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Minutes Council Meeting MAROONDAH CITY COUNCIL Monday 17 March 2025
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Minutes of the Council Meeting held in the Council Chamber, on Monday 17 March 2025 at 7:30 PM.
PRESENT
Cr Kylie Spears (Mayor) Wombolano Ward
Cr Linda Hancock (Deputy Mayor) Wonga Ward
Cr Chris Jones Barngeong Ward
Cr Catherine Gordon Bungalook Ward
Cr Claire Rex Jubilee Ward
Cr Nathaniel Henderson McAlpin Ward
Cr Paul Macdonald Tarralla Ward
Cr Daniella Heatherich Wicklow Ward
Cr Rob Steane OAM Yarrunga Ward
Steve Kozlowski Chief Executive Officer
Tony Rocca Chief Financial Officer
Adam Todorov Director Assets & Leisure
Marianne Di Giallonardo Director People & Places
Andrew Fuaux Director Strategy & Development
Emma Hills Governance Officer
Dan Glass Multimedia Officer
The Mayor, Cr Spears welcomed all to the March Council meeting.
The Chief Executive Officer read the following Statement of Recording -
“Please note that this meeting is being recorded and streamed live on the internet. All care is taken to maintain your privacy; however, as a visitor in the public gallery, your presence may be recorded.”
A prayer was read by Philip Hughes from Maroondah Interfaith Network.
The Councillor Pledge was read by the Mayor.
The Acknowledgement of Country was read by the Mayor.
The Mayor acknowledged International Women’s Day held on 8 March 2025.
Apologies
Nil
Declaration of Interests
Cr Kylie Spears In Camera - Director Assets & Leisure
Item 1, Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21078
Provision of Minor Works & Landscaping Services
Reason: One of the tenderers is a family friend
Cr Linda Hancock In Camera - Director Assets & Leisure
Item 1, Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21078
Provision of Minor Works & Landscaping Services
Reason: Known to the family of one of the tenderers
Cr Rob Steane In Camera - Director Assets & Leisure
Item 1, Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21078
Provision of Minor Works & Landscaping Services
Reason: Relationship with one of the contractors
Cr Chris Jones Late Items
Late Item - MVC Boxing Club Lease
Reason: Personally involved in an ongoing legal matter
Confirmation of MinuTes
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Moved Cr Jones, Seconded Cr Rex 16/25 That the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Monday, 17 February 2025 be confirmed. |
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Nil
Officers’ Reports
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Moved Cr Henderson, Seconded Cr Rex 17/25 That COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE REPORTS AS PRESENTED BY COUNCILLORS
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Councillors who spoke to their reports - Crs Spears, Hancock, Jones, Gordon, Rex, Henderson, Macdonald, Heatherich and Steane |
Cr Spears (Mayor)
19/02 The Hon. Catherine King MP - Advocacy briefing
19/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Executive Meeting
20/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) National Board Meeting
20/02 Reignite Croydon - Laneway Lights Launch
20/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Online Forum
20/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Western Australia State Meeting
21/02 Eastern Region Group of Councils (ERG) Meeting
22/02 Pink Stumps Day Heathmont Cricket club
25/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) National Executive Meeting
25/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) & KPMG Meeting
26/02 Project commitment Announcement for Hughes Park Tennis
26/02 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
04/03 Victorian Local Governance Association - The Victorian Councillor Census - Results Launch Seminar
05/03 International Women's Day Event
05/03 Winter Sporting Forum
06/03 Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Meeting
06/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) - Online forum meeting
07/03 Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Statewide Information Session
11/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Meeting
12/03 Project commitment announcement Ringwood City Soccer Club
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
13/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Monthly Masterclass Webinar- Jennifer Westacott AO
13/03 Eastern Regional Group (ERG) Chair, Deputy Chair and CEO's meeting
13/03 Maroondah Audit & Risk Committee Meeting
14/03 Australia Day Honours Event - Maroondah City Council
14/03 Chin Community Victoria (CCV) Education Awards Night
17/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) & Women For Election Meeting
17/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Vic Committee Meeting
Cr Hancock (Deputy Mayor)
18/02 CEO / Library Chair Your Library Limited meeting
19/02 The Hon. Catherine King MP - Advocacy briefing
20/02 Chin National Day Celebration
21/02 Eastern Region Group of Councils (ERG) Meeting
26/02 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
27/02 Your Library - Board Planning Day
28/02 Ringwood Bowls Club Meeting
28/02 Dorset Golf 40 year celebration
05/03 International Women's Day Event
