Council briefs
Keen observers may have noticed the current upgrade works of the Cowes main street don't have kerb and channels.
Cowes street upgrade
Keen observers may have noticed the current upgrade works of the Cowes main street don't have kerb and channels.
Resident Philip Davy asked why there was no kerb and gutter "to protect pedestrians from possible errant vehicles".
He said erosion of landscaping and stormwater flow will be a problem along the eastern side and at the intersection with The Esplanade without gutters.
Shire CEO Greg Box replied the Cowes Foreshore Precinct was "designed to be a low-speed environment with open spaces that encourage safe pedestrian and vehicle movements.
"The design ensures water movement is directed towards storm water drainage collection points and discharge areas," Mr Box said.
Performance rated
Resident Kerry Dawes quizzed councillors on their performance at the May meeting.
"How does the council measure their performance and councillors measure success in their role?" Kerry asked.
"How should the community measure success of the council and individual councillors."
Shire CEO Greg Box responded council's quarterly performance reports, together with the annual report, "provide transparent reporting to the community on the achievements of council.
"Each individual may have different criteria for how they measure success or the performance of their elected councillors," Mr Box added.
Bass subdivision
A subdivision of about 16 lots is proposed for Bass, with councillors voting to approve a planning scheme amendment to rezone land at 112 Bass Road from farming to low-density residential.
The 83,106m2 site is in the settlement boundary for Bass and has no overlays, earmarked for short-term residential transition in shire policy.
While this amendment does not propose subdivision, analysis shows the site can accommodate residential subdivision of about 16 lots, each greater than 4000m2.
MOU x 2
Two Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with Bass Coast Shire were renewed by councillors at the May meeting: for Bass Coast Landcare Network (BCLN) and the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation
The BCLN MOU with the shire started in 2006 and expires in July, with a four-year.
Renewal commitment and funding of $113,214 per year until 2029/30.
The partnership with the non-profit Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation also expires in July and will run for a further four years at $24,760 per year (plus annual increase of 2.5 per cent) until 2029/30.
The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve is one of five biosphere reserves across Australia and one of 748 covering 134 countries worldwide.
The reserve was designated by UNESCO in 2002 and the foundation started in 2003.
