallace. I'll direct

00:43:01.599 --> 00:43:03.976
your question again to our interim

00:43:04.000 --> 00:43:07.000
director Mr. McN.

00:43:07.839 --> 00:43:09.976
Thank you and through you Deputy Mayor.

00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:12.776
Um thanks for your question Darren. Um I

00:43:12.800 --> 00:43:14.856
understand your question is related um

00:43:14.880 --> 00:43:17.880
to the current review of the local law.

00:43:18.160 --> 00:43:20.295
Um I advise that in the context of the

00:43:20.319 --> 00:43:21.976
local law there is currently no

00:43:22.000 --> 00:43:23.815
significant tree list prepared by

00:43:23.839 --> 00:43:25.815
council and there are currently no trees

00:43:25.839 --> 00:43:27.656
that have been declared as significant

00:43:27.680 --> 00:43:29.736
under the relevant clauses in both the

00:43:29.760 --> 00:43:32.696
existing amenity local law 2020 or in

00:43:32.720 --> 00:43:35.720
the draft amenity local law 2026.

00:43:36.240 --> 00:43:37.896
However, the NOX planning scheme

00:43:37.920 --> 00:43:39.896
contains a number of controls that that

00:43:39.920 --> 00:43:41.815
allow for the protection of vegetation,

00:43:41.839 --> 00:43:43.896
including the environmental significance

00:43:43.920 --> 00:43:46.696
overlay, vegetation protection overlay,

00:43:46.720 --> 00:43:48.776
significant landscape overlay, the

00:43:48.800 --> 00:43:50.936
heritage overlay,

00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:53.335
clause 5217, which is a native

00:43:53.359 --> 00:43:56.359
vegetation provisions, and clause 5237,

00:43:56.960 --> 00:43:59.736
which relates to canopy trees.

00:43:59.760 --> 00:44:01.496
Specifically, the vegetation protection

00:44:01.520 --> 00:44:03.656
overlay schedule 2 is targeted at

00:44:03.680 --> 00:44:05.736
protecting significant and non-

00:44:05.760 --> 00:44:08.760
indigenous native trees. I'll note that

00:44:08.800 --> 00:44:11.496
clause 5237 was introduced by the state

00:44:11.520 --> 00:44:14.295
government in September 2025 through

00:44:14.319 --> 00:44:16.536
amendment VC289

00:44:16.560 --> 00:44:18.616
and has expanded the areas covered by

00:44:18.640 --> 00:44:21.640
vegetation controls within NOX.

00:44:21.920 --> 00:44:23.656
Within the planning scheme, there's no

00:44:23.680 --> 00:44:26.136
definition, no single definition of a

00:44:26.160 --> 00:44:28.776
significant tree under these overlays.

00:44:28.800 --> 00:44:30.536
Instead, significance is assessed

00:44:30.560 --> 00:44:33.256
against criteria within each overlay,

00:44:33.280 --> 00:44:35.416
such as environmental, landscape, or

00:44:35.440 --> 00:44:38.376
cultural value. Council has recently

00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:40.856
reviewed it ex its existing vegetation

00:44:40.880 --> 00:44:42.936
protection overlay and is progressing a

00:44:42.960 --> 00:44:45.960
correctional amendment of the control.

00:44:46.079 --> 00:44:48.055
No further work is currently programmed

00:44:48.079 --> 00:44:50.216
to broaden the controls, but will be

00:44:50.240 --> 00:44:53.240
considered in the future.

00:44:53.280 --> 00:44:55.256
Thank you very much. And that concludes

00:44:55.280 --> 00:44:57.095
our public question time for this

00:44:57.119 --> 00:44:58.376
evening.

00:44:58.400 --> 00:45:01.400
just straight on to that.  our next

00:45:02.560 --> 00:45:04.616
item for discussion,

00:45:04.640 --> 00:45:07.640
sorry councilors,  my apologies. We've

00:45:07.680 --> 00:45:10.376
now been underway for about 50 50

00:45:10.400 --> 00:45:13.400
minutes. Um I'd like to propose a brief

00:45:13.599 --> 00:45:15.656
a brief adjournment. Would somebody be

00:45:15.680 --> 00:45:17.575
prepared to move that we adjourn the

00:45:17.599 --> 00:45:20.136
meeting for approximately 10 minutes?

00:45:20.160 --> 00:45:22.376
Moved by councelor Atwell, seconded

00:45:22.400 --> 00:45:25.400
councelor Pearce. All those in favor

00:45:26.000 --> 00:45:28.216
that is carried unanimously. We will

00:45:28.240 --> 00:45:30.456
break for 10 minutes and resume at

00:45:30.480 --> 00:45:33.480
precisely 8:00. Thank you.

00:45:36.000 --> 00:45:37.416
Thank you very much everybody for

00:45:37.440 --> 00:45:38.776
bearing with us through that short

00:45:38.800 --> 00:45:41.800
break. Um before we go to item 8.1 being

00:45:42.560 --> 00:45:44.376
the budget, I'd like to deal with the

00:45:44.400 --> 00:45:47.176
foreshadowed conflict of interests.

00:45:47.200 --> 00:45:48.616
Given the significance of the annual

00:45:48.640 --> 00:45:50.616
budget, councelor Baker, councelor

00:45:50.640 --> 00:45:53.575
Cooper, councelor Williams and I have

00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:55.335
already all indicated that we would like

00:45:55.359 --> 00:45:56.936
to participate in the broader budget

00:45:56.960 --> 00:45:59.815
discussion debate  in the same way we

00:45:59.839 --> 00:46:02.839
did with the draft 2026 2027 annual

00:46:03.839 --> 00:46:05.335
budget and action plan that was

00:46:05.359 --> 00:46:07.815
considered at the April council meeting

00:46:07.839 --> 00:46:09.416
in line with the conflict of interest

00:46:09.440 --> 00:46:11.176
exemptions within the local government

00:46:11.200 --> 00:46:14.055
act 2020 and the local government act

00:46:14.079 --> 00:46:17.079
and and integrity regulations 2020. 20.

00:46:17.119 --> 00:46:19.256
I am proposing that before we consider

00:46:19.280 --> 00:46:22.280
item 8.1, the annual budget 202627

00:46:23.440 --> 00:46:26.440
in its totality, we consider some

00:46:26.560 --> 00:46:28.616
preliminary motions to determine the

00:46:28.640 --> 00:46:30.216
components of the budget that that are

00:46:30.240 --> 00:46:32.776
creating those conflicts of interest.

00:46:32.800 --> 00:46:34.536
Once council has made its determination

00:46:34.560 --> 00:46:36.696
on those items, all councilors present

00:46:36.720 --> 00:46:38.456
tonight will be able to participate

00:46:38.480 --> 00:46:40.216
within the discussion and debate on the

00:46:40.240 --> 00:46:42.295
budget. I would therefore like to

00:46:42.319 --> 00:46:44.696
propose that we consider whether a a

00:46:44.720 --> 00:46:47.256
kitchen upgrade at Canaan Canara

00:46:47.280 --> 00:46:49.256
Community House should be included in

00:46:49.280 --> 00:46:51.815
the annual budget. Before I do so,

00:46:51.839 --> 00:46:53.335
councelor Cooper, would you like to make

00:46:53.359 --> 00:46:55.416
your conflict of interest  declaration

00:46:55.440 --> 00:46:57.256
in full?

00:46:57.280 --> 00:47:00.055
Yes, Deputy Mayor Duncan. Thank you. Um

00:47:00.079 --> 00:47:01.656
so, in accordance with the Local

00:47:01.680 --> 00:47:04.456
Government Act 2020, I Lisa Cooper

00:47:04.480 --> 00:47:06.536
declared that I have a general conflict

00:47:06.560 --> 00:47:09.496
of interest on today's meeting date. in

00:47:09.520 --> 00:47:12.520
today's meeting for item 8.1 the annual

00:47:12.720 --> 00:47:15.720
budget 2026 to 27 and the nature of my

00:47:17.200 --> 00:47:18.856
interest is that I am the network

00:47:18.880 --> 00:47:21.736
manager for 31 community houses in the

00:47:21.760 --> 00:47:24.696
outer eastern suburbs which includes all

00:47:24.720 --> 00:47:27.720
of Knox located um community houses.

00:47:28.240 --> 00:47:29.416
Thank you.

00:47:29.440 --> 00:47:32.440
Thank you councelor Cooper.

00:47:32.480 --> 00:47:34.216
Just wait for councelor Cooper to leave

00:47:34.240 --> 00:47:37.240
the chamber.

00:47:43.440 --> 00:47:46.440
But that looks great.

00:47:50.000 --> 00:47:51.575
As councelor Cooper has left the

00:47:51.599 --> 00:47:53.815
chamber, would a would a counselor u be

00:47:53.839 --> 00:47:56.055
prepared to move the motion as shown on

00:47:56.079 --> 00:47:58.456
the screen. So move councelor Baker

00:47:58.480 --> 00:48:00.696
seconded by

00:48:00.720 --> 00:48:03.016
councelor Atwell. Councelor Baker, would

00:48:03.040 --> 00:48:05.016
you like to speak to the motion? 

00:48:05.040 --> 00:48:06.856
thank you just briefly that this is

00:48:06.880 --> 00:48:09.335
obviously for a Canaro community house u

00:48:09.359 --> 00:48:11.496
located in Upper Gully um and they're

00:48:11.520 --> 00:48:14.376
seeking funding for refurbishment design

00:48:14.400 --> 00:48:16.936
um as outline the report. Thank you.

00:48:16.960 --> 00:48:18.376
Thank you councelor Baker councelor

00:48:18.400 --> 00:48:20.376
Atwell anything to add anybody else like

00:48:20.400 --> 00:48:23.400
to speak to this online there being no

00:48:24.000 --> 00:48:25.976
further I will put the motion all those

00:48:26.000 --> 00:48:29.000
in favor

00:48:29.599 --> 00:48:31.656
that motion is carried unanimously.

00:48:31.680 --> 00:48:33.496
Could we please ask councelor Cooper to

00:48:33.520 --> 00:48:35.176
return?

00:48:35.200 --> 00:48:38.200
Thank you.

00:48:47.680 --> 00:48:49.656
Thanks councelor Cooper. Um just to

00:48:49.680 --> 00:48:51.736
clarify for your benefit councelor 

00:48:51.760 --> 00:48:53.496
council has resolved to include in the

00:48:53.520 --> 00:48:55.095
draft budget the item that triggered

00:48:55.119 --> 00:48:58.119
your conflict of interest.

00:48:58.240 --> 00:49:00.535
, as I myself am proposing to declare

00:49:00.559 --> 00:49:02.456
a conflict of interest at this point, I

00:49:02.480 --> 00:49:04.616
would like to invite our immediate past

00:49:04.640 --> 00:49:06.535
Mayor, councelor Cooper, to take the

00:49:06.559 --> 00:49:08.376
role of chairperson in line with

00:49:08.400 --> 00:49:10.936
council's governance rules to enable me

00:49:10.960 --> 00:49:13.960
to do so.

00:49:22.800 --> 00:49:24.776
Okay. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. I would

00:49:24.800 --> 00:49:26.936
like to propose we consider whether the

00:49:26.960 --> 00:49:28.616
fees and charges for the use of

00:49:28.640 --> 00:49:30.456
Carrington Park leisure and

00:49:30.480 --> 00:49:32.295
multi-purpose facility should be

00:49:32.319 --> 00:49:34.776
included in the annual budget. But of

00:49:34.800 --> 00:49:36.776
course, before we do so, councelor

00:49:36.800 --> 00:49:38.216
Duncan, would you like to make your

00:49:38.240 --> 00:49:41.016
conflict of interest declaration in full

00:49:41.040 --> 00:49:42.216
thank you?

00:49:42.240 --> 00:49:44.456
Yes, thank you. Um, as I am a member of

00:49:44.480 --> 00:49:46.216
the committee of management for a

00:49:46.240 --> 00:49:47.896
sporting club that rents council

00:49:47.920 --> 00:49:50.216
facilities at Carrington Park and will

00:49:50.240 --> 00:49:52.936
be subject to those check those fees.

00:49:52.960 --> 00:49:55.960
, at tonight's meeting I have a 

00:49:56.079 --> 00:49:58.856
conflict  in rel in relation to that

00:49:58.880 --> 00:50:00.856
item and is a material conflict of

00:50:00.880 --> 00:50:03.496
interest as per section 128.

00:50:03.520 --> 00:50:05.976
Thank you. Councelor Baker, would you

00:50:06.000 --> 00:50:08.295
like to make your conflict of interest

00:50:08.319 --> 00:50:09.815
declaration in full, please?

00:50:09.839 --> 00:50:11.575
Thank you and through you councelor

00:50:11.599 --> 00:50:13.896
Cooper. Um, inordinance of the Local

00:50:13.920 --> 00:50:16.776
Government Act of 2020, I, Megan Baker,

00:50:16.800 --> 00:50:18.376
declare that I have a general conflict

00:50:18.400 --> 00:50:20.616
of interest um, for obviously tonight's

00:50:20.640 --> 00:50:23.256
meeting for this item 8.1 annual budget

00:50:23.280 --> 00:50:26.280
2026 to 2027. The nature of my interest

00:50:26.400 --> 00:50:28.616
is that I have a family member who's

00:50:28.640 --> 00:50:30.856
part of a governing body of a community

00:50:30.880 --> 00:50:33.176
organization who are a regular user of

00:50:33.200 --> 00:50:35.016
the facility listed in this item, that

00:50:35.040 --> 00:50:36.856
being Carrington Park, and would be

00:50:36.880 --> 00:50:39.575
subject to the fees proposed. Thank you,

00:50:39.599 --> 00:50:42.599
Councelor Baker. Councilors,

00:50:47.680 --> 00:50:49.496
would someone be prepared to move the

00:50:49.520 --> 00:50:52.520
motion as shown on the screen, which

00:50:52.559 --> 00:50:55.559
I'll read out that council resolved to

00:50:55.760 --> 00:50:58.376
include the fees and charges for the use

00:50:58.400 --> 00:51:00.055
of Carrington Park leisure and

00:51:00.079 --> 00:51:03.079
multi-purpose facility as set out in the

00:51:03.200 --> 00:51:05.736
offic's report appendix schedule of fees

00:51:05.760 --> 00:51:08.760
and charges in the annual budget 26 to

00:51:08.960 --> 00:51:11.176
27. Seven.

