Finance and Operations Committee Agenda

Finance and Operations Committee
Agenda Date: Wednesday 20 October 2021 Time: 6pm Venue: Councillors - Civic Centre (Council Meeting Room) 13 Mair Street, Benalla Council Staff – Meeting to be held virtually Via Zoom The COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 enables councils to hold meetings electronically. This measure is intended to ensure the safety of members of the public, Councillors and Council staff. Members of the public will not be able to attend in person. Accordingly, the meeting will be broadcast live at www.benalla.vic.gov.au Any person wishing to participate in Question Time in accordance with Rule 7.2 of the Governance Rules 2020 should contact the Council by emailing [email protected] or telephoning Governance Coordinator Jessica Beaton on (03) 5760 2600. In accordance with the Governance Rule 6.4 an audio recording will be made of the proceedings of the meeting.
PO Box 227 Benalla Victoria 3672 1 Bridge Street East
Tel: 03 5760 2600 [email protected]
BENALLA RURAL CITY COUNCIL 2
Contents
2. Draft Community Vision 2036 Public Submissions ........................................... 7
3. Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 Public Submissions ......................................... 13
4. Draft Financial Plan 2021/2022 to 2030/2031 Public Submissions ................. 17
Closure of Meeting .................................................................................................. 21
Agenda Chair Councillor Justin King
Councillors Councillor Danny Claridge Councillor Peter Davis Councillor Don Firth Councillor Bernie Hearn Councillor Punarji Hewa Gunaratne Councillor Gail O’Brien
In attendance Dom Testoni Chief Executive Officer Robert Barber General Manager Corporate Jane Archbold Manager Community Cathy Fitzpatrick Manager Finance Tom Arnold Community Development Coordinator Jessica Beaton Governance Coordinator
Acknowledgement of Country We, the Benalla Rural City Council, acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we are meeting. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and to Elders from other communities who may be here today. Apologies
Recommendation: That the apology/ies be accepted and a leave of absence granted.
Agenda – Finance and Operations Committee 20 October 2021
Governance Matters This Committee Meeting is conducted in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 and the Benalla Rural City Council Governance Rules 2020. a) Recording of Council Meetings In accordance with the Governance Rules 2020 clause 6.4 meetings of Council will be audio recorded and made available for public access, with the exception of matters identified as confidential items in the agenda. b) Behaviour at meetings Members of the public present at a meeting must remain silent during the proceedings other than when specifically invited to address the Committee. The Chair may remove a person from a meeting for interjecting or gesticulating offensively after being asked to desist, and the chair may cause the removal of any object or material that is deemed by the Chair to be objectionable or disrespectful. The Chair may call a break in a meeting for either a short time, or to resume another day if the behaviour at the Council table or in the gallery is significantly disrupting the meeting. c) Disclosures of Conflict of Interest In accordance with the Local Government Act 2020, a Councillor must declare any Conflict of Interest pursuant to Section 130 of the Act in any items on this Agenda. At the time indicated in the agenda, a Councillor with a conflict of interest in an item on that agenda must indicate they have a conflict of interest by clearly stating: the item for which they have a conflict of interest; whether their conflict of interest is general or material; and the circumstances that give rise to the conflict of interest. Immediately prior to the consideration of the item in which they have a conflict of interest, a Councillor must indicate to the meeting the existence of the conflict of interest and leave the meeting.
Business 1. Public Question Time
A person wishing to address the Committee on a matter not listed on the agenda must submit a ‘Request to be heard’ form by 10am on the day of the meeting. At the time of registering to speak persons must provide a summary of the matter on which they will be speaking. It must not be in contravention of the Governance Rules 2020.
Requests to speak will be registered strictly in the order of receipt of the request.
A total of 12 minutes will be allocated for public submissions with a maximum of three minutes to each speaker.
Recommendation: That the submission(s) be received.
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2. Draft Community Vision 2036 Public Submissions
SF/2659-02 Tom Arnold – Community Development Coordinator
Jane Archbold – Manager Community Robert Barber – General Manager Corporate
PURPOSE OF REPORT The report considers submissions received on the draft Community Vision 2036. BACKGROUND The Council at its meeting on 1 September 2021 resolved:
1. That the draft Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 be endorsed: “Benalla Rural City is welcoming and friendly, thriving and prosperous, sustainable, innovative and industrious, caring and supportive and engaging for all residents and visitors – a place where people want to continue to live, move to and are proud to call home”.
2. That the draft Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 be placed on public exhibition for a period of at least 28 days.
3. That the draft Council Plan 2021-2025 be endorsed and placed on public exhibition for a period of at least 28 days.
4. That submissions relating to the draft Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 and the draft Council Plan 2021-2025 be heard at a special meeting of the Finance and Operations Committee on Wednesday 6 October 2021.
5. That the Council consider submissions relating to the draft Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 and the draft Council Plan 2021-2025 at a meeting of the Finance and Operations Committee on 20 October 2021.
6. That the Council consider the adoption of the Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 and Council Plan 2021-2025 at a Special Meeting of the Council on Wednesday 27 October 2021.
Public notice of the Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 was given on the Council’s website on 3 September 2021 and in the Benalla Ensign on Wednesday 8 September 2021. Feedback was also sought via the Council’s website and promoted on social media. The submission period closed 5pm Thursday 30 September 2021.
DISCUSSION At the close of the submission period nine submissions had been received from: Sally Matheson (refer Appendix 1) Karen Nankervis (Appendix 2) Brandon (Appendix 3) David Moore (Appendix 4) Sean McAvoy (Appendix 5) Susan Pearce (Appendix 6) Kelly Maughan (Appendix 7) Christine Owen (Appendix 8) Victoria Cooper and Doug Spowart (Appendix 9). In accordance with the Council’s Governance Rules 2020, submitters were invited to address the Finance and Operations Committee on 6 October 2021 in support of their submissions A summary of submissions and officer comments can be found in the table below. Feedback from the Community Plan Implementation Steering Committee has also been included.
No Submission Feedback Summary Officer Comment
1 Sally Matheson Visions are wonderful ideals but query if they are realistic, also extremely wordy and may not carry a lot of meaning to many in our community.
Community vision needs to be aspirational and have endeavoured to keep the language as user friendly as possible.
2 Karen Nankervis Suggest Council be included in the wording to achieve the vision along with individuals, communities, organisations and businesses.
Include Council in the wording as suggested to ensure the community clearly understands this is a partnership between the Council and our community to work towards achieving this vision.
3 Brandon Stronger focus on young people, allowing young people to build their own dirt jumps and pump track. Concerns re loss of dedicated bicycle shop in Benalla.
Referred on for inclusion in the development of the Benalla Rural City Council Youth Strategy.
4 David Moore Suggestions for building on tourism and economic development through promotion of rail services, includes a discussion paper outlining economic impact of rail. Importance of maintaining and enhancing accessible, attractive historic station precinct for tourists and tree changers.
Project to link Benalla Station precinct to Benalla central business district to be investigated on finalisation of design concepts for alterations to the Benalla Station.
5 Sean McAvoy Transform old Dunlop campus into a park and living area
Property owned by Department of Education.
6 Kelly Maughan Inclusion of children and young families in future vision suggested actions include child friendly shops, indoor play centre and free curb side tip pick up
Importance of listening to the community.
Actions outside scope of Community Vision and Council Plan
Community engagement and listening to the community is embedded in the document.
7. Christine Owen Suggest walking path to the mural allowing community members to access safely and not slip on wet grass.
Capital works project
Refer to Council Plan report.
9. Victoria Cooper and Doug Spowart
Hoping that future planning supports the arts and the gallery enabling it to continue to be a centre point for arts in the region. Recently moved to Benalla for its vibrant arts community.
No change required to the Community Vision which embraces the arts.
10. Community Plan Implementation Steering Committee
Suggestions regarding slight wording changes to Vision and Themes as follows:
In Vision change sustainable to environmentally responsible
Community wellbeing and sense of place theme include the word supportive
Vibrant, thriving and progressive economy change boast to have a diverse, robust and resilient economy and add for all before attracting
Sustainable environment add will have enhanced our beautiful… We will continue to responsibly manage
A destination of choice add science, technology after sport and include new arrivals after visitors
Suggested changes to wording are minor and do not change the meaning of the Vision or Themes. The Council to consider incorporating proposed changes.
