Sue Brooks' Blog

Sue Brooks July 16th, 2010

Well this week saw the first time that the FCRC conducted two formal Council meetings under the new committee structure, on the one day. The first meeting was our Ordinary Meeting where we ratified the minutes from the Environment and Infrastructure Committee meeting and then we held the first Community and Development Committee Meeting. A long day broken up by the enjoyable presentation of the Ergon Tidy Towns awards for our region.

So to the outcomes. Council decided to acknowledge that the sensible way forward in relation to making a decision on circus animals is to include the issue as part of the upcoming Local Laws review. The ‘new’ Laws do go out for public consultation so it will provide an opportunity for our community to contribute feedback on this issue. Meanwhile we are asking the LGAQ to progress the issue at a state wide level.

The Volunteer Propagators will be relocated within the Botanic Gardens grounds to a new area where they can continue their good works at growing local plants and trees for public use. The loss of two trees to facilitate the move is sad but the trees will be replaced with new, and double the number, of  trees.

Council heard from some concerned residents unhappy about the way the Environmental Levy has changed under the new budget. They voiced concerns that the Levy was not now used for the purchase of land even though it had been raised to $25 a property. They are also concerned that there is no money earmarked for land purchase in the next 10 years. I personally don’t agree with the rise in the cost of the Levy as well as the changed focus of it and voiced my opinion (as minuted) when Council adopted the budget.

Council voted together on all the other items that we dealt with apart from the request via the UDIA to extend the discount period for infrastructure charges. While I was hesitant but supportive of a roll in phase and discount period so that developers had time to adjust to the new charges, I don’t agree that they should be given extended discounts. I voted against giving the extension of time as I believe the entire community cannot afford to lose the revenue that won’t be collected and the entire community will have to bear the costs of providing the needed infrastructure in the future.

Council did agree to provide discounts to two other projects under the current policy. Council also discussed the proposed St Stephens hospital building in Hervey Bay and I was saddened to see in the Chronicle today, a front page story about this project, apparently quoting from two Councillors. The discussion was held in confidential as per the LGA guidelines, due to the commercial nature of this development. I am not sure the Directors of the Board of Uniting Care Health will be very impressed with the resulting media speculation.

Feel free to peruse the agenda’s and minutes of the Council meetings on the Council web site and while you are there don’t forget to join up to receive the free and easy to get, electronic enews. If you want to keep in touch with all things Council this is a quick and easy and painless way to do it.

Lastly the 5 baby Guinea Fowl are thriving and are now over 2 weeks old. I have been offered a new home for them on a 10 acre property so in another 2 weeks they should be ready to go. I am sure they will enjoy their new lives where there are already some Guinea’s in residence.

5 baby guineas 2 weeks old

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