Warrnambool City Council is gearing up for a big year with new chief executive officer Peter Schneider starting this week. Mayor Tony Herbert said there was a raft of projects and advocacy issues to be implemented over the coming 12 months. He said with a new CEO the time was right for a fresh new direction for the council.
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Reid Oval
Former Western Victoria upper house MP James Purcell secured $7 million for upgrades to Reid Oval in August last year.
"It's looking good," Cr Herbert said. "There has obviously been a fair bit of planning involved. The whole region sees it as an opportunity for the south-west, not just Warrnambool. It will be a major events facility.
"This season of football will continue as normal, and we will ensure it is done as quickly as possible. Some people say it will take two seasons, others say it will take one, but we will do it as quickly as possible. There is significant savings to be made by doing it as quickly as possible."
New city library
The state government has committed more than $16 million to build a new library.
"It's going to be more than a traditional library - it's going to be a technology hub," Cr Herbert said. "It's going to be somewhere where local groups can meet. It will have a focus on education and innovation."
He said the council was currently inspecting other state-of-the-art libraries for ideas.
"The government want to announce and build it in their four-year term," he said. "They are really pushing their projects. Working with South West TAFE will be good. There has got to be agreements between them and us. It's a community facility. We want to make it a statement building for Warrnambool."
Rate rise
The city council is seeking community input on a proposed rate increase above the state government regulated cap of 2.25 per cent.
"The feedback is being collated and there will be a couple of community information sessions with members of the community," Cr Herbert said. "We are still waiting for an overview on where the community sits."
Breakwater and harbour
Cr Herbert said the recently adopted master plan didn't include an enclosed harbour, but there was still a possibility of attaining one.
"We have to ensure that as many members of the community are taken into account as possible. There are many people that want an enclosed harbour, and many that don't," he said.
He said if funding was granted, works would be undertaken to fix the boat ramp for safer launching, and it would then be assessed.
"If it's proven to work, well it's all well and good," he said. "If not, the alternative could be to investigate a spur or groyne to offset the affects of the wave."
The Lookout
A decision on the location of the The Lookout residential rehabilitation centre is before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The proposed location is at Atkinsons Lane, Dennington. Cr Herbert said the community overwhelmingly supported The Lookout, however its location was a contentious issue. It is expected VCAT will make a decision within the next few months.
Horses on beaches
Cr Herbert said the issue of returning commercial racehorses to city beaches was ongoing.
"We've copped a lot of flak over this," he said. "We've supported it, but we didn't initiate it. It's all been initiated by the state government. There are a number of steps and it's a complicated process. Government processes don't move overly quickly."
Princes Highway upgrades
Cr Herbert said the Princes Highway West Alliance, a group made up of the region's council's was strongly pushing for upgrades to the dangerous and dilapidated road. The council had a meeting with Wannon MP Dan Tehan on Friday.
"We want him to become our champion for this project," Cr Herbert said.
"He's a high profile minister. He has been very supportive of the project and we have a plan. It's desperate for upgrades. The Princes Highway should be on the National Road Network, which would help us to get state government maintenance funding."