COUNCIL PLAN 2017-2021 (2020 REVIEW) IMPLICATIONS High Performing Organisation Effective and open community engagement and communication supports and
facilitates our connection with the community. Provide good governance and responsible management and planning We are compliant with our legislative and risk management responsibilities. CONCLUSION The Community Vision 2036 will be considered for adoption at an additional Council meeting on 27 October 2021. Recommendation: That the report be noted.
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Community Vision 2036 Submitted Wednesday, 8 September 2021 3:44:53 PM
Your submission on the Draft Community Vision 2036:
The visions are wonderful ideals but I query whether they are realistic. They are extremely wordy and may not carry a lot of meaning for many in our community.
Upload a document in support of your submission:
No file attached.
Would you like to speak at a Council meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021: Representative to speak
Name: Sally Jane Matheson
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Community Vision 2036 Submitted Monday, 13 September 2021 3:55:29 PM
Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I think there is a word missing in this sentence: To achieve this vision, individuals, communities, organisations and businesses must continue to work together for the common good and prosperity of all people who live, visit, work and invest in Benalla Rural City. No mention of Council being involved. How about : .... individuals, communities, organisations, businesses and Council ....
Would you like to speak at a Council meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021:
Name:
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Community Vision 2036 Submitted Monday, 13 September 2021 3:38:09 PM 73BBF1BC-437D-4362-BA2D-8B7DCF7897A5.jpeg
Would you like to speak at the Council Meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021:
Name:
As a person of the younger generation in Benalla I beg you to please think stronger about the youth. Having recently spent a day in Wangaratta exploring I can see that Wangaratta is heading in the right direction for there youth with pump tracks, skate parks and playgrounds that are actually usable and areas where kids are actually allowed to build there own dirt jumps with out the council destroying them. Upgrading the existing dirt track would be a positive step forward allowing the kids to explore different lines of jumps and is a strong way to build confidence. Wangaratta has two bicycle shops that have been able to stay open to the kids getting outside thanks to these new additions to there town where Benalla no longer has a dedicated bicycle shop. I ask you to spend half a Saturday in Wangaratta and just take note of how many youth you see riding around on bicycles building there confidence and enjoying the out doors. I have attached a few photos of what a pump track is and I believe it is the next best thing to do for all different age groups
73BBF1BC-437D-4362-BA2D-8B7DCF7897A5.jpeg (Attached)
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Community Vision 2036 Submitted Wednesday, 15 September 2021 11:45:10 AM The-Economic-Impact-of-Rail.pdf
Benalla Station plays a vital role in the towns operation. The proposed redevelopment of the station must emphasise access for all, safety, adequate parking and vehicle infrastructure all combined in a design sympathetic to the historic precinct. The failure of previous Council's to protect the historic tower and dining rooms must not be repeated and any proposals by the ARTC must meet the requirements of Council and the wider community.
The-Economic-Impact-of-Rail.pdf (Attached)
Would you like to speak at a Council meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021: Yes
Name:
The Economic Impact of Prioritising Rail Services for Benalla
Benalla is a major station on the Sydney/Melbourne route, and has a history as a
regional service centre. The railway station has an impressive history of its own,
and with current revival of interest in rail across the world, evidenced in
increased passenger services and success of websites such as The Man in Seat
61, could provide an increased economic impact for Benalla in the future.
Regional towns and cities across Victoria have relied on distinct branding and
promotion to attract tourism. The success of Bendigo’s Art Gallery and sense of
history, and of Echuca’s promotion of high-speed water sports are examples of
tourism strategies which have led to increased population and economic growth
as former tourists decide to relocate permanently. This population increase in
turn increases demand for services and leads to growth in funding for hospitals
and other facilities.
Benalla has a strong claim to a role as gateway to the north east. While many
tourists will still come by road, promotion of rail services fits a current worldwide
emphasis on climate change and lowering emissions. Benalla’s proximity to
Melbourne allows for promotion of day trips and themed events such as steam
rail. It is possible to then build on Benalla’s history and environment with the
following as suggestions:
1. The Kelly family. While Beechworth lays claim to Kelly history, much of the
court and policing activity relating to them occurred in Benalla, with extant
historic locations such as the Commercial Hotel and the bootmakers shop
included in recent histories. A Kelly trail in Benalla linked to Greta and
Glenrowan would be a focus for day trips and tours.
2. Benalla has a wealth of art and creativity similar to that which has made
Castlemaine a prized destination. Day tours could encompass the Gallery, Wall
to Wall, silo trail as well as cafes and restaurants.
3. Ecotourism: the potential for cycling, canoeing, wetland exploration and
other outdoor activity would appeal to people looking for a more relaxed
environment than that at Echuca and Yarrawonga/Mulwala.
4. Winery and food touring- again, rail could be included in a destination
tourism theme encompassing wineries and producers generally across the
region.
As Melbourne becomes increasingly crowded and expensive, regional towns and
cities are being seen as options both for retirement and for commuter work.
People first explore these options as tourists, becoming familiar with a town or
region and then making the decision to move. The health industry, as an
example, provides an ongoing stream of work at Benalla Health, Goulburn Valley
Health and North East Health. Both larger hospitals are within commuting
distance of Benalla.
The maintenance and enhancement of an accessible, attractive station precinct
in Benalla should be part of an overall tourism strategy that emphasises
proximity to both Melbourne and the North east. With increased workplace
flexibility, tourists who can be attracted to Benalla will then see rail travel and
commuter work options as a reason to make a tree change. The benefits to
Benalla would be significant.
The Economic Impact of Prioritising Rail Services for Benalla
Benalla is a major station on the Sydney/Melbourne route, and has a history as a
regional service centre. The railway station has an impressive history of its own,
and with current revival of interest in rail across the world, evidenced in
increased passenger services and success of websites such as The Man in Seat
61, could provide an increased economic impact for Benalla in the future.
Regional towns and cities across Victoria have relied on distinct branding and
promotion to attract tourism. The success of Bendigo’s Art Gallery and sense of
history, and of Echuca’s promotion of high-speed water sports are examples of
tourism strategies which have led to increased population and economic growth
as former tourists decide to relocate permanently. This population increase in
turn increases demand for services and leads to growth in funding for hospitals
and other facilities.
Benalla has a strong claim to a role as gateway to the north east. While many
tourists will still come by road, promotion of rail services fits a current worldwide
emphasis on climate change and lowering emissions. Benalla’s proximity to
Melbourne allows for promotion of day trips and themed events such as steam
rail. It is possible to then build on Benalla’s history and environment with the
following as suggestions:
1. The Kelly family. While Beechworth lays claim to Kelly history, much of the
court and policing activity relating to them occurred in Benalla, with extant
historic locations such as the Commercial Hotel and the bootmakers shop
included in recent histories. A Kelly trail in Benalla linked to Greta and
Glenrowan would be a focus for day trips and tours.
2. Benalla has a wealth of art and creativity similar to that which has made
Castlemaine a prized destination. Day tours could encompass the Gallery, Wall
to Wall, silo trail as well as cafes and restaurants.
3. Ecotourism: the potential for cycling, canoeing, wetland exploration and
other outdoor activity would appeal to people looking for a more relaxed
environment than that at Echuca and Yarrawonga/Mulwala.
4. Winery and food touring- again, rail could be included in a destination
tourism theme encompassing wineries and producers generally across the
region.
As Melbourne becomes increasingly crowded and expensive, regional towns and
cities are being seen as options both for retirement and for commuter work.
People first explore these options as tourists, becoming familiar with a town or
region and then making the decision to move. The health industry, as an
example, provides an ongoing stream of work at Benalla Health, Goulburn Valley
Health and North East Health. Both larger hospitals are within commuting
distance of Benalla.
The maintenance and enhancement of an accessible, attractive station precinct
in Benalla should be part of an overall tourism strategy that emphasises
proximity to both Melbourne and the North east. With increased workplace
flexibility, tourists who can be attracted to Benalla will then see rail travel and
commuter work options as a reason to make a tree change. The benefits to
Benalla would be significant.
