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COUNCILLOR Rod Fyffe says he is “absolutely excited” about chairing his first meeting of the current council and will be looking at moving forward from heightened security measures and tensions surrounding council over recent months.
But while security measures this Wednesday night will be relaxed disputes between his colleagues are set to continue with the tabling of failed mediation process involving the former mayor Councillor Peter Cox, who is responding to allegations of misconduct by councillors Elise Chapman and Helen Leach.
“All these things happened in the past and I am focused on the future,” Mayor Fyffe said.
“I know that the council is focused on the future too – and that’s exactly what the community expects of us.”
Mayor Fyffe said the standout item on this week’s agenda was a proposed $800,000 upgrade of the Soldiers Memorial Hall on Pall Mall.
Councillors will also consider a range of pet-related proposals including new dog parks in the city, a 24-hour cat curfew, requiring dogs to be on leashes at all times.
Two new dog parks, cat curfew, mandatory leashes
Councillors will consider a report which recommends in-principle support for establishing two new dog parks in Bendigo – but while the community has nominated several sites where they would like to see dog parks created, the draft report does not make any recommendations about where they might be.
The draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2016-2020 notes that dogs need exercise for their health and to help reduce unwanted behaviours at home.
“Increasing the opportunities for owners to provide their dogs with sufficient exercise, stimulation and socialisation for mental wellbeing can in turn reduce behaviours such as barking, wandering and aggression,” the report reads.
“The growing level of pet ownership amongst small house lots and elderly members of our community is creating a stronger need for people to be able to access local areas to exercise and socialise their dogs freely and responsibly.”
A recent survey undertaken by the City found that 67 per cent of respondents (643 residents) believed dogs should be leashed at all times except when in designated dog park areas. Twenty per cent did not support dog parks.
Other issues considered in the plan include:
- Proposal to extend the current sunset to sunrise cat curfew to a 24-hour curfew. The draft plan recommends against this arguing it would be difficult to enforce and could result in significant resourcing costs.
- Requiring dogs to be on leash at all times. The draft plan offers conditional support to this – provided there are more dog off leash parks.
- Undertaking a pet expo
- Continuing with dog and cat de-sexing and micro-chipping incentives
Subject to Council approval, a copy of the draft plan will be available from this Thursday at City of Greater Bendigo Offices in Bendigo and Heathcote or online at: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Animals_and_Pets
Soldiers Memorial Hall upgrade
Councillors will be recommended to endorse an upgrade to the Soldiers Memorial Institute Revitalisation project as described in the design by Lovell Chen and confirm that council supports a contribution to the project of $800,000 over two financial years.
Councillor dispute resolution
Related: Mayor’s conduct could face scrutiny
The meeting will see a mediation report tabled between complainants councillors Chapman and and defendant Cr Cox.
The mediation was arranged on November 16 and the full process lasted from 10am to 1.15pm, costing $1,430 (ex GST).
According to the report:
“Councillors Chapman and Leach indicated their intention to pursue their complaints through a request for a Councillor Conduct Panel. Councillor Cox denies breaching any of the aforementioned Council policies and reiterated his desire to concentrate on the business of council.”
Security relaxed at council meeting
Related: Bendigo council meeting shut down
The public will once again be permitted into the gallery for Wednesday night’s meeting.
The two meetings held since September 16 have been held amid under heightened security after anti-mosque protesters forced the mayor, other councillors and city staff to leave under police escort.
Mayor Fyffe said he pleased to see a council meetings return to normal.
“[But] it will require that people respect councillors, respect council so that we can keep the community as involved as possible in the meetings,” he said.
However the changes to public question time will stay in force for now, with all questions required to be submitted by midday Wednesday to be read aloud by the mayor.
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