Council meeting pieces - Meeting 17 March 2021

Published on 18 March 2021

Books

Proposed New Mayoral and Councillor Allowances

Campaspe Shire Council has adopted in-principle mayoral and councillor allowances for the term of the new Council from 2020 to 2024, the same as existing allowances.

Victorian mayors and councillors are entitled to an allowance for performing their responsibilities and duties as elected officials. All Victorian councils are required to review allowance levels by 30 June in the year following a general election.

The mayoral allowance set is $81,204 per annum (plus $7,714 being the equivalent of the superannuation guarantee) and councillor allowance is $26,245 per annum (plus an additional $2,493 being the equivalent of the superannuation guarantee). These proposed allowances reflect existing allowances and are within the permissible range as determined by the Victorian Government.

An important reform of the Local Government Act 2020 is the transfer of responsibilities in determining mayoral and councillor allowances to the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal. Until such time as the tribunal makes its first determination on allowances, expected late 2021, the allowances framework under the Local Government Act 1989 will continue to apply.

Council will start the statutory process pursuant to the 1989 Act to determine the allowances or until such time as the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal determines the allowances in accordance with the 2020 Act.

Council Policy Decisions

Minor wording and formatting amendments have been made to Policy 93 Contribution to Recreation Reserve Maintenance to bring it in line with the Local Government Act 2020.

First adopted in 2011, then revised in 2019, the policy details Council’s funding model for the maintenance of sport and recreation reserves. This funding model is based on a subsidy per participant model, aimed at stimulating community participation in sport and recreation activities. Now in place for two years, the funding model has shown to have a positive impact on recreation reserve user groups who are recognising that increasing their participation rates and sharing/co-locating with other user groups, results in additional maintenance funding via the per participant subsidy model. 

Three New Creative Active Recovery Grants Announced

Echuca Historical Society Inc., Simon Marks of Barmah and Tarli Bird of Echuca are the latest recipients of Council’s Creative Active Recovery Grants Program.

Echuca Historical Society Inc.’s allocation of $880 will go towards a free community event “Paint for a Day at the Museum” to be held on Saturday, 17 April.

Simon Marks’ allocation of $5,000 will support the delivery of four free community music events to be held across the shire – at Rushworth, Gunbower, Nanneella and Girgarre - during May and June this year.

Tarli Bird’s allocation of $1,600 will support community involvement in a free temporary string artwork installation in the Port of Echuca Pop-up Park to be held on the weekend of 10-11 April 2021.

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. 

Two Responsive Grants Approved

Two applications to Council’s Responsive Grants program were approved.

Following a spate of break-ins in the clubrooms at the Colbinabbin Recreation Reserve, Colbinabbin Town Recreation Reserve Committee of Management was successful in receiving a $1,000 grant towards the purchase and installation of surveillance equipment.

Rochester Basketball Association Inc. also received a $1,000 grant for the conduct of a basketball tournament being held in Rochester and Echuca. The funds will go towards court hire, purchase of first aid supplies, signage and implementation of its COVIDSafe plan.

Through the Responsive Grants Program, Council provides the opportunity for community groups to apply for small grants to achieve their goals and ambitions which have a time imperative. An amount of $25,000 is available in the 2020/21 program. Any not-for-profit group, school or community group providing services within Campaspe Shire can apply for a grant to a maximum of $1,000.