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Community Vision 2036 Submitted Wednesday, 15 September 2021 4:56:29 PM
Would you like to speak at the Council meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021:
Name:
Transform the old Dunlop campus into a park and living area.
No file attached
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Community Vision 2036 Submitted Friday, 17 September 2021 8:31:30 PM
Your Submission on the Draft Community Vision 2036: There is no mention of children. How will Benalla Rural City support them? We desperately need more child friendly shops (target, kmart, big w, etc). An indoor play centre with small cafe would be amazing! We need to support the young families who are here (before they leave) and encourage new young families to move here. Supporting those who live in Benalla/surrounds also need a once off free curb-side tip pick-up! This is a staple in other city councils. I couldn't believe it when we moved and there isn't one. From what I have heard the rates are steep!!!! (and the rate payers aren't happy). Include children and young families in your future vision. And support the local community by listening to what they are repeating time and time again. We have been here less than a year and the voice of the community is strong!
Upload a document in support of your submission: No file attached
Name: Kelly Maughan
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Community Vision 2036 Submitted Saturday, 25 September 2021 9:24:30 AM
Would you like to speak at a Council meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021:
Name:
I think a two walking path going down to the murel would look good as I found when the grass is wet it’s very dangerous for slipping especially when you have elderly people wanting to look at it up closer . Cheers Christine.
No file attached
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Community Vision 2036 Submitted Thursday, 30 September 2021 4:28:46 PM
Name:
We have just moved from Queensland to Victoria because of the broad acceptance of the importance of art in society and community … We chose Benalla because of its locality and in particular what we felt was a vibrant arts community with a significant regional gallery. We would wish that future planning will support the arts community and the gallery enabling it to continue to be a centre point for arts in this region.
No file attached
Appendix 9
3. Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 Public Submissions
SF/2659-02 Tom Arnold – Community Development Coordinator
Jane Archbold – Manager Community Robert Barber – General Manager Corporate
PURPOSE OF REPORT The report considers submissions received on the draft Council Plan 2021-2025. BACKGROUND The Council at its meeting on 1 September 2021 resolved:
1. That the draft Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 be endorsed: “Benalla Rural City is welcoming and friendly, thriving and prosperous, sustainable, innovative and industrious, caring and supportive and engaging for all residents and visitors – a place where people want to continue to live, move to and are proud to call home”.
2. That the draft Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 be placed on public exhibition for a period of at least 28 days.
3. That the draft Council Plan 2021-2025 be endorsed and placed on public exhibition for a period of at least 28 days.
4. That submissions relating to the draft Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 and the draft Council Plan 2021-2025 be heard at a special meeting of the Finance and Operations Committee on Wednesday 6 October 2021.
5. That the Council consider submissions relating to the draft Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 and the draft Council Plan 2021-2025 at a meeting of the Finance and Operations Committee on 20 October 2021.
6. That the Council consider the adoption of the Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036 and Council Plan 2021-2025 at a Special Meeting of the Council on Wednesday 27 October 2021.
Public notice of the Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 was given on the Council’s website on 3 September 2021 and in the Benalla Ensign on Wednesday 8 September 2021. Feedback was also sought via the Council’s website and promoted on social media. The submission period closed Thursday 30 September 2021.
DISCUSSION At the close of the submission period 26 submissions had been received from: Lee Anderson (refer Appendix 1) Parminder Singh (Appendix 2) Rahni Gee (Appendix 3) Suzan Pearce (Appendix 4) June Roscoe (Appendix 5) – same submission received for Draft Council Plan 2021-
2025 and Draft Community Vision 2036. Sabine Smyth (Appendix 6) Benalla Squash and Racquetball Association (Appendix 7) Tanya Johnstone (Appendix 8) Benalla All Blacks Football and Netball Club (Appendix 9) Friendlies Precinct Redevelopment Action Group (Appendix 10) Benalla Basketball Association (Appendix 11) North East Bushrangers (Appendix 12) Winsome McCaughey (Appendix 13) Dennis O’Brien (Appendix 14) Karen Nankervis (Appendix 15) David Blore (Appendix 16) Maggie Hollins (Appendix 17) Howard Bartlett (Appendix 18) Jane Rushworth (Appendix 19) Valerie Dunn (Appendix 20) Susan Campbell and Michael Hedderman (Appendix 21) Benalla Family Research Group Inc. (Appendix 22) Mary Tallis (Appendix 23) Alice Tallis (Appendix 24) Fiona Stephens (Appendix 25) Ellen Crocker (Appendix 26) A summary of submissions and officer comments is attached as Appendix 27. In accordance with the Council’s Governance Rules 2020, submitters were invited to address the Finance and Operations Committee meeting on 6 October 2021 in support of their submissions.
COUNCIL PLAN 2017-2021 (2020 REVIEW) IMPLICATIONS High Performing Organisation Effective and open community engagement and communication supports and
facilitates our connection with the community. Provide good governance and responsible management and planning We are compliant with our legislative and risk management responsibilities. CONCLUSION Submissions will be considered at the additional Finance and Operations Committee on 20 October 2021. The Council Plan 2021-2025 will be considered for adoption at the additional Council meeting on 27 October 2021. Recommendation: That the report be noted.
Your Submission on the Draft Council Plan 2021-2025:
Benalla has the potential to be the gateway to the abundant beautiful resources of North East Victoria and needs to invest in its city and surrounds to attract and retain visitors to the region. To do this it must carefully develop a strategy and plan that deliberately transitions Benalla from being "a slum of north east victoria" (with 30% empty shops, boarded up pubs/hotels, scant quality restaurants/cafes and the capital of discount shops (=ie 3 junk shops cheap as chips, reject shop and treasure hunter sends a terrible message to visitors) into being a destination rural city that embraces local produce, and creates incentives for restaurants and cafes to open, establishes some higher-end accomodation for visitors, revives its heritage buildings and invests in dying satelite towns eg Tatong, swanpool etc. Look at Euroa for example -great destination pubs and restaurants, beechworth - heritage buildings and brewery, bright - mountain biking and brewery etc. If benalla invests in its economoy the rest will follow. Can i suggest having a good look at Derby in Tasmania - who turned around a declining town by installing a world class mountain bike trail (https://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/how-mountain-biking- helped-tasmanias-derby-blaze-a-prosperous-new-trail/news- story/62bf8806cfc19484c6528357d173009e and https://www.redbull.com/in-en/australian- towns-resurrected-by-mountain-biking). Something like this installed at Reef Hills, Tatong or Samaria would turn the town around. But council needs to move fast - many towns in the area (eg Omeo) are already moving ahead with such plans.
Upload a document in support of your Submission: No file attached
Would your like to speak at the Council Meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021: No
Name: Lee Anderson
Your submission on the Draft Council Plan 2021-2025:
Most of streets in Benella city don’t have footpath and underground sewerage even no street lights It’s very hard for old people to drive their wheel chairs on muddy patch in the dark nights especially in rainy season Council must think about that and consider it It seems like we still live in 18th of century
Upload a document in support of your submission: No file attached
Would you like to speak at a Council meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021: No
Name: Parminder singh
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 Submitted Wednesday, 15 September 2021 11:41:45 AM Nappy-rebate-letter.docx
I propose a reusable cloth nappy rebate be introduced by Benalla Council. Parent's who use disposable nappies receive a complimentary second landfill curbside bin, whereas residents who do the right thing by the environment and their children get no incentive at all. A rebate of $50-$150 would be a great incentive for parents to use reusable nappies, swim nappies, breast pads, wipes and reusable menstrual products.
Upload a document in support of your submission: Nappy-rebate-letter.docx (Attached)
Would you like to speak at a Council meeting on Wednesday 6 October 2021: No
Name: Rahni Gee
Re: WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CLOTH NAPPY REBATE INITIATIVES
My name is Rahni Gee and I am a resident of Benalla and also a small business owner. My business Charlotte’s World sells reusable modern cloth nappies.
I am writing to you to request that our council introduce a cloth nappy rebate scheme to encourage parents to switch to cloth nappies, and reduce the impact on our local environment.
A rebate will essentially provide accessibility for those unable to afford reusables, help normalise these products, provide a place for education and start conversations, and reward those wanting to reduce their waste.
Encouraging the use of reusables, like cloth nappies, will ultimately save Councils money that could go back into health and wellbeing programs.
