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 Collegeās 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 schoolās 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 ārezoning from the current farming zone to a special use zoneā 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 āpre-apprehensiveā public statement on planning issue. āCouncils have a quasi-judicial role as the local planning authority,ā a VLGA statement said. āItās natural justice and a long established legal principle that those who determine a matter shouldnāt demonstrate in advance of the case that theyāve already made up their mind about it.ā Dean Webster told the Independent he responded to the schoolās letter specifying if candidates replied they would be āexcluded from being able to vote
on the matter if elected to council. āIf (candidates) do vote, they can be prosecuted under the act,ā Mr Webster said. Eve Fisher was concerned about Christian Collegeās motives. āIt could be completely innocent but the college shouldnāt have done this. āThis issueās too big to be answered or solved with the tick of a box without fully understanding and considering the proposal,ā Ms Fisher said. āThat will be the responsibility of elected candidates in the chamber.ā Rose Hodge and Gary Dunne said they had not received the letter, but both said they would not respond. āI will have an open mind until Iām in chamber to debate,ā Ms Hodge said. David Bell said the letter was āalmost designed to entrapā candidates. The VLGA ruling put āimmense pressureā on candidates to uphold a higher probity than other forms of government, Mr Bell said. āIf all candidates were to respond incautiously, we might have a situation where no councillor could vote on the decision because theyād be caught in the Winky Pop ruling. āHow could we possibly represent our community if thereās a chance we could be constantly caught up in being seen as biased for speaking on a matter publicly?ā 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 regionās 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. āMany 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.ā 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 waterfrontās carousel this week as children made lanterns for an upcoming festival parade. Streets are Aliveās Grant Conn said the school holiday program event gave local children an opportunity to join in the festivalās 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 Geelongās waterfront and central activities area.
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