Council meeting pieces - Meeting 15 September 2020
Published on 17 September 2020
Change to November Council meeting
Given the impending council elections and the time expected to be taken to declare the results, the 17 November Council meeting will now be held to include the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, along with elected Councillors taking their oath of office.
The community can watch the meeting at 5pm via the livestream, available on Council’s website.
Tongala community grants allocated
Grant funding has been allocated to not for profit groups and organisations in Tongala, designed to support community projects, exhibitions, and/or performances.
The funding was made available following the sale of the Golden Cow in Tongala, with part of the proceeds set aside to go back into the local community.
The approved applications are:
- Tongala Cricket Club Inc – purchase of new cricket wicket covers - $1,500
- Tongala and District Memorial Aged Care Services Inc – purchase of pass through dishwasher - $5,000
- Tongala Recreation Reserve Inc – oval roadway works - $5,000
- Sawtell RSL Sub Branch - Tongala Avenue of Honour refurbishment - $4,496
- Tongala Football Netball Club Inc - clubroom furniture upgrade - $4,494
- Tongala Lions Club Inc - walking tack resurfacing - $4,400
In addition, $75,100 has been allocated towards the implementation of identified projects in the Tongala Placed Based Plan, a plan that will be developed in partnership with the community.
Port Precinct management future
Council has released a report titled ‘Realising the Port of Echuca Precinct Potential – Consideration of Options for the Future Management of the Port of Echuca Precinct’.
The report is now available on Council’s website.
The report was requested by Council following work by the Port Precinct Working Group and the need to conduct an independent review of the current management model, a not for profit model as proposed by the group, and an arm’s length council management model for the precinct. The report makes available the details of the options and presents the findings of investigations to date.
The report does note a preferred management model but highlights additional areas for clarification before Council progresses to adopt any of the models as the preferred. This work is underway and will be presented to Council once complete. Council has also requested the consultant advise whether there might be another model/structure, community not for profit based, that could conceivably manage the Precinct with an annual funding allocation from the Council in the region of $300,000.
Years of service recognised
Council has acknowledged 38 staff members who have completed a number of years of service as part of the Staff Recognition Program.
Of the staff, one has achieved 40 years, two 30 years, one 25 years, twelve 20 years, ten 15 years and five have achieved 10 years of service.
The employees will be officially acknowledged at a special reception in late October, subject to the public health directions at the time.