Elsie Lange
A motion to rescind last month’s council decision to sell Hanging Rock’s east paddock to the state government was defeated, allowing negotiations to continue.
The rescission motion made by councillor Rob Guthrie was heard at an unscheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 7, in which councillors heatedly debated the necessity of the motion given “nothing new” was presented.
“I’m not saying we don’t sell the east paddock, I’m saying we need to have all the information before us before making a decision,” Cr Guthrie said.
The east paddock is a zoned public park and recreation zone, covering approximately 56 acres and sits adjacent to the Hanging Rock Reserve.
Council invited residents to provide feedback on the proposed purchase of the land by the Victorian government through online or written submissions, and at an online meeting on May 12. There were 245 submissions received.
At a meeting on May 25, council voted to proceed with sale negotiations, but according to its own terms.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson said it was important for the chamber to remember they were debating whether to rescind the original motion, not debating a foreshadowed motion.
“The decision as to why we should rescind has been clearly outlined by Cr Guthrie in his argument, but to me, he hasn’t made a clear argument,” Cr Anderson said.
“He’s made the same arguments he made two weeks ago as to why he didn’t support the motion that got up.”
Cr Anderson said councillors who spoke in favour of Cr Guthrie’s motion had brought “nothing new to the table today”.
“This is why rescission motions are there – if you feel that debate that occurred previously had incorrect information,” Cr Anderson said.
“The only incorrect information I can think of is that one of the councillor’s misquoted as a 50-50 split in submissions, when actually it was 60 [per cent] in favour and 40 [per cent] against the sale.”
She reiterated that the previous decision to sell was a “very difficult one”.
