Council Meeting wrap - May 2025

Published on 22 May 2025

May 2025 Council Meeting.png

The adoption of a motion formally opposing the State Government’s implementation of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund was the key item of discussion at Gannawarra Shire Council’s May 2025 meeting.

Councillors adopted an urgent item motion at the meeting, held at the Kerang Senior Citizens Centre on Wednesday, 21 May, following on from Councils across the State adopting similar motions opposing the levy, which will be used to support VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria, as well as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).

As part of the adopted motion, a report will be tabled at the June 2025 meeting outlining:

  • The levy’s estimated cost to residents;
  • The cost to Council to collect the levy on behalf of the State Government, assuming the reluctance of residents to pay the levy; and
  • Any options Council can exercise to not collect the levy or separate it from the general rates notices issued to landowners.

Council will also lobby the State Government to collect the levy via the State Revenue Office.

Meanwhile, Councillors also adopted a Notice of Motion opposing the VNI West project as it is currently proposed, as the costs associated with the project outweigh the benefits to the community.

Other outcomes of the meeting included:

  • Receiving and noting the 2024/2025 Quarterly Budget Report as at 31 March 2025;
  • Receiving and noting the summary of the discussions of the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held 7 May 2025, as well as the Audit and Risk Committee Biannual Report;
  • Adopting the revised version of Council’s Governance Rules;
  • The adoption of the revised Flags policy and Community Flags Schedule; and
  • Receiving the petition ‘Addressing Flood Mitigation and Recovery in Kerang West’ and requesting a report from Council Officers at the June 2025 Council meeting responding to the petition request.

Questions from the public regarding Council’s position on the proposed installation of underground transmission lines associated with the Normanville Energy Park and the development of housekeeping rules for renewable energy projects in the municipality were also addressed.

For more information, including a link to the video from this meeting and minutes, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/meetings

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