Major developments approved include: Expansion to Stockland Hervey Bay (previously Centro), Augustus estate master plan and subsequent approvals for stage 4-16, Wyndham Resort Hervey Bay, Torquay neighbourhood shopping centre, Maryborough aquatic centre, Pialba Community Centre, Hervey Bay Cultural Centre, Oakhurst Gardens stages 11 -14, various 6 and 8 storey residential and mixed use development along Esplanade, Wetside Waterpark, various large residential subdivisions in Doolong Flats, St Stephens Hospital Hervey Bay, Airport Industrial Estate northern and western precincts, On the Beach development Burrum Heads, Signature Building (offices) Pialba, Huntingdale Woods Estate, Nikenbah Waste Water Treatment Facility, extension to Bay Central Shopping Centre, new Ergon Depot Dundowran, multiple unit development Boys Ave Maryborough, extensions to various schools including St James Lutheran College and Riverside Christian College and Hervey Bay Christian Academy, various large subdivision applications in Doolong Flats including Doug Ring, Kega Finance, Flamingo Park Estate, Huntingdale Woods Estate, Endless View Holdings and McFies land. To name a few…

• Major developments currently being assessed include: Maryborough Marine Industry Precinct, two applications for expansion of Station Square, Mariners Cove balance area, master planned communities in the Eli Waters/Dundowran area, proposed shopping centres at Urangan and Doolong Flats, master plan for St James Lutheran College, expansion of River Heads Shops, Diamond Links golf course and resort, new Bunnings Hervey Bay, and Dolphin Waters and Gympie Securities estates at Burrum Heads.
Thanks, Sue

At the very last Council meeting for the FCRC Cr Sue Brooks advised of the recent letter she had received from Mr Warren Truss regarding the possibility of an MRI being located here on the Fraser Coast. The Honourable Mr Truss advises that we need to communicate with the Federal Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek. It seems that the Federal Government will be granting Medicare eligibility to 12 MRI units between 2012 and 2015.

Cr Brooks believes it is essential that the Fraser Coast is at the very top of Ms Plibersek’s list to receive one of these permits. “In this day and age it is absolutely unacceptable that our residents, many of whom are elderly, frail or have life threatening health issues, are required to travel to Bundaberg or the Sunshine Coast to access an MRI. Trying to get an urgent booking for an MRI scan is not easy either and it must be very frustrating for our doctors to not have easier access to this essential and lifesaving technology.

One local Doctor already has a facility and is ready to purchase an MRI machine, all he needs is the Medicare eligibility.

Mayor Mick was pleased to receive this news and promised that he would write to Ms Plibersek immediately.

“I  hope that we don’t have to wait till 2015 or even longer to receive the good news that the Fraser Coast will have its very own MRI. It is time that the Fraser Coast received the health services that it deserves. But our community can help. A petition and media campaigning will help to put us on the map and ensure that our needs are highlighted.” Cr Brooks is urging residents to also write to the Minister. “People power is a strong and worthwhile tool. Tell the Minister that we require this medical equipment sooner rather than later”.

To the CEO Ms Lisa Desmond

Fraser Coast Regional Council

PO Box 1943

Hervey Bay Qld, 4655

Send to lisa.desmond@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

And cc Michael.ellery@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

From (insert your full name and address here please)

I (insert your name here) wish to object to the DA described as MCU-121007, Part Lot 100 CP 896209, Cicada Lane, Urangan as described below.

The grounds for my objection relate to the design of the pound and refuge kennels and the lot layout. I am in favour of a new facility but would prefer a facility designed with the best modern housing options for the animals that find their way to the pound/shelter.

The kennels are designed to house dogs in concrete block and steel compounds. These kennels are not suitable for the housing of dogs long term and it is seen as a waste of Council funds to build kennels that are unsuitable to meeting the needs of dogs being impounded or housed at a pound/refuge facility.

The kennels must incorporate an open area where the dogs can sit in the sunshine. Kennels are required to have a roofed sheltered warm dry area as well as an outside unroofed area. The kennels should be large enough to house a minimum of 2 dogs together. Housing dogs in sociable pairs, where there is no risk on unwanted pregnancy, makes for happier dogs.

The sqm area per dog must be increased. The design that forms part of this DA appears to have a very small area per kennel.

There appears limited capacity for free running outdoor runs where the dogs can be safely housed but able to exercise and toilet etc outside of their kennels. Outside runs must be provided for both the refuge and pound facilities. Forcing a dog to defecate on the same floor space where it both sleeps & eats can reinforce bad toileting behaviours that carry on into the new household.

Cats need totally separate suitable accommodation with a free range large enclosure that also provides shelter and an area where cats can sunbake, socialise and toilet etc.

Respecting the needs of the impounded/refuge animals will make for more contented, relaxed & happy animals that in turn will be more likely to find a new home.

Whelping accommodation is also required.

Car parking must be in excess of 5 spaces. Currently there is often more than 5 vehicles in attendance at the pound. Council staff will require a minimum of 3 spaces and volunteers and visitors will also require car parking spaces.