05/03 Resident Meeting
05/03 Winter Sporting Forum
07/03 CEO / Library Chair Your Library Limited meeting
12/03 North Ringwood Community House Meeting
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
13/03 Metropolitan Traffic Education Centre (METEC) Meeting
13/03 Audit & Risk meeting (observer)
14/03 Australia Day Honours Event - Maroondah City Council
Cr Jones
22/02 Celebrate Maroondah - Movie Night
24/02 Increasing Active Transport Mode Share - Institute for Sensible Transport
25/02 Hughes Park Pavilion meeting on site with clubs
26/02 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
27/02 Eastern Alliance Greenhouse Action Executive Committee Meeting
06/03 Eastern FM broadcast
07/03 Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Statewide Information Session
12/03 2024 North Ringwood Community House Annual General Meeting
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
13/03 Audit and Risk Committee Meeting
14/03 Australia Day Honours Event - Maroondah City Council
Cr Gordon
18/02 The Hatchery's Vic Public Sector Women in Leadership Summit
20/02 Reignite Croydon - Laneway Lights Launch
20/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Online Forum
22/02 Celebrate Maroondah - Movie Night
26/02 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
05/03 International Women's Day Breakfast
08/03 Friends of Bungalook Conservation Meeting
11/03 Heathmont Historical Group Meeting
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
13/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Monthly Masterclass Webinar- Jennifer Westacott AO
14/03 Australia Day Honours Event - Maroondah City Council
17/03 Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Statewide Information Session
Cr Rex
20/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) Online Forum
22/02 Heathwood Cricket Club - Ladies Day Event
22/02 Pink Stumps Day Heathmont Cricket Club
22/02 Celebrate Maroondah - Movie Night
26/02 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
05/03 International Women's Day Event
05/03 Winter Sporting Forum
07/03 Victorian Local Government Grants Commission - Statewide Session
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
14/03 Australia Day Honours Event - Maroondah City Council
15/03 Community of Ringwood Indigenous Species Plant Nursery Annual General Meeting
15/03 Just for Kicks Soccer Clinic at Ringwood City Soccer Club
16/03 Sustainability Fair at Ringwood Central Community Centre
Cr Henderson
20/02 Meeting with Parkwood Tennis Club
20/02 Reignite Croydon - Laneway Lights Launch
26/02 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
05/03 International Women's Day Event
05/03 Meeting with Parkwood Fenced Dog Park
07/03 Victorian Local Government Grants Commission - Statewide Session
12/03 2024 North Ringwood Community House Annual General Meeting
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
13/03 Ainslie Park Cricket Club Weekly Meeting
14/03 Meeting with North Ringwood Football Club and Warranwood Cricket Club
Cr Macdonald
05/03 International Women's Day Event
06/03 Cheong Park site meeting, yarning stones
06/03 Cheong Park - signage and history catch up
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
14/03 Australia Day Honours Event
Cr Heatherich
20/02 Reignite Croydon - Laneway Lights Launch
25/02 The Dining room Mission - Jack Merck
26/02 Croydon Main Street Traders Association February Meeting
27/02 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
04/03 Meeting with Mingarra President Graham Smith, Peter Booth and Treasurer Colin Creek
05/03 International Women's Day Event
06/03 Croydon Football Club Meeting with Vince
06/03 St John’s Anglican Church Croydon Meeting
12/03 Project commitment announcement Ringwood City Soccer Club
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
Cr Steane
26/02 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
01/03 "Thinking with Fungi" public program (Soft Fascination Exhibition)
05/03 International Women's Day Event
12/03 Maroondah City Council Citizenship Ceremony
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Moved Cr Gordon, Seconded Cr Steane 18/25 THAT COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE PUBLIC RECORD OF THE COUNCILLOR BRIEFINGS HELD ON 17 FEBRUARY 2025 AND 3 MARCH 2025
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Proposed Motions for MAV State Council Meeting - 16 May 2025 ITEM 3 |
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Moved Cr Rex, Seconded Cr Jones 19/25 THAT COUNCIL ENDORSE SUBMITTING THE FOLLOWING FIVE (5) MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA MAY 2025 STATE COUNCIL MEETING 1. NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF WASTE SERVICE STANDARDS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
MOTION: THAT THE MAV CALLS UPON THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW AND AMEND THE NEW WASTE SERVICE STANDARDS TO MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. SPECIFICALLY, THAT THE MAV ADVOCATES FOR:
