Ballarat Councillors would like more input on how the city continues to grow

Councillors have raised a number of concerns as to how decisions have been made without their input, from liquor licences, to the demolishing of homes, even the creation of new childcare centres, all without their first-hand knowledge.

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Councillor Daniel Moloney is strong on the need for a review into just how much power officers have in making final decisions and says he has already spoken with interim chief executive officer Janet Dore about this issue.

"Absolutely, we've been dealt a whole lot of rubbish agendas recently," Cr Moloney said.

"It's not great for democracy. It's not great for community involvement in projects. People need to be able to have a say on projects.

"A lot of the time the only way so many of these things are known is if someone from the public comes up to us and councillors can pair up and put it on the agenda. But unfortunately, you don't know what you don't know.

"We're meant to be having a planning meeting once a month and they haven't been happening because no items have been presented to us, admittedly we had one where three items were presented, but it hasn't been the case until this week.

"Clearly there is so much going on throughout the city. Right now we're trusting either in-house or external planners to let us know if there is an issue coming up."

Councillor Samantha McIntosh agrees, saying every project was significant and needed to be closely looked at.

"I think it's good for us to review all our policies, including delegated authorities to make sure the guidelines we have match the needs of our community," Cr McIntosh said.

"Skipton Street is an example. I don't think anyone would have expected for that to be delegated without us seeing it. Yes, it followed all the proper processes, but had we seen it, I've no doubt it could have been reviewed.

"There's detail we just don't know. I've had someone call me about a property in Webster Street which according to the processes would go through if someone didn't alert us to it.

"The community says its not sympathetic to the heritage surrounds, I'm thinking I'd agree with those concerns. We just want to know about these projects."

Last week The Courier broke the news about how a near $36 million development at the Peel Street-Scott Parade corner had been passed through delegated authority which raised eyebrows of heritage watchers.

In this case, councillors have said they were aware of that particular development, and due to the lack of objections, and the adding to the character of a dead corner, allowed it pass through. But that is not always the case.

Councillor Jim Rinaldi said he had a number of concerns about delegated authority worked, pointing to the granting of a 3am liquor licence at The Deck in Lydiard Street as one issue that he was aware of.

"Absolutely, 100 per cent, a review needs to be undertaken as soon as possible," Cr Rinaldi said.

"I know we can get into trouble with issues like Skipton Street, another example was the awarding of The Deck a 3am licence when the others nearby are 1am or 2am, other than the Bluestone which is later.

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"That was an officer decision. That caused a real issue with the hoteliers who had agreements with each other and were all aware of the consequences of late licences and they had agreed on things such as responsible serving of alcohol," Cr Rinaldi said.

"The whole thing needs to be revisited to make sure it works in the current climate. To have good governance you've always got to review, you can't just go along and say what's worked before will work again."

Cr Grant Tillett said while he would support a review, he cautioned that council must know exactly what it wants, as many delegated authorities come under state jurisdiction.

"It's a very complicated issue and once we delegate under their Act, we're supposed to have professional planners with degrees and qualifications, and delegation allows them to exercise their authority," Cr Tillett said.

"The council could specify an appropriate level for it to come to council. We could say three objections, five objections, 50 objections, whatever it may be.

"Council is by and large limited in its authority. We are quite limited in our capacity to know everything that is happening. Skipton Street is an example. There was nothing in the Local Government Act which required that to be brought to us. That was not a heritage property.

"I could show you 100 farmhouses north of Ballarat that are not protected. The city of Ballarat needs to seriously review what it believes heritage to be and how it will protect that heritage, not just a few buildings in town. We are not just Sturt Street."

Cr Tillett said he believed a review could be achieved once every council term as a way of remaining on top of current changes in laws and supporting ongoing growth across the city.

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