Last Council Meeting for this year and other stuff
Sue Brooks December 12th, 2011
Well another year nearly over how time flies. At our last meeting we will receive reports about a drainage issue in Woocoo Park, the Economic Development Advisory Committee minutes, the Quarterly report on the implementation of the Corporate Plan and Operaional Plan, which helps us track our progress, a Policy review as a result of the new Local laws which we adopted last week, our Financial Report, Local Disaster Management Plan Vol 1, and in confidential we will decide on some proposed amendments to all 4 Planning Schemes in relation to priority Infrastructure Plans.
Mostly non contentious issues which might be a nice way to end the year. But wait theres more… On Wednesday evening there is a community consultation meeting regarding the Eli Waters Structure Pan. This area of land is the large lot between Eli Waters and Anson’s Rd, Dundowran beach. The structure plan will guide how this very low lying land may be developed. I recommend anyone interested attend the meeting at the Urangan Community Centre this coming Wednesday at 6pm. There is also time to have your say so watch the Council web site for details.
Also of interest to those of us at Dundowran and further afield is a proposal to change the caravan park development application on the corner of Anson’s Rd and the Pialba Burrum Heads Rd to a residential development of half acre blocks (Park Residential) and include a Club and sporting facilities. I personally believe the concept is a better fit to that piece of land than a caravan park but please tell me what you think. I don’t believe a DA has yet been lodged but I am aware that many community members did submit against the caravan park application.
Now that Divisions are decided I find that people power won through and from Burrum Heads to Dundowran is now all included in Division 5. I have already confirmed my intention to nominate for this Division. I am very keen to see this area well looked after while maintaining our wonderful lifestyle. We really do live in the best part of the Fraser Coast… and am I biased? Most definately! Thank you to all the residents who did take the time to make a submission.
Lastly, due to the recent media headlines, I mention my role as President of Pet Warriors. It is a role I did not ask for and would prefer not to have! I was asked to step into the role when the organisation was about to disintegrate. All groups and associations require diligent committee members and Pet Warriors had struggled to attract responsible committee members as do many organisations these days. But I don’t run away when the going gets tough. Pet Warriors is saving many 4 legged lives and it will continue to do so. I am personally determined to ensure that this group of hard working volunteers receives the support it deserves and that the organisation is run openly and abides by all required legislation. I am absolutely gratified and thankful for the new level of support that recent publicity has given us here at Pet Warrior world. To all of you that have come back on board to foster a pet in need, my deepest appreciation and to everyone else for your emails and calls of support, on behalf of our committee I thank you. Yes Pet Warriors does take up my time but it is time that I used to call my ówn’ time! Council is my first and foremost responsibility. I have zero spare time these days it seems.. Take care, Sue
Take care, Sue
- Council related issues
- Comments(6)
As regards the Eli WWaters structure plan – as you say Sue this is very low lying land. Before the elevated roadway across it the entire area and the low road would go completely under water after prolonged heavy rain. Now residents beyond the first hill can get in to town on a virtual causeway through the lake. If this land is ‘developed’ – as it surely will be, developers being by and large a greedy bunch of get rich quick artists – the eventual occupants of the ‘entry level’ hummock and canal housing estates banged up there for a quick buck must be informed that sooner or later they will be paddling and they should not come running to Council for remedies. You cannot drain land as low as this without windmills and dykes, Dutch fashion. Now ther’s an idea for the developer – Zuider Zee Estate. Waterfont for every house – in the main bedroom.
Maybe it would be better to turn it into another ‘tourist attraction’ – an antipodean everglades .
Hi.Sue,
I was under the impression that the caravan park was to go on the corner of Dundowran Road, and Burrum Heads Road where the signs were put not Anton Road. What is that land going to be used for eventually, land gets drained to the sea, put to good use, if engineers do a proper job can,t see the problem, there are quite a few people that don,t like change in Hervey Bay but as this area is growing at a fast rate we certainly need facilities closer, like the Boat Club, sporting facilities, lawn bowls and the like, the tennis club is well attended, I wonder how many people attended the meeting held in Urangan? we didn’t, it is too far for us at night with the petrol cost being that it is and after speaking to the people in our street, they would certainly patronise the clubs, we like to play bowls but for the same reason, running costs, we have had to shelve it.
Have a good Christmas and New Year,
Bev Stanbrook
Hi Bev. Yes the proposed club and park residential debelopment is designed to replace the aravan park proposal. So it is on the land at the south east cnr of Dundowran Rd and the Pialba Burrum Heads Rd intersection. I would prefer this type of development at this location as it does not adversely impact on any homes nearby. I personally prefer the concept to that of a caravan park and yes it would be nice to have some facilities here but I detest pokie machines so that is a problem for me… The land is zoned rural and so is not earmarked for any development within the current planning scheme. The intersection at that location will be upgraded if any development occurs to make it safer also. I would not like to see any high density development close to our peaceful existing Dundowran Beach residential developments how ever. But it is time for the residents to think about what they want and to tell us. Cheers, Sue
Sue,
I’d suggest before any one comments on this proposal they peruse the flood maps for the area. As you mention this land is not in the current planning scheme. It is also some 5 Kms from the nearest sewerage main and I’d like to know who would pay for such connection, the developer or the council?
There are still hundreds of vacant lots in the HB area a lot closer to all facilities, there are still many existing roads without kerb & channeling and places like Howard unsewered! Let’s fix up what we have before creating another floating city.
Yes this land is zoned rural but it is high land and not as low lying as is the land to the North which is in the Emerging Communities zone. The structure plan for this land clearly demonstrates the challenges of developing this low lying wetland. Much of the block that the owner wishes to develop is high land on the side of a hill. The proposal is for Park Residential development (min lot size 2000sqm) which does not require sewerage. The land is diagonally opposite already developed Park Residential land. There is a cane paddock between this land and the further development to the East of the Craignish store. Developers pay for the roads, kerb and channel, sewerage when required, water mains etc. The community pays for any impacts on existing networks once the land is occupied but the new residents also contribute by way of rates. If we are to develop land to the West of Eli Waters etc then the higher land between the Burrum Heads Rd and Lower Mountain Road would have been the sensible way to go. But that is not how the Planning Schemes evolved as people desire to live closer to the sea. I believe in protecting existing residential amenity and lifestyle and also in protecting valuable natural habitat including wetlands. The majority of residents indicated that they don’t want sewerage and this was why it hasn’t been progressed. Maybe that will change and then the entire community, together with individual property owners, will need to pay. Also with new kerb and channel. The entire community pays for infrastructure that wasn’t mandated when the land was originally developed.
Sue,
I do not care if the proposed blocks are 2000sqm’s or 4000sqm’s the run off filters down to the lower blocks. The bigger the subdivision the greater the run off. Add to this the qualityof of the septics (that is what they are), more upmarket but still septics.
The lack of maintenance and the fact that many people do not know what can and cannot be used with them and you have a growing problem.
Your last sentence Sue, is the very reason this project should not go ahead.