Archive for the 'Council related issues' Category

This week has been a busy week…

September 22nd, 2011

Council meeting yesterday was a busy one but there were no contentious issues that caused any great debate. Once again it was enjoyable to see our staff being nominated for customer service awards. This aspect of Council meetings isn’t usually highlighted and I think in todays world, we give much more prominence to finding fault than to giving thanks. So it is always gratifying to see our community taking the time to nominate our staff for providing high quality services. Well done to our nominated staff..

 We received our Financial Report, a Landfill Gas Management report (highlighting the impost that disposing of waste charges will have on our community), a report on the progress of our Land Management Plans, (which we decided were moving slowly so have asked the CEO to investigate some deadlines for these), a recommendation to invest in some more roadworks in particular at Glenwood, Maryborough and Woocoo, our Hervey Bay Esplanade Consultation feedback was received, our Fraser Coast Community Plan endorsed and our Asset Management Plans received. We also listed some items ready for Grant applications among them security cameras and swimming pool improvements, Esplanade precinct improvements focussing on the seawall and the Discovery Centre fitout. Fingers crossed we are successful. During confidential we agreed on the tender for the Maria Creek bridge replacement. I wish little bridges were not so costly!

I recently visited Glenwood for their community chat and attended the Burrum Heads Progress Association meeting last night. It is good to see the community working together with Council to get things done. At Burrum Heads the community and Council have worked to build a new skate ramp. I was listening to one resident asking another resident that lived close to the ramp if the noise would bother her. She replied that the children needed somewhere to play and that no the noise would not be a bother. Such a positive and heart warming response. I wish I heard more positive conversations like that one sometimes! The kids and the community at Burrum Heads are doing great things. Well done everyone.

Lastly I have been burning the candle at both ends as the newly elected President of the Fraser Coast Pet Warriors. We have a totally brand new committee but there is lots to do still. Organising a new postbox, insurance, access to the bank account, building databases, fine tuning the web site (a work in progress) etc is all required and being accomplished. Finding foster carers for our poor unwanted pets is the work of some excellent hard working volunteers Marie, Leesa and Denise. They are simply amazing women. I also ‘saved’ my first little pound puppy. Jazz was due to be euthanised last Monday morning so we said we would foster her. Riddled with fleas and a very bad skin rash she was a miserable sight. A quick trip to the vet, medication and lots of washes and cuddles saw a new little girl emerge. She has found a new forever home with a neighbour so I still get to see her walking on the beach. She walks with a spring in her step now and looks as happy as can be. The feeling one gets from simply saving a little innocent life is indescribable! But juggling Pet Warriors work and Council work is a challenge so please excuse me if I am a bit slower than usual with replies to your queries etc. Take care, Sue

Dugongs, turtles and this weeks Council meeting

September 4th, 2011

I wrote this letter to the Chronicle today…

Cliff Cobb (FCC 3/9/11) makes a compelling case for the need to fund indigenous rangers… until the very last sentence of his letter. In this one sentence he states that ‘we need voluntary measures to ensure traditional dugong and turtle take is within sustainable limits’. To my way of thinking Cliff undoes all the excellent argument that has gone before. You see I don’t believe there is any reason whatsoever, that any traditional killing of endangered dugong and turtle should be allowed in our region. Where there is access to alternative food supplies via shops and supermarkets, the taking of any endangered animal should cease. I am not talking about remote regions like most of Northern Australia where there are no corner stores!

I question the argument that our indigenous peoples have the right to ‘take’ these animals for cultural reasons.  Food throughout our region is easily sourced without killing endangered wildlife. If the animals are taken for reasons other than eating then I ask that our indigenous elders question these cultural reasons and examine them carefully.

As a culture advances it changes and evolves. We no longer find slavery acceptable, we abhor racism, we won’t tolerate whaling, we allow women to work (as a student leaving school there were still jobs I could not apply for because I was a female) and we realise that if we want to preserve our native flora and fauna we need to preserve our natural habitat. Is it time then that our indigenous community took a stand and decided to stop hunting turtles and dugongs in our waters?

I hope we can all work together to better protect these fragile creatures and ensure that our children’s children will be able to swim and snorkel and glimpse these wonderful creatures. I hope that as a community we can evolve and grow together and better protect the intrinsic values that make our patch of this country such a special place.

