Ferry fees: Council decision

Warwick Hall reports on this week's eventful Council Meeting...

On the evening of Tuesday 24 June, over 100 Raymond Islanders attended the East Gippsland Shire Special Meeting for Councillors to consider and vote on three items including a revised draft budget that removed several new Raymond Island ferry fees and increased current fees by 4.3%, rounded up to the nearest dollar. The Councillors voted to accept this draft budget. 

During the debate, Councillors discussed budget influencing factors and acknowledged the interest and submissions from Raymond Island residents and ratepayers.

The final budget is one that is acceptable to most Raymond Island residents, ratepayers and visitors and is far from that which was originally proposed. Of the 254 written budget submissions to the Shire, 243 concerned the ferry fees. Of the 16 oral submissions listed for the Committee Hearing on June 10^th, 14 were from Raymond Islanders.

We had the opportunity to comment on the draft budget and Raymond Islanders rose to the task magnificently. There is no doubt that the submissions were read, heard and taken into account. Without this effort by all involved, the outcome would have been different. It may sound a bit corny, but it truly has been democracy at work. Congratulations to all involved - those who discussed with neighbours and friends, those who wrote and made submissions, those who helped others to prepare submissions, the working groups who prepared submissions on behalf of the island community and RICA, and, importantly, those who went to the Council meetings . A wonderful community effort.  

Warwick Hall
President - Raymond Island Community Assocaiation

Ferry fee increase: Council Meeting 24 June

Important Reminder: the Council will consider recommendations and vote on the 2015 proposed budget at its next special meeting:

Tuesday 24 June at 6.00pm.

People interested in the outcomes for the ferry can attend to show their support for the recommendations of the Special Committee of Council that the originally proposed increases NOT be introduced.

Full copies of the agenda and papers for the meeting are on the Shire's web site. The papers are included on the right side of the site and comprise two large files: 

Attachment Draft Budget.pdf (835 pages): reproduces 254 responses to the budget - 243 related to the Raymond Island Ferry. There is only a response to the first submission included:

'The submitter raised concerns about the level of the increase of fees for casual vehicle access on the ferry, the increase in annual vehicle passes and the new fee for a second vehicle for Raymond Island household owners. Given the similarity of the issues raised by submitters on Raymond Island Ferry fees, the Committee formulated a global recommendation to address these. In essence, the Committee has recommended that the fees as proposed in the Draft Budget for the Raymond Island Ferry not be introduced but rather, 2013/14 fees be adjusted in line with the proposed rate increase (4.3 percent) and rounded up to the nearest dollar. Further, that a flat rate for passes be introduced. The translation of that recommendation into fees is shown in the table opposite. The Committee was confident that this course of action would address the concerns of the majority of submitters who in the main, expressed the view that the fees as proposed would place a disproportionate fee burden on Raymond Island residents and ratepayers.'

Appendix Budget Report.pdf (229 pages): includes the Special Committee of Council's recommendations:

p.10. ... a recommendation fo the Special Committee of Council convenedto hear and consider submissions on the draft Budget 2014/15 as published, that the proposed Raymond Island Ferry fee increases not be implemented in 2014/15.

p.12. The Draft Budget as revised anticipates that Council will accept the recommendation of the Special Committee of Council not to implement the planned fee increases for Raymond Island Ferry as published but rather, to apply an increase of 4.3% in line with other charges. 

Revised proposed schedule of fees:

Fee description	Basis	Fee at 1 July 2013	Fee at 1 July 2014
Ferry Pass - Owners of developed land Cars, Motor Cycles – 1st Vehicle	Annual	Free	Free
Ferry Pass - Owners of developed land Cars, Motor Cycles – 2nd Vehicle	Annual	Free	Free
Ferry Pass – Owners of developed land Cars, Motor Cycles - 3rd + vehicles	Annual	New	$222
Ferry Pass - Non-owners of developed land Cars, Motor Cycles	Annual	New	$222
Cars, Motor Cycles Return	Trip	$10	$11
Hazardous Chemical Truck Return	Trip	$28	$30
Out of Hours Service Return	Trip	$212	$222
Tourist 7 Day Holiday Pass	Week	$100	$105
Ferry Pass - Trucks and Buses 1st Vehicle	Annual	$437	$600
Ferry Pass - Trucks and Buses	Annual	New	$456
Trucks and Buses < 20GVM Return	Trip	$14	$15
Trucks and Buses > 20GVM Return	Trip	$22	$23

One Islander (name supplied) has noted:
The Mayor's comment [was] that the ferry access charges will be reviewed on a 'user pays model' annually within the budget process.I don't think the RI community wants this uncertainty around access and cost, and the aggravation of pleading our position each year. This proposed decision to not implement the proposed charges takes the heat off the council for the other issues on the table:

* Ferry upgrades to reduce operating costs - consultant's report

* Better cost controls on maintenance

* Planning for long term Ferry replacement - provision to replace in 15 years

* Working VicRoads for a more equitable funding model

* Working towards a 'No Fee' model for all users  get rid of the divisive RI residents vs other ratepayers situation.

I suggest we keep working this issue. There is ... a good deal of information and knowledge that's been gathered. Let us keep the heat on the Council to improve the cost effectiveness of the RI Ferry, with a well thought out, long term plan (i.e. the proposal adopted by Council two years ago following the extensive review for RI access) with the ultimate goal of achieving a 'No Charge' service for all users.

RICA international dinner

REMINDER

RICA INTERNATIONAL DINNER

Rogan Josh

Goi Cuon

Pollo All’Italiana

Boeuf Bourguignon

Sounds delicious?

What can you bring to share at the RICA International Dinner?

