Sue Brooks' Blog

Sue Brooks December 10th, 2009

I thought some further explanation in relation to the decision by Council yesterday to approve a shopping centre development in Maryborough on behalf of Micky Souvlis is needed. Micky has been waiting some time to have this development approved and he applied for the development prior to amalgamation.

The problem that Mr Souvlis faced was that he was asking for a large development that would not comply with the existing and still current Maryborough Planning Scheme. If the development did comply I would have expected that it would have been dealt with under the old Maryborough City Council and be under construction by now.

Councillors were generally keen to support an extension and rebuilding of the retail centre in that location and recently we decided to ask our staff to explore any options that would see the development go ahead and still be justifiable under the Maryborough Planning Scheme. This is because the officers had recommended to Council that the application be refused.

Yesterday Council received a report with grounds recommending approval for the development with a lengthy (but not unusual) list of attached conditions. These conditions related to such things as the total floor size of the building, bulk and scale of the building, setbacks to other boundaries, pathways and driveways conditions and car parking provisions amongst others.

I moved to support the recommendation and asked that the shopping centre trading hours be amended to facilitate late opening for appropriate retailers. Cr McNeven seconded my motion. At this point Cr Dalgleish attempted to amend the motion by asking that conditions be altered to reflect a document emailed directly to Councillors, by the developers consultant, at 5pm the evening before. To my mind the document was not relevant, did not properly list actual conditions and our staff had not even had time to read it or the suggestions to alter conditions. Cr O’Connell seconded the amendment

Much debate ensued and the Mayor decided that the proposed amendment was actually going to alter the original intent of the motion to such a degree that it made the amendment unacceptable. At this point the Mayor refused the amendment. My motion to give a permit with associated ‘reasonable and relevant’ conditions was then put and was lost.

Cr Dalgleish then proceeded to move a motion that the development be approved and listed altered conditions which include a reduced setback (to 2 metres from 5 metres) to adjoining properties, reduced car parking provision and reduced requirements in relation to other works. I believe that these altered conditions make the development so non compliant with the Maryborough Planning Scheme that I voted against the motion. I also believe there are now inconsistencies within the conditions and that another delay to Mr Souvlis is inevitable due to the ad hoc approach taken yesterday by the majority of Councillors.

I do not believe that Council should be making decisions as important as a large scale retail development ‘on the run’ and that it should be disregarding the Planning Scheme and officers considered recommendations to the extent demonstrated yesterday.

While it is very, very difficult for all Councillors to be presented with what to all intents and purposes is a ‘good quality’ development being undertaken by high qulaity developers does not negate the duty of a Councillor to apply relevant legislation correctly and appropriately. When I vote on development applications it is my most serious duty to make decisions based on how I believe the relevant Legislation (Planning Scheme etc) like it or not, is being addressed. I cannot make my decisions based on whether I ‘like or dislike’ a development.

I wish the Souvlis family every success in their venture and look forward to having input into the Fraser Coast Growth Strategy. I do believe that retail and commercial development is constrained in both cities due to current planning schemes and hope that we can alter this as we move towards a new ‘Plan’ for the entire region.

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Sue Brooks November 25th, 2009

Tonight I am one of the speakers appearing at an Esplanade/ Foreshore forum at USQ at 6pm. I offered to outline the current Council adopted Foreshore Plan so will be trying to cover this in the alloted 5 mins. It will be a rush and I hope my powerpoint works and looks OK!

It will be interesting to see how many people attend and what type of questions are asked. The foreshore is always a hot topic and I hope that most of you agree with my personal views that the foreshore is a jewel in our crown, we are lucky to have such abeautiful sheltered and shady foreshore and I don’t want to see it turned into a manicured, pruned and trimmed lawn.

Council and related news..

 Recently Council decided to form an Economic Development Advisory group which has been created through the Economic Development portfolio under the guidance of Cr Gerard O’Connell. We have released our financial statements and Annual Report for 08-09 and dealt with many other issues. 

