Council meeting, media watch, etc
Sue Brooks August 6th, 2009
Another busy week. Yesterday Council considered several issues ranging from car aprking issues in Maryborough to the dates for the Show Holiday next year. We also decided to repeal many old Council policies as our ‘clean up’ post amalgamation presses onwards. It is amazing how many policies are written and adopted but then tend to be left alone and gradually become irrelevant. It is a sober reminder of the vigilance needed to regularly review and update accepted practices for any organisation.
One of the recent developments in Council is the roll out of the expanded Community Environment Programme or CEP. This programme operated in Hervey Bay prior to amalgamation and now has been reviewed and expanded. The aim of the programme is to encourage community involvement in the restoration and maintenance of public ‘open space’ and to align and co-ordinate any groups wanting to carry out environment related works on the public lands which are under Council control. I applaud the volunteers that come along and help weed and plant etc to assist us retain the naturally beautiful parks that we are so lucky to have. The foreshore is a particularly important ‘park’ and we must ensure that we care for it well. If you are interested in finding out more or joining a group do let me know.
In the FCC today we see a depiction of the new entrance sign for Hervey Bay. I do think that community consultation would assist the development of what I believe are community signs rather than ‘Council signs’ and I do have some concerns that this particular sign is a bit too ‘busy’ and that the free standing bits and pieces won’t stand out against a varying background. However I have to applaud a team of hard working staff who, together with Cr Nioa, have achieved an outcome that Hervey Bay has long been waiting for.
Lastly we received an email from a disgruntled developer this week. Two complaints were made about the infrastructure charges and about perceived hold ups relating to a particular development. While I agree the infrastructure charges have increased developer contributions I don’t believe they are flawed and I don’t believe our community can carry the developer related costs that the charges are designed to pay for. In relation to the Development Application process it is a complicated beast but it is a system foisted on us by State Government and we must follow the rules as set down under the relevant Legislation. When Planning Schemes change so do the rules. So my message is that developers have to remember that what has gone before might not apply now and that, as Council should be constantly reviewing our policies, the development industry has to do likewise in relation to Planning Scheme requirements etc. Council staff are currently dealing with 4 Planning Schemes so please understand that everyone is working under challenging circumstances but that with positive communication mis understandings etc can be avoided.
- Council related issues
- Comments(7)
Sue,
I don’t know that it’s true to state the welcome to Hervey Bay sign
is what we have all been waiting for!! In the years I’ve lived in the
Bay, while talked about a few times, there has been no real push.
Now we are amalgamated I doubt the need? Do we equally erect big
and grandios signs for Tiaro and Woocoo?
I also find it funny that those people who come to visit Fraser Island
won’t even see the sign as they drive down Booral road as very many
do.
Of all the things to spend our money on, I see this as one of the least
important.
Sadman
Sadman, I hope that because we are amalgamated doesn’t mean our towns and cities need to lose their unique identities. I like welcome signs but personally prefer a simple block wall with a simply worded welcome sign and the name of the place. It’s a thing that can be done cheaply but makes me feel good to see when I drive into a place. Smaller and cheaper signs are planned for our other Hervey Bay entrance roads like we now see at the airport. Tiaro will receive a map and sign and our smaller regional towns will also be included with smaller signs like we see at River Heads etc. Hervey Bay had monies allocated in its budget pre amalgamation for the signs.
Sue,
Do you really think $90,000 for a sign is warranted compared to the
state of our roads, Maryborough’s pool, sewerage, water, Tiaro’s
roads or Woocoos every thing?
This is a purely fell good thing, I’d rather eat bread than cake.
sadman
Hello again Sue,
I think any ‘Welcome to HB’ sign is better than what we have had before …. absolutely nothing!
I noticed you stated:
“I applaud the volunteers that come along and help weed and plant etc to assist us retain the naturally beautiful parks that we are so lucky to have. The foreshore is a particularly important ‘park’ and we must ensure that we care for it well. If you are interested in finding out more or joining a group.”
I also applaud the work of volunteer environmentalists trying to control weeds and revegetate forests. However, despite being a CEP volunteer myself in past years, my past experience with this program and its practices regarding foreshore maintainance have not impressed me at all! I agree that our foreshore is “a particularly important park” (moreso than a particularly important forest I suggest), so I will be very interested to hear any new ideas you may be considering for its care and improvement.
With just a slightly different management focus for the future, most of our more populated foreshore offers huge untapped asset potential for locals and tourists alike for leisure and enjoyment. Many residents tell me they are willing to assist with foreshore maintenance activities and reduce council costs, but the current focus and CEP practices are no longer practical in the eyes of many. I’d love to hear any suggestions for positive change when you get time, Sue?
As mentioned previously, personally I would prefer a simpler and cheaper sign.
Sue
I too was disappointed with the concept sign as shown in the local rag this week. Perhaps I missed an earlier press release or something but did the public get an input into the design of the sign?
Worse still, was it designed by a local or did that get outsourced elsewhere like the council logo and other projects?
Also, you say council allocated monies for the sign in previous budgets, how come council can afford $90,000 for an entrance sign but not $50,000 for an additional Economic Development officer?
Council really must sort out its priorities when it comes to trimming the fat from budgets!
$90,000 on a sign; ‘What the ….!’
I am in shock and can’t believe that a council member would approve wasting or allocating that much money on a sign!!!!!!
No wonder my rates have gone up!!!!!!!!
Ps. I would be thoroughly interested in the answers to Ben’s questions…..though my instints are telling me due to Councils past history on these matters I already know the answers!