agenda ordinary meeting of council - shire of towong...meetings\agendas\2019\08 august\6 august 2019...

$: Agenda Ordinary Meeting of Council - Shire of Towong...Meetings\Agendas\2019\08 August\6 August 2019 - Tallangatta.doc AGENDA FOR THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL TO BE HELD AT TOWONG$
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Agenda

Ordinary Meeting of Council Tallangatta Council Office

Tuesday 6 August 2019

This information is available in alternative formats on request

TOWONG SHIRE COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING 6 AUGUST 2019

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S:\Organisational Improvement\Executive Services\Council

Meetings\Agendas\2019\08 August\6 August 2019 - Tallangatta.doc

AGENDA FOR THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL TO BE HELD AT TOWONG

SHIRE COUNCIL, TALLANGATTA OFFICE ON TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2019

COMMENCING AT 10.30 AM.

Commonly used acronyms

ABBREVIATION TITLE

Council Officers

CAE Civil/Asset Engineer

CEO Chief Executive Officer

DCCS Director Community and Corporate Services

DTS Director Technical Services

EA Executive Assistant

MCorp Manager Corporate Services

MCS Manager Community Services

MED Manager Economic Development

MES Manager Executive Services

MF Manager Finance

Government/Organisation

ACSUM Alliance of Councils and Shires of the Upper Murray

CH Corryong Health (formerly Upper Murray Health and

Community Services)

DJPR Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

DOT Department of Transport

DELWP Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

GMW Goulburn Murray Water

HRGLN Hume Region Local Government Network

MAV Municipal Association of Victoria

NECMA North East Catchment Management Authority

NEW North East Water

NEWRRG North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group

RCV Rural Councils Victoria

RDA Regional Development Australia

RDV Regional Development Victoria

THS Tallangatta Health Service

VGC Victorian Grants Commission



3



TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Opening Prayer ............................................................................................................................... 5

2 Councillor and Officer presence at the meeting................................................................. 5

3 Apologies and granting of leave of absence ....................................................................... 5

4 Declaration of pecuniary interest and/or conflict .............................................................. 5

5 Confirmation of minutes ............................................................................................................. 5

6 Petitions, joint letters and declarations .................................................................................. 5

7 Assembly of Councillors .............................................................................................................. 6

8 Open Forum ..................................................................................................................................... 6

9 Organisational improvement ..................................................................................................... 7

9.1 Finance Report as at 30 June 2019 (06/02/0021-CEO) ............................................. 7

9.2 Occupational Health and Safety Report (06/04/0212-CEO) ................................. 23

9.3 Action Sheet Reports (06/05/0010-CEO) ..................................................................... 26

9.4 Council Plan Priorities (07/05/0022-CEO) .................................................................. 26

9.5 Performance Reporting Graphs (CEO) .......................................................................... 27

10 Community wellbeing ................................................................................................................ 27

10.1 Community Services Report (04/07/0055-CEO).................................................... 27

11 Asset management ...................................................................................................................... 27

11.1 Asset Management report (01/07/0004-DTS) ....................................................... 27

12 Land-use planning ....................................................................................................................... 32

12.1 Planning Application 2017/030.1 Paintball Facility (303150-PO) ................... 32

12.2 Planning and Subdivision Fees (03/02/0003-CEO) .............................................. 74

13 Environmental sustainability .................................................................................................... 76

13.1 Environmental sustainability report (01/07/0004-DTS) ...................................... 76

14 Economic and tourism development .................................................................................... 80

14.1 Economic development report (05/01/0001-CEO) .............................................. 80

14.2 Upper Murray Incorporated – Funding Request (07/01/0141-CEO) ............. 89

15 Councillor reports ........................................................................................................................ 90

16 Urgent business ............................................................................................................................ 90

17 Committee minutes ..................................................................................................................... 91

17.1 Hume Region Local Government Network (07/01/0085-Mayor) ................... 91

17.2 Tourism North East (CEO) ............................................................................................. 91

18 Occupational health and safety .............................................................................................. 91

18.1 OHS Committee (06/04/0212-CEO) .......................................................................... 91

19 Council policies (10/01/0007-CEO) ....................................................................................... 92

20 Sealing of documents ................................................................................................................. 93

21 Confidential .................................................................................................................................... 93

21.1 Provision of metal collection, transport and reprocessing services 2019 -

2024 (01/07/0016-DTS) .................................................................................................................. 94



4





5



1 Opening Prayer

“Almighty God, we ask that you be present at this meeting to assist us in our service

to the Community through Local Government.

We pray that our decisions will be wise and taken with goodwill and clear conscience.

Amen.”

2 Councillor and Officer presence at the meeting

3 Apologies and granting of leave of absence

4 Declaration of pecuniary interest and/or conflict

For the purpose of this section, Councillors must disclose the nature of the conflict of

interest in accordance with s79(2) of the Local Government Act.

5 Confirmation of minutes

Ordinary Meeting 2 July 2019

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 2 JULY 2019 AS

CIRCULATED BE CONFIRMED.

6 Petitions, joint letters and declarations



6



7 Assembly of Councillors

A written record of the Assemblies of Councillors from 29 May 2019 to 30 July 2019

is included at Appendix 1.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE INFORMATION BE NOTED.

8 Open Forum



7



9 Organisational improvement

9.1 Finance Report as at 30 June 2019 (06/02/0021-CEO)

Disclosure of Interests (S.80C):

This report was prepared by Mr Blair Phillips, Manager Finance.

At the time of preparation of the report the officer did not have a direct or indirect

interest in any matter to which the report or advice relates.

OPERATING RESULT

The figures in this report are based on full year interim financial results, prior to final

year-end adjustments.

Jun-19 Jun-19 YTD YTD YTD YTD 2018/19

Full Year

2018/19

Full Year

(Actual) (Budget) (Actual) (Budget) (Variance) (Variance) (Budget) (Achieved)

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 % $'000 %

Income 1 5,807 362 22,648 17,106 5,542 32% 17,106 132%

Expenditure 2 5,124 5,915 14,285 15,145 860 6% 15,145 94%

Surplus/ (Deficit) 683 (5,553) 8,363 1,961 6,402 326% 1,961 426%

Note

Table 1: Operating Result

Note 1:

Council’s income for the year ending 30 June 2019 is $22.648 million against a

budget of $17.106 million. The major items contributing to the $5.542 million

favourable variance includes:

Revenue received that was not budgeted in 2018/19:

o $1.764 million in grant funding from the Fixing Country Roads Program

for projects in Corryong, Eskdale and Bethanga

o $694,000 in grant funding for reimbursement of expenditure incurred

in 2017/18 to undertake flood damage repairs

o $300,000 in grant funding for the Upper Murray Events Centre

o $169,400 in grant funding from the Community Child Care Fund Special

Circumstances Opportunity for the Bellbridge Early Years Centre

o $160,000 in grant funding for the Cudgewa Netball Court upgrade

o $138,000 in grant funding for the Mitta Valley Mountain Bike Park

o $91,000 in grant funding from the Community Child Care Fund Special

Circumstances Opportunity and Sustainability funding for the Walwa

Early Years Centre



8



o $90,000 in grant funding for the Think-Start-Grow entrepreneurship

project

o $70,000 in grant funding for Community Systems Mapping for Violence

Free Living

o $69,000 in grant funding for the Eskdale Cricket update

o $60,000 in grant funding for the Banking On Our Solar Future project

o $53,000 for redemption of a bank guarantee relating to the

construction of the Tallangatta Library, Early Years and Community

Centre

o $43,000 for kerbside collection charges due to finalising the kerbside

bin audit

Revenue received earlier than anticipated:

o $373,000 in Financial Assistance Grants

o $265,000 in grant funding for Destination Tallangatta

Revenue received over budgeted levels:

o $139,000 in interest revenue on investments

o $136,000 in grant funding for kindergartens

o $106,000 in childcare fees (Walwa and Bellbridge Early Years Centres

taken on from early 2019)

o $63,000 in grant funding for maternal and child health services

-

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

25,000,000

-

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18 Oct-18 Nov-18 Dec-18 Jan-19 Feb-19 Mar-19 Apr-19 May-19 Jun-19

$'0

00

Income

Mth Income - Budget Mth Income - Actual YTD Income - Budget YTD Income - Actual

Mth YTD $

Note 2:

Council’s expenditure for the year ending 30 June 2019 is $14.285 million against a

budget of $15.145 million. The major items contributing to the $860,000 favourable

variance are:

Expenses that will be incurred later than anticipated:

o $392,000 for the Upper Murray Events Centre

Budgeted amounts that were not incurred:

o $271,000 for employee costs (savings due to vacancies – refer to note

on the following page)



9



o $90,000 town maintenance - internal

o $80,000 for roads and bridge maintenance

o $60,000 for tree maintenance

Expenses that were not budgeted in 2018/19:

o $156,000 for the Eskdale Netball Courts upgrade

o $80,000 for the Think-Start-Grow entrepreneurship project

Council operated with 75.1 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff for the year ending 30

June 2019 against an annual budget of 77.5 FTE. Council had a number of vacancies

throughout the year, however the FTE of 75.1 does not directly reflect the vacancy

level due to Council taking over the operation of the Bellbridge and Walwa Early

Years Centres from early 2019. These two centres were not budgeted in 2018/19;

however funding was received to cover the startup costs of these operations. The

FTE for Bellbridge and Walwa Early Years Centres was 2.1.

The vacant positions at the end of June include:

Director Community and Corporate Services

Manager Economic Development

Manager Corporate Services

Manager Planning

Maternal and Child Health Nurse (part-time)

Trainee Parks and Gardens Operator

Plant operator/Labourer

-

3,000,000

6,000,000

9,000,000

12,000,000

15,000,000

-

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000


$'0

00

Expenditure

Mth Expenditure - Budget Mth Expenditure - Actual YTD Expenditure - Budget YTD Expenditure - Actual

MthYTD

$



10



(8,000)

(6,000)

(4,000)

(2,000)

-

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000


$'0

00

Operating Surplus

Mth Surplus - Budget Mth Surplus - Actual YTD Surplus - Budget YTD Surplus - Actual

Grant Income

Note Jun-19 YTD YTD YTD YTD 2018/19

Full Year

2018/19

Full Year

(Actual) (Actual) (Budget) (Variance) (Variance) (Budget) (Achieved)

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 % $’000 %

Recurrent 1 2,637 5,741 5,219 522 10% 5,128 112%

Non-Recurrent 2 2,852 5,725 1,506 4,219 280% 1,129 507%

Total 5,489 11,466 6,725 4,741 70% 6,257 183% Table 2: Grant Income

Note 1:

Council’s recurrent grant income for the year ending 30 June 2019 is $5.741 million

against a budget of $5.219 million. The major items contributing to the $522,000

favourable variance includes:

$373,000 in Financial Assistance Grants received earlier than anticipated

$136,000 above budgeted levels for kindergarten services including funding

for central enrolment

$67,000 that has been received for Maternal and Child Health services

(additional enhanced funding and remote employment allowance)

Note 2:

Council’s non-recurrent grant income for the year ending 30 June 2019 is $5.725

million against a budget of $1.506 million. The major items contributing to the

$4.219 million favourable variance includes:

Grant income received that was not budgeted in 2018/19:

o $1.764 million from the Fixing Country Roads Program for projects in

Corryong, Eskdale and Bethanga



11



o $694,000 for reimbursement of expenditure incurred in 2017/18 to

undertake flood damage repairs

o $300,000 for the Upper Murray Events Centre

o $169,400 from the Community Child Care Fund Special Circumstances

Opportunity for the Bellbridge Early Years Centre

o $160,000 for the Cudgewa Netball Court upgrade

o $138,00 for the Mitta Valley Mountain Bike Park

o $91,000 from the Community Child Care Fund Special Circumstances

Opportunity and Sustainability funding for the Walwa Early Years

Centre

o $90,000 for the Think-Start-Grow entrepreneurship project

o $70,000 for the Community Systems Mapping for Violence Free Living

project

o $60,000 for the Banking On Our Solar Future project

o $60,000 for E-Waste infrastructure upgrades

Grant income received earlier than anticipated:

o $265,000 for Destination Tallangatta

Grants received Year-to-Date (YTD) are listed in the following tables:

$’000

Recurrent Grants

Financial Assistance Grants 5,059

Maternal and Child Health 231

Corryong Pre-School 126

Library 108

Tallangatta Pre-School 106

Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program 60

Pre-School Cluster 26

School Crossing Supervisor 12

Health Admin (Vulnerable persons - HACC) 12

Premier's Reading Challenge 6

Occasional Child Care (5)

Total Recurrent Grants 5,741 Table 3: Recurrent Grant Income received

Note: Grant funding received for the provision of Occasional Child Care services in

2016/17 and 2017/18 was returned to the funding agency in October 2018.



12



$’000

Non-Recurrent Grants

Destination Tallangatta 798

Flood Recovery 694

Fixing Country Roads Program - Hanson Street redevelopment 597

Fixing Country Roads Program - Eskdale intersection upgrade 500

Great River Road (Commonwealth) 495

Fixing Country Roads Program - Bethanga intersection upgrade 422

Upper Murray Events Centre 300

Fixing Country Roads Program - Bethanga street sealing 244

Community Child Care Fund (Special circumstances - Bellbridge) 169

Cudgewa Netball Court upgrade 160

Mitta Valley Mountain Bike Park (Pick My Project) 138

Corryong Airport upgrade 132

Great River Road (State) 130

Think-Start-Grow 91

Neighbourhood House - Tallangatta 79

Community Systems Mapping for Violence Free Living 70

New Spin for Eskdale Cricket Club 69

Community Child Care Fund (Sustainability Support - Walwa) 63

TICC Banking On Our Solar Future 60

Supported Parent and Playgroup 56

Kinder Enrolment 55

Community Access and Inclusion 45

L2P Program 38

Building economic development capacity in Hume local government 32

E-Waste Infrastructure upgrade - Corryong 30

E-Waste Infrastructure upgrade - Tallangatta 30

Promoting a Vibrant Tallangatta 30

Community Child Care Fund (Special circumstances - Walwa) 29

Centralised Annual Revaluations - additional workload funding 28

Tallangatta Reclaimed Water Reuse 20

Stronger Communities Program - Talgarno Playground upgrade 18

Health Promotions (Walk to School) 15

Waste Not, Want Not 15

FReeZA 12

Council Building Energy Audits 10

Eskdale Netball Court upgrade 10

Tallangatta Multi-sport Precinct 8

Recycling Services Temporary Relief Funding 7

Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity grant 5

Corryong Swimming Pool Upgrade 5

Community Health and Wellbeing 5

Seniors Week 2

Youth Week 2

Kinder Inclusion 2

Community Development and Assistance 2

Respectful Relationships - Kinder 2

Family Violence Support 1

Total Non-Recurrent Grants 5,725

Total Grants Received 11,466 Table 4: Non-recurrent grants



13



Unexpended Grants and Restricted Funds

Where Council has received grants that are required to be expended in a specified

manner, but the funds have not yet been expended, the grant is recognised as an

unexpended grant or restricted funds. This identifies cash holdings that are required

to be spent on a specified purpose and are not available for other Council priorities.

Current unexpended grants are listed in the following table:



14



$'000

Unexpended Grants

Fixing Country Roads Program - Hanson Street redevelopment 590

Fixing Country Roads Program - Eskdale intersection upgrade 487

Upper Murray Events Centre 193

Cudgewa Netball Court upgrade 160

Community Access and Inclusion 157

Improved Connections Hanson Street project 141

Mitta Valley Mountain Bike Park (Pick My Project) 138

Tintaldra Boat Ramp 82

Fixing Country Roads Program - Bethanga intersection upgrade 78

Community Systems Mapping for Violence Free Living 70

New Spin for Eskdale Cricket Club 69

Kinder Enrolment 67

Supported Parent and Playgroup 62

Neighbourhood House - Tallangatta 54

Strategic Planning - Tallangatta 49

Flood Recovery Officer 40

Granya Streetscape 42

Fixing Country Roads Program - Bethanga street sealing 35

Building economic development capacity in Hume local government 32

Local Government Business Collaboration 32

FReeZA 29

E-Waste Infrastructure upgrade - Corryong 29

Country Roads and Bridges 27

E-Waste Infrastructure upgrade - Tallangatta 25

Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program 23

Tallangatta Reclaimed Water Reuse 20

Stronger Communities Program - Talgarno Playground upgrade 18

Bushfire Management Overlay 13

TICC Banking On Our Solar Future 13

Children Services Review 10

Improving Liveability of Older People 10

Think-Start-Grow 10

Health Promotions (Walk to School) 10

Waste Not, Want Not 7

Council Building Energy Audits 7

Premier's Reading Challenge 6

Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity grant 5

Beat the Heat - Tree Project 4

Maternal and Child Health Enhancement 4

Drug Prevention Services - Ice 3

Kinder Inclusion 2

Community Development and Assistance 2

Respectful Relationships - Kinder 2

Family Violence Support 1

Total Unexpended Grants 2,858

Table 5: Unexpended grants



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CASH POSITION

Cash on Hand

The cash position moved during the month as detailed below: Current Month Prior Month

Jun-19 May-19

$ $ $ %

Committed funds

Unexpended Grants 2,857,549 1,259,524 1,598,025 126.9%

Other Provisions and Reserves 985,366 985,366 - 0.0%

Provision for Employee Entitlements 1,366,051 1,366,051 - 0.0%

Other Committed Funds 11,995,533 13,593,558 (1,598,025) (11.8%)

Total committed funds 17,204,499 17,204,499 - 0.0%

Other funds 5,928,798 2,865,428 3,063,370 106.9%

Total funds 23,133,297 20,069,927 3,063,370 15.3%

Cash holdings

Section 86 Committee Funds 163,853 163,853 - 0.0%

Investments/term deposits 22,706,039 18,951,340 3,754,698 19.8%

Cash At Bank and On Hand 263,405 954,734 (691,328) (72.4%)

Total Cash holdings 23,133,297 20,069,927 3,063,370 15.3%

Average Interest Rate 2.29% 2.39%

Variance

$0

$5,000,000

$10,000,000

$15,000,000

$20,000,000

$25,000,000

Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Prior Year - 2018 Cash Budget 2018/19



16



Investments

Investments were made up of the following at the month end:

Date Product Institution Principal Yield Term Rating Maturity

08/01/2019 Term Deposit AMP 1,000,000 2.75% 182 Days A2 09/07/2019

10/01/2019 Term Deposit ME Bank 1,000,000 2.80% 180 Days A2 09/07/2019


08/02/2019 Term Deposit Bank of Queensland 1,000,000 2.75% 180 Days A2 07/08/2019

18/02/2019 Term Deposit ME Bank 1,000,000 2.73% 182 Days A2 19/08/2019


09/04/2019 Term Deposit Bendigo & Adelaide Bank 1,000,000 2.50% 183 Days A2 09/10/2019



11/03/2019 Term Deposit WAW 500,000 2.65% 245 Days 11/11/2019

14/06/2019 Term Deposit National Australia Bank 1,000,000 2.07% 150 Days A1+ 11/11/2019








N/A Cash Management Westpac 4,706,039 1.55% On Call A1 N/A

N/A S86 Committee Various 163,853 1.60% N/A N/A

22,869,891Total Investments Table 6: Investments at month end



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RECEIVABLES

Rates, Municipal Charge, Waste Management Charge and Waste Collection

Charge

The breakdown of rates received for the year ending 30 June 2019 as well as the

rates debtors balance outstanding and a comparison to last financial year is shown

below:

Rates, charges and FSPL Debtors

Amount Received % Collected Received Collected Balance

Jun-19 Jun-19 YTD YTD Outstanding

$ $ % $ $ $

Levied 2018/19 9,602,601 373,773 3.9% 9,044,980 94.2% 557,621

Arrears prior to 2018/19 691,508 7,719 1.1% 322,035 46.6% 369,472

Total Charges 381,492 9,367,016 927,093

$0

$2,000,000

$4,000,000

$6,000,000

$8,000,000

$10,000,000

$12,000,000

Debtor Balance (Current)

Debtor Balance (Arrears)

2017/18

Notes

1) Rates and charges for 2018/19 were levied in August 2018. Quarterly instalments are

due at the end of September, November, February and May.



18



Debt Collection

The graph below compares the arrears balances as at the end of each month for the

current financial year (2018/19) and the arrears balances at the equivalent time in the

previous financial year (2017/18).

Please note the graph below does not include any unpaid instalments from 2018/19,

eg: if a ratepayer has not paid Instalment 1 in 2018/19, it is not reflected in the below

figures.

$-

$100,000

$200,000

$300,000

$400,000

$500,000

$600,000

$700,000

$800,000

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Arrears $ Rates Debtors - Prior years arrears

Prior years arrears 2018/19 Prior years arrears 2017/18

The following graph displays the number of debtors with an arrears balance greater

than $200 for the current year compared to the previous financial year.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Number of debtors with prior years arrears

Number of Debtors with prior years arrears balance greater than $200 - 2018/19

Number of Debtors with prior years arrears balance greater than $200 - 2017/18



19



At 30 June 2019 there were 114 rates debtors with an outstanding balance of greater

than $200. This is a decrease of eleven (10) debtors since 31 May 2019.

Sundry Debtors

The Sundry Debtors outstanding at month end and the movement from the prior

month is shown below:

Sundry Debtors Future Due Date Current 30 Days 60 Days 90+ Days Total

$ $ $ $ $ $

June 2019 27,209 1,389,508 8,664 607 3,372 1,429,358

May 2019 95,130 66,010 1,902 9,703 3,030 175,775

Movement (67,921) 1,323,497 6,762 (9,096) 342 1,253,584

$0

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

$350,000

$400,000

Future Due Date 30+ Days 60+ Days 90+ Days

$0

$200,000

$400,000

$600,000

$800,000

$1,000,000

$1,200,000

$1,400,000

$1,600,000

Future Due Date Current 30+ Days 60+ Days 90+ Days



20



Significant debtors (>$1,000) with ageing of greater than 90 days are as follows:

Debtor Amount Description RO Notes

Debtor

21579

$1,070 Private works JH

A payment arrangement has been

entered into and the debtor is

meeting these conditions.

Table 7: Significant debtors > 90 days

The significant increase in current sundry debtors is due to raising invoices for grant

income for:

Fixing Country Roads Program – Hanson Street Redevelopment ($597,000)

Upper Murray Events Centre ($300,000)

Great River Road ($148,500)

Corryong Airport upgrade ($132,399)

LOCAL ROADS

Local Roads and Bridges Capital Works

The table below reports capital expenditure incurred on local roads and bridges for

the current financial year.

YTD Actual Annual Budget

$ $

Road Construction - - - -

Resealing 1 1,304,471 1,054,982 (249,489) 1,054,982

Pavement Reconstruction 65,910 50,000 (15,910) 50,000

Resheeting 181,105 179,910 (1,195) 179,910

Digouts /major patching 2 804,385 750,000 (54,385) 750,000

Bridge Construction 3 - 110,000 110,000 110,000

Footpaths 163,800 180,000 16,200 180,000

Kerb and Channel 4 58,579 545,000 486,421 545,000

Drainage Construction 5 710 297,921 297,211 297,921

Total 2,578,960 3,167,813 588,853 3,167,813

Local Roads and Bridges Infrastructure - Capital Note Variance

$

YTD Budget

Table 8: Local Roads and Bridges – Capital Works year ending 30 June 2019

Note 1 – The annual reseal program for 2018/19 was completed on budget. The

overspend is on the Towong Street reseal project which is due to timing of the

project expenditure and unspent carry forwards from previous years.

Note 2 – Additional works carried out which will be funded by client contribution.



21



Note 3 – A contractor was engaged in May to undertake the bridge renewal works

with works scheduled to commence mid-July/August weather permitting.

Note 4 – Approximately $400,000 of budgeted works has been allocated to support

Round Two of the Fixing Country Roads Program.

Note 5 – The budgeted drainage works of $200,000 for Walwa will be incorporated

into the Walwa streetscape project. The budgeted carry forward for Bethanga

drainage works will be incorporated into the Fixing Country Roads works.

Local Roads and Bridges Maintenance

The table below reports expenditure incurred on the maintenance of local roads and

bridges for the current financial year.

YTD Actual YTD Budget Annual Budget

$ $ $

Road maintenance (including bridges) 1,145,869 1,270,448 124,579 1,270,448

Total 1,145,869 1,270,448 124,579 1,270,448

Local Roads and Bridges Infrastructure - Maintenance Note Variance

$

Table 8: Local Roads and Bridges - Maintenance (YTD)

Road maintenance expenditure is lower than anticipated due to extra time being

allocated to parks and gardens and capital works projects.

Flood repairs and maintenance

The table below reports expenditure incurred on repairing flood-damaged

infrastructure (related to the 2016 floods) in the current financial year.

YTD Actual YTD Budget Annual Budget

$ $ $

Storm/Flood Damage 74,715 - (74,715) -

Total 74,715 - (74,715) -

Note Variance

$

Table 9: Local Roads and Bridges – Flood damage works (YTD)

The total amount spent to date on flood remediation works from the 2016 flood

event is $1.28 million. The majority of flood damage works are expected to be

reimbursed through the State Government’s Natural Disaster Financial Assistance

(NDFA) program.

A summary of the claims made and progress of reimbursements are provided in the

following table.



22



PrecinctTotal claimed

$

Claim

Submitted

NDFA

accepted

VicRoads

assessing

VicRoads

Approved

Amount

received

Balance

outstanding

from original

claim

Talgarno $23,440 28/11/2017 yes in progress $8,423 $8,423 $15,018

Yabba $58,496 28/11/2017 yes in progress $32,930 $32,930 $25,566

Project Mgr $14,190 30/11/2017 yes in progress $14,190 $14,190 $0

Bullioh $6,462 30/11/2017 yes in progress $0 $0 $6,462

Cudgewa $11,718 30/11/2017 yes in progress $9,046 $9,046 $2,671

Bunroy $15,707 30/11/2017 yes in progress $9,141 $9,141 $6,566

Mount Alfred $285 30/11/2017 yes in progress $0 $0 $285

Georges Creek $20,197 30/11/2017 yes in progress $15,152 $15,152 $5,046

Mitta Valley $135,056 30/11/2017 yes in progress $32,003 $32,003 $103,053

Tallangatta Valley $38,841 30/11/2017 yes in progress $24,633 $24,633 $14,209

Granya $2,039 30/11/2017 yes in progress $0 $0 $2,039

Bethanga $36,080 30/11/2017 yes in progress $28,232 $28,232 $7,848

Fairyknowe $7,833 30/11/2017 yes in progress $2,538 $2,538 $5,296

Corryong $5,788 30/11/2017 yes in progress $0 $0 $5,788

Peninsula $57,469 15/12/2017 yes in progress $13,377 $13,377 $44,092

Project Mgr $16,493 31/07/2018 yes in progress $0 $0 $16,493

Peninsula $43,255 31/07/2018 yes in progress $19,662 $19,662 $23,592

Bullioh $8,420 31/07/2018 yes in progress $3,164 $3,164 $5,257

Bunroy $16,307 31/07/2018 yes in progress $15,700 $15,700 $608

Mount Alfred $94,848 31/07/2018 yes in progress $56,814 $56,814 $38,034

Mitta Valley $187,063 31/07/2018 yes in progress $117,411 $117,411 $69,653

Tallangatta Valley $198,776 31/07/2018 yes in progress $161,603 $161,603 $37,172

Granya $51,676 31/07/2018 yes in progress $34,713 $34,713 $16,962

Thowgla $8,995 31/07/2018 yes in progress $8,995 $8,995 $0

Yabba $147,296 31/07/2018 yes in progress $86,478 $86,478 $60,818

Total $1,206,729 $694,203 $694,203 $512,526

Council has received payment for all approved amounts. Council officers continue to

work with representatives from VicRoads and State Government to finalise claims for

those amounts not yet approved.