00:51:11.200 --> 00:51:14.200
Thank you, councelor Atwell. Is there a

00:51:14.480 --> 00:51:17.480
seconder for that motion?

00:51:18.079 --> 00:51:21.079
Thank you, councelor Considine.

00:51:21.680 --> 00:51:23.095
Councelor Atwell, would you like to

00:51:23.119 --> 00:51:24.136
speak to the motion?

00:51:24.160 --> 00:51:25.815
Fairly straightforward, Mayor. Take it

00:51:25.839 --> 00:51:27.575
as  as it is printed on the screen

00:51:27.599 --> 00:51:28.055
there.

00:51:28.079 --> 00:51:30.295
Thank you, Council Considine.

00:51:30.319 --> 00:51:32.295
Thank you, [ __ ] Thanks.

00:51:32.319 --> 00:51:34.055
Would any other counselor like to speak

00:51:34.079 --> 00:51:35.896
to the motion?

00:51:35.920 --> 00:51:37.815
I assume you do not want to exercise

00:51:37.839 --> 00:51:40.456
your right of reply. Thank you. I will

00:51:40.480 --> 00:51:43.480
now put the motion. All those in favor,

00:51:44.880 --> 00:51:47.416
all those opposed.

00:51:47.440 --> 00:51:49.496
The motion is carried. Thank you. We'll

00:51:49.520 --> 00:51:51.416
now invite councelor Duncan and Baker

00:51:51.440 --> 00:51:54.440
back in to rejoin the meeting.

00:52:06.720 --> 00:52:08.936
Welcome back councilors. Just to clarify

00:52:08.960 --> 00:52:11.176
for your benefit that council has just

00:52:11.200 --> 00:52:13.976
resolved to include in the annual budget

00:52:14.000 --> 00:52:15.896
the item that triggered your respective

00:52:15.920 --> 00:52:18.376
conflicts of interest and I can now

00:52:18.400 --> 00:52:20.456
invite councelor Duncan to resume the

00:52:20.480 --> 00:52:22.776
chairperson for the me for the rest of

00:52:22.800 --> 00:52:25.800
the meeting. Thank you.

00:52:36.880 --> 00:52:38.776
left.

00:52:38.800 --> 00:52:41.800
Okay, now that that is done,

00:52:44.160 --> 00:52:47.160
sorry.

00:52:47.359 --> 00:52:50.359
Okay, there we are. you very much. Now

00:52:50.400 --> 00:52:52.456
councilors, we can now move to consider

00:52:52.480 --> 00:52:55.480
item 8.1, which is the entirety of the

00:52:55.920 --> 00:52:58.920
annual budget 202627.

00:53:00.000 --> 00:53:02.696
Before we  proceed, I also have two

00:53:02.720 --> 00:53:04.696
counselors who foreshadowed making

00:53:04.720 --> 00:53:07.016
transparency statements in respect to

00:53:07.040 --> 00:53:09.896
this item. First was yourself, councelor

00:53:09.920 --> 00:53:11.736
Williams.

00:53:11.760 --> 00:53:13.496
Thank you through Deputy Mayor. I just

00:53:13.520 --> 00:53:14.776
 I'd like to make a transparency

00:53:14.800 --> 00:53:17.176
statement that um I'm the NOx group

00:53:17.200 --> 00:53:19.016
officer for the country fire authority

00:53:19.040 --> 00:53:21.815
and um we do receive grants through this

00:53:21.839 --> 00:53:24.535
um proposed budget.

00:53:24.559 --> 00:53:26.055
Thank you councelor Williams and

00:53:26.079 --> 00:53:27.416
councelor Baker.

00:53:27.440 --> 00:53:29.815
Thank you. Thank you Deputy Mayor.  my

00:53:29.839 --> 00:53:31.575
transparency statement is I have

00:53:31.599 --> 00:53:33.095
recently become aware that a family

00:53:33.119 --> 00:53:35.176
member has infrequently refereed at a

00:53:35.200 --> 00:53:37.736
Nox facility mentioned in the budget.

00:53:37.760 --> 00:53:39.496
Given they are not on the board or a

00:53:39.520 --> 00:53:41.416
decision-making body, I believe it's

00:53:41.440 --> 00:53:43.335
only remote in nature and do not believe

00:53:43.359 --> 00:53:44.856
I need to declare a conflict of

00:53:44.880 --> 00:53:46.295
interest. Thank you.

00:53:46.319 --> 00:53:48.055
Thank you, councelor Baker. So, we can

00:53:48.079 --> 00:53:49.736
now move to the item. Would a counselor

00:53:49.760 --> 00:53:52.456
like to move a motion?

00:53:52.480 --> 00:53:55.480
Councelor Pearce,

00:53:55.680 --> 00:53:57.656
you have a motion.

00:53:57.680 --> 00:53:59.335
Yes. Deputy Mayor, would you like me to

00:53:59.359 --> 00:54:00.216
read the amendment?

00:54:00.240 --> 00:54:02.456
, are you moving an alternate motion?

00:54:02.480 --> 00:54:04.295
Yes, I'm moving an alternate m motion

00:54:04.319 --> 00:54:05.016
for the budget.

00:54:05.040 --> 00:54:06.856
Yes. Does councelor Pearce need to read

00:54:06.880 --> 00:54:09.880
that?

00:54:24.319 --> 00:54:26.136
um that is up on the screen, councelor

00:54:26.160 --> 00:54:27.736
Pearce, but if you wouldn't mind reading

00:54:27.760 --> 00:54:29.496
points one, two, and three, which are

00:54:29.520 --> 00:54:31.736
the new parts, and and then we'll take

00:54:31.760 --> 00:54:34.055
the amendments that that will

00:54:34.079 --> 00:54:36.616
subsequently produce as read. Thank you.

00:54:36.640 --> 00:54:38.136
Point of order. Shouldn't we have a

00:54:38.160 --> 00:54:39.095
seconder?

00:54:39.119 --> 00:54:40.856
No, you have to introduce your motion

00:54:40.880 --> 00:54:42.216
before it's seconded.

00:54:42.240 --> 00:54:44.616
Okay.

00:54:44.640 --> 00:54:47.575
Note council resolves that note in the

00:54:47.599 --> 00:54:50.599
2026-27 declaration of rates, charges,

00:54:50.640 --> 00:54:53.640
rebates set out in attachment 2 contains

00:54:53.920 --> 00:54:56.920
a rebate. C paragraph 12 to each owner

00:54:58.079 --> 00:55:00.856
of rebatable land who is eligible

00:55:00.880 --> 00:55:03.256
recipient within the meaning of the

00:55:03.280 --> 00:55:06.280
state concessions act of 2020 2004. The

00:55:07.920 --> 00:55:10.920
rebate respect to rebatable land so

00:55:11.040 --> 00:55:14.040
owned is a maximum of $75.

00:55:14.480 --> 00:55:17.480
that is known as the pensioner rebate.

00:55:17.839 --> 00:55:20.456
Two, set the pensioner rebate as a

00:55:20.480 --> 00:55:23.480
maximum of $100.

00:55:23.760 --> 00:55:26.376
Three, note that the change to the

00:55:26.400 --> 00:55:29.095
pension of rebate in resolution two

00:55:29.119 --> 00:55:30.936
above will reduce income by

00:55:30.960 --> 00:55:33.960
approximately 278,000 annually and

00:55:34.800 --> 00:55:37.800
resolve that the reduction be offset by

00:55:38.960 --> 00:55:41.256
consequential reductions in operating

00:55:41.280 --> 00:55:43.815
operational expenditure to be determined

00:55:43.839 --> 00:55:46.776
as part of the amended budget process

00:55:46.800 --> 00:55:48.535
which will be presented to council in

00:55:48.559 --> 00:55:50.696
September 2026

00:55:50.720 --> 00:55:53.416
or such later date as agreed. agreed in

00:55:53.440 --> 00:55:56.440
consultation with the Mayor.

00:55:56.480 --> 00:55:58.295
Four,

00:55:58.319 --> 00:56:00.856
adopt the annual budget for 2026.

00:56:00.880 --> 00:56:02.136
You don't need to continue from there,

00:56:02.160 --> 00:56:04.136
councelor Pearce. That's fine. The 

00:56:04.160 --> 00:56:06.775
the subsequent points 4 through 7 are

00:56:06.799 --> 00:56:09.736
subject to um consequential amendments

00:56:09.760 --> 00:56:11.815
arising from the resolutions two and

00:56:11.839 --> 00:56:13.976
three above which will be administrative

00:56:14.000 --> 00:56:17.000
corrections made.  and resolution 8 as

00:56:17.119 --> 00:56:19.976
well which is to authorize the chief

00:56:20.000 --> 00:56:21.976
chief executive officer to sign and seal

00:56:22.000 --> 00:56:23.976
all relevant documents necessary to give

00:56:24.000 --> 00:56:27.000
effect to resolution 8 above.

00:56:27.920 --> 00:56:30.456
Um do I have a seconder for councelor

00:56:30.480 --> 00:56:32.775
Pearce's alternate motion?  councelor

00:56:32.799 --> 00:56:35.416
Williams. Thank you. Councelor Pearce,

00:56:35.440 --> 00:56:37.896
would you like to speak to your motion?

00:56:37.920 --> 00:56:39.656
Yes, Deputy Mayor. I'd like to speak to

00:56:39.680 --> 00:56:41.656
it.

00:56:41.680 --> 00:56:44.680
Deputy Mayor, thank you. Thank you for

00:56:44.720 --> 00:56:47.720
allowing me to speak. I speak in support

00:56:47.839 --> 00:56:50.616
of the alternate motion. This council is

00:56:50.640 --> 00:56:53.016
being asked tonight to adopt a budget

00:56:53.040 --> 00:56:56.040
that on whole is sound and complies with

00:56:56.319 --> 00:56:57.976
the act.

00:56:58.000 --> 00:57:00.936
It sits within the rate cap. The

00:57:00.960 --> 00:57:03.656
borrowing program is well within our own

00:57:03.680 --> 00:57:06.680
policy limits. I dis do not dispute any

00:57:06.880 --> 00:57:09.880
of that. There is one line in the budget

00:57:10.079 --> 00:57:13.079
that I believe gets the balance wrong.

00:57:13.839 --> 00:57:16.839
And the alternate motion fixes it.

00:57:17.359 --> 00:57:20.216
Office recommendations cuts the puncher

00:57:20.240 --> 00:57:23.240
rebate from $100 to 75.

00:57:24.000 --> 00:57:27.000
That's a 25% decrease

00:57:30.000 --> 00:57:33.000
in support of the very taxpayers

00:57:33.119 --> 00:57:35.736
least able to absorb the rate rise. And

00:57:35.760 --> 00:57:38.760
at the same time, we impose a 2.75%

00:57:39.680 --> 00:57:42.535
increase in general rates.

00:57:42.559 --> 00:57:45.559
and a near $20 jump in the garbage

00:57:45.599 --> 00:57:47.496
charge.

00:57:47.520 --> 00:57:50.055
For a pensioner on fixed incomes, those

00:57:50.079 --> 00:57:52.856
increase land the hardest

00:57:52.880 --> 00:57:55.335
and this is the year we choose to make

00:57:55.359 --> 00:57:57.976
our own offset rebate smaller, not

00:57:58.000 --> 00:58:00.216
larger.

00:58:00.240 --> 00:58:02.856
I want to be fair to officers. They have

00:58:02.880 --> 00:58:05.256
worked diligently in preparing this

00:58:05.280 --> 00:58:08.280
budget. At the end of the day, it comes

00:58:08.400 --> 00:58:10.535
down to the nine counselors to direct

00:58:10.559 --> 00:58:12.696
and approve the budget.

00:58:12.720 --> 00:58:14.775
the major this is a major part of our

00:58:14.799 --> 00:58:17.799
role as counselors. However, I have

00:58:17.839 --> 00:58:20.456
prepared an alternate because I'm not

00:58:20.480 --> 00:58:23.335
satisfied with one aspect.

00:58:23.359 --> 00:58:26.216
The alternate motion does three things

00:58:26.240 --> 00:58:29.240
and does them properly. Firstly, it

00:58:29.520 --> 00:58:32.295
actually defines the pension rebate

00:58:32.319 --> 00:58:35.016
because remarkably that terms isn't

00:58:35.040 --> 00:58:37.095
pinned down anywhere in the suite of

00:58:37.119 --> 00:58:39.095
documents that we're being asked to

00:58:39.119 --> 00:58:41.176
adopt.

00:58:41.200 --> 00:58:43.896
You cannot be responsibly amend what you

00:58:43.920 --> 00:58:46.920
have not first defined and in resolution

00:58:47.760 --> 00:58:50.760
one fixes the gap before we touch the

00:58:51.040 --> 00:58:52.775
numbers.

00:58:52.799 --> 00:58:55.799
Second, it restores the rebate to $100

00:58:56.720 --> 00:58:59.256
back to last year's level. Not something

00:58:59.280 --> 00:59:02.055
new,

00:59:02.079 --> 00:59:05.079
not some new unbudgeted commitment. And

00:59:05.200 --> 00:59:07.815
third, and this is the part I ask my

00:59:07.839 --> 00:59:10.295
colleagues to weigh carefully. It does

00:59:10.319 --> 00:59:13.319
not pretend that this is free of charge.

