WELLINGTON Shire Council held an ordinary meeting on Tuesday evening (August 1).
All nine councillors were present, with Cr Carolyn Crossley attending remotely.
Here are the key outcomes from said meeting.
New grants approved
ANOTHER 11 applicants were approved for funding in the latest round of Council’s Quick Response Grants.
In total, $12,870 worth of grants were awarded to local community organisations and athletes.
Cr Carmel Ripper listed some of the recipients and what their funds would be utilised for, including the Rosedale Cemetery Trust, Maffra Municipal Band and Sale-Maffra Badminton Association.
The Quick Response Grant Scheme aims to support the delivery of projects that demonstrate positive impacts on the wider Wellington community. Eligible projects submitted under this program are assessed within two weeks.
Not-for-profit community groups operating in Wellington Shire can apply for up to $2500 in funding; up to $500 is available in the Individual Sponsorship category, and up to $1500 in the Teams and Community groups category.
The applications approved at Tuesday’s meeting were assessed between March and June of this year, with only one of the 12 applications being unsuccessful.
Yarram Rotary Club was initially awarded $1330 for “concert risk cover”, but the application was withdrawn after it was found that funding was not required.
Cr Ripper concluded her remarks by noting that the grants can be obtained by applying through Wellington Shire’s website.
“If you don’t apply, you can’t expect to get the money,” Cr Ripper said.
Submissions for the next round of grants are now being accepted via www.wellington.vic.gov.au/community/quick-response-grants
Sale of Loch Sport land
COUNCIL unanimously approved the sale of land at the rear of 268-278 National Park Road in Loch Sport.
Speaking in support of the motion, Cr Gayle Maher revealed that the owners of the adjoining property had applied to purchase the unused road reserve.
“It has been deemed, after an internal review (by) council officers, that (the) land is not required for council use or community purposes in the foreseeable future,” Cr Maher said.
“So moving forward, public notices will be placed in the local newspapers and provided to the neighbouring property owners, as per legislative requirements.
“And subject to this, a private treaty at market value will be considered, in accordance to council’s policy, (regarding) the sale, exchange and acquisition of land.”
As part of the proposed sale, council will form a Road Discontinuance Committee consisting of Councillors Maher, Garry Stephens and Marcus McKenzie to consider written submissions or objections from the community, with Mayor Ian Bye to act as an alternate representative.
Image: Wellington Shire Council
Policy amendments
CHANGES have been made to three documents outlining council’s policies.
The draft amendments to the Conflict of Interest Policy, Acceptance and Declaration of Gifts and Hospitality Policy, and Investment Policy were all unanimously approved by council.
Cr Stephens explained that the documents form part of a policy manual for council employees, which is reviewed annually by council’s Audit and Risk Committee.
These “minor updates”, as they are referred to by council, consist of various grammar and punctuation alterations, plus the inclusion and removal of certain terms for clarity. The policies themselves remain largely unchanged.
Cr Stephens also said that the policies are available online for “public perusal”, and encouraged “anybody in the community to have a look at our policies and make any input that they would like to.”
Policies can be read at www.wellington.vic.gov.au/council/council-policies
Quick Response Grant recipients, August 2023
Successful non-profit applicants
■ Rosedale Cemetery Trust ($2070): Installation of security surveillance equipment
■ Woodside Football-Netball Club ($2000): Family Fun Day and Show and Shine event
■ Sale Combined Kindergartens ($2500): Removal and replacement of unsafe swing frame
■ Port Albert Progress Association ($2500): Easter Sunday Picnic in the Park
■ Maffra Municipal Band ($1300): Teddy Bear’s Dance Party for “the young and young-at-heart”
■ Sale-Maffra Badminton Association ($2500): Sale-Maffra Veterans Badminton Tournament
Successful individual sponsorships ($500 each)
■ Cassie Farley (Junior Athletics)
■ Xanthe Wade (Show-jumping)
■ Tess O’Toole (Gymnastics)
Successful Energy Audit Rebate applications ($500)
■ Boisdale Recreation Reserve Committee of Management
