MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY MEETING OF THE CIRCULAR HEAD COUNCIL HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 33 GOLDIE STREET SMITHTON, ON THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 2019, COMMENCING AT 6.00PM. From To Time Occupied Open Council 6.00pm 6.45pm 45 Minutes Closed Council 6.45pm 7.35pm 50 Minutes Open Council 7.35pm 7.36pm 1 Minute TOTAL TIME OCCUPIED 96 MINUTES Audio Recording of Council Meetings Policy The Chairman declared the meeting open at 6.00pm, welcomed those present in attendance and advised that the meeting would be recorded in accordance with the Council Policy titled “Audio Recording of Council Meetings” to ‘record meetings of Council to assist in the preparation of minutes and ensure a true and accurate account of debate and discussion at meetings is available’. 1.0 RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/ APOLOGIES/ LEAVE OF ABSENCE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED Legislative Reference Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015; Regulation 8(2)(a) 1.1 Attendance Mayor Quilliam Deputy Mayor Berechree Cr Blizzard Cr Ettlin Cr Ives-Heres Cr Oldaker Cr Popowski Cr Woodward S Riley – General Manager R Radford – Director Corporate Services D Summers – Director Infrastructure & Development Services M Saward – Director Strategic Governance D Mainwaring – Manager Connected Communities K Sweeney – Executive Officer Civic Governance J Bernhagen – Executive Officer Strategy & Performance (until 6.20pm) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Council Minutes 17 10 19 1 1.2 Prayers Pastor Matt Nuske from Dreambuilders Church led the meeting in prayer. 1.3 Leave of Absence(s) previously approved Nil 1.4 Apologies Cr Kay 2.0 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Legislative Reference Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015; Regulation 8(2) (b) MOVED: CR POPOWSKI SECONDED: CR IVES-HERES That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting 19 September 2019, a copy of which having previously been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting, be confirmed as a true record. The MOTION was put and CARRIED unanimously. FOR: Mayor Quilliam Cr Berechree Cr Blizzard Cr Ettlin Cr Ives-Heres Cr Oldaker Cr Popowski Cr Woodward AGAINST: nil 3.0 ISSUES RAISED BY COUNCILLORS Legislative Reference Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015; Regulation 29, 30 3.1 Councillor Questions received in writing 3.1.1 Cr Ettlin re Footpath – Greenham Pty Ltd to Town Boundary Could Council please investigate the cost of installation of a footpath between Greenham Pty Ltd and the Smithton town boundary on Brittons Road which would increase safety for workers without cars walking to and from Smithton, for future budget considerations. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Council Minutes 17 10 19 2 3.1.2 Cr Ettlin re Outdoor Furniture at SWIRL Could Council please investigate provision of outdoor furniture at SWIRL for families, holiday care and groups for eating lunch or morning/afternoon tea. 3.2 Response(s) to Councillor Questions received in writing 3.2.1 Response to Question 3.1.1 The Director Infrastructure & Development Services advised that this would be investigated, and costings prepared for the 2020/2021 Budget deliberations. 3.2.2 Response to Question 3.1.2 The Director Strategic Governance advised that the operators have been investigating the costs of outdoor furniture with the plan to purchase and install for the summer period. 3.3 Response(s) to Councillor Questions taken on notice from previous meetings 3.4.4 Cr Kay re Mural on McCain Foods Office (from Council Meeting 19 September 2019) Cr Kay enquired whether as part of Art About Town grant monies received the mural on the side of the McCain Foods office block of Circular Head fire service personnel could be refreshed as it was starting to fade. The following response has been provided by the Director Connected Communities. The mural could be refurbished as part of the 2020 CHArts Festival, however there would be an estimated cost of $7,000 for this project which could be funded through Council budget and/or a contribution from McCain Foods. Council Officers will approach McCain Foods to determine their support for the project. 3.4.7 Cr Ettlin re Mental Health Services coordination Cr Ettlin noted the increasing need for mental health services to be accessed within Circular Head and enquired whether Council could assist coordination of these services to enable easy access for residents. The following response has been provided. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Council Minutes 17 10 19 3 The coordination of Mental Health Services provision in Circular Head has been directed to the SPAN Committee (Service Providers Access Network) for their further discussion at their next scheduled meeting in October 2019, as this is outside Council’s responsibilities. Council’s Youth Officer have been working with the Circular Head Youth Network on this issue. Members of that group will be providing data at the next meeting on available services, waiting times, details of need of people on waiting list etc. It is planned to use the information to identify where there are gaps in service delivery to lobby and lobby collectively for services. If there is a role for council that will be identified as part of the gap analysis and advocacy work. 3.4 Councillor Questions without Notice 3.4.1 Cr Woodward re Heavy Vehicle road usage Cr Woodward enquired whether there was currently a weight limit for heavy vehicles travelling through Smithton along Smith Street into Nelson Street through the traffic light area, raising concerns from shopowners in the area The Director Infrastructure & Development Services advised that there is a current weight limit on all public streets for vehicles up to semi- trailers with specific conditions., however B-Double vehicles need to seek permission to travel on roads. 3.4.2 Cr Woodward re Mella Road usage by Semi-Trailers Cr Woodward enquired whether the Mella Road upgrade was designed to provide for usage by heavy vehicles in order to avoid travelling through Smithton. The Director Infrastructure & Development Services advised that the route from Nelson Bay to Montagu Road bridge is for heavy vehicles, with the Montagu Road bridge being an impediment for B Doubles due to its design standards at the time and its age, hence the development of Mella Road as an alternate route. Mayor Quilliam added that it currently is not illegal for semi-trailers to use the Mella Road route however it is preferable that they do, it is not compulsory and they are able to travel through Smith Street into Nelson Street in Smithton. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Council Minutes 17 10 19 4 3.4.3 Cr Ettlin re Mental Health Services coordination Cr Ettlin referred to the response to her question from last month’s meeting in regard to Mental Health services coordination, and clarified that seeking better outcomes that are needed, standard being received in C H could be a lot better, mental health services being delivered in silos, and that needs are not necessarily being met. She welcomed involvement for SPAN, and would like it be recorded that a response be provided in a timely manner, if they feel they are well enough conditioned to take on this task and how they could be supported by others with this whole of community issue. She also thanked CHYN, and suggested that their review needed to identify quality of care and how much funding is received for this district. She also noted that there was a role for Council’s involvement in coordination. 3.4.4 Cr Popowski re Council Policy on Murals Cr Popowski enquired whether Council had a current Policy on establishment and refurbishment of murals within the community, and if not, can one be developed. Mayor advised that there was no current Policy in place, and that this matter would be listed for discussion at a future Council workshop. 3.4.5 Cr Popowski re Soiled Litter along West Coast coastline Cr Popowski enquired whether Council had received any response from Parks & Wildlife Service in relation to his previous question regarding the soiled litter washing up along the West Coast coastline. Mayor Quilliam advised that there had not been any response received to date. 3.4.6 Cr Popowski re Parks & Wildlife roadworks Cr Popowski advised that there had been some road works being undertaken at areas south of the Arthur River and enquired whether Council could make a representation to Parks & Wildlife Service why they had not undertaken any roadworks from Nelson Bay into the State Reserve as the road was currently barely passable. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Council Minutes 17 10 19 5 Mayor Quilliam advised that this matter would be followed up with Parks and Wildlife Service. 3.4.7 Cr Popowski re Painting of Montagu Road Bridge Cr Popowski enquired whether there had been any representation to Department of State Growth in relation to painting of the Duck River Bridge in Smithton, and whether there had been any commitments received. The Director Infrastructure & Development Services advised that he was certain the matter had been raised previously, however would take the question on notice to enable investigation for a response. 3.4.8 Cr Blizzard re Development of Reconciliation Action Plan Cr Blizzard drew attention to a Council Report endorsed in February 2019 regarding the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan and enquired how this Plan was progressing. The General Manager advised that a series of workshops had been held with Management and all staff, and he anticipated something being developed within the next few months. 3.4.9 Cr Blizzard re Additional Disabled Parking Space in Emmett Street Cr Blizzard enquired what Council’s position was on the installation of another Disabled Parking space in Emmett Street, on the opposite side to where the existing one is located. The Director Infrastructure & Development Services advised that this matter could be included for consideration in next year’s budget, as some structural changes would required to kerbing ramps etc.