Northern Grampians Shire councillors had to hold two meetings during the week to discuss what was a divisive proposition.
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At Monday’s ordinary meeting in Stawell, Cr Karen Hyslop moved a motion that councillors support two applications to the Rural Council Transformation Program. Cr Jason Hosemans seconded the motion.
The program is a state government initiative that looks to efficiently share resources across neighbouring councils.
The motion suggested council apply to the program to create a “unique shared platform” with Southern Grampians Shire Council, Glenelg Shire Council and Ararat Rural City Council and work with the Central Highlands Group of Councils.
The key reason behind the motion was to ensure council had eligibility to apply to round two of the state government’s fixing country roads funds. Only councils as part of the Regional Council Transformation Program are eligible to apply.
Crs Hyslop and Hosemans were the only ones to vote in favour of the motion, with the other five councillors against it.
“It's masking itself as something it is not. If we have to sign up to something we aren’t quite sure about to get something else it isn't quite right to me,” Cr Rob Haswell said at the meeting.
The meeting heated up, with Crs Hyslop and Murray Emerson debating for and against the motion respectively.
“I don’t like it, it could create further headaches down the track,” Cr Emerson said.
Councillors then re-gathered on Wednesday for a special meeting to re-address the motion, with Crs Hosemans and Haswell not in attendance.
Cr Hyslop once again moved the motion, which was seconded by Cr Merrilee Reid. Cr Kevin Erwin was the deciding vote, the motion winning three votes to two. Crs Emerson and Tony Driscoll were against the motion.
“It is too important of a program not to be eligible for,” Cr Hyslop said.
“Something we have always tried to do is get shared services so this will help that.
“The country roads program is too important to be mucking about with.
“We need that funding and I would hate to not have access to it. The benefits are too great to miss.” Expressions of Interest proposals for Regional Council Transformation Program funding closed on Thursday, November 15.
Council’s next ordinary meeting is on December 3 in St Arnaud.