call outs and transparent decision making

report from the roundtable – 25 feb

At the last meeting of council I happened to ask about an application as we’d received a petition objection to the application that night. I was concerned about the length of time it was taking for the application to come back to council as it was, for all intents and purposes, a repeat application with revised acoustic treatment (for a Go Kart facility in Chirnside Park). 

It was advised that the application had been ‘called out’ by the Ward Councillor, Cr Andy Witlox, meaning that the application would not come before council for a decision and the decision would be made by planning officers who through the call out had been given the ‘delegated authority’ to make the decision.

Given 11 households were represented on the petition I went on to ask whether objectors would be notified that the application had been called out and wouldn’t be coming to council for a decision as per the expectations of the objectors. Usually any application with more than 5 objections would come to council for a decision. It was confirmed that objectors would only be notified once a decision had been made and would have appeal rights through VCAT. 

I went on to ask if objectors had been notified or were aware of the call out. This could not be confirmed.

This is of concern to me, in terms of being in the spirit of open and transparent decision making. I’ve also discussed call in/call out powers with councillors from other councils and it seems that different councils approach delegations in many different ways, some not having any ability to call out planning applications at all.

Next time council reviews its delegations and call in/call out powers I’ll be suggesting some policy changes to ensure we have a more open and transparent process that both considers the needs of the applicant and the objectors. 

Here’s an extract of our minutes from the night:

12. ITEMS RAISED THROUGH THE CHAIR

12.1 Petition - Objection to Planning Permit YR-2013/1026, 238-240 Maroondah Hwy (Part Lot 1 LP88498) Chirnside Park.

Cr Dunn referenced a petition received by Council objecting to a go kart application in Chirnside Park. Cr Dunn asked the following questions to Andrew Paxton, Director Planning Building & Health:

When will the application be brought back to Council?

Andrew Paxton advised that the application had been called out by the Ward Councillor for a delegated decision. 

Will the objectors listed in the petition be notified of the application coming to Council as part of the planning process?

Andrew Paxton advised that the 11 objectors to the application would not be advised of the callout of the application by the Councillor, but would be notified of the decision and would have 21 days to appeal the decision. 

Had there been any meetings or correspondence with objectors in relation to the call out?

Andrew Paxton advised that he did not know the answer but would be able to obtain the information and advise Cr Dunn.

samantha in the press - planning

Home dream comes true for Kalorama couple
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
21 Dec 2011

Council keeps eye on phone towers
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
21 Dec 2011

samantha in the press - planning

Shire OK's policy for telecoms facilities
Yarra Ranges Weekly
20 Dec 2011

Council overrules bushfire concerns
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Natalie Kotsios
20 Dec 2011

samantha in the press - planning

The final
Mail Newspapers
by Kath Gannaway
01 Nov 2011

samantha in the press - planning

Thumbs-down for Mooroolbark double-storey
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Melissa Cunningham
20 September 2011

samantha in the press - planning

Medical centre is a fillip for Indigenous health
Mail Newspapers
by Russell Bennett
6 Sep 2011

Council backs down over car parking
Mail Newspapers
by Kath Gannaway
6 Sep 2011

samantha in the press - planning

Residents fears over proposed Tecoma development
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
16 March 2011

The Party's over in the Patch
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
16 March 2011

samantha in the press - planning

Big Sassafras development rejected by council
Free Press Leader
by Kimberley Seedy
22 December 2010

samantha in the press - planning

Billabong plan withers in a stand against 'commercial creep'
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Elisa Miller
21 December 2010

report from the roundtable 12th August

The Burrinja Application.

Although there were many agenda items at last night's council meeting this edition of report from the roundtable will focus solely on the Burrinja application.

The application was for the Use and Development of a 400 Seat Auditorium; in plain English, a performing arts centre space on the Burrinja site in Upwey.
.

The development includes the construction of a 400 seat auditorium, backstage facilities including dressing rooms, toilets and green room to accommodate up to 200 performers, improved foyer and staff amenities.

I seconded the motion to support the application. There is no doubt that over the years the possibility of this project has waxed and waned. There has been considerable angst about the sell off of the site, securing council funding, securing state funding, securing, losing then re-securing federal funding. All very significant hurdles our community has had to negotiate in order to see their aspirations delivered.

In speaking to the motion I said “It is a key cultural facility much beloved by our community. No one in the Shire of Sherbrooke was happy about the amalgamations and at the time the sale of this community asset was not negotiable. It has been a long battle to keep the site, but not only just to keep it, but use it to link community and the arts.
.

There is a very stringent list of conditions attached to the permit which will ensure responsible management of the site......

We must remember that Burrinja reaches out to the disadvantaged in our community, to those on the fringe and connects community through the arts.

I don’t want our kids to travel off the mountain to go to cultural events, I don’t want our Mums and Dads to travel off the mountain to go to cultural events. It’s a vibrant arts centre that supports local artists and arts in the local community. I urge councillors to support this motion.”

EXTRACT FROM YARRA RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL MINUTES - 12/08/08:

Resolved on the motion of Crs Cliff and Dunn
A Division was called.
For: Cllrs Cliff, Heenan, Warren, Smith, Dunn, Keane and McRae
The vote in favour was unanimous.
.





These images are a reflection of the broad community use of Burrinja. From art exhibitions, to public meetings, citizenship ceremonies to theatre, young songwriter performance to public art, already Burrinja is a thriving and vibrant community cultural centre.