Will Council be able to salvage the Leslie Dam camping site and use it for crisis housing or will it be sold by the State government to entities and uses unknown?
This was one of the agenda items of interest with Cr Richters submitting a motion ahead of the April 19 meeting asking for a halt in the State government’s plan to dispose of the property.
The meeting was nearing its end when the Mayor referred to Cr Richter’s motion to request a halt to the sale of the property by the Minister of Tourism and Sport thereby allowing time for the new Council to consider its options about the facility.
Cr Bartley stepped in before debate could begin, and asked for a procedural motion for Cr Richter’s motion to remain tabled until council receives an official report on the condition of the property and if it is indeed currently for sale by the State government. In other words, not to approach State government about ditching the sale of the property until council has more information. As the old hand in the room, Cr Bartley pointed to unknowns in the implications of taking on the asset.
“Acknowledging the procedural motion, Councillor, I have been advised that the sale is on hold,” replied CEO Dave Burges, “and I met with the director general and other senior officer…they have provided me with some information today. Its condition assessment report is quite outdated but we’re working through that process…”
In effect, the State is not actively selling the Leslie Dam property.
Madam Mayor (as some Councillors now address Mayor Hamilton) spoke.
“As the CEO said, we have had discussions with the department that the sale process has been put on hold. There will be a comprehensive process to go through and a report will come to Council but that process will include the CEO going though all that information…we will do a site visit together, all Councillors, so we can see the state of the facility and so there will be extensive reports that will come before council on this.”
Bartley asked again for a procedural motion to allow the agenda item to lay on the table as a matter of formality.
“No one can speak to the motion that’s proposed today, it’s just procedural…pending a report. And Mr CEO you’re going to do that. So, it’s quite in line.”
“Mm hmm,” agreed the Mayor. “And I think as a procedural motion we have to vote on that first now.”
Cr Wantling appeared to want to speak to the motion but was told that wasn’t the done thing with procedural motions.
The vote was divided with Crs Harslett, Deane, Windle, McDonald, Bartley, Pidgeon and Wantling voting for (Cr Bartley’s) procedural motion and Crs Richters and Hamilton voting against.
After the vote, the Mayor updated the room on Leslie Dam.
“As a matter of general business, I might complete the update on what has happened so far in relation to Leslie Dam. The CEO and I have been in contact with the Department of Sport and Tourism, the sale has been paused, we as a Council will be now able to investigate the option and I’m pleased to say (that) under the new portfolio system, Councillor Richters will have the responsibility for this going forward in terms of leading the review from a housing perspective. I’d like to commend Councillor Richters for his advocacy on behalf of families in our community who are unable to find suitable housing which is why he put the notice of motion before this meeting... I’m sure Councillor Richters will do his best for those in our community affected by the lack of available housing.”
“Um, question Mayor… we do have a housing policy, is that correct?”, responded Cr Bartley. “Mr CEO?”
“Uh well we have adopted a local housing action plan [coughing] which is developing or is developed,” Mr Burges began, but the rest of his brief description was lost to the noise of coughing in the room.
“Thank you” responded Cr Bartley.
After the meeting, The Town & Country Journal was told that Cr Bartley has asked for a full report of Council’s financial and other risks pertaining to the sale of the property.
The fate of the Leslie Dam site will continue to unfold.
