7.55pm: Well, we're on to councillor reports. Cr Emond is leading this section of the reports, but I'm afraid that's it for me this evening. Thank you for following along.
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7.37pm: "As a council we need to know what our total emissions are, what our risks are and how we will adapt to these," Cr Metcalf says.
She says future climate will be different from that past, and that local government is well placed to act.
The City of Greater Bendigo, Cr Metcalf says, prides itself on being the city in the forest.
She goes on to detail the risk of bushfire in Victoria and the opportunities that exist to act on the risks presented by climate change.
"Some might say it's all too hard and there's no point in us doing anything," Cr Metcalf says.
But she says there are opportunities to show leadership in this space. She supports the notice of motion.
Cr Pethybridge doesn't seem convinced some of the climate risks Cr Alden has outlined are supported by proof.
"What are we doing traumatising people with things we can't prove? This is not proven to me," he says.
He goes on to say: "I will admit there is climate change. In this report there is too many things that worry people."
Cr Pethybridge says he is not here to worry people, so he can't support the notice of motion.
However, he does support "getting smart and doing things smarter".
Cr Emond says he supports the motion in principle, but says he will be abstaining due to semantics.
He feels there should be more information available.
Cr Wrigglesworth will be supporting Cr Alden's notice, and has called Cr Pethybridge up on a point about what 'little Bendigo' might be able to do to address such a large problem.
She believes such an attitude sends the wrong message and says the notice of motion is intended precisely to show leadership on such an issue.
"Yes, the task is immense," Cr Alden is saying in wrapping up.
She is making the case for change.
Councillors Alden, Fyffe, Metcalf, Wrigglesworth and O'Rourke voted for the motion. Cr Pethybridge voted against. Councillors Flack and Emond abstained from the vote.
The motion was carried.
7.29pm: Cr Alden is introducing her notice of motion highlighting the urgent need for action to address environmental and climate breakdown.
7.22pm: Customer satisfaction survey results are the topic of discussion, now. Cr Fyffe has emphasised that these survey results are but one way the city gets feedback and expressed his frustration that so much emphasis can be placed on the survey's results.
He believed what people were interested in was responding to issues such as those addressed in the All Ages All Abilities plan, which outlines health and wellbeing priorities.
7.18pm: Cr Metcalf has just introduced the Local Law Meeting Procedure, which she says is fairly straightforward.
It's a mirror of the existing local law.
Cr Fyffe said community input would become important once a new local government act, which is being developed, comes into play. At that point, any new local law is expected to become redundant.
It's been carried.
7.14pm: Cr Jennifer Alden is speaking in support of Cr Metcalf's proposal that council resolve to complete the significant tree register.
Cr Emond has welcomed work on a significant tree register.
The further motion has been carried.
7.05pm: On to the Heritage Gap Analysis and Future Work Program. Cr Emond and Cr Metcalf have both spoken in favour, and it's been carried. Cr Metcalf has proposed a further motion that council resolve to complete the significant tree register and implement statutory protection as a priority.
"This has been hanging around for far too long and we actually need to get this done," she says of the significant tree register.
7.03pm: Councillors are discussing appointments to two important committees - the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee and the Disability Inclusion Reference Committee.
7pm: Councillors Metcalf, Pethybridge and Emond raised concerns about the proposal, which would result in a two-storey house in a heritage area.
6.45pm: We're on to 84 Rowan Street, Bendigo, where a two-lot subdivision is proposed. It has been recommended that council grant a permit, though Cr Metcalf says it's one of the more contentious proposals she's seen in her time as a councillor.
An alternative recommendation has been put forward, to refuse to grant a permit.
6.45pm: Cr Wrigglesworth is supportive of the city officers' recommendation to refuse the permit, as is Cr Metcalf. The council has, collectively, decided to do as much.
6.34pm: Councillors are supportive of the proposed gym, believing the conditions address concerns about noise and patron management in particular. They've moved on to a proposed subdivision at 2 Somerville Road, Strathfieldsaye,
It is not recommended that councillors grant a permit.
6.30pm: A proposal for a gym at 108 Lowndes Street, Kennington, is before the council now. Council recommends a permit be issued. Cr Wrigglesworth is speaking to the proposal and the conditions suggested to enable the permit to proceed.
There have been seven objections to the proposed gym.
6.17pm: Councillors have decided to adopt the Huntly Development Contributions Plan, with the exception of Cr Matt Emond.
"I think there is a fundamental piece missing in this," Cr Emond said.
He wanted to see the proposal factor in more of the long-term social impacts associated with the proposal.
"It doesn't appear we do factor in these long-term social impacts," Cr Emond said.
Councillors Fyffe, Metcalf and Pethybridge all spoke in favour of the proposal.
"This is the way of the future, not only for the City of Greater Bendigo but for many other municipalities," Cr Fyffe said.
Cr Metcalf said the decision made during today's meeting was the start of the process.
The city will now request an amendment to Greater Bendigo planning scheme from the Minister for Planning.
Should that be authorised, it will open the plan to public consultation.
6.14pm: On to the petitions and joint letters. The first petition tonight is in relation to flooding at High Street, Heathcote. It has 23 signatures. Councillors have resolved to respond within two meetings.
The second petition is not in the printed meeting agenda, but relates to flood mitigation at Bridge and Arnold streets. Council received the petition today.
There are 12 signatories. Cr Fyffe has reserved his right, but the council has resolved to prepare a response.
6.08pm: And we're off. No questions from the public gallery this evening. Cr Yvonne Wrigglesworth is providing her report. All councillors in attendance except for Cr James Williams, who has a leave of absence for this meeting.
6pm: Will a proposed Huntly Development Contributions Plan Overlay go ahead?
What about plans to better address gaps in heritage protection in Bendigo and its surrounds?
Will the City of Greater Bendigo be among the growing number of local governments in Australia taking a stand on climate change?
Tonight's council meeting should hopefully go some way toward answering all these questions.
Here's what's on the agenda:
And here's our coverage of what we expect to be some of tonight's biggest talking points:
Keep an eye on this page - we'll be keeping you updated as the meeting unfolds.
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