00:59:13.680 --> 00:59:16.376
Resolution three puts it in black and

00:59:16.400 --> 00:59:19.400
white the cost of approximately 278,000

00:59:21.760 --> 00:59:24.760
a year. That cost will be offset again

00:59:24.880 --> 00:59:26.696
through reductions in operational

00:59:26.720 --> 00:59:29.016
expenditure to be brought back to

00:59:29.040 --> 00:59:31.256
council in the amended budget process in

00:59:31.280 --> 00:59:33.416
September.

00:59:33.440 --> 00:59:36.440
This is not a thought bubble. This is a

00:59:36.480 --> 00:59:39.480
fully accountable amendment

00:59:40.400 --> 00:59:42.616
with consequential changes to the

00:59:42.640 --> 00:59:45.640
budget. The rates declaration, the

00:59:45.839 --> 00:59:48.295
rebate schedule, and the financial plan

00:59:48.319 --> 00:59:50.456
all explicitly carrying through in

00:59:50.480 --> 00:59:53.176
resolutions 4 to 7.

00:59:53.200 --> 00:59:56.200
council. A budget of $219 million

00:59:58.400 --> 01:00:01.256
can find $278,000,

01:00:01.280 --> 01:00:04.280
a little onetenth of 1% of the total

01:00:05.280 --> 01:00:06.775
budget.

01:00:06.799 --> 01:00:09.335
To keep the faith with our most

01:00:09.359 --> 01:00:11.335
vulnerable rateayers,

01:00:11.359 --> 01:00:14.055
this isn't a budget buster. This is a

01:00:14.079 --> 01:00:16.616
question of priorities.

01:00:16.640 --> 01:00:19.176
Declare honestly with a clear plan to

01:00:19.200 --> 01:00:21.815
fund it. I commend this alternate motion

01:00:21.839 --> 01:00:23.976
to council and I urge my colleagues to

01:00:24.000 --> 01:00:26.696
support it. Thank you.

01:00:26.720 --> 01:00:28.616
Thank you, Councelor Pearce. Council

01:00:28.640 --> 01:00:30.376
Williams is second to the motion. Do you

01:00:30.400 --> 01:00:32.856
wish to speak?  yes, through you,

01:00:32.880 --> 01:00:34.856
Deputy Mayor. Nox is one of the few

01:00:34.880 --> 01:00:36.295
councils in Victoria that actually

01:00:36.319 --> 01:00:38.295
currently offers a pension rebate on top

01:00:38.319 --> 01:00:40.775
of the state concession. That's

01:00:40.799 --> 01:00:42.216
something we've been rightly proud of

01:00:42.240 --> 01:00:44.055
for many years. And this budget

01:00:44.079 --> 01:00:45.896
obviously proposes that the contribution

01:00:45.920 --> 01:00:48.920
be cut by 25% from $100 to $75.

01:00:49.839 --> 01:00:51.016
I personally don't think that's the

01:00:51.040 --> 01:00:53.815
right call this year. And here's why.

01:00:53.839 --> 01:00:55.575
This is a budget that quite reasonably

01:00:55.599 --> 01:00:58.295
raises costs across the board. The rate

01:00:58.319 --> 01:01:01.176
cap increase and a near $20 increase in

01:01:01.200 --> 01:01:03.896
the garbage charge. Pensioners on fixed

01:01:03.920 --> 01:01:05.496
incomes fill every one of those

01:01:05.520 --> 01:01:07.736
increases and they have the least room

01:01:07.760 --> 01:01:10.295
to absorb them. So cutting the one thing

01:01:10.319 --> 01:01:13.016
we especially we do specificly for that

01:01:13.040 --> 01:01:14.696
cohort in the same year we're raising

01:01:14.720 --> 01:01:16.535
costs everywhere else sends a very wrong

01:01:16.559 --> 01:01:18.535
signal. The number we're talking about

01:01:18.559 --> 01:01:21.016
is 279,000.

01:01:21.040 --> 01:01:22.696
That's against a budget that invests

01:01:22.720 --> 01:01:25.256
130.8 million in services and 54.6

01:01:25.280 --> 01:01:27.496
million in capital works. It's a small

01:01:27.520 --> 01:01:30.055
fraction of 1% of the total. I don't

01:01:30.079 --> 01:01:32.456
think restoring it puts in puts any of

01:01:32.480 --> 01:01:34.456
our financial sustainability targets at

01:01:34.480 --> 01:01:36.616
risk. And the officers can correct me if

01:01:36.640 --> 01:01:38.696
I'm wrong with this. I've also had

01:01:38.720 --> 01:01:40.295
plenty of concerned residents reach out

01:01:40.319 --> 01:01:41.976
and call me since the budget was out for

01:01:42.000 --> 01:01:44.535
public review who have raised concerns

01:01:44.559 --> 01:01:47.016
to me around counselors who also ran on

01:01:47.040 --> 01:01:48.936
the platform at the last election to

01:01:48.960 --> 01:01:50.775
save the pension or rebate and they now

01:01:50.799 --> 01:01:53.799
feel  abandoned. In my view, this is

01:01:53.839 --> 01:01:56.136
unforgivable. But just to be clear on

01:01:56.160 --> 01:01:58.216
that, I'm not trying to denigrate any of

01:01:58.240 --> 01:02:00.136
the individual counselors who did this.

01:02:00.160 --> 01:02:01.736
I just refer that it's been a reflection

01:02:01.760 --> 01:02:04.376
of our local  residents. So I'm not

01:02:04.400 --> 01:02:06.295
asking us to open up the whole budget as

01:02:06.319 --> 01:02:08.216
councelor Pearce is  also doing the

01:02:08.240 --> 01:02:09.896
same. The rest of the package, the rates

01:02:09.920 --> 01:02:11.335
declaration, the financial plan and the

01:02:11.359 --> 01:02:13.016
borrowings I'm very comfortable with and

01:02:13.040 --> 01:02:15.095
I'd like to pop that on record. This is

01:02:15.119 --> 01:02:17.095
a targeted change to the one line and

01:02:17.119 --> 01:02:18.616
I'd ask the colleagues to support it on

01:02:18.640 --> 01:02:21.640
that basis.

01:02:22.000 --> 01:02:24.216
Thank you, Councelor Williams. Would

01:02:24.240 --> 01:02:25.976
anybody else like to speak to this

01:02:26.000 --> 01:02:29.000
motion?

01:02:30.559 --> 01:02:33.256
Nobody.

01:02:33.280 --> 01:02:35.176
Anyone online? Councelor Kennet, would

01:02:35.200 --> 01:02:38.200
you like to speak? Don't.

01:02:38.880 --> 01:02:41.880
Okay. Um, I will now put the motion. All

01:02:43.839 --> 01:02:46.839
those Oh, sorry. Um, this one second.

01:02:47.520 --> 01:02:50.520
Councelor Pearce.

01:02:53.119 --> 01:02:54.696
Yes, Councelor Pearce, your right of

01:02:54.720 --> 01:02:56.055
reply. Thank you.

01:02:56.079 --> 01:02:58.936
Thank you. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. As

01:02:58.960 --> 01:03:01.960
mover, I use my right reply to briefly

01:03:02.240 --> 01:03:04.535
because I think that objections raised

01:03:04.559 --> 01:03:06.775
tonight or objections raised previously

01:03:06.799 --> 01:03:09.799
to me deserve a direct answer before we

01:03:10.000 --> 01:03:12.456
vote. The argument I've heard is why

01:03:12.480 --> 01:03:14.696
single out pensioners?

01:03:14.720 --> 01:03:16.055
These are the questions I've been asked

01:03:16.079 --> 01:03:18.216
in outside the chamber.

01:03:18.240 --> 01:03:19.656
Point of order has been called.

01:03:19.680 --> 01:03:21.335
Councelor Pearce is councelor Cooper,

01:03:21.359 --> 01:03:24.359
what is your point of order?

01:03:25.039 --> 01:03:26.535
You need to switch off your microphone,

01:03:26.559 --> 01:03:28.856
please. Councelor Pearce.

01:03:28.880 --> 01:03:31.015
Um, when exercising a right of reply,

01:03:31.039 --> 01:03:32.616
you cannot introduce new points of

01:03:32.640 --> 01:03:35.640
argument. Thank you.

01:03:36.160 --> 01:03:38.376
Yes. Yes, that is correct. Councelor

01:03:38.400 --> 01:03:40.055
Cooper, Councelor Pearce, you can

01:03:40.079 --> 01:03:41.656
continue with your writer of, but you

01:03:41.680 --> 01:03:43.815
cannot introduce any new information to

01:03:43.839 --> 01:03:46.216
the debate. Thank you.

01:03:46.240 --> 01:03:49.240
You may continue.

01:03:51.599 --> 01:03:53.896
Okay. I've heard many people say that

01:03:53.920 --> 01:03:56.456
it's double dipping. It's not a new

01:03:56.480 --> 01:03:59.095
program. Point of order.

01:03:59.119 --> 01:04:02.119
Point of order. Councelor Cooper.

01:04:02.640 --> 01:04:04.055
Councelor Pearce, could you turn your

01:04:04.079 --> 01:04:06.295
microphone off, please?

01:04:06.319 --> 01:04:09.319
Thank you.

01:04:10.559 --> 01:04:12.136
Yep. Councelor Cooper, could you state

01:04:12.160 --> 01:04:13.256
your point of

01:04:13.280 --> 01:04:16.280
order? It's the same point of order. Um,

01:04:16.640 --> 01:04:19.640
introducing new points into the debate

01:04:19.760 --> 01:04:22.136
during  exercising your right of

01:04:22.160 --> 01:04:23.575
reply.

01:04:23.599 --> 01:04:26.599
Yep. So, councelor Pearce um you can

01:04:27.200 --> 01:04:28.856
only speak to the points that have been

01:04:28.880 --> 01:04:30.856
raised by councelor Williams because you

01:04:30.880 --> 01:04:33.015
cannot introduce anything new into the

01:04:33.039 --> 01:04:35.015
debate. So, if you could keep that in

01:04:35.039 --> 01:04:37.095
mind for the remainder of your reply and

01:04:37.119 --> 01:04:40.119
you have 1 minute 20 left. Thank you.

01:04:40.799 --> 01:04:43.095
Thank you, Deputy May.

01:04:43.119 --> 01:04:44.775
These are the most vulnerable people in

01:04:44.799 --> 01:04:47.176
our community.

01:04:47.200 --> 01:04:50.200
I've had people come up to me and say

01:04:50.319 --> 01:04:52.696
that they've had

01:04:52.720 --> 01:04:55.575
situations where pensioners are choosing

01:04:55.599 --> 01:04:57.896
between food

01:04:57.920 --> 01:05:00.920
and medicine.

01:05:01.359 --> 01:05:04.359
At the end of the day, this is

01:05:05.520 --> 01:05:08.520
what we're talking about is

01:05:09.280 --> 01:05:12.280
basically onetenth of 1% of the total

01:05:12.960 --> 01:05:14.856
budget.

01:05:14.880 --> 01:05:17.176
It's not a lot of money when you think

01:05:17.200 --> 01:05:20.200
of it that way.

01:05:20.480 --> 01:05:23.176
These are the most vulnerable people. I

01:05:23.200 --> 01:05:25.095
can't

01:05:25.119 --> 01:05:27.815
show my face to these people and say,

01:05:27.839 --> 01:05:29.575
"Oh, we're going to cut your pension a

01:05:29.599 --> 01:05:32.599
rebate and we're going to um increase

01:05:32.960 --> 01:05:35.256
the rates by 2.75%."

01:05:35.280 --> 01:05:38.280
and increase the wage wage um waste

01:05:40.720 --> 01:05:42.856
the waste amount

01:05:42.880 --> 01:05:44.535
and look them in the face and say that's

01:05:44.559 --> 01:05:47.559
fine. I'm sorry. These are one of our

01:05:47.839 --> 01:05:50.839
most vulnerable groups in our community.

01:05:51.359 --> 01:05:53.256
Pensioner rebate does not just cover

01:05:53.280 --> 01:05:56.280
pensioners. It covers veterans.

01:05:56.319 --> 01:05:59.095
It covers disability pension. There's a

01:05:59.119 --> 01:06:00.856
wide variety of the number of people

01:06:00.880 --> 01:06:01.416
it's covered.

01:06:01.440 --> 01:06:03.496
Councelor Pearce, your time is up. Do

01:06:03.520 --> 01:06:05.575
you need a an extension of time?

01:06:05.599 --> 01:06:06.936
Yes, please.

01:06:06.960 --> 01:06:09.960
Um, can I somebody move an extension is

01:06:10.799 --> 01:06:13.095
by councelor Atwell, seconded by

01:06:13.119 --> 01:06:16.119
councelor Cooper. All those in favor,

01:06:16.480 --> 01:06:17.335
thank you. Appreciate it.

01:06:17.359 --> 01:06:19.176
Pause for one second, please. Councelor

01:06:19.200 --> 01:06:22.200
here.

01:06:30.640 --> 01:06:32.055
Sorry, Council of Pearce. We're just

01:06:32.079 --> 01:06:35.015
checking whether we can actually provide

01:06:35.039 --> 01:06:36.856
an extension of time for a right of

01:06:36.880 --> 01:06:39.880
reply.

01:06:41.280 --> 01:06:43.015
I don't believe there's anything in the

01:06:43.039 --> 01:06:45.496
governance rules that says we can't.

01:06:45.520 --> 01:06:46.216
I'll be

01:06:46.240 --> 01:06:49.240
so I I I am happy to afford you the time

01:06:49.440 --> 01:06:52.055
to wrap up your

01:06:52.079 --> 01:06:53.496
Please continue.

01:06:53.520 --> 01:06:54.856
Okay. I've just got to remember what I

01:06:54.880 --> 01:06:57.256
was saying. Sorry. These are the most

01:06:57.280 --> 01:06:58.936
vulnerable people in our community and I

01:06:58.960 --> 01:07:01.656
can't look them in the face and say,

01:07:01.680 --> 01:07:04.680
"Well, just wear this when there are

01:07:04.720 --> 01:07:07.720
other things that we can do to return

01:07:07.839 --> 01:07:10.839
the pension aerbate to $100."

