Where will the Aged Care Facility be located?

At this stage, Council do not have a specific piece of community land for aged care but have been looking at a few options on behalf of Council. It has already been discussed with Elected Members that the preference is for the Aged Care Facility needs to be within Gopher/reasonable working distance to post office, medical centre, supermarket, etc.

Can Robe have an Aged Care facility without a hospital?

We have been advised that we do not require a hospital but must have a medical centre.

Will Council be running the Aged Care facility?

No.

If Council finds an appropriate piece of land, the intention is to ground lease the site to an aged care provider who would be responsible for the construction and operating the facility.

What Aged Care model will be used?

Currently there are no set plans as Council are still trying to secure the land for the aged care facility. The model will be up to the aged care provider who ground leases the land and develops the facility.

Council expectation is that the provider will undertake community consultation as part of the process to develop any facility.

Why can’t council use the Council Office building land for an Aged Care facility?

The Council Office on Royal Circus is not big enough for an aged care facility.

Robe 2050 Plan

What key areas do Council need to look at in developing the Robe 2050 Plan with community?

Council will be looking under three key areas – social, economic and environment. There are already a number of questions identified in the Robe 2050 Project Plan, e.g. where should the next industrial land be, how big should robe be and in particular the recognition that Byron Bay was used by a few people of a ‘what not to do’ for Robe. Whilst Port Fairy was used as a ‘what we should do’. The Mayor and Chief Executive Officer have already undertaken a study trip to Port Fairy as part of the process to develop the Project Plan.

Do we need consultants for the Robe 2050 Plan?

The Project Plan has allowed for specialist support (i.e. consultant) to develop a survey to allow for greater participation in the process (i.e. approximately two thirds of our ratepayers do not live in Robe). All other work during the 12 months will be provided through existing Council resources.

Can Council stop ratepayers from turning their houses into Holiday homes/Air B&B?

Council cannot stop ratepayers from doing this. There is also different legislation in each state, therefore the actions Council can take must be in accordance with current South Australian legislation.  However, Council is investigating an option to provide a rate rebate for ratepayers who provide long term rentals and an option to provide a rate rebate where a ratepayer’s primary residence is in the District Council of Robe. These two options are subject to ensure they are compliant with legislation.

Are there any consequences for limiting development in Robe?

Many people have expressed their concerns with growing Robe and current level of development. However, a consequence for limiting growth could be many of our builders and other tradespeople would have to leave Robe to find work, taking their families and young kids with them. If development slows, then the price of properties is likely to increase and this may make it difficult for our next generation to purchase property in Robe. These are some of the issues we need to consider as a community as we develop the Plan.

Why is the Council Office on one of the best pieces of land in Robe?

Currently, the community own the piece of the land that the office building sits on. As it is now, the grassed area can be used by members of the community for picnics, etc. The Council Office does not need to be located on Royal Circus. However, if Council were to sell the site it would most likely be purchased by a developer who would most likely develop the site with two storey town houses. As it has been historically, Royal Circus is an important community and civic asset for Robe and therefore, the current Council have decided not to sell.

Conference Centre

Where will the Conference Centre be located?

Currently Council is looking at the option of ground leasing the land at the Marina where the Best Ociana building was recently demolished. Any decision on the Conference Centre will be subject to community consultation, including alternative sites across Robe.

Where will people park?

This will all depend on the outcome from consultation (the final location of the Conference Centre) and if the project moves forward. For example, if it was to be constructed on the old Best Ociana site then an option is for the parking to be on the bottom/ground floor and the Conference Centre would be in the second storey.

Is community money being used to develop and construct the Conference Centre?

Council would ground lease land to an organisation, and it would be their responsibility to construct and manage the centre. The money received from the ground lease would go back into the community.

Is there a demand for a Conference Centre?

A Conference Centre in Robe has been discussed for many years and has been identified as a key gap in the Limestone Coast Destination Marketing Plan. Generally, conferences are held in our low season and the facility would provide an option for function such as weddings. The Conference Centre would provide more employment in Robe and contribute to our economy.

Rate Review

Why did Council use a consultant when they have two finance staff inhouse?

The independence and expertise that were provided from the consultant were invaluable to the process and has assisted Council to be well informed to make the decision on the rate model on behalf of the community.

Where specialist skills and experience are required, it is more cost effective for the community to use a consultant than employing a person on an ongoing basis for a single activity e.g. a coastal engineer.

Why did you choose ‘vacant land’ as the example in the Rate Review Consultation Paper?

It was mentioned by many people that the example, increasing the rate in the dollar for vacant land to stimulate development, used in the Rate Review Public Meeting was a poor choice and raised some issues and unnecessary concern to ratepayers. Council have acknowledged this mistake and are aware that it was not a good example to use.

Can you help me understand how my rates are calculated?

There is still confusion around the rating model and how it works. You are strongly encouraged to read the rate review consultation paper (Council Agenda 12 May attachments) and the draft Four Year Business Plan or contact a Council officer to explain the model to you.