COUNCIL MEETING news

This week we sit in Hervey Bay on Wednesday at 9.30am for our Ordinary Meeting Number 16. Items to be decided include a response to a petition calling for a skate park in Brendon Hansen Park in Granville. We receive our quarterly activity report on compliance issues which contains statistics showing animal registrations and euthanising etc. Also parking and food services related info etc. We are required to update our delegating powers for the CEO in relation to the EPA and Building and Integrity Acts. We decide on a proposal to lease a building at the Arts and Crafts village in Bideford St to the Arts Council. We receive the WBWC Corporate Plan. We receive the draft Local Gov Area Pest Management Plan. But the two issues that interest me the most are two reports. One is the application to construct 32 Low Density houses on the Hervey Bay Golf Course and the other is in relation to opting in or out, areas of our region, for the State Government Exploration for resources. I look forward to some interesting debate on these issues.

The agenda should be available for viewing via the Council web site tomorrow afternoon. Cheers, Sue

Dogs. Last chance….

August 29th, 2011

Just a reminder that the dog off leash areas are still up for debate and we are asking for your input. http://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/web/guest/proposed-dog-off-leash-areas

The maps have been updated and don’t forget that there are two sets of maps. The first set is the proposed ‘new’ areas for dogs on and off beaches and some parks and the second or bottom set is the current dog allowed/not allowed areas. Council decided to extend the time for submissions to Sept 9th. Please take the time to view the maps and tell us if we have got them right or not! Although it will be possible to change the areas in the future the best time to do it is the first time so I hope we have managed to compromise and ensure we have adequate areas for those who wish to use our beaches with or without our trusty canine companions.

It was also pleasing to attend the opening of the entrance to the River Heads Reserve on Sat morning. A big congratulatons to everyone who has helped make the reserve such a lovely place, in particular the CEP volunteers, under Joanne McLaughlin and her team, who began work years ago and also ensured that the HBCC adopted a proper concept plan for the Reserve. A great result when the community and Council get together and both roll their sleeves up to get the work done.

Some discussion in the media recently about Councillors wages. I’m more than happy personally to restrict any future Councillor pay rises but it will be the new Council that does that. In this term of Council I note my income has reduced not risen and this was due to the amalgamation levy. The levy was silly I believe, as it confuses the issue of what Crs are being paid. It was designed to reduce each year. It was not our decision to have the levy but the State Government decided to apply it. Also personally speaking I feel my workload today is similar to what it was on day one but others may have a different view… But anyhow here is my gross pay.. as per the FCRC Annual Reports.. And yes I am sure some of you will believe that Councillors are over paid……

Gross pay for myself                                      2008-2009 Financial year = $82,739

  “            “     “                                                       2009-2010 Financial year = $82,454

*From annual wage statement for tax   2010-2011 Financial Year = $82,599

Yes there are variations with expenses added on and this will be noted in the Annual Report as it is every year.

See you soon but you can also meet me on Facebook for day to day updates via Councillor Sue Brooks. I tend to use Facebook more than web sites these days…

Council Meetings and dogs and cats and sand not being pushed… yet!

August 18th, 2011

Yesterday we decided to extend the consultation for the Maryborough CBD in relation specifically to the Adelaide St area. I believe we do need more input from the residents and we do need to try and get a clear direction whether people do want a one way section here. We have decided to design plans for Kent St upgrading but have not yet budgetted for these future works.

We also decided to extend the community consultation for the dog off leash areas. The areas along the foreshore were proposed to change in some areas and this has caused confusion. The fact that the maps available to demonstrate the changes were very poor and it was hard to see what was changing, didn’t help the process. Council has decided to tweak the areas in view of the responses received so far and provide clear maps that show what is being proposed. Can I also remind everyone that the areas of our beaches that are currently unsigned mean that dogs can be walked only on leash. I think people believe some areas of our beaches are dog off leash now.. and they aren’t! When the process is complete and we have settled on the new areas I will be asking that appropriate signage be installed to better advise people of what is allowed or not. We have extended the off leash areas and made some of these areas timed off leash. So please check the Council web site next week for further details.

The other important item is a Development Application to build 32 houses on the Hervey Bay Golf Course. Councillors decided to defer this report so if you are interested, and I hope you are, please read the report and provide your thoughts. The Golf Course is zoned as open space so I am not sure if I want to see this highly valued open space lost to golfers.

Council also received our financial report, commuity and culture report and a report suggesting changes to the Hervey Bay Aquatic centre entrance prices which will provide better discounts to those in need of them.

