Sue Brooks' Blog

Sue Brooks March 22nd, 2009

COUNCIL NEWS

Yet again a busy couple of weeks in Council and the community. At the last Planning and Development meeting Council unanimously voted not to support an application for development at Burrum Heads. The recommendation and decision follows.

P&D 4.2 SUPERSEDED PLANNING SCHEME APPLICATION FOR A DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE (MCU) FOR RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY USES AND RECONFIGURATION OF A LOT (ROL) ONE LOT INTO 25 LOTS – AUSTRALIAN LAND CO. PTY LTD – LOCATED AT ORCHID DRIVE, BURRUM

MOVED (Brooks / Hawes)

That the application by Burchill Partners Pty Ltd for a Development Permit for Material Change of Use for Residential Low Density Uses and for Reconfiguring of a Lot (one (1) lot into twenty-five (24) Residential Low Density lots and one (1) balance lot for Residential Low Density purposes), in respect of land described as Lot 200 SP167963, located at Orchid Drive, Burrum Heads be refused for the following reasons:

1. The proposed development conflicts with the Holiday Village designation of the Strategic Plan. 2. The proposed development will not facilitate the retention of Burrum Heads as a low-scale seaside holiday village and is not able to be distinguished from typical urban residential development as required by section 1.2.4.1 of the Strategic Plan. 3. The proposal has not satisfactorily confirmed sufficient capacity (current or future) to service the proposed development (as required by section 1.2.4.3 of the Strategic Plan) with respect to commercial and community services. 4. The Applicant has not justified overriding need in terms of the public interest for the proposal and nor does the proposal reflect any characteristics that would indicate it could not be located elsewhere in the Council area. 5. The proposal does not comply and cannot comply with the Strategic Plan of the 1996 Transitional Hervey Bay City Planning Scheme. 6. The proposal is not consistent with the intent of the Rural Zone. 7. The proposed lot sizes do not comply and cannot be conditioned to comply with the requirements for lots, including lot size, within the Rural Zone. 8. The proposal does not comply and cannot be conditioned to comply with the 1996 Transitional Hervey Bay City Planning Scheme. 9. There are not sufficient grounds to justify approving the proposal given the above identified conflicts with the Planning Scheme.

Carried Unanimously

OPINION

While it may seem counter productive in these times of economic downturn I believe it is imperative that we adhere to our Planning Scheme and set real and definite boundaries as to where we want our urban growth. This decision reflects that and I was pleased with the collective support it received within the Chamber.

Many other developments were approved but I believe we will experience a time of adjustment where the market will stabalise and demand for new developments slow. Units are one area where I believe we will experieience over supply so the question of how we assess ‘need’ for development is raised.

I look forward to our civic leaders working with our community and industry leaders, towards developing a sustainable model for our region. How many people do we want to live here? Lets grow steadily till we reach that magic number and then settle into becoming a sustainable community. This model means we would have ongoing secure employment without the booms and busts that appears to be the current system. Many Eurpoean countries have a stable poulation base and are not dependant on infinite growth! I will write more on this topic soon.

OUT AND ABOUT

So to this week. Three days in a row of meetings ended on Friday with a wonderful workshop at the Brolga. Peter Kenyon spoke about how small communities can reinvent themselves and develop thriving businesses. He was an excellent presenter and gave many members of our smaller communities food for thought. You can read about him here. http://www.bankofideas.com.au/index.html

Two very special evenings in a row were also enjoyable. Opera on the Bay on Friday evenining at Gatakers restaurant showcased the vocal talents of Daniel Kay. While we were expecting opera, as was the experience the  previous two years, Daniel was very entertaining and an accomplished tenor with a magical voice. Last night we crossed our fingers that it wouldn’t rain and grabbed our fold up chairs and settled in at the Seafront Oval to enjoy the USQ performance of Shakespeare  ’The Tempest’. An energetic and wonderful performance by USQ students. It didn’t rain and I am sure everyone enjoyed the performance as much as we did.

CENTRO

This week Council has called a Special meeting on Wednesday at 9.30am to decide on the Centro Hervey Bay plans for expansion. Because I am part owner of Mind Games, which is a Centro tenant, I have a ‘perceived conflict of interest’ and will not be present for the debate or voting on this application. I am however pleased that after all this time a decision is about to be made. I am sure many people will be interested in this decision.

STATE ELECTION

And lastly my thoughts on the election.  An expected result for Maryborough and a change for Hervey Bay. My congratulations to the successful candidates. I will wait and see how this change will produce positive results for us. It seems we will still have Traveston, Fluoride and the Dingo fence but we won’t have a Minister as personally passionate about environmental issues as was Mr McNamara. But it is a new era and my wish is that we all keep voicing our opinions and having a strong say in how we want our State managed and for our politicians to stop and do what is best for the people rather than what is best for a political party!

• Council related issues , General News
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