OTHER FINANCIAL MATTERS

There are no other financial matters to report.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE FINANCE REPORT BE NOTED.



23



9.2 Occupational Health and Safety Report (06/04/0212-CEO)


This report was prepared by Mr Wayne Carter, Occupational Health and Safety

Officer.



Background/History:

This report is a bi-monthly progress report on Risk Management and Occupational

Health and Safety activities throughout the organisation.

Current Progress:

Strategic risk / OHS activity

Safety Management System – Action Plan progress

An internal audit to review Council’s Safety Management System and current OHS

practices against the requirements of Australian Standards was undertaken by JLT

from 30 October to 2 November 2018. An action plan has been implemented to

address identified gaps, with risks prioritised for action.

The status of the actions at 30 June 2019 was:

High

risk

Medium

risk

Low

risk Total

Total Actions 15 84 4 103

Actions Addressed or Completed 14 51 3 68

% Complete 93% 61% 75% 66%

Number of actions to be completed 1 33 1 35

The outstanding High risk action relates to the storage and handling of hazardous

substances in the Kindergartens. Addressing this risks involves completing an audit

of work areas and risk assessments – will be completed by 9 August 2019.



24



Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Liability Mutual Insurance (LMI)

Mandatory Compliance Review

MAV Insurance provide public liability insurance cover to Council. They conduct

biennial reviews of all members of the insurance scheme as a means of assessing

members’ level of compliance against their established internal policies, procedures

and plans.

JLT conducted their audit visit on 16 August 2018. Council achieved a compliance

rating of 73%. An action plan has been implemented to address identified gaps.

The status of the actions at 30 May 2019 was:

High

risk

Medium

risk

Low

risk Total

Total Actions 26 90 0 116

Actions Addressed or Completed 18 57 0 75

% Complete 69% 63% 0 65%

Number of actions to be completed 8 33 0 41

Note: Since the June report the total number of Medium risks has increased from 89

to 90. This is a result of an administrative error.

The outstanding High risk actions relate to the review of Council’s Tree Management

and Road Management Plans, in particular response processes, timeframes, the

recording of defects and supporting documentation including the taking of photos.

These actions are currently being addressed.

Operational risk / OHS activity

WorkCover incidents

There are currently no open WorkCover claims.

Public Liability incidents

There was one Public Liability claim submitted during this reporting period in relation

to damage to a private motor vehicle which the owner alleges was caused by the

condition of a local road. The claim was investigated and could not be substantiated.

The claimant has been informed of the outcome.



25



Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Exercise

A desk-top exercise was conducted on 25 February 2019 to test Council’s BCP and

Critical Services Sub-Plans. Following the exercise and feedback from participants the

BCP is being reviewed and updated. Another exercise will be conducted by 30

September 2019 to test the revised Plan.

Other OHS activity

Jardine Lloyd Thompson Municipal Asset Protection Plan (JMAPP)

Under Council’s JMAPP (Property) Insurance Program, all property owned by Council

or for which Council is responsible to insure and/or has assumed responsibility for is

covered under the JMAPP program subject to policy terms and conditions.

Council allows the committees of a number of community owned and managed

buildings to apply for insurance under our program.

As part of this arrangement, an annual inspection/checklist must be completed for

each community building insured under Council’s policy. Several random inpections

have been carried out recently to ensure the buildings are maintained to a level that

mitigates, where possible, risk exposure. Council staff are working closely with the

committees to ensure appropriate measures are in place and insurance requirements

are met.

A number of committees are yet to return their completed checklists and the letter to

confirm their acceptance of Insurance. This is being followed up with those

committees.

Emergency Evacuation Drills

As at 30 June 2019 emergency evacuation drills had been completed at all

workplaces.

Impact on Council Policy:

Nil

State Government Policy Impacts:

Nil



26



Budget Impact:

Nil

Risk Assessment:

Nil

Community Consultation/Responses:

Nil

Discussion/Officers View:

It is the Officer’s view that Council is continuing to make progress in addressing

Council’s Risk Management and Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT BE NOTED.

9.3 Action Sheet Reports (06/05/0010-CEO)

Items requiring action from the 2 July 2019 Council Meeting are attached at

Appendix 2.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE REPORT BE NOTED.

9.4 Council Plan Priorities (07/05/0022-CEO)

The quarterly update on the 2017-2021 Council Plan was not available at the time of

preparing the agenda. The update will provided under separate cover during August

and presented to the September 2019 meeting.



27



9.5 Performance Reporting Graphs (CEO)

The Performance Reporting Graphs are now presented quarterly. The next report is

due in October 2019

10 Community wellbeing

10.1 Community Services Report (04/07/0055-CEO)

The Community Services report was not available at the time of preparing the

agenda. The report will be presented at the September meeting.

11 Asset management

11.1 Asset Management report (01/07/0004-DTS)


This report was prepared by Ms Monique Tinoco, Civil/Asset Engineer.



Background/History:

This report is a bi-monthly report on Asset Management activities throughout the

Shire for the period of 1 May to 30 June 2019.

Walwa main street works

The Walwa main street works are split into six stages.

Stage 1: CBD Main Street East, drainage and kerb renewal

Stage 2: Shelley Walwa Road, tree plantings and kerb outstands

Stage 3: Main Street West, drainage and kerb renewal

Stage 4: River Road, path link to reserve

Stage 5: Tree plantings, overall plantings with Walwa

Stage 6: Wilson Street sealing.

These stages relate to discrete segments of the works to be completed and not a

sequential order of works.



28



The progress of the stages is as follows:

Stage 1: North side kerb, stormwater drainage, footpath and planting works

are now completed.

South side footpath and kerb works are complete. Median works are

progressing.

Stage 2: Tree plantings are complete with kerb outstands still to be

completed.

Stage 3: Kerb works at the intersection of Main Street and Hanna Street are

complete, with carpark and kerb in front the hospital/school – Main Road

remaining.

Stage 4: Tree planting and path link to Recreation Reserve are complete.

Stage 5: Tree plantings are complete within the township.

Stage 6: Wilson Street sealing is complete.

Destination Tallangatta

The contract for Destination Tallangatta’s streetscape works including kerb, drainage

and footpath replacement was completed by Exell Gray Bruni Pty Ltd and is currently

in the defects liability period. Council staff have now completed the landscaping, tree

planting and garden bed works. SP AusNet have completed the removal of all

overhead power lines and poles. Concept plans for the redevelopment of The

Triangles are to be presented for community feedback in August 2019.

Bethanga Streetscape (Council Plan 2019/20)

Council successfully attracted $666,412 in funding through the Victorian State

Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program. This enabled the Bethanga Streetscape

works planned for 2019/20 to be delivered earlier than anticipated. These works

were completed in June 2019.

The works included:

Intersections upgrades including pavement widening, kerb and drainage;

Widening of the service road to accommodate safe pedestrian movement and;

Sealing of gravel roads within the township.

Eskdale Streetscape (Council Plan 2020/21)

Council successfully attracted $499,889 of funding through the Victorian State

Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program. A project manager has now been

appointed for this project and works originally planned for 2020/21 will instead be

delivered in the 2019/20 financial year.



29



The proposed works include:

Intersections upgrades including pavement widening, kerb and drainage;

Providing pedestrian designated crossing points; and

New and upgraded parking facilities.

A community consultation session was held on 18 December 2018 seeking input

from community members to help prioritise and schedule works. Tenders for the

intersection upgrades have been awarded to Tallangatta Construction and

Maintenance. Designs and the Traffic Management Plan – TMP have been approved

by VicRoads and works are scheduled to commence in July 2019.

Akuna Avenue Streetscape

A community consultation process was undertaken in June 2019 to clarify elements

of the design. Exell Gray Bruni Pty Ltd were appointed as the preferred contractor

following a tender process in accordance with Council’s Procurement Policy. The

contract for the Akuna Avenue Streetscape works was awarded in May 2019.

The streetscape works at Akuna Avenue will further contribute to the beautification

of Tallangatta and include a footpath connection from the Swimming Pool to the

Tallangatta Bowling Club, as well as kerb, line marking, signage and drainage.

Works commenced on 20 June 2019 at the Bowling Club end and are nearing

completion. The works at the Victoria Hotel end will commence in July 2019.

Tallangatta Caravan Park Redevelopment

This project will see the rejuvenation of the park’s amenities and will include road

upgrades, replacement of the amenities block and a new camp kitchen. These

improvements are aimed at increasing tourism activity in Tallangatta.

The architectural and civil designs are now complete and construction works have

commenced with work being undertaken by Tallangatta Construction Maintenance

and Barton Street Developments. The works commenced at the end of June and are

to be completed by 30 September 2019 to meet the requirements of the funding

agreement.

Colac Colac Caravan Park Redevelopment

Council successfully attracted $400,000 funding through the Victoria State

Government Building Better Regions Program.



30



The project will see the rejuvenation of park amenities and will include playground

upgrades, replacement of the amenities block and a new camp kitchen. These works

are aimed at improving amenity and accordingly, visitor experience.

The tender documents are currently being prepared for the relevant sections.

Upper Murray Events Centre

The project will see the construction of a new Multipurpose Event Centre in Corryong

which will accommodate football/netball teams as well as playing host to key aspects

of the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival. The Events Centre will also provide space

for new events thereby enabling establishment of new events throughout the year.

The construction tender has been awarded to Barton Street Developments.

The building demolition works are complete, construction of the storm water

drainage, building pads are well underway.


Nil


Nil

Budget Impact:

Refer to the table on the following page.



31



Jun 2019

YTD

Jun 2019

YTD

Jun 2019 YTD Jun 2019

YTD

2018/19 Full

Year

(Actual) (Budget) (Variance) (Variance) (Budget)

$ $ $ % $

Income

Engineering/Technical services 1 1,010,854 751,207 259,647 35% 751,207

Building services 65,576 59,000 6,576 11% 59,000

Environmental health 33,578 37,465 (3,887) (10%) 37,465

Road maintenance (including bridges) 1,853,551 1,786,090 67,461 4% 1,786,090

Parks and gardens 2 18,125 - 18,125 100% -

Total Income 2,981,685 2,633,762 347,923 13% 2,633,762

Expenditure

Engineering/Technical services 3 1,520,477 2,102,798 582,321 28% 2,102,798

Building services 148,675 150,000 1,325 1% 150,000

Environmental health 92,810 91,500 (1,310) (1%) 91,500

Road maintenance (including bridges) 4 1,145,869 1,270,000 124,131 10% 1,270,000

Parks and gardens 514,816 489,417 (25,399) (5%) 489,417

Plant items (fuel and maintenance) 5 736,814 629,141 (107,673) (17%) 629,141

Total Expenditure 4,159,461 4,732,856 573,395 12% 4,732,856

Net Income / (Expenditure) (1,177,776) (2,099,094) 921,318 (44%) (2,099,094)

Note

Note 1 - $265k for Destination Tallangatta received earlier than anticipated

Note 2 - Grant income received for the Talgarno playground upgrade

Note 3 - $123k for tree maintenance

Note 4 - The road maintenance crew has spent time working on parks and gardens as well as capital

streetscape projects.

Risk Assessment:

Nil


Nil


The Asset Management area is making good progress in relation to the Council Plan.

RECOMMENDATION:




32



12 Land-use planning

12.1 Planning Application 2017/030.1 Paintball Facility (303150-

PO)


This report was prepared by Ms Shannon Neil, Consultant Planner.



Background/History:

The property is located on Mulholland Road/Bridle Track, Georges Creek, within the

Rural Activity Zone and is encumbered by the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO).

The proposed paintball site is located near the northeast boundary of the property,

bordering Mount Granya State Park.

The application is for a paintball facility that will operate initially on weekends, Friday

to Monday, on long weekends and school holidays with a view to expanding to

weekdays as the business and demand grows. The proposed operating hours are

between 8:00am and 8:00pm (shorter during winter months). Operating hours may

be reduced in summer months depending on temperature and fire danger. The

paintball facility will be closed on days of extreme or code red fire danger rating.

The Traffic Impact Assessment is based on patron numbers of 20 people per session,

with four (4) sessions on any given day.

The application is for a multi-field paintball facility that utilises the existing natural

features of the site as obstacles. The proposal does not include introducing materials

for obstacles or for works in relation to the paintball fields.

Approximately 0.475ha of native vegetation including four (4) scattered trees will

require removal, to create a defendable zone in accordance with BMO requirements

and to construct safe access to the site. Figure 1 below shows the approximate

location of the paintball facility. It also shows the dense mature native vegetation on

the site.

The proposal includes the placement and use of two (2) shipping containers each six

(6) metres in length, which will provide an office area, toilet and change room



33



facilities. The amenities include two (2) unisex toilets with disabled access to at least

one (1). The facilities will be connected to an approved effluent disposal system.

Water and confectionary type snacks will be available for purchase, the proposal

does not include the sale of alcohol or prepared foods. Participants will be

encouraged to bring a picnic morning tea/lunch/afternoon tea. The website will also

direct participants to stop in Tallangatta and will highlight the local facilities

available.

The proposal includes the use of biodegradable and non-toxic paintballs. Figure 1 – Proposed paintball facility location.



34



Figure 2 – Proposed Access from Georges Creek Road along Mullholland Road

Figure 3 Proposed Internal Access (approximate)



35



Figure 3 Detailed Site Plan

Impact on Council Policy (Local Planning Policy Framework):

Clause 21.04-1 Environmental Hazards

Wildfire

Objectives

Identify hazardous areas.

To avoid the use and development of land in hazardous environments.

To minimise the risk to life and property from environmental hazards.

The application addresses the Bushfire risk of the site. A bushfire management plan

has been provided and referred to the CFA for comment and endorsement.

Adequate defendable space is provided around the amenities buildings for the

facility. The paintball activities are unlikely to increase the risk of bushfire in the area.

Paintball games will not be played during days of total fire ban.



36



Clause 21.04-2 Water

Objectives

Protect water quality

The proposed location of the paintball fields and amenities provides an adequate

setback to nearby waterways. Paintballs are made from a biodegradable material that

has not been shown to have negative environmental impacts or negative impacts on

waterway health. The paintball fields are located on the upslope of Georges Creek

and paintball residue may make its way into the waterway. The EPA have advised that

whilst the composition of the waterway may change as a result of paintball residue,

this will not have a negative impact on water quality.

Periodic monitoring of the waterway would ensure the paintball activities are not

having a detrimental impact on the water quality of Georges Creek.

Clause 21.04-3 Biodiversity and Native Vegetation

Objectives

To assist the protection and conservation of biodiversity.

The paintball facility will be operated to ensure minimal impact on the natural

environment is incurred. The environmental features of the site are key components

of the offering for a facility within a natural and undisturbed environment.

The paintball fields and amenities buildings are located within the Herb-rich Foothill

Forest EVC which has a Bio-conservation Status of Least Concern and a common

geographic occurrence.

An environmental management plan has not been provided, but would ensure the

protection for the surrounding environment through field rotations, remediation

works and weed control.

Clause 21.04-4 Soils and Steep Land

Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is considered to be a land degradation problem within Towong Shire

that can reduce the productivity of agricultural land and degrade water quality.

According to the 2002 Land Resource Assessment for the North East Catchment

Management Authority Region most of Towong Shire is considered to have a

moderate sheet and rill erosion risk, though alluvial areas adjacent to the major



37



waterways tend to have a low-moderate risk. For wind erosion, there is a strong

spatial association with areas of sheet and rill erosion risk and most areas apart from

the alluvial areas are considered to have a moderate risk.

The construction of the internal access track has the potential to increase erosion of

the subject site. This can be managed through erosion control measures and

ongoing maintenance of the access track, enforceable through permit conditions.

Clause 21.05 Economy

Objectives

Encourage economic diversification and greater agricultural diversity

Encourage tourism investment

The application is consistent with the objectives of Clause 21.05 Economy. The

proposal for a paintball facility has the potential to boost the local economy in the

Towong Shire. The facility will be located within close proximity to the Tallangatta –

Cudgewa rail trail, it is also on the doorstep of Mount Granya State Park. Visitors will

most likely come via Tallangatta, with the potential for the local economy within

Tallangatta being boosted through retail and hospitality sales. The facility may also

provide employment opportunities.

Clause 21.05 also highlights the steady decline in the agricultural economy within

certain areas of the Shire, this Clause recognises and promotes diversification of

agricultural operations to allow landholders to remain on their land whilst generating

another stream of income.

Clause 22.08 Effluent Disposal and Water Quality

Objectives

Ensure water quality and human and animal health is not affected by

development

Ensure that effluent disposal systems are suitable to the soil type and

topography of the site and are appropriately located away from

environmentally sensitive features

To ensure effluent is not discharged off site

To ensure that the density of effluent disposal systems is suitable to the soil

type and topography of the site

To ensure alternative effluent disposal systems such as package treatment

plants which treat the effluent to a higher standard than conventional septic

systems are used preferentially within the Shire



38



Ensure that landscape and environmental values are considered, protected

and enhanced

A Land Capability Assessment has been provided and shows the land has the

capacity to adequately retain and treat all effluent onsite, ensuring water quality will

not be impacted by effluent disposal as a result of the development.


State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF)

The State Planning Policy Framework seeks to ensure that the objectives of planning

in Victoria (as set out in Section 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987) are

fostered through appropriate land use and development planning policies and

practices which integrate relevant environmental, social and economic factors in the

interests of net community benefit and sustainable development.

Clause 12 – Environmental and Landscape Values

Planning should help to protect the health of ecological systems and the biodiversity

they support (including ecosystems, habitats, species and genetic diversity) and

conserve areas with identified environmental and landscape values.

Clause 12.01-2S Native Vegetation Management

To ensure that there is no net loss to biodiversity as a result of the removal, destruction

or lopping of native vegetation.

Clause 12.05-2S Landscapes

To protect and enhance significant landscapes and open spaces that contribute to

character, identity and sustainable environments.

Clause 13 – Environmental Risks

Planning should adopt a best practice environmental management and risk

management approach which aims to avoid or minimise environmental degradation

and hazards. Planning should identify and manage the potential for the environment,

and environmental changes, to impact upon the economic, environmental or social

well-being of society.



39



As the proposed facility is located within close proximity to Mount Granya State Park

and the site has extensive mature native vegetation present, the potential risk to the

surrounding natural environment is significant and needs to be considered.

The applicants have stated the surrounding natural environment is key to the overall

aesthetic of the facility, it is in their best interest to preserve the area as close to its

original condition as possible.

Bio-degradable paintballs will be used, to ensure as minimal impact on the

environment as possible. Exclusion zones between the paintball fields, waterways and

the adjacent state park will be implemented to ensure paintball materials and

participants do not encroach on the park.

The application has been referred to both the Environment Protection Authority and

the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning, neither Authorities have

flagged concerns about the impact the facility will have on the surrounding natural

environment.

The adjoining property owners have expressed significant concern over the impact

the facility will have on the surrounding natural environment. A site visit confirmed

the quality of native vegetation at the site is high, however it is within an Ecological

Vegetation Class with a status of ‘least concern’ given its common geographic

presence. The paintball fields are on undulating land and will be shielded from public

view, the presence of paintball residue on the landscape will be noticeable in

between rainfall periods although this will not be visible to neighbouring properties

or the public utilising Bridle Track to access Mount Granya State Park.

Whilst the fields are not located directly above or on the upslope of adjoining

properties, any runoff into nearby waterways may make its way into waterways

draining towards adjoining properties. The Environmental Protection Agency is

satisfied the use of biodegradable non-toxic paintballs will not have a negative

impact on the waterways, but it is likely the composition of the water source will be

changed.

The applicants have not provided detail on how they will ensure litter is not

deposited beyond the boundary of the premises or what secondary containment

system will be provided for liquids, which if spilt are likely to cause pollution or an

environmental hazard. This will form part of a required Environmental Management

Plan.



40



Clause 13.0-5-1S – Noise

To assist the control of noise effects on sensitive land uses.

Strategy

Ensure that development is not prejudiced and community amenity is not reduced by

noise emissions, using a range of building design, urban design and land use

separation techniques as appropriate to the land use functions and character of the

area.

The applicants have provided details on the decibel level the paintball markers reach

when fired and likened it to that of a general conversation between twenty people

being heard from 1km. The closest dwelling to the proposed paintball fields is

approximately 1km away.

Whilst it is possible that noise associated with the paintball operations may travel

throughout the area, it is unlikely this noise will be any more imposing than noise

generated by existing traffic movements and agricultural machinery and operations

in the area.

An acoustic report could form part of a Noise and Amenity Management Plan, to

ensure the noise generated from the firing of the markers will be negligible on

adjoining properties amenity.

Clause 13.07-1S Land Use Compatibility

To safeguard community amenity while facilitating appropriate commercial, industrial

or other uses with potential off-site effects.

The amenity impact of the paintball facility is one of the most topical objections

presented to Council by the local Georges Creek community.

Adjoining and local property owners are particularly concerned with the safety

impacts the proposal will have on their community. In particular, the increased risk of

conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians, stock movements and children using the

road for bike and horse riding. In addition to this, the local community are concerned

that by attracting people to the area, the risk of theft and trespass onto private

property will increase.



41



Whilst it is recognised the Rural Activity Zone allows for the use of land for a

paintball facility with a planning permit, local community members have questioned

whether this type of land use is compatible with the local area ‘positioning

statement’ of ‘Pure Country Living’ applied to the Georges Creek locality by Council

after consultation some years ago with the local community.

The use of land for a paintball facility, will change the general living aesthetic of the

area, whether these changes are considered positive or negative are likely to differ

for individuals.

Land use compatibility exists to ensure that uses do not detrimentally impact

neighbouring properties and restrict them from continuing their existing use. It

doesn’t seek to restrict uses that will change the existing lifestyle, if the impacts can

be mitigated to ensure they are not detrimental.

Additionally, the provisions of the Rural Activity Zone provide a wide level of

discretion as to the type of uses that may be permitted. This is not to say that all

discretionary uses will be acceptable simply because a permit can be issued. In

deciding whether a permit should be granted, it must be decided whether the

proposal will result in “acceptable outcomes”. The assessment of what constitutes an

acceptable outcome is not necessarily based on what applicants and objectors want;

rather, the planning scheme makes it clear that it is to be based on factors such as

planning policy, the purpose of the zone and the decision guidelines that apply.

The purpose of the Rural Activity Zone is not to provide a superior quality

residential/rural residential living amenity. The impacts on adjacent rural dwellings

and properties is afforded consideration, however the expectation of what is

considered acceptable amenity impacts needs to be balanced with the permitted

uses within the zone.

Mulholland Road and Bridle Track are gravel pavement roads, typical of rural roads.

Living in a rural area with access on local rural roads such as these will always result

in varying levels of dust. Dust generated from the additional traffic movements has

the potential at times to cause an additional amenity impact on the local area.

Currently Mulholland Road provides a secondary access to Mount Granya State Park

and currently this traffic is unmonitored and unrestricted. Additional dust impacts as

a result of the additional projected traffic movements will occur, however to what

extent these impacts will have on the amenity of the two properties located in close

proximity to the road, is unknown.



42



Clause 13.05 – Bushfire

To strengthen the resilience of settlements and communities to bushfire through risk-

based planning that prioritises the protection of human life.

The applicants have provided a Bushfire Management Statement. This along with the

application has been referred to the Country Fire Authority under section 55 of the

Planning and Environment Act. The CFA have provided conditional consent to the

application.

The proposed facility is located within close proximity to the Mount Granya State

Park. If a fire were to break out in the park or within close proximity to the facility,

there is currently one access into and out of the facility. Bridle Track is not considered

a second option as this has be shown to be not suitable as an access track in its

current condition with issues highlighted by Department Environment Land Water

and Planning, Catchment Management Authority, Country Fire Authority and

Council’s Technical Services department.

The Country Fire Authority have conditioned a defendable space of 45 metres

around the proposed buildings, attachment 5 in the Bushfire Management Statement

shows the defendable zone extending 39 metres to the north and south and 49

metres to the east and west.

The proposed buildings will not generate enough storm water runoff for both

potable and emergency water supply at the site, there is a risk that at times, the

emergency water supply may fall below the required 10,000 litres for short periods.

The applicants have advised that if used, the emergency supply will be refilled as

soon as possible.

Clause 14 – Agriculture

To protect productive farmland which is of strategic significance in the local or regional

context.

The paintball facility will be located on land that is not currently used, nor is suitable

for intensive agricultural production due to the topography and existing dense native

vegetation. The paintball operations will not impact on productive farmland in the

area.



43



Clause 14.02 – Water

To assist the protection and, where possible, restoration of catchments, waterways,

water bodies, groundwater, and the marine environment.

The applicants are proposing to use biodegradable and water soluble paintballs, the

Environmental Protection Authority and Goulburn Murray Water did not have

concerns with these types of paintballs contaminating nearby waterways and

catchments. Minimum buffers between the paintball facilities and fields will need to

be adhered to at all times to ensure the protection of the local catchment and

waterway.

Whilst the fields are not located directly above or on the upslope of adjoining

properties, any runoff into nearby waterways may make its way into waterways

draining towards adjoining properties. The Environmental Protection Agency is

satisfied the use of biodegradable non-toxic paintballs will not have a negative

impact on the waterways, but it is likely the composition of these pristine water

sources will be changed.

The applicants have not provided detail on how they will ensure litter is not

deposited beyond the boundary of the premises or what secondary containment

system will be provided for liquids, which if spilt are likely to cause pollution or an

environmental hazard.

Clause 15.01-6S Design for Rural Areas

To ensure development respects valued areas of rural character.

Strategies

Ensure that the siting, scale and appearance of development protects and

enhances rural character.

Protect the visual amenity of valued rural landscapes and character areas

along township approaches and sensitive tourist routes by ensuring new

development is sympathetically located.

Site and design development to minimise visual impacts on surrounding

natural scenery and landscape features including ridgelines, hill tops,

waterways, lakes and wetlands.

The onsite facilities and buildings will be constructed of materials compatible with

the surrounding natural environment. Neutral earthy tones will be used on all

exterior facades and water tanks to ensure they blend with the surrounds.



