WELLINGTON Shire Councillors met for the final ordinary meeting of 2023 on Tuesday, December 19.
The meeting went for nearly an hour and Wellington Shire Mayor, Ian Bye wished the community a Merry Christmas at its conclusion.
There will be no meetings in January 2024. The first meeting in the new year will be Tuesday, February 6.
Feedlot in Cobains
COUNCIL returned to the subject of a feedlot in Cobains, which has been emitting pollution and creating a bad smell.
A petition had been signed by residents urging council to take action in the matter, and was originally presented at the November 21 meeting.
Rod Doke from Cobains addressed the gallery to express his own concerns about the feedlot.
Mr Doke noted that the Victorian planning scheme specifically mentions that a feedlot must not be within “300 metres of someone’s house.”
He said there were houses within 25 or 35 metres, calling it a “total disregard” of that element of the code. He was concerned that a feedlot could be placed near his own property in the future.
If these feedlots are allowed to continue, Mr Doke said he believed council “is complicit” in that problem, and demonstrated they had forgotten about their ratepayers.
Council said they were seeking advice from government departments regarding the feedlot and will provide more updates next year.
Head petitioner Geoff Mynard also made an appearance and called out “double standards” of the EPA.
Acknowledgements
COUNCILLOR John Tatterson reported he met with Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne.
Priorities discussed included the Mitchell River bridge duplication at Bairnsdale, the Sale alternate truck route, delays with the Traralgon Bypass, landslips on Traralgon-Yarram Road and issues with lower speed limits west of Longwarry.
Other councillors acknowledged recent community and sporting events, including the Keith Hamilton Toy Run, 30th anniversary of the Loch Sport Public Hall, ESSO Community Festival, Sale Golf Club Sporting Legends Pro Am and the Sale Fire Brigade’s Santa tour.
Councillor Markus McKenzie acknowledged 11 projects and upgrades in Port Albert, which he described as “transformational” and will set the town up for the future, especially with a range of offshore wind projects in development.
Tender awards
WELLINGTON Shire Council Mayor, Ian Bye announced successful tenderers for various road projects. All four road projects were approved by councillors.
Fulton Hogan Industries was announced as tender for: reconstruction of sections of Sale-Toongabbie Rd, Winnindoo and Nambrok; reconstruction of a 2.4 km section of Sale-Cowwarr Rd in Denison; and the reconstruction of a section of Willung Rd, Willung.
Contula Constructions was announced as successful tenderer for the Desailly and MaCarthur Street roundabout construction.