We also received a report that outlined the difficulties in obtaining State Government Departmental approval for sand pushing. While the Hervey Bay foreshore between Urangan and Pt Vernon is given the green light to progress with the application the rest of the coast has received a red light. Council was disappointed with this outcome and is endeavouring to set up a delegation to go and sit with the State Government Ministers concerned to try and solve the problems. It is layers of legislation that mean we are losing layers and layers of beach and sand! A very, very frustrating process but at least it is all happening publicly. Feel free to peruse the report which is on the Council web site, Item 11.6. While the State Government has written saying we need to provide more information we do need an indication that providing more information will bring a positive result. At Burrum Heads last night the residents tell me they have asked DERM to provide the scientific evidence as to why the Fish Habitats here are Habitat A and Habitat B? So far they haven’t received an answer. I’m keen to know the answer to that question also.

Lastly it was with great pleasure that Council received a petition calling for compulsory cat desexing to be introduced via our Local laws. In just 10 days 800 plus signatures were collected. The petition is still available and will be circulating for another couple of weeks. I am thrilled that so many people agree with me that it is time we tried to do something to stop all these unwanted litters of kittens.

Take care and do visit me via Facebook. Till next time, Sue

Cat desexing. Bring it on please!

August 9th, 2011

Wonderul news to hear that our community is getting behind a petition that asks Council to introduce stricter controls on cats. Fraser Coast Pet Warriors, Maryborough Animal Refuge and Fraser Coast Wildlife are all helping collect signatures. The petition is a response to the new Local Laws process and requests Council to ensure that cats and kittens are desexed on any change of ownership. This will mean existing cat owners will not need to do anything but all cats and kittens being sold or given away will be required to be desexed unless used for breeding. Breeders will need a permit. While this seems like a fairly harsh requirement I am utterly sick and tired of the many little tiny lives that are lost because there are not enough homes for all the kittens being produced either intentionally or unintentionally. My two mature cats are a brother and sister born to my daughters cat. The mother cat was only 5 months old when she became pregnant much to our surprise and dismay. 12 years later I still have the offspring.

The petition is available at Mind Games in Pialba Place (yes this is my shop..) , the Maryborough Animal Refuge and if I hear of more places I will let you know. If you want a copy please email me or print out or copy this that follows…..

To the Chief Executive Officer and Councillors of the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

PO Box 1943 Hervey Bay, Qld, 4655

I write to you to voice my support for the introduction of compulsory cat desexing.

I/we the undersigned, request that the Fraser Coast Regional Council introduce mandatory cat desexing requirements via the new Local Laws (or by whatever other suitable means), as soon as possible.

I/we believe that the number of unwanted cats and kittens currently euthanized and/or dumped throughout our region is unacceptable. We believe that animal ownership should be a privilege not a right. I/we believe that it is socially unacceptable that cats are allowed to breed indiscriminately resulting in a surplus of kittens that cannot be homed. While education and incentives to desex cats and kittens are welcome and necessary, their impact alone is not sufficient to combat the problem of overpopulation of cats and kittens within our region. Cats that are dumped become feral and are causing ongoing harm to our unique and precious native fauna.

I/we request that Council introduce a law (or laws), that require every cat or kitten to be desexed (or booked into a vet to be desexed), on transfer of ownership via selling or giving away or any other means, unless via a registered breeder. Cat breeding must be regulated by registration of all cat breeders with suitable requirements relating to the number of cats per property and their housing requirements etc.

Thank you for your time and consideration to this matter.

Date:

Name and Address:

Signature:

Waste Not Want Not!

August 8th, 2011

I note that the Indy editor and a Council candidate or two, believes Council is guilty of waste. While there is much diversity of opinion on what projects should be prioritized by Council and which should be shelved or completed sooner, especially in the area of roads, drains and footpaths, it is a difficult task to balance conflicting desires while honoring commitments made by the 4 individual Councils prior to amalgamation. Not forgetting that rates income needs to be distributed fairly and provide a fair level of service to our entire community, which in itself is a challenge. The community has made it very clear that they want to retain their facilities so projects like the Maryborough Swimming Pool have been pursued with a combinationn of rates and other funding.
 This Council has inherited a large geographical area containing two large cities and many smaller towns with many roads, drains, sewers and other infrastructure that needs upgrading or constructing. This Council also inherited monies that were already earmarked for projects such as the Community Centre and Library extensions (new Gallery) in Hervey Bay. Prior to amalgamation Tiaro had money allocated for bridges etc to name just one example of prior commitments! Sometimes it is forgotten that the Capital Budget includes monies saved and carried forward from one year to the next to enable expensive projects to be paid for over a period of several years.
Council also has had to operate under restrictions placed upon it in relation to staff retention for the last 3 years. We may not be perfect but I don’t think this Council has been wasteful. Not everyone will agree and not everyone can get what they want but I think we have done a pretty good job considering the challenges we have faced.

