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The Bendigo Advertiser will be updating live from the chamber tonight.
Much debate is expected for several big ticket planning items on the agenda this week, including City of Greater Bendigo's plans to improve Kangaroo Flat's Dower Park.
UPDATE 8.23PM: That's a wrap! Fairly quiet meeting tonight, but we'll be including all your news in tomorrow's Bendigo Advertiser and check back online later tonight for full stories.
UPDATE 8.15PM: Now a notice of motion from Cr Williams regarding the Calder Highway.
It includes putting three positions to the committee, including upgrading the highway to "freeway" from the Tullamarine Freeway to the Ravenswood Interchange and planning for "freeway" status from the Ravenswood Interchange to Bridgewater.
Cr Williams said more importantly, it will ask them to look at a bypass in Mildura as a priority and duplication to Redcliffs from Mildura be undertaken.
He said it would help attract government funding and improve safety.
Looks like his motion has the support of other councillors. Adopted unanimously.
UPDATE 8.05PM: Now some smaller matters to tick off, including the audit committee chairperson's annual report and a few contacts awarded under delegation. The two members in the gallery are staying strong.
Now that's dedication to your council! Kudos.
UPDATE 8PM: Councillors chat about the Compliance Policy Review, saying more work needs to be done.
Constant improvement is the key, says Cr Williams and Fyffe. Cr Williams adds the report will see positive change over the next 10 years.
But Crs Cox and Leach vote against the motion.
UPDATE 7.43PM: Regional Climate Adaptation Project up now.
Cr Leach seems to be the only one in the room who doubts climate change is happening - her skepticism is met with rolling eyes from fellow councillors.
UPDATE 7.37PM: Only two members left in the gallery now. Looks like the meeting will wrap up nice and early.
UPDATE 7.27PM: Councillors move to go ahead with the resealing of various roads in the region, and now onto the Hargreaves carpark opening hours.
Councillors encouraged to keep the carpark closed on Sundays, due to little demand.
Now there's FREE curbside parking in Bendigo CBD on the weekend, but time limits apply.
Endorsed by councillors.
UPDATE 7.07PM: Now councillors to adopt a series of "annual snapshots of operations", including the Bendigo and Heathcote Visitor Centres, The Capital, Bendigo Art Gallery and the Bendigo Exhibition Centre.
Lots of praise from councillors for the many key centres, with Cr Rod Fyffe noting the art gallery brings in $18 million to the community each year.
Even more praise for the volunteers who help keep the centres running.
Director Stan Liacos says 20 per cent of all visitors to the paid art exhibitions were local, with 80 per cent coming from other areas.
Cr Leach says it's great to see such good numbers at The Capital but "it was a shame that it wasn't a profitable business".
She also worries that the art gallery was expensive for ratepayers, who mostly weren't benefiting from the venue.
"I don't think it's a community facility that has wide appeal, no matter how beautiful it is".
But Cr Fyffe says the ratepayers are benefiting from the provision of those services, and also the visitors that stimulate the economy and generate local jobs.
UPDATE 7PM: Zipping through the meeting tonight - plans to improve Kangaroo Flat's Dower Park now.
Draft master plan unanimously released for public comment.
UPDATE 6.51PM: Bendigo Stadium final master plan up now - it's expected to get the seal of approval after months of hard work and consultation.
Cr Williams says the proposal would allow children to play sport at the highest level.
Background on the proposal here.
Cr Leach says "I would like to see more footpaths and roads built".
But Cr Campbell said it was very important to boost liveability and encourage sports and recreation in the region.
Plan adopted.
UPDATE 6.40PM: Onto the next proposal already - a 2-lot subdivision at 12 Alison Boulevard, Epsom.
Cr Peter Cox moves an alternate motion to reject the application, saying the small sized lots would have a detrimental impact.
There have been 10 objections, as well as a petition with 34 signatures.
"To approve is to say all of Epsom is of the same character," Cr Cox said.
Cr James Williams backs his objection, but Cr Rod Campbell says two units could work well on the block to still get the offsets necessary to the code.
However, he said, they would have to be different houses than those on the plans.
Cr Mark Weragoda said it was important to listen to the community.
Cr Cox reiterates his point, saying the key point was that this was the "one and only time we will have a say on this block of land". He said he was suspicious of the applicant.
"People want to alter the character of where they live but... we need to be supporting people who take a real interest in their neighbourhood."
The proposal to subdivide the land is rejected in a four-two vote.
UPDATE 6.33PM: Now onto the staged subdivision of land at Strathfieldsaye. Proposal to subdivide 80 Sullivans Road into 11 lots and remove native vegetation.
Some concern from residents about neighbourhood character, drainage and native vegetation, with five objections noted.
Cr Leach says she sympathises with nearby residents that thought the area would stay semi-rural forever.
But we all know progress is vital in the region.
Proposal adopted unanimously. The development will go ahead.
UPDATE 6.32PM: Fast paced meeting tonight - might be home in time for The Bachelor after all!
UPDATE 6.25PM: Now councillors will vote on a permit application for the Heathcote Supermarket proposal. Plans to add car parking at the rear and build a supermarket and retail premises. Eight submissions, with five unresolved.
Crs Leach and Cambell believe the application is a positive step forward for Heathcote.
Anonymous support of the proposal - the supermarket will go ahead, much to the delight of Heathcote residents.
UPDATE 6.15PM: Cr Rod Fyffe is chatting about the Advertising and Signage Policy, following the panel and release of panel report.
He said while you will never keep everyone happy, this is a workable policy that will give guidance to those looking to put up a sign in the region.
Cr James Williams said the proposal had "been through the mill" fairly well.
"It spells out the can and can'ts for what people can do," he said.
But Cr Helen Leach said the policy still wasn't right, saying it would deter people from being able to advertise their small businesses.
"Not only does it seem to be a lack of understanding about business policy... it is inconsistent," she said.
"Are we going to pull down the McDonalds and KFC signs? I think not.
"Are we trying to kill business? Again, I ask."
All councillors in support of the motion though - approved.
UPDATE 6.10PM: Up on the agenda tonight we have the final Bendigo Stadium master plan, the draft Dower Park Master Plan, a few subdivisions in the region and a proposal for the opening hours of the Hargreaves multi-storey car park.
UPDATE 6.08PM: Cr Rod Campbell is reading out his regular report - seems like it's been a busy month.
UPDATE 6.03PM: A few technical issues but we're up and ready to go now! A few absentee councillors tonight, with Crs Elise Chapman and Lisa Ruffell off sick.