Sue Brooks’ Blog

sue September 28th, 2008

The comments about the lack of opportunity for local tendering I believe are fairly made. I do however acknowledge that Council was keen to establish itself in terms of identity and with the adoption of portfolios this project was portfolio driven and used suppliers that the Maryborough City Council has successfully used in the past. While I totally agree that using local providers and suppliers is always preferable to not doing so, I will ask more questions about how we can ensure that future activities do provide the opportunity for local competition. There have been new businesses established locally since 2004 and I believe these businesses should be given an opportunity to ’strut their stuff’.

Councillors are chairperson of one portfolio only and are members on others but can attend any portfolio meeting that they wish. I agree that the breadth of activities undertaken by Council does make it difficult for any one Councillor to be very closely involved with every portfolio so we do need to share responsibility and concentrate on our own portfolio area primarily. I also am keen to review the way in which the outcomes of portfolio meetings are reported publicly as I believe this is an essential aspect of ‘good governance’.

Even though it is now 6 months since March and the formation of this new FCRC, I often still feel like we are very ‘new’. Staff are finally settling into their permanent roles and so are the Councillors I believe. But there is always room for improvement in the way we do things. Councillors and Directors are busily involved with our corporate planning and this process will help guide the way we deliver on our aims and commitments.

I also wish to say that I believe we have a team of very responsible, hard working and honest staff who work in a very responsible and honest manner. I also believe the challenges of amalgamation have been huge but that everyone is working towards achieving a united, competent and efficient Council that provides a high quality service to our community.

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sue September 26th, 2008

There has been some discussion and questions re the process involved in developing our recently launched branding. This following outline of the process is provided by Ms Lisa Desmond, Director Organisational Services and I thank her for taking the time to respond to my query about this matter. One of the things that has happened since amalgamation is that the FCRC is now selectively using some processes that were already in place by each Council prior to amalgamation.

‘The development of the Regional Branding and production of the Fraser Coast Magazine was undertaken in two stages. In developing the Regional Brand Anne Maree Althaus was approached to provide a proposal on assisting in the development of a Regional Branding Strategy for implementation across a range of marketing and promotional projects including the Magazine. The acceptance of this proposal was in accordance with Local Government Act procurement requirements whilst taking into consideration many factors including -

the existing extensive professional involvement with Maryborough City Council in the development of their branding strategies (after an exhaustive tendering process undertaken by Maryborough in 2004 which included many local businesses),

familiarity with the process and desired outcomes with a view to retaining synergies given the success of the Maryborough campaign, and

the extremely tight timeframes to meet publication deadlines for the magazine.

The process in developing the “Regional Brand Identity” involved an initial workshop to identify desired communication strategies, a vision of Fraser Coast with respect to target markets, understanding corporate identity and developing a “visual voice” for the new brand. Following the development of initial concepts a further two workshops were held with all Councillors before finalisation. The outcome was a multi-faceted approach, incorporating strategic marketing and communications, to deal with the challenge of building unity and regional pride among newly amalgamated residents and creating a new visual identity for the region. The new regional brand uses a series of integrated symbols and patterns to represent the whole region and convey its four key features - great natural beauty, surprising diversity, rich heritage and friendly nature. The regional branding will feature in marketing publications, tourism websites, products and promotions and will be used on new billboards across the region.

In respect to the design and printing of the Magazine although there was no requirement to tender this work Council however undertook an Expressions of Interest process which was advertised in local papers. Five submissions were received from both Local and Non-Local businesses. Upon assessment of the individual submissions against specific criteria including Experience, Track Record, Timeframes, Price and Evidence of similar work - Anne Maree Althaus was successful in performing this body of work. The Our Fraser Coast magazine was a key strategy, delivered to the door of all residents, with the aim of educating and inspiring its readers about the region they live in.

The magazine serves a dual purpose, as it also introduces residents to the new regional brand.

