Summary of June Planning Committee & Ordinary Council Meetings
Summary of Thursday 8 June 2023 Planning Committee Meeting
No resolutions were passed at the June Planning Committee meeting. An update was provided on the development applications for Old Mates Farm and John Cole Toyota.
Summary of Thursday 22 June 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting
Negotiated Decision Notice
A request for a negotiated decision notice — relating to internal/external roads and electricity easement — at 188 Rockley Road, Atherton was approved.
Material Change Of Use
A material change of use was approved for a micro distillery on Harding Road, Wondecla, subject to conditions.
Reconfiguring A Lot
An application to reconfigure one lot into eight was approved for 1–3 Penda Street, Yungaburra, subject to conditions. Tenure discussions regarding the Peterson Creek Walking Track were not part of the assessment and will occur separately.
FNQ Regional Planning Committee
Correspondence from the Honourable Steven Miles MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure was received and noted. The correspondence was regarding the meeting of the Far North Queensland Regional Planning Committee in late July. Mayor Rod Marti will be TRC’s representative on the committee.
Policies
The Driveway Crossover (Maintenance Of Existing Access) Policy ensures the existing level of access is maintained to private property when work is conducted on adjacent TRC-roads.
The Media Policy ensures appropriate representation of TRC, and its decisions, actions and services to media outlets and in corporate communications.
The Digital Communications and Social Media Policy establishes the standard of behaviour expected of employees and Councillors when using digital communications and social media platforms in both a professional and personal capacity.
The Community Engagement Policy outlines the principles and responsibilities for the delivery of community engagement by TRC.
Tenders
Tender T-TRC2023-03 for the register of pre-qualified suppliers of traffic control services was awarded to Traffic Services Pty Ltd, Tablelands Traffic Control, Arid to Oasis Traffic Solutions Pty Ltd and Linemark Traffic Control Pty Ltd.
Tender T-TRC2022-04 for the Northern gravel re-sheeting program was awarded to Bono’s Excavations for $1,691,814.72 including GST.
Tender T-TRC2023-05 for the Southern gravel re-sheeting program was awarded to Bono’s Excavations for $1,594,574.93 including GST.
Tender T-TRC2022-06 for the Wet Tropics Management Authority gravel re-sheeting program was awarded to Bono’s Excavations for $670,892.19 including GST.
Permit to Occupy Application
Approval was given for a permit to occupy for a water pump and supply pipeline from Souita Falls Scenic Reserve to 67 Barter Road in Middlebrook, subject to conditions.
Declared Water & Sewage Service Areas
The declared service area maps for water and sewage services were updated. The maps show properties that are connected and able to be connected to the services.
Management Plans
The Building and Other Structures Asset Management Plan details information about corporate and community facilities, and the actions required to provide cost-effective and agreed levels of service.
The Tolga Industrial Estate and Rail Trail Reserve Project Management Plan provides governance to the delivery of a development plan for the rail trail reserve along the industrial estate.
Reef Guardian Action Plan
The Reef Guardian Action Plan was updated to ensure it supports future funding applications.
Financial Report
Operating revenue is tracking to budget expectations with a variance of just 0.3%. Total expenses are under budget by 2.87%. The employee benefit variance is expected to reduce once enterprise bargain agreement backpays are processed.
Outstanding Infringement Notice Write-Off
Outstanding infringements were reviewed as part of ongoing debt recovery processes. Five hundred and fifteen outstanding infringements worth $52,244.71 were deemed unrecoverable and were written-off.
Service Planning
A summary report of key findings and recommendations from the first stage of the Service Planning project and the project Transition Plan were received and noted.
Committees
The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee assists TRC in fulfilling its corporate governance role and oversight of financial management and reporting responsibilities. The unconfirmed minutes of the Wednesday 7 June meeting were noted.
The Cycling Advisory Committee advises Council on the creation of the Tablelands Region Cycling Strategy 2023-33. The minutes of the Wednesday 12 April meeting were noted.
Leases
TRC will provide no objection to Department of Resources for a term lease over Lot 183 on Crown Plan OL443 and Lot 216 on Crown Plan OL204 (2023/000163), subject to the road being surveyed.
A trustee lease will be negotiated with Millaa Millaa Golf Club Inc. over the golf course.
A lease will be granted to NQ Savannah Property Sales for Shop 4 in Ravenshoe Town Hall, subject to conditions.
Support will continue for Tablelands Community Housing’s Curtain Fig Project, and a lease will be considered for the land at 47 Kelly Street, Atherton.
Herberton Childcare Centre
Herberton Children’s Centre Incorporated will be asked to provide confirmation of intention and ability to commence childcare or kindergarten services in 2024, and their requirement for tenure over 2 Jack Street, Herberton. If the group does not reply, or is unable to commence services, an expression of interest will be issued for the sale or lease of the facility. A report on the outcome of the EOI will be brought to the September ordinary Council meeting.
Removal of Freshwater Crocodile From Lake Eacham
TRC will write to the Honourable Leanne Linard, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Minister for Multicultural Affairs requesting the relocation of the freshwater crocodile from Lake Eacham.
Godfrey Road Sealing
In recognition of the importance of the agriculture and horticulture industry, Godfrey Road, Kairi will be sealed when funds become available.
Leases and Licences
A report listing the outstanding and incomplete leases and licenses, dates for reassessment and renewal, and the prioritisation and actions for leases and licenses for the year commencing 1 July 2023 was noted.
Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting
The special budget meeting will be at 9am Thursday 29 June. The next Planning Committee meeting will be at 9am Thursday 13 July and the next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 27 July. The meetings are held at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street, Atherton, and are live streamed and recorded.