44



Clause 21 – Economy

Towong Shire has the least diverse economy in the North East region, being heavily

dependent upon agriculture. The agricultural sector in turn is the least diverse in the

region, relying heavily on beef grazing. Economies with a narrow base such as Towong

Shire, are particularly vulnerable to external forces, including changes in terms of trade,

fluctuations in commodity prices, the vagaries of seasonal variations and climate

change.

Tourism has significant potential because of the Shire’s proximity to the Alpine and

Kosciusko National Parks, major State Parks, the Murray River, Lake Hume, Dartmouth

Dam and other key waterways.

The natural environment provides large areas suitable for outdoor recreation such as

bushwalking, camping and four-wheel driving. Towong Shire contains some of the

finest landscapes in the country with spectacular vistas of the Murray River and Snowy

Mountains.

The retreat of agriculture as a land use from the SLA ‘A’ landscape has been significant

and seems appears inexorable. It is clear that there is a progressive shift away from

traditional full time farming and associated production-based dominant land uses to a

land use pattern dominated by rural residential development.

‘Encourage economic diversification and greater agricultural diversity’

The establishment of a paintball facility will allow the current landowners to diversify

and supplement their income, to support the ongoing agricultural production of the

greater landholding. The owners have experienced a decline in on-farm income

recently and are seeking alternative ways to provide a supplementary income,

allowing them to continue their agricultural operations.

The proposed development also has the potential to increase the local economy,

through bringing more visitors to the area and the possibility of employment at the

facility.

Clause 22.08 – Effluent Disposal and Water Quality

The whole of Towong Shire is located within a Special Water Supply Catchment Area

listed in Schedule 5 of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.



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Development within the Shire that cannot be serviced by reticulated sewerage should

be located and designed to account for the site’s environmental attributes and any

nearby environmental features, such as, waterways wetlands, bores and dams,

particularly features providing water for stock, human or food production purposes.

Any development that cannot be serviced by a reticulated sewerage system needs to be

designed, sited and developed to prevent pollution of land and water resources.

A land capability assessment has been provided, showing the property can support

an onsite effluent treatment system without causing detrimental impact to or

contamination of nearby environmental features, such as, waterways wetlands, bores

and dams.

Zoning

Rural Activity Zone (RAZ)

To implement the State Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning

Policy Framework, including the Municipal Strategic Statement and local

planning policies.

To provide for the use of land for agriculture. To provide for other uses and

development, in appropriate locations, which are compatible with agriculture

and the environmental and landscape characteristics of the area.

To ensure that use and development does not adversely affect surrounding

land uses.

To provide for the use and development of land for the specific purposes

identified in a schedule to this zone.

To protect and enhance natural resources and the biodiversity of the area.

To encourage use and development of land based on comprehensive and

sustainable land management practices and infrastructure provision.

In accordance with Clause 35.08-1 Leisure and Recreation is a Section two (2) permit

required use.

Any application within the RAZ must meet the decision guidelines of this zone.

General Issues –

The State Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Policy

Framework, including the Municipal Strategic Statement and local planning

policies.

Any Regional Catchment Strategy and associated plan applying to the land.

The capability of the land to accommodate the proposed use or development,

including the disposal of effluent.

How the use or development relates to sustainable land management.



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Whether the site is suitable for the use and development and whether the

proposal is compatible with adjoining and nearby land uses.

The application is consistent with the general issues as listed under the decision

guidelines. It addresses and is consistent with applicable State and Local Planning

Policies, the land has the capability to retain and treat all effluent generated onsite,

the land will be protected and maintained, however the aesthetic of the area will be

changed due to the presence of paintball residue, buildings and general wear and

tear impact on the area from the activities. The proposed paintball facility is located

a significant distance from adjoining properties, it is unlikely the operations of the

paintball facility will directly have a negative impact on neighbouring and adjoining

land uses.

There are currently significant issues with access to the site. Mulholland Road, in its

current condition, is not suitable to provide safe access and egress to the site.

Comments on these issues is detailed below under: Design and Siting Issues

Agricultural Issues –

Whether the use or development will support and enhance agricultural

production.

The potential for the use or development to limit the operation and expansion

of adjoining and nearby agricultural uses.

The capacity of the site to sustain the agricultural use.

The agricultural qualities of the land, such as soil quality, access to water and

access to rural infrastructure.

Any integrated land management plan prepared for the site.

The paintball facility will allow the applicants to continue the agricultural production

of their land, whilst providing a supplementary income stream. The proposed

location for the facility is an area that is not used for any agricultural production due

to the topography and dense vegetation. The facility will not impact on the

agricultural production of neighbouring properties, due to the natural buffers

between the site and adjoining properties.

Environmental Issues –

The environmental constraints of the site are significant and need to be given

consideration.

The impact of the proposal on the natural physical features and resources of

the area, in particular on soil and water quality.

The site is densely vegetated with native vegetation and is bordered by Mount

Granya State Park. The site is elevated above natural drainage lines that feed into



47



water sources for neighbouring properties. The applicants have stated that

biodegradable paintballs will be used, Goulburn Murray Water have conditioned that:

All fields of play must be located further than 30m away from any waterway or

drainage line and vegetation within this 30m buffer must not be disturbed.

Paintball activities must not cause any increased sediment transport to

waterways or drainage lines during or following rainfall events.

All paintballs must be of materials which are water soluble, biodegradable and

non-toxic to the environment.

The EPA have not identified any concerns with respect to the potential for the facility

to cause detrimental impact on the environment and nearby waterways.

The applicants will be required to use only – biodegradable, non-toxic paintballs that

are water soluble and environmentally safe for both flora and fauna.

The impact of the use or development on the flora, fauna and landscape

features of the locality.

Vegetation is required to be removed for the internal access track and to ensure an

adequate bushfire protection zone, the remaining existing vegetation is a feature of

the facility and will be maintained and protected as much as is possible. The paintball

facility will cause some level of ground disturbance, the applicants have not provided

detail on a field rotation plan to ensure fields are adequately rested allowing any

ground disturbance a chance to remediate itself.

As mentioned earlier, paintballs will need to be environmentally safe for all flora and

fauna, to ensure minimal detrimental impact is incurred.

The need to protect and enhance the biodiversity of the area, including the

retention of vegetation and faunal habitat and the need to revegetate land

including riparian buffers along waterways, gullies, ridgelines, property

boundaries and saline discharge and recharge area.

The applicants are proposing to offset all native vegetation removal onsite, this offset

will need to be maintained, preserved and actively managed to ensure its success as

an offset. The applicants will be required to protect the vegetation buffers between

the paintball facility and all waterways and drainage lines to ensure adequate

separation between the two and reduce the possibility of contamination of

waterways and drainage lines as a result of the paintball activities.

The location of on-site effluent disposal areas to minimise the impact of

nutrient loads on waterways and native vegetation.

A Land capability assessment has been conducted to identify the most appropriate

location for the onsite effluent system, to ensure the effluent generated onsite does

not cause detrimental impact.



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Design and Siting Issues –

The impact of the siting, design, height, bulk, colours and materials to be used, on the

natural environment, major roads, vistas and water features and the measures to be

undertaken to minimise any adverse impacts.

The applicants have not provided a colour schedule, detailed design drawings of the

facilities or a dimensioned site plan. This can be managed by conditions on a permit.

Comment on this without this information is not possible. Given the sensitivity of the

site this should have been provided with the submitted amended application,

however it is not uncommon for detailed design drawings and site plans to be

submitted once a permit is issued and details have been finalised. These additional

plans will require endorsement prior to any use or development commencing.

The impact on the character and appearance of the area or features of architectural,

historic or scientific significance or of natural scenic beauty or importance.

The area does not display any significant architectural, historic or scientific features, it

does however have a high natural scenic beauty. The paintball facility will utilise this

scenic beauty as a feature of the paintball fields. It is in the applicant’s best interest

to ensure the natural scenic beauty of the site is preserved.

The location and design of existing and proposed infrastructure including roads, gas,

water, drainage, telecommunications and sewerage facilities.

The development will not require gas, drainage, telecommunication or sewerage

facilities. A new internal access road is required for participants to access the

paintball facility.

The proposed new access will need to traverse a waterway, the application has been

referred to the North East CMA to determine the requirements for constructing a

safe and practical access across this waterway.

Whether the use or development will require traffic management measures.

A Traffic Impact Assessment Report (TIAR) was submitted by the applicant to support

the application. The Traffic Impact Assessment sought to determine the impact the

proposed facility will have on the local road network and to identify any mitigation

required to ensure safe access to the site for participants and the local community.



49



The TIAR correctly identifies Mulholland Road as a Rural Access Road, however has

not correctly identified the current construction condition of Mulholland Road. The

TIAR also underestimates the total number of possible vehicle movements and does

not acknowledge the limited vertical and horizontal sight distance (corners and

crests) on Mulholland Road, nor the limited sight distances when entering

Mulholland Road from Georges Creek Road.

Mulholland Road is identified and registered as a ‘Rural Access Road’ under Council’s

Road Management Plan in the Road Register.

The definition of a Rural Access Road is: ‘Provides predominantly for direct access to

residential properties and industries from a link or collector road’ The description for

a Rural Access road is: ‘Year round use road where required for residential access

only, catering for 2-way traffic, usually formed and graveled’.

Mulholland Road is currently constructed to a standard fit for purpose for providing

residential access to properties along Mulholland Road. The TIAR describes

Mulholland Road as a ‘two-lane, two-way unsealed rural road with a pavement width

varying between 4.0 metres and 6.0 metres. The TIAR report states; ‘that given

Mulholland Road is currently registered as a Rural Access Road, it has the capacity to

cater for the additional proposed traffic movements’. Mulholland Road is not

constructed to the standard identified in the TIAR and in its current condition, it

could not support the additional traffic movements without compromising the safety

of existing and new road users.

Mulholland Road is currently constructed from CH 0.0 to CH 1480m with a 5.5m

formation, 3.0m pavement (single lane) with 100mm average pavement depth. At CH

1480m the road changes to a Limited Access Road with a 4.0m formation, 3.0m

pavement (single lane) with 50mm average pavement depth. This design standard is

sufficient for the current local vehicle movements.

The design standard according to Council’s Road Management Plan required for

Mulholland Road to cater to the estimated vehicle movements as identified in the

TIAR are a 7.0M formation, 4.4m pavement width and a pavement depth of 150mm.

Council only undertakes reactive maintenance on Limited Access Roads and does not

guarantee all year round access due to wet weather conditions.

It is recognised that technically Mulholland Road is a through road that joins Bridle

Track and provides 4wd access to Mount Granya State Park. This access is not the

preferred and dominant access to Mount Granya State Park and the Mount Granya

Fire Tower. The preferred and dominant access is via Granya.



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Given the current rating and condition of Mulholland Road and Bridle Track together

with limited horizontal and vertical sight distances, significant road upgrades will be

required to ensure the safe access and egress of all paintball patrons, public road

users and local road users. The upgrades would be at the applicants’ cost and would

need to be completed prior to the paintball facility commencing operations.

The upgrades required are consistent with Council’s Road Management Plan for a

Rural Access Road to provide access for the projected vehicle movements to be

generated by the paintball facility.

An internal access track will be constructed that meets emergency vehicle access

standards. The applicants have provided engineered drawings for the proposed

internal track, showing the construction of the track can achieve the required grades

to allow emergency vehicle access. These grades include several sections that will be

constructed to a 20% grade. Whilst this is the maximum grade that can support

emergency vehicles, this is based on experienced drivers operating the vehicles, a

grade of 20% for inexperienced or unconfident drivers in 2WD vehicles is considered

potentially unsafe and may result in accidents.

Access from Bridle Track to the paintball facility will be constructed to the minimum

standard required to ensure safe and practical access and egress for emergency

vehicles and participants. Council’s Director Technical Services has reviewed the

existing condition of Mulholland Road and Bridle Track and advised that in its current

condition both roads are unsuitable to support the increase in traffic movements.

The upgrades required are considered significant.

Mulholland Road and Bridle Track are Council owned roads that are utilised daily by

the local community in the area. Concerns have been raised by local community

members about their safety from the increase in traffic in the area. Currently, the

roads are used for a range of purposes; access to properties, walking, horse riding,

bike riding, school bus routes and movement of stock. The increase in traffic has the

potential to cause dangerous conflicts between local road users and vehicles.

The operators of the paintball facility would be responsible for advising all

participants that access to the site is via local rural roads that are frequently used for

the abovementioned purposes and extreme care is to be taken when accessing the

site. However, despite providing warnings, there is no guarantee patrons would heed

these warnings and drive appropriately to the road conditions. Traffic safety signs

would be required, at the cost of the applicants, advising of local traffic users.



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Overlays

Bushfire Management Overlay

The proposed paintball facility is encumbered by the Bushfire Management Overlay.

The purpose of the Bushfire Management Overlay is:

To implement the State Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Policy

Framework, including the Municipal Strategic Statement and local planning policies.

To ensure that the development of land prioritises the protection of human life and

strengthens community resilience to bushfire.

To identify areas where the bushfire hazard warrants bushfire protection measures to

be implemented.

To ensure development is only permitted where the risk to life and property from

bushfire can be reduced to an acceptable level.

In accordance with the requirements of the BMO a permit is required for buildings and

works associated with ‘leisure and recreation’

The applicants have provided a Bushfire Management Statement. This along with the

application has been referred to the CFA under section 55 of the Planning and

Environment Act. The CFA have provided conditional consent to the application.

The proposed facility is located within close proximity to the Mount Granya State

Park, if a fire were to break out in the park or within close proximity to the facility,

there is currently one access into and out of the facility. Bridle Track is not considered

a second option as this has be shown to be not suitable as an access track in its

current condition with issues highlighted by DELWP, CMA, CFA and Council’s

Technical Services department.

CFA have conditioned a defendable space of 49m for downslopes and 39m for

upslopes around the proposed buildings. Attachment 5 in the Bushfire Management

Statement shows the defendable zone extending 39 metres to the north and south

and 49 metres to the east and west.



52



The proposed buildings will not generate enough storm water runoff for both

potable and emergency water supply at the site, there is a risk that at times, the

emergency water supply may fall below the required 10,000 litres for short periods.

The applicants have advised that if used, the emergency supply will be refilled as

soon as possible.

Clause 65 – Decision Guidelines

Because a permit can be granted does not imply that a permit should or will be

granted. The responsible authority must decide whether the proposal will produce

acceptable outcomes in terms of the decision guidelines of this clause.

Before deciding on an application or approval of a plan, the responsible authority

must consider, as appropriate:

The matters set out in Section 60 of the Act.

The State Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Policy

Framework, including the Municipal Strategic Statement and local planning

policies.

The application has been assessed against applicable State and Local Planning

Policies.

The purpose of the zone, overlay or other provision.

Any matter required to be considered in the zone, overlay or other provision.

The application has been assessed against the purpose and requirements of the

Rural Activity Zone and Bushfire Management Overlay.

The orderly planning of the area.

The application for a paintball facility in the Rural Activity Zone provides a

diversification from general agricultural production, will promote tourism and

boost the economy of the area, whilst causing minimal impacts on the local

community in the area. It is considered the development is in keeping with the

orderly planning of the area.

The effect on the amenity of the area.

Whilst the development may change the amenity of the area, as it is introducing a

recreational activity to the area, it is not anticipated this will cause significant

detrimental impacts on amenity.

The proximity of the land to any public land.

The paintball facility is located within close proximity to Mount Granya State Park,

exclusion zones and buffers between the fields and the Park will be implemented to

ensure participants are aware of the adjoining Park and do not encroach on the Park

area at any time.



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Factors likely to cause or contribute to land degradation, salinity or reduce

water quality.

The applicants have stated biodegradable and water soluble paintballs will be used,

to ensure no environmental contamination occurs. It is possible the paintball fields

will be subject to minimal land degradation through the increase in activity in these

areas. If a permit is issued, the applicants will be required to submit a management

plan for the resting of fields, to allow for ground rehabilitation.

The potential impacts to land degradation through the construction of the internal

access way have not been addressed. Significant cut and fill will be required for this

track in places and constant on-going maintenance and management will be

required to ensure the track does not cause land degradation through erosion and

land slip.

Whether the proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the

quality of stormwater within and exiting the site.

All storm water generated on-site will be captured and re-used or will continue to

flow across the land and into the catchment area. There will be minimal if any

increases in storm water due to the small scale of the proposed facilities at the site.

The extent and character of native vegetation and the likelihood of its

destruction.

Whether native vegetation is to be or can be protected, planted or allowed to

regenerate.

The application includes the removal of native vegetation to provide a defendable

space around the amenities and office buildings and to create a safe internal access

track. This will be offset onsite and the offset will be actively managed, maintained

and protected. The site is heavily vegetated with native vegetation and is connected

to the Mount Granya State Park, the applicants will be required to ensure the

remaining vegetation at the site is protected.

The degree of flood, erosion or fire hazard associated with the location of the

land and the use, development or management of the land so as to minimise

any such hazard.

There are no flooding risks associated with the site, there is the potential for erosion

impacts as a result of the construction and consistent use of the internal access track.

There are high bushfire risks that have been addressed by a bushfire management

statement.

The adequacy of loading and unloading facilities and any associated amenity,

traffic flow and road safety impacts.



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The applicants will be required to ensure there are adequate loading and unloading

facilities at the site if required. The amenity and traffic issues have been considered

and addressed where required.

Budget Impact:

There will be a budget impact if the decision to issue or refuse the planning permit is

appealed at VCAT. It is possible and likely that both the applicants and the objectors

will appeal a decision, which is not in their favour.


Public Notice was given in accordance with Clause 66 of the Planning and

Environment Act.

Neighbouring and adjoining landowners were notified of the original planning

application and the amended planning application.

Eight (8) objections were received in relation to the original planning application,

seven (7) objections have been received in relation to the amended planning

application.

The objections received in relation to the amended planning application are detailed

in Table 1 below.

The objections received in relation to the original planning application are detailed

below in Table 2.

A response to all objections is provided in the tables below.

Separate onsite meetings attended by Council’s Planning and Technical Services staff

and Councillors were held with the applicants and the objectors.

The meetings provided an opportunity for all parties to express their views in relation

to the application to the Councillors and Planning and Technical Services staff.

Conducting the meeting onsite provided all parties with the opportunity to see the

location, including the natural and physical environments first-hand.



55



Table 1 – Objections to the Amended Planning Application

Objection Officer response

Objector 1 - Mulholland Road Georges Creek

(1) Lack of information to show

Mulholland Road can support the

increase in traffic

(2) Lack of clarification on patron

numbers in the amended

application

(3) Mulholland Road will require

significant upgrades – resurfacing,

drains, culverts, line of sight

improvements and widening.

(4) The applicants assertion that

any road upgrades should be

borne by Council should be totally

rejected.

(5) Lack of details in relation to

patron numbers and operating

hours make it impossible to

determine traffic movements and

the potential impacts.

(6) Conflicts between paintball

patrons and local road users.

(7) Construction of internal access

track to provide access for 2WD

vehicles unlikely

(8) Conflicts between vehicles

utilising the internal access road for

access and egress.

(9) Emergency Escape Route – Lack

of information on this.

(10) Lack of information provided

on how water will be obtained for

use at the site.

(11) Amenity – impacts on

residents that live on Mulholland

Road and Bridle Track from

increases in dust and noise

(1) The TIAR has been completed by a qualified traffic engineer.

It is agreed the TIAR has failed to address some of the issues

regarding safe access along Mulholland Road. Significant road

upgrades would be required to ensure the existing road

network can appropriately cater to the increased traffic

movements.

(2) The applicant has not defined patron numbers. For the

purposes of assessment, the Planning Officer has used the

patron numbers identified in the TIAR – 20 patrons per session.

(3) Agreed – Significant upgrades would be required to

Mulholland Road. These upgrades would be in accordance with

Council’s Road Management Plan and recommendations from

the TIAR.

(4) Any upgrades required to the existing road network will be

at the cost of the applicant. Council are not required to

upgrade roads for the purposes of providing access to private

developments.

(5) The TIAR has worked off a maximum number of 20 patrons

per session, with four (4) possible sessions each day.

Assessment on the existing road network and potential

upgrades are based on these numbers.

(6) Signage along the existing road network and additional

information provided to paintball patrons upon booking will

ensure that non-local road users are aware of the possible local

road users that may be present along Mulholland Road.

Additional information provided will highlight the importance

of driving to local road conditions and adhering to local

signage along Mulholland Road.

(7) Engineered drawings of the proposed internal road have

been provided. These drawings were prepared by a suitably

qualified engineer and ensure the internal access road can

provide safe access to the minimum standard required for

emergency vehicle access. Whether this standard is appropriate

for inexperienced drivers in 2WD vehicles is questionable.

(8) The passing bays have been provided as a requirement for

emergency vehicle access. There will be a minimum two (2)



56



hour break between sessions to allow for safe access and

egress of patrons between the sessions and reduce the

likelihood of vehicle conflicts.

(9) An additional access through the applicants farm has been

flagged in the Bushfire Management Statement. The CFA have

not required this or made mention of this in their response to

the referral of the application. The CFA require a Bushfire

Emergency Plan to be submitted to and approved by the CFA

prior to the development commencing. This plan outlines the

emergency evacuation procedures and how these will be

implemented. If a secondary egress is required, this will form

part of the Bushfire Emergency Plan.

(10) The applicants are not required to show where they will

access water from in the initial stages, so long as it is in

accordance with any licensing arrangements through Goulburn

Murray Water. If water is brought onto the site the vehicle will

need to comply with the maximum load limit construction of

the internal access road. Long term, the applicants are

proposing to catch rainwater from the shipping containers

used as the paintball offices and amenity buildings.

(11) Living in a rural area and along a gravel road incurs a

certain level of amenity impact from dust. Both Mulholland

Road and Bridle Track are public roads that provide entry into

the Mount Granya State Park as well as access for local

property owners. There are currently no controls over public

vehicle movements into and out of the State Park and nothing

preventing a large number of vehicles using these roads on a

daily basis. Whilst it is possible the levels of dust will increase

as a result of the paintball facility, this is not out of order with

what is possible on any given day from traffic using these roads

to access Mount Granya State Park.



(1) Mulholland Road – In its current

condition cannot sustain the

proposed increase in traffic

movements. Photos provided in

the TIAR do not represent the

unsafe areas along Mulholland

Road, does not recognise local

road uses, such as pedestrians,

cyclists and horse riders,

significantly down played the

impact of dust on properties along

(1) The TIAR has been completed by a qualified traffic engineer.

It is agreed the TIAR has not addressed some of the issues




movements.

Signage along the existing road network and additional

information provided to paintball patrons upon booking would

ensure that non-local road users are aware of the possible local

road users that may be present along Mulholland Road.

Additional information provided will highlight the importance



57



the road.

(2) Internal Access Road –

Environmental and safety risks with

internal road are significant:

Erosion, landslip, steep grade.

Who pays for new culvert at

crossing of the waterway on Bridle

track? Passing bays on internal

track not adequate to allow safe

access.

(3) water supply – Where will water

be sourced? The application

overestimates rainfall and does not

identify alternative options for

water supply. Wash down bay

during construction, where will this

be located? How will the spraying

of weeds impact the environment

and local water supplies? Original

DELWP condition on wash down of

vehicles – how will this be

implemented and enforced?

Impacts on water supply

easements that provides water for

the Roneberg’s property.

Bushfire Risks – Is the bushfire

management plan adequate? Lack

of details on the emergency

evacuation route?

(4) Conditions – Will the original

conditions stand? How will these

be managed?

(5) Amenity – Dust, amenity impact

of additional signage, additional

noise impacts, environmental

impacts.

of driving to local road conditions and adhering to local

signage along Mulholland Road.

Living in a rural area and along a gravel road incurs a certain

level of amenity impact from dust. Both Mulholland Road and

Bridle Track are public roads that provide entry into the Mount

Granya State Park as well as access for local property owners.

There are currently no controls over public vehicle movements

into and out of the State Park and nothing preventing a large

number of vehicles using these roads on a daily basis. Whilst it

is possible the levels of dust will increase as a result of the

paintball facility, this is not out of order with what is possible

on any given day from traffic using these roads to access

Mount Granya State Park.

Any upgrades required to the existing road network will be at

the cost of the applicant. Council are not required to upgrade

roads for the purposes of providing access to private

developments.

Whilst there are significant environmental features at and

surrounding the site neither GMW, the EPA nor DELWP have

identified major concerns with the operations of the proposed

facility causing detrimental environmental impacts.

The applicants will be required to protect and preserve all

native vegetation at the site, maintain buffers between the

paintball fields and Mount Granya State Park and all waterways

and drainage lines. The paintballs used at the site will be

biodegradable, water soluble and non-toxic.

(2) Engineered drawings of the proposed internal road have

been provided. These drawings were prepared by a suitably

qualified engineer and ensure the internal access road can

provide safe access to the minimum standard required for

emergency vehicle access.

The passing bays have been provided as a requirement for

emergency vehicle access. There will be a minimum two (2)

hour break between sessions to allow for safe access and

egress of patrons between the sessions and reduce the

likelihood of vehicle conflicts.

The Bushfire Management Statement specifies the internal

track will be largely wide enough to accommodate the passing

of two (2) CFA tankers, although additional passing bays will be

included.

(3) The applicants are not required to show where they will

access water from in the initial stages, so long as it is in

accordance with any licensing arrangements through Goulburn

Murray Water. If water is brought onto the site the vehicle will

need to comply with the maximum load limit construction of

the existing road network and the internal access road. Long



58



term, the applicants are proposing to catch rainwater from the

shipping containers used as the paintball offices and amenity

buildings.

Weed Spraying carried out on site will need to comply with all

current codes of practice for weed spraying – The same as any

weed management spraying on private property would.

The wash down is for use during the construction phase of the

internal track only. The contractors constructing the track will

be responsible for ensuring all vehicles are cleaned thoroughly

prior to entering or leaving the property. The location and

design of the wash down bay will be subject to Council

endorsement and approval.

The internal track will cross the water supply easement that

provides the Roneberg property with water. Consent in

accordance with GMW requirements will need to be obtained

prior to the construction of the track.

(3) The bushfire risks have been adequately addressed in the

Bushfire Management Plan and Bushfire Management

Statement. This has been referred to the CFA for technical and

professional comment and endorsement. CFA conditions on

the planning permit will ensure the facility can operate safely in

accordance with bushfire safety controls and measures.

An additional access through the applicant’s farm has been

flagged in the Bushfire Management Statement. The CFA have

not required this or made mention of this in their response to

the referral of the application. The CFA require a Bushfire

Emergency Plan to be submitted to and approved by the CFA

prior to the development commencing. This plan outlines the

emergency evacuation procedures and how these will be

implemented. If a secondary egress is required, this will form

part of the Bushfire Emergency Plan.

