Priorities for 2023

The Mayor of Moorabool Shire Council has shared his vision for the year ahead.

Improving roads, continuing important advocacy work and attracting more grant funding to the shire – are among the top priorities of Council’s new Mayor, Cr Rod Ward, for 2023.

By Lachlan Ellis

A man has had his licence suspended for almost three years, after blowing more than triple the legal BAC.

Harley Brown-Poaneki appeared in-person at the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court on Friday 20 January, following a collision with a parked car in Bacchus Marsh in 2021.

The court heard Mr Brown-Poaneki didn’t believe he was over the limit after drinking around ten beers.

“On Friday 3 September 2021, at approximately 8.10 pm, the accused was the driver of a motor vehicle driving east on Clifton Drive towards Gisborne Road, when he collided with a black Mitsubishi parked legally on the left-hand side of the road. The accused continued driving a further 20 metres before coming to a stop on the left side of the road,” Police Prosecutor Sergeant Michael Patterson said.

“Parked there was a vehicle owned by William Crawford…William’s father Michael heard the collision from inside his address, went out the front door, and observed the accused sitting in the driver’s seat. Triple Zero were called for assistance,” he said.

Sgt Patterson went on to tell the court that at approximately 8.16 pm, police attended, inspected the accused’s vehicle and observed

A notice of immediate suspension of his licence was issued to Mr Brown-Poaneki, and his vehicle was impounded.

“The accused admitted to drinking approximately ten full strength Carlton Dry stubbies at home before the collision. He stated he had his last drink at 8 pm, and did not believe he would be over the legal the limit, and didn’t consider it a possibility.”

Mr Brown-Poaneki entered a guilty plea to drink driving, with a relevant prior from 2014 doubling the minimum penalty Magistrate Hugh Radford was required to impose from 16 months to 32 months.

Magistrate Radford also imposed an aggregate fine of $2,000, and said Mr BrownPoaneki would have to do a drink driving course and make an application to the court to have his licence returned with an interlock fitted.

“You’ve made some very bad choices. There’s very good reasons these laws exist… you’re lucky you’re before this court, if you’d killed someone you’d be before the County Court facing seven to ten years in prison, not to mention the guilt of having killed someone on the road,” Magistrate Radford said.

“Even on a first offence, driving while suspended carries a term of imprisonment, so don’t do it under any circumstances.”

Cr Ward said he was looking forward to leading Council over the next 12 months and continue to deliver on the Council Plan 2021-2025 for the benefit of the community.

“Roads are a major priority, as there has been widespread damage from the large amount of rain this year as well as the recent flooding. Recently we increased our maintenance budget by $600,000 so we can move to fix our roads as quickly as possible.”

Cr Ward said this additional maintenance spending is on top of the $11.7 million allocated in Council’s current budget to improve roads, bridges, footpaths and drainage in the shire and an additional $500,000 in flood recovery funding from the state government – a total of $12.8 million to be spent on roads.

“Now the weather’s improved we are pushing ahead with our program of works to fix and improve our roads. While we’ve invested a significant amount in this, we’re also actively lobbying the state government to allocate more funds to allow us to accelerate our roads program even further,” he said.

Cr Ward said a lot of work had been done in the advocacy space, which had resulted in many infrastructure projects coming off the ground in recent months.

“The shire as we know it is going to have a whole new look in the next 12 months.

“We’ll finish construction on the basket- ball stadium in Bacchus Marsh, pavilions at the main reserves in Ballan and Darley, the ovals and new playspace at the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse and Recreation Reserve, skate parks in Ballan and Gordon, and the upgrades at Navigators Community Centre.

The next stage of Telford Park at the foot of the Bacchus Marsh 1000+ Steps will also open, and work will start on the West Maddingley Early Years Hub, the bowls and community hub in Bacchus Marsh, and the Ballan Library and Community Hub.

“It’s all part of our ongoing work to ensure our shire is meeting the expectations of our growing and changing community,” Cr Ward said.

“But there is still a lot of work to do. We’ll continue to advocate strongly for an indoor pool for the shire and for the community’s voice to be heard on important issues such as the transmission lines proposal and investment in the Parwan Employment Precinct.”

The first Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held on 1 February 2023. For more information and to view agendas, visit moorabool.vic.gov.au/meetings