Council Meeting pieces - meeting 26 November 2024

Published on 28 November 2024

Campaspe Shire Council held its first meeting of the newly elected Council on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, presided over by new Mayor, Cr Daniel Mackrell.

Outdoor pool fees waived

Council affirmed its decision from the Council Meeting held on 16 September 2024 to waive general admission fees during normal operating times for its outdoor pools for the 2024/25 financial year at the Campaspe Shire Council meeting held on 26 November.

Fees will still apply to the use of the outdoor pools outside normal operational hours, including school swimming lessons and bookings such as carnivals. This is in line with previous years.

Council additionally approved that if a school based within the municipality requests to open a pool which may involve varying the operating hours, and there is no additional operating cost to Council or extension of operating hours, there would be no additional charge to the school for a maximum of 10 days for the 2024/25 outdoor pool season only.

Last season, school carnival bookings were held at Tongala, Stanhope, Rushworth, Lockington and Kyabram. There is also a Learn to Swim program that Campaspe Aquatics staff facilitate at the outdoor pools.

Taungurung Land and Waters Council

Council voted to support the Taungurung Land and Waters council Terms of Reference for the Local Government Forum, and to become a member of the forum.

There are 15 different Local Government Agencies that operate in Taungurung Country. TLaWC has determined that a collaborative approach via a forum is their preferred method for engaging with these 15 Local Government Agencies and Local Government Victoria (LGV).

The Forum is a mechanism to foster and govern a constructive and meaningful operational relationship between TLaWC and Local Government in Taungurung Country.

The three objectives are:

• Work together in partnership;
• Respect, Celebrate and Support Taungurung People, Culture and Country; and
• Achieve our responsibilities together. The intent of the Forum is to provide a streamlined approach to engagement and a transparent space to exchange ideas, compare experiences and resource people's time efficiently. The Forum is consistent with the Council Plan 2021-2025 which states: “We will work with Aboriginal communities and Elders so they are more engaged with Council and have a genuine voice as a result of improved formal and informal communication mechanisms (e.g. committees, MOUs).

Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group

Endorsement for the establishment of a Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group that is representative of Campaspe Shire Council’s nine Communities of Priority was given at the 26 November council meeting.

Campaspe Shire Council’s Access and Inclusion Strategy 2020-2026 identifies nine Communities of Priority: LGBTIQ+, women, people with mental illness, older people, culturally diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with social disadvantage, people with disability and youth.

The establishment of a Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group provides Council with an opportunity to engage with representatives of the nine Communities of Priority, to allow advice and recommendations to be received on Council activities as required.

Notes of Appreciation

Council noted 17 Notes of Appreciation at the council meeting, including commendations for new toilet facilities in Echuca and Rushworth, the completion of the shared user pathway along Breen Ave in Kyabram, and the upkeep of reserves and parks. Thanks from individuals and community groups were also received for grants such as those that assist the Rich River Calisthenics Club, along with a shoutout to JR Richards for going above and beyond during their rubbish collection when stopping to pick up a bin and rubbish that had blown over and dispersed along the road.

Next meeting

The next meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday, 10 December. All meetings are livestreamed via Council’s website.