 Recently in confidential, Council dealt with issues relating to the WBWC Water Park and to USQ in the creation of the Fraser Coast Centre for Economic Development and Enterprise (CEDE). Council was asked to financially contribute to these projects. I declined to support financial assistance to the water park on the grounds that I don’t believe Council should be involved in the running of the park it being a WBWC responsibility, but I did support a limited contribution to the establishment of CEDE with ongoing support being dependent on results gained after the first year of operation.

 At the last Planning and Development meeting for the year Council will decide the future of the Souvlis retail development in Maryborough. This development is proposed to be larger than the Maryborough Planning Scheme requirements at over 2000sqm so Council has to decide how best to progress this development. It is very difficult at times to make decisions that go against the adopted Planning Scheme. I personally endeavour not to support development that is in contradiction with ‘the rules’ but it is difficult when one personally doesn’t support or like the ‘rules’. I believe retail development is very much constrained in our Planning Schemes and retailers have great difficulty in arguing the ‘need’ for their developments etc. It seems to me that residential development suffers less from such constraints.

 LAND USE STRATEGY LAUNCH

Yesterday Council launched our Land Use Strategy which is now called Fraser Coast 2031 Sustainable Growth Strategy. I have eagerly awaited this as it is the beginning of the process to formulate a brand new regional Planning Scheme. I encourage everyone to take an interest and have a say in the future development of our region. Public consultation will be a very important part of this process and will be widely promoted. It should commence in late January or February 2010. Stay tuned so that you can have your say…

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Sue Brooks November 18th, 2009

As reported in the Courier Mail …..

FIRST-home buyers could be financially encouraged to settle outside of the booming southeast corner to help shift population growth to the regions.

Premier Anna Bligh is considering a $3000 boost to the  first-home owners’ grant for people buying property outside the southeast.

The Government believes a $10,000 grant would help encourage existing residents and those moving to Queensland to buy houses in regional areas, aiding the local economies.

The policy is the first the Government has proposed to actively discourage people away from the southeast, where population growth is putting huge strains on transport, electricity and water infrastructure.

My reaction and comment…….

This is a momentous occasion if Anna is serious and follows through to develop and implement such a policy. After living regionally most of my life I have come to realise that a city with a population of around 100,000 people is a good size. By good size I mean that a city with this many people can support a good range of employment options, high quality education, health and sporting services and facilities and excellent cultural and entertainment activity.

Cities with populations smaller than this struggle to raise revenue for infrastructure and the provision of services and are very much dependant on outside assistance to service their community needs.

With a hundred thousand people a city can become much more sustainable than a smaller city can. It can reduce the exodus of its youth to ‘the big smoke’ and still guarantee a relaxed but cosmopolitan lifestyle where traffic jams and grid lock are never seen. It can, more importantly, provide its food and water services in an economically efficient and sustainable manner.

I support the move towards decentralisation and believe that it will assist in the preservation of eco systems, rivers and other important and threatened natural habitat and the fauna that lives there.

To achieve this outcome requires careful planning and I look forward to debating these issues as the Fraser Coast Regional Council investigates our future land use planning.

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Sue Brooks November 16th, 2009

What a week one could say. Firstly we had the great news about the decision by Peter Garrett to halt the Traveston Dam. The decision was, in my opinion, a sensible one and now the State Government needs to take the time and trouble to closely look at future water planning. Desalination plants are not a quick fix and I believe recycled water should be used before desal plants are considered. I would also like a discussion on what is an appropriate carrying capacity of people for our country side but I doubt that will occur any time soon.

On Friday I lunched at the Boat Club while listening to John Symond from Aussie Home Loans fame. It is always inspirational to hear the story of someone who has achieved success. His personal reasons for believing in the importance of home ownership show the power of personal adversity and how it can strengthen one. John shows by his deeds the power of hard work and dedication to a principal. I trust that the business he has launched here is a successful one.

On Friday evening I attended the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery opening of two exhibitions both of which are superb. TAFE students are to be commended for their works and I recommend a trip to the Gallery to view these beautiful exhibitions.

