Recent News > Council Meeting: November 2017

Council Meeting: November 2017

Filed in Recent News by Elizabeth Flaherty November 28, 2017

AT last night’s Council meeting the extension to Robertson’s Knob quarry was granted, a subdivision of land on Moobi Road was approved, the application to demolish a heritage building was rejected (Related story: Gold Digger’s Arms to Stand ), a round-a-bout was flagged to replace the traffic lights in the Kelly Street and clarification was given on Councillors being able to speak out on a range of issues (Related story: Clarified: Free to Speak).

All Councillors were in attendance: Cr Sue Abbott, Cr Wayne Bedggood, Cr Josh Brown, Cr James Burns, Cr Ron Campbell, Cr Maurice Collison, Cr Lorna Driscoll, Cr Kiwa Fisher and Cr Lee Watts,

Public Participation

Quarry: Hamish Henderson spoke to Council about their application to extend their quarry, Robertson’s Knob. Mr Henderson outlined that the quarry has been running since the early 1980’s and the Henderson family had taken ownership in July this year. Mr Henderson said that as lamb and beef farmers it had been a steep learning curve to take over ownership of the quarry and hope to continue running it for the next 25 years. He noted that the last application for the quarry was in 1996 and much has changed for conditions of consent. He stated their intention was to operate the quarry will operate with the most modern and stringent standards. The quarry would aim to supply gravel to a range of local projects including the bypass.
Subdivision: Matthew Summers addressed Council in relation to a subdivision proposal on Moobi Road. The proposal was to divide 1 lot into 4, but flagged that future applications may be lodged for further subdivision, which would be a separate application process. Cr Fisher asked how a court case in relation to stormwater retention may impact their application. Mr Summers explained that the court case relating to a development in Nelson’s Bay which ruled storm water could not be retained on an easement. He said they were not in any way involved in the development, but it may set a president for how stormwater is managed. He further explained they would adhere to whatever the conditions from that may be and said they could retain the storm water on property they owned if necessary. Cr Campbell raised concerns about access to Moobi Road. Mr Summers said the detail for that phase of application would be provided and they would comply with the conditions of consent.
Gold Digger’s Arms: See related story: Gold Digger’s Arms to Stand. Bev Atkinson spoke about the importance of preserving the heritage building at 77 Main Street and highlighted a letter from the Environmental Defenders Office stating the significance of the building and obligations with heritage. Cr Campbell asked if the building was restored who she expected to operate the building. Ms Atkinson said since MacCallum Inglis were real estate agents they would be used to running properties and leasing arrangements. Meryln Rossington also spoke about how she opposed the demolition and the importance of the building to future generations. Michael Burke spoke in support of the MacCallum Inglis development highlighting that the business has provided sponsorship to 52 organisations and services more than 2,000 clients. He said the development would alleviate the parking and safety issues on Main Street by providing an additional 13 car spaces for staff and clients of MacCallum Inglis. He noted they had decreased the height of the shed and selected a colour that was in keeping with heritage in the area. Mr Burke said the building had been significantly compromised. Cr Collison asked if they were unsuccessful with the application what their intentions would be. Mr Burke said they would lodge another development application to demolish the flats and keep the heritage building in a fenced off area untenanted.
Financial Statement: Geoff Allen from the audit office, which audits all Council’s, presented on Council’s financial position. He noted the Council’s profit was $6.4million, which was an increase of $2.2million. Non-grant related funding was 66.6% which was above the benchmark of 60%. Unrestricted cash in liquidity was $2.97, which was above the benchmark of $1.50. The debt service cover ratio was 7.17 capacity to borrow and the benchmark is 2. Rate and annual charges outstanding was more than 8% and below the benchmark of 10%.

External Communications Policy: Cr Sue Abbott put forward a motion to amend the external communications policy so that Councillors were able to speak independently to the public or media on a range of issues. Mayor Bedggood said the current policy allowed for that to occur, as long as the Councillor made it clear when it was their view and when it was the Council’s position on a matter. Cr Abbott said that it was not clear that was the case and argued for her plain English amendment. Cr Campbell said he was worried about any changes. Councillors Brown, Watts and Abbott voted for the motion, however the other Councillors voted against the motion was lost. See related stories:

Long Service:Council workers Jason Constable and Robyn Cox were recognised for 20 years service with the Council.