1. OPPOSING THE REMOVAL OF THE COMPOSTABLE CADDY LINERS FROM FOOD AND ORGANICS (FOGO) COLLECTION SERVICES, RECOGNISING THAT LINERS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MAINTAINING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND HYGIENE IN FOOD WASTE RECYCLING 2. THE SEPARATE GLASS RECYCLING BIN REQUIREMENT NO LONGER BE MANDATED, GIVEN THE SUCCESSFUL CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME (CDS) ALREADY DIVERTS MOST GLASS, MAKING A FOURTH BIN COSTLY, INEFFICIENT, AND LARGELY REDUNDANT 3. PROVISION FOR ADEQUATE FUNDING AND RESOURCES TO COUNCILS TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW STANDARDS WITHOUT PLACING UNDUE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON RATEPAYERS. THIS COULD COME IN THE FORM OF THE STATE WASTE LEVY, WHICH IS PROJECTED TO INCREASE BY 30% OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, GENERATING AN ESTIMATED $1.8 BILLION IN REVENUE FOR THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT 4. A DELAY IN IMPLEMENTING THE STATE’S NEW HOUSEHOLD WASTE SERVICE STANDARDS, URGING THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE COUNCILS WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND AN EXTENDED TIMELINE TO ROLL OUT SERVICE CHANGES AT A PRACTICAL PACE. 5. PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND, ENSURING LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY
2. administrative burden on local governments of the revised emergency services and volunteers fund (ESVF)
MOTION: THAT THE MAV CALLS ON THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TO:
1. DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF RESIDENCE (PPR) OBLIGATION UNDER THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND VOLUNTEERS FUND (ESVF) BEYOND 1 JULY 2026, TO ALLOW FOR A MORE PRACTICAL, COST-EFFECTIVE AND CONSISTENT APPROACH TO VERIFYING RATEPAYER RESIDENCY STATUS 2. FULLY FUND ANY SYSTEM CHANGES, ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION EFFORTS REQUIRED FOR COUNCILS TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW ESVF AND THE ASSOCIATED PPR REQUIREMENT, ENSURING THAT NO UNFUNDED BURDEN IS PLACED ON COUNCILS OR RATEPAYERS FOR A STATE GOVERNMENT TAX MEASURE 3. EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO ADMINISTERING PPR VERIFICATION, SUCH AS UTILISING EXISTING STATE GOVERNMENT DATA (E.G. FROM THE STATE REVENUE OFFICE OR VALUER-GENERAL) TO REDUCE DUPLICATION AND INEFFICIENCY IN COUNCIL-LED ASSESSMENTS
3. vICTORIAN ELECTORAL PROCESSES FOR RETIRED CANDIDATES
MOTION: That the MAV calls on the Victorian Government to ensure the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) fully complete the process of reviewing nominated candidate eligibility prior to the commencement of printing ballot papers in future local government elections
4. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES DAD GROUPS - DADSCONNECT
MOTION: That the MAV calls on the Victorian Government to urgently provide full funding to all Maternal and Child Health services for Dad groups, to support family violence prevention and address the vulnerability of dads transitioning to parenthood and support healthy family relationships
5. reinstate freeza program funding
MOTION: That the Victorian government urgently reconsiders funding for, and inequity of distribution of, FReeZA programs across Victorian Councils and Victorian young people. The 20-years history demonstrates the significant impact of programs on the leadership, skills development, capacity building and engagement of young people through participation in programs and more broadly through engagement in the resulting events
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Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Jones, Hancock, Steane, Macdonald and Rex |
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Moved Cr Steane, Seconded Cr Hancock 20/25 THAT COUNCIL SUBMITs THE FOLLOWING MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION AND DEBATE AT THE 2025 AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Motion: National Standardisation and Expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) That this National General Assembly calls upon the Federal Government to: a. Lead the development of a nationally consistent Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) - in collaboration with all states and territories - to harmonise regulations, refund values, and operations across Australia, creating a uniform approach to container recycling; and b. Ensure that the National CDS is to include all glass beverage containers such as wine and spirit bottles. Whilst exploring the expansion of the scheme to include glass jars used for food - thereby ensuring these containers are covered by deposit/refund incentives for recycling.
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Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Jones and Spears |
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Moved Cr Heatherich, Seconded Cr Rex 21/25 That Council 1. consider and approve the advocacy position outlined; and 2. approve the joint media statement to be released in conjunction with the joint group of councils
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Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Hancock, Jones and Spears |
documents for sealing
Nil
motions to review
Nil
Late ItemS
Cr Chris Jones left the Council Chamber at 8:24pm due to a Conflict of Interest with the Late Item.
