On the 3rd of March 2025, I summitted on 2 agenda items that were read out and spoke later to pose another question about community engagement.
3.1 Banyule Plan at 1:14:30
a) needs to recognize all the community inclusively,
b) that Council’s focus on achieving net-zero carbon, while consistently overlooking the other critical factors I have raised multiple times, is frustrating.
c) In addition, I am excited that Banyule will be putting more focus on health and wellbeing.
3.2 Proposed Budget at 1:36:30 where
a) I request access to budget in spreadsheet form,
b) queried the reduction in budget for roads and footpaths,
c) asked why electricity budget is increasing if electrification is supposed to be cheaper,
d) pointed out the rates cap means nothing when the rubbish has increased by 67% and,
e) asked for a breakdown in wages by department.
Question at 3:50:31, isn’t it time to increase the ability for residents to speak at meetings to more than 2 items and for longer than 2 mins plus bring question time back to the start of the meeting.
3.1 Banyule Plan at 1:14:30
a) needs to recognize all the community inclusively,
b) that Council’s focus on achieving net-zero carbon, while consistently overlooking the other critical factors I have raised multiple times, is frustrating.
c) In addition, I am excited that Banyule will be putting more focus on health and wellbeing.
3.2 Proposed Budget at 1:36:30 where
a) I request access to budget in spreadsheet form,
b) queried the reduction in budget for roads and footpaths,
c) asked why electricity budget is increasing if electrification is supposed to be cheaper,
d) pointed out the rates cap means nothing when the rubbish has increased by 67% and,
e) asked for a breakdown in wages by department.
Question at 3:50:31, isn’t it time to increase the ability for residents to speak at meetings to more than 2 items and for longer than 2 mins plus bring question time back to the start of the meeting.
Last night the 10th of February 2025, the first meeting of the year I participated in 3 parts. As with good old BCC the recording was incomplete and choppy, so I will share the video I submitted to be played for the second item.
2.1 Petition – Proposed Telstra Mobile Phone Tower at 218 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe against another 5g tower in Ivanhoe, the locals are concerned for a number of reasons and one being that the safety concerns have not been allayed and requesting council advocate to have more consultation with the community even though the period has closed.
3.1 ThinkTank recommendations, where I agree and would like to see improvement in community consultation, suggested a focus on reducing spending and reminding BCC to walking the walk pertaining to inclusiveness.
In addition, I made comments that I am concerned that the focus on one culture, being First Nations, is exclusive behavior towards all other contributing community members including both native-born Australians and immigrants, these is not reflective of the inclusivity statement. See video above
Lastly, there is no mechanism to search speakers participation content, ‘scripts’ and the website search function is lacking. I asked what would be involved to make this better and got long winded excuse about Local Gov Act!
Last night 9th of December, I spoke on one agenda item at the Banyule City Council meeting albeit not my best presentation.
Item 5.3 Banyule @ 1:03 continued to do calculation on carbon emission soley based on operational use, and not life cycles as confirmed by the CEO’s office in September.
With Australia emissions calculated at contributing to just over 1% of the 3% of the .04% of the carbon in the atmosphere, the deliberate green washing and misinformation pertaining to threats and ‘renewables benefits’ do a disservice to those that trust information is being presented accurately.
It was also great to see Councilor Curry catch the Future Homes clause that was added to Local Government Act that took away the opportunity for 3rd party ability input. Cr Curry put in a motion to advocate against it and also rally other councils and stakeholders.
Item 5.3 Banyule @ 1:03 continued to do calculation on carbon emission soley based on operational use, and not life cycles as confirmed by the CEO’s office in September.
With Australia emissions calculated at contributing to just over 1% of the 3% of the .04% of the carbon in the atmosphere, the deliberate green washing and misinformation pertaining to threats and ‘renewables benefits’ do a disservice to those that trust information is being presented accurately.
It was also great to see Councilor Curry catch the Future Homes clause that was added to Local Government Act that took away the opportunity for 3rd party ability input. Cr Curry put in a motion to advocate against it and also rally other councils and stakeholders.
Last night 25th November, I spoke on two agenda items at the Banyule City Council meeting.
Item 3.7 at 1:09 in relation to the Cemetery Operations report, the report shows there has been an increase in burials and cremations; I pointed out (and had a point of order called on me), the excess deaths Australia wide and that I have numerous concerns pertaining to pollution of foods, air and water and the push for pills/jabs over healthy eating and exercise, In addition I called on Banyule to advocate for residents as did Port Headlands when they recognised they have an excess mortality crisis.
Item 6.2 at 1:46 I spoke for and welcome the proposed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Montmorency. I know many people in the community were concerned about it being an injecting center and the impact it may have on the surrounding residents, however, the officers report was very thorough in outlining the use and concerns that were raised by resident.
Item 3.7 at 1:09 in relation to the Cemetery Operations report, the report shows there has been an increase in burials and cremations; I pointed out (and had a point of order called on me), the excess deaths Australia wide and that I have numerous concerns pertaining to pollution of foods, air and water and the push for pills/jabs over healthy eating and exercise, In addition I called on Banyule to advocate for residents as did Port Headlands when they recognised they have an excess mortality crisis.
Item 6.2 at 1:46 I spoke for and welcome the proposed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Montmorency. I know many people in the community were concerned about it being an injecting center and the impact it may have on the surrounding residents, however, the officers report was very thorough in outlining the use and concerns that were raised by resident.
16th September, I spoke on 2 items
3.5 at 40:40 with regard to the options officers are looking at to reduce Legale Services expenditure. Although I think it strange there isn’t already a database and controls on who can authorise legal engagement, I am for this and look forward to the report on the different options.
3.8 at 49:10 to congratulate Deputy Mayor Garotti and Mayor Melican on a good year working together and thank them on being so generous with their time.