A parent could find out through their Maternal Health meetings that their local Council provides a rebate. They might not take it up, but just getting the conversation started could encourage the parent or caregiver to research other ways to reduce their environmental footprint.
What other councils in Victoria do is offer a rebate where a household can receive up to fifty percent of the purchase back on new and secondhand items with proof of receipt at a limit of $150. This limit could even be $100. Every little bit helps. These reusable items can include cloth nappies, swim nappies, nappy liners and cloth wipes as well as breast pads and menstrual products.
Other councils in Australia have already successfully introduced a cloth nappy subsidy or rebate scheme. These are the councils in Victoria so far:
· City of Casey (VIC)
· Wyndham City Council (VIC)
· City of Whittlesea (VIC) commencing soon
Australia is one of the highest generators of waste in the world. Disposable nappies (including biodegradable nappies because they are single-use and also go to landfill unless they are collected separately) make up 4% of our landfills in Australia. With a child going through 6,000-7,000 nappies before toilet training, that is a significant amount of waste being picked up each week. Then there is the fact most disposable nappies require resources like oil to make the plastic, old growth forests for the inner lining, chemicals used inside to create that absorbency, plastic packaging, shipping of materials to factories for processing, and of course transport to stores and the diesel fuelled garbage trucks to take it all away.
An example of how Mornington Peninsula Council offers the rebate can be found at this link: https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Online-Forms-and-Services/Cloth-nappy-and-re-usable-sanitary-product-rebate
I am asking you to take the lead on this matter and help us, as a community, play a positive role in household waste and the future of our natural environment.
I look forward to hearing your position on this matter.
Kind Regards,
Rahni Gee.
Dear Mr.Gunaratne,
Re: WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CLOTH NAPPY REBATE INITIATIVES
My name is Rahni Gee and I am a resident of Benalla and also a small business owner. My business Charlotte’s World sells reusable modern cloth nappies.
I am writing to you to request that our council introduce a cloth nappy rebate scheme to encourage parents to switch to cloth nappies, and reduce the impact on our local environment.
A rebate will essentially provide accessibility for those unable to afford reusables, help normalise these products, provide a place for education and start conversations, and reward those wanting to reduce their waste.
Encouraging the use of reusables, like cloth nappies, will ultimately save Councils money that could go back into health and wellbeing programs.
A parent could find out through their Maternal Health meetings that their local Council provides a rebate. They might not take it up, but just getting the conversation started could encourage the parent or caregiver to research other ways to reduce their environmental footprint.
What other councils in Victoria do is offer a rebate where a household can receive up to fifty percent of the purchase back on new and secondhand items with proof of receipt at a limit of $150. This limit could even be $100. Every little bit helps. These reusable items can include cloth nappies, swim nappies, nappy liners and cloth wipes as well as breast pads and menstrual products.
Other councils in Australia have already successfully introduced a cloth nappy subsidy or rebate scheme. These are the councils in Victoria so far: • City of Casey (VIC) • Wyndham City Council (VIC) • Cardinia Shire (VIC) • Mornington Peninsula Shire (VIC) • City of Wodonga (VIC) • Shires of Indigo (VIC) • City of Whittlesea (VIC) commencing soon
Australia is one of the highest generators of waste in the world. Disposable nappies (including biodegradable nappies because they are single-use and
also go to landfill unless they are collected separately) make up 4% of our landfills in Australia. With a child going through 6,000-7,000 nappies before toilet training, that is a significant amount of waste being picked up each week. Then there is the fact most disposable nappies require resources like oil to make the plastic, old growth forests for the inner lining, chemicals used inside to create that absorbency, plastic packaging, shipping of materials to factories for processing, and of course transport to stores and the diesel fuelled garbage trucks to take it all away.
An example of how Mornington Peninsula Council offers the rebate can be found at this link: https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Online-Forms-and-Services/Cloth-nappy- and-re-usable-sanitary-product-rebate
I am asking you to take the lead on this matter and help us, as a community, play a positive role in household waste and the future of our natural environment.
I look forward to hearing your position on this matter.
Kind Regards,
Rahni Gee.
From: To: Subject: Date: Attachments:
June Roscoe Tom Arnold Re: Have Your Say - Benalla Rural City Council - Council Plan 2021-2025 Thursday, 16 September 2021 8:36:48 AM

ABN 80 468 957 671
17th September 2021 Mr Dom Testoni, Chief Executive Officer &
The Mayor, Cr Danny Claridge Benalla Rural City Council
P.O. Box 227 Benalla VIC 3671
Dear Mr Testoni and Cr Claridge,
This is a submission to the 1/ DRAFT 2021-2025 Council Plan, and the 2/ DRAFT Financial Plan 2021-2031.
I would like to submit my feedback to you with a focus on those two plans’ relevance to a unique local cultural heritage asset, known as the Former Benalla Migrant Camp
(BMC) VHR H2358.
In the Council Plan the BMC has a relationship to your Theme 2 Liveability – Vibrant public spaces and places. The document states that Council will 6 - Enhance and maintain key places of significance. & 7 Advocate for and act on opportunities to
protect, maintain and preserve heritage assets.
There are no performance outcomes at all listed under Theme 2 of the Draft Council Plan that relate to the Benalla Airport Masterplan 2015, or the Former Benalla Migrant Camp Conservation Management Plan 2018 although both are listed as a key plans
for Theme 2. This appears to be an unfortunate oversight and we ask can you please amend it; this leaves the site particularly vulnerable.
Suggested Amendment 1 and 2:
We ask that you 1- add meaningful performance outcomes and 2- that you relate them directly to a department of service area, which is responsible for its
implementation.
We can suggest for your consideration some examples of meaningful performance
outcomes:
The Benalla Airport Masterplan 2015 is reviewed (Heritage Victoria updated) A Former Migrant Camp landscaping and drainage plan has been developed Opportunities are provided to inform and engage the wider community
Key community partner satisfaction is measured as medium-high
Appendix 6
Further Background:
The Former Benalla Migrant Camp is not only a cultural heritage asset, but it is one of
three State Heritage Listed places owned by this Council.
The site is unique in Victoria and of great significance to the Benalla community. Yet it is obvious to tourists and locals alike, that the Former Benalla Migrant Camp site is in a state of neglect: The site is an embarrassment with a hodge-podge of parked
caravans and sheds, shabby shade-cloth fences, glider trailers parked in the open, lined-up bins greeting arriving tourists and building-type rubbish left lying around.
A Conservation Management Plan was funded by Heritage Victoria, and adopted by this Council on December 5, 2018. According to the Local Government Act 2020
Councils must have an Asset Plan and act as ‘trusted and responsible stewards of community assets’.
The CMP listed a range of urgent works be done within 12 months, including a drainage and landscape plan. We note that in almost three years since this plan was
adopted by Council in 2018, no urgent works have been scheduled and that the condition of the site is further deteriorating.
In your DRAFT Financial Plan 2021-2031 you allocate $300,000 towards the ‘BARC Hut Precinct Development’ in 2027-2028.
Suggested Amendment 3
We ask that you bring forward a sufficient portion of that sum to 2022-2023 to allow for the development of a BARC Precinct Landscape and Drainage Plan, and basic
landscaping works to be done to allow for the moving of the caravans to their new site when current leases expire (as per the intent of the Airport Masterplan 2015).
Our substantial volunteer contribution 2013 onwards
Our committee has worked for the past eight years to promote the heritage of the site, and we funded the application and research to have it placed on the Victorian
State Heritage Register in 2016. We have also promoted the site as a destination for heritage tourists, growing Benalla’s tourism.
More than two hundred families have registered as ‘Friends of the Benalla Migrant Camp’ and over 1,000 people follow our Benalla Migrant Camp Exhibition Facebook
Page. We have raised funds and produced an exhibition, a website, a short film, a history book, site signage, site walking maps, and run a major reunion event in 2017.
We can help gather substantial community support towards funding applications for site restoration if given the opportunity early on.
Regards
Sabine Smyth Chair, Benalla Migrant Camp Inc.
Please note: A copy of this submission has been sent to Heritage Victoria.
Supported by
Submission to Benalla Rural City Draft Council Plan 2021-2025
The Benalla Squash & Racquetball Association would like to lodge the following submission regarding the Draft of the Council Plan 2021-2025.
