By Gabriella Vukman
During Tuesday’s council meeting on 27 August, the motion to defer the matter of a new Plaques and Memorials Policy was passed unanimously.
Designed to clarify the conditions and process of approving memorial plaques to avoid cluttering public spaces, this policy was authored by the Executive Officer of Recreation and Sport, Tammi Rose.
The matter of the new Plaques and Memorials policy has been deferred until the next council meeting on 10 September.
After concerns about the Policy’s clarity were raised by Councillor Johanna Skelton, Mayor Sophie Todorov suggested that the matter be postponed.
”We have received many emails that have come into council. -it is a new policy for the council and is a bit tricky. Making sure that there is clarity for members of this community to understand this policy,” Mayor Todorov said.
“I would like to put forward a recommendation for a motion to defer this matter until the next council meeting.”
The motion was seconded by Cr Tim Heenan.
Mayor Todorov confirmed, “The debate on this matter will be deferred until the 10th of September council meeting to allow for some further consideration on the matter.”
“Based on that and some outstanding questions councillors have had on the back of receiving communication from our community too.”
Some of the suggestions put forward in the Plaques and Memorials policy are that the consideration for plaques and memorials will be limited to the following:
“An individual or association that has contributed significantly to the cultural, political, environmental or social aspects of the development of the Yarra Ranges for a minimum of 25 years or have been recognised for a significant achievement or event.
“An individual or association strongly liked by the Yarra Ranges municipality and its history.
“An individual or association that has made an enduring contribution over and above what might be reasonably expected through paid employment or voluntary contribution” among other criteria recommendations.
The Plaques and Memorials Policy also suggests a new evaluation body in the form of a panel, whose role it is to decide upon which plaque and memorial applications are to be passed.
Also suggested in the policy brief is the role of a lead evaluator who will be a senior representative at the delegation of the chief executive officer.
Built environment and infrastructure director Hjalmar Phillip debated the policy’s unclarity, maintaining that the policy points in terms of the direction on the conditions for the dismissal of applications as well as the policy’s outline of how decisions surrounding applications will be made.
Mr Phillip said, “there are two parts to this type of tricky document. One is a prescriptive one and the other one takes in some broader considerations.”
“Council hasn’t had such a policy before but the exclusions are quite clear.”
According to the Plaques and Memorials policy, “there is currently no policy, process or governance regulating the decision making in response to requests for plaques, memorials and scattering of cremation ashes on public infrastructure or open space within the Yarra Ranges.”