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Moved Cr Macdonald, Seconded Cr Henderson 22/25 That A LATE ITEM BE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION
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Moved Cr Steane, Seconded Cr Macdonald 23/25 That 1. THE RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL OF 22 APRIL 2024 OFFERING MVC A LEASE IS WITHDRAWN
2. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NOTIFIES THE PRESIDENT OF MVC BY ANY MEANS, INFORMING THEM THAT THE RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL OF 22 APRIL 2024 OFFERING THEM A LEASE IS SO WITHDRAWN
3. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS DIRECTED TO ATTEMPT TO FINALISE A LEASE WITH MVC FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM, FOLLOWED BY TWO OPTIONS BOTH OF THREE YEARS, COMMENCING AT $8,000 PER ANNUM WITH ANNUAL INCREASES OF 2.5% OR CPI (WHICHEVER IS GREATER) AND GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY FACILITiES OCCUPANCY POLICY
4. THE LEASE IS TO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO three INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL AUDITS - ONE IN THE FIRST YEAR, FOLLoWED BY AN AUDIT IN THE SECOND YEAR AND FOLLOWED BY AN AUDIT IN THE FIFTH YEAR TO ENSURE CONTINUAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE CLUB’S OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
5. IF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS UNABLE TO SECURE A FORMAL AGREEMENT WITH MVC OF THE PROPOSED LEASE OF 1 X 3 X 3 (years) BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON 19 MAY 2025, THEN THE OFFER OF THE LEASE TO MVC IS PERMANENTLY WITHDRAWN
6. IF THE LEASE IN RELATION TO MVC IS NOT FORMALLY AGREED TO BY MVC BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS 19 MAY 2025 THEN
· THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS INSTRUCTED TO COMMENCE INVESTIGATIONS AS OTHER POTENTIAL USES AND USERS OF THE COMMUNITY OWNED MVC FACILITY AT JUBILEE PARK BY OTHER MAROONDAH BASED COMMUNITY OR SPORTING ORGANISATIONS TO ENSURE THE COMMUNITY OWNED FACILTY IS ABLE TO BE APPROPRIATELY UTILISED BY THE MAROONDAH COMMUNITY; AND · THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE officer IS INSTRUCTED TO PRESENT TO COUNCIL AT A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING, A RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHICH OTHER MAROONDAH BASED COMMUNITY OR SPORTING ORGANISATION OR ORGANISATIONS SHOULD OCCUPY THE FACILITY, SO THAT IT CAN BE UTILISED IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MAROONDAH COMMUNITY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY FACILITIES OCCUPANCY POLICY
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Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Steane, Macdonald and Hancock |
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Moved Cr Macdonald, Seconded Cr Rex 24/25 CR STEANE REQUESTED AN EXTENSION OF TIME
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Moved Cr Hancock, Seconded Cr Rex 25/25 CR MACDONALD REQUESTED AN EXTENSION OF TIME
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Moved Cr Steane, Seconded Cr Rex 26/25 THAT STANDING ORDERS BE SUSPENDED TO ALLOW CR MACDONALD TO CONTINUE SPEAKING TO THE MOTION
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Cr Macdonald continued speaking to the motion.
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Moved Cr Steane, Seconded Cr Henderson 27/25 THAT STANDING ORDERS BE RESUMED
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Requests FOR Leave of Absence
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Moved Cr Rex, Seconded Cr Hancock 28/25 That CR KYLIE SPEARS BE GRANTED A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR THE APRIL COUNCIL MEETING
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In Camera
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Moved Cr Jones, Seconded Cr Gordon 29/25 THAT THE FOLLOWING MATTERS BE DEALT WITH IN CAMERA PURSUANT TO S66(1) AND S66(2)(A) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2020, BECAUSE THE REPORTS CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS CONFIDENTIAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH S3(1) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2020. Director Assets & Leisure Item 1 Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21078 Provision of Minor Works & Landscaping Services Reason: This report contains Council business information, being information that would prejudice the Council's position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released. This information is confidential in accordance with s3(1)(a) of the Act. This ground is applied because the information, if publicly released at the time, is likely to be inappropriately detrimental to the Council or any person. |
Council resolved that the following decisions be reflected in the minutes of the Open Forum.
The open forum closed at 8:44pm.
Confirmed ……………………………………..
Date ……………………………………………