‘NORTHCOTE BUDGET’ EDITION
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 Heidelberg Court list ......................... Page 2 Marching orders for Preston MP ...... Page 2 Whittlesea Council’s self-praise ....... Page 3 Epping road rage arrest ..................... Page 3 Shooting at Reservoir ........................ Page 3 Editor’s ‘Long Shots’ column ........... Page 4 Clean energy at Nillumbik ................ Page 5 Protest at Mill Park MP’s office ........ Page 5 ‘Scrooge’ alive at Darebin ................ Page 5 Nod for Bridge Inn Rd ...................... Page 6 Diamond Valley cricket scores ........ Page 6
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SECRET BONUS FOR DAREBIN CEO
■ DAREBIN COUNCIL’S $7000-a-week Chief Executive Sue Wilkinson will be eligible for an annual bonus under a scheme proposed by the ruling Greens councillors.
The CEO’s employment and remuneration policy is due to be discussed at a meeting of Councillors tonight (Wed.). The policy needs to be in place by January 1. Details of the amount of the bonus available to Ms Wilkinson remain confidential. Critics of the plan say that as the bonus will be decided by the Greens majority of Councillors (with the assistance of Mayor Cr Lina Messina), Ms Wilkinson could be perceived to be beholden to those Councillors. “A component of the draft CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy includes decision making with regard to CEO Credit Card transactions and request for reimbursement by the CEO,” says a report to tonight’s meeting. “The transparency of Council decisions, actions and information is to be ensured. Council decision making processes must be transparent except when the Council is dealing with information that is confidential by virtue of this Act or any other Act.” Under the policy, an independent consultant is to be employed to advise Councillors on the amount of remuneration. “Council will receive a report on credit card transactions and any claim for reimbursements for approval twice annually. Credit card transactions not approved by Council will be reimbursed by the CEO to Council,” the report says. “Disclosure of the CEO’s Total Remuneration Package will only be by way of information included in Council’s Annual Report and in accordance with any other legislative requirements.
Greens Councillors push through extra cash for Wilkinson
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Level access tram stops needed
● Level access stops are required. Photo: Audit Victoria
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Inside This Week
■ Northcote MLA Kat Theophanous has told State Parliament of the need for level access tram stops in Northcote, Thornbury Preston and Reservoir. “Regularly raised with me is the accessibility of our public transport network, particularly on the route 86 tram along High St,” Ms Theophanous told the Legislative Assembly. “This route already runs with many low-floor trams, which is fantastic, but there remains a significant gap when it comes to accessible stops. “From stop 33 through to stop 54 there are no level-access stops. This traverses part of Northcote, the entirety of Thornbury, the entirety of Preston and some of Reservoir. “Locals know how many venues, services and shops are located along this route. Whether you are someone with a disability, an older resident, a young family with a pram or even just someone carrying your weekly shop, accessible infrastructure makes a difference in getting you to where you need to go safely. “It removes barriers to social isolation,” Ms Theophanopus said.
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