General News
2 April, 2025
MOU suspended
Cr Cam McDonald moved two successful motions at the March meeting of the Horsham Rural City Council.
Both were about the increasing number of mining and renewable projects facing communities.
Horsham Rural City Council, May Park elected member, Cam McDonald moved a successful motion to suspend the Memorandum of Understanding HRCC signed with WIM Resource PL in 2022.
He said, "I move that Council formally suspend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WIM Resource and Horsham Rural City Council, further to a full review."
Listed in the agenda the reasons he gave for the motion included-
1. To bring a process of review before the Council (and/or The Mining, Renewables, and Energy Committee) to present to the Council for final approval.
2. For the Council to consider community engagement, showing impartiality in this process to not partnering with any one party.
3. It was a requirement for the Council to review this MOU every two years, and as this has not happened to date, and due to increased tensions in the community, a formal suspension should occur until proper community engagement has occurred.
He cited for background, the Local Government Act 2020 Communications Policy Community Engagement Procedure Engagement Resources Refer to Appendix 14.2A for copy of Notice of Motion. Refer to Appendix 14.2B for copy of MOU between WIM Recourse and HRCC.
Discussion between councillors included questions about the decision potentially leaving HRCC vulnerable but as the MOU was already outside to the review period, it would have no additional impact.
Cr Rebecca Sluggett said she could not vote in favour because she felt she needed more time to consider the motion.
The vote was carried 6:1.
In a second motion, Cr Cam McDonald moved a successful motion that a Mining and Renewables and Energy committee be formed.
He said, “That a Mining, Renewables & Energy Committee be formed with a minimum of two Councillors, the CEO, and not more than two dedicated staff involved in the process of Mining, Renewables & Energy, to ultimately present recommendations to Council.
His reasons were -
1. To bring to the Council the process which involves the risk and engagement process.
2. To consider the conditions and negotiations involved regarding Mining and Renewable Energy.
3. That this committee reports to Council for approval in its requirement to advocate for the safety and concerns of the community in relation to these development proposals.
4. That the Instrument of Delegation to staff for decisions on Mining and Renewable Energy be limited and restricted for approval by a full Council meeting only.
Cr Rebecca Sluggett voted against the motion but it was passed 6:1
The decision by HRCC to suspend the Memorandum of Understanding between the council and WIM Resource and to establish a Mining, Renewables, and Energy Committee is an example of the pressures local councils are under as these project numbers increase.
Monday nights vote follows the decision by Northern Grampians Shire Council to create a position for a staff member to be solely working on these projects due to the increasing workload facing council staff these projects create.
NGSC has approached the state government for funding to support the salary of this posiiton but told the Mail-Times council would go ahead and employ regardiless of funding assistance.
Councillors and CEO's from Buloke, Gannawarra, Loddon, NGSC and Yarriambiack Shire councils met with the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Council Vicotrito discuss the ongoing impact of these project on their communities.