Council values its local businesses and utilises and support many local firms in its advertising and marketing including:

a range of advertising in the local newspapers within Maryborough and Hervey Bay;

advertising in locally produced tourism publications;

printing of corporate stationary locally;

local use of graphic designers for layouts for corporate publications; and

local businesses utilised for banner printing, name badges, re-run of brochures and corporate gifts.

For more information on the new regional brand and corporate logo go to www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au’

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sue September 22nd, 2008

Just a quick update on works at the Maryborough Landfill. I expect that these works will mean a much improved outcome for all users. The following was in response to a resident enquiry but I thought it worth sharing.

“Council is not dumping recyclable material into the Landfill at any waste site.

There are some items that would normally have gone to the REST recoverable area that are reaching the landfill during the work that is happening at the Maryborough Landfill to construct an improved recycling drop off area and market sales shed which will dramatically reduce the amount of material going to landfill.

 There is an area that residents can drop off useable materials or recyclables whilst the work on site is happening. It is hoped that a new Recycling Tender and the construction of an under cover drop area and market sales building will be completed by 30 June 2009.

 Recycling bins are now available to Maryborough businesses, they should contact Maryborough customer service who will arrange a waste service officer to complete the necessary paperwork and have the bin/s delivered”.

 Regards

 Martyn

 Martyn Walton

Executive Manager

Fraser Coast Waste

Fraser Coast Regional Council

41-47 Ellengowan street

Urangan 4655

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sue September 21st, 2008

Ergon Energy Tidy Town Awards presented
Cr Debbie Hawes presented the Council with two 2008 Keep Australia Beautiful State Awards that she accepted at a function on 1 September in Cairns. Hervey Bay won the Ergon Energy Tidy Towns 2008 Litter Prevention Award and Maryborough won the inaugural Grundfos Pumps Sustainable Cities Heritage Award.

Petitions tabled
Cr David Dalgleish tabled a petition signed by 104 residents wanting the Council to leave the barriers in Samarai Drive in place. Cr Belinda McNeven tabled a petition from 27 signatories wanting the Council to introduce a policy of non disclosure of submitters’ details on documents such as public comment on development applications in particular.

Bird activities and feeding addressed
The Council will liaise with the EPA about the management of Ibis on the Fraser Coast following complaints from residents about Australian white ibis nesting on islands in the Anembo Lakes system. Residents claim the ibis are smelly, noisy and an eyesore affecting their quality of life. The Wildlife Preservation Society (Fraser Coast Branch) and the Hervey Bay Birdwatchers will be asked to continue an ibis monitoring program at Anembo Lakes during the breeding season. Open rubbish tins will be progressively replaced with bins with lids, techniques will be implemented to deter ibis from the Council’s landfills and transfer station, pepper trees will be removed from the islands in stages and public education programs will continue. The Council will also educate the public on feeding wild birds through educational material, onsite signage and media.

I was a bit disappointed that Councillors voted against a recommendation that staff investigate the potential to install bird seed/feed dispensers at appropriate locations which had been discussed at our portfolio meeting. I thought this could have been an innovative way to improve water quality and bird (and other wildlife) health, but the majority of Councillors were against this recommendation so it lost.

Civic reception for athlete Julie Smith
Paralympics bronze medal winner Julie Smith will be given a civic reception on her return form Beijing. The 25-year-old 200-metre runner now lives in Townsville but was formerly from Maryborough.

Council to ask for Traveston Dam study results
I asked that Council write to the State Government asking for a copy of the Supplementary Environmental Impact Study for the proposed Traveston Dam. The study was tabled in Parliament by Shadow Minister for Sustainable Environment and Climate Change and Shadow Minister for Clean Energy Strategy and member for Gympie David Gibson on 11 September. This recommendation was carried.