01:07:11.920 --> 01:07:14.535
I'm I I

01:07:14.559 --> 01:07:17.015
basically ask my fellow counselors to

01:07:17.039 --> 01:07:20.039
consider this as an option so that we

01:07:20.799 --> 01:07:23.176
can keep the pensioner rebate. Thank you

01:07:23.200 --> 01:07:24.696
very much and thank you for the people

01:07:24.720 --> 01:07:27.256
who gave me the extended time.

01:07:27.280 --> 01:07:29.976
Thank you councelor Pearce. Um I will

01:07:30.000 --> 01:07:32.376
now put the motion. All those in favor

01:07:32.400 --> 01:07:34.376
of the amended motion, please raise your

01:07:34.400 --> 01:07:36.295
hand

01:07:36.319 --> 01:07:39.319
and all those opposed.

01:07:39.920 --> 01:07:41.976
That motion is lost.

01:07:42.000 --> 01:07:43.335
I'd like to call a division.

01:07:43.359 --> 01:07:45.416
A division has been called by council

01:07:45.440 --> 01:07:48.440
pier. So I'll cast aside that  motion

01:07:49.039 --> 01:07:51.896
and and call for a vote again. All those

01:07:51.920 --> 01:07:54.920
in favor have councelor Pearce and

01:07:55.119 --> 01:07:58.119
councelor Williams. All those opposed,

01:07:58.480 --> 01:08:01.095
councelor Baker, councelor Cooper,

01:08:01.119 --> 01:08:03.815
councelor Conine, councelor Atwell,

01:08:03.839 --> 01:08:06.616
councelor Kennet, and councelor Duncan.

01:08:06.640 --> 01:08:09.640
That motion is lost.

01:08:12.640 --> 01:08:15.640
Would any other counselor like to move a

01:08:15.680 --> 01:08:17.896
motion?

01:08:17.920 --> 01:08:19.896
Councelor Outwell,

01:08:19.920 --> 01:08:21.255
will you be moving

01:08:21.279 --> 01:08:23.576
as printed  the budget? Thank you.

01:08:23.600 --> 01:08:26.456
8.1 as per the officer's recommendation.

01:08:26.480 --> 01:08:29.096
Um do I have anybody to second that

01:08:29.120 --> 01:08:32.120
motion?

01:08:33.199 --> 01:08:35.335
Councelor Cooper seconding that motion.

01:08:35.359 --> 01:08:37.735
Thank you.  councelor Atwell, do you

01:08:37.759 --> 01:08:39.496
wish to speak to that motion?

01:08:39.520 --> 01:08:41.815
 thank you  Deputy Mayor. I will.

01:08:41.839 --> 01:08:44.456
Um, and I'll be supporting  the budget

01:08:44.480 --> 01:08:47.175
as it is presented um in our agenda

01:08:47.199 --> 01:08:49.496
tonight. And it's a what I think is a

01:08:49.520 --> 01:08:51.655
careful and um considered budget and a

01:08:51.679 --> 01:08:53.735
budget that's been informed by 

01:08:53.759 --> 01:08:56.456
feedback from our community. In fact, 

01:08:56.480 --> 01:08:58.295
feedback from almost 600 community

01:08:58.319 --> 01:09:00.695
members about   their needs and

01:09:00.719 --> 01:09:02.135
values and priorities in addition to

01:09:02.159 --> 01:09:05.159
those that we um we sought views from in

01:09:05.199 --> 01:09:06.775
developing our council and health and

01:09:06.799 --> 01:09:09.799
well-being plan. Um, I think it's a

01:09:09.839 --> 01:09:11.815
budget that funds  so many of the

01:09:11.839 --> 01:09:13.896
services that support our community

01:09:13.920 --> 01:09:15.976
across every stage of life. Um, from

01:09:16.000 --> 01:09:18.135
newborns to young families right through

01:09:18.159 --> 01:09:20.536
to older residents who who rely on a

01:09:20.560 --> 01:09:22.536
variety of services to stay independent

01:09:22.560 --> 01:09:25.016
at home. Um, I would start by

01:09:25.040 --> 01:09:26.695
acknowledging that, you know, this is a

01:09:26.719 --> 01:09:29.416
hard time um for a lot of people in Knox

01:09:29.440 --> 01:09:31.096
and we've we've had a discussion, I

01:09:31.120 --> 01:09:33.416
think, that touches on on on one aspect

01:09:33.440 --> 01:09:35.576
of that. Um, the cost of living is

01:09:35.600 --> 01:09:38.456
biting. It's biting um right across our

01:09:38.480 --> 01:09:40.936
community. Um pensioners, yes. Um but

01:09:40.960 --> 01:09:43.960
also  many other people um 

01:09:44.640 --> 01:09:46.376
families, renters, people on fixed

01:09:46.400 --> 01:09:49.400
incomes, um small business owners, um

01:09:49.679 --> 01:09:51.735
lots of people are feeling  the

01:09:51.759 --> 01:09:53.896
squeeze and it's not a decision in

01:09:53.920 --> 01:09:55.576
arriving  where we did with the

01:09:55.600 --> 01:09:57.336
pension a rebate specifically. Not a

01:09:57.360 --> 01:10:00.360
decision that I take lightly. Um um but

01:10:01.040 --> 01:10:03.416
it's it's an important one um in

01:10:03.440 --> 01:10:06.376
thinking about  the funds that we are

01:10:06.400 --> 01:10:08.695
investing in the emergency relief fund

01:10:08.719 --> 01:10:11.719
which we're topping up to $150,000.

01:10:12.000 --> 01:10:14.376
 we are really working overtime to

01:10:14.400 --> 01:10:16.456
make sure we are targeting the support

01:10:16.480 --> 01:10:18.776
in a in a way that benefits  the

01:10:18.800 --> 01:10:21.800
entire community. Um this budget um

01:10:23.199 --> 01:10:26.199
holds to an overall rate rise of 2.75%

01:10:26.480 --> 01:10:29.480
which I note is is well below um

01:10:29.600 --> 01:10:32.215
inflation it's ticking along at  about

01:10:32.239 --> 01:10:33.736
4.2%

01:10:33.760 --> 01:10:36.760
um 12 months to April 2026. So for a

01:10:38.320 --> 01:10:41.175
rate rise of 2.75% on a CPI that's

01:10:41.199 --> 01:10:43.576
running along at about 4.2 and we're

01:10:43.600 --> 01:10:45.736
still funding the services and capital

01:10:45.760 --> 01:10:48.135
works that our community relies on. Um,

01:10:48.159 --> 01:10:49.816
I think that's the balance that we've

01:10:49.840 --> 01:10:51.655
needed to keep in front of us and I

01:10:51.679 --> 01:10:53.576
think it's the balance we strike  with

01:10:53.600 --> 01:10:56.600
the budget tonight. And um  we as has

01:10:57.600 --> 01:10:59.736
been stated in in the discussion already

01:10:59.760 --> 01:11:02.760
on the previous item um we are one of a

01:11:03.120 --> 01:11:05.416
very small number of councils that funds

01:11:05.440 --> 01:11:08.296
a pension a rebate at all on top of the

01:11:08.320 --> 01:11:09.976
state government's concession and we are

01:11:10.000 --> 01:11:13.000
keeping that support in place um at $75.

01:11:13.280 --> 01:11:15.736
And  as I said the funds that um

01:11:15.760 --> 01:11:17.576
relate to that aren't going anywhere. In

01:11:17.600 --> 01:11:18.936
fact they're being directed into the

01:11:18.960 --> 01:11:21.336
services  that benefit people under

01:11:21.360 --> 01:11:22.936
the most pressure. And I'm really proud

01:11:22.960 --> 01:11:24.856
that we're topping up the emergency

01:11:24.880 --> 01:11:27.576
relief fund um that was exhausted quite

01:11:27.600 --> 01:11:29.416
early in its pilot over the past 12

01:11:29.440 --> 01:11:31.655
months.  we know the numbers of of

01:11:31.679 --> 01:11:33.256
rough sleepers, the people on the edge

01:11:33.280 --> 01:11:35.655
of homelessness  are increasing

01:11:35.679 --> 01:11:38.135
rapidly and council is doing everything

01:11:38.159 --> 01:11:40.695
it can to target our support  in the

01:11:40.719 --> 01:11:43.496
most equitable way possible. So um I

01:11:43.520 --> 01:11:45.496
will be  supporting the office's

01:11:45.520 --> 01:11:46.936
recommendation. I look forward to the

01:11:46.960 --> 01:11:49.256
conversation  from councils about this

01:11:49.280 --> 01:11:50.776
important document for us for the year

01:11:50.800 --> 01:11:53.256
ahead. and um I look forward to u

01:11:53.280 --> 01:11:55.496
summing up  soon enough. Thank you,

01:11:55.520 --> 01:11:57.016
Deputy Mayor.

01:11:57.040 --> 01:11:59.175
Thank you very much, Councelor Well. 

01:11:59.199 --> 01:12:01.016
councelor Cooper as second, would you

01:12:01.040 --> 01:12:02.695
like to speak to the motion?

01:12:02.719 --> 01:12:04.776
Thank you. I'm going to reserve my right

01:12:04.800 --> 01:12:07.736
just at this point in time. Can I just

01:12:07.760 --> 01:12:10.296
ask a question for clarification?

01:12:10.320 --> 01:12:13.320
Um just  my question is with the

01:12:14.800 --> 01:12:16.936
pensioner rebate

01:12:16.960 --> 01:12:18.856
um who qualifies for the pensioner

01:12:18.880 --> 01:12:21.336
rebate.

01:12:21.360 --> 01:12:24.360
Um

01:12:24.560 --> 01:12:27.560
um I might ask Nec Lan, director 

01:12:28.560 --> 01:12:30.456
chief financial officer, if she's

01:12:30.480 --> 01:12:31.976
prepared to answer that question for

01:12:32.000 --> 01:12:35.000
you.

01:12:36.000 --> 01:12:38.776
 thank you through you, Deputy Mayor.

01:12:38.800 --> 01:12:40.135
 thank you for your question,

01:12:40.159 --> 01:12:43.159
Councelor Cooper. It's a bit of a a long

01:12:43.360 --> 01:12:46.360
list of um people who qualify, but

01:12:46.719 --> 01:12:48.936
essentially  the Department of

01:12:48.960 --> 01:12:51.655
Families, Fairness, and Housing, and the

01:12:51.679 --> 01:12:53.736
Department of Veteran Affairs issue all

01:12:53.760 --> 01:12:56.376
eligible concession cards and cards

01:12:56.400 --> 01:12:59.256
eligible for rebates are the Centerlink

01:12:59.280 --> 01:13:01.576
Pensioner Concession Card, the Veterans

01:13:01.600 --> 01:13:04.215
Affairs Pensioner Concession Card,

01:13:04.239 --> 01:13:07.239
Veteran Affairs Gold Card, War Widow or

01:13:07.360 --> 01:13:10.360
TPI, Veteran Affairs Gold Card, P or

01:13:11.199 --> 01:13:14.199
EDA. Um and  generally pensioner

01:13:16.159 --> 01:13:18.135
concession cards are issued by Center

01:13:18.159 --> 01:13:20.536
Link also to those receiving an age

01:13:20.560 --> 01:13:23.256
pension, a disability support pension, a

01:13:23.280 --> 01:13:25.256
carer payment, job seeker or youth

01:13:25.280 --> 01:13:28.280
allowance. Um and a single caring for a

01:13:28.960 --> 01:13:31.960
dependent child and looking for work or

01:13:32.080 --> 01:13:34.856
parenting payment single which ends when

01:13:34.880 --> 01:13:37.880
children are 14. And people may also be

01:13:38.480 --> 01:13:40.215
eligible for a pension or concession

01:13:40.239 --> 01:13:43.239
card if they over the age of 55 and have

01:13:43.440 --> 01:13:46.440
been receiving um job seeker payment,

01:13:47.280 --> 01:13:49.416
parenting payment, partnered and special

01:13:49.440 --> 01:13:52.440
benefits for at least 9 months.

01:13:53.199 --> 01:13:55.016
Thank you for your answer.

01:13:55.040 --> 01:13:57.816
You will speak now, councelor Cooper.

01:13:57.840 --> 01:14:00.840
Thank you. Um so I wanted that clarified

01:14:01.040 --> 01:14:03.896
because um one thing that I'm most proud

01:14:03.920 --> 01:14:05.576
about the budget and has already been

01:14:05.600 --> 01:14:07.976
touched on councelor Awell has um I

01:14:08.000 --> 01:14:10.456
think covered the budget very very well

01:14:10.480 --> 01:14:12.695
is the redirection of the funds that

01:14:12.719 --> 01:14:15.576
we've put in toward the emergency relief

01:14:15.600 --> 01:14:18.600
fund which also captures that same

01:14:18.880 --> 01:14:21.336
demographic of people. Um, and I think

01:14:21.360 --> 01:14:23.496
it's really important to highlight that.

01:14:23.520 --> 01:14:26.135
Um, because as councelor Atwell has

01:14:26.159 --> 01:14:28.616
already stated, this isn't a decision

01:14:28.640 --> 01:14:30.936
that this council has made lightly. And

01:14:30.960 --> 01:14:33.960
we have taken into account um, all of

01:14:34.239 --> 01:14:36.856
the um, the feedback that we've received

01:14:36.880 --> 01:14:38.936
through the consultation process of the

01:14:38.960 --> 01:14:41.496
budget, but also through the day-to-day

01:14:41.520 --> 01:14:43.896
operating of council as a whole because

01:14:43.920 --> 01:14:46.920
this particular fund was exhausted very

01:14:46.960 --> 01:14:49.960
early in the financial year. Um so from

01:14:51.199 --> 01:14:53.816
my perspective um although it is a very

01:14:53.840 --> 01:14:56.840
difficult decision to make and this is a

01:14:57.120 --> 01:15:00.120
 a very tight and most difficult

01:15:00.159 --> 01:15:03.159
budget to um to deliberate on I'm I'm

01:15:03.360 --> 01:15:05.576
comfortable with where we have landed

01:15:05.600 --> 01:15:07.816
and the investments that council will be

01:15:07.840 --> 01:15:10.456
making  both in that area but across

01:15:10.480 --> 01:15:12.936
the board in terms of our our capital

01:15:12.960 --> 01:15:15.960
investments um and our our services as

01:15:16.400 --> 01:15:18.695
well. So, um, I might just leave it at

01:15:18.719 --> 01:15:20.056
that, but thank you for that

01:15:20.080 --> 01:15:21.816
clarification.

