This week in Council P&D 7 – 2009

Sue Brooks August 10th, 2009

The reason I am writing tonight is that we have a very full Planning agenda this week in Council at Hervey Bay. Decisions are required on applications including two applications for mobile phone towers (Ghost Hill and Burrum Heads), a negotiated decision response for the first stage of the Messers Land development (cane paddock in Main St), a recommended refusal for a big Granville development in Maryborough, a 6 storey building on the corner of Main St and Hillyard St, Hervey Bay overlooking Seafront Oval and lastly a recommended approval report on the large treed lot adjacent Hughes Rd and Senor Dve, Urangan.

 I worry that much of the Planning Decisions these days go by with little community knowledge as under the New Planning Scheme much more development is not required to undergo public notification processes. This is all well and good when development is aligned with the desired outcomes of our Planning Schemes but it means many of you may not be aware of decisions being made through out the area. Also worthy of note is the lack of construction following many previous approvals. It seems that the economic downturn is having a major impact on developers and many blocks of land now are back on the market or sitting quietly awaiting better times.

I do recall however a lot of community interest in the Hughes Rd development. This land is heavily treed and is largely undisturbed. The block is constrained with only one road entrance and is like an island of green surrounded by houses. The block is approx 13 hectares in size. The officers report includes a recommended approval and is recommending that the most valuable section of the land containing remnant veg, is to be preserved by including it in the development and placing covenants on the blocks. In other words, if approved by Council, there will be no public open space dedication. All the land will be subdivided and large blocks of 8000sqm will include a covenant. If you have an interest in any of these reports they are available on the Council web site and will be decided at the Council Meeting this Wednesday.

http://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/council/meetings/PLANNING_DEVELOPMENT_MEETING_AGENDA_MINUTES.shtml

I notice the reports are not yet appearing via the web site so will enquire in the morning.

 The whale festival was very well patronised and Graham and I ended our Sat evening enjoying the local Z Pac production of Fawlty Towers. On Friday we attended the Art Society awards night at our Regional Gallery and after a recent evening of opera at Gatakers Restaurant we certainly can’t complain about a lack of cultural performances and events.

TJ and me in the Council float.

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