(4) All referral authorities that provided a response to the

original application have reviewed the amended application

and provided an appropriate response to Council. The original

conditions will be replaced by the new conditions specified by

the referral authorities. Where there is a difference in the

conditions, Council may include conditions from the original

response if it is deemed they are applicable to the amended

application.

Like with any planning permit issued for development on

private land enforcing the conditions is difficult. Council is not

obligated to monitor every condition on every planning permit

issued. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are

complying with the conditions of their planning permit, or they

should expect to be subjected to a planning compliance

investigation.



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Conditions on an issued permit will require the applicants to

provide Council with annual reports, showing the management

of the site and the impacts the use is having and how these are

being managed / mitigated. Failure to provide these reports in

accordance with conditions on the planning permit will open

the applicants up to planning enforcement.

(5) Living in a rural area and along a gravel road incurs a

certain level of amenity impact from dust. Both Mulholland

Road and Bridle Track are public roads that provide entry into

the Mount Granya State Park as well as access for local

property owners. There are currently no controls over public

vehicle movements into and out of the State Park and nothing

preventing a large number of vehicles using these roads on a

daily basis. Whilst it is possible the levels of dust will increase

as a result of the paintball facility, this is not out of order with

what is possible on any given day from traffic using these roads

to access Mount Granya State Park.

Additional noise will be created as a result of the paintball

activities, this will be a combination of noise generated from

additional traffic movements and the paintball operations

themselves. A noise and amenity action plan would be required

to ensure the operators mitigate the impacts of this noise to

ensure no unreasonable detrimental impact is incurred by

adjoining property owners.

The noise generated is not expected to be any more imposing

than existing noise from the quarry on Georges Creek Road

and existing agricultural operations in the area.


Objector 3 - Mulholland Rd, Georges Creek

Negative impacts on the

peacefulness of the area and on

the nature and wildlife

Increase in traffic and the

possibility of patrons leaving the

venue and driving erratically as a

consequence of the ‘excited high’

Increase in fire risk as a result of

extra traffic

The applicants have provided information, stating the decibel

level the paintball markers reach when fired. The closest

dwelling to the proposed paintball fields is approximately 1km

away. Whilst it is possible that noise associated with the

paintball operations may travel throughout the area, it is highly

unlikely this noise will be any more imposing than noise

generated through existing traffic movements and through the

operation of agricultural machinery and operations in the area.

The TIAR has been completed by a qualified traffic engineer. It

is agreed the TIAR has not addressed some of the issues




movements. The application has been referred to the CFA. A

bushfire management plan has been prepared and approved

by the CFA ensuring a paintball facility will not increase

bushfire risk.



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Breach of easement – The

proposed internal access track

crosses an easement in favour of

Lot 1 PS608701F (Roneberg

Property)

The poor condition of Mulholland

Road and Bridle and their capacity

to support an increase in traffic

The unfamiliarity of the roads to

patrons attending the venue

Possibility of patrons leaving the

venue and driving erratically as a


Who will pay for upgrades to Road

and on-going maintenance

Crossing of traffic through a

waterway that traverses Bridle

Track and the impact of the water

quality

Potential rubbish pollution to

waterways in the area

Increase in bushfire risk through

people smoking either at the venue

or in their cars to and from the

venue

The impact of the paintball residue

that does not break down in

periods of low rainfall

Request for netting around fields

to eliminate potential for paintball

to be fired outside of fields

Possible noise from paintballs

hitting hard surfaces

Concerns patrons will associate

attending this facility with the

consumption of alcohol – what

measures will be in place to

manage this

Negative impacts on the amenity

of locals in the area and risk to

local road users – particularly bike

and horse riders

Impact on surrounding property

prices

Impact on native flora and fauna

The condition of Mulholland Road and Bridle Track has been

addressed above, as have the concerns that paintball

participants will drive erratically as a consequence of an

‘excited high’. Again, this comment is an emotive objection.

There is no evidence provided to support this statement, nor is

there any provision in the planning scheme that allows

assessment against a generalised statement such as this.

The internal access way maintenance will be the responsibility

of the applicants. Council will advise the minimum construction

standard that the road needs to meet, it will be the applicant’s

responsibility to ensure the road meets this standard at all

times. (Possibly an annual inspection report to be submitted to

RA from a suitably qualified engineer).

The crossing of the waterway will be constructed in accordance

with North East Catchment Management Authority

requirements.


surrounding, the site neither GMW, the EPA nor DELWP have

flagged major concerns with the operations of the proposed







Netting may be considered as a condition on a permit if issued.

The applicants have provided information, stating the decibel

level the paintball markers reach when fired. The closest

dwelling to the proposed paintball fields is approximately 1km

away. Whilst it is possible that noise associated with the

paintball operations may travel throughout the area, it is highly

unlikely this noise will be any more imposing than noise

generated through existing traffic movements and through the

operation of agricultural machinery and operations in the area.

The application does not include an application for a liquor

license, no alcohol will be permitted at the site. Patrons will not

be permitted to play if visibly affected by alcohol or other



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given the close proximity to the

park. Potential for the facility to

spook native and domestic animals

and habitat destruction

Risk to home and property security

Lack of emergency management

plan

Location of on-site effluent system

and proximity to waterways

Lack of information provided –

traffic impacts, car parking,

bushfire risk, water supply and

storage, noise, dust, visual amenity

and environmental impacts

substances.

The supplied LCA identifies the proposed location of the onsite

effluent system meets all requirement and setbacks.



Standard of Mulholland Road and

Bridle Track

Invasion of security, privacy and

safety

Pollution – dust, noise and car

fumes

Pollution – water quality

Use of generators to power the site

and the noise impacts associated

with this

Native vegetation removal

Proposed new driveway alignment

Safety of Mulholland Road and Bridle Track has been

addressed earlier.

A statement that the facility will increase the risk of private

property trespass and other crimes is an emotive objection.

There are no planning controls that allow for an assessment

against this. The paintball facility will only operate during day

light hours, the likelihood of the risk of private property

trespass and other crimes increasing is unlikely and no

evidence has been provided to support this statement.

Living in a rural area and along a gravel road incurs a certain

level of amenity impact from dust. Both Mulholland Road and

Bridle Track are public roads that provide entry into the Mount

Granya State Park as well as access for local property owners.

There are currently no controls over public vehicle movements

into and out of the State Park and nothing preventing a large

number of vehicles using these roads on a daily basis. Whilst it

is possible the levels of dust will increase as a result of the

paintball facility, this is not out of order with what is possible

on any given day from traffic using these roads to access

Mount Granya State Park.


surrounding the site neither GMW, the EPA nor DELWP have

flagged major concerns with the operations of the proposed








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Conflicts with Councils theme for

Georges Creek as ‘Pure Country

Living’

Concerns the road network is not

capable of supporting additional

traffic numbers

Compromised safety of family and

other residents in the Georges

Creek area using Mulholland Road

Increase in dust pollution

Ability for emergency services

vehicles to safely access Mt Granya

Negative impact on local fauna

Noise pollution, particularly on

weekends and public holidays

when residents are generally at

home

The Rural Activity Zone does not stipulate to provide a superior

rural residential amenity. The purpose of the zone is to allow

for a range of recreational, rural and commercial opportunities.

Whilst a paintball facility may not be considered by Georges

Creek residents as supportive of “Pure Country Living” it is a

permissible use, that through permit controls can be operated

with minimal detrimental amenity impact to neighbouring

properties.

Upgrades to the existing road network would be required to

ensure the safe and practical access for paintball patrons.

Upgrades and signage would also ensure the safety of local

road users is not impacted by additional traffic movements.

The internal access track will be constructed to the minimum

standard required to ensure the safe and practical access of

emergency vehicles to the site.

It is unlikely the noise generated with the paintball operations

will be any more invasive than the existing quarry and

agricultural operations in the area.



Cause conflict between land uses

Concerns the road network is not

capable of supporting additional

traffic numbers

Conflicts with Councils theme for

Georges Creek as ‘Pure Country

Living’

Possible devaluation of his

property

Compromised safety of family and

other residents in the Georges

Creek area using Mulholland Road

Increase in dust levels

Increase in traffic noise

Deterioration of road surface

Conflict in road use and restriction

on the ability to safely use cattle

loading ramp which currently

requires the temporary blockage of

Mulholland Road whilst cattle are

The Rural Activity Zone does not stipulate to provide a superior

rural residential amenity. The purpose of the zone is to allow

for a range of recreational, rural and commercial opportunities.

Whilst a paintball facility may not be considered by Georges

Creek residents as supportive of “Pure Country Living” it is a

permissible use that through permit controls can be operated

with minimal detrimental amenity impact to neighbouring

properties.

Upgrades to the existing road network would be required to

ensure the safe and practical access for paintball patrons.

Upgrades and signage would also ensure the safety of local

road users is not impacted by additional traffic movements.

Consideration of individual property prices is not a planning

consideration.

The internal access way maintenance will be the responsibility

of the applicants. Council will advise the minimum construction

standard that the road needs to meet, it will be the applicant’s

responsibility to ensure the road meets this standard at all

times. (Possibly an annual inspection report to be submitted to

RA from a suitably qualified engineer).



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being loaded

Safety of the proposed internal

track for 2WD vehicles and

inexperienced drivers

Possible increase in local crime

A statement that the facility will increase the risk of private

property trespass and other crimes is an emotive objection.

There are no planning controls that allow for an assessment

against this. The paintball facility will only operate during day

light hours, the likelihood of the risk of private property

trespass and other crimes increasing is unlikely and no

evidence has been provided to support this statement.

Table 2 – Objections to the original application

Objection


Impact on Properties in the surrounding area

Lack of information to show how Mulholland Road and Bridle Track can support the increase in traffic

Lack of information to support that Bridle Track can support 2WD vehicles under wet or otherwise

conditions

Lack of passing areas on both Mulholland Road and Bridle Track

Lack of information to support the proposed patron numbers

Increased risk of vehicle conflicts and also conflicts between vehicles and locals using the road to

move stock and for recreational purposes

Lack of information to show how water will be provided for the supply of water to the site

Amenity – impacts on residents that live on Mulholland Road and Bridle Track from increases in dust

and noise

Environmental Issues – Impacts on the environmental qualities of the site and surrounding area including

impacts on flora and fauna, water quality and soil quality.

Additional Objections from Objector 1 in response to TIAR completed by SPOTTO Consulting

The TIAR unreasonably discounted the impact on Mulholland Road residents, in particular traffic

count, dust and amenity.

Lack of information about who pays for the required upgrades.

Lack of information about the internal access way.

Questions relating to Referral Authority responses:

DELPW – include ‘or days of high risk’

Does prohibition of soil excavation apply to any aspect of internal driveway?

Annual offset site condition report and who administers this?

CFA – will internal access way meet CFA requirements?

Additional objections from Objector 2 in response to TIAR completed by SPOTTO Consulting

Mulholland Road is not suitable for the potential traffic flow predicted in the TIAR

Who pays for upgrades?

Information on internal access way is inadequate.

Safety of vehicles when reversing to get to a passing bay.

Who is responsible for maintenance of internal access way and who monitors road condition.

Will the car park have access to Bridle Track through the existing gateway near the entrance to

Mount Granya State Park?

Patrons will need to be prevented from using Bridle Track past the designated entry point to the

facility.

Internal access way will be a scar on the amenity of the area.



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Conflicts between parents driving their children to the bus stop and participants coming to and

leaving the facility.

TIAR does not accurately reflect the existing uses of the road.

Impact of increased dust.

Recent increases in traffic accessing the Mount Granya fire tower.

Regulations for buses using rural roads and internal access roads.

Additional vegetation removal for internal access way.

Lack of engineering details for internal access way.

Objection

Objector 2

Negative impacts on the amenity of the area as a result of ‘young adrenalin charged gamers’

attending the facility

The risk to road users from drivers that aren’t familiar with rural roads and the particular conditions of

Georges Creek Road, Mulholland Road and Bridle Track

Lack of information to show the paintball residue will not have negative impacts on the environment

– waterways and native flora and fauna

Objection

Objector 3

Negative impacts on the peacefulness of the area and on the nature and wildlife

Increase in traffic and the possibility of patrons leaving the venue and driving erratically as a


Increase in fire risk as a result of extra traffic

Objection

Objector 4

The poor condition of Mulholland Road and Bridle and their capacity to support an increase in traffic

The unfamiliarity of the roads to patrons attending the venue

Possibility of patrons leaving the venue and driving erratically as a consequence of the ‘excited high’

Who will pay for upgrades to Road and on-going maintenance

Crossing of traffic through a waterway that traverses Bridle Track and the impact of the water quality

Potential rubbish pollution to waterways in the area

Increase in bushfire risk through people smoking either at the venue or in their cars to and from the

venue

The impact of the paintball residue that does not break down in periods of low rainfall

Request for netting around fields to eliminate potential for paintball to be fired outside of fields

Possible noise from paintballs hitting hard surfaces

Concerns patrons will associate attending this facility with the consumption of alcohol – what

measures will be in place to manage this

Negative impacts on the amenity of locals in the area and risk to local road users – particularly bike

and horse riders

Impact on surrounding property prices

Impact on native flora and fauna given the close proximity to the park. Potential for the facility to

spook native and domestic animals and habitat destruction

Risk to home and property security



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Lack of emergency management plan

Location of on-site effluent system and proximity to waterways

Lack of information provided – traffic impacts, car parking, bushfire risk, water supply and storage,

noise, dust, visual amenity and environmental impacts

Objection


Increase traffic resulting in increased dust and maintenance demands on both roads

Impact on the waterway that traverses Mulholland Road

Upgrades to Bridle Track causing a detrimental impact on the environment

Increase risk of private property trespass and other crimes

The facility does not complement the adjoining land classification – State Park (Conservation).

Objection


Increase in bushfire risk – particularly for patrons. The isolated location on a ridgeline makes it a

vulnerable location in the event of a fire, with limited escape routes.

Inexperience of young patrons in a forested area during fire risk periods

Quantity of water supply for fire protection does not seem adequate

Safety of Mulholland Road and Bridle Track and capacity to support increases in traffic

Objection


Increase safety risk as a result of increases in traffic – due to the condition of Mulholland Road. This

refers to risks to other motorists, but also to people walking on the road.

Increase in bushfire risk

Objection


Standard of Mulholland Road and Bridle Track

Invasion of security, privacy and safety

Pollution – dust, noise and car fumes

Pollution – water quality

Use of generators to power the site and the noise impacts associated with this

Native vegetation removal

Proposed new driveway alignment

Referral Details

EPA Sec 52 Referral

EPA has no concern with Council issuing this planning permit according to the information that has been

provided. However, we recommend Council considers the following conditions for inclusion in the planning

permit:

A secondary containment system must be provided for liquids which if spilt are likely to cause

pollution or pose an environmental hazard, in accordance with the EPA Publication 347 Bunding

Guidelines 1992 or as amended.

The applicant must ensure that litter is not deposited beyond the boundary of the premises.

Noise emitted from the premises must not exceed the recommended levels as set out in Noise from

Industry in Regional Victoria (NIRV; EPA Publication 1411, 2011) or as amended.



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DELWP Sec 55 Referral

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) does not object to the granting of a

permit for the above proposal subject to the following conditions being included on any planning permit

issued.

Notification of permit conditions

1. Before any works start, including the native vegetation removal, the permit holder must advise all

persons undertaking the vegetation removal or any works on site of all relevant permit conditions and

associated statutory requirements or approvals.

Protection of retained vegetation

2. Before any works start, the areas of native vegetation approved for removal, including scattered trees

and patch vegetation, must be clearly identified and marked on site. The trunks of any trees approved

for removal must be marked with a painted X. All other native vegetation on site must be retained and

identified as ‘no go zones’.

3. Except with the written consent of the responsible authority, within the area of native vegetation to be

retained and any tree or vegetation protection zone associated with the permitted development, the

following is prohibited:

a. trenching or soil excavation

b. storage or dumping of any soils, materials, equipment, vehicles, machinery or waste products

c. entry and exit pits for the provision of underground services

d. any other actions or activities that may result in adverse impacts to retained native vegetation.

4. All vehicles, earth moving equipment and other machinery or tools taken on site must be cleaned and

made free of any soil and plant material before entering and leaving the site to prevent the spread of

weeds and pathogens.

Native vegetation permitted to be removed, destroyed or lopped

5. The native vegetation permitted to be removed, destroyed or lopped under this permit is 0.475

hectares of native vegetation, which is comprised of:

a. four (4) patches of native vegetation including zero (0) large trees, with a strategic biodiversity

value score of 0.594

b. four (4) scattered small trees.

Native vegetation offsets

a. To offset the removal of 0.475 hectares of native vegetation, the permit holder must secure the

following native vegetation offset in accordance with Guidelines for the removal, destruction or

lopping of native vegetation (DELWP 2017).

A general offset of 0.456 general habitat units:

a. Located within the North East Catchment Management Authority boundary or Towong Shire

Council municipal area; and

b. with a minimum strategic biodiversity value score of 0.475.

6. Before any native vegetation is removed or impacted, evidence that the offset required by this permit

has been secured must be provided to the satisfaction of responsible authority. This evidence must be

one or both of the following:

a. an established first party offset site including a security agreement signed by both parties, and a

management plan detailing the 10-year active management actions and ongoing management of

the site; and/or

b. credit extract allocated to the permit from the Native Vegetation Credit Register.

7. A copy of the offset evidence will be endorsed by the responsible authority and form part of this

permit. Within 30 days of endorsement of the offset evidence, a copy of the endorsed offset evidence

must be provided to Planning Approvals at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and



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Planning, Hume regional office via [email protected]

8. Where the offset includes a first party offset, the permit holder must provide an annual offset site

implementation report to the responsible authority by the anniversary date of the execution of the

offset security agreement, for a period of 10 consecutive years. After the tenth year, the landowner

must provide a report at the reasonable request of a statutory authority.

Other conditions

9. Any lopping or pruning of tree limbs from trees not approved to be removed, must be to the

minimum extent necessary and not exceed one third of the canopy and must not include lopping of

any part of the trunk.

10. Soil/sediment control measures must be implemented throughout the works/construction stage of

the development, in accordance with the Construction Techniques for Sediment Pollution Control

(EPA,1991), to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.

Comments on offset proposal and offset plan

11. The proposed first party offset option provided with the application documentation appears to be

appropriate and would be able to achieve the required offsets. However, it is strongly recommended

that the applicant discuss the security agreement proposed, an agreement on title under Section 173

of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, with the responsible authority as soon as possible to

ensure that they are able to and willing to enter into such an agreement for a native vegetation offset.

12. An offset management plan for a first party offset should be prepared in accordance with the

standards and requirements set out in the First party offset guide – How to establish a first party offset

site (DELWP 2018). This will ensure that all management actions required are included in the plan and

all aspects of a first party offset are addressed.

13. The offset management plan also needs to include reporting requirements on an annual basis.

Reporting should be to the responsible authority on the anniversary of the date of the execution of

the offset security agreement, for a period of 10 consecutive years.

14. The revegetation species lists provided at Appendix C of the Vegetation offset management plan

(Version 2, 23/06/18) are not considered appropriate. These are benchmarks for ecological vegetation

classes for the purpose of vegetation quality assessments. They are too broad for species selection for

revegetation of individual sites. More appropriate species lists for the proposed offset site can be

obtained from DELWP Natural Environment Program officers.

15. The boundary (as mapped) of any proposed offset site needs to be set back from any fence lines (4

meters for a boundary with public land, at least 2 meters for other fences), to preclude potential future

impacts on the offset site and vegetation within it, for the purposes of maintaining the fence.

Planning Note:

The carriage of a gun (which includes a paintball gun) is prohibited by legislation within Mount

Granya State Park and substantial penalties apply. A fence and signage should be erected to define

the boundary between Mount Granya State Park and private property to ensure paintball activities do

not spill over into the park. A survey will be required to determine the legal boundary with accuracy.

An adequate buffer is required between proposed paintball fields and Mount Granya State Park to

prevent the airborne passage of paintballs into the park. The appropriate buffer size is suggested as

at least the range of the paintball guns plus 10 metres. The boundaries of playing fields are to be

clearly demarcated as indicated in the application.

Adequate facilities must be in place to collect and contain litter that might otherwise spread from the

site into the park.

mailto:[email protected]



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GMW Sec 55 Referral

1. All construction and ongoing activities must be in accordance with sediment control principles

outlined in ‘Construction Techniques for Sediment Pollution Control’ (EPA, 1991).

2. All fields of play must be located at least 30m from any waterway or drainage line and there must be

no disturbance of native vegetation within the 30 buffer zone.

3. Paint ball activities must not cause any increased sediment transport to waterways or drainage lines

during or following rainfall events.

4. All paint balls must be of materials which are water soluble, biodegradable and non-toxic to the

environment.

5. All wastewater from the facilities block must be treated and disposed of using an EPA approved

system, installed, operated and maintained in compliance with the relevant EPA Code of Practice and

Certificate of Conformity

6. The wastewater disposal area must be located at minimum setback distances of:

100 metres from the nearest waterway

at least 60 metres from any dams

at least 20 metres from any bores.

at least 40 metres from any drainage lines

7. The wastewater disposal area must be kept free of stock, buildings, driveways and service trenching

and must be planted with appropriate vegetation to maximise its performance. Stormwater must be

diverted away. A reserve wastewater disposal field of equivalent size to the primary disposal field

must be provided for use in the event that the primary field requires resting or has failed.

CFA Sec 55 Referral

1. Bushfire Management Plan

2. Before the development starts, an amended Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) which is generally in

accordance with BMP prepared by SJE Consulting plan must be submitted to and endorsed by the

Responsible Authority. The plan must show the following bushfire protection measures, unless

otherwise agreed in writing by the CFA and the Responsible Authority:

Defendable Space

Show an area of defendable space for a distance of 49m for the downslopes and 39m for the upslope around

the proposed building where vegetation (and other flammable materials) will be modified and managed in

accordance with the following requirements:

Grass must be short cropped and maintained during the declared fire danger period.

All leaves and vegetation debris must be removed at regular intervals during the declared fire danger

period.

Within 10 metres of a building, flammable objects must not be located close to the vulnerable parts

of the building.

Plants greater than 10 centimetres in height must not be placed within 3m of a window or glass

feature of the building.

Shrubs must not be located under the canopy of trees.

Individual and clumps of shrubs must not exceed 5 sq. metres in area and must be separated by at

least 5 metres.

Trees must not overhang or touch any elements of the building.

The canopy of trees must be separated by at least 5 metres.

There must be a clearance of at least 2 metres between the lowest tree branches and ground level.



69



Construction Standard

Nominate a minimum Bushfire Attack Level of BAL – 19 that the building will be designed and

constructed.

Water Supply

Show 10,000 litres of effective water supply for fire fighting purposes which meets the following

requirements:

Be stored in an above ground water tank constructed of concrete or metal.

Have all fixed above ground water pipes and fittings required for firefighting purposes made of

corrosive resistant metal.

Include a separate outlet for occupant use.

Be readily identifiable from the building or appropriate identification signage to the satisfaction of

the relevant fire authority.

Be located within 60 metres of the outer edge of the approved building.

The outlet/s of the water tank must be within 4 metres of the accessway and unobstructed.

Incorporate a separate ball or gate valve (British Standard Pipe (BSP 65 millimetre) and coupling (64

millimetre CFA 3 thread per inch male fitting).

Any pipework and fittings must be a minimum of 65 millimetres (excluding the CFA coupling)

Access

Show the access for fire fighting purposes which meets the following requirements:

All weather construction.

A load limit of at least 15 tonnes.

Provide a minimum trafficable width of 3.5 metres

Be clear of encroachments for at least 0.5 metre on each side and at least 4 metres vertically.

Curves must have a minimum inner radius of 10m.

The average grade must be no more than 1 in 7 (14.4 per cent) (8.1 degrees) with a maximum of no

more than 1 in 5 (20 per cent) (11.3 degrees) for no more than 50m.

Dips must have no more than a 1 in 8 (12.5 per cent) (7.1 degrees) entry and exit angle.

Incorporate a turning area for fire fighting vehicles close to the building by one of the following:

- A turning circle with a minimum radius of eight metres.

- A driveway encircling the dwelling

- The provision of vehicle turning heads – such as a T or Y head – which meets the specification of

Austroad Design for an 8.8 metre Service Vehicle.

Incorporate passing bays at least every 200m which must be at least 20 metres long and have a

minimum trafficable width of 6 metres.

Bushfire Emergency Plan

3. Before the development is occupied or the use commences, a bushfire emergency plan (BEP) to the

satisfaction of the Responsible Authority and CFA must be submitted to and endorsed by the

Responsible Authority. The BEP must clearly describe the proposed emergency management

arrangements and should address the following matters:

Premises details

Describe property and business details.

Identify the purpose of the BEP stating that the plan outlines procedures for:

Closure of premises on any day with a Fire Danger Rating of Extreme and Code Red.



70



Evacuation (evacuation from the site to a designated safer off-site location).

Shelter-in-place (remaining on-site in a designated building).

Review of the BEP

Outline that the plan must be reviewed and updated annually prior to the commencement of the

declared Fire Danger Period.

Include a Version Control Table.

Roles and Responsibilities

Detail the staff responsibilities for implementing the emergency procedures in the event of a

bushfire.

Emergency contact details

Outline organisation/position/contact details for emergency services personnel

Bushfire monitoring procedures

Details the use of radio, internet and social networks that will assist in monitoring potential threats

during the bushfire danger period.

Describe and show (include a map) the area to be monitored for potential bushfire activity.

Action Statements – trigger points for action

Prior to the Fire Danger Period

Describe on-site training sessions and fire equipment checks.

Identify maintenance of bushfire protection measures such as vegetation management (including

implementation of protection measures required by any endorsed Bushfire Management Plan).

Closure of premise during forecast Fire Danger Rating of Extreme and Code Red days

Outline guest notification procedures and details of premises closure (including timing of closure).

Evacuation

Identify triggers for evacuation from site. For example, when evacuation is recommended by

emergency services.

Details of the location/s of the offsite emergency assembly location.

Transport arrangements for staff and guests including details such as:

- Number of vehicles required

- Name of company providing transportation

- Contact phone number for transport company

- Time required before transportation is likely to be available

- Estimated travelling time to destination

- Actions after the bushfire emergency event.

Shelter-in-place

Show the location and describe the type of shelter-in-place.

Triggers for commencing the shelter-in-place option.

Procedures for emergency assembly in the shelter-in-place building.

Premises closure

4. The use of the facility approved under this permit must not operate after 10.00am on any day with a

declared Fire Danger Rating of Extreme and Code Red.

NECMA Sec 52

The Authority notes Council requirement of the applicant for road upgrade of which a component

of requires the installation of a culvert crossing on a waterway on Bridle Track. The waterway is a waterway

gazetted by the North East Catchment Management Authority to be a designated waterway under the Water



71



Act 1989. It is requested that the following be included as a planning note on the permit issued:

A Works on Waterways permit must be obtained from the North East CMA in accordance with the Waterway

Protection By-law 2014/01 Waterways Protection prior to commencing any works in, on or over the

designated waterway (such as landscaping, bridge or access crossings, storm water outlets, etc.) Further

information and an application form can be obtained from North East Catchment Management Authority at:

http://www.necma.vic.gov.au/About-Us/Programs-Initiatives/Undertake-Works-on-Waterways

Council Technical Services Sec 52

Objection to planning permit application.

