Summary Of July Planning Committee & Ordinary Council Meetings

Summary of Thursday 13 July 2023 Planning Committee Meeting

Reconfiguring A Lot

An application to reconfigure two lots into four, and one-way road access, was approved for Railway Lane, Atherton, subject to conditions.

Peterson Creek Walking Track

A report providing details on the process and options available for taking ownership and responsibility over the Peterson Creek Walking Track was noted.

Summary of Thursday 27 July 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting

Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) Development Manual

Proposed changes to the FNQROC Development Manual will be available for public consultation between 12 August and 15 September 2023. The manual is a comprehensive set of guidelines and specifications for carrying out civil engineering work within the FNQROC local government areas.

Updated Economic Development Strategy

The Economic Development Strategy 2023–26 outlines how TRC will support economic development in the TRC Region and deliver on its objectives.

Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference

Mayor Rod Marti and Councillor Dave Bilney will attend the LGAQ Annual Conference as delegates, and Councillor David Clifton will attend as an observer. TRC will present eight motions covering the Queensland calculation methodology of Financial Assistance Grants, removal of water licences from land valuations, guidelines for rating to be mandatory, change in the frequency in land valuations, mandatory training to nominate for local government elections, declaration of and funding for Navua Sedge, mechanisms for review of population projections, and legislation for indemnifying water and sewerage providers from perfluoroalkyl and poly fluoro alkyl substances liability.

Advance Cairns

A report was noted on Advance Cairns’s agenda for 2023–24. Advance Cairns is the independent non-government advocacy and economic development organisation for Tropical North Queensland.

Local Government Sustainability Framework

A letter from Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning on the new Local Government Sustainability Framework (LGSF) for Queensland councils was noted. The LGSF establishes a holistic approach to monitoring Council sustainability and considers operating environment, finances, asset management, governance and compliance.

Committees

The minutes from the Monday 3 July Priors Creek Steering Committee were noted, and the committee membership will be expanded to include all Councillors.

The minutes from the 2022–23 meetings of nine advisory committees were noted. The advisory committees assist Council in understanding current and changing community needs, provide options, and inform decisions based on specialist knowledge and experience. The advisory committees were Atherton Chinatown, Herberton Mining Centre, Herberton Mining Centre Gift Fund, Malanda Falls Visitor Centre Gift Fund, Ravenshoe Visitor Centre Gift Fund, Regional Arts Development Fund, Rocky Creek War Memorial Park and Tableland Regional Gallery.

The Inclusion Advisory Committee Action Plan 2022–23 Annual Review was noted. The Inclusion Advisory Committee advises TRC on access and inclusion.

Permanent Road Closures

Two sections of Powley Road, Barrine and a section of Cloutier Road, Carrington will be permanently closed.

Contract Extension

The contract for compliance sampling, testing and reporting for waste and sewage treatment plants with NRA Environmental Consultants was extended for 12 months for $361,368.65 including GST.

June Preliminary Finance Report

Operating revenue is tracking above budget expectations due to receipt of the full 2023–24 Financial Assistance Grant in June 2023. Expenses are tracking close to budget.

Community Grant Program

The 2022–23 Community Grant Program provided $61,499.95 of funding to 63 not-for-profit community groups, 37 youth and five high schools.

Herberton Mining Centre & Mine Site Reports

Reports identifying issues and opportunities for the Great Northern Mine Site and preservation of the Herberton Mining Centre’s museum collection were noted.

Easement

Support will be given for the formalisation of an easement over part of Lot 248 on COP895988 (recreation reserve) in Herberton for the purpose of sewerage treatment.

Purchase of Council Land

RC will not sell Lot 7 Main Street, Tolga as the land has strategic value for future infrastructure.

Malanda RSL Sub-Branch

A licence agreement will be negotiated with Malanda RSL Sub-Branch over part of 5 Elizabeth Street, Malanda, and trustee suitability of the Sub-Branch will be investigated.

Council Representation On Advisory Committees

A report will be prepared for the August ordinary Council meeting on the participation of Councillors in all advisory and steering committee meetings.

Council Remuneration

The recommendation of the Local Government Remuneration Commission for remuneration for Councillors from 1 July 2023 was accepted.

Lease Renewal

The lease with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services over part of the Community Education and Disaster Coordination Centre will be renewed.

Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting

• Agendas
• Minutes

The next Planning Committee meeting will be at 9am Thursday 10 August and the next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 24 August. The meetings are held at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street, Atherton, and are live streamed and recorded.