DRAFT Wahgunyah Community Forum minutes - Indigo Shire Council

WAHGUNYAH COMMUNITY FORUM MINUTES – 10 JULY 2012 

INDIGO SHIRE COUNCIL 

HELD: 

LOCATION: 

NUMBER OF RESIDENTS: 38 

Wahgunyah 

School of Arts meeting room 

Mission Statement: 

To support and develop a sustainable, thriving and resilient community 

through leadership and partnership. 

Councillors Council Officers Community members 

Cr Larry Goldsworthy - Mayor CEO Brendan McGrath - apology 

Cr Peter Croucher – Deputy Mayor GM Corporate Services Greg Pinkerton 

Cr Vic Issell GM Infrastructure Services Alan Clark 

Cr Ali Pockley - Apology Manager Communications Roberta Baker 

Cr Bernard Gaffney Manager Civil Operations Ron Sneddon 

Cr Barb Murdoch Manager Community Planning David Koren 

Community Strengthening Scott Landells 

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ITEM NO ITEM ACTION 

1.0 Welcome and Apologies – Mayor Cr Larry Goldsworthy 

2.0 Council Elections update – Acting CEO Greg Pinkerton 

Local Government election this year is on Saturday 27 October. Information session for prospective candidates in Chiltern on 16 

August. Indigo Shire will have a postal vote system, which means ballot papers will be received about two weeks before 27 

October. Postal voting closes at 6pm on Friday 26 October. Referred people to council website, and links there to more 

information. 

3.0 New Council Offices – update – Alan Clark, GM Infrastructure 

Yackandandah building is ahead of the Beechworth extension. 19 Expressions of Interest in relation to construction of the 

Yackandandah office. Narrowed down to 6 who will be invited to submitted tenders. In relation to Beechworth, Council has 

advertised for Expressions of Interest to construct. 

Sue Fenn asked what is going to happen to the Wellsford St cottage. 

Alan Clark said it would not be demolished; the Council resolution was to relocate it. There has been some response through the 

Expression of Interest process from people interested in moving it. 

Alan said he had crawled under the cottage, the sub structure seems to be in good condition. One person who submitted an 

Expression of Interest had engaged a contractor to look at the cottage. The contractor was quite comfortable the cottage could be 

moved, although there are no guarantees. 

4.0 Infrastructure update – Alan Clark 

Mass tree – 

Plaque taken down, have quote from stone mason to put that up on firm foundation. 

Mill Street 

Effectively finished. 

Questions were raised about the process of engaging contractors, whether local contractors were used or an “import”, if the job 

was tendered out, how local contractors can get their names on the Council’s list of contractors etc. 

Alan Clark - council does not tender this size job, but does get quotes. The cost of the work was well under $3,000. Four quotes 

were received. The three unsuccessful quotes were all at least 10% dearer. 

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Ron Sneddon explained Council has a procurement policy – in this instance we usually work with people who have done work for 

Council in the past. 

Alan Clark – contractors can register their names with Council to be part of a list. Council has a list of proven performers we go to 

for prices. We have a contractors list for those smaller jobs. We still get multiple quotes. 

Alan Pleitner – there were 3 contractors, one from Wodonga, one from Beechworth one from Rutherglen. And Wodonga got the 

job. 

Alan Clark - it is incumbent on us to get the best value for the money. Would you want it any other way? If there are concreters 

here in Wahgunyah, get them to send us their details 

Cr Peter Graham - if you have something you think you can offer the shire then tell us. Once you get on that list the shire will look 

at it. 

John Clapton - Council has a policy of using local tradespeople in the shire. Why would you go and get a price from one in 

Wodonga? 

Alan Clark - We select tradespeople from our database of contractors. These are contractors who have previously registered their 

interest to quote on smaller projects. A part of the process requires the contractor to provide details of insurance cover, licenses 

etc. 

Question – is there a policy and procedure to prevent this happening again? 

GM Greg Pinkerton – we have a procurement policy which is mainly to do with governance. In the next month In next month we 

are updating it including how we include local people. It’s a bit trickier than just saying we will use someone local. 

Ray Milne - how will that policy get to be known by potential contractors? 

Greg – The procurement policy will be made available to the public. In addition, Council’s economic development team is looking at 

ways to link the capital works plans to local suppliers. 

Larry – Council is aware of this issue and we are trying to work on it. 

