Catch up on the news from last night’s Council Meeting.
6.1 2025/26 VICTORIAN STATE AND COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT BUDGET SUBMISSIONS AND FEDERAL ELECTION PRIORITIES
Council endorsed the 2025/2026 Advocacy Agenda for use in the Victorian State Budget, Australian Commonwealth Budget and the 2025 Australian Government Election.
Key initiatives Council is seeking support for, from all levels of government, include a localised job quota within the renewable energy sector, establishing Latrobe City as a Renewable Energy Hub, hosting Wind and Hydrogen Worker Training Centres, support of net zero use of lignite and the implementation of the SEC Centre of Excellence.
This endorsement ensures Council's preparedness for upcoming budget processes and the Australian Commonwealth Government election.
6.2 LATROBE CITY COUNCIL SUBMISSION TO VICTORIAN ENERGY JOBS PLAN CONSULTATION PAPER
Council has adopted the Awareness Campaigns Policy, 2024 to 2028. This Policy focuses on international, national, and state-wide awareness campaigns addressing community issues and promoting fairer social, health, wellbeing, and environmental outcomes.
Community members and organisations will have the opportunity to make submissions for consideration in support of campaigns. The Policy aims to manage and select awareness campaigns based on strategic alignment, organisational resourcing capacity, preserving the value and impact of selected causes, and balancing community suggestions and expectations. It creates a process for both the community and Council Officers to propose campaigns. The policy will be made available on Council’s website.
6.4 REGIONAL TOURISM INVESTMENT FUND – APPLICATION
Council endorsed the application to the Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024 to seek funding for upgrading the Tyers, Glengarry, and Boolarra dirt BMX tracks, with matching funds provided from the adopted 2024/25 budget allocation for the Tyers project.
The Regional Tourism Investment Fund aims to enhance tourism infrastructure, improving visitor experiences and increasing visitor spending in regional Victoria. These projects not only meet the funding body’s criteria but align with Council’s priorities in the draft Youth Infrastructure Plan 2024-34 and aim to convert the tracks to sealed Pump Tracks, boosting tourism appeal along nearby Rail Trails.
6.5 CHURCHILL TOWN CENTRE - PUBLIC TOILET OPTIONS
Council endorsed to allocate $100,000 (excluding GST) for officers to undertake a detailed design for the construction of a new public toilet facility in the Churchill town centre.
Council also endorsed to provide a temporary solution for public toilets and will write to the owners of Hazelwood Village Shopping Centre seeking to enter into an agreement for toilet facilities within the venue to be made available to the public.
Subject to a written agreement being obtained with the Shopping Centre, Council will allocate $5,000 (excluding GST) for way-finding signage to be installed at appropriate locations within the Churchill town centre.
If Council cannot enter an agreement with the Shopping Centre, it will allocate $100,000 (excluding GST) from the Accumulated Unallocated Cash Reserve to provide a temporary toilet within the Churchill town centre.
7.4 PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENT C144 - TRARALGON WEST DEVELOPMENT PLAN OVERLAY - CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSIONS
Council resolved to request the Minister for Planning appoint a planning panel to consider submissions received for Amendment C144, in accordance with Part 8 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
Council previously considered Amendment C144 – Traralgon West Development Plan Overlay at the December 2023 Council Meeting.
The Minster for Planning authorised Council to prepare and exhibit Amendment C144. Amendment C144 was placed on exhibition from 2 May 2024 to 3 June 2024. A total of 15 submissions were received. Council Officers held two consultations sessions, 15 and 23 May 2024. Over the two days 55 people attended the sessions.
Council acknowledged all written submissions received and noted the issues raised along with the Officer's responses, these submissions will be referred to the planning panel appointed by the Minister for Planning.
8.1 TOURISM & MAJOR EVENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - JUNE 2024
Council has given its endorsement to the recommendations of the Tourism and Major Events Advisory Committee. These recommendations relate to funding support for events through the annual Major Events Attraction budget.
The allocated funding is as follows:
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Football Victoria Boys and Girls Championships 2024 and 2025, up to $10,000 and in-kind venue hire per year, for two years.
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Tennis Australia Pro Tour 2025 to be held in February and March 2025 - $20,000.
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V/Line Cup 2025 – 2027, $30,000 and in-kind venue hire and waste management per year, for three years.
These investments aim to enhance tourism, promote diversity, and foster community engagement through major events.