We are now approaching two years in the four year term for this batch of councillors and once again we see nothing of any substance coming to the chamber. Many might feel this is yet another lost opportunity for key non Council Staff issues to be bought forward by Councillors. MAYORAL REPORTS Nil
NOTICES OF MOTION Nil QUESTIONS ON NOTICE FROM COUNCILLORS Nil PETITIONS Nil GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORTS Nil PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS Nil The VERY LARGE elephant in the room will be the recent discovery that Councillor Lindsay Brown was asked to resign from the Local Government NSW board and is also no longer on the board of Local Government Super where he was appointed on 5th September 2017 and removed 10th April 2018. Last week ABC South East NSW reported that Eurobodalla Councillor and former Mayor Lindsay Brown had been removed from the board of the association that represents councils around the state, Local Government NSW. In the report posted to their social media page ABC South East reveals that it had obtained the confidential minutes of a recent meeting of the Local Government NSW board. They stated "The minutes show Councillor Brown was found in breach of the association’s code of conduct."
"The board resolved to seek Councillor Brown’s resignation and to ask him to ‘make appropriate reimbursement’. It has confirmed to ABC South East that Councillor Brown resigned effective 6th April, 2018."
"It’s unclear how the code of conduct was breached or what the reimbursement is for." In a statement to ABC South East, Councillor Brown said "This is a confidential matter between me and the LGNSW Board, which I will respect. I am dismayed that this confidential matter has been leaked from LGNSW and I trust it will be investigated. I have nothing further to say on the matter at present". It is being argued by members of the community that it is not a confidential matter between Lindsay Brown and the LGNSW Board as he was actually voted to the position by his own councillors who wanted Lindsay Brown on the board for the benefit of the Eurobodalla community. By their own mandate the LGNSW states its aims are to strengthen and protect an effective, democratic system of local government across NSW by supporting and advocating on behalf of member councils and delivering a range of relevant, quality services and providing effective, responsive and accountable leadership to member councils. Eurobodalla is a member Council and Lindsay Brown was our representative, our golden boy, our key in the door, until he was asked to resign only a few months after accepting the position. It is understood that it is a first for the LGNSW board to seek a resignation. At the very least Councillor Brown owes an explanation to his fellow Councillors as his resignation has become public knowledge and, as such, has bought the Council name into the spotlight. Overall the Council meeting is basically dedicated to an unbearable dullness that simply requires the Rubber Stamps to rubber stamp but there, in the middle of it all, is a GEM
CCS18/022 FORMER BATEMANS BAY BOWLING CLUB SITE - LEASE TO RMS Council has received a request from NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) seeking to lease the former Batemans Bay Bowling Club site in Vesper Street, Batemans Bay for a secure compound for the Batemans Bay Bridge Replacement Project. As part of the request received, RMS has advised that its strong preference is to demolish the main building and remediate the asbestos contamination in the building and grounds so that the site can be used as the main compound for the bridge project. An independent valuation by a registered valuer has assessed that the site is worth more as a clean and level site, which is more attractive to potential responders to the future Expression of Interest for the northern precinct. With the building demolished, Council will not incur any ongoing maintenance liabilities. There is a portion of Crown Land adjacent to the Bowling Club that RMS are seeking to lease directly from the Crown. It is part of the car park immediately to the west of the building. This portion of the land will be subject to an additional lease between RMS and the Crown. This report recommends that a lease for a term of three years with a one year option be granted. RECOMMENDATION THAT 1. Council grant a lease to Roads and Maritime Services for a secure compound for the Batemans Bay Bridge Replacement Project within Lots 282, 283 and 299 DP 755902 and Lot 304 DP 257116, Vesper Street, Batemans Bay subject to key terms including: (a) A term of three years commencing on 1 July 2018 and terminating on 30 June 2021 with a one year option. (b) Payment of rental as set out in the Confidential Attachment to the Report. (c) Provision of evidence of public liability insurance cover in the amount of at least $20 million. (d) Demolition of the former Batemans Bay Bowling Club building by RMS or its contractors. 2. Consent be given to affix the Common Seal of Council to all documents associated with the granting of a lease over Lots 282, 283 and 299 DP 755902 and Lot 304 DP 257116. 3. Council to re-use or undertake the public sale of all useable non-fixed assets within the building. 4. The demolition of the building be undertaken in a manner that makes all reasonable attempts to reuse and recycle materials.
Above: If approved, the lease with RMS will commence on 1 July 2018 for a three year term with a one year option. RMS will use the site as a secure compound for the Batemans Bay Bridge Replacement Project and this will include; a temporary administration office, storage of vehicles, plant and equipment, stockpiling of materials and replacement car parking for the CBD.