The TIAR provided does not adequately address the current condition of the road network and

underestimates the number of potential vehicle movements.

The safety risk for conflicts between existing local road users and paintball patrons is considered

unacceptable with Mulholland Road and Bridle Track in their current state.

The upgrades required to the intersection of Mulholland Road and Georges Creek would likely require

land acquisition to provide an appropriate sight distance in accordance with AustRoads Guidelines -

Guide to Traffic Engineering Practices.

There are a number of blind corners along Mulholland Road that fail to provide adequate horizontal

sight distances to allow the safe passage of traffic due to the road being predominantly single lane.

There are also crests that fail to provide adequate vertical sight distance.

Mulholland Road would require upgrades to widen the road, to bring it up to the standard required to

allow the projected number of vehicle movements. This would require additional native vegetation

removal and may require the acquisition of private land.


The application has been assessed against all relevant planning controls in the

Towong Planning Scheme.

A Traffic Impact Assessment Report (provided by the applicant) details the issues and

constraints in accessing the site via Mulholland Road and Bridle Track. This report

highlighted some key requirements to allow for safe access to the site by

participants. However the report largely underestimates the potential additional

traffic movements, does not identify the limited horizontal and vertical sight

distances (corners and crests) and does not recognise the inadequacy of sight

distance at the Georges Creek and Mulholland Road intersection. The

recommendations of the TIAR have been taken into consideration, although it has

been determined they do not adequately address the existing road issues.

The safety risks of the proposed internal access track have not been adequately

addressed. The applicants have provided engineered drawings showing the track can

meet the grades required to allow emergency vehicle access, however they have not

provided information on how inexperienced drivers in 2WD vehicles will safely

manoeuvre the track or how they will mitigate the possibility of conflicting traffic

movements along this track. Passing bays have been proposed along the track but

may still require vehicles to reverse to safely pass.



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Given the current condition of Mulholland Road and Bridle Track, the upgrades

required are considered significant and will also require additional native vegetation

removal that has not been accounted for. The acquisition of private land to achieve

adequate horizontal sight distances (on blind corners) may also be required. The

additional traffic movements have the potential to cause unreasonable conflicts

between local road users and vehicles that may result in significant impacts.

A land capability assessment has been provided showing the land can adequately

maintain and treat all effluent onsite without causing detrimental impacts to the

environment.

There are significant concerns from adjoining property owners and local community

members over the environmental impacts a paintball facility will have on the land.

Independent research into the environmental impact paintballs have on flora and

fauna has been conducted, it is concluded that paintballs cause minimal long-term

impacts on the environment. They are made of a gelatin shell (similar to that of

gummy bears) and contain a polyethylene glycol filling (the base in most cough

syrups), this filling is soluble and non-toxic and generally coloured with food dye.

Whilst the paintballs will have a short-term aesthetic impact on the environment,

once it rains all paintball residue will be dissolved and removed from the

environment.

The paintball facility is buffered from view by existing native vegetation and is

located approximately 1km from the closest dwelling. Visually, the facility will not

cause a detrimental aesthetic impact on the surrounding area. Noise generated by

paintball activities will be buffered by the existing vegetation and it is unlikely this

noise will be anymore imposing on the area than existing agricultural operations and

the nearby quarry.

Amenity impacts on the adjoining property owners has also been considered. Whilst

it is accepted that additional traffic in the area may generate more dust and noise,

both Mulholland Road and Bridle Track are currently public roads that provide access

into Mount Granya State Park, and these roads can be accessed at any time by any

number of vehicles.

The bushfire risk to the area will not be increased, however the risk to the paintball

operations is high. A Bushfire Management Statement has been prepared and a

defendable zone will be implemented in accordance with CFA requirements to

ensure the safety of participants.



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The proposed internal access way will need to cross a named waterway and a water

easement in favour of an adjoining property. Any crossing of the named waterway

will need to meet the requirements of the North East CMA. The functions of the

water easement are administered by Goulburn Murray Water any crossing over this

easement for access will need to meet the requirements of Goulburn Murray Water.

Native vegetation removal is required for both creating a defendable zone and for

the internal access way to be constructed. DELWP have provided conditional consent

for the vegetation removal for the defendable zone and the proposed internal access

track.

Holistically, this facility has the potential to boost the local tourism economy and

attract visitors to Towong Shire who may not normally visit. Towong Shire has a vast

offering for visitors that could be promoted through the paintball facility.

The application for a paintball facility, whilst it has environmental, bushfire and

amenity constraints, is an acceptable use and development of the land in the Rural

Activity Zone. It is the Officer’s opinion the constraints of the site can be adequately

addressed through planning conditions on a permit.

However, the access to the site presents significant challenges and the road

upgrades required to provide safe access and egress are considered to be extensive

and significant. The TIAR has not adequately addressed the current conditions of

Mulholland Road and Bridle Track and subsequently failed to propose suitable

upgrades to mitigate the issues that exist.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT COUNCIL ISSUE A NOTICE OF DECISION TO REFUSE THE PLANNING

PERMIT FOR PLANNING APPLICATION 2017/030.1 FOR USE AND

DEVELOPMENT OF LAND AT BRIDLE TRACK BEING MORE PARTICULARLY

DESCRIBED AS CA 34, 37, 61 SEC A PARISH OF BULLIOH FOR THE PURPOSES OF

AN OUTDOOR LEISURE AND RECREATION FACILITY (PAINTBALL GAMES

FACILITY).



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12.2 Planning and Subdivision Fees (03/02/0003-CEO)


This report was prepared by Mrs Diana Snaith, Executive Assistant.



Background/History:

Planning and responsible authorities provide services under the Planning and

Environment Act 1987 which attract a fee in accordance with the Planning and

Environment (Fees) Regulations 2016.

These services include:

- Planning scheme amendments

- Planning permit applications

- Certificates of compliance with the planning scheme

- Certificates setting out planning provisions that apply to land

- Satisfaction matters – where the planning scheme says something must be

done to an authority’s satisfaction

Amendments to permits or applications for permits and combined applications will

also attract a fee.

Council adopted a new Planning Permits and Planning Scheme Amendments Fee

Schedule at its meeting on 7 August 2018.

Under the regulations, fees are set in fee units.

A fee unit value is adjusted each year by the Treasurer.

The Treasurer has fixed the values for the fee units at $14.81 for the 2019/20 year (a

$0.36 increase on the 2018/19 fee unit of $14.45).

The fees shown in the fee schedule attached at Appendix 3 have been updated with

the new fee unit.



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Nil


Nil

Risk Assessment:

Nil


No community consultation has been undertaken.


This report is provided for the information of Council.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE FEE UNIT VALUE SET BY THE TREASURER FOR

2019/20 AND THE PLANNING PERMITS AND PLANNING SCHEME

AMENDMENTS FEES SCHEDULE AS PRESENTED.



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13 Environmental sustainability

13.1 Environmental sustainability report (01/07/0004-DTS)


This report was prepared by Mr Andrew O’Connell, Technical Officer.



Background/History:

This report is a quarterly report on Environmental Sustainability activities throughout

the Shire.

E-waste

To help protect the environment and recover more precious resources, the Victorian

Government is banning all e-waste from landfill as of 1 July 2019.

To support the implementation of this ban, e-waste storage shed facilities are being

established in Tallangatta and Corryong. The construction of these facilities is

funded by Sustainability Victoria and are intended to provide safe e-waste disposal

points and enable compliance with new regulatory requirements specifying how e-

waste must be managed. E-waste sheds are required to avoid breakage, protect e-

waste from the elements and store e-waste on an impermeable and bunded surface

to avoid environmental contamination.

Lyford Engineering were awarded the contract for the construction of the Corryong

and Tallangatta e-waste sheds. Corryong’s e-waste shed construction is now

complete with signage to be erected by the end of July 2019. Tallangatta’s e-waste

shed construction will be completed by the end of July 2019.

Corryong Landfill Cells

A contract has been awarded to Mackenzie Engineering to complete the design of

the next six cells at the Corryong Resource Recovery Centre.



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Cudgewa Elm Trees

Curtis Tree Lopping conducted tree works on the Avenue of Honour in Cudgewa to

preserve the health of these trees. The works were completed in May and ongoing

works have been added to the tree maintenance schedule.

Tree Replacement Strategy

The Tree Replacement Strategy for 2018/2019 is currently being implemented and

will include tree planting in most towns within the Shire. The majority of trees will be

planted in Dartmouth, Corryong, Tallangatta and Walwa. Community notification is

complete in Tallangatta and Bellbridge. Works are now complete in Bellbridge and

works are ongoing in other towns to take advantage of cooler conditions which help

with the growth of the new trees.

Tree planting and maintenance data to-date is shown below:

TOWN TREES PLANTED YTD 2018-19

Upcoming Tree Planting

Upcoming Tree Planting Autumn 2019

Upcoming Tree Maintenance Autumn 2019

Corryong 46 (Ongoing) 16 32 2

Bellbridge 8 - - -

Dartmouth 10 12 10

Granya 85 (Project Complete) - - -

Tallangatta 86 (Ongoing) 31 35

Old Tallangatta - 45 14

Colac 12 63 - 45

Tintaldra 24 (Project Complete) 8 - -

Walwa 86 (Project Complete) 1 14 10

Total 357 176 95 67



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Budget Impact

Jun 2019

YTD

Jun 2019

YTD

Jun 2019

YTD

Jun 2019

YTD

2018/19

Full Year

(Actual) (Budget) (Variance) (Variance) (Budget)

$ $ $ % $

Income

Kerbside collection 1 1,024,704 982,000 42,704 4% 982,000

Waste facilities management 2 538,360 453,000 85,360 19% 453,000

Total Income 1,563,064 1,435,000 128,064 9% 1,435,000

Expenditure

Kerbside collection 631,935 649,612 17,677 3% 649,612

Waste facilities management 270,779 313,370 42,591 14% 313,370

Total Expenditure 902,714 962,982 60,268 6% 962,982

Net Income / (Expenditure) 660,350 472,018 188,332 40% 472,018

Note

Notes

1 - Additional income from carry forward of bin audit

2 - Grant income - for e-waste sheds and the Waste Not Want Not project


Nil


Nil

Risk Assessment:

The statewide e-waste ban began on 1 July 2019. Council is no longer accepting e-

waste into the general waste streams at either of the Resource Recovery Centres. It

is Council’s responsibility to ensure that e-waste does not enter the general waste

stream and is stored appropriately. E-waste is to be stored in the e-waste sheds to

ensure compliance with these requirements. Supervisors at both Centres have been

educated on what is e-waste and the requirements for waste and recycling

separation by people delivery materials to the Resource Recovery Centres.



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The local community were notified of the Tree Replacement Strategy in Tallangatta

including; The Triangles, Akuna Avenue, Queen Elizabeth Drive by a letter box drop

for those directly impacted. A public notice was also placed in the Tallangatta Herald

as well as a post to Council’s Facebook page.


The Environmental Sustainability area is making good progress in relation to the

Council Plan.

RECOMMENDATION:




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14 Economic and tourism development

14.1 Economic development report (05/01/0001-CEO)


This report was prepared by Ms Kerissa Heritage, Economic Development Officer.

At the time of preparation of the report, the officer did not have a direct or indirect


Background/History:

This report is a quarterly report on Economic Development activities throughout the

Shire.

Great River Road

Funding agreements for this project are in place with both the Commonwealth and

State governments. Delivery of the project and milestone reporting is on schedule.

The final three large-scale artwork pieces, the Rainbow Trout, Murray Cray and

Wedge-tailed Eagle, have been installed.

The five artwork pieces are now complete:

Wedge-tailed Eagle at Mount Alfred Gap

Murray Cod at Tintaldra

Bogong Moth at Jim Newman Lookout

Murray Cray at Bringenbrong Reserve

Rainbow Trout at Khancoban

Infrastructure and Landscaping

Officers have worked alongside the Great River Road (GRR) Reference Group to

finalise the content of the interpretive signage. The signs have been fabricated and

installed at various locations en-route. Five of the signs are inclusive of a QR code

(assessable via mobile devices) which links to videos on the GRR website.

Officers prepared a videography RFQ for the production of the videos which feature

five community characters (selected by the GRR Reference Group). Each character



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tells a story related to the Great River Road. The videography work was awarded to

and completed by Mr Tim Petts.

Banisters have been installed at the Jim Newman and Mount Alfred Lookouts. Te

sealing, fencing and landscaping has also been completed at the Mount Alfred site

(the last of the sites to be completed).

Great River Road gateway signs have been fabricated and installed at Bellbridge and

Khancoban.

Infrastructure and landscaping is now complete at all Great River Road sites. Works

undertaken include:

Wayfinding road signage

Interpretive signage

Picnic tables

Shelters

Banisters

Sealing and drainage

Gateway signage

Large-scale artwork

Landscaping

Marketing Materials

Officers have worked in consultation with the Reference Group to deliver the Great

River Road marketing materials:

Great River Road brochure – design, printing and distribution complete

Feature in the Upper Murray Business and Tourism Directory – four page

feature for inclusion complete

Great River Road website – design and content complete.

The Great River Road project is now complete. Officers have completed and lodged

completion reports with both the Federal and State governments. Officers

accompanied the Regional Development Victoria representative during their

completion inspection.

In consultation with the GRR Reference Group the official launch of the Great River

Road project (initially scheduled for April 2019) has been postponed to spring.



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Upper Murray branding

Recent brand activity has focused on updating digital content and platforms.

Officers have completed structural and content changes to the Upper Murray website

to meet the initial requirements of stakeholders. In addition, the site now features a

photo library for access by Marketing Upper Murray participants.

The previously inactive Upper Murray 2030 Facebook page has been rebranded.

Officers prepared the page, including initial posts, prior to handing the administrative

role over to the Upper Murray 2030 Facilitator. Officers continue to contribute to the

page’s content.

The Man from Snowy River Tourists Association’s Facebook Page (Upper Murray

Tourism) has been updated to reflect the new Upper Murray brand. Officers will

continue to contribute to the page by creating posts with consistent and appropriate

messaging.

Upper Murray Inc have registered the Intellectual Property of the Upper Murray

brand in 4 classes:

Class 29 - Fresh meat

Class 30 – Dairy ice cream

Class 31 – Fresh vegetables

Class 43 – Rental of holiday accommodation

In June 2018, the Rural City of Wangaratta released their Draft Brand Strategy for

community consultation. The draft brand identity and its proposed application

technique, is very similar to that of the Upper Murray brand. Officers prepared a

submission to the Rural City of Wangaratta. The submission provided details of the

Upper Murray brand to ensure the Rural City of Wangaratta was well informed to

make a decision on how to proceed with their own brand development.

Upper Murray Inc was consulted on the design and location of five branded Upper

Murray gateway signs. The signs have been fabricated and installed. In addition, final

changes to the new Upper Murray map were completed in-house. The map has

since been printed and distributed.

Walwa Park sign

Council officers worked with community members to replace the large information

board in Walwa Park. The artwork has been completed and the sign is now in place.



83



Upper Murray 2030 Vision Plan

The Upper Murray 2030 Interim Community Board recently became incorporated as

Upper Murray Inc. The group has received funding from Regional Development

Victoria for the Building a Resilient Future project (BRF). Corryong Health are the

auspice body for the project.

The BRF will see the delivery of projects identified in the Upper Murray 2030 Vision

Plan, which focuses on the Upper Murray becoming a more livable region and

ultimately attracting new residents and sustaining young families.

To date, the project:

Has built on the sustainability of Upper Murray non-profit organisations

Has delivered a number of capacity building workshops in the Upper Murray

Is working towards delivering on the Upper Murray 2030 Agricultural Plan

Council has committed $20,000 in-kind to the project. Council have provided a small

component of in-kind support by the means of officer time and continue to work

with the group to determine what the remainder of the commitment may look like.

Davis Cottage will no longer be used by the Group.

LaunchVic

Council received funding of $100,000 from the Victorian Government’s LaunchVic

program to deliver the ‘Think-Start-Grow’ project; a project designed to drive start-

up entrepreneurial activities across Towong Shire.

To date, the program has delivered a number of workshops across the Shire to build

the capacity of potential entrepreneurs.

As part of delivering phase four, previous participants were invited to ‘pitch’ their

idea for an opportunity to receive six months ongoing mentoring. Three

participants’ pitches were successful.

Mentored participants will undertake a globally recognised ‘Steps to Startup’

Program to better understand what it takes to start a business. In addition,

participants will be offered intensive one-on-one business coaching.



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Davis Cottage

Hire agreements for the use of Davis Cottage were prepared for two businesses that

expressed interest in the premises; Pegleg Productions and Corryong Health (auspice

for the Building a Resilient Future project) agreed to jointly lease the Cottage.

Corryong Health has since relocated to a location deemed more suitable for

delivering the Building a Resilient Future project.

Dairy industry

The Economic Development Officer is an active participant with Alpine Valleys Dairy

Inc (AVD). AVD Inc is currently reviewing the Alpine Valleys Dairy Pathways Project

Strategic Plan initiated in 2013.

Council officers have supported Alpine Valleys Dairy by producing a Communications

Plan for the group’s activities. The Plan identifies AVD’s key messages and how the

group can best reach various audiences.

Officers have also assisted AVD to implement the initial stages of the

Communications Plan, including the development of an AVD Facebook page.

Tourism North East (TNE)

Council is participating in the following 2018/2019 TNE projects:

Ride High Country marketing campaigns for the High Country Rail Trail and

road cycling

Visit Upper Murray and Valleys Lakes and Vistas websites

High Country Harvest

Research into the walking and hiking markets

Industry and product development

Public relations and media campaigns.

Additionally, TNE has specifically assisted the Economic Development Team by:

Undertaking structural changes required on the www.visituppermurray.com

website

Developing the Great River Road website

Providing insightful research for inclusion in the Mitta Mountain Bike Park

Masterplan Request for Quotation.

http://www.visituppermurray.com/



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Corryong Innovation Space

Dartmouth Mining did not renew their lease agreement. As a result, two of the four

sheds became vacant. Two of the four suites are also available.

An Expression of Interest process was promoted in an effort to fill the vacancies.

Unfortunately no interest was received from potential start-up businesses. Interest

was received from an established business, Don’s Freight, with whom a lease

agreement is now in place.

Dartmouth RV dump point

Funding was received from the Federal Government through its Stronger

Communities Program for the installation of a dump point at Dartmouth. The dump

point is operational and signage promoting the dump point has been installed at

various locations throughout the Valley.

The Dartmouth Dump Point project included delivery of tourism signage for the

Mitta Valley region.

The Economic Development Officer worked with Mitta Valley Inc to finalise the

content of the interpretive tourism signs. The design, fabrication and installation of

the signs is now complete.

The four signs feature:

Tallandoon North School – located at Tallandoon North

Yabba Cemetery – located at the Yabba Cemetery

Granite Flat Building – located at Granite Flat (x2 signs)

The signs will add value to the Mitta Valley tourism offering. They will play a vital role

in Mitta Valley Inc’s capacity to deliver a historic drive/ride as identified in the Mitta

Valley Destination Plan.

Pick My Project

The State Government announced that the Pick My Project Mitta Valley Mountain

Bike Park application was successful. Council is auspicing the project valued at

$168,700.



86



The project will deliver a masterplan for the development of a Mountain Bike Park in

the Mitta Valley to leverage off the region's natural assets and the strong contingent

of mountain bikers in North East Victoria.

A community steering group has been formed to oversee the project delivery.

The Steering Group has been supported by the Economic Development officer to

develop a project plan and budget for the proposed work.

DELWP continue to be consulted and kept informed of the project’s progress.

The original scope of works (as per the application) has varied; the project will no

longer include the implementation of a ‘green track’, rather the allocated funds will

be reinvested into the Masterplan, planning requirements (e.g. Cultural Heritage

Management Plan) and Trail Head.

A Request for Quotation process was conducted for the appointment of a suitable

business to undertake the development of the Mitta Mountain Bike Park Masterplan.

Four submissions were received and an evaluation was undertaken by the Steering

Group. Terrain Trail Construction was awarded the contract.

Terrain Trail Construction are currently undertaking community consultation.

The first milestone report for the project has been successfully completed.

Tallangatta Shopfront Revitalisation Project

The Tallangatta Shopfront Revitalisation Project (TSRP) is being delivered as a

component of Destination Tallangatta.

The TSRP will financially assist businesses and commercial building owners in the

CBD upgrade property facades. Potential upgrades include refurbishment of

verandahs, repairs to roof drainage, window improvements and signwriting.

A draft Project Plan has been prepared as well as draft Tallangatta Shopfront

Revitalisation Program guidelines (circulated to Councillors under separate cover).

A Project Facilitator will be appointed to assist applicants understand their options,

maximise the funding available and manage contractors. Submissions received from

the Request for Quotation process are currently being reviewed.



87



Once a Facilitator has been appointed, a business community information session will

be held to receive feedback on the draft Guidelines.

Tintaldra boat ramp

Council was successful in securing $119,505 to install a boat ramp at Tintaldra

through the State Government’s Boating Safety and Facilities program.

The purpose-built boat ramp will overcome many of the safety risks associated with

the current ‘launch site’ and complement the Great River Road project.

Planning permits from various government authorities continue to be sought.

Due to the unexpected planning challenges, a variation to the funding agreement (to

extend the start and completion date) has been requested.

Corryong Visitor Information Centre

An alarm system has been installed at the Corryong Visitor Centre (VIC). The system

will provide confidence to volunteers when a staff member is not present. It includes

a mobile duress button which volunteers are encouraged to use should they feel

threatened or are faced with another incident (eg: serious fall). Upon use, the duress

button will activate an external siren.

The Centre’s policies and procedures are currently being reviewed to ensure they

meet the requirements of the Centre and its volunteer staff pool.

Social Enterprise Workshop

Council partnered with the Social Enterprise Academy to deliver a two day workshop

on understanding social enterprise.

The workshop explored the role social enterprise can play in rejuvenating rural

communities. Participants were introduced to the objectives, purpose and practice of

social enterprise.

Corryong Airport Precinct Development Completion Report

The final report and acquittal for the Corryong Airport Precinct has been completed

and submitted. An inspection has been undertaken by a Regional Development

Victoria representative.



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Nil


Nil

Budget Impact:

Nil

Risk Assessment:

Nil


The Great River Road Reference Group (comprised of community members)

continues to oversee that project.

The Upper Murray Brand Steering Group is leading the delivery of the Upper

Murray Brand projects.

Council officers consulted with Mitta Valley residents regarding heritage

tourism signage associated with the Dartmouth dump point project.

Terrain Trail Construction, contracted to deliver the Mitta Mountain Bike Park

Masterplan, is conducting community consultation on the proposed

development.

Community feedback on the Social Enterprise workshops has been positive.

Feedback is being sought on the Draft Tallangatta Shopfront Revitalisation

Project Guidelines.


The Economic Development team is making good progress in relation to the Council

Plan priorities.

RECOMMENDATION:




89



14.2 Upper Murray Incorporated – Funding Request (07/01/0141-

CEO)


This report was prepared by Ms Juliana Phelps, Chief Executive Officer.

At the time of preparation of the report, the officer did not have a direct or indirect


Background/History:

A request has been received from Upper Murray Inc (UMI) for a contribution of

$15,000 of ratepayer funds to enable UMI to continue to fund a part-time UM2030

Facilitator position. The request is attached at Appendix 4.


Nil


Nil

Budget Impact:

There is no provision in the 2019/2020 Budget for a $15,000 contribution.

Risk Assessment:

Nil


No community consultation has been undertaken in relation to Council allocating

$15,000 to Upper Murray Inc.



90




The Chief Executive Officer has met with the UMI Board members to discuss the

funding request.

The continuation of the Facilitator position will enable the Board to progress the

delivery of its 2019-2022 Strategic Plan (the draft Plan has been provided to

Councillors under separate cover).

UMI’s Strategic Pillars and associated initiatives/projects are closely aligned with

Council’s Strategic Economic Development priorities, particularly in relation to

Agriculture and Tourism. Accordingly, it is the officer’s view that Council should

consider making a contribution to UMI.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT COUNCIL MAKE A ONCE OFF CONTRIBUTION OF $15,000 TO UPPER

MURRAY INC SUBJECT TO UPPER MURRAY INC AGREEING TO:

1. PROVIDING WRITTEN UPDATES (EVERY SIX MONTHS) TO COUNCIL

DETAILING PROGRESS MADE AGAINST THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN; AND

2. MEET WITH COUNCIL ANNUALLY (OR MORE FREQUENTLY IF CONSIDERED

NECESSARY EITHER PARTY).

15 Councillor reports

16 Urgent business



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17 Committee minutes

17.1 Hume Region Local Government Network (07/01/0085-Mayor)

The unconfirmed minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2019 are attached at

Appendix 5 for information.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE UNCONFIRMED HUME REGION LOCAL GOVERNMENT NETWORK

MINUTES BE NOTED.

17.2 Tourism North East (CEO)

The Tourism North East Activity report pertaining to Towong Shire Council 2018-19-

Q4 is attached at Appendix 6 for information.

RECOMMENDATION:


18 Occupational health and safety

18.1 OHS Committee (06/04/0212-CEO)

The unconfirmed minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2019 are attached at

Appendix 7 for information.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE UNCONFIRMED OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

MINUTES BE NOTED.



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19 Council policies (10/01/0007-CEO)

The following policies are attached at Appendix 8 for review. Councillors are

requested to provide feedback on the policy to the Responsible Officer (or the CEO)

by 3 September 2019.

Climate Change (DCCS)

Conflict of interest Guidelines for Planning Staff (CEO)

Renewable Energy and Development (DTS)

The following policies were tabled for review at the 4 June 2019 Council meeting and

are presented at Appendix 9 for adoption.

Access to Waste Disposal and Recycling Outlets (DTS)

Healthy Eating (DCCS)

Stock Grid (CAE)

Street Stalls and Raffles (DCCS)

Town Entrance Signage (DTS)

Tree (DTS)

Young Person Award (EA)

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE FOLLOWING POLICIES AS AMENDED/PRESENTED BE ADOPTED:

ACCESS TO WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING OUTLETS

HEALTHY EATING

STOCK GRID

STREET STALLS AND RAFFLES

TOWN ENTRANCE SIGNAGE

TREE

YOUNG PERSON AWARD



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20 Sealing of documents

No documents for sealing.

