Too much competition
CR ROCHELLE Halstead has explained why she didn’t vote for the $20 million Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail project at the December council meeting and making an application to the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Fund asking for a $3 million contribution.
Cr Halstead said she might have supported it under normal circumstances but in these straightened times, $20 million would go a long way on other priorities.
If council gets the grant, they’ll have to stump up matching funding of $3 million.
Firefighter honoured
THE Mayor Cr Clare Le Serve took time at the start of the recent council meeting to mark the passing of two, long-serving firefighters, Kilcunda’s Phil Ruby and Kernot-Grantville’s Barrie Stewart.
She said Barrie dedicated over 37 years to his local brigade, serving as an officer for 18 years, in various lieutenant positions, delegate to Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria District 8 Council, and Community Safety and Fire Prevention Coordinator.
“Barrie also contributed significantly to community education for over 20 years, receiving recognition such as the National Emergency Medal for the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires. Last year, he was honored with a 35-year Long Service Award by CFA.”
Details of Phil Ruby’s 33 years as a firefighter have already been published.
Shire rules on exceptions
WHEN is a rule not a rule? When it’s one of the provisions in the Bass Coast Shire Council planning scheme. Or so it seems if you consider Council’s response to a clearly exasperated ratepayer in question time recently.
Manfred Decker quoted the shire’s “very detailed” 1173-page planning scheme when he asked how it was that the Council could still approve non-compliant applications that were so clearly outside the aims of the scheme.
“Non-compliant planning applications are not granted permits. Planning Applications are assessed against the Bass Coast Planning Scheme. Generally, the zones, overlays and particular provisions that are applicable to land, will guide planners to the relevant aspects of the Planning Scheme that must be considered. Each application is assessed on its own merits,” came the reply.
No ‘yes’ votes at Pioneer Bay
ROSS Bencraft of Pioneer Bay wanted to know how Pioneer Bay’s residents voted on their special charge scheme, after the Sunderland Bay-Surf Beach project was abandoned recently.
He put his question to council and got the following reply:
“There were 23 per cent objections from 227 property owners,” at Pioneer Bay, according to the Council, but 77 per cent of property owners did not respond.
“As there were less than 50 per cent objections, the scheme was able to go ahead.”
No news isn’t good news
AT BASS Coast Council question time recently, John Kuzma wanted to know why the statutory planning results hadn’t been reported in the meeting agenda for three months.
A glitch in the system was the answer:
“A recent software upgrade has been addressed and up-to-date reporting will occur from the next Council Meeting (in February 2024).”
Island carnival back again
WHILE Bass Coast Council forced the purchase of the Cowes carnival site for its new sports precinct a few years ago, the carnival is back again for its summer holidays run, and the site is set to be rezoned for public use.
Council watcher, Melissa Dagg, asked council in question time recently why the site hadn’t yet been rezoned, to which council replied that ‘the rezoning is being scoped”.
Why ‘DAL’ is short for ‘delay’
A QUESTION to the Bass Coast Shire Council last week, by Melissa Dagg, has highlighted why “neighbourhood character” is being systematically destroyed in a lot of settlements across Bass Coast.
“A number of Councils are developing a Neighbourhood Character study, comprising of built form, land use and land foot print use. When will Council establish its own study for planning purpose use to be used for the next 10 years?” asked Ms Dagg.
To which Council replied it is in the process of developing a Neighbourhood Character Study, to set standards on such things as setbacks, building envelopes and to strengthen vegetation protection but that finalising this important document was in the hands of the Department of Transport and Planning which recently announced another delay in finalising the Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes project.
