Campaspe joins the fight
Campaspe Shire Council will join the fight for a better funding arrangement in relation to the provision of school crossing services for Victorian schools.
City of Monash is the local government authority at the pointy end of the stick when it comes to challenging the current funding arrangement, where VicRoads offsets the cost of running school crossings with an annual subsidy.
In the Campaspe shire that is in the order of $90,000, which is deducted from the $255,000 total cost — leaving the council with a $160,000 bill.
Cr Rob Amos led the discussion on the council providing the City of Monash with its school crossing costing details, but was quick to add to the council’s recommendation.
“I want to add that council acknowledge the importance of the school crossing program and its continuation across the Campaspe shire,” he said.
Cr Amos said he understood why the City of Monash was leading the discussion about completing a study on this matter — to discover whether it should still be a council responsibility.
Cr Colleen Gates said school crossings were just one example of services provided by the council where there had been “cost shifting” from state government to councils.
“It does not mean that we don’t acknowledge the importance of the services, but local government is held to a 1.5 per cent rate cap and there is little room to move,” she said.
“It makes it increasingly difficult for us to provide all the services demanded of us by our constituents.”
She said it was important these issues were highlighted and the difficult position of the councils was shared with the people who demanded the services.
“It will be interesting to see the outcome of the information provided to the City of Monash,” she said.
“This is not about stopping a program or getting out of a program. This is about being subsidised by the government to the correct amount.”
Domestic Animal Management Plan adopted
Campaspe Shire Council has adopted the 2021- 2025 Domestic Animal Management Plan following public exhibition of the plan.
Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, a DAMP must be developed at four-yearly intervals, reviewed annually and amended where appropriate.
The plan involves improving animal management, educating community members on responsible pet ownership, ensuring compliance, protecting the community from feral and nuisance animals, and many other responsibilities.
The plan is available on the council’s website.
Council Plan update
Campaspe Shire Council has received a second quarter update on the progress of the Council Plan.
The Council Plan is a key strategic document which reflects the outcomes of stakeholder and community engagement. Of 24 actions aligned to the 2017-21 Council Plan, 10 have been completed and 14 are in progress. Of 32 actions aligned to the 2021-25 Council Plan, four have been completed, 26 are in progress and two are yet to start.
Capital Works Program update
Campaspe Shire Council has received an update on the progress of the annual Capital Works program, as at December 31, 2021. The 2021-22 program consists of 90 new projects, 20 additional projects and 31 carry-over projects.
The following projects were completed in the quarter:
• PS Pevensey works.
• Installation of the new storage facilities and demolition of the old sheds at Lockington and Colbinabbin recreation reserves.
• Shire-wide sealed road resurfacing program.
• Kyabram Plaza Theatre shop maintenance.
• Rushworth Lions Park shade sail replacement.
• Swimming pool shell painting at Tongala and Lockington.
• Paroo St, Echuca, open drain works.
• Rochester Play Space, noting most of the project was completed in the quarter, with finalisation of parts in February.
• Echuca East Recreation Reserve redevelopment, the continuation of stage one works, on track for completion in February.
The following projects started in the quarter:
• Sturt St, Echuca, drainage upgrade and road construction.
• Torrumbarry-Roslynmead Rd upgrades.
• Lions Park, Gunbower, redevelopment.
• Contracts were awarded for Ash St, Echuca, drainage upgrade; Graham Rd, Kyabram, construction; and Lake Cooper Rd, Corop, construction. Works are to start for all projects in the next quarter.
• Design and approvals continue for Kyabram’s Breen Ave walking and cycle trail, Rushworth Murchison Rail Trail, the Echuca Aerodrome concept plan, and the removal of McEvoys Bridge at Cornella.