21 Confidential

In accordance with S77(2) information is ‘confidential information’ if:

(a) the information was provided to the Council or a special committee in relation

to a matter considered by the Council or special committee at a meeting closed to

members of the public and the Council or special committee has not passed a

resolution that the information is not confidential; or

(b) the information has been designated as confidential information by a

resolution of the Council or a special committee which specifies the relevant ground

or grounds applying under section 89(2) and the Council or special committee has

not passed a resolution that the information is not confidential; or

(c) subject to sub-section (3), the information has been designated in writing as

confidential information by the Chief Executive Officer specifying the relevant ground

or grounds applying under section 89(2) and the Council has not passed a resolution

that the information is not confidential.

In accordance with Section 89(2) and 89(3) of the Local Government Act 1989,

(2) A Council or special committee may resolve that the meeting be closed to

members of the public if the meeting is discussing any of the following—

(a) personnel matters;

(b) the personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer;

(c) industrial matters;

(d) contractual matters;

(e) proposed developments;

(f) legal advice;

(g) matters affecting the security of Council property;

(h) any other matter which the Council or special committee considers would

prejudice the Council or any person;

(i) a resolution to close the meeting to members of the public.



94



(3) If a Council or special committee resolves to close a meeting to members of

the public the reason must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting

21.1 Provision of metal collection, transport and reprocessing

services 2019 -2024 (01/07/0016-DTS)

Confidential Agenda Tuesday 6 August 2019


CONFIDENTIAL 6 AUGUST 2019

2


Meetings\Agendas\2019\08 August\Confidential Agenda-6 August 2019.doc

21 Confidential

Confidential In accordance with S77(2) information is ‘confidential information” if:

(a) the information was provided to the Council or a special committee in relation

to a matter considered by the Council or special committee at a meeting closed to

members of the public and the Council or special committee has not passed a

resolution that the information is not confidential; or

(b) the information has been designated as confidential information by a

resolution of the Council or a special committee which specifies the relevant ground

or grounds applying under section 89(2) and the Council or special committee has

not passed a resolution that the information is not confidential; or

(c) subject to sub-section (3), the information has been designated in writing as

confidential information by the Chief Executive Officer specifying the relevant ground

or grounds applying under section 89(2) and the Council has not passed a resolution

that the information is not confidential.

In accordance with Section 89(2) and 89(3) of the Local Government Act 1989,

(2) A Council or special committee may resolve that the meeting be closed to

members of the public if the meeting is discussing any of the following—

(a) personnel matters;

(b) the personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer;

(c) industrial matters;

(d) contractual matters;

(e) proposed developments;

(f) legal advice;

(g) matters affecting the security of Council property;

(h) any other matter which the Council or special committee considers

would prejudice the Council or any person;

(i) a resolution to close the meeting to members of the public.

(3) If a Council or special committee resolves to close a meeting to members of

the public the reason must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting



RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE MEETING BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TO CONSIDER INFORMATION

CONSIDERED UNDER SECTION 89(2)(d) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT TO

BE CONFIDENTIAL.

21.1 Provision of metal collection, transport and reprocessing

services 2019 -2024 (01/07/0016-DTS)

The following four pages are deliberately left blank. Council appendices begin on page 101.

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

PLANNING PERMITS & PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENTS

FEE SCHEDULE (These fees do not attract GST).

Reference should always be made to the Regulations to obtain the complete wording of individual fee regulations. The Regulations are available at http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au

The Regulations set fees in fee units. For ease, those fee units have been converted to a dollar value on the basis of the value of a fee unit as it is set for the 2019/20 financial year. A fee unit value is adjusted each year by the Treasurer and notice under the Monetary Units Act 2004 is published in the Government Gazette.

APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS UNDER SECTION 47 (REGULATION 9)

Class Type of Permit Application Fee Unit Fee 1 Use only 89 $1318.10

1 Council variation to fee Liquor license – new, increase in area, change of class or hours

36.5 $540.60

To develop land or to use and develop land for a single dwelling per lot or to undertake development ancillary to the use of the land for a single dwelling per lot if the estimated cost of development included in the application is: 2 ≤ $10 000 13.5 $200.00

3 Council Variation to fee > $10 000 & ≤ $50 000 25 $370.30

3 Council Variation to fee > $50 000 & ≤ $100 000 42.5 $629.50

4 > $100 000 & ≤ $500 000 87 $1288.50

5 > $500 000 & ≤ $1 000 000 94 $1392.20

6 > $1 000 000 & ≤ $2 000 000 101 $1495.90

VicSmart application 7 VicSmart ≤ $10 000 13.5 $200.00

8 VicSmart > $10 000 29 $429.50

9 VicSmart to subdivide or consolidate land 13.5 $200.00

10 All other VicSmart 13.5 $200.00

To develop land (other than the above classes or an application to subdivide land) if the estimated cost of development included in the application is: 11 Council variation to fee ≤ $10 000 $111.10

11 Council variation to fee > $10 000 & ≤ $50 000 $370.30

11 Council variation to fee > $50 000 & ≤ $100 000 77.5 $1147.80

12 > $100 000 & ≤ $1 000 000 104.5 $1547.70

13 > $1 000 000 & ≤ $5 000 000 230.5 $3413.80

14 Includes dwellings over Class 6

> $5 000 000 & ≤ $15 000 000 587.5 $8700.90

15 > $15 000 000 & ≤ $50 000 000 1732.5 $25658.40

16 > $50 000 000 3894 $57670.20

17 To subdivide an existing building. (other than Class 9)

89 $1318.10

18 To subdivide land into two lots. 89 $1318.10

19 To effect a realignment of a common boundary between lots or to consolidate two or more lots. (other than Class 9)

89 $1318.10

20 To subdivide land (other than the above classes). 89/100 lots $1318.10

21 a) create, vary or remove a restrictionwithin the meaning of the Subdivision Act1988; orb) create or remove a right of way; orc) create, vary or remove an easement; ord) vary or remove a condition in the nature ofan easement (other than right of way) in aCrown grant.

89 $1318.10

22 A permit not otherwise provided for in the regulation.

89 $1318.10

Appendix 3

http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/

APPLICATIONS TO AMEND PERMITS UNDER SECTION 72 (REGULATION 11)

Class Type of Permit Application Fee

Council variation

to fee Structure

Approval or amendment of endorsed plans not requiring further inspection or referrals

$111.10

Council variation

to fee Structure

Applications for extensions of time to a permit or for amendments to a permit or approved plans

½ original

application

fee

FEES TO AMEND AN APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT OR AN

APPLICATION TO AMEND A PERMIT AFTER NOTICE HAS BEEN

GIVEN (REGULATION 12)

COMBINED PERMIT APPLICATIONS COMPOSITE FEE (REGULATION 10)

OTHER FEES

Regulation Type of Application Fee unit Fee

7 For requesting the Minister to prepare an amendment to a planning scheme exempted from the requirements referred to in section 20(4) of the Act.

270 $3998.70

8 For requesting the Minister to prepare an amendment to a planning scheme exempted from certain requirements prescribed under section 20A of the Act.

65 $962.70

14 For a combined permit and planning scheme amendment. Under section 96A(4)(a) of the Act: The sum of the highest of the fees which would have applied if separate applications were made and 50% of each of the other fees which would have applied if separate applications were made

15 For a certificate of compliance 22 $325.90

16 For an agreement to a proposal to amend or end an agreement under section 173 of the Act

44.5 $659.10

18 Where a planning scheme specifies that a matter must be done to the satisfaction of a responsible authority, Minister, public authority or municipal council

22 $325.90

A request to amend an application for a permit after notice of the application has been given or a request to amend an

application to amend a permit after notice has been given.

$111.10

(Council variation to fee structure)

Sum of the highest of the fees which would have applied if separate applications were made and 50% of each of the other fees which would have applied if separate applications were made.

AMENDMENTS TO PLANNING SCHEMES (REGULATION 6)

The fees for stages 1, 2 and 3 are paid to the planning authority by the person who requested the amendment. The fee for stage 4 is paid to the Minister by the person who requested the amendment.

Stage Stage of Amendment Fee

1 For: a) considering a request to amend a planning scheme; and b) taking action required by Division 1 of Part 3 of the Act; and c) considering any submissions which do not seek a change to the amendment; and d) if applicable, abandoning the amendment

$3050.90

(206 fee units)

2 For: a) considering

(i) up to and including 10 submissions which seek a change to an amendment and where necessary referring the submissions to a panel; or

$15121.10

(1021 fee units); or

(ii) 11 to (and including) 20 submissions which seek a change to an amendment and where necessary referring the submissions to a panel; or

$30212.40

(2040 fee units); or

(iii) Submissions that exceed 20 submissions which seek a change to an amendment, and where necessary referring the submissions to a panel; and

$40386.90

(2727 fee units)

b) providing assistance to a panel in accordance with section 158 of the Act; and c) making a submission to a panel appointed under Part 8 of the Act at a hearing referred to in section 24(b) of the Act; and d) considering the panel's report in accordance with section 27 of the Act; and e) after considering submissions and the panel's report, abandoning the amendment.

3 For: a) adopting the amendment or part of the amendment in accordance with section 29 of the Act; and b) submitting the amendment for approval by the Minister in accordance with section 31 of the Act; and c) giving the notice of the approval of the amendment required by section 36(2) of the Act.

481.40

(32.5 fee units) if the Minister is not the planning authority or nil fee if the Minister is the planning authority

4 For: a) consideration by the Minister of a request to approve the amendment in accordance with section 35 of the Act; and b) giving notice of approval of the amendment in accordance with section 36(1) of the Act.

$481.40

(32.5 fee units) if the Minister is not the planning authority or nil fee if the Minister is the planning authority

TOWONG SHIRE FEES & CHARGES 2019/20

TYPE OF APPLICATION FEE Assessing Development Plans $325.90 (Regulation 18)

Assessing Timber Harvesting Plan

(per assessment) $119.75 (includes GST)

Public Notice Administration charges:

a) public notice letters to owners/occupants b) public notice displayed on site (when erected for applicant) c) public notice - display ad in O&M Advertiser d) public notice - display ad in Border Mail

(all charges include GST)

(a) $100.85

(b) $100.85

(c) Charges as per newspaper fees plus 10%

(d) Charges as per newspaper fees plus 10%

Planning Scheme Amendments - when an independent panel report is required

Full Panel charges for the hearing and panel

report

Statutory - Cost of independent panel.

Section 173 Agreements – - Preparation fee - Legal review where agreement prepared outside Council - Sealing fee

$496.05 (includes GST)

Actual cost of review

$101.95 (includes GST)

Request for Planning Information

(requiring research of archives) $97.75 per hour (includes GST), with

minimum 1 hour fee and additional document

copying fee

SUBDIVISION (FEES) REGULATIONS 2019/20

Regulation Purpose Fee

6 For certification of a plan of subdivision $174.80

(11.8 fee units)

7 Alteration of plan under section 10(2) of the Act

$111.10

(7.5 fee units)

8 Amendment of certified plan under section 11(1) of the Act

$140.70

(9.5 fee units)

9 Checking of engineering plans 0.75% of the estimated cost of construction of the works proposed in the engineering plan (maximum fee)

10 Engineering plan prepared by council 3.5% of the cost of works proposed in the engineering plan (maximum fee)

11 Supervision of works 2.5% of the estimated cost of construction of the works (maximum fee)

Appendix 4

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Alpine Shire Council Benalla Rural City Council

Indigo Shire Council Mansfield Shire Council

Mitchell Shire Council Moira Shire Council

Murrindindi Shire Council Strathbogie Shire Council

Towong Shire Council Rural City of Wangaratta Council

City of Wodonga Council

Unconfirmed Minutes

Date: Thursday 30 May 2019

Time: 11am - 1pm

Venue: Benalla Performing Arts Centre

Appendix 5

Hume Region Local Government Network Thursday 30 May 2019

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Members

Name Position Council Cr Ron Janas Mayor Alpine Shire Council Mr Charlie Bird CEO Alpine Shire Council Cr Scott Upston Mayor Benalla Rural City Mr Dom Testoni CEO Benalla Rural City Cr Bernard Gaffney Mayor (Chair) Indigo Shire Council Mr Trevor Ierino CEO Indigo Shire Council Cr Harry Westendorp Mayor Mansfield Shire Council Mr Alex Green CEO Mansfield Shire Council Cr Bill Chisholm Mayor Mitchell Shire Council Mr David Turnbull CEO Mitchell Shire Council Cr Libro Mustica Mayor Moira Shire Council Mr Mark Henderson CEO Moira Shire Council Cr Sandice McAulay Mayor Murrindindi Shire Council Mr Craig Lloyd CEO Murrindindi Shire Council Cr Dean Rees Mayor Rural City of Wangaratta Mr Brendan McGrath CEO Rural City of Wangaratta Cr Amanda McClaren

Mayor Strathbogie Shire Council Mr Steve Crawcour CEO Strathbogie Shire Council Cr David Wortman Mayor Towong Shire Council Ms Juliana Phelps CEO Towong Shire Council Cr Anna Speedie Mayor City of Wodonga Mr Mark Dixon CEO City of Wodonga

In Attendance

Name Position Council/Organisation

Ed Walker General Manager Victoria projects

ARTC

Bianca Stapleton Agriculture Victoria

Julie Simons Agriculture Victoria

Cr Danny Claridge Councillor Benalla Rural City

Cr Graeme Williams Councillor Strathbogie Shire Council

Laurie Ellis Mitchell Shire Council

Lisa Fricke EA to CEO Mansfield Shire Council


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Apologies

Name Position Council Scott Upston Mayor Benalla Rural City Council

Cr Bill Chisholm Mayor Mitchell Shire Council Mr David Turnball CEO Mitchell Shire Council Cr Amanda McClaren Mayor Strathbogie Cr Anna Speedie Mayor Wodonga Mr Mark Dixon CEO City of Wodonga

1. Confirmation of the Minutes of the previous meeting held 28 February 2019.

That the Minutes of the Hume Region Local Government Network meeting held on 28 February 2019 be confirmed. CARRIED

2. Business Arising from Previous Meeting

2.1 Outsourcing the HRLGN Secretariat – Trevor Ierino

Trevor presented HLRGN with a report in regards to the current Secretariat.

Discussion was had with some members happy to maintain the current secretariat arrangement to others wanting a more strategic approach. Everyone felt that the group needed to agree on purpose and what outcomes they wish to achieve in the future.

Determined to hold over to the next meeting to do more work on what is the role of the group.

Action: Trevor, Alex and Dom to meet up and work together to fine tune the model.

Hume Region Municipal Emergency Management Enhancement Group Chair

That the unconfirmed Minutes of the Hume Region MEMEG held on 27 March 2019 be noted.

Recommendation: That the Minutes of the Hume Region Municipal Emergency Management Enhancement Group meeting held on 27 March 2019 be noted. CARRIED


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3. Presentation: ARTC (11.15am)

Presenting Ed Walker, ARTC

Ed Walker, General Manager Victoria Projects updated HRLGN on the progress of the North East Rail Line upgrade and the early works already completed along with the current community discussions and challenges that have been taking place around the infrastructure changes required for Inland Rail.

Action: Trevor Ierino to send Shane Sykes contact details to all members. COMPLETED

4. Presentation: Agriculture Victoria (11.45am)

Bianca Stapleton& Julie Simons, Agriculture Victoria

Julie and Bianca provided an update of the seasonal conditions in Northern Victoria and the Victorian Government’s response to date.

HRLGN Mayor’s and CEO’s felt frustrations at using LGA boundaries for something that doesn’t discriminate under boundaries.

Action: Narelle to send presentation to everyone. COMPLETED

5. Standing Items:

6.1 Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) Juliana Phelps RCV Executive Committee Member

Juliana gave an update on the Rural Councils Victoria. She advised that Maryanne Brown is the new chair and they were hoping the 2020 summit will be in Strathbogie.

Recommendation: That the report be noted.

6.2 Regional Development Australia (RDA) Juliana Phelps RDA Members

Juliana spoke about Regional Development Australia, there is still no confirmation of committee members as yet it is still with the minister.


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6.3 MAV Rural North East Region Cr Ron Janas MAV Board Member

Ron updated the group on the following items from the MAV:

• State Council meeting

• Recycling and waste

• Federal election – Key messaging

• Block funding for aged care

6. Finance Report

7.1 Trevor Ierino Indigo Shire Council

The finance report provides an overview of HRLGN finances (GST inclusive) as at 31 January 2019

Previous Balance as at 31 January 2019 $9,252.58 Expenditure Membership contributions

$12,100

Net result as at 30 April 2019 $21,352.58

Trevor noted that secretariat fees needed to be deducted for the first two meetings of 2019 prior to transfer to Mansfield secretariat.

HRLGN Funds being held by the Rural City of Wangaratta $0

It was noted funds previously held by Rural City of Wangaratta are now no longer available as HRLGN funds. The money was previously held by Wangaratta for several years and was originally to support secretariat services of three regional network groups. At a HRLGN June 2018 meeting it was agreed that these unspent funds would support the update of the Hume Region Strategy in partnership with members and the RDA.


6 | P a g e

Recommendation: That the financial report as presented be noted.

CARRIED

7. 2019/20 HRLGN Secretariat

On the 4 June 2016 the meeting endorsed that the Chair and administration of HRLGN will continue to be rotated on an alphabetical order of Councils.

Accordingly it is proposed that the Mansfield Shire take over the secretariat from Indigo Shire Council effective 1 July 2019.

It is also proposed that the location of the Forums will continue to alternate between Wangaratta and Benalla.

Recommendation: That the Mansfield Shire provide secretariat support to the Hume Regional Local Government Network for the 2019/20 year. Moved – Trevor Ierino Second – Cr Bernard Gaffney

8. Other Business

8.1 Discussion regarding advocacy whilst in Canberra at ALGA National General Assembly members to email Indigo Shire at any issues to be raised so these can be coordinated.

8.2 Discussed being prepared for ALGA 2020 conference to be included earlier in the 2019/20 agenda calendar. (Alex Green to note)

8.3 Regional Tourism Boards review – update on current status currently in program.

Meeting End - 1:05pm

Date of next meeting: Thursday 29 August at 11.00am, Wangaratta PA

Hume Regional Local Government NetworkMay 2019

Dry seasonal conditions and Victorian Government

response

Drought and dry seasonal conditions across Australia

Growing season rainfall1 April to 30 September 2018

Rainfall Percentages for March and April 2019

Vegetation greenness

Rainfall in Victoria May to date 2019

Climate Outlook June - AugustRainfall Temperature

State of the Industry

Commodity prices are still supporting farmer decision makingGood commodity prices:• Milk processors have announced strong opening farmgate milk prices for 2019-20 • Prices for young beef cattle and cull cows have dropped to below the 5 year average, and

are lower than a year ago• Lamb price has exceeded the historic high average of 2018 and remain higher than a year

ago. Mutton price has started getting higher than a year ago• Wool price remains at historically high levels • Grain prices are high and will somewhat compensate croppers for the below average yields • New season cereal hay around double the price compared to this time last year• High prices will have flow-on effects to livestock producers dependent on buying feed grain

and hay• Prices in horticulture are generally good

Grain and fodder

Grain• Feed grain prices remain high at over $300 per ton.

Fodder• Supplies of hay are tightening and there is a shortage of high protein hay

(vetch and lucerne). Prices of all hay types are trending upwards and are at historic highs.

• Farmers are becoming increasingly concerned about their capacity to continue feeding through autumn/winter with a lack of pasture growth and decreasing feed supplies.

Victorian Drought Preparedness and Response Framework

The Victorian Government is implementing a staged response that is targeted and measured in line with the framework

Prepare

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Preparedness support, including workshops, information, training and signposting to other Commonwealth support such as Farm Management Deposits, concessional loans and Farm Household Allowance

Assisting farmers in financial difficulty, including rural financial counselling and farm debt mediation

Targeted and flexible support to: assist early decision making, support animal welfare needs, provide information, provide financial counselling

Provide additional support so service providers can meet demand and implement targeted approaches to deal with drought impacts

Boost services targeting: financial counselling, farm management options, social support, small business support

Provide additional support targeting: rural employment opportunities, coordination of services, family household support, community activities

Provide additional support to boost and continue services to farmers, businesses and communities

Provide larger scale support targeting economic stimulus objectives, infrastructure (community, water investments)

Status of Victorian regions – three areas of focus

Central and East Gippsland• Drought Conditions based on

two years of below average rainfall

• Escalated services are already being implemented

Northern• Dry 2018• Increasing service response

focused on dairy farmers

North West• Dry 2018• Maintaining monitoring over

the next three months

Victorian Government support is now almost $45 millionStatewide (Ongoing) Central and East Gippsland

Northern and North West Victoria (Stage 1)

Central and East Gippsland (Stage 2)

Rural Financial Counselling Service ($0.4m)

On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Support Grants ($18.2m)

Pasture Recovery and Management Grants ($2m) NEW

Technical and Decision Making Support for Farmers ($2.0m)

Community Resilience Program ($0.5m)

Regional Drought and Dry Seasonal Coordinators ($0.5m)

Small Business Financial Counselling ($0.16m)

Farm Business Assistance program ($5.6m) and Farm Support Fund ($1.0m)

Small Business workshops and Business Bus ($0.21m)

Upgrade to Emergency Water Supply Points ($1.0m)

Commonwealth On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme ($5.0m)

Back to School Support ($2.2m)

Mental Health Support ($1.89m) Camps, Sports and Excursion fund ($5.0m)National Centre for Farmer Health ($0.18m) Kindergarten Support ($1.25m)

Look Over the Farm Gate program ($0.4m) Drought Relief Authority to Control Wildlife ($1.0m)

CMA Drought Employment Program ($1.2m)

Next stepsMonitoring seasonal conditions• Agriculture Victoria will continue to closely monitor seasonal conditions

• Stock water carting happening in multiple parts of Victoria• Seasonal conditions across East Coast continue to impact price/availability of grain and fodder• Next critical stage is autumn rain in April-May

• Agriculture Victoria to work with local stakeholders to prepare for season ahead • Scenario planning for improved, continued or worsening conditions is being undertakenResponse• Deliver of support services to farm businesses, families and communities is ongoing• Communication will continue to ensure awareness of support availableFeedback• Agriculture Victoria is seeking local intelligence or contributions to dry season conditions analysis.

Questions

Page 2 of 2

Background information: The Australian Government has committed $235M to the North East Rail Line Upgrade which will upgrade the rail line from Melbourne (Spencer Street Junction) to Albury-Wodonga. The improvements will bring the North East line up to a Victorian Class 2 track performance standard, in line with other long-distance regional passenger rail lines in Victoria. The project will:

• improve passenger service reliability by upgrading track condition and addressing the main causes of delays • improve ride quality and comfort for travelers by reducing bumps experienced during travel • help reduce the causes of major delays that can impact services such as signal failures due to signal wire theft.

ARTC is delivering the project on behalf of the Australian and Victorian governments. We are working closely with Victorian transport agencies including V/Line, Public Transport Victoria, Transport for Victoria and Rail Projects Victoria to deliver the project in support of the Regional Rail Revival program, which is upgrading regional passenger train lines right across Victoria. North East Rail Line Upgrade timeline: March 2018 Funding announced May 2018 – end 2018 Project planning and resourcing October 2018 $235M funding granted Late 2018 Project scope confirmed and independently reviewed by Monash University’s

Institute of Railway Technology Commencement of community engagement Early 2019 Start of early works March 2019 Expression of Interest for main works contract May 2019 Victorian government budget announcement for the purchase of 18 new

V/Locity trains June 2019 Request for Formal Tender to shortlisted contractors for North East Rail Line

Upgrade main works November 2019 Contract award and commencement of works by the end of the year 2021 Upgrade completion

1. Introduction

Tourism North East (TNE) is the regional tourism board for the High Country, charged with developing a broad range of supply and demand driven tourism initiatives that deliver strong outcomes to the local visitor economy. It operates across the key areas of regional marketing, industry development, infrastructure and product development, strategic planning, advocacy and research, and works collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to drive visitation, yield and dispersal throughout the High Country.

At the end of each quarter, TNE produces a report that provides an overview of all the regional activities that Towong Shire Council invests in, and key deliverables within that period. Following is the report for the fourth quarter, which also acts as a wrap-up for the 2018/19 financial year. Highlights for the year have included nearly $2 million worth of marketing in association with cycle, walk, wine, beer and snow campaigns; and the completion of major projects like walk consumer segmentation research, Human Capital Review, and agritourism research and industry mapping project.

The visitation statistics for the year ending December 2018 show that the High Country has reached a record tourism high, attracting 3.92 million visitors who generate $1.207 billion in spend. This represents a 15% growth in visitation and 19% growth in spend since the same time the previous year, which is 10% higher on both counts than the State average - a great achievement for the region that is reflective of collective tourism efforts.

2. Ride High Country

2.1 Campaign Overview and Funding

The North East Victoria Cycling Optimisation (NEVCO) Masterplan identifies a range of priority projects that offer the greatest cycle tourism growth opportunities for the region, defining the infrastructure, private sector activation and marketing required to achieve a leadership position in this space.

TNE Activity Report – Towong Shire Council 2018-19 Q4

Appendix 6

Of all of the priority projects identified in the Masterplan, investment in a marketing campaign of scale was determined to deliver the greatest impact on the visitor economy, with the potential to attract an additional 99k visitors to the region who will spend $37million per annum. This recommendation was supported by a significant body of market research that was undertaken as part of the Masterplan process. This research identified that one of the primary issues inhibiting cycle tourism growth in the region is lack of awareness of the High Country bike offering. A lack of consumer awareness points to the need for sustained investment in a marketing campaign of scale – one that has the ability to move current and potential market segments from awareness through to inspiration and finally conversion – to generate cycle-related visitation and yield opportunities for the region. Recognising the need for marketing investment, $4 million from State Government has been committed to the delivery of a four-year marketing campaign that looks to capitalise on the clear and identified latent demand that exists for the High Country’s cycle tourism offering. Delivered by TNE, the program is led by the region’s ‘Ride High Country’ cycle tourism master-brand that launched in October 2018 at the start of the region’s cycle season, and has now come to a close. The delivery of a highly targeted and integrated marketing campaign of this scale supports the region in its aspiration to own the cycle tourism category ahead of its competitors. It will effectively leverage the existing public and private sector investment that has already been made in the development of a broad range of cycle assets, and will create a platform for clear and competitive growth within the local visitor economy. 2.2 Above the Line As the campaign objective for years one and two of the Masterplan is to drive brand awareness, the primary focus of this year’s campaign was above the line (ATL) activity, incorporating a range of mass media channels to stimulate brand recall and recognition. Highly visual, promoting hero products and competitive differentiators, these channels showcase the High Country’s ride experiences as being the best in Victoria. This plan brings the entire cycle tourism destination offering to life, which is key for success in establishing the High Country as the leader in this space.

The bulk of the budget was split between out of home (OOH), providing mass reach, and digital (display advertising plus videos on demand) which provided a highly targeted reach through cost effective channels. This was supported by content, marketing and PR partnerships across online and print publications - a lower cost opportunity that extended campaign reach and promoted trust within highly engaged cycling audiences. TNE continued to manage search engine marketing, social media and the ridehighcountry.com.au website.