Ron Sneddon 

Rail Trail Reserve 

Ron Sneddon – need to get it to a stage where we can maintain it. Nearing agreement with Public Transport Victoria. 

It is VicTrack land, council pays the lease to have the trail there. Being an old rail depot there is likely to be contaminants there, 

land being occupied by neighboring property and we need to straighten that out and Uncle Tobys desire for a walking path 

between them and town.Timeframe very close. Council has been working with Tourist Railways Victoria. Should have more details 

in August. 

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John Clapton - How much of the $120,000 RLCIP funding of September 2009 has actually been spent on the trails in Wahgunyah? 

This information supplied later for the minutes – All of the grant money plus a little more was spent on the project. Actual spend 

was $135,835 (a deficit of $10,835 on the $125k budget) on 3 projects in accordance with the grant, i.e. prep and seal 3 kilometres 

from Wahgunyah beach to the Federation bridge along the riverside, prep and seal 750 m from the Flower Farm to the Speedway, 

and 400m of new trail from the Speedway entrance to the Recreation Reserve entrance. In addition preparatory administrative 

work has been done on a possible fourth project (one that was not included in the original scope), being the section between the 

Wahgunyah Recreation Reserve to Blanch Street along Sunday Creek. 

Budget submissions 

Alan Clark – Wes Canny came and spoke at budget session of Council on their submission for funds for work at the recreation 

reserve. Some significant things that need action there, septic the highest priority, and strip between netball courts. Budget had 

already allowed $30,000 for scoping work. Once you have that you can start putting in for grants. 

Wes Canny – we want to push ahead and show a bit of community spirit, but we want council support. When can grants be applied 

for? 

David Koren said Chris Westwood was pushing this. It can happen pretty quickly. There are the old traditional sport and recreation 

grants in October each year. Initial thing we can aim for. 

Larry Goldsworthy – cannot predict how much council would put in next year’s budget as there would be a new council in place. 

And the Government was slashing and burning at the moment. 

David Koren – what time to do the work? Best case scenario looking at 18 months to 2 years. Worst case scenario could drag on 

for longer. Hard to put a handle on it. In relation to grants, Council staff would do most of the work pulling information together for 

the application but we would seek advice from recreation reserve committee. 

Issues raised by Ray Milne about road into the reserve – it is a debacle, we have fixed it up a few times. Potholes getting bigger 

and bigger. Septic a concern, but road safety a bigger issue. Someone will go into a tree. 

Alan Clark – we don’t own the land, it is owned by Department of Sustainability and Environment, but he promised to look into the 

matter personally. 

David Koren 

Alan Clark 

Community grants 

David Koren –Wahgunyah recipients are School of Arts for restoration of a painting in foyer of hall, Progress Association for 

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printing and enlarging historic photos and Wahgunyah Racecourse and Recreation Reserve Committee of Management. 


2013 Capital Works projects 

Alan Clark – we are carrying forward one program - a drainage study funded out of last year’s budget. Nearing completion – should 

have that study in about 4 weeks, should hit all the hot spots in drainage issues around town. $80,000 in this year’s budget for 

stormwater works and we want to get a start on that as soon as possible. Kerb and gutter work in Elizabeth Street, resealing of 

roads over here – maintenance is most important bit of asset management work we do. 

Concern expressed about community consultation in relation to the drainage plan. 

Alan Clark - we will have the drainage plan soon. You guys have been pretty good at keeping us informed of the hot spots in 

Wahgunyah. I would be very surprised if that plan doesn’t tick off most of your concerns. It is not like a masterplan. 

Concerns raised about footpaths - Alan Clark will have a look at that. 

Question – new estates – any plans for footpaths, would be put on developer? – (Taken on notice. The following information was 

supplied later for the minutes.) This development was approved approximately 10 years ago and no requirement was placed on 

the developer for footpaths. That cannot be changed as subsequent, previously approved stages are constructed. Council will 

review the footpath plan for Wahgunyah. 

Alan Clark 

5.0 Community Strengthening Project – Scott Landells 

Update on Wahgunyah community plan. Ultimately it needs to be something you feel is useful for your community. It will need 

revisiting from time to time and priorities adjusted in line with what the community want to see. Feedback includes ideas from a 

2003 urban design framework in this current plan. For about a year Scott has been meeting with local people – walking/cycling 

path through to Lake Moodemere. Next priority is rail reserve – what can we do with it. Nearing a point of resolution. Monday 6 

August for next meeting of Lake Moodemere path group. 