01:15:21.840 --> 01:15:23.816
Thank you, Councelor Cooper. Would any

01:15:23.840 --> 01:15:25.976
other councelor like to speak? Councelor

01:15:26.000 --> 01:15:29.000
Pearce.

01:15:29.040 --> 01:15:31.576
Thank you, Deputy Mayor. I'll be brief

01:15:31.600 --> 01:15:34.600
because the debate has been had. The

01:15:34.800 --> 01:15:36.856
chamber has made it decision on the

01:15:36.880 --> 01:15:39.880
rebate. Respect to this decision, even

01:15:39.920 --> 01:15:42.920
where I disagree with it.

01:15:43.199 --> 01:15:45.256
But I want to put it on the record

01:15:45.280 --> 01:15:48.280
clearly without ranker why I cannot

01:15:48.880 --> 01:15:51.880
support the budget how it now stands.

01:15:52.880 --> 01:15:55.655
Minutes ago, this council had a chance

01:15:55.679 --> 01:15:57.976
to restore the pensioner rebate to $100

01:15:58.000 --> 01:16:00.936
fully costed, fully defined within

01:16:00.960 --> 01:16:02.776
funding gap explicitly tracked through

01:16:02.800 --> 01:16:05.175
the amended budget process in in

01:16:05.199 --> 01:16:08.199
September. That motion was lost. I won't

01:16:09.199 --> 01:16:12.199
re litigate it, but I need to be honest.

01:16:12.719 --> 01:16:14.776
And what follows from the vote, the

01:16:14.800 --> 01:16:17.800
budget in front of us now asks us the

01:16:18.159 --> 01:16:21.159
most vulnerable people to absorb 2.75%

01:16:21.440 --> 01:16:24.440
rate, nearly $20 increase in the garbage

01:16:24.560 --> 01:16:27.560
charge, and a 25 decrease in the rate in

01:16:28.560 --> 01:16:30.695
the pensioner rebate.

01:16:30.719 --> 01:16:33.416
This can control, this is in council's

01:16:33.440 --> 01:16:36.440
control, all in the same year.

01:16:37.600 --> 01:16:40.600
I want to be clear about that. What this

01:16:40.880 --> 01:16:42.695
is not

01:16:42.719 --> 01:16:45.256
this not a vote against the officers who

01:16:45.280 --> 01:16:48.280
have been diligent, professional work.

01:16:48.480 --> 01:16:51.480
As much as I said earlier tonight, the

01:16:51.760 --> 01:16:54.536
budget is legally sound. Borrowings are

01:16:54.560 --> 01:16:56.616
conservative. Financial statements are

01:16:56.640 --> 01:16:58.135
honest.

01:16:58.159 --> 01:17:00.056
This is not a vote against the capital

01:17:00.080 --> 01:17:02.135
works which funds generally needed

01:17:02.159 --> 01:17:04.376
renewal for roads, pavilions,

01:17:04.400 --> 01:17:07.400
playgrounds across Knox.

01:17:07.840 --> 01:17:10.056
And this is not a go vote against the

01:17:10.080 --> 01:17:13.080
physical discipline. 275

01:17:13.760 --> 01:17:16.760
200 sorry 278,000 is a rounding error in

01:17:18.719 --> 01:17:21.719
a $219 million budget and finding it

01:17:22.239 --> 01:17:25.239
would not have threatened one single

01:17:25.280 --> 01:17:27.976
project.

01:17:28.000 --> 01:17:31.000
It's specifically a vote against asking

01:17:31.360 --> 01:17:33.496
residents Excuse me. Can I just drink

01:17:33.520 --> 01:17:35.336
some water? I'm just kidding. Okay,

01:17:35.360 --> 01:17:38.360
you may.

01:17:39.280 --> 01:17:41.416
Sorry about that.

01:17:41.440 --> 01:17:43.736
It's specifically a vote against asking

01:17:43.760 --> 01:17:46.760
residents at least able to pay more to

01:17:47.120 --> 01:17:50.120
pay more in one year we had costed

01:17:50.719 --> 01:17:53.096
responsibly alternatively on the tables

01:17:53.120 --> 01:17:56.120
and choose not to take it. I respons I

01:17:56.560 --> 01:17:58.376
recognize this budget will be passed

01:17:58.400 --> 01:18:00.536
tonight regardless of my vote. I

01:18:00.560 --> 01:18:02.376
recognize the statutory deadline of the

01:18:02.400 --> 01:18:05.400
30th of June means that I must pass it.

01:18:06.159 --> 01:18:08.936
It must be passed in some form. I am not

01:18:08.960 --> 01:18:11.960
seeking to delay or obstruct it, but a

01:18:13.600 --> 01:18:16.600
councelor's vote is also recorded and

01:18:16.719 --> 01:18:19.096
mine will be recorded that I ask the

01:18:19.120 --> 01:18:21.175
chamber for a modest fullfunded

01:18:21.199 --> 01:18:24.199
amendment to protect our pensioners

01:18:24.880 --> 01:18:27.880
and and that when it was refused, I did

01:18:29.040 --> 01:18:31.576
not pretend the budget that remained was

01:18:31.600 --> 01:18:34.135
one that I could endorse.

01:18:34.159 --> 01:18:36.296
I asked the amended budget process in

01:18:36.320 --> 01:18:38.695
September generally revisits this

01:18:38.719 --> 01:18:40.616
question rather than threatening

01:18:40.640 --> 01:18:43.640
tonight's vote in a as a final word. The

01:18:43.679 --> 01:18:46.376
door of resolution three would have

01:18:46.400 --> 01:18:49.336
opened a still worth is still worth

01:18:49.360 --> 01:18:51.496
walking through later in the year even

01:18:51.520 --> 01:18:54.215
if it's not tonight. Deputy Mayor for

01:18:54.239 --> 01:18:56.296
those reasons I'll be voting against the

01:18:56.320 --> 01:18:59.175
adoption of the annual budget for 2026

01:18:59.199 --> 01:19:01.175
27. Thank you.

01:19:01.199 --> 01:19:03.336
Thank you councelor Pearce. Um,

01:19:03.360 --> 01:19:05.096
Councelor Williams, you'd like to speak

01:19:05.120 --> 01:19:06.856
to this motion.

01:19:06.880 --> 01:19:09.096
Thank you, Deputy Mayor. , given that

01:19:09.120 --> 01:19:11.256
the amendment um that councelor Pearce

01:19:11.280 --> 01:19:12.856
has put up hasn't been supported, I just

01:19:12.880 --> 01:19:14.536
want to be  clear and pop it on the

01:19:14.560 --> 01:19:16.776
record that my concern  around this

01:19:16.800 --> 01:19:19.800
budget um was related specifically only

01:19:20.080 --> 01:19:22.536
to the pension rebate reduction. As sad

01:19:22.560 --> 01:19:23.976
as that outcome is, and obviously that

01:19:24.000 --> 01:19:26.456
has um now been lost, I don't have an

01:19:26.480 --> 01:19:27.976
issue with the  current rates

01:19:28.000 --> 01:19:29.655
declaration, the financial plan, or the

01:19:29.679 --> 01:19:31.576
borrowing program. and I'd ask for that

01:19:31.600 --> 01:19:33.016
to be reflected in how my vote is

01:19:33.040 --> 01:19:35.896
understood moving forward.

01:19:35.920 --> 01:19:37.816
Thank you, Councelor Williams. Would any

01:19:37.840 --> 01:19:40.215
other councelor wish to speak to the

01:19:40.239 --> 01:19:42.536
budget item? Councelor Baker.

01:19:42.560 --> 01:19:45.256
Thank you. Three  Mayor Duncan. Oh,

01:19:45.280 --> 01:19:47.576
Deputy Mayor Duncan, sorry. Um before I

01:19:47.600 --> 01:19:50.215
do speak, I was wondering I have a

01:19:50.239 --> 01:19:52.616
couple of questions and about a

01:19:52.640 --> 01:19:54.296
council's participation in the budget

01:19:54.320 --> 01:19:56.695
deliberations and wondering if this is a

01:19:56.719 --> 01:19:58.215
permissible time to do that at this

01:19:58.239 --> 01:20:00.135
point in time. Could you just pause for

01:20:00.159 --> 01:20:01.896
a minute while I seek clarification from

01:20:01.920 --> 01:20:04.920
governance on that matter?

01:20:27.679 --> 01:20:30.376
Um yes, councelor Baker, you can ask

01:20:30.400 --> 01:20:31.576
your questions. Thank you.

01:20:31.600 --> 01:20:34.296
Thank you. Um I have received feedback

01:20:34.320 --> 01:20:36.856
regarding the budget process and in the

01:20:36.880 --> 01:20:39.016
interest of transparency for our

01:20:39.040 --> 01:20:41.096
community, I have a few questions to

01:20:41.120 --> 01:20:43.336
respectfully ask  Mayor Kennet to seek

01:20:43.360 --> 01:20:44.856
clarification.

01:20:44.880 --> 01:20:46.856
I believe that  Peter Lockett who is

01:20:46.880 --> 01:20:48.856
unable to be with us here this evening

01:20:48.880 --> 01:20:50.376
has been provided the opportunity to

01:20:50.400 --> 01:20:52.936
provide his feedback on this budget. My

01:20:52.960 --> 01:20:54.695
first question through you for you may

01:20:54.719 --> 01:20:57.719
kennet is  did  Peter Lowood provide

01:20:58.480 --> 01:21:01.096
the budget process via you yourself

01:21:01.120 --> 01:21:03.336
prior to the budget weekend and if this

01:21:03.360 --> 01:21:05.896
is correct and my second question is did

01:21:05.920 --> 01:21:08.695
Peter's  Lockwood's feedback consist

01:21:08.719 --> 01:21:11.719
of suggesting a $25 pensioner readback

01:21:11.760 --> 01:21:14.296
reduction and was he in support or not

01:21:14.320 --> 01:21:16.296
support of the emergency relief

01:21:16.320 --> 01:21:19.320
considerations?

01:21:22.080 --> 01:21:24.616
Um, thank you councel Baker. Just bear

01:21:24.640 --> 01:21:26.695
with me for one second councelor Pearce

01:21:26.719 --> 01:21:28.456
while I seek some clarification from

01:21:28.480 --> 01:21:30.456
governance regarding councelor Baker's

01:21:30.480 --> 01:21:33.480
questions.

01:21:53.760 --> 01:21:55.896
No problems. Um, council Baker, I'm

01:21:55.920 --> 01:21:57.816
happy to allow your first question of

01:21:57.840 --> 01:21:59.416
the Mayor with respect to councelor

01:21:59.440 --> 01:22:02.376
Lockwood's participation. Um, but I'm

01:22:02.400 --> 01:22:04.615
not prepared to allow the Mayor to

01:22:04.639 --> 01:22:06.695
assume what councelor Lockwood would

01:22:06.719 --> 01:22:08.135
have said within those discussions

01:22:08.159 --> 01:22:10.296
because he's not in the room to

01:22:10.320 --> 01:22:12.135
speak to that if you are okay with that.

01:22:12.159 --> 01:22:14.695
Thank you. Yes. Um, could I direct that

01:22:14.719 --> 01:22:17.016
question to you, Mayor Kennet? [snorts]

01:22:17.040 --> 01:22:17.816
Point of order.

01:22:17.840 --> 01:22:19.416
You have a point of order, councelor

01:22:19.440 --> 01:22:19.896
Pearce.

01:22:19.920 --> 01:22:22.920
Relevance that counselor is suspended.

01:22:23.520 --> 01:22:26.520
His his opinions and view should not be

01:22:26.800 --> 01:22:28.215
included in this chamber.

01:22:28.239 --> 01:22:30.376
So, councelor Pearce, we're not asking

01:22:30.400 --> 01:22:33.400
about his opinions. My my  take on the

01:22:33.920 --> 01:22:35.976
questions from councelor Baker was

01:22:36.000 --> 01:22:37.896
whether the councelor participated in

01:22:37.920 --> 01:22:40.615
the budget discussions, which is a

01:22:40.639 --> 01:22:42.215
matter of fact. It has nothing to do

01:22:42.239 --> 01:22:43.976
with the councelor currently being

01:22:44.000 --> 01:22:46.536
suspended. Um, I have disallowed

01:22:46.560 --> 01:22:48.695
councelor Baker's question with respect

01:22:48.719 --> 01:22:51.016
to what his discussion and opinion of

01:22:51.040 --> 01:22:54.040
the budget was. Um, because that would

01:22:54.080 --> 01:22:56.296
be making up words for said councelor

01:22:56.320 --> 01:22:58.856
who is not here. So, I'm overruling your

01:22:58.880 --> 01:23:01.496
point of order of relevance. Do you have

01:23:01.520 --> 01:23:03.816
a second order that he was actually

01:23:03.840 --> 01:23:05.496
suspended when the budget discussions

01:23:05.520 --> 01:23:07.336
were undertaken?

01:23:07.360 --> 01:23:09.576
So, councelor Pearce, again, I'm going

01:23:09.600 --> 01:23:12.456
to overrule on that being relevant.