Utilising cost-effective, targeted and efficient channels, the campaign performed exceptionally well to drive awareness and prompt engagement with Ride High Country. Working with nimble agencies with a rich understanding of the region provided a noteworthy level of bonus activity to amplify the paid campaign. The various above the line channels featured in the campaign were as follows:

a) Out of Home (OOH) A total of 39 premium large and medium format billboards in geo-targeted high-traffic, high-impact locations were delivered in full throughout the campaign (October to May). Each location provided reach for a full lunar month. This was complemented with 10 ‘bus back’ placements servicing Eastern Melbourne between October and December 2018. All placements had unique artwork, fresh for this season, highlighting different High Country destinations including the Mitta Valley and the High Country Rail Trail.

OOH, in addition to being a proven driver of brand awareness, provided the Ride High Country campaign exceptional value, delivering nearly $1million worth of bonus value. Bonus was delivered by three suppliers across short-term digital, large format and static placements. Overall the OOH campaign is estimated to have reached a staggering 83% of the target demographic - ‘people 25-54 years’ (residing in Melbourne) - on average 12.5 times.

b) Melbourne Airport Takeover Between 24 December 2018 and 22 January 2019, a linked activation was hosted throughout the Qantas and Multi Airline Terminals that allowed Ride High Country to own the consumer journey from airport arrival through to departure, and again on arrival through to leaving the airport. Ride High Country had a dominant presence throughout the airport including nine individual video placements (some of which include multiple locations eg. all baggage carousels), plus a static OOH large format billboard on approach and another digital OOH medium format billboard on departure. New video was captured and edited specifically for this execution. The calibre of the creative assets produced were widely regarded by consumers and media teams alike. ‘ooh! Media’ delivered bonus placements across airport locations to the value of $560,000 across the activation period, which is reflective of the quality of the Ride High Country material provided.

c) Digital Display Advertising and Video On Demand Targeted digital advertising on key cycling, news and entertainment sites, plus Video on Demand (VOD) channels achieved 3.4 million impressions over the campaign period, served primarily in Victoria plus a spend in NSW. The videos on VOD platforms were watched to completion over a million times (1,038,682) with an impressive average view rate of 92.31%.

High impact Roadblock display activity with News Corp (targeting road, mountain biking and rail trail audiences) saw the highest click-through-rate (CTR), indicating that premium Australian sites and rich data are effective in the dual purposes of raising brand awareness as well as generating clicks to the site. Other top performers were nine.com.au and SBS, which both provided wide reach. Advertising within cycling verticals was also successful with SBS Cycling Central, FLOW Mountain Bike, Pinkbike (MTB) and Cycling Tips (road) all achieving higher CTRs than industry benchmarks.

Video-on-demand placements are not normally expected to drive a high number of clicks, given that call to actions are not always accessible on all platforms (eg. Smart TVs). However, clicks from VOD placements, especially Nine, 10Play and SBS, have driven a similar number of users to site when compared to premium display placements. These results are a testament to the effectiveness of video advertising, especially with the rich visual creative and animations produced for this Ride High Country campaign period. In particular, YouTube was extremely cost efficient, with videos being watched 768k times at $0.05 a view, with an 80% Victorian audience weighting.

d) Content Partnership

TNE established partnerships with Australia’s premium online cycling publications, which provided exceptional value and has enabled Ride High Country to reach niche audiences with purpose-built content in the form of videos, editorial, promotion plus social media amplification. With industry experts telling the Ride High Country story in a genuine manner that resonates best with their individual audiences, the campaign was able to achieve a third party endorsement amongst audiences considering a cycling holiday. All of this content will now live on Australia’s best cycling and biking websites all year round, effectively extending the campaign’s lifetime. Additionally, TNE’s ongoing ownership of this professionally produced bespoke content will help drive future campaign efficiencies for creative production. Highlights included Cycling Tips piece titled ‘Beer, Coffee and Perfect Roads: our search for the High Country’s best-kept cycling secrets’ consisting of a video and editorial that will live in perpetuity on their ‘Adventure’ pages. The article was viewed more than 12k times with an average 3:35 spent engaging with the content.

https://cyclingtips.com/2018/12/victoria-high-country-best-kept-cycling-secrets/

https://cyclingtips.com/2018/12/victoria-high-country-best-kept-cycling-secrets/

Dedicated mountain bike content was produced by Pinkbike.com, ‘3 Days Riding Australia's Original Mountain Bike Trails in Victoria's High Country’ (released 29 January 2019) secured 11k views and over 27k Facebook impressions amplifying program reach.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/3-days-riding-australias-original-mountain-bike-trails-in-victorias-high-country.html

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/3-days-riding-australias-original-mountain-bike-trails-in-victorias-high-country.html

Flow Mountain Bike, home of Australia’s largest and most engaged mountain biking destination, developed a series of seven videos (one for each of the region’s MTB parks) released with beautiful imagery and park specific editorial. In total, these videos were viewed close to 125k times, while the articles had a dwell time of 3:07.

e) Print Advertising Leveraging PR opportunities, a total of 12 full-page colour advertising placements have been executed in cycling print titles: Treadlie, Cyclist Magazine (Australia/New Zealand), Australian Mountain Bike, Travel Play Live and Bicycling Australia. This advertising was spread across the length of the campaign (including winter months when readership of these titles increases), and included a full-page Mitta Valley gravel grinding advert in Treadlie magazine (October 2018).

It is worth mentioning that Treadlie Magazine, in addition to Ride High Country paid content, created an additional 15 pieces of related editorial content over the campaign, all free of charge. This bonus content worked hand in hand with other aspects of the partnership to increase reach.

f) Strategic Marketing Alliances

TNE formed partnerships with brands in the cycle space that have strong profiles and presence within the cycling community, and were capable of adding credibility and reach to the campaign. The strongest Ride High Country partnership this year was with MAAP, a premium Melbourne-based cycle clothing company, who have featured High Country destinations across their social media and product photography in addition to supporting the 7 Peaks and other Ride High Country events. Furthermore, Ride High Country supported GT Bikes in a large scale consumer mountain bike promotion. TNE is also continuing to pursue strategic marketing opportunities with additional high profile cycling and consumer brands for next financial year.

g) Ride High Country Managed Digital TNE directly communicates with the target audience via the Ride High Country website and social media platforms, in addition to complementary search engine marketing (see item 2.5).

The TNE team also managed the proprietary 7 Peaks Ap for the region’s flagship road cycling activation. Use of the app positively contributed to overall website statistics and was used by 93% of 7 Peaks participants as both a tracking/stamping device and information source useful for planning trips to the High Country.

2.3 Below the Line

Where ATL has a mass communications approach, below the line (BTL) channels provide opportunities for conversion with primary segments via highly targeted and personalised engagement. Through this communication, the campaign can progress high value consumer segments through the purchase consideration funnel more rapidly. Key BTL campaign components that featured in the 2018/19 campaign are as follows:

a) Events and Exhibitions Attending cycle events and expos enabled direct engagement with consumers to promote the regional ride offering and its supporting tourism experiences. The opportunity to engage with dedicated cyclists with a thirst for travel represents a high value opportunity for Ride High Country and is an essential part of any future strategy. Over the course of the season, Ride High Country had branded displays and merchandise giveaways at the following events:

● Amy’s Gran Fondo in Lorne, September 2018 ● Around the Bay in a Day in Melbourne, October 2018 ● Giro Della Donna in Warburton, November 2018 ● Tour Down Under in Adelaide, January 2018 ● Otway Odyssey in Forrest, February 2019 ● Peaks Challenge at Falls Creek, March 2019 ● Australian MTB National Championships at Mystic MTB Park in Bright, April 2019 ● Partnering with organisations for additional exposure at Gears & Beers (Wagga Wagga),

Sydney Beer Week and Canberra Ride Day.

b) Event Sponsorship Ride High Country sponsored one in-region event that offered brand exposure to a targeted audience, and supported repeat visitation opportunities - the Great Vic Bike Ride - that attracted over 5k cyclists in December. These cyclists were exposed to Ride High Country brand and associated destinations through the ride itself, as well as Ride High Country event signage, website, social media, rider briefings and video content screened nightly in the event village. An incredible 74% of the participants said that they were likely to return to the High Country within 12 months.

In addition, the Great Vic Bike Ride attracted more than 500 media hits equal to $32million in print media value alone. Combined with additional exposure across radio, TV and online, this was an invaluable opportunity for Ride High Country and the region as a whole.

c) Database Acquisition and Communication

Throughout the cycle season, TNE expanded the Ride High Country database via events, competitions and directly online. These efforts saw the regional cycle tourism database grow by a third since the beginning of the season to approximately 11k contacts. TNE has communicated with this database 12 times since the beginning of October 2018, with good to excellent open and click through rates recorded. This has had a positive effect on driving awareness, conversion and website visitation.

d) Ride High Country Ambassadors

This year, TNE appointed local athletes Paul van der Ploeg (MTB World Champion), Teagan Atherstone (Australian Champion in two disciplines), Aaron Gungl (future World Cup MTB Downhill prospect) plus the Soup Boys (Melbourne based cycling collective with a High Country heritage) as official Ride High Country ambassadors. Via their own social media reach and additional media features, these athletes enhanced campaign reach and provided further authentication from trusted sources that the High Country is Australia’s premier cycle offering. In particular, Paul van der Ploeg provided exceptional value

with 12k instagram followers, national media engagements and a robust competition schedule. Paul was also the featured cyclist in the Ride High Country TV Commercial and Airport Takeover creative.

e) Hosted Rides

Throughout the 2018-19 season there were four 7 Peaks Hosted Rides (Mt Hotham, Mount Buffalo, Mt Buller and Falls Creek) led by Ride High Country Ambassadors The Soup Boys. This enabled visitors to engage with ‘cycling personalities’ and participate in hosted opportunities that offered support for cyclists of all capabilities. The program was really well received so will be expanded on for next season.

As a bonus, the Soup Boys also delivered Ride High Country a fantastic suite of creative and editorial assets for the can be used in perpetuity.

f) Public Relations TNE executed an extensive PR campaign via targeted media channels to influence consumer opinion and travel trends, and keep the regional cycle offering front of mind (see item 7). These PR opportunities are supported by paid media.

g) Road Signage Program

TNE has partnered with Regional Roads Victoria to install co-branded signage on the hero road cycling ascents in the region. Mount Buffalo, Falls Creek, Lake Mountain, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain have all been successfully delivered with Mt Baw Baw soon to follow. This program has been incredibly well received by media and cyclists alike, significantly improving the road cycling experience.

2.4 Asset Development

High quality, modern hero imagery and video that displays the depth and breadth of the Ride High Country offering is essential for the ongoing performance of ATL channels and the success of this campaign in future years. Following an audit with each RMB and LGA partner, a plan was developed to capture a comprehensive suite of assets that can be used over the life of the campaign. Asset acquisition (photo and video shoots) is now complete across every LGA/RMB and in all appropriate disciplines. In total, more than 40 days this season were devoted to asset development with projects including:

● Video and photo assets - the major activity was a 14-day TNE led shoot that was completed in early December. Additional assets have been generated by the program’s editorial partners including Flow Mountain Bike and Cycling Tips, by marketing partner MAAP and ambassadors The Soup Boys.

● ATL creative - 104 separate creative executions have been produced for ATL channels, including OOH, digital, print and video on demand assets

● Ride High Country TVC - TNE has produced the first ever Ride High Country TV commercial. Filmed in conjunction with the airport take-over videos and still photography, the production and editing are now complete. This will be premiered with the launch of the 2019-20 Ride High Country campaign as part of a sponsorship of SBS’s coverage of Le Tour de France (July 6-29), which will be covered in the first quarter report of the new financial year.

● Social Media Ambassadors - TNE appointed 12 highly respected cycling Instagrammers to generate assets and amplify the Ride High Country message via their own established social media networks. A ‘famil style’ weekend, complete with two professional photographers, was hosted by TNE in mid-April, generating and delivering photography assets to the ambassadors and TNE for both immediate use and application throughout the next campaign period. In addition to providing a new library of imagery, the value of this weekend was felt immediately across Instagram. The group have a combined following in excess of 106k, have posted 77 times about the weekend and Ride High Country, and generated over 37k likes and an equally impressive 665 comments. These statistics do not take into account the added impact of ‘Instagram Stories’ also posted by the group (as there is no way of tracking these). Athletes Erin Fergurson (@ekfer) and Patrick Gordon (@flash_222) have thus far provided the most value.

2.5 Ride High Country Digital Assets a) Website The Ride High Country website - ridehighcountry.com.au - is the central call to action for the cycle tourism marketing campaign. Website visitation has continued to grow very strongly with a 53%

increase in visitors compared to the 2017/18 financial year. Website visitation from social media and organic Google search have been the primary sources of website traffic, representing 29% and 35% respectively. The strong growth in organic search traffic is the result of the multi-year investment in brand awareness and strong search-engine performance of the ridehighcountry.com.au website.

Editorial on the Ride High Country website is centred around the three cycle genres of road, mountain biking and rail trail. Engagement with the editorial is relatively balanced across the genres at 32.5% for Rail Trail, 30.7% for Road Cycling (combination of 7-Peaks and Road Rides) and 25.3% for Mountain Biking. The destination content is the other main form of editorial and accounts for 11.5% of editorial views.

b) Social Channels Ride High Country social channels again experienced a high performing quarter due to campaign spend as part of the Ride High Country program. Paid content during quarter four achieved over 1.3 million views (compared to 377k organic views) and resulted in 424k engagement actions and 19k link clicks to the website. Facebook was particularly strong, with the paid advertising campaign accounting for 93.4% of the Facebook content reach. Organic engagement was also up overall on Facebook, with 14k engagements actions across 63 posts.

FACEBOOK

Objectives Metric KPI ACTUAL

Brand advocacy Engagement rate 4.00% 3.74%

Fan acquisition New pages likes increase 5.2% 13.95%

Facebook continues to be the most effective social channel for driving web traffic, generating 12k webpage views in quarter four. Paid campaign activity was directed at high value brand awareness results utilising content placement throughout Facebook, Instagram and Facebook’s Audience Network (which includes related websites, news channels, blogs, online marketplace and search). This does not necessarily result in growth of page followers or engagement, but achieves very high reach and visibility of the Ride High Country brand. However, the Facebook page still performed extremely well for growth and cost per result of ads. Instagram engagement remains high. Content activity was again targeted at strong channel growth, which was achieved above expectations during this quarter, taking the account to almost 7k followers. The aim is to achieve 10k followers in order to unlock the level of functionality (analytics, post and story links, discover channel placement, etc.) that will make Instagram a more effective marketing and engagement channel. This should now be achieved in quarter two of 2019/20, six months earlier than anticipated. In quarter four, Instagram content was seen by over 840k people and resulted in 17k engagement actions.

INSTAGRAM



Fan acquisition New followers 2.27% 32.36%

In terms of the YOY growth delivered by the Ride High Country social media campaign, the channels performed strongly. Campaign spend and a doubling of content published allowed Ride High Country messaging to reach an audience of 16.6 million people in 2018/19, an 876.5% increase on 2017/18. Overall engagement rate was down, which is expected with both the increase in audience size plus the reduced rate of engagement overall across Facebook since January 2018. However, engagement still sits at a very healthy 3.55%, level with the industry benchmark (3.5%).

Ride High Country Facebook: 2017/18 2018/19 YoY change

Number of posts 148 290 +96%

Total engagements 54,310 71,861 +32.3%

Number of post reactions (likes) 12,766 16,273 +27.5%

Audience growth 2994 to 10,153 10,154 to 17,563 +7409

Average post engagement rate 4.19% 3.55% -15.3%

Total Reach 1.7 million 16.6 million +876.5%

Instagram became more of a focus for Ride High Country social content in 2018/19, as a stronger performing channel for reach and engagement. In 2018/19 the number of people liking Ride High Country Instagram posts rose by 90% YOY and the number of people commenting on posts rose by 200% YOY. Ride High Country Instagram content reached 2.3 million users, an almost 3000% increase from 2017/18 and held an excellent engagement rate of 10.4%

Ride High Country Instagram 2017/18 2018/19 YoY change

Number of posts 153 246 +60.8%

Number of post reactions (likes) 17,579 53,891 +206.6%

Audience growth 157 to 1296 1297 to 6973 +5676

Average post engagement rate 23.8% (reflective of a

small audience)

10.4% -56.30%

Total Reach 78.6k 2.3 million +2,819.7%

Social contributed 46k sessions to the Ride High Country website during 2018/19 compared to 12k in 2017/18, an increase of 271.7%.

A Paid Content campaign related to cycling around Tallangatta and Corryong ran on Ride High Country throughout the second half of quarter four, driving destination traffic to the website. The region benefited from new visual assets created by TNE during the Whistlestop High Tea event on the High Country Rail Trail, as part of the Feast High Country Festival campaign. This content was then adapted for Ride High Country social media.

3. Feast High Country Campaigns While Towong Shire Council does not invest in Feast High Country marketing efforts, it is involved in the Feast High Country Festival. The Mitta Mitta Brewing Co is also now part of the High Country Brewery Trail, so will feature in brewery campaigns from 2019/20 onwards. As such, an overview of the 2018/19 program has been included for reference. 3.1 Feast High Country Overview The Feast High Country brand represents the region’s food/drinks pillar, effectively unifying a strong and diverse industry. The long-term objective of the Feast High Country brand is to raise awareness of the High Country’s breadth of food and drink tourism experiences, and help position the region as a ‘must-visit’ destination for associated target segments. The creative concept for the various Feast High Country 2018/19 campaigns celebrated the people that capture the essence of High Country’s food/drink offering, and aimed to convey the welcoming feel and authentic spirit that is alive and well in the region. The tagline ‘Join our table’ was used across all Feast High Country executions, featuring portrait-style imagery of the region’s industry personalities with copy that depicted their impressive credentials, history and connection with the region. The call to action for the Feast High Country brand and associated campaigns was the feasthighcountry.com.au website, which has been developed in an editorial style, ideal for telling the story of the rich food and drink offering across the region, profiling producers and personalities, and providing the opportunity to change content in line with seasonality. 3.2 Brewery Campaign From February-April 2019, TNE ran a campaign designed to raise awareness of the brewery offering across the region, aimed at the passionate craft beer consumer based predominantly in the metro Melbourne area. Central to the campaign was a video titled ‘And beer!’, a cheeky nod to traditional tourism marketing campaigns celebrating all a region has to offer - and beer too! A photoshoot of the brewers also took place, significantly boosting the visual assets available for future campaigns. Key results of the brewery campaign include:

https://www.feasthighcountry.com.au/

● On YouTube, the ‘And beer’ clip achieved 333k impressions, with 180k completed video views (well above the target of 102k), resulting in a cost-per-view of just $0.05.

● On social media, combined paid + organic reach of over 135K people. ● On the Feast High Country website, there were nearly 3k views of the craft beer pages

during the campaign period - a significant increase on pre-campaign page views. One of the best results was the average time spent viewing the craft beer pages, with an average time on page of 3 minutes and 6 second, well above the site average and demonstrating that the target market was engaging well with the content.

https://youtu.be/EkEexsFvUlE

https://youtu.be/EkEexsFvUlE

3.3 Feast High Country Website The Feast High Country website is the primary call to action for all Feast marketing campaigns. During the quarter, the primary focus of the website has been the Feast High Country Festival, with the campaign starting on 1 March and running through to the festival period in the first half of May. During the quarter the website serviced 45k sessions, with visitors viewing a total of 92k pages, delivering an engaged audience with page views/session of 2.05 On an annual basis the website serviced 81k sessions with total pageviews of 161k. As this is the inaugural year for the Feast High Country brand paid campaign activity was the largest source of website visitation representing 41% of all visitors.

The Feast High Country Festival content achieved the largest number of overall page views - accounting for 41% of all views - followed by the homepage at 37%, and business listings at 8%.

3.4 Feast High Country Social Feast High Country has continued to grow positively on social in alignment with TNE’s expectations, and has achieved very strong total Reach results. Feast High Country content was viewed 859k people in quarter four, with the majority of content relating to the Feast High Country Festival campaign. Over 76.5% of Feast High Country Facebook reach was achieved with paid content. Feast High Country Facebook ad campaigns had a Cost per Result value of $0.66. During quarter four, paid content on Facebook reached 586k people, and generated 76k engagements at a rate of $0.08 Cost per Post Engagement. Page growth and engagement are also predominantly driven by paid content, although organic growth is growing as the page matures. After a slow start to Instagram, the page has experienced significant growth during the Feast High Country Festival campaign, demonstrating the value of relevant content and the need to reinforce social channels with advertising spend.

FEAST HIGH COUNTRY FACEBOOK

Metric KPI ACTUAL


Fan acquisition New pages likes

increase 4.0% 28%

FEAST HIGH COUNTRY INSTAGRAM



Fan acquisition New followers 2.27% 49.3%

4. Feast High Country Festival 4.1 Event Overview and Results High Country Harvest, the region’s signature food/drinks festival, was reimagined in 2018/19 to align with the new Feast High Country brand. Accordingly, the event is now known as the Feast High Country Festival, effectively enhancing the impact of the master brand amongst the core Melbourne foodie market. In 2019, the Festival was held on 3-19 May, featuring a 17-day regional event program that showcased the phenomenal food and drink offering that the High Country is renowned for. Importantly, the campaign encompassed the broader Feast campaign, celebrating the faces and personalities of the High Country.

The 2019 Feast High Country Festival was a great success, acting as an important tourism driver for the region. Key outcomes include:

● The event attracted 9,539 participants, which represents 15% growth compared to the 2018 program.

● Hero event ticket sales increased by 37% from 2018. ● Visitors generated an impressive $4.2 million in direct spend to the local economy, which

was up 37% from 2018. ● 50% of visitors stayed overnight. These visitors generated 14,500 visitor nights, which

represented a 27% growth in visitor nights compared to 2018. ● Event participants also undertook a range of other activities while in the High Country,

increasing their value to the region. That is, 56% visited a cellar door, 29% visited a brewery, 63% dined at restaurants and cafes while in region, 35% visited historical sites and 50% participated in retail experiences.

Of the 41 events that featured in the 2019 program, 28 of them were newly created for the Feast High Country Festival, and a total of 102 businesses were involved in running the hero events. Over 50% of the events were collaborative in nature, featuring two or more businesses working together. These strong results are key in supporting Feast High Country Festival in realising its objective of driving industry and product development.

These 41 hero events were then supported by a range of other food and beverage-focused initiatives designed to extend visitor length of stay and destination yield opportunities. They included:

● Bonfires - a series of four bonfire evenings were held throughout the region, allowing

locals and visitors to mix and enjoy food and wine from around the region. ● 8 Breweries in 8 Days – the High Country Brewery Trail’s eight breweries were all involved

in Feast High Country Festival offering an open brew tour every day on the second week of the event program. Free of charge, these sessions offered visitors a unique look at the brewing process.

● Maker’s Choice - new for this year, each of the hero event operators were invited to name their favourite dish, drink, treat and activity to have across the High Country in autumn. These were then curated into a separate story on the Feast website, with the aim of inviting guests to stay longer and experience the region in more depth. It also allowed for the showcasing of operators and experiences that would otherwise have been missed in the programming.

4.2 Hero Event Activation Towong Shire was involved in the Feast High Country Festival again this year, with 3 hero events featured in the program:

Date Event Name Location Description Operator

Saturday, 4 May Trestles, Trolls and Campfire Coals

Tallangatta Ride the High Country Rail Trail and enjoy campfire cooking and star gazing

Parklands Albury Wodonga

Saturday, 18 May Join the Farmer’s Table

Mitta Mitta A three-course long lunch showcasing local produce and craft beer

Mitta Pub

Saturday, 18 May Whistlestop High Tea

Tallangatta Cycle to Tallangatta while enjoying a progressive high tea

Parklands Albury Wodonga

All Towong events ran well this year, with bookings for Trestles, Trolls and Campfire Coals closed off at 200, and strong attendance to both the High Tea and the Mitta Mitta Pub events.

4.3 Event Partnership TNE partnered with Melbourne-based chef Scott Pickett (The Estelle, Matilda, Saint Crispin, Pickett’s Deli) for the 2019 Feast High Country Festival. This partnership was designed to drive interest in High Country events via their channels, and expose the chefs and the Melbourne food audience to the region’s produce. This partnership commenced with an Estelle road-trip in early March, when Scott and two of his chefs visited the High Country for a tour of a number of producers across the region. Photographs and videos were shot during the road trip, which were then used to promote the Festival program including the in-region event featuring Scott and the Estelle team. As part of the Feast High Country Festival program, Scott and his chefs teamed up with Simon Arkless and his team at The Terrace Restaurant at All Saints Estate, for a four-course lunch matched with wines from All Saints. Scott and Simon told the story of their farm visits to source the produce, and Nick Brown guided guests through their chosen wines. The lunch was attended by 40 guests who all enjoyed the different styles of the chefs and their presentation of local produce. A highlight of the meal was the serving of the All Saints Estate Museum Muscadelle at the conclusion of the meal, a true treat for the wine enthusiasts. 4.4 Marketing Campaign

a) Campaign overview The marketing goals for the Feast High Country Festival were:

● to direct target audience traffic to the Feast High Country Festival section of the website; ● drive ticket sales to individual events; and ● to demonstrate the value proposition by showcasing the breadth of food and drink on

offer in-region, and the natural surrounds that are worth travelling for. The marketing campaign targeted the ‘Lifestyle Leader’ audience, predominantly in metro Melbourne.

b) Media placement TNE worked with its media agency to develop a dynamic, targeted media plan across radio, print, out of home and digital media channels. While activity commenced on 1 March with the program launch and social media presence, the majority of activity was focused on the end of March onwards, following the completion of the Melbourne food and wine festival. Key campaign executions and results are as follows:

● Broadsheet: a content partnership was established with Broadsheet that included display advertising, a content piece showcasing key ‘Broadsheet pics’ of Feast High Country Festival events across the region, social posts and email database inclusion. This delivered over 140K impressions, a social reach of over 192k, and 4.7k unique views of the content piece.

● Nine Digital display: this execution included mobile and desktop ‘miniscroller’ placements

(incorporating image gallery and video assets) and video pre-roll placements, which achieved over 63K video views.

● Radio: 30 and 15 second commercial spots were booked through GOLD104.3 FM, along with sponsorship credits and bonus activity. These adverts reached 587k people in the 18-54 year age bracket one or more times, with an average frequency of 4.6 times.

● Out of home: in addition to the 50 transit adverts (tram ‘Cityscapes’), an additional two weeks of bonus exposure and three large-format digital sites were secured at no cost, to the value of $78.5K.

● Social media: over 240K people were reached on social media during the Festival campaign, with a cost-per-post engagement rate of $0.06. Social content referred over 16k people to the Feast High Country website during the campaign period (up from 13.4k in 2018), and followers of the Feast High Country Facebook page doubled during the

● Television: during the Festival, cost savings in other channels enabled TNE to invest in a limited regional TV campaign aimed at capturing last-minute bookings among the local market for the final week of the program. The TVC was shown on a number of primetime TV slots including Masterchef, The Project, Five Bedrooms and many more.

