QUESTION time at the October meeting of Bass Coast Shire Council held at the Council Chambers in Wonthaggi covered a wide range of topics from the carnival land in Cowes to the cost of red display lights that light up part of the front wall of the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre.
G. Jolly (Carnival Land in Cowes)
Landcare are progressively planting native vegetation on the carnival land in Cowes. Would council please provide a design copy of the planting plan Landcare have been instructed to use for the site.
CEO Greg Box
A copy of the plan will be placed on the Engage Bass Coast page for the Sporting Precinct Project.
B. Wilson (Battery Installation)
How much is it going to cost council to have a battery installed into the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre so that power can be used when the grid is not operational?
CEO Greg Box
The battery at Berninneit is being installed and managed by Mondo, at no cost to Council.
E. Westergard (Red Lighting at Berninneit)
Would council please confirm the actual cost for the supply and installation of the red display lights that light up a front wall to the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre at night as it is the belief the cost was greater than $38,000.
CEO Greg Box
The total cost of supply for permanent programmable weatherproof lighting including installation was $24,442.
G. Jolly (Grants)
State and Federal politicians continually inform for development of Hilton Chadwick Reserve and adjoining land (the projects), Council must have projects shovel ready, designs and full costing for grants. How many individual projects are shovel ready at 8 October that are available and submitted to governments seeking grants?
CEO Greg Box
As of 8 October, Council has 7 grant applications submitted and pending decision with the State or Federal Government. These pending applications are with the Commonwealth Road Safety Program, Regional Partnerships & Precincts Program, Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program, and two each with the Federal Black Spots Program and TAC Road Safety Program. The applications support various projects including the revitalisation of the former Wonthaggi Secondary College Site Precinct, Stewart Road Kernot Bridge, and traffic calming in Settlement Road Cowes, among others.
K. Griffin (Rate Capping)
Rate capping was introduced in 2016 to stop excessive and uncontrolled annual rate hikes by Victorian Councils. Responding to public question 5.8 at its August meeting Council advised that it has not resolved an advocacy position on rate capping. When will this Council resolve its position on rate capping?
CEO Greg Box
Council does not have an endorsed position on rate capping and does not have plans to develop one at this stage.