01:23:12.480 --> 01:23:15.480
Councelor Councelor Lockwood has been um

01:23:17.040 --> 01:23:19.655
within and within the discussions of the

01:23:19.679 --> 01:23:22.215
council budget over the over the 9-month

01:23:22.239 --> 01:23:24.536
period or the 12-month period to today

01:23:24.560 --> 01:23:27.016
that we have been discussing the budget.

01:23:27.040 --> 01:23:29.256
He was not at the budget workshop

01:23:29.280 --> 01:23:31.175
weekend, but councelor Lockwood has

01:23:31.199 --> 01:23:33.175
participated in all other discussions

01:23:33.199 --> 01:23:35.976
that we have had around the budget. So

01:23:36.000 --> 01:23:39.000
that is entirely relevant. So your point

01:23:39.120 --> 01:23:42.056
of order is overruled.

01:23:42.080 --> 01:23:44.215
Deputy Mayor, I'd also like to put in a

01:23:44.239 --> 01:23:45.175
 point of order.

01:23:45.199 --> 01:23:46.456
Another point of order, Council

01:23:46.480 --> 01:23:47.576
Williams.

01:23:47.600 --> 01:23:50.296
Yes.  what's the relevance um to this

01:23:50.320 --> 01:23:53.320
discussion um point? Um and why would we

01:23:53.520 --> 01:23:56.520
need to bring in  any any point around

01:23:56.560 --> 01:23:58.056
councelor Lockwood who is not in the

01:23:58.080 --> 01:24:00.056
current chamber to have his say on this

01:24:00.080 --> 01:24:03.080
point? Um, councelor Williams were the a

01:24:03.520 --> 01:24:06.520
question was asked of C of of the Mayor

01:24:07.440 --> 01:24:09.576
as to whether councelor Lockwood did

01:24:09.600 --> 01:24:12.376
participate in the budget discussions. I

01:24:12.400 --> 01:24:14.056
think that is highly relevant to the

01:24:14.080 --> 01:24:16.215
debate that we're having. However,

01:24:16.239 --> 01:24:19.239
Councelor Lockwood's opinion and and

01:24:20.080 --> 01:24:22.456
um what was discussed in that meeting is

01:24:22.480 --> 01:24:23.896
not something that the Mayor can speak

01:24:23.920 --> 01:24:25.976
to. And I'm sorry, Mayor, but I think

01:24:26.000 --> 01:24:28.695
I've pretty much answered your question

01:24:28.719 --> 01:24:31.016
or me, Councelor Baker's question to

01:24:31.040 --> 01:24:34.040
you. So, are you happy to accept my 

01:24:34.960 --> 01:24:37.736
rebuttal of that?

01:24:37.760 --> 01:24:39.736
Yes, thank you. That's correct.

01:24:39.760 --> 01:24:41.016
Thank you. Are you happy with that,

01:24:41.040 --> 01:24:41.816
Council Baker?

01:24:41.840 --> 01:24:43.496
Thank you. And thank you to both 

01:24:43.520 --> 01:24:45.976
yourself, Deputy Mayor and  Mayor

01:24:46.000 --> 01:24:47.576
Kennet for that response. I do

01:24:47.600 --> 01:24:50.600
appreciate  the time. Um I just have a

01:24:50.960 --> 01:24:52.936
brief comment. Yep. Thank you.

01:24:52.960 --> 01:24:55.496
Um and just picking up on Councelor

01:24:55.520 --> 01:24:58.215
Cooper's point um that with this budget,

01:24:58.239 --> 01:25:01.239
it was increased  to 150,000 to help

01:25:01.760 --> 01:25:03.256
Nox's not for-p profofit community

01:25:03.280 --> 01:25:05.655
groups. This is outlined in the report.

01:25:05.679 --> 01:25:08.679
um essential relief services um but also

01:25:08.880 --> 01:25:10.135
partnering with a not for-p profofit

01:25:10.159 --> 01:25:11.736
organization to introduce a winter

01:25:11.760 --> 01:25:13.976
shelter program. Um so I thought that

01:25:14.000 --> 01:25:16.936
was very  pertinent to mention as well

01:25:16.960 --> 01:25:19.496
um to fund a local service to introduce

01:25:19.520 --> 01:25:21.016
emergency accommodation for those

01:25:21.040 --> 01:25:23.016
experiencing homelessness. So I just

01:25:23.040 --> 01:25:25.336
wanted to touch on that. Um but I'm very

01:25:25.360 --> 01:25:28.360
supportive of this   the budget um

01:25:28.960 --> 01:25:31.175
outline the report and thank the

01:25:31.199 --> 01:25:33.016
officers for their time as well. um

01:25:33.040 --> 01:25:35.016
fully support and look forward to what

01:25:35.040 --> 01:25:37.496
the delivery projects for this budget is

01:25:37.520 --> 01:25:39.816
for the next 12 months. Thank you.

01:25:39.840 --> 01:25:41.496
Thank you, councelor Baker. Would any

01:25:41.520 --> 01:25:43.896
other council like to speak to the

01:25:43.920 --> 01:25:46.695
budget?

01:25:46.719 --> 01:25:49.719
Councelor Kennet.

01:25:50.400 --> 01:25:52.056
Thank you. And through you, Deputy

01:25:52.080 --> 01:25:55.080
Mayor. Um, I wanted to also let

01:25:56.239 --> 01:25:58.615
councilors know and members of the

01:25:58.639 --> 01:26:00.856
public that I held five meet the Mayor

01:26:00.880 --> 01:26:02.695
sessions to give residents an

01:26:02.719 --> 01:26:05.719
opportunity to meet with me face to face

01:26:05.760 --> 01:26:08.456
and ask me questions about the budget or

01:26:08.480 --> 01:26:10.856
seek some clarifications around what was

01:26:10.880 --> 01:26:13.256
in the budget. I held them at the civic

01:26:13.280 --> 01:26:15.896
center at a variety of days and times to

01:26:15.920 --> 01:26:18.920
allow people to visit me at a time that

01:26:19.520 --> 01:26:22.520
suited them. I also answered any

01:26:22.639 --> 01:26:25.639
questions through email or phone calls.

01:26:26.639 --> 01:26:28.695
Um, and

01:26:28.719 --> 01:26:31.719
on that the main issues that I heard

01:26:31.760 --> 01:26:33.976
from

01:26:34.000 --> 01:26:36.856
 residents was questions on whether

01:26:36.880 --> 01:26:38.776
council was going to fund further

01:26:38.800 --> 01:26:41.096
Christmas decorations, whether council

01:26:41.120 --> 01:26:44.056
had intentions of supporting

01:26:44.080 --> 01:26:47.080
um Australia Day and what we would do.

01:26:48.800 --> 01:26:51.800
Um I was asked whether we were doing

01:26:52.159 --> 01:26:55.159
anything about Walker Reserve and also

01:26:56.719 --> 01:26:59.719
Miller Reserve. So they were the main

01:27:00.080 --> 01:27:03.080
issues that I was asked about.

01:27:03.679 --> 01:27:06.296
Um and I think council well you spoke

01:27:06.320 --> 01:27:08.936
really well um to the budget. I think

01:27:08.960 --> 01:27:11.016
there's many items in this current

01:27:11.040 --> 01:27:14.040
budget that's proposed that um that we

01:27:14.159 --> 01:27:16.456
can be proud of and one of those in

01:27:16.480 --> 01:27:19.336
particular is the winter shelter program

01:27:19.360 --> 01:27:22.056
 protecting those who are homeless and

01:27:22.080 --> 01:27:25.016
sleeping rough and offering them a warm

01:27:25.040 --> 01:27:27.816
place to sleep during winter where they

01:27:27.840 --> 01:27:30.776
can also be provided wraparound services

01:27:30.800 --> 01:27:33.800
to support them ongoing. There's also

01:27:34.080 --> 01:27:36.376
the extension of the emergency relief

01:27:36.400 --> 01:27:39.400
fund which um as other counselors have

01:27:39.840 --> 01:27:42.840
already said was exhausted very early on

01:27:43.199 --> 01:27:46.056
um in the past financial year. So this

01:27:46.080 --> 01:27:47.736
really speaks to the value of that

01:27:47.760 --> 01:27:50.695
particular program. Um council doesn't

01:27:50.719 --> 01:27:53.016
have magic money. It has to come from

01:27:53.040 --> 01:27:55.336
somewhere. So it's either service cuts

01:27:55.360 --> 01:27:58.360
or we find money elsewhere. And there

01:27:59.120 --> 01:28:01.655
are difficult decisions to make. I think

01:28:01.679 --> 01:28:04.615
I think tonight's um discussion actually

01:28:04.639 --> 01:28:06.456
demonstrates that and being a counselor

01:28:06.480 --> 01:28:09.480
at times is challenging and tonight is

01:28:09.920 --> 01:28:12.376
one of those decisions that can be quite

01:28:12.400 --> 01:28:15.400
challenging but I think um with the

01:28:15.520 --> 01:28:18.135
additional funds that we can retrieve

01:28:18.159 --> 01:28:20.695
from the rebate

01:28:20.719 --> 01:28:23.016
um we're now able to fund additional

01:28:23.040 --> 01:28:25.736
Christmas decorations which councilors

01:28:25.760 --> 01:28:27.816
have supported and residents have told

01:28:27.840 --> 01:28:30.840
us they want Australia Day celebrations

01:28:31.280 --> 01:28:33.655
which can't be funded out of nothing.

01:28:33.679 --> 01:28:36.296
The emergency relief fund which has 

01:28:36.320 --> 01:28:38.536
not only been extended but the

01:28:38.560 --> 01:28:40.856
additional 50,000 that goes towards that

01:28:40.880 --> 01:28:43.096
fund and the winter shelter program

01:28:43.120 --> 01:28:45.096
which will be run by not for profofits

01:28:45.120 --> 01:28:47.896
but financially supported by council.

01:28:47.920 --> 01:28:49.576
So, I think there are things in this

01:28:49.600 --> 01:28:52.456
budget that I'm um particularly proud of

01:28:52.480 --> 01:28:55.480
and um and while I do acknowledge that

01:28:56.880 --> 01:28:59.880
um the 25% or $25 reduction in the

01:29:00.639 --> 01:29:03.639
pensioner rebate will be felt, those

01:29:03.920 --> 01:29:06.856
funds will be used for really beneficial

01:29:06.880 --> 01:29:09.496
programs. And for that reason, I am

01:29:09.520 --> 01:29:10.936
supportive of the officer's

01:29:10.960 --> 01:29:13.175
recommendation tonight. Thank you,

01:29:13.199 --> 01:29:13.976
Deputy Mayor.

01:29:14.000 --> 01:29:16.536
Thank you, Councelor Kennet.

01:29:16.560 --> 01:29:19.416
Would anybody else like to speak to the

01:29:19.440 --> 01:29:21.576
motion? Coun councelor Consid.

01:29:21.600 --> 01:29:23.336
Thank you through you, Deputy May. I

01:29:23.360 --> 01:29:26.360
just want to briefly say  would like

01:29:26.400 --> 01:29:29.400
to thank everyone for all their work in

01:29:29.679 --> 01:29:32.679
preparing the 26 27 annual budget. I

01:29:32.960 --> 01:29:35.256
appreciate the time and effort that has

01:29:35.280 --> 01:29:38.215
gone through um into this report and I'm

01:29:38.239 --> 01:29:40.776
really happy with it and support it.

01:29:40.800 --> 01:29:43.800
Thank you very much again everyone.

01:29:44.320 --> 01:29:47.320
Thank you. Um that just leaves me. Um I

01:29:48.080 --> 01:29:50.135
am absolutely supportive of the office's

01:29:50.159 --> 01:29:51.736
recommendation.  this is something

01:29:51.760 --> 01:29:54.135
that has had hours and hours and hours

01:29:54.159 --> 01:29:56.776
of discussion both in in the chamber in

01:29:56.800 --> 01:29:59.800
briefings and between councilors

01:29:59.920 --> 01:30:02.296
um working together on on the response

01:30:02.320 --> 01:30:05.175
that's been presented to us today. Um I

01:30:05.199 --> 01:30:06.776
would like to note that there's only

01:30:06.800 --> 01:30:08.936
been eight responses to the public

01:30:08.960 --> 01:30:11.416
consultation of the draft budget. And of

01:30:11.440 --> 01:30:13.496
those eight responses, only one of them

01:30:13.520 --> 01:30:15.976
was relating to the to the rebate. So

01:30:16.000 --> 01:30:18.215
we've we've had, I believe, 10 times

01:30:18.239 --> 01:30:20.936
that for the local laws regarding

01:30:20.960 --> 01:30:23.496
significant trees and and pet surrender

01:30:23.520 --> 01:30:26.135
fees. So just to provide that little bit

01:30:26.159 --> 01:30:28.936
of context. Um councelor Atwell, I'll

01:30:28.960 --> 01:30:30.856
offer you the right of reply. Um but

01:30:30.880 --> 01:30:32.536
just like to add a reminder given the

01:30:32.560 --> 01:30:35.256
point of order earlier um that you keep

01:30:35.280 --> 01:30:37.336
the debate or not introduce any new

01:30:37.360 --> 01:30:39.175
information and keep the debate on the

01:30:39.199 --> 01:30:40.615
topics that were discussed during the

01:30:40.639 --> 01:30:42.376
debate. Thank you.

01:30:42.400 --> 01:30:43.816
Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Yes. Well,

01:30:43.840 --> 01:30:46.056
we've covered almost all the grounds in

01:30:46.080 --> 01:30:47.576
the in the debate, so I feel like I

01:30:47.600 --> 01:30:49.096
could take my summing up just about

01:30:49.120 --> 01:30:51.416
anywhere, but I mean I would implore all

01:30:51.440 --> 01:30:54.440
councilors to um  support this budget.

