Sue Brooks April 17th, 2011
I notice George Seymour writing to the Chronicle about the pier again. Firstly to clarify that Council has only invited expressions of interest and has made no committment to ask anyone to tender. In other words Council is literally “fishing for ideas” and has made no committment past that.
Personally my vision for the pier would incorporate a small sheltered space offset from the pier and supported by cantilevers from the pier or via new pylons. The space would enable the selling of ”eat in” food and drink and light snacks. Real crockery and glasses and no pre packaged take away food. Maybe tea and scones and toasted sandwiches etc. The building would be designed to reflect the important heritage values of the piers past. It would ideally incorporate a loo and be a place where people could wander to and then rest a while and sit and enjoy a cuppa while taking in the beautiful vista that is our Hervey Bay. The lessee would pay to establish the venue and also pay an annual lease. The lease would include conditions about keeping the entire pier clean and tidy. Maybe this idea is not viable but I don’t think it would destory any existing shore based business.
I received a call this week from an early morning pier walker who was very distressed. She had found litter from one end of the pier to the other which included pizza boxes and other fast food wrappings! She was worried that more fast food would worsen the problem. I believe a permanent presence on the pier would improve the amenity and safety of users and help offset the cost of maintaining the pier, costs which run into tens of thousands of dollars each and every year.
Yes when a new business establishes itself it will impact on existing businesses but isn’t that what free trade and competition is all about? Isn’t this freedom what keeps business and retailers looking to do better? Will anyone complain when Hogs Breath opens its proposed restaurant? What if Spotlight or Sizzler finally open up here? Will we complain? Will there be a protest if Council agrees to more shopping centre development and new fashion and other stores come to town? Will anyone cry foul if someone wants to open a games shop in competition with my partner and my own shop Mind Games?
In other words competition is a good thing as it revitalises places and ensures that business owners keep focussing on providing the best ever service to the community. It is not competition that is causing some business to fail right now it is a weakening economy. But the survival of the fittest will see a return to a more sustainable city and region and I am sure better times are ahead. But lets encourage new thinking and new ideas and provide more attractions to encourage visitors to come and stay a while… Council is sometimes caught between a rock and a hard place. We are asked to be pro active and create new and better opportunities in town on the one hand but criticised if these ventures impact on an existing business. It is a very, very difficult balancing act but at the end of the day I want to help the Fraser Coast prosper and I do not want to see any business fail.
Sue Brooks April 8th, 2011
For those of you interested in Having Your Say via the public notification process for new impact assessable developments… there are 3 current applications undergoing the public notification process. Firstly is a development at Urangan for 3 storey multi residential units adjacent Moolyir Creek. Then there is a signboard up on the Pialba – Burrum Heads and Dundowran Rd intersection at Dundowran to advise of a proposed caravan park on land at that corner. Lastly the Hervey Bay Golf Club is asking to develop 32 housing blocks on part of the golf course. I believe the land is along the Tooth St boundary of the golf course. If you wish to be involved in the decision making process for these and other developments you can contact Council directly for further information and advice. Don’t forget you can read details online via PD Online which is available via the Council web site. Cheers, Sue
Sue Brooks April 5th, 2011
Tomorrow we decide about a petition asking for new kerb and channel at River Heads, Heritage Advisory and Gatakers Artspace Committee minutes and recommendations, attendance at LGMA National Congress, our Feb financial report, a lease for the Dept of Community Safety on behalf of the Brooweena Fire Brigade, the successful Community Grants scheme applicants and RADF applications for Round 2 as well as an update on the SEMP and the report on the Adopt A Road programme. The Deputy Mayor position is due for voting on and my response to a Question on Notice about the River Heads CEP programme on the Reserve is provided. In the confidential section of the meeting we discuss the local heritage Register and Wide Bay Building Consultants Certification Business.
Don’t forget the agenda is available via the web site.
I recently travelled to Bauple to view first hand the different sites and options available for overnight camping. I was able to speak to many residents and was provided with the opportunity to chat to community representatives as arranged kindly by Mr Marc Bromet. It does help to physically look at the sites and different areas in and around the township and also to listen to the community concerns and ideas. I am sure we can resolve this issue to best suit the township and reduce any potential conflicts between traffic and other users of public grounds. But Council is committed to more consultation and this will occur soon.