More Quarries: A motion was passed to identify potential gravel quarries in the Shire. Cr Abbott did not support the motion and Cr Campbell said he believed there was not enough quarries and supported the motion.

Gold Digger’s Arms: The Council refused a development application from MacCallum Inglis to demolish the heritage listed Gold Digger’s Arms at 77 Main Street. Councillors Fisher and Campbell voted for the application and the other Councillors voted against. See related story: Gold Digger’s Arms to Stand.

Scone Revitalisation: Cr Burns remarked that as part of the Scone Revitalisation plans the traffic lights would be removed and replaced by a round-a-bout. Cr Watts described the move as “ridiculous” explaining it was a legislative requirement to have traffic lights at the two lane intersection for safety and reminded the Council of a young girl who was hurt before the lights were installed. Cr Burns said the round-a-bout would be done after the bypass was in place. Cr Fisher was frustrated that no progress had been made on the Kelly Street gardens saying it should not have to wait for the bypass. Cr Abbott asked for more information on the request for committee members to be funded to visit other towns with a bypass. Cr Burns said there would be four committee members who would travel to Yass, Goulburn and Bathurst in January to learn more about how those towns managed a bypass.

Aberdeen Revitalisation: Cr Abbott asked if there had been any progress with the silos in determining if they were redeemable or would have to be demolished. Cr Burns said he had phoned Grain Corp six times but they had not returned his call.

Merriwa Revitalisation: Cr Campbell noted the designs for the silos in Merriwa had not been finalised.

Arts Upper Hunter: Cr Burns questioned the value in Arts Upper Hunter saying he thought $0.65 per head was a waste of money. He further said he had asked the group for a breakdown of how the money was being spent and had received no response. Cr Abbott said she thought it was an important organisation which offers a lot to the Upper Hunter community with creativity and inspiration by bringing together a range of cultural and artistic groups. Cr Abbott said she thought $0.65 per head was excellent value. Cr Campbell said he thought the group was overstepping the mark for the costs and said he would not support it. Cr Fisher said he wholeheartedly agreed with Cr Abbott and was surprised they were willing to take a significant pay cut from last time. Cr Watts said “we’re not just roads and rubbish, we do childcare, community and arts and they deserve a go as well.” Cr Burns said he was not against the arts, “I’m against Arts Upper Hunter!” Councillors Burns and Campbell voted against the motion, but the motion was carried.

Scouts Donation: Cr Campbell questioned if they could give more than the $500 requested the Aberdeen Scouts, but Mayor Bedggood said they could only pass what was before them in the motion. He further noted Council had already gone over budget in the area.

Caravan Donated: The Council passed a motion to donate an old caravan to the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre for emergency accommodation. Cr Campbell questioned if it should have been put out to the public and said he was concerned there could be “repercussions”. The general manager said it was within Council’s scope to make the donation. See related story: Caravan to Help Homeless.

QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS:

Quarries: Cr Abbott said she was concerned about more quarries being developed in the Shire and asked how it met Council’s strategic plan which outlined sustainability and environmental responsibilities.
Traffic Data: Cr Burns asked about progress with traffic data near the six early learning centres in the Shire, noting he had not received the information. Steve Pryor, director of corporate services said the equipment to monitor traffic was being used elsewhere, but it was scheduled to be used for the child care centres.
Defibrillators: Cr Burns asked Council to do an audit of how many portable defibrillators were in the Upper Hunter Shire and publish information on their locations. Mayor Bedggood said that the exercise, while a worthy one, would be an expensive exercise and the matter could be considered at a future Council meeting.
133 Kelly Street: Cr Fisher asked about progress with the premises at 133 Kelly Street, Scone, which had been purchased by Council. He was told that the plans had been drafted but were yet to be finalised for a development consent. Cr Watts said in the meantime it was being used for Santa photos. Cr Burns asked how the refurbishments at the premises would be paid for; if it would be paid for out of the revitalisation budget or from Council’s general budget. The general manager did not clarify and said “it will be paid for by Council.” Mayor Bedggood said to Cr Burns, “I hope you are strongly soliciting for the rate variation.” Cr Burns replied, “don’ you worry I am!”
Roadkill: Mayor Bedggood noted a complaint from a resident on the Bunnan-Merriwa Road about the high amount of road kill at an intersection. Mayor Bedggood said he had driven past and saw five carcasses and asked if Council staff could make more regular trips to this part of the road due to the potential traffic hazard. Cr Watts also asked that the Council staff check pouches.