01:30:54.639 --> 01:30:56.776
Um council must have a budget. We

01:30:56.800 --> 01:30:59.800
require a budget to operate and I would

01:31:00.239 --> 01:31:02.695
um I think when we zoom in on on one

01:31:02.719 --> 01:31:04.615
particular line item or one particular

01:31:04.639 --> 01:31:06.456
dollar amount, we run the risk of

01:31:06.480 --> 01:31:08.456
missing um a lot of the good stuff that

01:31:08.480 --> 01:31:10.135
sits in there. This is, you know, more

01:31:10.159 --> 01:31:12.376
than $10 million for new and upgraded

01:31:12.400 --> 01:31:14.135
playground, sports field, tennis courts,

01:31:14.159 --> 01:31:16.296
basketball facilities, sporting lights,

01:31:16.320 --> 01:31:18.856
cricket.  $2.5 million to renew the

01:31:18.880 --> 01:31:21.256
sports field at Carrington Park. $1.2

01:31:21.280 --> 01:31:22.936
million to renew tennis courts at Miller

01:31:22.960 --> 01:31:25.256
Park. I could go on and on. $20 million

01:31:25.280 --> 01:31:27.016
to renew and improve our local roads,

01:31:27.040 --> 01:31:28.615
bridges, footpaths, shared paths, and

01:31:28.639 --> 01:31:31.639
cycleways. So, a near on $50 million 

01:31:32.080 --> 01:31:35.016
capital works program um would not be

01:31:35.040 --> 01:31:37.256
possible um if we don't support the

01:31:37.280 --> 01:31:39.576
budget tonight. And I intend to support

01:31:39.600 --> 01:31:42.215
this budget because it delivers  what

01:31:42.239 --> 01:31:44.776
our community  needs. It it delivers

01:31:44.800 --> 01:31:47.655
on  what our community tells us um

01:31:47.679 --> 01:31:50.536
that they want. Um, it revitalizes

01:31:50.560 --> 01:31:52.456
Christmas decorations if we as we've

01:31:52.480 --> 01:31:55.016
heard it is restoring  Australia Day

01:31:55.040 --> 01:31:57.175
celebrations for the Knox community. And

01:31:57.199 --> 01:32:00.056
one really um one I think a terrific new

01:32:00.080 --> 01:32:02.296
initiative um and idea that came from

01:32:02.320 --> 01:32:04.936
from this council's budget conversations

01:32:04.960 --> 01:32:07.496
 is is referenced on on page three of

01:32:07.520 --> 01:32:10.520
the Mayor and CEO's   letter which

01:32:10.719 --> 01:32:12.776
is  we are introducing an additional

01:32:12.800 --> 01:32:15.016
recycling collection over the Christmas

01:32:15.040 --> 01:32:17.976
and New Year period  to further meet

01:32:18.000 --> 01:32:19.816
community need. And that's I think a

01:32:19.840 --> 01:32:21.576
really good example of a creative new

01:32:21.600 --> 01:32:23.336
way we're responding to needs. We know

01:32:23.360 --> 01:32:25.175
that over that Christmas and New Year

01:32:25.199 --> 01:32:27.816
period, um, a lot of a lot of cardboard,

01:32:27.840 --> 01:32:30.376
a lot of paper, , that need ramps up

01:32:30.400 --> 01:32:31.976
at our households and our households

01:32:32.000 --> 01:32:34.056
have told us that it would be it would

01:32:34.080 --> 01:32:35.736
be great not to need to wait that full

01:32:35.760 --> 01:32:37.816
fortnight for an additional recycling

01:32:37.840 --> 01:32:39.976
collection. And this budget invests in

01:32:40.000 --> 01:32:42.215
that to make it happen. So, I'm I'm

01:32:42.239 --> 01:32:44.296
excited about that and I won't get stuck

01:32:44.320 --> 01:32:46.776
on one particular line item that I don't

01:32:46.800 --> 01:32:48.296
like. I don't like everything in this

01:32:48.320 --> 01:32:51.016
budget.  but I like um I like enough

01:32:51.040 --> 01:32:52.615
of it and I like most of it to support

01:32:52.639 --> 01:32:55.639
it. So um it's important that we do 

01:32:56.080 --> 01:32:58.215
do this on behalf of our community. Um

01:32:58.239 --> 01:33:01.239
and I would just add um my thanks to the

01:33:01.440 --> 01:33:04.135
chief financial officer  the CEO, all

01:33:04.159 --> 01:33:05.496
the officers. I think it's been

01:33:05.520 --> 01:33:08.296
mentioned it's about 9 months of work um

01:33:08.320 --> 01:33:10.776
weekends of discussion in getting the

01:33:10.800 --> 01:33:12.856
balances and the constraints right and I

01:33:12.880 --> 01:33:14.856
think we've landed on a very careful

01:33:14.880 --> 01:33:17.256
considered document and  I'm happy to

01:33:17.280 --> 01:33:18.776
 recommend it to council. Thank you

01:33:18.800 --> 01:33:20.135
Deputy Mayor.

01:33:20.159 --> 01:33:21.816
Thank you very much councelor Atwell.

01:33:21.840 --> 01:33:23.896
I'll now put the motion. All those in

01:33:23.920 --> 01:33:26.920
favor,

01:33:26.960 --> 01:33:29.175
all those opposed.

01:33:29.199 --> 01:33:32.056
That motion is lost and councelor Baker

01:33:32.080 --> 01:33:33.336
has

01:33:33.360 --> 01:33:35.655
sorry is carried. Sorry, but a division

01:33:35.679 --> 01:33:37.496
has been called. So that vote is cast

01:33:37.520 --> 01:33:40.520
aside and we will revote. I call that

01:33:40.880 --> 01:33:43.880
all those in favor of the motion. It is

01:33:43.920 --> 01:33:46.376
councelor Baker, councelor Cooper,

01:33:46.400 --> 01:33:48.936
councelor Conine, councelor Atwell,

01:33:48.960 --> 01:33:51.655
councelor Kennet, and councelor Duncan.

01:33:51.679 --> 01:33:54.679
All those opposed, Councelor Pearce and

01:33:54.880 --> 01:33:57.816
Councelor Williams. That motion is

01:33:57.840 --> 01:34:00.840
carried.

01:34:02.639 --> 01:34:05.639
The next item on our agenda is 8.2, the

01:34:06.159 --> 01:34:08.856
housing monitoring program annual report

01:34:08.880 --> 01:34:11.880
2025. Would a counselor like to move a

01:34:11.920 --> 01:34:14.615
motion? Councelor Pearce, is that the

01:34:14.639 --> 01:34:15.896
office's recommendation?

01:34:15.920 --> 01:34:18.920
Yes, it is, Deputy May. Is any councelor

01:34:19.360 --> 01:34:22.360
seconding this motion? Councelor Baker

01:34:22.639 --> 01:34:24.776
as seconder. Councelor Pearce, would you

01:34:24.800 --> 01:34:26.376
like to speak to the motion?

01:34:26.400 --> 01:34:28.456
Yes, I would.

01:34:28.480 --> 01:34:31.480
Thank you, Deputy Mayor. I I support the

01:34:32.400 --> 01:34:35.400
office's recommendation on item 5.1.

01:34:35.520 --> 01:34:38.520
This report tells us plainly 591 net new

01:34:39.360 --> 01:34:42.215
dwellings sounds like it sounds like a

01:34:42.239 --> 01:34:45.239
jump of 77% on 2024 but more than half

01:34:46.639 --> 01:34:48.695
of them came from a single permit at

01:34:48.719 --> 01:34:51.719
Jensen's orchard.

01:34:52.000 --> 01:34:55.000
I've been told told us that they've told

01:34:55.360 --> 01:34:57.256
us that building approvals have fell by

01:34:57.280 --> 01:34:58.936
23%.

01:34:58.960 --> 01:35:01.576
the lowest in nearly a decade for

01:35:01.600 --> 01:35:04.600
dwelling density with only 12% of new

01:35:04.719 --> 01:35:07.719
homes being one or two bedrooms while

01:35:08.400 --> 01:35:11.400
70% of everything we approved this year

01:35:12.880 --> 01:35:15.880
went into a car dependent streets.

01:35:16.560 --> 01:35:18.215
I've been told that every single

01:35:18.239 --> 01:35:21.239
council's issued  refusals councils

01:35:21.600 --> 01:35:24.600
issued in 2025 that were taken to VCAT

01:35:25.040 --> 01:35:27.496
were overturned.

01:35:27.520 --> 01:35:30.376
I should note that this is the first

01:35:30.400 --> 01:35:33.256
full year since the state government

01:35:33.280 --> 01:35:34.936
significantly changed the planning

01:35:34.960 --> 01:35:36.536
scheme.

01:35:36.560 --> 01:35:39.256
So I support for noting this report

01:35:39.280 --> 01:35:41.416
isn't passive.

01:35:41.440 --> 01:35:43.416
It is because this is exactly

01:35:43.440 --> 01:35:45.816
evidence-based. We need to do our job

01:35:45.840 --> 01:35:47.736
properly.

01:35:47.760 --> 01:35:50.615
It tells us where the housing strategy

01:35:50.639 --> 01:35:53.416
review needs to focus on small

01:35:53.440 --> 01:35:56.440
dwellings, on apartments, on walkable,

01:35:57.600 --> 01:36:00.600
on social housing, which still sits 747

01:36:02.719 --> 01:36:05.496
dwellings short of what we need.

01:36:05.520 --> 01:36:08.520
I do think interest interestingly sorry

01:36:09.199 --> 01:36:11.096
can I just

01:36:11.120 --> 01:36:14.120
sorry

01:36:15.600 --> 01:36:18.600
getting tongue tied I I do not think

01:36:19.280 --> 01:36:21.496
interestingly but I not surprisingly the

01:36:21.520 --> 01:36:23.816
level of car dependency highlighted in

01:36:23.840 --> 01:36:26.695
this report it's interesting to see what

01:36:26.719 --> 01:36:29.719
2026 will look better or worse for car

01:36:30.000 --> 01:36:31.736
dependency

01:36:31.760 --> 01:36:34.536
this is a sound advice well evidenced

01:36:34.560 --> 01:36:37.416
presented to a straight. I commend the

01:36:37.440 --> 01:36:39.816
officers who prepare this report and I

01:36:39.840 --> 01:36:41.736
recommend it to the chamber and I urge

01:36:41.760 --> 01:36:44.760
my colleagues to support it.

01:36:45.119 --> 01:36:47.016
Thank you, Councelor Pearce. Councelor

01:36:47.040 --> 01:36:49.576
Baker as second, do you wish to speak to

01:36:49.600 --> 01:36:50.296
this motion?

01:36:50.320 --> 01:36:51.655
I just wanted to thank the officers for

01:36:51.679 --> 01:36:54.615
the report. This comes annually um and

01:36:54.639 --> 01:36:57.256
very relevant information on how we're

01:36:57.280 --> 01:37:00.280
tracking  with our housing um through

01:37:00.400 --> 01:37:02.296
a range of whether it's social housing

01:37:02.320 --> 01:37:05.320
or age care provisions. um our housing

01:37:05.520 --> 01:37:07.976
diversity um remains out of balance with

01:37:08.000 --> 01:37:11.000
demand for example. So really  a

01:37:11.679 --> 01:37:13.256
wealth of information on how we've

01:37:13.280 --> 01:37:15.576
tracked for the year 2025

01:37:15.600 --> 01:37:17.095
um and supportive of the information

01:37:17.119 --> 01:37:18.376
that's in there. I think it's a very

01:37:18.400 --> 01:37:20.615
helpful tool um for us moving forward as

01:37:20.639 --> 01:37:23.016
a councelor group. Thank you.

01:37:23.040 --> 01:37:24.536
Thank you councelor Baker. Would any

01:37:24.560 --> 01:37:26.296
other councelor wish to speak to this

01:37:26.320 --> 01:37:29.095
motion?

01:37:29.119 --> 01:37:30.536
Councelor Pearce, would you like your

01:37:30.560 --> 01:37:32.856
right of reply?

01:37:32.880 --> 01:37:34.296
No, I've reserved my right. But I think

01:37:34.320 --> 01:37:35.496
I've said everything that needs to be

01:37:35.520 --> 01:37:35.896
said.

01:37:35.920 --> 01:37:37.416
Thank you, Councelor Pearce. In that

01:37:37.440 --> 01:37:39.336
case, I will put the motion. All those

01:37:39.360 --> 01:37:41.896
in favor.

01:37:41.920 --> 01:37:44.920
That motion is carried unanimously.

01:37:49.520 --> 01:37:52.520
Next item on our agenda is 8.3 early

01:37:52.639 --> 01:37:55.639
years advisory committee recruitment. Um

01:37:56.000 --> 01:37:57.655
before I call for removal, I'd like to

01:37:57.679 --> 01:37:59.416
remind councilors that we may need to

01:37:59.440 --> 01:38:01.336
close the meeting if there are detailed

01:38:01.360 --> 01:38:03.095
questions or debate on matters set out

01:38:03.119 --> 01:38:04.856
in the confidential attachment of this

01:38:04.880 --> 01:38:07.095
report. With that being said, would a

01:38:07.119 --> 01:38:09.256
counselor like to move a motion?

01:38:09.280 --> 01:38:10.936
Councelor Considine, is that the

01:38:10.960 --> 01:38:12.536
office's recommendation as printed?

01:38:12.560 --> 01:38:13.416
Yes, ma'am.

01:38:13.440 --> 01:38:15.896
It is.  would a councelor like to

01:38:15.920 --> 01:38:17.976
second that motion? Councelor Atwell.

01:38:18.000 --> 01:38:20.776
Thank you. Um councelor Considine has

01:38:20.800 --> 01:38:23.800
moved. Do you wish to speak?

01:38:24.880 --> 01:38:27.496
Thank you. Thank you, Deputy May. Um

01:38:27.520 --> 01:38:29.416
firstly, I would like to thank the

01:38:29.440 --> 01:38:32.296
officers for preparing this report. It's

01:38:32.320 --> 01:38:35.016
been a privilege to chair  the early

01:38:35.040 --> 01:38:37.576
years advisory committee this year and

01:38:37.600 --> 01:38:39.896
to work alongside

01:38:39.920 --> 01:38:42.856
 s  such dedicated members and

01:38:42.880 --> 01:38:45.816
staff. This report seeks council's

01:38:45.840 --> 01:38:48.840
approval to appoint members to the early

01:38:48.880 --> 01:38:50.936
years advisory

01:38:50.960 --> 01:38:53.816
committee for the period of first  1st

01:38:53.840 --> 01:38:56.840
July 2026 to 30th June of 2028.