Going to the Dogs!

July 30th, 2011

It is very important to all our beach walkers, to have a quick look at the proposed changes for dog walking areas throughout the Fraser Coast. These areas are being updated and administered as part of the new Local Laws process and feedback is being requested up to Aug 15th. Here is the link to the information on the Council web site. http://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/web/guest/proposed-dog-off-leash-areas

Annoyingly the area at Tooan Tooan Creek East of Main St and opposite Apex Park in Hervey Bay seems to have been missed out on remaining as an off lead area. Firstly my apologies as I didn’t realise this had been changed via staff processes prior to the recent Council Meeting or I would have enquired as to the need for change at that time. I understand many people do use this are as an off lead beach and it is well suited to that purpose. It is away from the more frequented bathing beaches and not the best place to swim seeing as the creek is more a drain than a creek these days! I will be asking that this small area be returned to off leash status. In other areas dogs are totally banned or allowed on leash and then we have some other areas where dogs are on leash during the day and allowed off leash from 4pm to 8am. I understand that it will be difficult to suit everyone but I hope that most of these changes do suit the majority of our beach users.

But it is also important to take the time to ask questions or read through the new drafts of these Local Laws as they are difficult to change once in place. I am still hopeful that the Fraser Coast will mandate cat desexing. Wouldn’t it be exciting to be the first Council in Queensland to do this? I suggest that cats are not allowed to change ownership (sold or given away) unless desexed or booked in to be desexed, with the only exception being breeders. Breeding would then have added value and we would greatly reduce the number of unwanted and gone feral cats and kittens in our region. Now is the time to be heard if you agree with me as there is nothing yet added to the Laws about this and only a very, very strong public voice will see it happen.

On a personal note we visited Mission Beach for a very short break last weekend. It was terrible to see the damage that Cyclone Yasi had wrought with hardly one tall old tree left standing for kilometres and kilometres. Instead of a green shady forest and foreshore that I remember so fondly, there is sunshine and palm trees. Yes palm trees survived the best which is another good reason why they should be included in all foreshore plantings. Graham and I took two lovely morning nature walks through the national Forest Parks and we were ever so lucky to come face to face with a juvenile Cassowary. It wouldn’t budge off the track and we didn’t want to go back the way we came so we bravely crept forward until ‘Cassie’ decided to detour off the track for us. It was an encounter I won’t forget and you can see photos on my facebook page. The other interesting thing is that human feeding of Cassowaries is causing the same problems for their survival and threat to human safety as is human feeding of dingoes on Fraser Island. Also I was pleased to note the big red signs that the Cassowary Council has erected to deter foreshore vandalism. Like our big blue sign at Pialba. We are ever so lucky to have survived the summer so well and the Fraser Coast is faring no worse than Nth Queensland in terms of a sad economy so let us be glad we live here and keep helping to make our region the best region in Queensland.

Yesterday I drove to Walkabout Creek at Mt Nebo to attend the 40th Birthday FIDO conference. The Save Fraser Island Defenders Organisation has been around for 40 years now and John Sinclair is still fighting to proect the island. Kate Jones made a quick apperance as this is her electorate, and she sounds as positive as ever and is also personally concerned about environmental protection as we mine more and grow more houses etc. The conference was worthwhile but the drive there and back tiring and frustrating. As readers may be aware I don’t tend to drive slowly and being made to travel at 90kmh for many kilometres with little chance to overtake can be frustrating when one is stuck behind someone doing 75kmh! Patience is something I am developing much more of as I age but it was sorely tested yesterday….. But now there are big flashing signs telling you YOU ARE TAILGATING – BACK OFF NOW (this just 500m from the first overtaking lane with me and another car waiting to get past the 75kmh traveller), and YOU ARE SPEEDING – SLOW DOWN!  (this when I just couldn’t stick to 90 and accidentally crept up a bit….oops). So watch out as there are many electronic eyes on that dangerous stretch of undivided highway…. But earlier we all crawled along for 5kms or so to pass an accident at the Bribie exit. It looked nasty with ambulances etc there and was an excellent reminder of how careful we have to be while driving.

Take care, keep safe and try to find the time to take a look at all things Council and Have Your Say. Cheers, Sue

Council Ordinary Meeting No. 13

July 19th, 2011

This week we meet in Maryborough and have a not too heavy agenda. Firstly we have our regular customer service awards and also a presentation to us by Paul Coffey from the Honiara City Council about the computer project. I look forward to learning more about this.