On Sat arvo we went snorkelling to monitor our patch of coral and the water was nice and warm and the coral and fishes ever so colourful. It was wonderful to swim in the warmer water after the chilly temps we encountered during winter.

Sat evening Graham and I travelled to Susan River to watch Guy McLean perform his last show in his home ‘town’ before embarking on a trip to the USA. Guy is an inspiration. The relationship he has with his horses has to be seen to be believed and I truly wish him every success overseas. Guy suffered a kick to his leg in the first part of his show when getting a young gelding ready for its first ride and I was amazed that he soldiered on even though it was quite obvious the kick was very painful. Norm his dad later told me when I said that I hope Guys leg was OK … “He’ll be right he’s got another one’! Typical have a go attitude which this country needs more of.  So a big thank you to Guy and the gang at Susan River for putting on a wonderful evening. If you haven’t experienced Susan River please take the opportunity to support a home grown business. I thoroughly recommend it. http://www.susanriver.com/FAMILY/Home.html

Sunday arvo Graham had the day off work so we both snuck off for a quick snorkel at Pt Vernon. The water wasn’t as clear as the previous day but both of us were still able to view lots of colourful coral and fishes. I am awed each time I snorkel to see the beautiful life that lays so close to our urban centre. Hervey Bay is truly blessed and I feel luckier and luckier, as time passes, that I live here.

Now it seems that the Esplanade/foreshore debate at USQ on the 26th includes myself as a speaker. I had better do my homework and produce something worth saying…. and maybe do some of that house work that I keep putting off and off and off…… Cheers, Sue

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Sue Brooks November 5th, 2009

I received this from a resident and thought I would share it…

“It is a shame people keep thinking that this dam is needed and the people who lose their land are required to sacrifice for the greater good. It isn’t like that. I’m sorry to keep ranting about this, but people need to realise they are being conned. Anna Bligh is now saying a desal plant has to be built now if Traveston is knocked back. That is simply not true!! The Coordinator General knows that – here’s a direct quote from his report :

“Observing that the water supply initiatives to be implemented by 2012 (inclusive of the Project’s 70,000 ML/annum yield) will place the available supply at approximately 50 000 ML/annum greater than the projected demand at 2026″ ——-P21 Evaluation report

This is worked on the projected population increase and 230L a day per person. (Hervey Bay uses about 150-160 L per person per day right?)

So based on the figures they are currently using (which seem to be different to the ones they used before – which showed they didn’t need Traveston at all – the might be assuming high population growth whereas the used to assume medium population growth) the short fall is only 20,000 ML/a by 2026 in 17 years time. So why build something expensive and risky like Traveston which is more than three times what might be required in 17 years now?? All they need to do is extend the rebate schemes for domestic retrofit and tank installation and that shortfall would be easily made up (you might recall the ISF report identified 180,000 ML/a of savings).

Please feel free to share this information with anyone you think might be interested or benefit from understanding this”.

In this day and age I fail to see why our leaders are not seriously considering the long term implications of supplying essential natural resources (clean air, water and food) to a growing population versus the capacity of our environment to provide same.

Traveston Crossing Dam is in the wrong place. It will destroy essential farmland. It will impact on endangered species and fish breeding grounds. I think the dam is an example of killing the goose that laid the golden egg. We have an essential natural resource in the Mary River and its valley and estuary. If we destroy it what can replace it? Do we forever keep damming rivers and drowning productive farm land to provide room for more people?

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Sue Brooks November 3rd, 2009

Blue skies, sunshine, the PM visiting and backing the winner. I couldn’t ask for a more enjoyable day. We decided to support the Fraser Coast Cultural Festival fund raising by attending their Cup Function at the Boat Club. The crowd was there to have fun and we all enjoyed the fashion parades and the good food.

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called in and joined us to watch the race that stops the nation. He backed Shocking as did I. I’m not sure how much Kevin had on Shocking but I was quite happy with the return on my once a year bet.

