A summary of the second last meeting of the current council.

Moonee Valley Council made only minor changes to its draft budget when voting on the final budget for 2020/21 last night.

It was a frosty morning – the coldest for many months. Tonight’s council meeting will be brief, and probably less chilly.

Apologies for not covering the entirety Council’s meeting this week. Instead, I’m focusing on three issues that have emerged: lighting in East Keilor, the Green Action Plan and 177A Mt Road.

A long meeting by Zoom for MVCC. Notably, the motion re Neighbourhood Plans was lost,. The application for St Columba’s was passed on the casting vote of the Mayor.

Moonee Valley councillors have expressed concern about cuts to library services in a budget constrained by COVID-19 and the rate capping imposed by the state government.

Moonee Valley Council will consider the 2020/21 draft budget tonight. The report notes that MVCC faces a “deteriorating financial sustainability position in the longer term”.

Moonee Valley Council has voted to provide $5 million of support for businesses, community groups and the wider community impacted by COVID-19. 

At the second Council meeting for the year, a controversial planning application in Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon, was approved, the Flemington Hub was advanced in a new location adjacent to the existing centre, and Council will advocate for more mature trees to be planted in Buckley St to replace those removed for the underpass.

The blog is back for the first Council meeting of the year.