If Council is prepared to spend approx.. $500 k plus of rate payers money on a new animal housing and care facility then surely it should be using a modern design that includes kennels which will minimise the stress, both mental and physical, of the animals housed within it.

The entrance to Cicada Lane is dangerous as there is not enough room on Elizabeth St to safely pass a vehicle doing a right hand turn into Cicada Lane. At a bare minimum a slip lane is required at this intersection.

1.       The application is MCU-121007, being an application for a Material Change of Use to redevelop the Hervey Bay Animal Pound and Refuge on land located at Cicada Land, Wondunna being part of Lot 100 on CP896209.

The proposal includes the following elements:

•   ·Construction of twenty-four (24) pound kennels, being 13.7 metres x 4.9 metres totalling 67.13m2;
•   ·Construction of twenty-three (23) refuge kennels, being 15.0 metres x 6.0 metres totalling 90m2;
•   ·Construction of one (1) Hydrobath to be included in one of the proposed blocks of refuge kennels,
•   ·Construction of a Reception and Administration Offices, being 15.0 metres x 6.5 metres, totalling 97.5m2, and
•   ·Construction of one (1) Pound Office, being 25.0m2 in total.

The proposed buildings will be approximately 2.3 metres in height, and will be setback in accordance with the requirements of the Urban Locality – Special Purposes Zone Code in the Hervey Bay City Planning Scheme 2006.

The proposal includes the designation of five (5.0) car parking spaces, and one (1) car parking space for persons with a disability, to be located toward to north-east of the site fronting Cicada Lane.

The proposal plans for the Pound Office include space for five (5) separate dedicated office working areas, one (1) kitchen, one (1) bathroom including toilet, basin and shower, and one (1) separate sink area abutting the proposed office space.

Both the Pound and the Refuge Kennels will be screened with Grid Mesh tack welded to the frame columns.

Yours sincerely

So to the agenda. We receive the minutes from the most recent Economic Development Advisory Committee, the Quarterly report on Councillors attendance at Conference and Industry events and decide whether to give delegated authority to the CEO regarding some Development Applications that may require a decision prior to the sitting of the new Council. Two Development Applications are listed on the agenda one for MCU multiple units exceeding 2 storeys in height at 229 Esplanade and 238 Long St and the other relates to a reconfiguring a lot from two lots to 105 lots at 222 Doolomg South Rd. I believe the first DA will be held over as it is not yet ready. As usual we deal with Questions on Notice and then make decisions on Confidential items including the Contract for the Doolong Road footpath, the Eli Waters, Dundowran Structure Plan, Mary River Flood Study, Planning Scheme workshop minutes, Hervey Bay Transport Strategy and finally two land acquisition matters in relation to land at Colyton St and Nissen St. The agenda should be listed here shortly. http://frasercoast.qld.gov.au/web/guest/2012-ordinary-meetings

ELECTION LOOMING

Yes it is that dreaded time when I have to state my case for re-election. I am supposed to convince everyone that I am made of the right stuff and deserve another 4 years in Council. I am keen, still passionate and yes I do hope to be your representative for another 4 years. But it sits uncomfortably with me to bang my own drum. I would much rather just continue working… While there is a mood for change this will be rewarded as the Council will change with 5 sitting Councillors not being a part of the new Council. I do believe I am an effective Councillor and while not always succeeding in getting everything I desire (on your behalf), a lot of the time I contribute positively to needed change.

Pre Polling will be happening from the 16th April and while this can be a boring job I will need assistance both at pre polling and on election day. Please pop an email my way if you can spare some time. I expect it will be a tough contest with 5 opponents.

As always I am still working hard to answer your queries and fix your problems as best I can so don’t hesitate to call. Take care, Sue

But I also believe we can build better roads, drains and footpaths. I recently voted against the new Council Development Manual as it removed the requirement for Developers to include a footpath in every street of new developments. I believe we can preserve neighbourhoods so as to not allow everyone to subdivide housing blocks into unit blocks etc, I believe that population growth has to be better managed to preserve road networks and sewerage infrastructure and water supply. I think we can fit some more people here as long as we are very careful where and how we place them. I believe that business must be respected and that we need a planning scheme that permits the right developments to go into the right areas with much less red tape. I believe that business is our lifeblood just as nature is and we can’t have one without the other. After all we are not about to go back and live as subsistence hunter gatherers but if we don’t protect our environment where on earth will we grow our food? I am not green, red or blue in my political leanings but rather I despair at any political party doing what is right for all of us all of the time!

Max I am sad that you believe I am an extreme tree hugger. I recently supported changes to our regulations which permit residents to have tree removed when they could fall onto their houses. Something some of our elderly neighbours absolutely fear. I have just been speaking to senior staff about our new Hervey Bay Pound as I want that to be of a modern animal and people friendly design. I am also dealing with numerous compliance and related issues directly on behalf of residents just like you. I don’t have time to hug trees.. Take care and I wish you all the best for the future.