Council meeting pieces - 21 April 2021

Published on 23 April 2021

Proposed Changes to Victoria Park Land Tenure

Council will write to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning requesting the surrender of its current Committee of Management responsibilities for an area within Victoria Park proposed to be occupied by the Echuca Lawn Tennis Club in the future.

As part of the Echuca Moama bridge construction project, six lawn tennis courts in Victoria Park were removed and replacement courts are to be constructed on the opposite side of the remaining courts. Council had earlier agreed that the replacement courts would be constructed on part of the Crown Land it currently manages and that it would surrender its delegated management responsibility for that particular footprint.

In due course it is expected the Echuca Lawn Tennis Club will seek to obtain Committee of Management responsibilities from the Crown for the footprint of land, consistent with arrangements whereby they manage the land upon which they currently operate.

Councillor Appointment to Echuca Moama & District Tourism Development Association

Councillor Rob Amos will represent Campaspe Shire Council on the Echuca Moama and District Tourism Development Association (EMDTDA) Board of Management, in line with current agreements between the two parties.

The appointment to the board exercises Council’s right under the Visitor Servicing and Destination Marketing Service Level Agreements 2019-2022. The agreements outline the responsibilities and obligations between EMDTDA and Council, with Council contributing this financial year $240,244 for visitor servicing and $91,048 for destination marketing.

Council Policy Decisions

A new Disposal of Council Property Policy is now in place to provide direction on the sale and transfer of Council-owned land and buildings deemed surplus to needs. As part of Council’s commitment to the cost-effective use of its resources, the policy will provide a framework for the identification and disposal of surplus property assets, in compliance with relevant legislation, including the Local Government Act 2020. Disposal of land and buildings no longer needed for the delivery of Council services alleviates an ongoing financial burden on the Campaspe community.

Following a review, the Occupational Health and Safety Policy is now called the Health, Wellbeing and Safety Policy. The inclusion of “wellbeing” in the title reflects Council’s commitment to a more holistic approach to the welfare of those who undertake work on its behalf, including employees, volunteers, contractors and councillors. The policy defines health and wellbeing as “A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing; not just the absence of disease or illness”.

Council Supports Regional Application to Address Local Labour Shortages

Campaspe Shire Council will join forces with the Greater Shepparton and Moira Shire councils in the lodgement of an application to the federal government to establish a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). A DAMA is an agreement between the federal government and a region to assist, recruit and migrate workers from overseas to help fill local skills and labour shortages. Under an agreement, there is a designated list of occupations and a maximum yearly number of migrants permitted.

Campaspe, Shepparton and Moira councils have been working together since 2019 to develop a business case to support an application for a DAMA in recognition of the expected long-term economic and social benefits for the municipalities.

Consultation with business and industry, and labour market research verify the need for a DAMA in the combined local government areas. A DAMA would provide local employers with a mechanism to fill labour shortages in the medium term, and supplement established skills development and workforce attraction programs.

Council has approved the allocation of $10,000 per annum for four years to support the project, should the DAMA application be successful.

Two Creative Active Recovery Grants Approved

Kinetic Theatre and Echuca Moama Rotary Club Inc are the latest recipients of funding through Council’s Active Recovery Grants Program.

A grant of $5,000 assisted Kinetic Theatre to deliver three outdoor theatrical events in Echuca on 16 & 17 April. A grant of $3,000 will assist Echuca Moama Rotary Club Inc to run a free Family Fun Day at Rotary Park, Echuca on Saturday, 12 June.

The Creative Active Recovery Grants program is a one-off grant program launched in December 2020 to support creative businesses and artisans to activate public spaces and assist in COVID-19 recovery. A total of $60,000 is available with a maximum of $5,000 per application, for events or projects that engage the community, have an economic benefit and assist in the pathway to recovery for residents and visitors.