Lastly I have just discovered, courtesy of my local doctor, that I have a ruptured achilles. Limping around was getting very frustrating but after 8 weeks I am annoyed that this wasn’t discovered sooner. I may need surgery (very likely it seems) so feeling a bit grumpy. I have not had an operation since I was 5 years old and they took out my tonsils. Oh well it could be much, much worse so time to buckle up and get on with the fixing process. It will be lovely to be able to walk again properly!
Sue Brooks March 30th, 2011
Just a quick post to remind everyone that Council is asking for feedback on a Draft Tree Policy. The policy is designed to outline the Council intent in relation to managing trees on land it controls. Trees in parks and on road reserves are dealt with and I am glad to see a focus on developing a regional approach to all things (public) tree related. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Fraser Coast became as famous for its trees as it is for its whales etc? The tree policy is available via the web site so happy reading.
We are in the midst of budget discussions at this time of year and as always it is a matter of balancing needs. I notice that a group of concerned residents are advertising a rates forum for the 1st July at The Brolga. The timing is interesting as it will be too late to impact on this years budget I think. But it was reported that one of the organisers believes that the Fraser Coast has the highest minimum general rate in Queensland. This is simply not true.
Lastly a thank you to everyone who took the time to submit to the proposed new Local Laws. The next stage of adopting new Local Laws will be happening soon. Also a reminder that when only a few submissions are received as a result of Council asking for input, the people who participate in the process are the ones who are listened to. Council has a link to the Have Your Say options via the web site and it is a good idea to check what is happening at least once a month or sign up to the Council enews.
I was as sad as everyone with the news that Molly was to be euthanised. It is always sad when animals misbehave or are killed on the roads due to inadequate confinement. My dear Sharna was a Houdini dog and even knocked our sliding windows off their tracks and on to the floor to escape through the fly wire when confined inside the house. She suffered separation anxiety and a fear of any sudden loud noise. I often worried that she would end up a roadside casualty due to her fondness for ‘getting out’. Once she escaped a totally enclosed verandah that was roofed and fenced with pool fencing panels. I think she must have squeezed through the bars somehow! So while I know it is a challenge sometimes to keep dogs contained it is the Law and it is essential that we keep our animals constrained to keep them safe and to keep other people and their pets and livestock safe also. Molly had already been declared a Dangerous Dog prior to this latest incident and this fact seems to have been missed in the media reports. I watch Ceaser the Dog Whisperer on Sunday nights and it is patently obvious that many dogs suffer due to humans inadequacy at caring properly for their physical and emotional needs! Take care, Sue
Sue Brooks March 20th, 2011
Last week at Council was interesting with a very intense debate between Councillors and some strong input from the public also. While the issue of providing ‘free’ overnight camping at Bauple would not seem to be a divisive issue it has become just that because of the location selected. The Bauple recreation grounds are also the school ‘grounds’ in that the local school is adjacent the park and the students use the oval there. Nearly every public event at Bauple happens on these grounds and they are quite central to the comunity. A recently completed Mens Shed also is a new addition to the site. While everyone continues to speak of the benefits of having ‘grey nomads”and other young backpackers in their camper vans spending cost free time in the community, the cost is borne by the region. If Council supplies upgraded toilet facilities, dump points for sewerage and possibly hot water for showers, someone is paying for it. The someone is the ratepayer. While I agree that an economic return to the small business in town is a benefit I dont think the campers will swell school numbers or help keep the town sustainable. While some people are expressing concerns at the ability of Council to monitor the time that people can stay and the proximity of the site to the school children, there is no doubt that Tiaro enjoys the benefits from their ‘free’camping site. But the site at Tiaro is not adjacent the school. Hopefully a differnet site, as was suggested by Council officers, could be the solution. I am so sad that this issue is dividing the community and I hope that it will be resolved soon. Oh and what if someone wants to open a caravan park in these places? What do we do then?
There was an advert in the paper this week to notify us of the proposal to place a 6X3 ádvertising device’ in Pialba on Boat Harbour Dve. This sign will be a billboard and if you want to make comment you can do so by emailing Council or ringing via 1300 794 929. Another development application in Urangan for multi units is generating much comment with Council receiving numerous letters by concerned citizens. This is what the public consultation phase of development applications is for and I am pleased that residents are taking an interest and ‘Having Their Say’.
