July 2023 Scheduled Council Meeting wrap

Last updated on 28 July 2023

A number of important items were endorsed by Council at this week’s Scheduled Council Meeting. This included the following public consultations:

• Draft Macedon Ranges Skate and BMX Strategy (Consultation period: 1 – 28 August): Informed by earlier consultation with the community and key users earlier this year, this draft strategy aims to guide the future development of existing skate and BMX facilities throughout the shire.
• Proposed closure of Raglan Street, Lancefield (1 – 28 August): Working in collaboration with Council and the Department of Transport and Planning, St Mary’s Primary School is seeking to progress a proposal that would see Raglan Street permanently closed to traffic at Chauncey Street. This would build on a current arrangement that sees gates closing the road temporarily during school hours.
• Draft Mobility and Road Safety Strategy 2023-2032 (1 August – 1 September): Informed by earlier consultation with the community and key users in 2021, this strategy aims to enhance and promote sustainable transportation choices and create an environment that prioritises safety for all road users. It covers pedestrian safety, cycling infrastructure, public transport, interaction with wildlife and overall road safety improvements.
• Proposed road discontinuance/transfer – Jackson Street, Macedon (8 August – 5 September): The section of unmade road in question has been enclosed within the property at 10 Margaret Street in Macedon for over thirty years, and this proposal aims to formalise the sale of this land – no longer required for public use – to the landowner.
• Proposed acquisition of 51 Coop Drive, Gisborne (8 August – 5 September): For the benefit of the public and consistent with the area’s approved Development Plan, Council has an opportunity to purchase this area of open space for the expansion of Gisborne Fields Park.
• Draft Romsey Structure Plan (14 August – 22 September): Building on extensive consultation between 2018 and 2022 through the Romsey Issues and Opportunities Paper and Romsey Emerging Options Paper, the draft Romsey Structure Plan provides direction for Romsey’s planning and development in areas such as housing, employment, transport, community infrastructure and the natural environment, while also determining the town’s settlement boundary up until 2050.

More information on each of these consultations can be found at Have Your Say closer to their launch dates.

Updates to a number of Council grant programs were also tabled and endorsed:

• 2023/24 Community Funding Scheme allocations: Following an application period between May and June 2023, Council received 30 applications for these grants totalling $250,729. With a  budget of $192,400 available including surplus carried over from last year’s grants, officers recommended 24 applications for funding with a combined value of $192,229.
• 2023/24 Events and Festivals Grant Program allocations: Following an application period between May and June 2023, Council received 15 applications for these grants totalling $103,622. With an annual allocation of $75,000, and $16,000 of that already committed to multi-year agreements, officers recommended 12 applications for funding with a combined value of $59,000.
• Environment Group Support Grants: In line with Council’s Community Grants Policy adopted in April this year, the grant guidelines have been reviewed by Council officers. The grant application process has moved online, using the SmartyGrants program. In addition, the Environment Group Support Grants have a new category – a Biolink Boost Grant, which will be co-funded with Macedon Ranges Community Enterprise Ltd (Bendigo Bank) as a community partner.

In other matters, Council noted the results of its annual Community Satisfaction Survey, which provides a snapshot of local perceptions on a range of key service areas from a diverse cross-section of 400 Macedon Ranges residents.

Council also endorsed a notice of motion in relation to the Australian Government’s Voice to Parliament, whereby it reinforced its commitment to sharing information to enable residents to make their own considered and informed choice in the referendum.

Residents are encouraged to visit the Australian Electoral Commission website for information. Council’s positioning statement is available here, which is aligned with Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-23.

Video recordings of past Council meetings are available at webcast.mrsc.vic.gov.au (generally available within two business days of a meeting).