THE third Wellington Shire Council Ordinary Meeting for 2023 (Tuesday, march 5) was as impassioned as council meetings get in our shire, going for 52 minutes.
While there was no online comments to read out, three speakers from the gallery made their case in favour of new petitions addressing concerns in the community.
These included a proposal to extend the Yarram Swimming Pool season, and another petition that is seeking council assistance to facilitate the relocation of corellas that are becoming a “growing issue” for residents in Maffra’s Mafeking Hill Reserve.
Deb Eldridge, who is the head petitioner of the proposal to extend the season of the Yarram Swimming Pool beyond the end date of March 11 this year, asked council, “why did you spend $771,000 on enclosing and heating this pool to only be open for four months of the year?”
Ms Eldridge addressed the short season at the pool, that she said has been open 81 days out of the 105-day 2023/24 season so far.
“We’ve lost three weeks of pool time,” she said.
Ms Eldridge began using her local pool daily and sometimes twice a day since being diagnosed with osteoarthritis in December 2023 because it was recommended that aquatic exercise would help her mobility.
“I discovered Yarram’s heated indoor pool and loved it. What I didn’t love was not knowing when it would be open next,” she said.
Ms Eldridge pointed out the absence of signage on the building, and along Commercial Road or Bland Street, providing information about the pool’s opening times and water exercise classes.
Locals have been directed to the Aqua Energy Facebook page for information on pool opening times, a method criticised by Ms Eldridge in a letter to council for its limited reach among all residents who utilise the pool.
She, along with three women who rely on the facility who were present at the meeting, also expressed a desire to have professionally run water aerobics classes.
Coastal Ward Councillor, Gary Stephens accepted the petition on behalf of council, and expressed gratitude to the attending women, acknowledging their concerns while emphasising the financial challenges of sustaining the pool and the shortage of lifeguards, many of whom are students returning to city universities at the season’s end.
Cr Stephens did acknowledge that opening times were not advertised as well as they should be.
A spontaneous reply from the gallery by Alberton resident, Christine Rendell, followed Cr Stephens response.
Ms Rendell gave an emotive address, urging council to recognise that some residents lack the means to travel to Sale or Traralgon for year-round indoor pools, which provide relief for aches and pains.
She went on, emphasising the scarcity of lifestyle facilities for middle-aged women in Yarram, and highlighted the importance of the Yarram pool in fostering community connections.
“I’ve met ladies at the pool that I wouldn’t have met in the community,” she said.
The petition has received overwhelming support from people in Yarram, Woodside, Port Albert, and Alberton.
Ms Eldridge said that the 1600 signatures endorsing the petition, seven accompanying letters from community organisations, and an article in the Yarram Bridge highlights the community’s endorsement and emphasises the health, wellbeing, and community benefits associated with the proposal to extend the season.
Loud noises
COMMUNITY concerns involving an “ongoing and ever-growing” Corella problem at Mafeking Hill Reserve in Maffra was brought to council by Maffra resident, Ben Horsford.
The petition highlights issues created by the native birds, including damage to land and residents property as they feed on lawns, impact tourism and the mental wellbeing of the community.
Mafeking Hill Reserve is flanked by Boisdale Street and Alfred St behind Maffra Secondary College, which Mr Horsford said have been in touch with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to address the problem given that the noise made by the Corellas has become a distraction for students.
Mr Horsford said the Corella issue “has been ongoing for 10 years and worsening greatly every year.”
He said the community are seeking assistance from council to relocate the birds with guidance from DEECA.
“We’re desperate to see some effort made to ease the burden being created.”
Mr Horsford said he has video footage of the damage created by the birds, which Wellington Mayor, Ian Bye asked to be supplied to council for review.
Northern Ward Councillor, Carolyn Crossley thanked Mr Horsford, and received the petition which will be provided to the General Manager of Built and Natural Environment for a future report.
Street upgrade consultation for Paradise Beach
COUNCIL will begin consulting with Seventh Avenue, Paradise Beach residents on a requested street improvement, in what is proposed to be a $600,000 upgrade.
At the February 6 council meeting, a petition was received requesting the upgrade and sealing of Seventh Avenue, Paradise Beach, citing inadequate maintenance practices due to increased traffic.
