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The Moorabool News – 12 April, 2022 Page 3
Grants to boost local tourism By Lachlan Ellis Council has made grants of up to $3,000 available to local tourism events, but you’ll need to apply quickly, with the deadline fast approaching. The 2022 Tourism Events Grants Program is offered as one application round, with a total pool of $12,400 available. The program will support the planning and delivery of tourism events based in Moorabool Shire, with a strong focus on increasing the number of visitors to Moorabool, and the amount they spend while they’re here. Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan said tourism events were not only an important contributor to Moorabool’s visitor economy, they would also help the Shire get back on its feet post-pandemic. “Tourism events encourage visitors to experience the Shire, investing their time and money locally. Different to a community event, a tourism event draws visitors from Melbourne, regional cities and further afield, who want to visit Moorabool for a unique and entertaining experience that is not available within their own municipality,” Cr Sullivan said. “We hope to inspire a growing calendar of authentic tourism events across Moorabool Shire.” Lou Callow from the Wombat Regional Arts Network, which has been responsible for events such as Birds in Ballan and WinterKnits, said these grants were vital for the group. “We’re a group of volunteers, so grants are incredibly important. We don’t get funding, that’s how we do things, apart from putting in lots of hours. The only way we can do adventurous stuff like Birds in Ballan is with a grant,” Ms Callow told the Moorabool News. “We have material costs, venue hire, and things like that. The only way we get money is
through membership and grants. To keep functioning well, we need access to grants…we usually go for a Tourism Grant one year and an Arts Grant the following year, which has allowed us to put things on.” Applications close on 18 April. For more information, visit www.moorabool.vic.gov.au and search ‘Tourism events grant program’.
Birds in Ballan was a local tourism event from 2021. Photo Helen Tatchell
Abattoir rescission rejected By Lachlan Ellis A rescission motion that would mandate a local meatworks to move a new demountable building to Parwan within seven years has been knocked back, after a close vote at Council. The original recommendation, heard back at Council’s 16 February Development Assessment Committee (DAC), would have imposed a 5-year timeframe on Westside Meats to move a new demountable building to Parwan. This recommendation was amended by Cr David Edwards to remove the clause which imposed the 5-year term, and the amendment was passed by Council. However, Cr Moira Berry put forward a rescission motion at the 16 March DAC, which would impose a 7-year timeframe on moving the demountable building. Cr Berry’s rescission was unable to be heard until the 6 April Ordinary Meeting of Council (OMC), as Crs Edwards and Ward were not present at the 16 March DAC. Two objectors spoke against the rescission motion on 6 April – Edward Lynch and Glenn Jacobson. However, only Mr Lynch spoke at length, with Mr Jacobson supporting his statement. Mr Lynch expressed frustration at the delays caused by the rescission motion, and said that it took almost a month after the original 16 February approval for the applicant to be informed of the rescission motion. “There was no mention to us of rescission or alternate condition language…at no stage prior [to March 15] were we or the applicant made aware of the intention to rescind,” he said. “On March 29, Mark Lovell, Henry Bezuidenhout and Robert Fillisch of the Council admitted that in the case of 6 Woolpack Road, that standard procedure had not been followed.”
“Point of order Mr Mayor, that’s hearsay, we haven’t got any information suggesting any of that to be fact. The matter in front of us is purely the rescission motion.” Cr Paul Tatchell interjected. Cr Berry moved her rescission motion, which was seconded by Cr Tonia Dudzik. Cr Edwards opposed the motion, beginning a debate. “It [rejecting the rescission] will make it more difficult to refuse a change of use planning application, for industry with a recently constructed industrial building already on the land. I am also simply looking out for the people’s Avenue of Honour,” Cr Berry said. “The temporary timeframe is appropriate, and we have done that previously in this Council. We did this to a motion approved in the Avenue of Honour...I believe that a timeframe would be appropriate,” Cr Dudzik added. Cr Edwards argued the rescission motion was inappropriate, given how long the site had been used for its current purpose. “We’re not actually changing the use of the land, the use is for an abattoir and has been for 50 years...what we’re doing is putting in a permit for an extended cool room area. It’s probably cost this business significant money the fact we’ve had to wait another month,” Cr Edwards said. Cr Tatchell argued the main concern with allowing the demountable building without a timeframe to move it was setting a precedent. “What concerns me is, if you want to have a ‘Hooverville’, the best way to do that is to allow demountable buildings in any place in the Shire, that doesn’t have a sunset clause,” Cr Tatchell said. Crs Dudzik, Berry, and Tatchell voted in favour of the rescission, while Crs Munari, Edwards, and Ward voted against it.
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Moorabool Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan had the deciding vote with the motion lost, and the original motion passed on 16 February, with no timeframe on the demountable building being moved, stands.
Photo: Lachlan Ellis
MICHAELA SETTLE MP BACCHUS MARSH OFFICE EVERY 3RD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH.
Bacchus March Library 215 Main St, Bacchus Marsh
Wednesday 20 April 11am – 2pm
In the Geoffrey Hine room
Michaela Settle MP STATE MEMBER FOR BUNINYONG 15 Main Road, Bakery Hill 3350 P: 5331 7722 E: michaela.settle@parliament.vic.gov.au
If you can’t make it, please call my office, or email me.