Unfortunately the Draft of the Council Plan 2021-2025 lacks detail and specifics. In general it refers broadly to topics in five categories or “Themes” that are intended to encompass all that the Council intends to do over the next 4 years, however it does not refer to any projects in particular, what it intends to do specifically nor when it is to be done.
The Draft contains many dot points, but lacks explanation of these.
The document is more of a display of data and statistics gathered, than a description of what is planned to be done and how and when.
There are many statements that Council intends to ‘improve this’, ‘increase that’, ‘address so & so’, ‘tackle such & such’, but no information on how this is to be done.
Only “Major Projects” are referred to directly, in the Mayor’s Message on Page 4. These number six, with four of them having some information on costs.
Specifically, we believe the Sports 4 Courts Project, as a part of the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre refurbishment, should be written in the Council Plan 2021- 2025 as a project that has priority. It has been on the Council’s radar for over a decade, is included in the Recreation Strategic Plan July 2015 and is described in detail and costed in the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Master Plan November 2019.
[ For information: the Courts 4 Sports Project is the initiative started in 2009 by the Benalla Squash & Racquetball Association to build more squash & racquetball
Appendix 7
Supported by
Benalla
courts in Benalla and more specifically and more recently, to build six squash & racquetball courts, with moveable walls for multi-use, within the BIRC refurbishment, as per the aforementioned BIRC Master Plan. ]
This Project was referred to specifically in the Council plan 2017-2021, and it should at least maintain this status, if not higher, in the next Council Plan.
Councillors agreed and stated that this project has been “overlooked for too long” and “deserves to be top priority” in response to a question by Joy Arbuthnot at the Council Meeting of September 1st 2021. So then, it should be included in the Council Plan specifically as something to be done.
More specifically to the text of the Draft Plan, the “Key Supporting policies, strategies & plans, page 21” should include the document “Recreation Strategic Plan, Volume One: The Strategy and Recommendations, July 2015” and also probably the “Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Master Plan, November 2019”.
We would also like to see this project included alongside the others in the “Mayor’s Message” on page 4.
Collins Dictionary defines “plan” as “a method of achieving something that you have worked out in detail”. Oxford Dictionary defines “plan” as “a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something”. Look up “plan” in many dictionaries and you will see the word “detail” appear quite often.
In conclusion, we want the Courts 4 Sports Project and the BIRC refurbishment to be referred to specifically and by name, and have some prominence in the Council Plan 2021-2025, as it deserves it.
Thank you,
Name:
After reading the council draft plan for the next few years, I have a query about a current asset to the town. I have a 12-year-old son that has a new love, being mountain bike riding. Whilst he is enjoying the facilities out at reef hills, he does rely on either his dad or a mate’s dad to take him out there due to the distance out of town as we don’t want the kids riding out over the highway at their age. Him and his mates used the BMX track near the skate park when they were younger, but this facility has had zero maintenance/upgrade work completed on it in so many years and is in vital need of some love. I noticed in your draft plan that there is an allocation of funds proposed for parks, open space, streetscape and playgrounds. Is there any room within this allocation for an upgrade to the bike track? The skate park is a well-used facility and recently funds have been used for half-court basketball courts next to it, but the BMX/bike track seems to be large unused asset because of its condition. Last weekend we went to Wangaratta with 2 other families from Benalla and tried out their new pump track, and it’s a great facility next to their splash park, skate park and a garden area with lots of kids on both bikes & scooters using it and kids ranging from 2 to 18 and their families utilising it when we were there. I just think that we have a fantastic family area around both sides of the lake, with the skate park and basketball courts, splash park, playgrounds and now new seating/ dining hubs, an improved bike track with maybe larger jumps and whoops would be a welcome addition to the area and provide another outdoor activity for our kids to embrace. Whilst Wang’s is an asphalt track, leaving the current track as a dirt facility but enhancing would be a relatively lower cost option, make it specifically for bikes, leaving the scooters for the skate park, and taking the bikes off that facility. Thank you for your time reading my comments.
No file attached
Name:
Benalla All Blacks Football & Netball Club Inc. provides the following feedback to the Draft of the Council Plan 2021-2025 in relation to the BIRC Redevelopment Project. 1. We believe more detail is required in the draft Council Plan 2021-2025 2. This redevelopment has been seen as a council priority for nearly 19 years. 3. The BIRC Redevelopment was commented upon by several councilors at the recent Council meeting articulating their support as a ‘high priority’, ‘it’s what our youth need’, ‘youth and sport is good for Benalla’, ‘this project is not forgotten’ amongst other comments 4. A first stage in the redevelopment is the Benalla All Blacks Netball Court Upgrade (as submitted by Sean Ginnivan on behalf of the BRCC to the Community Sport Infrastructure Program in 2020). This submission (highly commended but unsuccessful) referenced the Benalla Rural City Council Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Redevelopment Plan November 2019 Priority Recommendations: - Develop new toilet/change facilities for sports ground and football/netball facilities integrated with new building 5. This Project was referred to specifically in the Council plan 2017-2021, and it should at least maintain this status, if not higher, in the next Council Plan. We are keen that this project be acknowledged in the mayors’ priorities to assist in future funding opportunities 6. Further, it is our view that many ‘locals’ have little understanding or knowledge of the acronym ‘BIRC’ and for those that do, the reference to ‘BIRC Redevelopment’ does not encompass the scale of the project at the UFS oval and surrounds – this whole precinct is well known as ’the Friendlies’ - Benalla All Blacks FNC proposes that this project be renamed the Friendlies Precinct Redevelopment Project 7. Benalla All Blacks FNC are keen to further this conversation at the earliest opportunity
No file attached
Ray Gallagher (Secretary Benalla All Blacks Football and Netball Club)
Appendix 9
Friendlies Precinct Redevelopment Action Group
We are the nominated representatives to act on behalf of our respective codes in relation to the Friendlies Precinct Redevelopment Action Group (previously referred to as the BIRC redevelopment). We represent the key stake holders of current and future user groups of the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre and the Friendlies Reserve.
We refer to the draft of the Council Plan 2021 - 2025
This redevelopment project was not mentioned and we believe that this plan lacks detail and is inadequate. It fails to capture any of the previous commitments that have been made.
It is noted that plans for the redevelopment of the site were started in 2002 and were represented in the last council plan and now is not represented in the draft council plan. It is further noted that in the draft plan, the project is not even mentioned. This is unacceptable.
The plan for the Precinct Redevelopment needs to be added back in the 2021 – 2025 Council plan and in greater detail.
Our representative groups have all presented individual submissions.
Given the significant history of this project we ask that council show their commitment in bringing it into fruition by placing it in the Council Plan as a priority.
At the most recent council meeting a number of councillors provided substantial commentary and support for this important project.
With the approach of Federal and state elections, now is the time to prioritise this plan of the highest importance for federal funding to achieve this goal.
We intend to be proactive in gathering support. As a group we have searched for anecdotal information from current and potential user groups of this facility as we go forward.
