Public Question TIme

At our most recent Council meeting the Mayor decided to move Public Question Time towards the beginning of the meeting. I think this is a good idea. For those who want to just ask a question there is no need for them to endure the entire meeting before getting the chance. I hope the Mayor continues to allow questions to be asked early on.

A few rules:

15 minutes is allowed for the entire question time
People must state their name and where they live
They must ask a question (often forgotten by people)

Green Hall

I know when Council considered closing the Green Hall at Railton some years back that there was a lot of resistance.

Green Hall is back on the Council agenda. It's future is in question again. Once I have looked over the issue in depth I will post some thoughts.

Sheffield Streetscape Stage 2

Council has decided to continue straight on to stage 2 of the streetscape in Sheffield. This will take the streetscape down to the RSL club. We were considering redirecting finances down to Railton so work could commence on the eastern side of Foster St. This got knocked on the head due to a significant amount of funds already being committed to stage 2 in Sheffield. Even if we had transferred funds across there wouldn't have been sufficient cash to undertake any significant work.

Kentish Council cannot afford to run two streetscapes at the same time. I would like to run alternate programs. One year in Sheffield, one year in Railton. The end dates will be stretched out but so be it. I am not prepared to wait until Sheffield is totally complete before we continue at Railton. I know there are some councillors who may disagree with this!

$50

Rural properties are being charged a $50 waste management fee. This will allow them and all Kentish residents to use the Waste Transfer Stations free of charge (there are a few exceptions).

Some hate the fee and some reckon it is great. The idea is to hopefully stem the dumping of rubbish in the bush. For those who have more than 1 title they have to pay twice (or more). Apparently if they consolidate their titles into one (possible if they are adjoining) then the fee will not apply in the future.

I would like to return to the user pays system. Fairest system I think.

I heard a fellow in the council today who was pretty unimpressed...I think over the $50 fee. Full marks to a patient staff.

I like the idea behind the free access but I don't think we have implemented it well. I would be surprised if the $50 fee is around next budget.

Lorinna Road

What can I say.........the most perplexing issue before council.

Our engineers want it closed.

I will not support upgrading the road. I would like to close it and provide another access into Lorinna.

River Road would most probably be cheapest. We could undertake the work without any external funding. I think most Kentish residents want the cheapest option that does the job and get on with it. River Road would deliver this.

Almost all Lorinna residents are against this option. It will add 20 km to a round trip.

At this point the Lorinna community is divided. If the community would be united for a new road over the top of the ridge then I would be all ears. To this point some residents in Lorinna have undermined attempts by council to gain funding for a road over the top.

Will this continue? If so it would be much easier for council just to upgrade River Road and be done with it. Many other Kentish residents would be quite content with this.

Stay tuned in the ongoing saga that is Lorinna Road!

Water and Sewerage

The responsibility for running water and sewerage will be taken from council in the next financial year. For some councils water and sewerage are "cash cows" for Kentish sewerage especially is a financial liability. The Sheffield Waste Water Treatment Plant is an expensive and undersized facility that many more thousands of dollars will be needed to improve it's capacity.

I will be happy to see water and sewerage go (as a Councillor). As a ratepayer we can expect a 2 part billing scheme. The first part will be an infrastructure fee, the second will be a pay as you go. So if you don't use much water you won't get charged much. Frugaility will be a virtue! We are big water users here (I have lots of kids) so I guess it is time to have a good look at water saving ideas. Paying from the first litre will instill in some that water is a valuable resource.

Latrobe Council

Latrobe Councillors travelled up to Kentish for a get together with us last week. It was really good to have some time together. Kentish and Latrobe had a joint authority in the fairly recent past that didn't succeed. It let to some bitterness and resentment on both sides.

I will leave it to the Mayor to explain what we are up to but I would like to say that I am pleased we are talking together. Latrobe is a solid council and we have much in common.