Pier plans. I think it would be nice to have a small ‘building’ with seating on the Pier. Last two times I walked to the end of the Pier I vowed I wouldn’t be going back any time soon. It was dirty, dominated by fisher people (which is a good thing that fishing is successful there) and had dead and dying fish strewn over it (a bad thing for me). Having to witness fish dying just because they aren’t the desired species caught and are just left on the planks in the sun to die, is not for me. I am glad the Pier is a great place for fishing but the rubbish generated is also probably some of the stuff we pick up on our walks along our beach. Maybe a small establishment that could help manage the litter and provide a pleasant place to sit would make the Pier more attractive for visitors and residents alike. I envisage that the operators would assist the behaviour on the Pier and supply a much needed service to all and especially our more elderly folk, by having a space to sit quietly and enjoy the atmosphere and views. There could also be some infrormation and interpretive displays incorporated. Other places have popular piers with sympathetic commercial activities on them and if it means keeping more shore based cafes off the foreshore, I’m supportive of the concept. I hope that business operators who are worried about the competition that could result, are the ones putting their hands up and expressing interest!
Lastly Council is circulating a Tree Policy for public comment. The policy is about managing trees on Council controlled land eg parks and road verges. I recomment that you have a look at this policy and provide feedback. I will be pleased to see the policy adopted by Council so that we can move forward in terms of street trees etc. I would love the Fraser Coast to become as famous for tree lined streets as is Toowoomba!
Sue Brooks March 13th, 2011
I had a rotten day yesterday! Reading the Sat Chronicle was going well till I discovered someone taking a swipe at me via letters to the editor. A Mr Stuart Taylor, from Hervey Bay, believes I shouldn’t be allowed to express my opinion about my religous upbringing. He says my words are prejudiced and intolerant. Mr Taylor I believe you are badly mistaken. As a public official I thought I was supposed to fight for things I believe in. I thought public officials should use their heightened public profile to try and improve the world. I also believe that it is far, far easier to continue in public life if you have absolutely no publicly expressed opinion about anything at all. This is because having an opinion means someone will always disagree with that opinion. But what has my religous beliefs got to do with my role as a community representative? Have I failed you in some way? Have I not been open and communicative? Have I not represented you properly when making decisions in Council? Do you find me untruthful or dishonest? I find your accusations unfounded and somewhat defamatory. Please describe to me where you find my words (found under Meanderings and Musings on this web site) prejudiced and intolerant? My brother was molested by Christian Brothers when he was a very young and innocent child. The result of this total breach of trust has reverberated through my family for years and years and I will never know the man my brother might have been had he not experienced such pain during his childhood! This is my own experience and it is real. But what has it got to do with my role on Council? My private life is somewhat public these days but it is what has shaped me and made me the person I am. Maybe I should do like a lot of other politicians and simply keep quiet…?
Yesterday I also attended the Reptile Workshop put on by Fraser Coast Wildlife and assisted by BMRG and other enviro groups. There was a big crowd and we squashed tightly into the Aldershot Hall to see a 2 hour slide show of the hugely varied and numerous reptiles in and around our region. I honestly didn’t realise there were so many beautiful lizards of so many colours and sizes in our natural and urbanised areas. But afterwards I came under fire from a passionate bird watcher, for the apparently unkempt appearance of the Arkarra Lagoons and Tea Gardens. In defending Council, as is my nature, I was then personally accused of not doing my job properly. Maybe I should simply smile pleasantly and agree with everyone all the time? Maybe I’m just too opinionated and driven? You see I want Council to be seen in a positive light. I truthfully believe that Council achieves much good and is using its resources to the best of its ability. I believe that Council can do better however and I continually try to ensure we improve. I nag our CEO and Mayor if customer service isn’t delivering good communication back to residents. I want to ensure our roads are well constructed and maintained, our parks kept attractive and our cities and towns cared for. I want our social services to provide opportunities for the young and the not so old. I want our finances to be managed fairly and responsibly and I certainly don’t want any of your money wasted. These are the things I continue to strive for. I’m sorry if at times I sound strident, self righteous or am simply wrong! I’m sure many people will find fault with me and disagree with me but I believe I work hard and will always try to effect positive change. I will also always try to represent this community in a fair and honest manner. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail! But I do keep trying.
So to this week at Council. The agenda contains 2 items relating to boundary changes between our Council and Gympie Council. This process is simply endeavouring to introduce common sense into the line on the map that divides the two regions and should provide better outcomes for the affected residents. Council also is notifying the review of position of the Deputy Mayor which we do every year. Council will decide on the Deputy Mayor role at the April Council meeting. There is an item to call for expressions of interest to fill Environment Advisory committee vacancies and a report on the review of Parks and Reserves in relation to overnight camping. This is a contentious issue for some communities but Council does need to ensure we have consistent guidelines to oversee this type of use on public land. We have an item on Public Disclosure Management and one on the development of local community plans. Lastly there is a lease agreement for the Bauple Rec Grounds and an application to reconfigure one lot into two and one lot into 117 lots for Doolong South Rd, Wondunna. The agenda should be available for your perusal tomorrow afternoon.
