At the Council Meeting on Tuesday 16 July, Council made the following decisions:

• Moved a Notice of Motion regarding Council’s Financial Hardship Policy and, additionally, the differential rating system used by Council. The motion was passed. Council officers will present a report to Council before preparations begin on budget 2025-26, outlining the ways in which Council’s Financial Hardship Policy can be amended to further minimise the impact on ratepayers experiencing financial hardship. The report will also provide an overview of Council’s differential rating system (different rates for residential, commercial, and farming properties) and options for consultation on the setting of rates and differential rates.
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• Voted against a Motion to issue a Notice of Decision to refuse a Planning Permit Application for a two-lot subdivision and buildings and works for a second dwelling at 34-36 Eighth Ave Raymond Island. This vote means Council has not made a decision on the planning permit application and further consideration will be undertaken.
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• Resolved to issue a Notice of Decision to refuse a Planning Permit Application for a two lot subdivision and removal of native vegetation at 34 First Parade, Raymond Island.
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• Council deemed the proposal as generally inconsistent with the Planning Policy Framework with respect to planning for places and environmental risks and amenity; and generally inconsistent with the objectives of the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay. Council also decided the proposal does not suitably demonstrate the avoidance of removal of native vegetation, with the proposal considered to have a significant negative impact on biodiversity and environmental values of the land and neighbourhood based on impacts to threatened species habitat.
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• Resolved to issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit to Paynesville Hotel for the use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor and the reduction to the car parking requirements, subject to permit conditions. The permit application relates to increase the ‘red line area’ where liquor can be consumed and patron numbers.
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• Voted in favour of seeking authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare Planning Scheme Amendments C169egip and C170egip to the East Gippsland Planning Scheme generally in accordance with the draft planning scheme documents.
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• Following Ministerial authorisation, Council will begin a public exhibition period of the amendments. Both amendments will be subject to further Council review and assessment by an independent Planning Panel, if required, following the completion of the public exhibition. This process aims to reduce duplication in planning documents, and to implement key Council strategies and plans, including the Housing and Settlement Strategy, and Rural Land Use Strategy.
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• Resolved to seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare Planning Scheme Amendments C171egip and C172egip to respectively implement the Eagle Point Structure Plan and Paynesville Growth Area Structure Plan into the East Gippsland Planning Scheme. Following Ministerial authorisation, Council will begin a public exhibition period of the amendments. Both amendments will be subject to further Council review and assessment by an independent Planning Panel, if required, following the completion of the public exhibition.
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• Adopted the draft Marina Consultative Committee Terms of Reference. The consultative committee is a key liaison between Council and berth holders at Slip Bight Marina in Paynesville, and Chinamans Creek and Metung Marina, both in Metung.

You can watch the meeting and read the agenda on the Minutes and Agendas page.