NEWS DESK
Shire opens ‘gift’ book and reviews policy Continued from Page 1 Benefit, as defined in the current policy is defined in part as “something which is believed to be of benefit to the receiver” and can include accommodation and recreation trips. Mr Cowie says the level of public interest being shown in the participation by him and his wife in Mr Fox’s so-called “conception cruise” was “a distraction to shire business”. In an email response to questions from The News Mr Cowie stated “the shire is focused on continuing to work hard on behalf of our community”. Councillors have also decided to drop the wording of the policy, which states, “The owner of this policy is the chief executive officer”. Cr Bryan said opening the gifts register to the public “is in the interest of community, councillors and council staff”. “Making the gifts policy and registers fully available to the public strengthens transparency, sees the shire deliver over and above the requirements of the Local Government Act and Regulations, and is a positive response to changes in community expectations,” said Cr Payne. The news release from the shire said making the gifts policy and register public would “ensure the organisation meets public expectations
around transparency and the disclosure of gifts”. Mr Cowie said the decision “improves transparency and accessibility for our community”. “The organisation will continue to seek and implement ways to be accountable to the community, exceed community expectations, and ensure good governance.” Cr David Gill said councillors and officers should register trips like that provided by Mr Fox. “Anything that is perceived by the public as being a benefit should be registered,” Cr Gill said. “It’s best to always err of the side of caution.” Cr Gill said it could be difficult to define a gift “such as meals provided at community group meeting, where it could be rude to refuse”. “By reviewing the policy we’ll try to make it clearer so that everybody knows what’s in and what’s out.” Councillors must tell Mr Cowie by 31 May if they intend to advertise his approximate $400,000-a-year job or renegotiate his contract which ends 30 November. Appointments to see the councillors’ and officers’ gifts register can be made by calling the shire’s governance department on 1300 850 600.
Q & A with shire CEO HERE are questions from The News and answers provided by Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO Carl Cowie following the council’s decision to make the gifts register available to the public. A preamble to the Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy – now to be reviewed - states that it has been developed “to ensure transparency” by councillors and council officers and “to avoid conflicts of interest”. Will the CEO be listing his time spent on Lindsay Fox’s so-called “conception cruise”? Mr Cowie states no, the details of the cruise have been discussed at length and it is his view that a private trip that was not made in an official capacity does not require listing on the shire’s gift register. • Mr Cowie and his wife attended in a private capacity. Mr Cowie did not attend in an official capacity. • Mr Cowie was on annual leave at the time, and there was no cost to council. • The cruise took place in July 2016. • Mr Cowie said it had already been reported in local media that Mr Fox chartered the Seabourn Odyssey for a seven-day trip between Athens and Venice. • It has been reported that the cruise was a pre-celebration of Mr Fox’s 80th birthday. • Mr Cowie personally paid for his airfares and accommodation to and from the cruise. Mr Cowie says the level of public interest meant that the trip had proved a distraction to shire business. He says the shire is focused on continuing to work hard on behalf of our community. When will the review to ensure “ambiguity is addressed in a clear and meaningful manner” be completed and who is conducting the review? The review will be conducted by senior shire officers and councillors, and the review is expected to commence in the near future.
Protests over retirement village Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A ROW is brewing over plans to build a retirement village off Roberts Rd, Mornington. Residents are rallying to halt Steller Estates’ proposed 371-unit development on 20 hectares at the south end of Roberts Rd. The land is zoned Low Density Residential and designated a horse precinct. The company’s planning permit application was knocked back by Mornington Peninsula Shire but it is appealing to VCAT. Steller has been directed to notify affected neighbours. Steller told council that its retirement village submission “responds to the evident need for affordable retirement living on the Mornington Peninsula as Victoria’s population ages and housing pressure extends to the peninsula.” Shire executive manager planning services David Bergin said the application was refused as it was “not sympathetic to the low scale transition area between Mornington and the green wedge”. He said it was inconsistent with the peninsula’s localised planning statement and had the “potential to impact on the neighbouring con-
TRAFFIC counts for the gated Roberts Rd, Mornington make no mention of the many horses which are daily taken from there to neighbouring Mornington racecourse. Picture: Yanni
servation reserve and [could cause] potential conflict with the neighbouring race course”. The land backs onto Balcombe Creek and the existing reserve and acts as a buffer to the creek and Tyabb Rd. Residents of nearby properties have links to Mornington racecourse.
Roberts Rd is gated between TyabbMornington and Bungower roads because of the number of horses being taken to and from the racecourse. Former mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the council rejected the Steller proposal “very early in the process as it is not appropriate for this area”. “It does not fit into the council ap-
proved Mornington North plan or our housing and settlement strategy.” She said the area was complementary to the racecourse and should remain low density residential with large blocks. There are also environmental reasons with its proximity to Balcombe Creek for it to remain as it is, she said.
Shire all clear on waste ban MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are not affected yet by Visy Industries’ decision to end kerbside recyclable waste collections in some municipalities. The company’s action follows a Chinese ban on accepting waste from Australia. The shire’s acting executive manager infrastructure services Jessica Wingad said having contractor SKM as the shire’s recycler meant “we are not affected by Visy’s decision”. The reassurance comes alongside the resumption of regular fortnightly kerbside recycling. The shire collected recyclables weekly over January and resumed the fortnightly collection on 2 February. Recyclable materials include aluminium and steel cans and foil; plastics such as children’s toys, kitchen containers, cups and drink bottles; pots and pans; wrapping paper and envelopes, cardboard, newspapers and magazines; milk, juice and soft drink bottles, and glass bottles and jars. Household waste collection dates are at mornpen.vic.gov.au/MyNeighbourhood. Vouchers sent with rate notices can be used to arrange a hard-orgreen waste collection. Bookings: 5950 1406.
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Mornington News 6 February 2018