I trust that the PM is gaining a very good understanding of our health needs as this was the primary purpose of his visit. I really hope that his government makes some tough decisions to ensure a more efficient future health service is available to all of us.

Belinda, Kevin, Lisa with me at the front. Winners are grinners....

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Sue Brooks November 1st, 2009

On Friday evening Graham and I ventured down to Boondall and were thoroughly entertained by the wonderful Liza Minnelli. Pure entertainment. Liza was superb and I couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t appear in more movies. Her performance is theatrical and her ability to portray the emotions of a song marvellous. We were all blown away by her humour, honesty and skill. She ended the evening by stripping off her hair band telling us it gave her the sh*ts and donning a T Shirt. She then sang a Peter Allen ballad. We were all left wanting more…

On Saturday evening we packed up the puppies and joined in the fun at our Batty Halloween celebration at Apex Park. The evening was a fun one and people of all ages joined in the fun and dressed up. The bats had returned in small numbers so we could see the fly out also. Thanks to all the Council staff and Kerrie who helped make the evening a fun one.

Foreshore fightings….. I hope not.

It seems there is a renewed focus on asking Council to ‘tidy up’ the foreshore. A new group calling themselves the Fraser Coast Sustainable Development Association has written to Council and I see USQ and UDIA are hosting a public forum at USQ on Nov 26th at 6pm, to thrash out ideas to improve the Esplanade at Hervey Bay. Steve Dixon will facilitate a discussion at the end of some presentations. If you want to speak up at the function please email Rhonda at eastall@usq.edu.au

I look forward to the debate but have had discussions in the past with Steve Dixon and other business owners and I believe there is a view that we should get rid of a caravan park or two from our foreshore. While I believe that our treed and naturally sheltered foreshore is what makes the place as attractive to visitors and residents alike, I do want to see a much greater emphasis on weed control.

Council is currently reviewing the actions outlined within the adopted Hervey Bay Foreshore Plan so debate is timely. I personally however am strongly of the view that the preservation of our naturally vegetated foreshore is what makes Hervey Bay such a special place and I will lobby strongly to retain our caravan parks and our trees.  I do agree that weeds are dominant in some stretches of the foreshore and these need removing and replacing with naturally attractive ground covers etc that don’t restrict views. I also understand that there is a renewed push to facilitate views. As always foreshore management will be a contentious topic.

So here are some ghouls and ghosts and scarey people from our Batty event.

Ghoulish goings on

Pumpkinhead and friends

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Sue Brooks October 26th, 2009

Dear Peter.

The Queensland State Government has used dodgy science and political reasoning to justify an environmental folly. While Australian Governments continue to promote population growth I fear for our future. Yes we do need a water supply for our peoples but at what ultimate cost?

The Traveston Dam is in the wrong place. The site was chosen for political reasons and not on solid scientific evidence. The Mary River is home to protected species such as the lung fish and Mary River Turtle. The land due to be flooded, is productive farming country and the estuary an important fishery and Ramsar wetland. All these things you know.

Please do what is the morally and ethically right thing to do and give the Queensland State Government a rejection slip. No fish way can replicate the environmental factors necessary for river species survival. A dam should be built in high hilly country not in the middle of a productive but shallow valley.

I ask you to let common sense prevail and reject this flawed proposal.

Thank you for listening.

 Cheers, Sue

If we all write to Peter Garrett it can only help. We have nothing to lose after all. Feel free to copy this and send it yourself. The email address for Minister Peter Garrett is Peter.Garrett.MP@aph.gov.au

Last week was a sad one as we decided to say goodbye to our dog Jake who was 16 years and 10 months old. Jake was a faithful and kind hearted dog and we miss him dearly. The puppies are a great help though in keeping us busy and pre occupied and they keep the house filled with activity and fun. I had forgotten how funny and active puppies are and how quickly they claim a place inside our heart.

On Saturday we travelled to Torbanlea and enjoyed a day at the races. It was wonderful to see so many people dressed up for the day and having a fun time. In the evening we travelled to the Brolga for the Tourism awards. The awards evening was very well run with Sophie Formica doing a great job as MC. Congratulations to all the very worthy winners and entrants. You all work very hard to make the Fraser Coast and South Burnett region a place that welcomes visitors.

