WELLINGTON Shire Council last met on Tuesday, September 19.
Key takeouts of the meeting are detailed below.
Council land to be surrendered
THE Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), has been working with council to implement the Victorian Ombudsman 2019 Report recommendation to facilitate a program of compulsory acquisition of privately-owned undevelopable land within the Ninety Mile Beach subdivisions to the Crown.
The Ombudsman had said:
“In my view the Ninety Mile Beach subdivisions that cannot ever be developed should not be subject to rates and charges – but ultimately, should be returned to state ownership for the benefit of all.”
Council said this decision, approved at the meeting, will be good for the community.
The transfer of land will take three stages.
“The surrender of council owned undevelopable Ninety Mile Beach land to the Crown will have a positive impact for the general community as the majority of the land will be incorporated in and managed as part of the adjoining Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park,” the council ordinary meeting agenda reads.
DEECA has advised that they are in a position to accept “Stage 1” priority lots and reserves in this calendar year. Stage 2 and 3 will be incorporated in the park later on.
Coastal Ward Councillor Gayle Maher said it took “a lot of hard work, some anguish, to get to this point.”
“However, it’s certainly a good result … to a long drawn out and challenging situation.
“So well done to everyone who has been a part of this,” the Coastal Ward coucillor said.
From the gallery
GELLIONDALE resident Graham James returned to council meeting stands regarding his concerns about the proposed Gelliondale Wind Farm.
He referenced a notice in the local paper and concerns about Synergy Wind’s public consultation process.
Giving thanks
THERE was a number of acknowledgements, including the Centenary of the Yarram Ambulance Service, the local teams in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League, Gippsland Art Gallery’s new spring season exhibition, and the graduation of the new correctional officer recruits at Fulham Correctional Centre.
Mayor Ian Bye attended the Wellington Youth Art Prize on the evening of Friday, September 8, which was organised by the Wellington Shire Youth Council. He thanked Youth Council Mayor Chloe Bethune and Deputy Youth Mayor Lilly Reynolds.
Cr Bye acknowledged the following winners of the Youth Art Prize from the three age group categories:
Twelve-15yrs: Isobel Clyne, 16-19yrs: Leah Brutovic, 20-25yrs: Georgie Donohue.
Cr Bye encouraged the local community to visit the exhibition held on level 2 of the Port of Sale Building.
The next council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 3.