6.0 Your Say 

Leah Culhane – new estate, traffic on Morley Drive. Used as a thoroughfare. Lots of kids up that area, quite dangerous. Reduce 

speed limit, traffic diversion. Speed limit is 50kph. 

Alan Clark will check it out with VicRoads. 

Comments about speed, different speed zones and need for traffic calmers, curves, need for safety especially for schoolchildren. 

Ron Sneddon - currently reviewing speed limit in Distillery Road, which links in with Morley Drive. Urged residents to call police 

Alan Clark 

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when they see someone doing something wrong. 


Ron Sneddon – need to put a classifier down and measure the speeds and get some hard data. Generally 15% of motorists will be 

doing the wrong thing. Putting up signs makes us feel good, but generally don’t do any good. Things like chicanes, humps etc are 

more effective but it also affects you who live there. So you really have to weigh up impacts on you. Ron will install a classifier. 

Ron – will investigate roundabouts idea. 

Wes Canny – referred to interim Census data of 2011 indicating a change in population. Current town sign needs updating. Ron 

Sneddon will investigate. 

Wes – urged Council to listen to what the community is saying about the lack of infrastructure in Wahgunyah. Love to read about 

the shire’s pools, we have the river and Corowa but we need to have something for us. We choose to live here – we just want to 

get back a little bit more of what we are putting in. Biggest employer here with Uncle Tobys. We feel a bit neglected. Want to get 

back on the map. 

Larry Goldsworthy – you raise some valid points. You need a good councillor. Elections coming up, perhaps someone from 

Wahgunyah could stand. 

Representative from Wahgunyah Community Health and Wellbeing Committee, which was formed this year. – spoke about the 

petition with 538 signatures presented to Tim McCurdy and Indigo Council in relation to the absence of bulk billing facilities for 

pensioners and families in the town, the absence of public transport to access bulk billing doctors, social aspects, and shopping. 

Larry – Council has formally received that petition tonight. CEO of Indigo North Health was here and heard those concerns 

expressed earlier in the open forum. Meeting in relation to transport on Thursday 12 July. 

Ron Sneddon 

Ron Sneddon 

David Koren 

Council policy on vacant residential land –keeping grass down. 

Larry – fire safety considerations come into play in late spring early summer, we go around and do inspection and if needed an 

owner will be sent an improvement notice and given time to slash the grass. If you have concerns about a block, let Council know. 

If you want the work of slashing the block, that’s a matter for you and the owner. 

Alan Clark - to talk to Bill Bryant who wants to earn money for the Willows Committee by cutting grass on vacant blocks. 

Paul Somerville – standpipe in Wahgunyah – designed by John Monash, who is on the on $50 note, he was the foremost general 

of Australia in WW1. Suggested a plaque commemorating the centenary – needs to be recognized by the Council. 

David Koren – will follow up. 

Alan Clark 

David Koren 

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Wes Canny – urged people to consider standing for council and representing us. We are making an effort and going to push 

forward and get these clubrooms done in 2 years with council help. Thanked Cr Gaffney for his help. 


Alan Pleitner – asked for an update for the park in Morley Drive. We are very happy with Wayne – staff member. 

Ron Sneddon – next step is to dig out stumps. Issue with native trees down the back. In respect to removing that prickly bush – 

already done but not by council. 

Alan Pleitner – park needs shade sails, native screening shrubs, remove prickly ones on eastern side, want a picnic table and 

rubbish bin. We will organise a roster so it gets emptied. Want something that kids can play hopscotch or horizontal games on. 

Don’t need grass – let’s look at something alternative. Waiting for a plan to take back to people who use the park and what they 

think of it. 

Alan Pleitner, on behalf of the progress association, will write to the relevant Minister about speeds in the town, because VicRoads 

have to respond to Minister in 28 days. 

Scott Landells – commented that Community Strengthening is about community-driven action. Pointed out some of the things Alan 

Pleitner has done in the community. Got a couple of old seats and painted them and put them along river walking trails. More help 

from younger families would be welcome. 

Paul Somerville – who can you complain to about the noise from the speedway night meetings? Tried the Environment Protection 

Authority but was referred back to Council. 

Ron Sneddon 

Larry – we will follow up with our planning department in relation to compliance. 

Meeting ended at 8.15pm 

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DRAFT Wahgunyah Community Forum minutes - Indigo Shire Council

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