Take care and fingers crossed that we receive some more sunshine soon… Sue
Sue Brooks March 8th, 2011
Tomorrow Council has three development decisions to make. Firstly Council will be deciding on a multi unit development on land located between Hillyard St and The Esplanade, Pialba. The height of the tallest building is 5 storeys. This land is one of the few places along the Esplanade in Hervey Bay, that some high buildings are suited I believe, as it is not a residential precinct and commercial development located behind this site. Next we have an application to approve residential development on a block abutting Turrum St, Scarness and lastly we decide on the application for the proposed St Stephens hospital and medical centre in Nissen St, Urraween.
The latest Council enews edition has been emailed out so please remember to sign up if you haven’t already as it is a quick and pain free method to keep up to date with Council happenings. On a personal note I’m still limping after tearing my calf muscle in my first game of netball for a few years. Not a nice thing to have happen and then I tripped last week and aggravated the tear yet again just when I was nearly walking normally again. It is quite humbling to suddenly not be able to walk efficiently and hobbling around isn’t much fun at all. Missing out on beach walking is awful also. Maybe this is a message that I shouldn’t place my ageing body at risk of injury via a fun recreational activity like netball. Maybe it is time to take up lawn bowls or some other more sedate competitive game? But it is a very clear message to me that health and fitness is so very, very important and treating ones body with respect is something I need to concentrate on a bit harder. So I wish you all good health and a trip and fall free future!
Sue Brooks March 3rd, 2011
If you watched the TV local news last night or read the paper this morning you would be aware that many residents from The Parklands Estate in Hervey Bay, are very worried because yesterday Council approved an application from the Endeavour Foundation to construct a small saw mill on land that Wide Bay Water owns in Hebblewhite Road. When I first heard of this proposal I had the exact same reaction that the residents have. How could anyone think that a sawmill so close to residential land be allowed? But once again the devil is in the detail. Council must make Planning decisions based on planning grounds and not on economic or emotional grounds. So to this sawmill. The sawmill is a small one and will be totally enclosed in a shed designed to stop the noise escaping. Even the doorways or openings will be treated with rubber ‘”curtains’ . The sawmill will be making stakes and pallets and not milling large planks used for housing construction etc. All traffic has to access the site via Hebblewhite Rd accessed from Booral Rd and this intersection has to be upgraded. Once the mill is constructed another noise test has to be carried out and if any noise exceeds Legislated standards the mill will not be allowed to operate. The mill has been given a life of 10 years as it is expected that in 10 years residential developments will need to grow closer into this area. This is the very first time in my experience on Council, that we have conditioned a business to limit the number of years it can operate. While I can totally understand the fears of the residents that live over the other side of the ridge I do believe that Council staff have imposed strict conditions on this mill and that I will be keeping close watch to see that all these conditions are enforced. While some residents compared the mill to the Hyne Mill in Maryborough this is not a good comparison. There is another Endeavour sawmill in Churchill St in Maryborough that has residential houses all around it and Council does not receive complaints from this mill. Sometimes life as a Councillor is difficult and it is personally upsetting to me to know that our local residents are very worried and concerned about the impact on their quality of life that they believe is threatened. I am confident that their quality of life will not be threatened by noise, dust or by traffic impacts. I trust that time will tell and I am very keen to visit the sawmill once it is operational. Maybe concerned residents could visit the Endeavour sawmill in Maryborough and thus gain some more knowledge about the operation?
It was very pleasing to have the full support of Councillors to end any speculation about the proposed cafe and roadway on the Pt Vernon foreshore. Cr McNeven moved and I very happily seconded, a motion to put an end to Council even considering these options. But as a reminder to residents, Councils change as Councillors and staff change over time. So decisions made now may be changed in the future if a ‘new’ Council thinks differently to this Council. In other words I encourage residents to continually engage in the governance of their region and ensure your political representatives continually hear from you.
