We’re getting plenty of feedback on the Draft 2019/20 Budget, which is great to see. The consultation period closes at 5.00pm tomorrow (Wednesday), go to to put in a submission. These submissions will be heard at a Special Meeting of Council from 5.00pm on Wednesday, 29 May.
It was great to attend the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council Meeting in Melbourne on Friday. Bass Coast Shire Council presented the highest number of motions to the conference, nine in total. These motions are all supported by our Advocacy Strategy and are strongly aimed at future proofing our community. Our motions advocate for an increase to Newstart Allowance, container deposit schemes, dumping of soil/fill in rural areas, waste recycling EPA levy, homelessness and emergency housing, tertiary education investment, connectivity and telecommunications, coastal erosion and climate resilience and adaptation research.
The storm that impacted Cape Paterson recently saw more than 100mm of rain fall in an hour and a half and left a lot of destruction in its wake. Our Building Surveyors and officers from our Local Laws, Emergency Management and Outdoor teams responded quickly and demonstrated true professionalism, in a challenging situation. Council will work with the relevant authorities and the community to determine the best way forward, as we move into the recovery phase.
Council is supporting the upcoming Bass Coast Reconciliation Week events, starting with Sorry Day/³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Day of Healing on Sunday, 26 May from 11am at the Nobbies Centre in Summerlands. On Tuesday, 28 May, a celebration of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Reconciliation Week will be held at the Cowes Cultural Centre. These events offer us an opportunity to create a community strengthened by reconciliation and recognition. ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June.
Finally, I would like to give Mayors everywhere a big pat on the back. For the past few weeks, I have been acting as Mayor, while Cr Tessari takes a well-deserved break. In this time, I have developed a much more thorough understanding of the workload that is thrust upon the Mayor, as well as the contribution Council staff make to the organisation on a daily basis. The work we do here is done with the aim to make Bass Coast a better place.
