Well our new mayors took over the reins for the first time at the last round of Council meetings. This month Rates, Roads and Rubbish has a squiz at how our debutantes went.
Hobsons Bay CEO suspended
Dr Josie Vine
It was somewhat curious when Hobsons Bay chief executive Aaron van Egmond declined an interview with your Rates, Roads and Rubbish correspondent in December.
All your correspondent wanted was to allow residents to get to know the guy who runs their council.
We got an inkling why when Mayor, Cr Daria Kellander, issued a statement on January 25th to the effect that Mr van Egmond had been suspended.
“Councillors became aware of concerns about safety in the workplace and the CEO’s fulfillment of his duties more broadly,” the statement said.
“Councillors take these matters very seriously and have made the decision following thorough and careful consideration, pending further investigation.”
The statement said Council would make no further comment at this time.
Your correspondent plans to be at the next council meeting and will post any update in our March edition.
Wyndham
Dr Josie Vine
Cr Mia Shaw was forced to cast her deciding vote in a somewhat chaotic first meeting as new Wyndham mayor, as emotion spilled over during debate on the controversial proposed demolition of Kelly Park Hall.
The popular 1976 Hall, used by community groups and private events, was – in Cr Peter Maynard’s words – “set fire to” in 2022.
“That’s a fact of life,” he said.
Council then faced a tough decision on demolition or renewal. At the December 2023 Council Meeting, Council chose demolition and a return of the land to open space.
But the community was having none of that:
“So they are going to knock it down? WTF? It was a great venue. This is not the right decision,” was the tone of the 145 comments on Wyndham’s facebook page.
With the report into options for Kelly Park Hall tabled at the last meeting, the whole issue ignited again.
The report said council had received almost $610K, minus $25K excess, from insurance, which would cover the damage, but not extra work required to ensure the building’s compliance, including the costly removal of asbestos.
The report proposed an extension to the February 2025 deadline for a detailed budget and asked council to decide on whether to repair and refurbish to the cost of $3 – $4 million, or demolition.
“There are a number of groups that have been cast to the wind as a result of unfortunate events that occurred when the building caught fire,” Cr Maynard said. “I absolutely support having this facility brought up to a standard that the public can use.”
Cr Jasmine Hill said the community voice on the issue was “loud and clear”.
“They want Kelly Park Hall restored, not demolished,” she said. “They call for action, not delays … this Hall is a symbol of community pride and connection, we cannot allow this to be lost.”
But Cr Josh Gilligan accused the debate of becoming “entirely political” and “absent of any thought”.
“What are you going to cut,” he said. “Where is the money coming from, this is not Disney or Wonderland.”
He said the community would be “better served” by a council-run open space, rather than an “asbestos riddled” Kelly Park Hall.
With Cr Jennie Barerra absent from the vote because of a declared conflict of interest, the vote on the Hall’s future was split five-to-five.
“So it’s a five-five split,” Cr Shaw said. “Which means the Mayor has the casting vote, which means the motion is lost.”
Cr Gilligan put forward an alternative motion to apply for a permit to demolish Kelly Hall, with the intention to return it to public open space.
“This is a really important moment and test for this council about people making rational decisions and they are tough,” Cr Gilligan said. “We have to do this in the context of what’s best for the municipality, having regard for budgetary pressures we are under.”
As new councillor, Cr Larry Zhao was telling council that he had heard of the Kelly Park Hall controversy only five hours previous to the meeting, Cr Robert Stazkowski demanded a procedural motion to put the Hall’s fate to vote.
“Nice try Robert,” Cr Gilligan interjected. “Very cheeky.”
“If you ever wanted proof that this was politically-charged, you’d just have to look at the procedural motion that was taken 30 seconds ago,” Cr Gilligan said.
Cr Gilligan donated some of his time for closing remarks to Cr Zhao to complete his speech.
Meanwhile, Cr Preet Singh was sporadically appearing and disappearing online, making the process appear slightly confused.
Again, council was split five-five on the alternative motion. And again, Cr Shaw used her deciding vote to carry the motion to demolish the Hall.
Demolition costs are estimated at $45,000, plus landscaping costs.
Hobsons Bay
By Josie Vine
Cr Daria Kellander was her snappy efficient self when she presided over December’s Hobsons Bay Council meeting for the first time as Mayor.
You could tell change was in the air when she rocked up wearing civvies, rather than the somewhat showy mayoral robes.
There was a round of applause from the public gallery when Cr Kellander said she’ll be seen wearing the mayoral robes at official events and ceremonial occasions only.
“There’s always room for a modern approach that recognises the changes in both our council and in our society,” she said.
“We want our community to feel comfortable in this chamber and to feel comfortable in being able to approach the mayor, councillors and council staff. I hope the community sees this councillor group as one that is moving forward and one that is working with, and for, our community.”