SATURDAY 21 JUNE

6.30 PM

R.I. HALL

5^th PARADE

Prizes Awarded for best dressed with an International Theme

Phone Di on 5156 0717 for bookings

Ferry fee increase: ABC coverage

Headlined as:
Raymond Island residents anger over ferry fee hike

ABC News Victoria followed up the public consultation meeting last Tuesday, with an article on 14 June. Click here to read.

Ferry fee consultation: feedback

Kay Mooney and Victor Trofimovs report following the Council's Community Consultation about the proposed increases to the ferry fees on Tuesday afternoon:

Over 150 Raymond Island Rate payers packed the East Gippsland Shire Chambers to listen to 16 people presenting a verbal submission, representing Islanders, RICA and individual arguments against the Shires proposed budget increases, particularly number one on the agenda, the Raymond Island Ferry. Several Islanders and other Shire locals spoke, includind: Warwick Hall (on behalf of RICA), Peter Markwell (representing the Island Community Group), Robert Fordham, Edie Ashley, Heinz Gerlach, John Potts, Brian Halpin, Alexander Fowler Gerard Va Maanen, Mark Richardson, Mal Howarth, Beth Campbell and Edgar Didjuries.

Raymond Island residents presented with compassion, knowledge and spirit. Our council representative certainly had a lot to take on board, and the general conception was, they gave us a fair hearing

You can listen to what Raymond Island residents had to say on this Youtube clip and see a packed house for the meeting!

Ferry fee consultation: RICA

Warwick Hall (RICA President) and Vicki Trofimovs (RICA Secretary) sent their summaries of the Council's community consultation about the proposed ferrry fee increases:

Approximately 140 members of the Raymond Island community attended a council meeting on June 10th during which those wishing to make a verbal submission about the proposed increases in ferry fees were given the opportunity to do so. Councillors were accommodating, polite and attentive during the presentations. We appreciated the process and attention and acknowledged same.

Much the same points included in the many written submissions were made, but it was an opportunity for the Mayor, Councillors and Council Officers to see how passionate the residents and ratepayers of Raymond island are about the proposed changes.

The following email was sent to the Mayor and Councillors the next morning:

Dear Mayor and Councillors,

On behalf of the members of the Raymond Island Community Association (RICA) and no doubt other members of the Raymond Island Community, thank you for the opportunity to make verbal submissions to Council and thank you for your attention. Most of the matters raised in the verbal submissions have been covered in more detail, as have others, in the written submissions that the Mayor acknowledged and confirmed  have been read by councillors. However, the opportunity afforded us yesterday enabled Councillors and council officers to appreciate how passionately members of the Raymond Island Community feel about the proposed fee changes and hopefully gain a feel for the human, personal, family and community implications.

We have been advised that “all submitters will be notified of the outcome and provided with a detailed response to their submission”.

We thank you for that and look forward to advice in due course. In the meantime, if Councillors or council officers have any questions or wish to discuss  any aspect of the RICA submission or others, please do not hesitate to contact me or the author of the submission concerned.

Yours Sincerely

Warwick Hall

President – Raymond Island Community Association

Dear RICA members,

Wow! How wonderful it was to see so many Raymond Islanders at the East Gippsland Council Meeting today! I think we showed, by our presence there, approximately 150 people, how we are a force to be reckoned with! Well done everyone, 243 submissions received, let’s keep up the fight!

Victoria Trofimovs

RICA Secretary

Help wanted

Hi,

I am a recently full-time employed person who needs help with my home and pets.

Whilst I was unemployed, managing cleaning, garden work and supervision of dogs and chooks was not an issue. Now I need help.

1/ I need someone to clean inside my house once a week - dusting, vacuuming, windows, ironing, mopping.

2/ I need a sitter for my very friendly, polite and placid old Jack Russel.  I could drop him off, or you could visit. I hate having to chain him up every day for 10 hours. He is safe and sheltered, but I hate the anxiety.

Contact: Stewart - m: 0459 991 181

Congratulations to Islander newly weds

Wedding bells for Raymond Island's popular Kay Moore & Don McColl from Moore Fiddling Around.

Landcare: highlighting a 'plant of the month' that is growing on our island

Stop Press: ferry fee increase consultation

Reminder that the Council's community consultation meeting will be held at 2.30pm, Tuesday 10 June 2014, at the Shire Offices, Main St Bairnsdale.

Here are some of the Islanders' reactions to the proposed ferry fee increases. 

Ferry service and gas deliveries

Winter is here and Ian Lewis reminds all ferry travellers that for safety's sake, when the large gas truck arrives to head over to the Island it has right of carriage by itself.


If travellers see the gas truck arrive, please do not try to board the ferry behind the truck. Enjoy a couple of minutes watching the life on the Strait and wait for the next trip.

Stop press: ferry SMS reminder

Monday 9 June 2014

Ferry SMS subscription renewals ($5.00)

At the hall, 10:00am - 1:00pm!

Local quilters at Bairnsdale

Kay Mooney was a keen visitor to the recent exhibition of quilt making in Bairnsdale...  

Wow! what a lot of talented ladies live in our area.  It was a true exhibition of artistry as well as craftsmanship, and well worth anyone's while to see. Be proud Ladies.

Working bee at the Wedge

The Raymond Island Landcare Group gathered early last Sunday morning warmed by stunning Autumn sunshine.

Up to 12 Landcare members mulched a freshly planted lot of natives at The Wedge, a Landcare site managed by veteran Landcarer, Rohan Smith. The mulch was supplied by Doug Livingstone from Safe Tree. Landcare Raymond Island appreciate Safe Tree's contribution to help re-vegitate parts of Raymond Island that are under extreme stress. 

Check out the Youtube video of the morning.