Public question time at Hume Council 26 August 2024

At each meeting of Hume City Council, members of the public can submit written questions for council staff to answer. Approved questions are answered by council staff who read carefully prepared statements. Here are the questions and answers from Monday 26 August 2024.

Question: Members of the community have gone to Sunbury Athletics Track Saturday afternoon only to be told by a group that they are not allowed to be on the track from 12pm to 5pm. Can you please clarify this. There are no signs to indicate this either.

Considering the group is using the grassed area, why are those wanting to use the track unable to?

RESPONSE: ACTING DIRECTOR CITY SERVICES AND LIVING
The Sunbury District Dog Obedience Club are a long-term tenant of the Boardman Reserve athletics facility. They book the facility on Saturdays from 12pm to 5pm.

All hirers of the Boardman Reserve athletics facility get exclusive use during their hire times.

For the Sunbury District Dog Obedience Club this is important as it allows them to provide community dog obedience and education classes without distraction to the dogs, or potential risks to track users.

The Sunbury District Dog Obedience Club put an A-Frame sign out to advise visitors that the track is not available for public use during their hire times.

In addition to this permanent signage is currently being made which will provide more information on permitted times and information regarding track use.

Question: When will schools be able to use the Athletics track and field? As there is another local group currently using the field.

RESPONSE: ACTING DIRECTOR CITY SERVICES AND LIVING
The track will be available for bookings by schools after 1 September 2024.

Question: In a recent council meeting (July 22) a question was raised about the costs associated with holding a council meeting virtually with the cost identified as $12.14 per meeting, which was very cost effective. Meetings held in person have significant costs Including all associated travel claims, Catering, security, audio visual and room hire costs.

My question is, what was the total average cost per council and briefing meeting held in person for the 23/24 budget year?

RESPONSE: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Thank you for the question. Officers will take this question on notice and will provide a response at the next Council meeting.

Question: What is the average cost of catering that is provided at council meetings across the 23/24 budget year?

RESPONSE: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The average cost of catering provided at Council meetings across the 23/24 financial year as $2,249 which is inclusive of Councillors, officers and invited guests.

Question: What is the council doing to stop the practice of builders in Maplestone Estate dumping building material rubbish on vacant blocks?

Compliance of local laws is also mandatory for the builders in the jurisdiction. So why is the council not able to enforce its right and regulatory authority on the builders who are flouting the laws blatantly.

RESPONSE: ACTING DIRECTOR CITY SERVICES AND LIVING
Council shares resident’s concerns about illegal dumping across the city. Every year we invest significant resources into the detection, enforcement, prevention, and the collection of illegal waste on public land.

In relation to illegal dumping on privately owned land, Council’s main role is to investigate any reported offenses. Owners are responsible for their properties; this includes securing their land against illegal dumping and keeping any vacant land clean and well maintained. In relation to any unsold housing blocks in the estate, the Maplestone developers are responsible for these.

If owners are concerned about illegal dumping on their property, they can take proactive steps such as performing regular inspections, installing temporary fencing, and, where appropriate, installing CCTV or security lighting systems to deter illegal activity.

We strongly encourage residents to report any illegal dumping so that we can investigate. We seek to both find and fine the perpetrators. Reports can be made via the Council website, by calling 9205 2200 or emailing [email protected]

Question: While being aware that rubbish is being dumped by local builders, what is the Council doing to help the owners of property who due to no fault of theirs are being served with notices for removing rubbish dumped by builders in Maplestone Estate Sunbury?

Compliance of local laws isn’t only required from property owners but the builders also.

The council should not penalise the owners of property when its public knowledge that the rubbish being dumped isn’t by the owners but the builders in the local area.

RESPONSE: ACTING DIRECTOR CITY SERVICES AND LIVING
Council can help in two main ways. The first is by investigating reports of illegal dumping and taking enforcement action against offenders. In this circumstance, property owners remain responsible for undertaking any remediation or removal of waste on their land.

The second way Council can help is at our Resource Recovery Centres. Owners of vacant properties can bring illegally dumped waste to a Council resource recovery centre, and theymay be eligible to do so for free using a waste voucher.

Further information about resourcesrecovery centres and resident waste vouchers is available on Council’s website.

In addition to this, Council are aware that some developers install CCTV and other security measures to reduce illegal activity in their housing estates. Officers will reach out to the Maplestone developer to advise them of this.

Question: Are there any plans to improve Bridgewater Road in Craigieburn for pedestrians and cyclists?
Currently, the bike lane is so small on both sides of the road and cars park in said bike lane, forcing cyclists to go into the car lane to try and get around.

There’s a school on the corner of Bridgewater and Craigieburn Roads, and because of the obvious car priority there, it forces parents to drive their kids to school (especially if they live quite a ways down) instead of letting them walk or cycle because it’s just not safe enough for parents to allow their kids to walk or cycle to school to give them a little more independence in life.

RESPONSE: DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSETS
The existing painted bike lane on Bridgewater Road has been in place for many years and is unfortunately not a treatment that would now be encouraged given the mixed use of the road and high traffic volume.

As part of Councils newly developed Transport Strategy local precinct based transport plans will be developed and Bridgewater Road and cycling/active transport options to access the school will be considered.

Question: In regard to the relatively new shared path on Craigieburn Road; In areas where the road crosses the path, why isn’t the road raised to the height of path?

There are bits where the transition from path to road and vice versa are quite steep and has potential to damage a bicycle (be it suspension or wheel or what have-you).

I use this path quite often and every time I approach these intersections while using said path, it forces me to slow down to avoid any potential damage to my bike. why are we still slowing down cyclists in 2024 when we should really be slowing down the cars.

RESPONSE: DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSETS
This path has been constructed by Major Road Projects Victoria for the State Government.

As the road upgrade project is not yet complete, the transitions referred to are likely related to areas where the final layer of asphalt has not yet been placed. However, any particular concerns should be referred to Major Road Projects Victoria on 1800 105 105.