Farewell Jake. We miss you.

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Sue Brooks October 18th, 2009

Well I survived and as far as I know so did the other 99 riders that took part in the inaugural Tour de Bay this morning. The weather was fine, the riders were keen and the route magnificent. Although I decided to err on the side of caution and rode the shortest distance which was about 10-11kms, I must say I haven’t enjoyed an early Sunday morning this much… well since last I went early morning snorkelling.

The organisation was superb and what better way to raise funds for our community centre while having fun and getting fit all at the same time. Apart from nearly getting wiped out by someone suddenly opening a car door in front of me, the ride was a pleasure and the friendliness of everyone added to the enjoyment. We had elderly riders and young riders and next year I plan to ride the 26km route. Janey Richards kept me going and a few of us girls are planning to ride regularly and enjoy a coffee in the weeks to come. This should ensure we are trained up well enough to tackle longer distances. This morning took us about 40 minutes at a leisurely pace and included a stop and chat with the drink stop helpers.

I hope that the event becomes a yearly one and that next year we attract 200 + riders. Hervey Bay is really the best place ever to ‘get on your bike’. if anyone wants to add some donations to the fund raising please drop me a line or leave donations at Mind Games or directly to the event organisers per their web site. http://www.ourcommunitycentre.com.au/joomla/fundraising/bay-charity-bike-ride.html

riders ready to go

Mayor Mick

Cr Gerard O Connell, Jennifer Chapman and partner Lachlan

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Sue Brooks October 7th, 2009

I’m not a poet or all that clever with words but in response to Peter Chapman who recently implied that Hervey Bay was somewhat lacking in the heart and soul department, I can’t resist responding…

Hervey Bay has a strongly beating heart and a warm and wondrous soul. Our heart is not hard to find. You find it in all the people who pick up the litter on the beaches and roadsides without being asked, that lend a hand to a neighbour or friend in need, that smile and let you go in front of them at the supermarket when you only have two things to buy. You hear our heart beating in the people that know your dogs name (not yours) and say g’day each and every morning as you stroll along the beach or walkway, that grab the mail and papers from your yard when you go away, that send you the jokey emails cause they care enough to share a laugh with you, that volunteer at the library, gallery, meals and wheels and every where else there is a need just to help out and keep active, and that smile rather than frown and greet newcomers with a warm welcome and a ’so where are you from mate?’ Our heart is beating in the Queenslanders from here and from afar that shake their heads but smile when we ex Southerners, prattle on about daylight saving and that game we love called aerial ping pong. Hervey Bay’s heart is found in all these people.

Ah but to our soul. Our soul is found in the clear blue skies and sunny warm days, the beautiful blue ocean where fishes and coral abound, the green foreshore and bountiful parklands full of tall trees and native wildlife, the big sandy island known as Fraser and the adjoining wetlands known as the Great Sandy Strait. We see our soul reflected in the rivers that wind their way slowly through our rural hinterland and the beaches where we walk and play.

Our souls soar when we realise just how lucky we are to live in such a place as Hervey Bay. We come here because of its beauty, its wonderful climate it’s relaxed and laid back lifestyle and its community of people that come from everywhere and anywhere. Not for us the tall towers of steel, glass and concrete. Not for us the noisy traffic choked smelly streets of ‘the big smoke’. Not for us the impersonal hustle and bustle of city life. We treasure a low rise city where our children can run free and where us more elderly folk, can see out our days peacefully.

So Peter, we invite you to join with us in protecting and preserving our beautiful Bay. Hervey Bay is a very special place. We cherish it and try very, very hard to care for it. We don’t want it spoiled ‘by progress’. I am sure that you will find our heart does not beat within our buildings but it beats ever so steadily and strongly within our people and you will find that our soul is everywhere around us. Our soul is found in the warm clear air we breathe, the blue waters in which we play and the green lands on which we live. Welcome.

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