3.5 at 40:40 with regard to the options officers are looking at to reduce Legale Services expenditure. Although I think it strange there isn’t already a database and controls on who can authorise legal engagement, I am for this and look forward to the report on the different options.
3.8 at 49:10 to congratulate Deputy Mayor Garotti and Mayor Melican on a good year working together and thank them on being so generous with their time.
26th August 2024, I spoke on 2 items.
3.2 at 1:29 regarding approval for cost in the second stage of Watsonia Town Square. There needs to be transparency how the money issued for each stags and timeline showed as it progresses.
3.5 at 1:59 I asked 11, not 10, questions about the procurement of 16 EV’s.
3.2 at 1:29 regarding approval for cost in the second stage of Watsonia Town Square. There needs to be transparency how the money issued for each stags and timeline showed as it progresses.
3.5 at 1:59 I asked 11, not 10, questions about the procurement of 16 EV’s.
5th August, 2024, I spoke on two items.
At 1:56 on 3.2 highlighting that metro need to be considerate of protecting the environment but not when it means trashing nature.
At 2:49 on 9.1 against any spending outside Banyule City Council especially when we have areas such as Bell Street Mall that should get attention. Subsequently the motion was removed.
At 1:56 on 3.2 highlighting that metro need to be considerate of protecting the environment but not when it means trashing nature.
At 2:49 on 9.1 against any spending outside Banyule City Council especially when we have areas such as Bell Street Mall that should get attention. Subsequently the motion was removed.
15th July 2024, I spoke on one item and that was in regards to fixing existing amenities before spending money on new projects.
Banyule has a budget deficit and we don’t want to be going the same road as municipalities in the UK.
Item 7.1 at 3:19:30
Banyule has a budget deficit and we don’t want to be going the same road as municipalities in the UK.
Item 7.1 at 3:19:30
24th June, I spoke 3 times;
At 30:30 in regards to Dog and Cat Public Order; insubstantial reporting mechanisms and failures in other councils.
2:09:30 in favour of the Modern Day Slavery Statement as I have huge concerns with ‘green’ energy human abuses that have previously been ignored.
And 2:09:30 to ask why we don’t use electronic petitions, the response that there is an e-petition portal being set up is welcomed.
At 30:30 in regards to Dog and Cat Public Order; insubstantial reporting mechanisms and failures in other councils.
2:09:30 in favour of the Modern Day Slavery Statement as I have huge concerns with ‘green’ energy human abuses that have previously been ignored.
And 2:09:30 to ask why we don’t use electronic petitions, the response that there is an e-petition portal being set up is welcomed.
On the 6th of June 2024, I asked a question on Monday night at 2:03:10 regarding how Banyule Banyule City Council determines which community consultation participates get paid.
20th May, 2024 the Council meeting went quite late and its great to see more people attending and having their voices heard in this public forum, especially the Dogs of Banyule supporters who stayed to 11pm to be part of the process.
I spoke in regards to item 3.2 Budget proposal at 1:40 and asked a question regarding Solar Feed-In charges at 4:14.
The carefully uninformative responses to question time were a bit disappointing, however, for those watching it shows what passion we have in the community by those who spoke.
I spoke in regards to item 3.2 Budget proposal at 1:40 and asked a question regarding Solar Feed-In charges at 4:14.
The carefully uninformative responses to question time were a bit disappointing, however, for those watching it shows what passion we have in the community by those who spoke.
Monday night, 29th April, 2024 Banyule Council meeting, I spoke in favour of the Child Youth Framework at 39:55, we got some eye opening figures as a result of Kevan Hills question about itemised Councillor spending at 1:32:50 and I asked a question about having billboards or notices in place for projects to allow transparency that was not answered by the Director from 1:39:30.
I spoke on 2 items at the last Banyule City Council meeting, one was regarding Dogs and Cat Public Order.
Firstly, it wasn’t until I checked the meeting agenda before the meeting that I even knew there was discussion happening about it. This is another example as to why BCC needs to put more effort in transparency for community engagement.
None the less, here is the online survey, I suggest all pet owners really make time to do it, especially with ridiculous recommendations to disallow dogs within 15 meters of BBQ’s and Paly ground!
https://shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au/PETS/CommunitySurvey
Drop-in session to learn more about how Banyule might manage dogs and cats in public places in future:
Wednesday 24 April, 10.30am – 12 midday
Bellfield Community Hub
15 Daphnes Crescent, Bellfield
Wednesday 1 May, 4pm – 7pm
Council offices Greensborough
Community Meeting Rooms
Level 4, 1 Flintoff Street, Greensborough
Wednesday 8 May, 4pm – 7pm
Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub
275 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe.
Firstly, it wasn’t until I checked the meeting agenda before the meeting that I even knew there was discussion happening about it. This is another example as to why BCC needs to put more effort in transparency for community engagement.
None the less, here is the online survey, I suggest all pet owners really make time to do it, especially with ridiculous recommendations to disallow dogs within 15 meters of BBQ’s and Paly ground!
https://shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au/PETS/CommunitySurvey
Drop-in session to learn more about how Banyule might manage dogs and cats in public places in future:
Wednesday 24 April, 10.30am – 12 midday
Bellfield Community Hub
15 Daphnes Crescent, Bellfield
Wednesday 1 May, 4pm – 7pm
Council offices Greensborough
Community Meeting Rooms
Level 4, 1 Flintoff Street, Greensborough
Wednesday 8 May, 4pm – 7pm
Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub
275 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe.
A bit late in posting this, first meeting back Banyule CC, I speak about agenda items pertaining to new glass rubbish bins (for glass, not made of glass) at about 26mins, and the cost of the data storage 26min.