We would like to meet at the earliest convenience to further discuss
Yours Sincerely,
Greg Murphy Benalla Squash & Racquetball Association Ray Gallagher Benalla All Blacks Football and Netball Club Michelle Pastuszka Benalla Basketball Association Joy Arbuthnot APM Benalla Basketball Association Anthony Long North East Bushrangers
Appendix 10
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 Submitted Wednesday, 29 September 2021 1:38:10 PM
Submission to Benalla Rural City Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 Dear Councillors, Benalla Basketball Association would like to lodge the following submission regarding the draft of the BRCC Council Plan 2021 -2025 We refer to the omission of the BIRC redevelopment in the Draft Council Plan. Although, many members of our community would not know what the term BIRC stands for and as it is not just the inside of the indoor recreation centre that needs development but also the outdoor facilities so we find ourselves referring to this project as the Friendlies Sports Precinct. BRCC has had the BIRC redevelopment listed as a major project on its“Council Plan” since 2002. We received anecdotal information that over the years there have been a few master plans drawn up and studies done. This is our understanding: 2002 BIRC Redevelopment Concept Plan 2007 there was a review of the 2002 plan. 2012 there was another master plan 2015 Improvements in the BRCC Recreation Strategic Plan 2017 Master Plan 2019 The 2017 Master plan was completed The BIRC Redevelopment plan has been on every Council plan since 2002. We are disappointed and concerned to find that it was not listed as a high priority or even noted on the draft of the 2021 – 25 Council Plan. How can that be? We would like to know what the process is with moving this project forward? Who is responsible for pursuing funding opportunities and what would be the time frame? Benalla Basketball Association would like to see 2 new basketball courts (one converting to a show court with slide out grandstand seating) being specifically included in this plan as a high priority as shown in the recently completed Master Plan (2019) It seems that we continue to invest in an aging infrastructure but fail to invest in a better facility. Safety, storage, user space and accessibility continue to be growing concerns and user groups all face their own difficulties with each of these issues. Every time we address these concerns we are directed to the Master Plan showing what the new BIRC will have and how it will be better but there is a very clear lack of detail outlining the steps to achieve this goal. Of particular concern is the lack of accountability around legal requirements and OH & S. The roof leaks whenever it rains and even after filling in forms and marking out the wet areas numerous times on a stadium map, we are still having to use a mop and bucket, towel or call off games which is frustrating and disappointing to our players and families. Car parking either side and across the road is a hazard for children. The front entrance way is dangerous and unstructured and becomes an undesignated area for small children to play as there is no designated area inside the building. Improving the facilities and providing 2 more playing courts would have an economic Impact & benefit for Benalla businesses and the community. Our annual tournament brings visitors from all across Victoria and NSW. We cap our tournament due to court allocation time slots and close off long before the due date for registrations. Once again due to our lack of facilities. On this weekend all accommodations are full, families are out enjoying what our community has to offer and our shop traders profit. It is a positive experience for all giving our local economy a much welcome boost. We enjoy the consistent feedback and then contemplate the possibilities (if we just had more courts). Benalla could easily become the sporting hub of the North East given its location being roughly one hour from every one of our neighbouring association / sporting groups in the district.
Appendix 11
We are the mostcentral location in the whole of the North East. Pathway programs and next level opportunities for our local participants of all ages could be showcased here in our town. We believe that with better facilities our sport can continue to grow offering opportunities and pathway programs for Junior and senior athletes. This is not just limited to basketball; this could be the case for a plethora of sporting codes if we were to have the facilities to accommodate. The surface of basketball Courts lend themselves to many other uses and potential user groups. Connection to community, Health and well being continue to be a huge area of concern for our community. Lack of cohesiveness and facilities being scattered and segmented seem to present transportation difficulties for young people and their families. A central sporting precinct would mean greater access to a large variety of sports in the one area. Meaningful planning and shared community spaces and facilities would foster community relationships and give our young people a safe environment to participate in healthy activity. It is illogical that the redevelopment of this facility was not included in the draft Council plan. With alarming statistics on many fronts in our community and social disadvantage being an ongoing issue in Benalla we should all be more mindful of early intervention and prevention. We seem to be reactive rather than proactive to the issues in our society. Our aim is to increase participation and engagement in sport for our young people and across the wider community. We all know and understand the positive impact that sport provides for so many young people. It can help disengaged youth to reconnect and expose our young people to positive role models. The positive benefits of sport are endless and well documented. So again, why is the redevelopment of the BIRC and Friendlies reserve not featured as a priority in the Draft Council plan? The Master plans for this project has been drawn and to our knowledge a feasibility study has been completed, user groups were consulted some time ago (perhaps this needs revisiting). This is a project that everyone agrees is well overdue in terms of the needs within our community and yet we have not seen any progress. The growth of our town has exploded and our fasciitis are not in keeping with the patronage of them. We would like to understand the process of how this can be done? When this can be done? By whom shall it be done? The Friendlies precinct has been listed as a priority for council since 2002 but in the current draft plan it seems to have disappeared. This is unacceptable and the approved plan needs to prioritise this project as one of significance and urgency. NB: Please also see attached letter from Basketball Victoria Yours Sincerely, Michelle Pastuszka, Vice President Benalla Basketball Association Dom Testoni Chief Executive Officer Benalla Rural City Council PO Box 227 Benalla 3671 29 September 2021 Dear Dom, SUPPORTING BENALLA BASKETBALL’S SUBMISSION REGARDING THE COUNCIL PLAN 2021-2025 Basketball Victoria fully supports the Benalla Basketball Association in relation to their submission to the Benalla Rural City, Council Plan 2021-2025. Basketball in the Benalla area is delivered by a strong association providing an activity for country children and adults. It is evident through research that by providing sporting and multipurpose facilities and then the programs from the sporting organisations, we can assist our community in being healthier and well balanced. What is harder to measure is the positive impact that a recreational facility can have on the local community with the capacity to increase the community’s interaction and the continued development of team characteristics. Basketball plays a vital role in strengthening communities, particularly in rural and regional Victoria. The Victorian Government recognises that small populations and distance can make sustaining local sport and recreation groups difficult.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of the volunteer Benalla Basketball Committee who have demonstrated true leadership during the last 20 months, through what has been a very difficult time for Community Sport. Basketball is an all year round operation and generates the majority of income from seasonal registrations, game day fees, clinics, sponsorship, events and tournaments. There are 240,000 registered weekly basketball participants across Victoria, including 73,000 females This is the largest registered playing numbers of any sport in Victoria. Year round positive participation outcomes for all genders, ages and abilities. Victorian basketball also has a gross Annual Turnover in excess of $110m The Intergenerational Review of Australian Sport 2017’’ notes that: “Together, sport creates significant value for Australia, with at least $7 returned for every $1 expended in the sector. This high rate of return is a combination of direct economic benefits, the network of volunteers, avoided health costs and education benefits.” Basketball is returning just under $1b to the Victorian Community annually. There are 52,680 registered weekly participants in Country Victoria and this does not include the many Junior Squad teams (such as the Benalla Breakers), our Aussie Hoopers, referees, coaches, committee, Senior CBL teams, and Senior Teams competing in the Senior State Leagues, such as the BigV and the Victorian Junior Basketball League. Benalla Basketball has been required to review all aspects of their operations to ensure sustainability and viability. In excess of 400 weekly participants compete at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre during normal times and it is vitally important that the Basketball Association provide strong, steady and positive leadership to return our participants to their sport, when we can. If you add the Aussie Hoops, squads, referees coaches etc, there are around 600 active participants in Benalla. That puts the participation rate as approximately 2.72% of the Benalla population and basketball is seen as the highest Team Participation Sport in Victoria. The challenge to our sport is access to fully compliant courts to contiunmue to grow that participation base. It has been demonstrated in other parts of Victoria, that if indoor fully compliant courts are developed or made available, Basketball can increase the penetration rate into the community up to 6% in some areas. In Benalla that would see approximately 840 participants weekly, an increase of 440 participants and the added benefits that participation brings to the community. Basketball in Victoria has seen consistent strong growth and demand for a number of years and at a state-wide level our participation numbers represent around 4% of the population. Sport is an essential part of our community well-being and will play an even more important role in the coming years as the community recovers. Basketball Victoria understands that the development of Multi Court facilities are based on the high utilisation rates that basketball enjoys across the State, but equally we fully understand that we need to be a community leader in bringing lower participation sports to the Multi Court venues and offer opportunities for those sports to grow and for the community to have those sporting opportunities. The work in Benalla is supported by the Basketball Victoria’s mission: Through the provision of operational management, promote the game of basketball and develop pathways allowing for all participants to reach their potential Also supported by the following Strategies contained within the 2017-2021 BV Strategic Plan: Provide Leadership We will provide our membership with direction and support to ensure our sport is best placed to meet future demands and provide a structure whereby all associations, big and small, can flourish. Provide Pathways Basketball Victoria will clearly define and align pathways for all participants to enter and develop to the level of their ability.