Logo and Branding

On Thursday we launched the new regional branding and corporate logo. This was developed via Cr Anne Nioa’s portfolio. I like the overall effect that the branding gives. The Fraser Coast wording is similar to that used by Tourism Queensland so it avoids confusion. I don’t think it would be possible to produce something that everyone likes and I personally don’t ‘like’ some minor aspects of the ‘package’ but I’m glad that we have an image with which  to ‘label’ ourselves. The magazine published by Council called “Our Fraser Coast” showcases the branding and you should receive a copy via your letterbox in the near future. Do let us know if you don’t receive one by the end of Sept.  Advertising in this magazine offset the cost of producing it.

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sue September 18th, 2008

General Cosgrove was interviewed on the radio recently. You’ll love his reply to the lady who interviewed him concerning guns and children. Regardless of how you feel about gun laws you gotta love this! This is one of the best comeback lines of all time. It is a portion of an ABC interview between a female broadcaster and General Cosgrove who was about to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop visiting his military headquarters.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
So, General Cosgrove, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
We’re going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery and shooting.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Shooting! That’s a bit irresponsible, isn’t it?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
I don’t see why, they’ll be properly supervised on the rifle range.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Don’t you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
I don’t see how. We will be teaching them proper rifle discipline before they even touch a firearm.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
But you’re equipping them to become violent killers.  

GENERAL COSGROVE: Well, Ma’am, you’re equipped to be a prostitute, but you’re not one, are you?

The radio went silent.

Three Men on a Hike

Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large raging, violent river.

Needing to get to the other side, the first man prayed:

‘God, please give me the strength to cross the river.’

Poof! .. God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.

After witnessing that, the second man prayed:

‘God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river’

Poof! .. God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.

Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed:

‘God, please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the river’

Poof! .. He was turned into a woman. She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge.

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sue September 14th, 2008

A concerned resident has sent me this information that I quote. I can’t believe that our native animals are being bred and sold as pets in the UK.

“I have just followed the latest news link to something that was on the front page of the Ninemsn home page this morning, and I am sickened by what I have just read re the sugar gliders”.
 
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/631077/sugar-gliders-flying-high-in-england
 
http://dailyecho.co.uk/news/3667995._Flying_squirrels__the_latest_popular_pets/
 
I didn’t think this would be allowed. It concerns me that these delicate animals are being kept as pets. I have them living in my backyard naturally and hope that we can preserve plenty of habitat so that gliders and other native animals can stay happily wild.

• Environment & Sustainability
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sue September 12th, 2008

Some interesting reports on what some would consider to be controversial development applications were decided by Councillors last Wednesday. Firstly was a report for a Child Care Centre proposed for 15 & 17 Grevillea Street, Kawungun. The report recommended refusal primarily due to noise, amenity and traffic issues and all the Councillors agreed. The neighbouring residents tell me that they are very pleased with this outcome. There are other child care centres close by to this proposed location so I support the decision to not allow another centre at that location.

Next was an Application for Development Permit for Material Change of Use for Multiple Units (Exceeding Two Storeys in Height) & Restaurant/Food Services And Development Permit for Operational Works (Vegetation Removal) – Setcorp Developments Pty Ltd - Located at 392 Esplanade and 84 Freshwater Street, Torquay. This building will be 6 storeys high and is between the Riviera and White Crest developments. I voted against this application primarily on the grounds that the building exceeded site cover. Site coverage is, in my opinion, actually 30% which should equate to a 4 storey building according to our Planning Scheme. All the other Councillors agreed with the report recommendations and voted approval for this development so the development can go ahead. We did amend the conditions to ensure we have a water proof basement car park which should eliminate the need for continual pumping out of fresh water.

Then we had an Application For Material Change Of Use – Other Residential - Thirty Four (34) Dwelling Units – Adham Unit Trust C/ Urban Planet Town Planning Consultants – 54 Woongool Road, Tinana. While there are concerns about the traffic generated from this development funds have been allocated, by the developer, to Main Roads to facilitate intersection upgrade works. I (reluctantly) supported this application as did all my fellow Councillors. The Maryborough Planning Scheme permits this type of development so I really do hope that Main Roads will now be obligated to deal with this intersection to Gympie Rd and improve it which will benefit existing residents.

