ABUSIVE, intolerant or otherwise unacceptable language in questions to Council, and from councillors themselves has angered Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead.
The tone of several letters to Bass Coast Council this month and an attempt at humour during a discussion on fireworks caused the Mayor to withdraw several letters from the agenda and censure one councillor.
A question on Council’s ‘aggressive push’ to seal roads by putting in gutters and footpaths against residents’ wishes was answered with the explanation that respecting prevailing neighbourhood character was an important element of any road and drainage scheme, and residents were presented with a range of options as part of the design process.
Objecting to the use of the term ‘aggressive push’ in the question Mayor Halstead said that sort of language would not be acceptable in the future.
A further question on the process used to confirm signatures on petitions for special charge schemes was addressed by CEO Greg Box who explained Council verified the name and address of each landowner when a petition was received.
Answering a question on the premature failure of bitumen pavements and dust suppressant seals, due to Council’s failure to adequately maintain road shoulders and table drains, CEO Greg Box said Council would undertake to continue with its program of road maintenance including the regular patching of potholes.
One resident from The Esplanade in Surf Beach questioned Council’s declaration to remove illegal stormwater connections into sewer pipes.
“Illegal stormwater connections to Westernport Water’s sewerage system causes overloading and risks sewage pump station overflow,” explained Mr Box.
Mr Graham Jolly in a letter to Council asked what progress had been made on the detailed designs for a new sporting oval and off-leash dog area at Hilton Chadwick Reserve on Phillip Island.
Another question to Council, related to the design of a turning lane.
Mr Box responded that Council was in the final stages of designing a left turn lane into the future Phillip Island Recreation Reserve and once approved the designs would be available for public engagement.
With changes to speed traffic signs in Wonthaggi, Cowes and a number of other towns another letter to Council asked who was paying for the materials and labour to remove the existing signs.
“Speed zone changes are funded by Council,” answered Mr Box.
“Are supermarket car parks counted in car parking surveys?”
“Supermarket car parks are counted in car parking surveys,” replied Mr Box.
Question time concluded with questions on the removal of wildlife on Phillip Island, an item on Council’s Balance Sheet, progress on Council’s Net Zero target and statutory protection for the 80-acre recreation reserve on Phillip Island.
“Just having your word isn’t enough,” claimed the correspondent.
Mr Box said the 2025/26 budget did not include provisions for the implementation of statutory protections for the 80-acre recreation reserve however Council had gone to significant efforts to secure the land including a public acquisition overlay for the site.
“Council has no intention of selling the land,” said Mr Box.