Would you like to speak at the Council Meeting on 6 October 2021:
Name:
Through innovative practices, Basketball Victoria will provide additional opportunities for more Victorians to play more basketball. Drive Infrastructure Growth We are committed to ensuring each basketball player has a place to play. We will be relentless in our drive to ensure that new basketball facilities and upgrades to existing facilities are front-of-mind whenever local, state and federal funding is allocated and we will work with other sports to ensure that multi-use facilities best benefit basketball. Annually, Benalla Basketball operate the popular Benalla Basketball Tournament, which has a demonstrated economic impact to the local community of $261,300. The redevelopment of the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre will allow this tournament to expand and create a larger impact for the Benalla and districts community. Basketball Victoria has read and fully supports the Benall Basketball submission to the Benalla Rural City, Council Plan 2021-2025 Yours faithfully David Huxtable David Huxtable General Manager, Member and Community Services Basketball Victoria
No file attached
Name:
Submission to Benalla Rural City Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 North East Bushrangers would like to lodge the following submission regarding the draft of the BRCC Council Plan 2021 - 2025 in support of the Benalla Basketball Association. We refer to the omission of the BIRC redevelopment in the Draft Council Plan. Although, many members of our community would not know what the term BIRC stands for The centre needs development. Benalla is ideally located in a central point in the North East region making it a fantastic point of call for the surrounding basketball community to commit to high development pathway programs for both Junior and Senior Committments. The location is fanatastic but the centre itself is requiring several upgrades to meet the standards of the highest level of or the sport. In turn the thrust to this pathway builds relationships and also connection for involvement with especially the Benalla youth. We brought our program to the area becuase the council looked to have a plan to continue construction of the site and therefore build the prospects of our club and the environment for which we could progress. BRCC has had the BIRC redevelopment listed as a major project on its “Council Plan” since 2002. We received anecdotal information that over the years there have been a few master plans drawn up and studies done. This is our understanding: We would like to support the town its people and help build a stronger community and would like to see the existing facility be uprgraded bringing it to a standard for its future growth not only for the local community but also for the growth of the whole of the North East. The Master plans for this project has been drawn and to our knowledge a feasibility study has been completed, user groups were consulted some time ago (perhaps this needs revisiting). This is a project that everyone agrees is well overdue in terms of the needs within our community and yet we have not seen any progress. The growth of our town has exploded and our fasciitis are not in keeping with the patronage of them.
No file attached
Tony Long
Appendix 12
The Benalla Art Gallery needs to be included in the New Council Plan for the following reasons
The Benalla district is at an exciting moment in time. It is in the early stages of a wave of new development and growth with numerous new buildings and businesses either underway or planned. The City has many opportunities on which to build. Its people are capable, caring and committed; it has good educational and sporting facilities; major manufacturing industries and sound local businesses; good health services; community clubs and organisations; a beautiful landscape and a historic precinct with botanical gardens and a lake. And the ‘jewel in the crown’ and brand by which Benalla is known Australia-wide, is our award-winning Art Gallery and collection worth $25M.
However, as Council also knows well, Benalla faces many social disadvantage challenges: - Household incomes are lower than average, and rates of family incidents and drug and alcohol
offences are higher than average - Suicide attempts and psychological distress levels per head are among highest in the state - Percentage of children experiencing abuse and in out-of-home care is among highest in state - Such health indicators as arthritis, cancer, obesity, cardiovascular, respiratory, etc score poorly - There’s a severe shortage of reasonable housing for low-income families - Skilled professional and trade workers are in short supply and a shortage of available good
quality housing is discouraging skilled personnel from relocating here.
The good news is that the arts and culture can help overcome systemic social disadvantage and drive economic growth. While the Gallery’s primary role lies in exhibiting, fostering and enabling arts and cultural activities, in the process it can also help drive socio-economic development and opportunities. The Benalla Gallery has the potential to be a power-house for generating transformational socio-economic change across the district, thereby enhancing community wellbeing in ways that can help solve the social disadvantages listed above and open up opportunities.
The positive socio-economic power of the arts is a fact now substantiated by evidence-based global research and case studies, including Australia. ANA (A New Approach) https://newapproach.org.au/ is an Australian think-tank supported by twenty major philanthropic bodies Over the last three years it developed five major independent research studies which comprehensively demonstrate the positive benefits the arts can have on: - Individuals: in terms of improved mental health; better educational outcomes; enhanced ability
to think creatively and innovate; increased confidence and sense of ‘agency’; improved feelings of self-esteem and sense of belonging
- Society: in terms of improved social cohesion, stronger sense of place, community connectivity and identity; better city planning; enhanced cultural activities seeding stronger city economies.
The ANA research is so compelling that the findings of this study have now been embedded in the new Australian Government 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan designed to support national recovery from COVID-19 pandemic and other high impact events such as fires floods and drought. https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/executive-summary-2021-australian-infrastructure-plan
display more of its nationally significant collection better and more frequently; to host major touring exhibitions; and to mount exhibitions that ‘tell’ stories of our people and our place - run programs that enable the Gallery to become a true Peoples Gallery, attracting and engaging
the whole community and helping drive social and economic opportunities for all - through these art works, to position the gallery as a leading exponent of Australia’s diverse
regional history, and thereby, increase understanding of who we are, where we come from and what we may become. A Weary Dunlop sculpture at the Gallery entrance honours local youth who sacrificed health and life in three world wars - and who forged the ANZAC spirit in
Appendix 13
the process. It powerfully depicts these values, expressed in text around the base: Integrity, Courage, Compassion, Leadership, Friendship, Forgiveness, Humility.
The Benalla Gallery today faces many challenges and problems. It is a fine building, but it is 50 years old, deteriorating and no longer ‘fit for purpose’ to serve the community for its second 50 years: - Space is too limited to display much of the Gallery’s own collection or mount major exhibitions,
and certainly insufficient to run the kind of community engagement and social outreach programs that could powerfully help all students and disadvantaged young people in particular.
- Infrastructure and logistics are totally inadequate and badly need up-dating - Staff numbers are half the recommended regional gallery benchmark level.
A Feasibility Study, Concept Plan and Business Case for Gallery Redevelopment was commissioned and paid for in the main, by community donations - with $30K from the Trust, $30K from the Friends Group and $20K from Council. Based on this Study, the Victorian Government granted the Council $3.M to get the redevelopment to get underway and extra funds to consult the community.
The Need: The Study confirmed the urgent need for a major Redevelopment to tackle the Gallery’s building and staffing limitations and open up extended program opportunities; and confirmed a redevelopment would bring major social, cultural, economic benefits to the district.
The Benefits: The Study found that the third redevelopment Options proposed in the Study would bring by far the greatest benefits to the district, including by attracting an extra 90,000 to 100,000 visitors p.a. to the district, who would spend approximately $5.6M during their visits
Lead Objective: The Study proposed the Redevelopment Objective be: Strengthen Benalla Gallery and its role as a leading interpreter and communicator of Australia’s regional cultural heritage. In practical terms this means facilitating leading Australian and regional artists to engage with the community in expressing, depicting and interpreting the district’s stories. Benalla sits at the heart of a place, rich in amazing stories. From the the First Nations people’s aeons of the rich history through to first European explorers and pioneers; from settlers and soldiers, farmers and bushrangers, miners and migrants, traders and transport operators - and many more! Taken together and interpreted by artists, these stories can help us understand who we are as a community, where we’ve come from, what it is to be Australian today and what together we might aspire to become.
If the Gallery implements this objective, then Regional stories could be the City’s stand-out theme and point of difference. Through the Gallery, Benalla would be recognised as the leading exponent of Australia’s rich regional cultural history and would become a must-see tourist destination.
