Friday, October 5, 2012
A Star News Group publication
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College comment refusals BY CHERIE DONNELLAN TORQUAY ward candidates have slammed Christian College’s attempt to preempt a response on support for development on its controversial Spring Creek site. The college asked Surf Coast candidates if they would support the school’s plan to build a Torquay campus in a September 27 letter. The Independent reported last week that Christian College notified parents it sought an amendment last month for a “rezoning from the current farming zone to a special use zone” for its Spring Creek site. But Torquay candidates unanimously said they refused to respond to the yes-no question because they would violate a local government act decision known as the Winky Pop (2007) ruling. Victorian Local Government Association defines the ruling as a candidate making a “pre-apprehensive” public statement on planning issue. “Councils have a quasi-judicial role as the local planning authority,” a VLGA statement said. “It’s natural justice and a long established legal principle that those who determine a matter shouldn’t demonstrate in advance of the case that they’ve already made up their mind about it.” Dean Webster told the Independent he responded to the school’s letter specifying if candidates replied they would be “excluded from being able to vote
on the matter if elected to council. “If (candidates) do vote, they can be prosecuted under the act,” Mr Webster said. Eve Fisher was concerned about Christian College’s motives. “It could be completely innocent but the college shouldn’t have done this. “This issue’s too big to be answered or solved with the tick of a box without fully understanding and considering the proposal,” Ms Fisher said. “That will be the responsibility of elected candidates in the chamber.” Rose Hodge and Gary Dunne said they had not received the letter, but both said they would not respond. “I will have an open mind until I’m in chamber to debate,” Ms Hodge said. David Bell said the letter was “almost designed to entrap” candidates. The VLGA ruling put “immense pressure” on candidates to uphold a higher probity than other forms of government, Mr Bell said. “If all candidates were to respond incautiously, we might have a situation where no councillor could vote on the decision because they’d be caught in the Winky Pop ruling. “How could we possibly represent our community if there’s a chance we could be constantly caught up in being seen as biased for speaking on a matter publicly?” Mr Bell said.
NOMINATIONS have opened for the first monthly Independent Shop Local Customer Service Award. The Independent will publish a story and picture on each monthly winner, providing them with widespread community recognition in the region’s highest-circulating newspaper. The winner will also receive a $1000 advertising package from the Independent and its EasyFinder online business directory. Shoppers simply have to send the Independent the name of a retail shop and explain in 50 words or less why it deserves the customer service award. Entry details are printed below. Independent managing editor Tony Galpin urged readers to begin considering worthy winners. “Many local retailers work very hard with plenty of competition and obstacles to overcome. The Shop Local award will be welcome recognition for traders providing great customer service.” The award is part of the new Shop Local Geelong campaign. The campaign seeks to encourage shopping with local businesses while rewarding them for excellence in customer service. The Independent and City of Greater Geelong launched Shop Local last week. The campaign also has the backing of Geelong Chamber of Commerce and its Geelong Retail Network. Shop Local Award entries to editorial@geelongindependent.com.au, mail: Shop Local Award, PO Box 407, Geelong, 3220. Fax: 5249 6799.
Sparkling: Millie Imrie, 4, of Batesford with her creation. Picture Tommy Ritchie
Lanterns shine in waterfront fun AN ABUNDANCE of glue and glitter filled Geelong waterfront’s carousel this week as children made lanterns for an upcoming festival parade. Streets are Alive’s Grant Conn said the school holiday program event gave local children an opportunity to join in the festival’s lantern parade on November 11.
Mr Conn said he expected about 100 children to bring their handmade lanterns to march in the parade between Eastern Beach and the carousel. Streets are Alive on November 10 and 11 will feature musicians, dancers, art and entertainment at Geelong’s waterfront and central activities area.
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