Rockingham council take action on motions from annual electors meeting

More than 20 motions from the City of Rockingham’s annual electors meeting were presented to the council last week, with many of them spurring action.

Some were moved en masse without debate, including one urging council representatives to meet the Minister for the Environment and ask the State Government to make the report about the temporary closure of Penguin Island available to the public.

The council also backed a motion that the chief executive seek to meet the relevant ministers about the business case for a penguin or marine discovery centre in Port Kennedy.

Another motion concerned glyphosate weedkillers, with the council agreeing the city should move away from its use around playgrounds in favour of less toxic options.

A motion for any city employee spraying glyphosate to wear PPE and for signs to be put in the area for 24 to 72 hours was not successful because employees already wear PPE and signs were already used.

The council also moved for FOGO to be provided at events, as well as reusable cutlery and crockery at city-run events.

Parking at Rockingham General Hospital was also on the agenda, with the council resolving that the chief executive would follow up with the Department of Health and relevant ministers about parking supply.

But it voted not to support a motion that would direct the chief executive not to provide future financial support to the Wanliss Street Marina.

They did not support a request to send a water truck to clean footpaths on Rockingham Beach Road.

And speed calming devices for roads in Hillman were also rejected.

It was also a no to a motion for the chief executive to prohibit the purchase or reimbursement of money for alcohol using city funds.

A request for the chief executive to prohibit all junkets or trips gifted or funded by the city was also denied.

But the council voted to direct the chief executive to bring forward the attendance of events policy review date and prepare a discussion paper.

The use of signage at election time was also debated, with one resident seeking to limit the placement and volume of candidates’ corflutes on roads, roundabouts and public council land.

Cr Leigh Liley agreed the corflutes were an “assault on the senses” during the local government election.

The council voted 7-4 for the chief executive to formulate a local by-law for the city about the use of corflutes during election time and limit the placement and volume to prevent limited vision on roads, roundabouts and public council land.

A motion for public toilets to be open 24-7 was rejected but Cr Mike Crichton asked for the city to look at the impact toilets closing at night has on the community.

The council voted to note a motion for the city to ensure ratepayers don’t foot the bill for any extra infrastructure required by the AUKUS agreement and for the Federal Government to pay.

And they resolved to continue to advocate for Commonwealth and State funding to address infrastructure needs within the city.