Next was a Material Change Of Use – Development Permit – Community Activities (Storage Shed)– Lions Club of Tiaro and District - Located at Inman Street, Tiaro which was agreed to.

Then we had a controversial application which is Application for Material Change of Use – Other Residential – 11 Units and Preliminary Approval – Building Works - R & A Nicholson - 309 Lennox Street, Maryborough. The Maryborough community had voiced strong opposition to this application with over 500 submissions received against the proposed units on this site. The report to Council recommended refusal and this was carried unanimously. I was very pleased with this result as I believed that the building design was inappropriate and would detract from the visual amenity of such a precious area. This decision was also a unanimous one which was pleasing. I do believe that people power is a very important component of the Development Application process.

The last application agenda item was a negotiated decision for an already approved development located at 47 Freshwater Street and Gossner Street, Scarness. Again all Councillors agreed with the officers recommendations in relation to this development in particular emphasising the requirement to have the open drain, which adjoins this development, treated in an attractive manner and incorporating water sensitive urban design principles.

So a mixed bag of development applications and the push for more tall buildings along the foreshore in Hervey Bay continues it seems.

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sue September 7th, 2008

The afternoon was very successful. We met the Get Up torch and I was lucky enough to carry it a little way. We made a huge sign on the beach to voice our opinion about the dam. I still think that Lindsays run was the best thing to happen though. What a brave effort from a man doing his utmost to protest against a stupid decision to dam the Mary river! Well done Lindsay.

• Environment & Sustainability
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sue September 6th, 2008

I find it often frustrating, sometimes pleasing, regularly annoying, monotonously depressing but always interesting to read articles in our local Chronicle about Council staff, Councillors and Council activities. I am glad that we have a local press and that we have some free newspapers in circualtion also, but I always remember two things. Firstly The media survives as a business and can only exist if it makes a profit and secondly what we read in the newspapers is often inaccurate or incorrect. 

I don’t agree that anyone, in particular our community leaders, should use the media for personal political gain. I don’t believe that journalists or editors should spread rumour and gossip. I also worry that our media focuses so heavily on negative news that we begin to believe we live in a world where everyone is ‘bad’ and that everything about society is ‘bad’. I would appreciate a more equal balance.

So to the recent stories about Council. I didn’t ‘go to ground’ anywhere as is reported today and I haven’t found any messages on my blackberry alerting me to any requests for interviews. I regularly respond to any questions that I am asked by our local journalists and am happy to do so. Yes there are personality differences within Council which is absolutely normal when you put together 11 strong minded and opinionated people and a new (to most of us) CEO and Directors and Managers. Yes it is still a time of learning about all that went on throughout all the Councils prior to amalgamation, including all the very good works that were done and also the things that could have been done better with the glorious option of hindsight. But all in all I think the Fraser Coast Regional Council has done an excellent job so far.

I think there is always room for continual improvement and an opportunity to fine tune how best we run Council meetings and ensure that we do consult with and inform our community better about the things we do. I totally agree with Ms Bates comments on Friday that Council should not be run ‘like a party room’ and I am determined to have my say and vote accordingly, based on what I believe is the right course of action and in the best interests of the community. It is important to be able to agree to disagree and move on to the next decision while respecting the views of others. I don’t think it is productive for the media to focus on negative comments and emotional outbursts. I would much prefer it reported on how Councillors vote and why they vote the way they do. Then the community will gain a better understanding of what actually ‘goes on’ in a Council meeting.

Please take what you read in the press with a pinch of humour and a peck of disbelief. I used to believe everything I read in books and in the newspapers but now I realise that what we read is often not entirely true and can unintentionally misrepresent incidents and  events. We are all human, we behave and experience the world as individuals and sometimes what we write is interpreted differently to what we mean.

I couldn’t start my morning without a cuppa and a paper to read. I enjoy learning about happenings within our community and the wider world mixed together with some great humorous cartoons and letters from our neighbours. In other words love it or hate it I still read it!

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