Covering Costs: The Feasibility Study identified the capital cost of Option 3 would be approximately $14M and Operational costs (with appropriately upgraded staffing levels) would run at around As a Trustee of the Benalla Art Gallery Trust and as a ratepayer with extensive professional experience in government, business and philanthropy, I feel confident these funds can be raised externally. However, this will only be achieved if all parties - the Council, the Gallery, the Trust, the Committee and the community, work together collaboratively and transparently. By doing that we can bring great cultural, social, economic benefits to the Benalla Rural City, district and region
Yours sincerely,
[email protected] Benalla Council Email Response Form - Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 Submitted Thursday, 30 September 2021 1:16:19 PM
Your submission on the Draft Council Plan 2021-2025: I wish to make a submission to the Council Plan, specifically in relation to the proposed Benalla Art Gallery Redevelopment. As the previous Chair of the Benalla Art Gallery Special Committee - who at the time contributed to the development of a detailed Feasibility Study and Business Case - I believe I have a strong understanding of this project and its transformational potential. Firstly, it's heartening to see 'Redevelopment of the Benalla Art Gallery' listed as a Major Project in the foreword penned by the Mayor, Cr Danny Claridge. As you would be aware, the Feasibility Study and Business Case was presented by the Benalla Art Gallery Committee to an Assembly of the Benalla Rural City Council. This presentation specifically requested that the Council not only receive the document, but to include the redevelopment in the Council Plan 2021-2025. Further, it was requested Council articulate its support for the option which would bring greatest benefits to the Benalla district. It was further clarified by the Committee that this indication of Council support need not be at the ratepayer's expense - rather, that Council could publicly support and actively seek government grants to account for capital costs, and work collaboratively with the Foundation and other stakeholders to generate a corpus sufficient to cover operating shortfalls. Again, while Cr Claridge's statement is encouraging, it would be beneficial to see the scope of Council's support for the 'Redevelopment of the Benalla Art Gallery' more clearly defined in the final Council Plan. As it stands, the $3 million grant funding (already received) could be perceived by some as full accomplishment of this aim. Indeed, the published draft of the 10 Year Financial Plan did not include any commitment to further redevelopment, nor was the 'Benalla Art Gallery Redevelopment' included in a list of 'Unfunded' aspirational projects. The Feasibility Study and Business Case clearly defined the significant social and economic benefits (in excess of 2.0 BCR) which could be attained through redevelopment of the Benalla Art Gallery, however these benefits can only be unlocked through more substantial redevlopment than will be possible through the $3 million grant outcomes. The potential benefits detailed in the Feasibility Study and Business Case also align strongly with: The Council's Vision, Purpose, and Values Guiding themes in the Benalla Rural City Community Vision 2036:Community wellbeing and sense of place o A well-planned, connected and accessible community o A vibrant, thriving and progressive economy o A destination of choice o Leadership and community spirit And the following objectives stated in Draft Council Plan: o Theme 1: Community Objective: A healthy, safe and resilient community strategies 3, 5, and 6 Objective: A connected, involved and inclusive community strategies 1-7 o Theme 2: Liveability Objective: Vibrant public spaces and places strategies 1-7 o Theme 3: Economy Objective: Thriving business and industry strategy 2 Objective: Flourishing tourism strategies 1-2 Objective: Population growth strategy 1 o Theme 4: Environment Objective: Sustainable practices strategies 2-3 o Theme 5: Leadership Objective: High performance culture strategies 1-3 Objective: Effective and responsive advocacy strategy 1 The Feasibility Study and Business Case would be approrpiate to refer to as a 'Key Supporting policy, strategy and plan' against these various objectives, but is entirely absent. Finally, I also want to stress that the 'Redevelopment of Benalla Art Gallery' cannot be dismissed on the grounds of insufficient community support.
Appendix 14
Would you like to speak a the Council Meeting on 6 October 2021:
Name:
In fact, the presentation of the Feasibility Study and Business Case to Council needs to be recognised as a single document carrying the weight of support of numerous community members, particularly: o the voluntary community members who formed part of previous and current Committees and worked toward this outcome for more than 12 months; o the numerous community members who form the Friends of Benalla Art Gallery, which is an independent, voluntary support group. The backing of the project from this group is very clear, having been the first to make a substantial ($30,000) financial commitment to enable the Feasibility Study and Business Case to be developed Having been presented this document for consideration in the Council Plan, Council has been told by a not insignificant section of the community that the 'Redevelopment of Benalla Art Gallery' is what they want, but this is again not reflected in the draft. I firmly believe further community support for this project would have been voiced, had any of the findings of the Feasibility Study and Business Case detailing the clear benefits been communicated to the public. My belief here is strengthened by the community's inclusion of community facilities -including the Art Gallery - as an existing community strength (page 37), and with 'The Arts' being one of the top ten Council services the community believed was of most importance to residents (page 38). I hope and trust that in the final Council Plan and 10 Year Financial Plan, the scope of Council's support for 'Redevelopment of Benalla Art Gallery' will be adequately accounted for. This would be appropriate given the evident social and economic benefits, and community support, embedded within the Feasibility Study and Business Case the Council has been presented with. Attracting the external grant and philanthropic funding required to achieve the most beneficial 'Redevelopment of Benalla Art Gallery' will only be possible with this clear, public, strategic support from Council. Thanks for your consideration.
No file attached
From: Karen Nankervis
Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments on the Draft Council Plan that will be vital in the strategic planning and decision making of council staff and councillors.
I moved here in January 2021, from Beechworth in the Indigo Shire, and whilst I have no wish to see Benalla have anything like the tourism environment that area has; there are some things that they are doing exceptionally well particularly in waste management and their impact on the environment and climate, that Benalla would benefit from investigating.
My comments about the Draft Council Plan:
“What you don’t measure, you can’t manage or improve”
There are no service areas allocated to the strategies and overall, the plan lacks any clear KPIs - all the ‘Performance Measures’ sections give headings but no criteria.
For example, in the Liveability section, you have a strategy to beautify streetscapes, landscaping, signage and town entrances, then some suggestions from the community, and finally a performance measure of ‘community satisfaction with appearance of public areas’.
I understand that this is a plan, with strategies, so you aren’t going into details here of specific projects, but there is no determinate information on the measuring of results.
There are no details of the starting point of current community satisfaction, and/or the percentage increase that you’ll be aiming for. For example, a performance measure of ‘10% increase in community satisfaction with appearance of public areas’ gives confidence to the community that this will be focussed on and gives guidance to council officers when they set their priorities.
Another example in that section is ‘ratio of Capital Works Program delivered compared to budget’, what are you aiming to achieve here?
This is repeated in every section. Perhaps you don’t see the Strategic Plan as the spot to put clear performance measures, but if not here, then where?
Planning for population growth
I can see items in the plan about increasing the population, building a skilled workforce, infrastructure etc, but limited mention of the development of housing for short- and long-term rental and purchase.
The building of the FRV Solar Farm at Winton, demonstrated the lack of short-term rentals in the area. I have heard comments about larger employers, like Benalla Health, being unable to fill positions because of the lack of housing.
I think the Strategic Plan needs to include a section on finding out the true housing situation from a community and business perspective and then developing a strategy to ensure new housing developments, and redevelopment/repurposing of existing housing, is in line with forecasted requirements.
Or the reverse might be to discourage the population increase and business growth to match the housing availability.
Appendix 15
Strategy: Actively promote responsible behaviours to reduce waste:
The HalveWaste education program, through Albury City and adjoining councils, provides excellent support to councils to help communities reduce waste and to dispose of waste correctly, reducing what goes into landfill. Benalla isn’t part of the HalveWaste waste collection system, but HalveWaste are interested in partnering with other councils with their education program. There are many resources that Council and the community can access to help reduce our environmental impact. Please add this to the Environment section strategy and make contact.
I couldn’t see any mention of the PlasticWise policy which I believe was passed recently. This needs to be included in the ‘Key Supporting policies, strategies and plans’ list as a key document for review when action is taken on the Environment strategies and Council needs to lead by example.
I would like to see a strategy included on making it inexpensive and easy to manage waste and care for the environment. Our community needs incentive to reduce waste and dispose of it correctly. The long-term cost and risk of not reducing the impact of waste, will far outweigh any short-term income reduction. For example, reducing some of the costs at the transfer station, like free ewaste as one option.
I look forward to receiving the final plan and watching it unfold over the next 4 years.
Karen Nankervis
Submission David Blore September 2021
Dear Mayor, Councillors and CEO:
Further to discussions with various individuals including the Mayor and CEO, and a review of Benalla’s draft document along with those of other nearby municipalities, I wish to make the following submission to the draft Council Plan currently on exhibition.
1. Form and Comprehensibility: The draft Council Plan is a lengthy and difficult to read document. I appreciate it is presently only in draft form, and I acknowledge and applaud the work done already by staff to bring it to this point. Nonetheless, there are many opportunities to enliven the final document with simple improvements to layout, some precising of details and with the judicious use of photos and graphics. A quick scan of the draft 2021-2025 Council Plans

Finance and Operations Committee Agenda

Documents

Transcript of Finance and Operations Committee Agenda