We then receive reports about previous Council resolutions and the Quarterly Report about attendance at Conferences and Seminars as well as deciding the Show Holiday for next year and the Investment Policy for Council. We move on to decide about the Local Laws review and the outcomes of the recent consultation on electoral divisions. There is a report about a temporary closure of 62 Burgowan Rd and also about the disability beach access options for Hervey Bay and a proposal to forward budget to complete the extension of Picnic Street in Hervey Bay to meet Boat Harbour Drive. It will be good to finalise the beach accesses as this issue has taken several years to be resolved. There are questions on notice to be answered and one item in the confidential section of the agenda which is in relation to the purchase of land.

Don’t forget that Facebook is also an easy way to communicate and I tend to use it more these days than I do this web site. I started a Facebook page called Councillor Sue Brooks so that I could keep my Councillor life somewhat separate from my personal life and feel free to friend me and ask questions and make comments via that means if you are a facebook user. I must also find the time to meet with my wonderful web guru and update this site. Time is moving so swiftly it is hard to believe we are over half way through 2011. Take care and keep safe and let me know if you have any concerns. Sue

Council Meeting tomorrow July 13th

July 12th, 2011

It is a Planning and Development meeting tomorrow and a not too large agenda. Reports include an application to give Council permission to redevelop the Maryborough Swimming Pool. This is normal procedure as Council has to follow SPA rules itself when undertaking our own developments. It is exciting to see this important project come closer to reality. Then we have the applicaton to subdivide the Arkarra Tea gardens at Dundowran Beach. The officers recommend this land be subdivided into two housing blocks! Sad to see this happen but from my reading the outcome is in line with our Planning Scheme so it is difficult to argue against it happening.

In confidential we will discuss the Local Heritage Register Stage 2 places. Another somewhat contentious issue so I do hope the outcomes meet community expectations. Property owners worry about the possibility of restrictions being placed on their properties but once again I remind everyone that Council is obeying State Legislation to adopt this register and I don’t believe it will be an impost on anyone and provide for the preservation of some important places.

The agenda should be available live on the Council web site. Cheers, Sue

PS I hate this cold so glad to see the sun shining now. Makes me appreciate summer much more and the fact I chose to come and live in sunny Queensland. How I ever survived Ballarat weather astounds me these days… Cuddle up and keep warm and see you out and about one day soon. I’m walking on the beach again and enjoy it so much even if it is chilly. We really are lucky to live here and I am so glad to be able to walk around again. I vow to try and take care of my body as well as I can as I don’t enjoy it when I break bits of it!

Footpath woes

June 20th, 2011

I am saddened that given the opportunity to ensure that a developer builds footpaths, Council continues to not mandate footpaths. Many of us grew up being pushed in our pushers to the local shops along concrete footpaths. We rode our tricycles, furiously pushed and peddled our peddle cars and wobbled our way uncertainly onto two wheels when learning to ride a bicycle. We gained the odd scabbed knee but we didn’t have to contend with cars.

My elderly father still takes a walk with his trusty canine companion, safely down the very same footpath that I grew up using. This pathway has required but one upgrade in the 50 years or so since it was built!

Why is it that in our ever faster and busier residential neighbourhoods no child will get to safely experience playing on a smooth footpath separated from the cars? Surely we should be incorporating footpaths into every new development on the Fraser Coast.

Recently I voted against the new Development Control Manual because it does not require developers to include footpaths in new developments. I tried to amend this manual but failed. I also asked Council to include footpaths in the recently approved final stages of the ‘”On The Beach’’ development at Burrum Heads to no avail.

I don’t want to walk on a road where cars and trucks whizz past. I don’t want to drive home and have to dodge young children ‘playing’ on my road. They have to use the road as there are no footpaths where I live.

So if you agree with me and want footpaths to be included in new developments now is the time to tell Council. It is never too late to ensure we build safer communities for the children of the future and for ourselves also. After all one day we will all be more frail and less inclined to want to play dodgem with the traffic!

AMENDMENT ( Brooks / – )

                   That Condition A-51 of the motion be amended as follows:

                    A – Condition 51

 Construct a minimum 1.5m wide concrete footpath and associated pram crossings be provided on one side of each internal road within the development site and Volute Way to link with the existing footpath infrastructure within Barramundi Drive.

                                                                     LAPSED FOR WANT OF A SECONDER

                                                                                                 Ord 11/669/06/11

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