Can we stimulate more long term rental properties in Robe?

Council is currently investigating the legal obligations around offering a rebate house that are offered as long term rentals.

Why have Council changed the rating system?

The old Rating model that Council have previously been using provided no flexibility within the model to enable council to address needs of ratepayer groups or make adjustments to assist in achieving Council’s strategic goals.

What is a differential rating system?

This means that there are different rates set in the dollar for different land use categories. A differential rate allows Council to structure their rating strategy more closely with their community’s needs and profile and to use rating as a tool to assist in achieving Council’s strategic goals.

General Questions

Is there anything that can be done about the Robe Street intersection?

A roundabout at the Victoria and Robe Streets intersection has previously been investigated by Council. The cost several years ago was estimated at $1.5 million and due to the cost it is not a priority for Council, particularly as the traffic delays are only for a few weeks of the year.

As part of the Four Year Business Plan Council will be looking at connecting Davenport Street all the way through to Evans Cave Road. These works will provide an alternative route to Robe Street. We will also explore alternative sites for the industrial estate as part of the Robe 2050 Plan. If an alternative site is found, this provides an opportunity to move some of the heavy vehicles from the area.

Are Council are allowing the Football Oval to have caravans parked on it over summer?

This matter is not true and the topic has not been discussed at Council.

Are Council planning on building an Aged Care facility on the Golf Club land that has an expired lease?

This matter is not true. Council is in negotiation with the Robe Golf Club on leasing the current land. Council understands the community’s desire for aged care in Robe and the importance of the golf course for members and our visitors. Council is working on both matters on behalf of the community.

Was the Entrance Statement paid for with Community money?

This is incorrect. Council received additional grant funding from the Federal Government that needed to be spent on infrastructure. The Entrance Statement has been paid for with this funding.

The Entrance Statement will be formally opened on the 8 June by the Member for Barker, Tony Pasin.

Can I attend Council Meetings?

Most Council Meetings are open to the public:

• All ordinary council meetings held on the second Wednesday of each month
• All Elected Member Forums are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month
• Occasionally council will hold a Special Council meeting

The public are asked to leave the Chamber for confidential items, but these are generally placed last on the Agenda to make it easy for community members to attend and hear most matters.

Occasionally council will hold Elected Member training sessions. These are not open to the public, they are for the professional development of the Elected Members and the Executive.

Does Council back particular Development Applications in Robe?

It is important to understand that Council only assist administratively when it comes to lodging development applications. For example, if an applicant needs assistance using the portal or have questions Council are more than happy to help all applicants.

Development applications are assessed against the Planning Code and if it is a notified development, then it is assessed by the independent Council Assessment Panel. The Elected Members are not involved in the decision making process.

How do we attract permanent doctors to Robe?

One resident raised a concern that Robe have limited resources when it comes to securing a permanent doctor in Robe. Other small communities have raised funds that have been used to ‘encourage’ doctors to move to their area to live and practice. Is this something the community wants to consider?

Should Council charge for vehicle access to Long Beach?

A resident brought to our attention that the Onkaparinga Council permits Vehicle on Aldinga, Moana, Sellicks and Silver Sands beaches. Vehicles are only allowed access if the drivers have a current beach permit or pay a vehicle access fee of $8. Free permits are available for owners and tenants of residential properties within our council area. These requirements and any restrictions are clearly sign posted and fines of $187 apply for breaches.

It was suggested that Robe consider raising funds by using a similar model for vehicle access to Long Beach.

Should Council be doing more to promote Robe’s history?

Employees at the Visitor Information Centre proactively promote Robe’s history and have brochures for local history walks and the Tombstone Tourist which provides stories and information regarding the burials of the historic Robe cemetery.

In support of the Robe History Group, Council have nearly completed the restoration of the Kathleen Brown room at the Robe Institute. This room will become the ‘home’ of our history and associated historic information about the District Council of Robe. Council has also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Robe History Group to better define the relationship and the responsibilities of each party.

Will the newsletter be posted to residents of Robe?

No.

The newsletter will not be posted as it is not a best use of Council’s finite resources. We can email a copy each month directly to all ratepayers with email accounts. Council currently has hard copies of the newsletter for collection from the Council Office and the Library.

To improve community access to hard copies, from June 2021 we will now be putting copies at the Chemist, Supermarket, Post Office and some café’s will have it available to read in house.

Where can I collect a hard copy of the newsletter?

Hard copies of the Council Newsletter will be available from the Council Office, Library/VIC, Chemist, Supermarket, Post Office and some café’s will have it available to read in house.

How do I get my Newsletter sent to my email address?

Anyone can subscribe to receive the newsletter via email each month, you do not have to be a ratepayer. You can subscribe on Council’s website www.robe.sa.gov.au on the home page under the ‘subscribe today’ tab. Your Community Newsletter will then automatically get emailed to you monthly.

Can community members put articles in the Newsletter?

Yes.

Community members and business owners can place an article in the newsletter. Email council@robe.sa.gov.au or call 08 8768 2003 to discuss the details further.