A terms of reference for a community committee to bring a secondary refugee resettlement program to Walla will be established within months.
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Greater Hume Council voted last night to provide in-principle support to the idea, led by a group of 10 residents and business leaders.
But there was debate over the extent of supporting agencies’ involvement in setting up a committee, with an amendment moved by Councillor Tony Quinn to have the Red Cross establish the legal grounds for such a group.
“Red Cross is the lead agency to do this work and a committee by the Red Cross could have this on the road within three to five months,” Cr Quinn said.
“If council takes it on board we’d have a procedure … it could be two years.”
But the amendment failed, with Cr Kim Stewart pointing out that the contracts for refugee assistance could change.
“It’s dangerous to limit it to just how Red Cross wants to do it,” she said.
“Council is a great supporter of this happening.”
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Instead, a report on what the community committee would look like will go to the next council meeting.
Another major Walla project was approved with council voting to award the tender for a seven-lot subdivision at Jacob Wenke Drive to Hurst Civil.
The $154,204 cost will be funded out of council’s Land Development Reserve.
Cr Denise Osborne questioned whether the project should be held over to budget deliberations and to further investigate interest from private developers.
“I think we should get real estate support before we commit the shire to take out this work … I see the importance of doing it, but not outside of budget process,” she said.
But the development is not expected to impact budget and ultimately was passed, with Cr Matt Hicks adamant the community should receive full support for its many endeavours.
“It’s absolutely fantastic we’re finally in a position to advance a small community in our shire,” he said.