7.35pm: Cr O'Rourke wraps up the meeting.
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7.30pm: Onto the chief executive officer's report.
Craig Niemann comments on Wayne Gregson contribution many of Bendigo's organisations.
The City has done a lot of advocating to state government organisations in regards to the needs Bendigo has.
He encourages people to take part in the Active Living census which opens on Monday, May 20.
7.26pm: Cr O'Rourke is going through the mayor's report.
She says it was a privilege to walk the Bendigo Advertiser Gala Parade at Easter.
"Being in the parade is such a different experience," she says.
Cr O'Rourke comments on attending the opening of the new arts centre at Catherine McAuley College in Junortoun.
"The education facilities we have in the area is amazing," she says.
7.12pm: Cr Pethybridge also highlights the great job done by the Chinese community over Easter.
He also commented on his visit to Fosterville mine.
"It is the second deepest mine in the world and the richest gold mine," he said. "We got a gold rush going on and we don't even know it."
7.04pm: Cr Emond discusses a number of Black Spot and road safety upgrades that are progressing in the Lockwood Ward.
Cr Wrigglesworth talks on the gender equity demonstrated with the new Chinese dragon. She was part of the team carrying Dai Gum Loong.
7pm: We're up to the councillors' reports.
6.57pm: Moving onto a report on the financial position of the City of Greater Bendigo to March 31 2019.
Cr Metcalfe calls it fiscally responsible.
Carried with no objections.
6.55pm: A motion to make Bernie O'Sullivan the acting chief executive for council from July 6 to August 25 while Craig Niemann is on leave.
It is carried without objection.
6.52pm: In summing up Cr Metcalfe thanks councillors for their comments.
The item is unanimously carried.
6.50pm: Cr Alden says the substantial progress made by so many goals and activities is to be commended.
"We are looking forward to continuing the work in welcoming new arrivals to city," she says.
Cr Williams says we should continue to embrace the different cultures in the community.
"Their contribution to the community is enormous, not just in Bendigo but right through our rural communities," he says.
"Growing up it was rare to see an alternate culture. Things have changed."
Cr Emond says Bendigo is stronger because of its diversity.
6.45pm: We're moving onto to the update of the Greater Bendigo Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
Cr Metcalfe says the update is a celebration of the achievements to the plan.
6.43pm: Cr Wrigglesworth urges councillors to carry the city's decision. it is unanimously carried.
6.42pm: Cr Metcalfe agrees with the assessment saying there are too many doubts around the application.
6.37pm: Cr Wrigglesworth says it was a tricky issue with the development waiving the car parking requirement.
The proposal says there will be no onsite car parking provided to support the development.
It means that the centre will solely rely on the adjoining informal parking adjoining Ewing Park to support the development.
6.33pm: We're moving onto a presentation regarding the development of land for a childcare centre in Harcourt Street, Bendigo.
6.31pm: A report has been tables in response to a petition calling for performance targets to be set against the Community Satisfaction Survey (CSS) measures.
"We know this petition called for performance targets to be met against CSS measures. It was an interesting call," Cr Wrigglesworth says.
"I feel these actions are occurring within the community. This is only one way we measure satisfaction in local government.
"We track and asses our performance regularly. (It doesn't warrant further investment and I recommend councilllors support our response."
Cr Pethybridge supports Cr Wrigglesworth's comments.
Cr Alden supports the continued and varied methds used in all aspects of council performance.
Cr Metcalfe says it is not an unreasonable expectation that an organisation serving the community would have measurable targets.
"Simply setting a target number is unlikely to achieve and meaningful outcomes. The challenge is to find robust and realistic assessments of council performance," she says.
"The CSS provides little value to council in its current format but needs to be completed to satisfy the state government. Changes to the survey need to be made at state government level so it better reflects community expectations.
"I believe it is time to change our mindset and accept the challenge set by petition."
Councillors Emond, Williams and Fyffe all say changes to the CSS is a state government responsibility.
"We can do better and working with state government we should do better," Cr Fyffe said.
Cr O'Rourke puts the motion forward. Only Cr Metcalfe votes against it.
6.16pm: Cr Fyffe moves a petition regarding a dangerous intersection on Bonazza Road is received. Motion carried.
6.15pm: A petition has been received by McIvor Cottage Industries Co-operative in Heathcote regarding the Heathcote Integrated Precinct Proposal.
Cr Wrigglesworth moves it be received. motion carried.
6.13pm: A question about an update of the city's Human Rights Charter. Cr O'Rourke is advised from council staff that it is due for review next year.
No other questions from the public.
6.12pm: Now into public question time.
6.10pm: Council is also acknowledging the efforts of Russell Jack who is stepping down from his role at the Golden Dragon Museum.
"You have had remarkable career," Cr O'Rourke said. "You should be very proud of what you have achieved and we are proud of what you have done for the city."
Mr Jack said as long as he can stand upright he is available for the city.
"Not a day goes by where I don't think someone is fortunate to be born and live in Bendigo. They're the best people in the world," he said.
"I'll keep fighting for Bendigo until someone takes me by the hand and leads me to the knackery."
Cr O'Rourke is also recognising the efforts of the first female dragon head carriers that volunteered at the Bendigo Easter Festival.
6.05pm: All councillors are present tonight, no apologies. Mayor Margaret O'Rourke pays tribute to former councillor Wayne Gregson who died earlier this month.
Cr O'Rourke said Mr Gregson was a great champion for the Bendigo community.
6pm: Welcome the our live blog of the May 15 council meeting where petitions regarding the Heathcote Integrated Precinct Proposal and a dangerous intersection in maiden Gully will be tabled.
Also on the agenda is a presentation on the development of land for a childcare centre in Harcourt Street, Bendigo.
Council will also respond to a petition calling for performances targets to be set against the Community Satisfaction Survey.
Full May 15 council agenda