● Email marketing: TNE’s database of over 4K engaged food and wine contacts was utilised to send targeted email communications, which all recorded excellent open and click rates (averaging 31.5% and 6.2% respectively) and drove considerable website traffic to the site.

● Additional exposure: TNE worked closely with Visit Victoria and Melbourne Food & Wine

Festival to leverage additional opportunities, including Melbourne Food & Wine Festival website article, inclusion in Visit Victoria EDMs, and inclusion in Visit Victoria’s Your Happy Space autumn campaign activity on Concrete Playground.

5. Industry and Product Development While significant efforts are dedicated to driving demand for the High Country offering, it is essential that a commensurate effort is committed to diversifying and enhancing the supply side of the tourism equation. TNE delivers on this need through the provision of a broad range of industry and product development services that are focused on providing a high-quality tourism experience. 5.1 Industry Development TNE supports existing High Country tourism operators in optimising their businesses and the experiences they offer visitors. This work includes up-skilling industry through mentoring and briefing sessions, identifying and working with businesses to fill gaps in the regional tourism offering, managing industry communication efforts, and driving ongoing industry and product innovation. It also involves facilitating relationships and tourism efforts between industry, Government organisations, tourism associations and other public and private entities to drive regional collaboration and growth. Throughout 2018-19, TNE has delivered a range of initiatives in this space for Towong Shire including:

● The delivery of a range of both Towong-specific and broader regional group briefing sessions, which engaged 49 Towong Shire tourism businesses. This included:

○ How to start a Farmgate - Workshop specifically requested by Towong Shire for businesses looking to start a local farmgate offering, covering agritourism research findings and business essentials.

○ How to leverage from the Great Victorian Bike Ride - Workshop looking at ways to activate the township when the Great Victorian Bike Ride travelled through Tallangatta in December 2018.

○ Agritourism Research Presentation - All of region presentation clearly identifying agritourism visitor segments with the greatest potential for the High Country.

○ Walk Tourism Research - All of region presentation clearly identifying walking tourist segments with the greatest potential for visitation and growth in the High Country.

● The delivery of 3 individual Towong business development sessions to address the trends, issues and opportunities of most relevance to their businesses. For this year, the most popular topics covered were agritourism, cycling and food/drinks.

● Involvement in a range of meetings and sessions focused on developing tourism

opportunities for Towong Shire, including:

○ Meeting with Creative Victoria to discuss High Country tourism projects that cover both the visitor and creative economies, including the option of artistic enhancements on the region’s rail trail network.

○ Presenting agritourism research at the North East Victoria Food Policy working group, which included providing an overview of food system issues in the region relating to the production, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food.

○ Meeting with GTR events to discuss the proposed route for the 2020 Jayco Herald Sun Tour.

○ Assisting in the development of the Mitta Mountain Bike Plan assisting both Council and the trail consultants with the process.

○ Attending the Whistle Stop High Tea Feast High Country event, engaging with participants and taking photos of the High Country Rail Trail for social media.

○ Facilitating discussion with Regional Roads Victoria to develop road cycling signage across region.

○ Engaging with RDV regarding potential funding opportunities for the High Country Rail Trail Development Plan.

● Attending or being involved in a range of meetings/sessions relevant to Towong Shire and

its strategic tourism direction including:

○ Meeting with Airbnb to discuss opportunities for cooperative activities. ○ Participating in a workshop to review the strategic priorities of the Ovens Murray

Digital Plan, ensuring that key tourism issues are represented. ○ Participating in several Ride High Country PSG meetings, looking at ways to realise

NEVCO Masterplan priorities and assessing current strategic cycle tourism actions. ○ Attending and presenting at the Regional Development Victoria Ride High Country

investment EOI briefing that included Council representation. ○ Attending the VTIC Visitor Economy Forum & Tourism Information Briefing, and

bringing key learnings back to the region.

● Strategic engagement with other associations and organisations to progress Towong

Shire tourism priorities including Regional Development Australia, Regional Development Victoria, Ovens Murray Regional Partnership and Visit Victoria.

5.2 Product Development In the product development space, TNE works across the region to deliver tourism projects of scale, most of which are supported by grant funding. TNE is instrumental in securing this funding, leveraging its reputation with Government for developing and delivering significant and strategic projects that have the potential to be regional gamechangers to deliver positive outcomes for the High Country and its stakeholders. TNE also work directly with its public and private sector partners to assist them in delivering new products and experiences that have the ability to enhance the destination offering, and diversify the broader regional landscape. In quarter four, the projects that TNE has been working on in this space relevant to Towong Shire are as follows: a) Human Capital Review Project Attracting and retaining quality tourism staff in the High Country is increasingly one of the key challenges facing local tourism businesses. Workforce issues are impacting current tourism operations, as well as limiting the industry's ability to diversify and grow. In 2018/19, TNE initiated a Human Capital Review to define this issue, including qualifying existing staffing shortfalls and quantifying the value of future demand for services and staff. TNE completed data collection for this project and the end of the fourth quarter, which it is currently collating into a report that details key project findings. This will be presented back to the project steering group at the start of the first quarter of 2019/20 and then to the broader industry afterwards. A major focus for TNE in the new financial year will be how it can work collectively across the region to try and address some of the key workforce challenges. b) Ride High Country Signage Strategy TNE has secured a $50k grant from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund towards the development of a $100k regional cycle tourism signage strategy. Funding will support engaging a consultant to deliver a strategy for consistent cycle tourism signage

throughout the region and across each of the High Country’s key cycle tourism disciplines. This will ensure that cyclists engage with a common cycle experience that is easy to navigate, no matter which High Country destination they are riding in. It will address some serious gaps in the region’s cycle wayfinding signage, and also allow for a truly collaborative regional cycle tourism offering. At the end of the fourth quarter, the contract pertaining to the grant funding was executed, enabling work on the project to commence. A project steering group including representatives from each of TNE’s LGA and RMB High Country partners has been formed, which will oversee the first stage of the project - the appointment of a consultant in response to a closed tender. c) Ride High Country Private Sector EOI The High Country is currently looking to innovate and diversify its tourism offering to better meet the needs of cycle tourism visitors, and to enable the region to effectively support the growth of its broader tourism market.

To assist with this effort, a private sector EOI was released by RDV in the third quarter on behalf of State Government inviting innovative proposals to complement and enhance the regional cycle tourism experience. The EOI process came to a close in the fourth quarter, with submissions reviewed, assessed and shortlisted by an independent panel. The shortlisted projects will now progress through to full application, presenting a strong opportunity for tourism product growth for the region.

d) Walk High Country Product Development Plan Quantum Market Research delivered the Walk High Country segmentation research report commissioned by TNE, providing insights into the walking tourism market and associated visitor segments. The findings from this research have now been incorporated into a Walk High Country Product Development Plan. Product development will focus on ensuring the offer aligns with walk research findings, so TNE will work with operators to shape their offer/marketing to appeal to high value segments. This may include changes to imagery, descriptions and copy currently used in marketing channels. Where possible, working to develop new, interesting and unique walks throughout the High Country will assist in providing ‘controlled adventure’ opportunities.

Following the direction of the Walk High Country Product Development Plan, TNE has worked

with existing and potential walk operators to develop new experiences that align with the Walk Research Findings. e) Mitta Mitta Mountain Bike Park Masterplan Given the growth of mountain biking in-region, the development of new trails and locations to ride is ever present. Within this context, Towong Shire is looking to develop a masterplan for the implementation of an accessible, high-quality and sustainable mountain bike park that acts as both a community asset and tourism drawcard for the area. The Mitta Mitta State Forest has been identified as a key location to develop this park, using funding received through the Victorian State Government’s Pick My Project program. TNE has assisted this project through developing the Mitta Valley Mountain Bike Park Masterplan Consultancy Brief, a document that provided an overview of the project to be used to secure consultant quotes for the delivery of the planning work. In response to this brief, Terrain Trail Construction was awarded the Masterplan Development contract. TNE is now providing strategic advice to this supplier, and will continue to provide specialist industry support to Towong Shire as required throughout the project.

6. Digital 6.1 Destination Websites TNE hosts and provides technical support for the destination websites underpinned by the RDP, however the destination websites themselves are owned and managed by Council. This means that all decisions pertaining to content, imagery, site linkages and so on are controlled by Council, with the resulting performance of the site inherently linked to how they are managed. So, while TNE reports on the quarterly performance of the destination sites, it is not responsible for the results. The easy to reference dashboard reporting for Towong Shire’s sites are as follows:

Sessions

2.3K 168.1%

Audience and Engagement (compared to previous year)

mobiledesktoptablet

12.8%

37.1%

50.1%

Sessions by device type

Page Views

5.2K 174.7%

Pages/Session

2.3 2.4%

Digital Dashboard - Q4 2018-19visituppermurray.com.au

Page Views by page type(compared to previous year)

Page Title Page Views

1. Homepage - new - Upper Murray 599

2. Places - Upper Murray 327

3. Attractions - Upper Murray 276

4. Accommodation Search 266

5. Explore - Upper Murray 250

6. Camping - Upper Murray 211

7. Nariel Valley - Upper Murray 174

8. Events - Upper Murray 171

9. Walwa - Upper Murray 156

10. Fishing - Upper Murray 154

▼

Top 10 pages


1. Avondale Gardens - Upper Murray 98

2. Neils Bend Murray River Reserve - Upper Murray 65

3. Cudgewa Bluff Falls - Upper Murray 64

4. Indi Bridge Reserve - Upper Murray 61

5. Upper Murray Farmers Market - Upper Murray 58

6. Corryong Visitor Information Centre - Upper M… 50

7. Lawrence Lookout, Shelley - Upper Murray 48

8. Colac Colac out and back - Upper Murray 47

9. Thomas Mitchell Reserve - Upper Murray 46

10. Clarke's Lagoon Wildlife Reserve - Upper Murray 46

▼

Top 10 listings

Which channels are driving visitation?Goal: Engaged Users

Sessions Page Views

0 1K 2K 3K 4K

Organic Search

Direct

Referral

Social

Home

596 234.8%

Editorial

3,300 166.1%

Listings

1,286 177.2%

Search Engine Terms Ranked 1 to 5

Sessions Page Views

0 500 1K 1.5K 2K 2.5K

mobile

desktop

tablet

Which devices are driving visitation?Goal: Engaged Users

Total Clicks

71 144.8%

CTR

5.5%

FY1718 - Q4 FY1819 - Q1 FY1819 - Q2FY1819 - Q3 FY1819 - Q4

0 20 40 60 80 100

UpperMurray Listings: Outbound Clicks & CTR

Sessions

515.0 78.8%

Audience and Engagement (compared to previous year)

desktopmobiletablet

22.5%

72.8%

Sessions by device type

Page Views

908.0 57.6%

Pages/Session

1.8 -11.8%

Digital Dashboard - Q4 2018-19valleyslakesandvistas.com.au

Page Views by page type(compared to previous year)


1. Homepage - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 245

2. TALLANGATTA - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 72

3. DARTMOUTH - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 59

4. BELLBRIDGE - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 57

5. Search Festivals and Events 52

6. BETHANGA - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 40

7. EXPLORE - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 38

8. FISHING - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 36

9. Places - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 27

10. Accommodation Search 24

▼

Top 10 pages


1. Kurrajong Gap Lookout - Valleys Lakes and Vi… 12

2. Dartmouth Dam & Lake Dartmouth - Valleys L… 9

3. Tallangatta Community Market - Valleys Lake… 8

4. Dartmouth Cup TBS Marine Fishing Classic - V… 7

5. Lake Hume - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 7

6. The Potted Cumquat - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 7

7. Discovery Parks - Lake Hume - Valleys Lakes a… 6

8. Banimboola Creek Rest Area - Valleys Lakes a… 6

9. Pigs Point Streamside Reserve - Valleys Lakes … 6

10. The Witches Garden - Valleys Lakes and Vistas 4

▼

Top 10 listings

Which channels are driving visitation?Goal: Engaged Users

Sessions Page Views

0 100 200 300 400 500

Direct

Organic Search

Social

Referral

Home

244 38.6%

Editorial

541 55.5%

Listings

112 115.4%

Search Engine Terms Ranked 1 to 5

Sessions Page Views

0 200 400 600 800

desktop

mobile

tablet

Which devices are driving visitation?Goal: Engaged Users

Total Clicks

7 600.0%

CTR

6%

FY1718 - Q4 FY1819 - Q1 FY1819 - Q2FY1819 - Q3 FY1819 - Q4

0 2 4 6 8 10

Valley…Listings: Outbound Clicks & CTR

6.2 See High Country Social Towong Shire also had some strong exposure on the See High Country social platform this quarter, with some key content highlights including the following:

7. PR The Feast High Country Festival was the primary focus for PR efforts during quarter four with media releases distributed across regional, metropolitan and national lifestyle, travel, news and specialty food journalists and publications in the lead up to and during the event. Resulting coverage included general festival pointers in a variety of leading publications, TV and radio interviews. The Mitta Mitta Brewing Co was included in TNE’s seasonal media release distributed nationally and will also feature in the annual new tourism product presentation to Visit Victoria’s communications and marketing team in August. Towong Shire businesses also featured in a comprehensive Ride High Country media famil itinerary prepared for two journalists from Bicycling Australia magazine during March. The itinerary included several road rides in and around Mitta Mitta including the Mitta Valley Loop and the Lake Hume Loop. Their visit included meals at the Mitta Pub, dinner and beers at the Mitta Mitta brewery and a fly fishing experience with Scott McPherson (ultimately cancelled due to poor weather). The famil resulted in an extensive feature story, Discovering Australia’s best road climbs, published in the July/August winter 2019 issue of the magazine.

7.2 Other PR Activities Seasonal media releases were devised and distributed to targeted media outlets across newspapers, radio, TV, magazines, writers, bloggers and influencers which featured new tourism news in Victoria’s High Country. This included new experiences, accommodation, food, wine, craft beer & spirits, walk products and cycling experiences. The releases resulted in extensive coverage across TV and radio news bulletins, and metropolitan and regional newspapers. Relationships with several influential journalists were developed during this period as a result of successful media famil visits which resulted in not just multiple feature stories in a range of publications, but also commitments to return visits to the High Country. In addition to generating and securing media visits to the High Country, TNE’s PR effort also involved ongoing liaison with regional, metropolitan, national and international journalists, editors and freelancers from across the spectrum of media outlets. This included fielding and responding to media enquiries, assisting with story ideas, provision of contact and product information and images as well as pitching story ideas to a broad range of traditional and new media representatives. TNE continued to work closely with Visit Victoria throughout 2018/19. The annual PR presentation to Visit Victoria’s entire communications team took place in September, offering a comprehensive overview to new and existing team members of the High Country’s tourism offering, including showcasing new products, experiences and services. Assistance and advice with on-ground itineraries for international visiting journalists was provided to Visit Victoria/Tourism Australia team members and a two-day, wine-focused famil itinerary was also prepared for four key members of the Visit Victoria comms team late in 2018 to view tourism businesses first hand. TNE also worked closely with Visit Victoria’s international team, providing itinerary advice, assistance and supporting information and images for several overseas journalists visiting from overseas. Ongoing advice, assistance and PR mentoring was provided to a range of business operators around the region including help with media releases, photography advice and media contacts.

P:\OHS & Risk Management\OHS Committee\Action & Agreement Records\2019 Page 1 of 8

Action and Agreement Record

OHS Committee Meeting

Date 25Jul2019 Time 9:00am Venue Indi Room

Tallangatta

Chairperson Wayne Carter Minute Taker Wayne Carter File # 06/04/0212

Present Juliana Phelps / Penelope Sell / Deanne Brown / Ian Moore / Lance Webb / Teagan Hore / Wayne Carter

Apologies Jamie Heritage / Heidi Hodge / Josh Fleming / Sam Hall / Lou Newman

Points of Discussion Action Taken / Action Required CARS

action #

Who When / Status

1. Volunteers for next meeting

Action and Agreement record (minutes)

Agenda preparation

Chair next meeting

Wayne

Wayne

Wayne

2. Adopt minutes from previous meeting

Held 20Jun2019

Moved: Deanne Brown

Seconded: Ian Moore

Appendix 7



action #

Who When / Status

Working IN the System

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Contractor management (tabled 21Mar2019) – Natalie and

Wayne will be reviewing Contractor Management over the

coming weeks/months.

Review Contractor Induction Handbook

Pass to Committee members for feedback

and then sign-off on 2019 version

n/a Wayne 31Jul2019

“Capital Works in Progress” Calendar – this

has been placed in Outlook, so people who

engage Contractors can place the details

into the calendar (similar to setting up a

meeting, with dates, general information

etc)

Wayne will continue speaking with key

stakeholders regarding setting this up on

their computers and using it

n/a Wayne 31Jul2019

Hepatitis A & B vaccinations for Outdoor workers (tabled

02May2019) – The question has again been raised about getting

Hepatitis A & B vaccinations for Outdoor workers – it was

previously agreed that there was no issue with this if it is

required as part of their role.

Depot Team Leaders are to compile a list of

staff who require the vaccination, put it

forward to Jamie for approval, and then

schedule the vaccinations with the local

Medical Centre

n/a Ian / Lance 30Jun2019

31Aug2019

Wayne to follow up on the Draft Health

Surveillance Procedure, and Vaccination and

Immunisation Register

n/a Wayne 31Aug2019

Tallangatta Skatepark – drainage and trip issues (tabled

16May2019) – Sandbags are being used at the Tallangatta

Skatepark to prevent runoff from the skate surface washing away

the pathway. The sandbags are trip hazards and the runoff

Works in Akuna Avenue have commenced and

will include upgrades to the drainage and

installation of a water bubbler at the Skatepark

area

n/a Tony 31Jul2019



action #

Who When / Status

during a rain event is an issue. Need to conduct a Risk

Assessment of facility. The Risk Assessment identified cracks in

the skate surface – these need to be

repaired, and ideally without damaging the

existing artwork

Tony to communicate with Renee and

Wayne regarding process – Wayne to

follow up with Tony on progress

n/a Tony 31Jul2019

Backhoe being driven on Highway (tabled 20Jun2019) – the

Backhoe from Tallangatta Depot is used at the local Tallangatta

Transfer Station most days, and is driven on the Highway to

access the Transfer Station – this can be a little risky given the

speed difference between the Backhoe and other through traffic,

including log trucks.

Discussed leaving the Backhoe at the

Transfer Station but it is also used at other

worksites, so this is not practical

The road offers good sight distance and

the distance travelled outside the 80km/h

zone is only approx. 300m, so this not

considered a big issue

Lance will discuss this with Operators at

the next Depot Toolbox meeting

n/a

Lance 02Aug2019

Q fever vaccination (tabled 20Jun2019) – following a discussion

on Hepatitis vaccinations, the risk of Q fever infection among

Council workers who undertake tasks at the Corryong Saleyards

was discussed, as was the requirement for those workers to have

the Q fever vaccination.

It was agreed that Council employees who

work at the Corryong Saleyards should

receive the Q fever vaccination if they wish

Dee has followed up with the local Medical

Centre ($5 for the test and $150 for the

vaccination if required)

Dee and Ian will collect names and follow

up with the Medical Centre to ensure

vaccinations are completed when they do

their next round of vaccinations

n/a

Dee / Ian

31Oct2019


4. OUTSTANDING INCIDENT REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Incident No. 861 – Contravention of Registration conditions

(reported 08 Mar2019) – Council was notified by VicRoads

Transport Safety Officer that they had intercepted a Council

Roller being driven on a sealed road, which is in contravention to

its Registration conditions.

Ian & Lance to check all Plant to see if

information on conditions are in the cabin

already, place the information in a table

and then pass it on to Dolf

Paperwork is also to be scanned and saved

in RecFind for future reference

Communicate conditions to all relevant

Operators

n/a Ian / Lance 31Jul2019

07Aug2019

Dolf has table (spreadsheet) which can

include registration status and conditions

for all Plant

Table is to be updated as information is

sourced

Contact VicRoads to source missing

information on conditions, and pass to

Team Leaders to have it placed into Plant

n/a Dolf 31Jul2019

31Aug2019

Incident No. 878 – Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) incident

(reported 30May2019) – Employee was cleaning out a culvert

with the Backhoe in Eskdale and struck a conduit, which

contained a power cable. Cable was not at the required depth of

600mm.

Cable was bent but no wires were exposed

Electrician called and inspected the conduit

Cable/power was not used anymore, so it

was disconnected and removed

SWMS have been reviewed for tasks

relating to excavations within town limits

Completed

Incident No. 881 – Vehicle incident (reported 17Jun2019) –

Council vehicle was being driven on Murray River Road Talgarno

when a kangaroo jumped off the bank and collided with the

vehicle.

Employee is OK

Vehicle damaged - Insurance claim

Vehicle has been approved to be repaired

Completed


5. REVIEW OF PUBLIC LIABILITY INCIDENTS

Incident No. 886 – Illness at Kinder (reported 28Jun2019) –

Child at Bellbridge Early Years Centre became ill and

unresponsive after being signed out by parent at end of day –

Ambulance was called – child transported to Hospital and

diagnosed with infection and fever.

Child was released from Hospital that

evening

No further action required

Completed

Incident No. 890 – Security issue – trespass (reported

04Jul2019) – Employee was delivering waste to Corryong

Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) when they noticed a vehicle

parked at the old, locked entrance to the site. On entering the

site, the employee noticed a local resident and called out to him,

but the resident ignored the employee and left the site. The

resident was known to the employee.

Reported immediately to Team Leader,

OHS Officer and Director Technical Service

Team Leaders and OHS Officer to review

security on sites (Corryong and Tallangatta

RRC’s) and consider signage eg “No Entry

outside operating hours except by

authorised personnel” and/or “No

trespassing outside operating hours –

trespassers will be prosecuted” etc

29452 Ian / Lance /

Wayne

31Aug2019

Incident No. 892 – Evacuation from Early Years Centre

(reported 16Jul2019) – Educator reported they could smell what

appeared to be gas coming from the air conditioning system in

the Tallangatta Early Years Centre.

Reported immediately and children

evacuated

Emergency services called and attended

Source of smell not identified – may have

been something that was in the air and

entered the building through the air-con

system

Reported to Dep’t of Education

No further action required at this stage

Completed

6. REVIEW OTHER INCIDENT REPORTS SINCE LAST MEETING:

Incident No. 883 – Slip / trip / fall (reported 24Jun2019) –

Employee had completed banking at Corryong Post Office and

was walking down the steps when their foot slid on ice on the

top step. They fell, grazing both shins and hurting their wrists.

They were taken to the local hospital for treatment.

Employee is OK

Post Office staff are aware of the incident

and condition of the steps at the time

The steps were taped off that day


Completed


Incident No. 885 – Vehicle incident (reported 21Jun2019) –

Council Garbage Truck was being operated – picked up a bin

which was positioned close to a galvanized support on a power

pole, and in the process contacted the support and broke one

side of the lifting arm on the truck.

Resident informed of incident and they will

position the bin in an alternative location in

future

Arm on truck repaired

Completed

Incident No. 889 – Vehicle incident (reported 05Jul2019) –

Council car being driven on Kiewa Valley Highway and hit a

kangaroo.

Council employee OK

Vehicle has minor damaged

Insurance claim to be submitted and

vehicle to be repaired.

n/a Wayne /

Natalie

31Aug2019

Incident No. 893 – Cut to finger (reported 17Jul2019) –

Employee reported cutting the middle finger on their left hand

while unclipping the toilet maintenance record clipboard from

the wall of the Attree Park Toilet.

Cleaned wound and applied Bandaids

Holder/clipboard inspected and found

there is a sharp edge on the Aluminium –

this will need to be filed off

Inspect holders in other toilet bocks and

file off sharp edges as needed

29451 Ian 31Aug2019

7. ACTIVE WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Incident No. 895 – Noise induced hearing loss (reported

12Jul2018) – Employee submitted a claim direct to Gallagher

Bassett (WorkCover Agent / Insurer) for noise induced hearing

loss in December 2018. Gallagher Bassett informed Council on

12Jul2019 that the claim has been accepted.

Monitor claim – managed by Gallagher

Bassett

Consider next steps for Council

n/a Wayne 31Aug2019

Working ON the System

8. IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES BEING WORKED ON


External Review of Occupational Health and Safety

Management System (OHSMS) (tabled Jun2018) – an external

audit of Towong Shire Council’s OHSMS against the

requirements of AS/NZS 4801 is to be undertaken.

Audit completed 02Nov2018

Action plan addressing gaps was

implemented Feb2019

Responsible Officers for actions have been

notified

There are 103 actions in total

As at 27Jun2019, 68 actions (66%) have

been completed

Progress on actions are monitored weekly

and monthly updates will be tabled at

several meetings including with senior

management and the OHS Committee

n/a

Wayne

Ongoing

Liability Mutual Insurance (LMI) Mandatory Compliance

Review (tabled Nov2018) – Our public liability insurer conducted

a biennial review to assess our level of compliance against our

documented internal Policies, Plans, Procedures and processes.

Action plan addressing gaps has been

implemented

Responsible Officers for actions have been

notified

There are 115 actions in total

As at 27Jun2019, 75 actions (65%) have

been completed

Progress on actions are monitored weekly

and monthly updates will be tabled at

several meetings including with senior

management and the OHS Committee

n/a Wayne Ongoing

Working ON ourselves

9. TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Skills matrix and training plan – Skills Matrix and training plans

all Staff is being maintained.

Skills Matrix and Training Plans for all staff

are being updated as training documents

are provided following training.

Training requirements for the remainder of

the Financial Year are being monitored.

n/a

Janet T/

Wayne

Ongoing


General Business

10. NEW BUSINESS

Safety survey around Kinders (tabled 25Jul2019) – it was noted

from the latest survey that there may be some concerns around

traffic management around the Corryong Kinder – this would

most likely be during drop off and pick up times. The question

was raised in the OHS Committee Meeting about what signage is

currently displayed in the area warning traffic of children being

in the area.

Inspect area for existing signage

Consider speed in area, width of road,

vehicle numbers and types, times etc.

Consider what signage may be required

signage eg parent/child sign

Follow up with appropriate Council Officer

as required

n/a Wayne / Ian

/ Dee

31Aug2019

Next Emergency Evacuation Drill (tabled 25Jul2019) – the

question was raised as to when the next Emergency Evacuation

Drills would be scheduled.

OHS Officer advised the Committee that

they are scheduled every 12 months and it

is in the OHS Management System Plan

(calendar) for early next year


Completed

Meeting Closed: 9:50am Next Meeting: Thursday 15Aug2019 at 9.00am (Indi Room)

Appendix 8

Appendix 9

agenda ordinary meeting of council - shire of towong...meetings\agendas\2019\08 august\6 august 2019...

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