Not only has Cr Kellander changed her garb, but she’s also changed the rules around mandatory registration to attend council. The public can now just turn up on the night and not be turned away from finding a seat in the gallery, “as has traditionally been the case,” Cr Kellander said.
But there was no change to rules around the public being allowed to ask live, unscripted questions, which Cr Kellander had previously proposed.
The meeting moved at a lightning pace, with councillors given five minutes to speak to a moved motion, and seconders given three minutes.
But Cr Michael Disbury was allowed more than his five minutes when he moved the motion to appoint a councillor to chair the Newport Community Interest group, which will advise the State Government on its controversial level crossing removals at Champion and Maddox Roads in Newport and Maidstone Street in Altona.
“The plan as it stands is a disaster waiting to happen,” Cr Disbury said.
The state government released designs in November to remove boom gates on Champion and Maddox Roads as part of the Newport level crossing removal project.
The design shows Maddox Road continuing over the train line over a bridge, but Champion Road will be closed to traffic, with a pedestrian and cycling bridge built instead.
On the design’s release more than 100 opponents gathered outside Williamstown MP Melissa Horne’s office, demanding an immediate pause on the Champion Road plans.
“The community fear that the headlong rush to get this project completed before the next state election will significantly put our community at risk of traffic and pedestrian accidents,” Cr Disbury said.
“Increased traffic delays along residential streets like Maddox Road and Mason Street will put increased strain on roads already at full capacity.”
He said the community was concerned with the “lasting and detrimental” economic and “devastating” environmental impacts of the plan, which will also affect two childcare centres, a toy library and a kindergarten.
Cr Diana Grima said the Champion Road closure had been an “on-going” issue for more than two years.
“I’m sorry this is occurring,” she said.
Cr Grima was momentarily interrupted mid-address from a yell from the gallery: “It’s shocking. Just shocking.”
Cr Grima smiled, and continued: “It’s a very sad, and a very confronting situation.”
Brimbank
By Josie Vine
Well looks like Brimbank will just have to put up with its municipal monitors for another six months.
After a rowdy couple of months, including a meeting where one councillor stormed out of chambers, the Allen government appointed municipal monitors Janet Dore and Penelope Holloway in February 2024 to “guide good governance” and report back to the Minister.
Ms Dore and Ms Holloway were meant to knock off in December, but Local Government minister Melissa Horne last month announced a six-month extension to their tenure.
Ms Horne said the monitor’s interim report noted that work was still required, particularly during the new council’s induction period to “solidify” good governance measures around major processes such as Council Plan and annual Budget development.
“The municipal monitors will continue to support the newly elected council following the council elections in October,” Ms Horne said.
Not that you could tell anything was amiss at last month’s Brimbank Council meeting. Ms Dore and Ms Holloway sat at either end of the horseshoe-shaped council table, impassively taking down notes, just as they had every month since last February.
Council passed nine Officer reports in the almost hour-long meeting, including the Governance report, which passed unanimously.
And if first-time Mayor, and experienced councillor, Thuy Dang was fazed by the monitors’ six-month extension, she didn’t show it.
In a media statement, Cr Dang said she “welcomed” Ms Dore and Ms Holloway’s continued presence.
She said new councillors were “deeply engaged” in an induction program, with Municipal Monitor and the Executive Leadership Team support.
“Brimbank’s Councillors have demonstrated strong engagement and commitment to this process that will support its robust governance,” she said.
Maribyrnong
By Ruby Fox
Maribyrnong’s new mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari, appeared to take the hot December evening in his stride when he made his debut as meeting chair and the first Maribyrnong mayor of Indian heritage.
This meeting was held back in the old Footscray Town Hall, where the public gallery was happy to escape the heat in the recently renovated 1936 building – which now has air-conditioning.
More than 20 community organisations were awarded funding via the annual $250,000 Community Grants including; the Women’s Circus, Her Connection (a wellness and fitness program for young multicultural women), and the Community Bike Hub.
The grants program works to empower residents to invest into projects by and for the community, supporting grassroots initiatives.
Cr Cuc Lamb said it was very hard to choose the successful applicants. “They were all very high standard applications.”
Council’s draft creativity strategy 2025-2030 is out for community consultation.
Cr Bernadette Thomas said the creativity strategy was “an exciting shift in how council considers, supports and facilitates creativity across our community”.
“We have a very vibrant and committed arts advisory committee,” Cr Thomas said. “There is a wealth of creative businesses, artists, solo creators, people who collaborate across media within our municipality and a legacy of the creative arts happening in Maribyrnong.”
Cr Pereyra seconded this, as she said “this strategy celebrates diversity and conviviality and a desire to see the arts regenerating” with “aspirations to make Maribyrnong a vibrant inclusive and creative place”.
Cr Susan Yengi said she encouraged young people particularly to provide input on this draft.
“But it is also for [the council’s] teams to ensure that [they] are capturing all the voices out there in the community, particularly the voices of the young people.”