Dog off lead areas and dog walking areas are part of the new Local Law process. There have been changes made to the dog walking areas and these changes are found under Subordinate Local Law Number 2. I tried to copy and paste them here but can’t make it work… so please visit the Council web site. While the formal public consultation process has ended the Laws are still available for viewing and Councillors can always be contacted. So if you are concerned about the proposed changes please take the time to mention your concerns to the Councillors. It will be the Councillors making the final decision, on your behalf, as to which areas are included or not within the subordinate Laws. Personally I would like to see ”my” beach here at Dundowran from Anson’s Rd to Sawmill Rd, being declared off lead between the hours of 7am and 9am every week day. Most of the regular walkers have finished their morning walk by 7am and a 2 hour window of opportunity for some off lead doggy exercise seems like a practical idea to me. But I am but one beach user so I am interested in your input.
For other Council business feel free to peruse the Council web site and read the Council Meeting agendas and minutes. We are returning to the óld’ system of two Ordinary Meetings and one Development Meeting a month as we believed the committee meetings weren’t achieving a benefit to the decision making process. Streamlining the meetings should help make it easier also to find what you are looking for within the agendas. Councillors also don’t have portfolios and this will see all Councillors being focussed on all aspects of Council activities. It is thought that this is a fairer system and it will be up to you the community to tell us whther you agree or not. The proof as always, will be in the pudding I expect. Take care, Sue
Sue Brooks March 1st, 2011
We have our Ordinary Meeting this week at Hervey Bay commencing at 9.30am and everyone is welcome to attend.
Items for discussion include the petition response to the proposed ‘roadway’ and cafe site at Pt Vernon. I look forward to this debate and trust that the communities very strong message to Council will be listened to. Over 1500 people told us that they don’t want a road nor do they want a cafe along that section of foreshore.
Item 11.1 is a development application by the Endeavour Foundation for a low scale sawmill to be located on Hebblewhite Rd. This mill is small in size but its location this close to residences is of concern to some members of our community. We then have the Quarterly Report which outlines how Council is achieving the aims outlined in our Corporate Plan as well as our Operational Plan. The pages of this report are many but it is a very good reminder of the myriad activities and projects that Council is involved in. While Council is determined to embrace continual improvement this report really does provide me with confidence that Council is heading firmly into the future with a very good focus on regional issues and infrastructure needs in particular.
We then make decisions about a War Memorial for Poona, a Tree Management Policy, drainage works in Picnic St, Hervey Bay, a Fraud prevention and investigation Policy and an Administrative Action Complaints process. We will decide how best to manage the resulting drainage issues after our unusually wet, wet season and decide if we wish to support recommendations in relation to Constitutional Recognition for Local Government.
All in all a full agenda and a lot to digest so I had better get back to my reading and research…
PS Don’t forget to let us know if you are happy or not with the proposed changes to the dog permitted areas along our foreshore areas as part of the Local Law process. The areas are described in Subordinate Law number 2.
Sue Brooks February 26th, 2011
It might be worth having a quick look at Subordinate Law Number 2 Animal Management p13 as this section deals with the places where domestic animals won’t be allowed. Horses are mentioned also. There is a minor change from the old Hervey Bay Laws in that an area at Pt Vernon has now been included in the areas where dogs and cats etc are not allowed. Other areas include playgrounds, cemeteries, Queens Park, Botanic Gardens and the Hervey Bay foreshore caravan parks to name but a few. I would like to be able to hire a caravan and have a ‘staycation’ here on the beach front during off peak times, but without the ability to take my small dogs with me that will never happen I’m afraid.
http://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=103280&folderId=1829186&name=DLFE-36068.pdf
If this link doesn’t work simply go to the Local Laws via the Council web site, scroll down until you reach the subordinate Laws and select the animal management one. I am quite sure that any submissions received over the weekend and Monday will be considered or if you are concerned that your comments may not be included please also forward them to me. But time has almost run out to participate in the formal consultation process so if you want to have your say after the weekend, it is best to contact a Councillor directly.
The weather this morning is beautiful and I hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable time. If you can spend a dollar or two locally all the better as retailers etc are doing it quite tough at the moment. February is the recognised ‘slow’ month for retailers but it is difficult to recover after a lower than expected turn over during the holiday season. If you want to see our shops remain viable and the people they employ keeping their jobs please do try to spend locally.
Counil also voted to recommend to the State Government that we would prefer to be divisional at the 2012 Local Government Election. It will be interesting to see what happens now and if we end up with single member divisions or multi member divisions. I think it is a forward step and ensures that people are ‘locally’ represented. After all this is the layer of Government where it is easier to effect change by talking directly to your local representative. Cheers, Sue