Cr Stephens said upgrading Seventh Avenue is listed in council’s Residential Road and Street Construction Plan for future upgrade through a special charge scheme, which involves the residents having to pay a fixed charge.
Council officers will start engaging with property owners within a potential special charge scheme for Seventh Avenue, which involves an informal survey to determine support.
If 60 per cent or more support is received, the formal special charge scheme process will begin.
This would involve residents contributing a fixed fee of $3600 each, meaning property owners will cover $331,200 of the cost and council contributing the remaining $268,800 for the upgrade.
These are merely estimates of costs, with more exact figures requiring further investigation once the level of community support is determined.
New operator announced for local motor parks
SALE Motor Village and Stratford on the River Tourist Park have entered new operation under Camp Crusty Operations.
Northern Ward Councillor, Carmel Ripper thanked the former operators who worked hard to upgrade both caravan parks, and congratulated the new operator in the Wellington Shire, encouraging them to build rapport within the communities to maintain a positive and mutually beneficial relationship.
“Each caravan park is an integral part of the community and supports other local businesses, tourism, and visitor economy sectors,” she said.
Cobains Feedlot update
MAYOR Bye addressed the progress of the Cobains Feedlot outstanding petition.
He emphasied that it has been “resolved” with matters that are “ongoing” but under control as far as council are involved.
Acknowledgements
COUNCILLORS have been busy attending community events since the last ordinary council meeting on February 20, covering sports, arts, and family activities across Wellington Shire.
Northern Councillor John Tatterson began by recognising the staff and healthcare services that facilitated the Baby’s Day Out event held at Brennan Park in Sale on Monday, which is part of the Wellington Shire’s Parks Week activities.
Cr Tatterson said, “It was a terrific day and very strongly supported by the community.”
“I’d like to acknowledge all the staff and people that put together yesterday’s Baby’s Day Out at Brennan Park.”
Cr Tatterson also commended the Sale Amateur Basketball Association (SABA) for the successful running of the SABA Tournament held on the weekend of February 24 and 25.
He said “it appeared the tournament was an absolute success” as it brought 155 teams and more than 1000 people to Sale, boosting local businesses and filling up accommodation in the area.
Cr Tatterson recognised other local associations in Maffra, Heyfield, and Stratford that opened their courts to basketball players during the tournament.
Cr Ripper continued acknowledging three events she attended, the first being the opening of the Maffra Men’s and Women’s Shed on Saturday, February 24.
Cr Ripper said it was a “wonderful event” and the highlight of the day was how the shed was declared open.
“Instead of having a bow or a ribbon (to cut), they worked very hard with timber – a lot of which is used in Men’s Shed – to make a bow out of timber,” Cr Ripper said.
On Sunday, February 25, Cr Ripper attended the presentation of medals at the fifth-annual Maffra Triathlon held at the Maffra Lawn Tennis Club and Memorial Pool.
Cr Ripper made special mention of the number of children – 120 participants out of a total of 200 – that competed at the triathlon.
The third event the councillor acknowledged was at the Under 13 T20 cricket match at the Meerlieu Cricket Club on Thursday, February 29, which she attended with Coastal Ward Councillor, Marcus MacKenzie.
Cr Ripper said the hospitality shown by the cricket and Meerlieu Hall Committees was “fantastic”.
She summarised the sporting events by acknowledging that “our youth are our future”, and extended her thanks to parents, grandparents, guardians, and coaches for nurturing young people in Wellington Shire.
Cr Bye acknowledged the Wellington Shire team and the contractors that helped roll out 41,020 new bins in the community over a period of eight weeks.
He said, “what a great job to actually meet the goal of eight weeks to do that delivery and pick up the old bins.”
Cr Bye also attended the opening night of Annemieke Mein: A Life’s Work at the Gippsland Art Gallery on Friday, March 1.
He extended his thanks to Ms Mein for allowing the exhibition of more than 200 pieces of her textile artwork to be held at the gallery, as well as the art owners that lent artwork they had commissioned by the renowned artist – pieces never seen before by the public.
Cr Bye concluded the acknowledgements by thanking Simon Gregg, the Gippsland Art Gallery’s Director, for bringing the exhibition to life as well as commending the talented team of curators and staff he leads.
The next ordinary council meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 19 at 5pm in the council chambers in the Sale Library.