01:39:00.159 --> 01:39:02.056
 [clears throat] the community the

01:39:02.080 --> 01:39:04.615
committee plays an important role in pre

01:39:04.639 --> 01:39:07.639
in providing advice to council on matter

01:39:08.080 --> 01:39:10.456
 matters affecting your young children

01:39:10.480 --> 01:39:13.480
and families in Knox and helps in 

01:39:13.840 --> 01:39:16.536
ensure that comm community voice are

01:39:16.560 --> 01:39:19.560
heard in council's decision making. I

01:39:20.159 --> 01:39:23.159
would like to um as you seen the names

01:39:23.600 --> 01:39:26.296
on the um screen the new members I would

01:39:26.320 --> 01:39:29.320
like to warmly welcome our new members

01:39:30.719 --> 01:39:33.719
and um we look um yes as you seen on the

01:39:37.040 --> 01:39:40.040
screen. Yes. And  I I look forward to

01:39:40.800 --> 01:39:43.800
see you all in our next meeting and

01:39:44.080 --> 01:39:47.080
hearing  your valuable perspectives. I

01:39:47.840 --> 01:39:49.655
also would like to thank our our

01:39:49.679 --> 01:39:52.376
retiring community members for their

01:39:52.400 --> 01:39:55.400
contribution, commitment and service.

01:39:55.520 --> 01:39:58.520
Your time, knowledge and dedication has

01:39:58.639 --> 01:40:01.639
been greatly appreciated and we wish you

01:40:02.480 --> 01:40:05.016
success and happiness in your future.

01:40:05.040 --> 01:40:07.175
Thank you very much.

01:40:07.199 --> 01:40:09.336
Thank you councelor Conine.  councelor

01:40:09.360 --> 01:40:12.360
Atwell as seconded do you wish to speak?

01:40:13.119 --> 01:40:15.576
Councelor Con. Thank you.

01:40:15.600 --> 01:40:18.215
Thank you.  thank you deputy man. Just

01:40:18.239 --> 01:40:20.936
to um yes just to echo councelor

01:40:20.960 --> 01:40:23.095
Considine in thanking our outgoing

01:40:23.119 --> 01:40:25.416
members and welcoming  our new 

01:40:25.440 --> 01:40:27.175
representatives to this very important

01:40:27.199 --> 01:40:28.536
committee. Thank you.

01:40:28.560 --> 01:40:31.560
Would any other councelor wish to speak?

01:40:32.880 --> 01:40:34.856
No. Councelor Considine, would you like

01:40:34.880 --> 01:40:37.880
to exercise your right of reply?

01:40:38.159 --> 01:40:39.896
Okay. With that, I'll put the motion.

01:40:39.920 --> 01:40:42.776
All those in favor?

01:40:42.800 --> 01:40:45.800
That motion is carried unanimously.

01:40:50.400 --> 01:40:52.536
Our next item on the agenda is

01:40:52.560 --> 01:40:54.456
supplementary items. As there are no

01:40:54.480 --> 01:40:56.456
supplementary items this evening, we'll

01:40:56.480 --> 01:40:58.296
move straight on to item 10, which is

01:40:58.320 --> 01:41:01.320
notices of motion. Item 10.1, notice of

01:41:01.840 --> 01:41:04.695
motion number 195, Burwood Highway,

01:41:04.719 --> 01:41:07.336
Dorset Road intersection Fry Gully,

01:41:07.360 --> 01:41:10.360
Advocacy for U-turn Safety Review. Um,

01:41:10.800 --> 01:41:12.776
has been presented by Councelor Baker.

01:41:12.800 --> 01:41:14.536
Councelor Baker, would you like to move

01:41:14.560 --> 01:41:16.936
your notice of motion?

01:41:16.960 --> 01:41:18.776
Thank you. , it's with somebody

01:41:18.800 --> 01:41:21.175
second. Councelor, yes, councelor Cooper

01:41:21.199 --> 01:41:24.199
seconding councelor Baker's motion. Um,

01:41:24.480 --> 01:41:26.536
councelor Baker, do you wish to speak to

01:41:26.560 --> 01:41:26.856
this?

01:41:26.880 --> 01:41:28.615
I do, and thank you through your deputy

01:41:28.639 --> 01:41:30.296
Mayor.

01:41:30.320 --> 01:41:32.296
I have raised this motion to advocate to

01:41:32.320 --> 01:41:34.135
the state government for a review to the

01:41:34.159 --> 01:41:35.816
Burwood Highway and Dosset Road

01:41:35.840 --> 01:41:38.135
intersection in Ferntree Gully. This is

01:41:38.159 --> 01:41:40.296
not an abstract issue. It is about

01:41:40.320 --> 01:41:42.695
drivers, families, and a genuine road

01:41:42.719 --> 01:41:45.175
safety concern. This is why councelor

01:41:45.199 --> 01:41:47.416
Cooper and I am bringing this notice of

01:41:47.440 --> 01:41:49.576
motion forward. And I thank Councelor

01:41:49.600 --> 01:41:52.456
Cooper for also  sharing this 

01:41:52.480 --> 01:41:55.175
notice of motion with me. This is a busy

01:41:55.199 --> 01:41:56.776
intersection used by thousands of

01:41:56.800 --> 01:41:59.016
vehicles each day. In particular,

01:41:59.040 --> 01:42:01.095
vehicles using the U-turn lane on

01:42:01.119 --> 01:42:03.336
Burwood Highway to head back to the city

01:42:03.360 --> 01:42:05.175
currently do so without dedicated

01:42:05.199 --> 01:42:07.655
traffic light signals or controls to

01:42:07.679 --> 01:42:09.576
support that the movement safely on a ma

01:42:09.600 --> 01:42:12.135
major arterial road. This is where the

01:42:12.159 --> 01:42:14.776
safety concern arises. Drivers

01:42:14.800 --> 01:42:16.936
attempting  attempting these U-turns

01:42:16.960 --> 01:42:19.416
are often at times doing so with limited

01:42:19.440 --> 01:42:21.256
visibility, particularly where their

01:42:21.280 --> 01:42:23.175
line of sight is obstructed by vehicles

01:42:23.199 --> 01:42:25.416
queued in the dual right turn lanes that

01:42:25.440 --> 01:42:27.816
turn into Dorset Road opposite. In

01:42:27.840 --> 01:42:29.736
practical terms, motorists may be

01:42:29.760 --> 01:42:32.760
splitting making split-second decisions

01:42:32.880 --> 01:42:34.936
without a clear and safe view of

01:42:34.960 --> 01:42:37.896
oncoming traffic. Poor visibility,

01:42:37.920 --> 01:42:39.576
competing traffic movements, and the

01:42:39.600 --> 01:42:41.416
absence of a dedicated turn signal

01:42:41.440 --> 01:42:43.655
control may contribute to possible

01:42:43.679 --> 01:42:46.679
instances and concerns with the risk of

01:42:46.800 --> 01:42:49.800
of collisions. As a result, the issue

01:42:49.920 --> 01:42:51.416
before us today is not whether these

01:42:51.440 --> 01:42:53.736
U-turns should or should not occur. The

01:42:53.760 --> 01:42:55.175
issue is whether the current road

01:42:55.199 --> 01:42:57.336
design, traffic controls, and safety

01:42:57.360 --> 01:42:59.416
arrangements remain appropriate for how

01:42:59.440 --> 01:43:01.576
this intersection is now being used.

01:43:01.600 --> 01:43:03.416
Good road design should anticipate how

01:43:03.440 --> 01:43:05.496
roads operate in practice, not just how

01:43:05.520 --> 01:43:08.056
they appear on paper. This motion is

01:43:08.080 --> 01:43:09.976
practical and proactive. It calls on the

01:43:10.000 --> 01:43:11.336
state government to undertake an

01:43:11.360 --> 01:43:13.576
assessment and consider appropriate road

01:43:13.600 --> 01:43:16.135
safety improvements at this intersection

01:43:16.159 --> 01:43:18.615
including improved signal sequencing,

01:43:18.639 --> 01:43:20.856
clearer signage and line marking and

01:43:20.880 --> 01:43:23.816
dedicated U-turn traffic light controls.

01:43:23.840 --> 01:43:26.056
We know this is a state managed road.

01:43:26.080 --> 01:43:28.215
This is why council's role in advocacy

01:43:28.239 --> 01:43:30.135
to raise his concerns clearly with the

01:43:30.159 --> 01:43:31.896
state government and seek a proper

01:43:31.920 --> 01:43:33.256
review and assessment of this

01:43:33.280 --> 01:43:34.776
intersection.

01:43:34.800 --> 01:43:36.776
Too often change comes after an

01:43:36.800 --> 01:43:38.936
incident. This motion is about acting

01:43:38.960 --> 01:43:40.856
before that moment. It's about

01:43:40.880 --> 01:43:42.536
advocating to our local state members

01:43:42.560 --> 01:43:44.056
and the state government for improved

01:43:44.080 --> 01:43:46.215
road safety where legitimate concern has

01:43:46.239 --> 01:43:49.016
been raised. This motion simply asks the

01:43:49.040 --> 01:43:50.776
state government to investigate the

01:43:50.800 --> 01:43:52.856
issue and determine what improvements

01:43:52.880 --> 01:43:55.095
may be required. It is reasonable,

01:43:55.119 --> 01:43:57.336
practical, and proactive request. I'm

01:43:57.360 --> 01:43:59.016
also seeking a response be provided

01:43:59.040 --> 01:44:01.416
before caretaker mode so council and the

01:44:01.440 --> 01:44:03.256
community have clarity on whether any

01:44:03.280 --> 01:44:05.816
action will be considered. and I am

01:44:05.840 --> 01:44:07.655
seeking my council's support with this

01:44:07.679 --> 01:44:10.215
motion so we can together advocate for a

01:44:10.239 --> 01:44:12.456
safer, better managed intersection for

01:44:12.480 --> 01:44:14.695
our community. Thank you.

01:44:14.719 --> 01:44:16.456
Thank you, councelor Baker. Councelor

01:44:16.480 --> 01:44:18.215
Cooper has seconded. Do you wish to

01:44:18.239 --> 01:44:19.576
speak?

01:44:19.600 --> 01:44:21.896
Just briefly um because I think that

01:44:21.920 --> 01:44:24.536
councelor um Baker has covered 

01:44:24.560 --> 01:44:26.695
everything that needs to be covered. All

01:44:26.719 --> 01:44:29.719
I would probably add um is that the the

01:44:31.520 --> 01:44:33.976
lane is actually it already exists. So

01:44:34.000 --> 01:44:36.296
there is a dedicated lane already there

01:44:36.320 --> 01:44:38.456
and there is a traffic light obviously

01:44:38.480 --> 01:44:41.175
at the intersection. So the ask is not

01:44:41.199 --> 01:44:43.496
huge. It's it's simply to have the

01:44:43.520 --> 01:44:45.896
signal put there in the light. And I

01:44:45.920 --> 01:44:48.456
think that um this is something that can

01:44:48.480 --> 01:44:51.480
be quite easily achieved um and in a

01:44:51.679 --> 01:44:54.296
timely manner. So I just want to 

01:44:54.320 --> 01:44:56.776
thank councel Baker for allowing me to

01:44:56.800 --> 01:44:58.615
work on this with her and bringing this

01:44:58.639 --> 01:45:01.095
to the council meeting this evening. And

01:45:01.119 --> 01:45:03.816
um thank you to Director Thorne for his

01:45:03.840 --> 01:45:06.215
involvement in helping us draft the

01:45:06.239 --> 01:45:08.856
notice of motion. Thank you.

01:45:08.880 --> 01:45:10.536
Thank you, Councelor Cooper. Would any

01:45:10.560 --> 01:45:12.215
other council like to speak to this

01:45:12.239 --> 01:45:14.695
motion?

01:45:14.719 --> 01:45:16.456
 if there's no other speakers, I will

01:45:16.480 --> 01:45:19.480
put the motion. All those in favor?

01:45:20.159 --> 01:45:22.296
That motion is carried unanimously.

01:45:22.320 --> 01:45:25.320
Thank you, councilors.

01:45:30.880 --> 01:45:32.856
my place

01:45:32.880 --> 01:45:34.936
number 11

01:45:34.960 --> 01:45:37.496
business. Um that brings us to our next

01:45:37.520 --> 01:45:40.376
item which is item 11 urgent business.

01:45:40.400 --> 01:45:42.776
Does any councelor have any urgent

01:45:42.800 --> 01:45:45.800
business? No. Um brings us to question

01:45:46.080 --> 01:45:48.536
12 which is questions through the chair.

01:45:48.560 --> 01:45:51.175
Are there any questions or anyone any

01:45:51.199 --> 01:45:52.695
council wish to raise any questions

01:45:52.719 --> 01:45:55.175
through the chair tonight?

01:45:55.199 --> 01:45:57.736
There being no questions, our last item

01:45:57.760 --> 01:45:59.896
of business is confidential items. There

01:45:59.920 --> 01:46:01.896
are no items of confidential business

01:46:01.920 --> 01:46:03.736
this evening. So with that, I will

01:46:03.760 --> 01:46:05.976
declare the meeting closed. I'd like to

01:46:06.000 --> 01:46:07.655
thank what's left of the public gallery

01:46:07.679 --> 01:46:09.736
and all of those joining us online at

01:46:09.760 --> 01:46:11.256
home for your attendance tonight. And

01:46:11.280 --> 01:46:13.655
thank you council owners and officers.

01:46:13.679 --> 01:46:16.679
Good evening.