Summary of Ordinary Council Meeting Thursday 27 February 2025
Petition
A petition was received from residents of Mountainview Drive, Atherton for the removal of Cadaghi Trees on the road reserve. The policy position of trees on road reserves in urban areas will be reviewed and a report presented to Council.
Mayoral Minute
Mayor Rod Marti welcomed CEO Dr Nikola Stepanov to Tablelands Regional Council.
The CEO will conduct a comprehensive review of the customer request management system, and the road maintenance and gravel resheet programs.
CEO Report
Dr Stepanov presented her first CEO report that identified initiatives and the status of key projects.
Minor Change of Development Approval
A request to remove a condition to fence existing farm dams for an approved development at Davies Road, Malanda was refused.
Capital Projects Report
The Capital Projects Report provides a monthly summary of the financial position of capital budget expenditure and the status of projects.
Local Recovery & Resilience Grant
Local Recovery and Resilience Grant-funded work was acknowledged and projects identified for implementation up to June 2026 were endorsed. In principle support was provided for identified infrastructure projects, subject to funding availability.
LGAQ Civic Leaders Summit
Mayor Rod Marti and CEO Nikola Stepanov will attend the Local Government Association of Queensland Civic Leaders Summit in Brisbane in March.
Meeting Minutes
These advisory committee meeting minutes were received and noted:
- Natural Asset Management (NAMAC) on Tuesday 4 February 2025
- Herberton Mining Centre Gift Fund on Wednesday 8 January 2025
- Herberton Mining Centre on Wednesday 15 January 2025.
A NAMAC recommendation to request Department of Transport and Main Roads urgently review traffic conditions and implement adequate safety improvements in the Malanda Falls bridge area to reduce the risk to motorists, pedestrians and wildlife was endorsed.
Grants for Growth
A report on the opportunity to accelerate delivery of trunk infrastructure for housing development should Queensland Government funding become available was noted.
Roof of Lapidary Club
Approval was given for the engagement of contractors and other resources, and the reallocation of $196,162 funds, to the reroofing of the Lapidary Club building. A report on costings and estimates will be provided to Council on completion of the project.
Alternative options regarding the replacement of the Lapidary Club roof in Tolga will be presented at a Councillor information session before the March ordinary Council meeting.
Financial Report
Operating revenue is a little higher than forecast (1.32%). Capital revenue is less than forecast due to capital grants for roads not being received when expected and road donated assets being recognised. Operating expenditure is slightly over budget (4%) mainly due to additional expenditure on road maintenance, and repairs to water, waste and wastewater services.
Conversion of Leases
Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development will be advised that TRC has no objection to the conversion of the:
- rolling term lease over Lot 43 on SP219915, Mount Garnet to freehold land, subject to realignment of roads and granting of an access easement
- grazing homestead perpetual lease over Wyoming Station to freehold land.
Land Acquisition
The CEO will negotiate and finalise the purchase of land as a buffer around the Innot Hot Springs Transfer Station.
Delegation of Statutory Powers
Under Section 257 of the Local Government Act 2009, the CEO was delegated the statutory powers contained in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Off-leash Dog Park
A report will be presented at the March ordinary Council meeting on an alternative off-leash dog park in Atherton and the results of investigations into impediments and costs of installing a temporary fence at the existing off-leash dog park to separate different-sized dogs.
Atherton Presentation
Options to improve the amenity and aesthetics of Atherton’s approaches and town centre will be presented at the June ordinary Council meeting.
Sale of Land
The next level of the debt recovery process will be commenced for two properties due to the non-payment of rates for more than three years.
Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting
The next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 27 March at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street in Atherton. The meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed and recorded.