Summary of the Thursday 23 February 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting
Review of Divisional Enrolment
Council is seeking a review of the boundaries of Division 1 and Division 2 — so that Division 1 includes Herberton. The Minister for Local Government and the Electoral Commissioner will be advised.
Postal Only Ballots Not Required
There will be no changes to existing election arrangements. Next year’s local government election will be held by establishing polling booths across the region on election day. In addition, the usual early voting and postal ballots by request arrangements will apply.
Tablelands University Centre
TRC will be a foundation sponsor and provide funding totalling $45,000 to support the establishment and ongoing operation of the Tablelands University Centre (TUC) given the significant benefits it will provide to the community, business, and industry. In November 2022, Vocational Partnerships Group Inc. was awarded funding under the Australian Government’s Regional University Centres program to establish the TUC.
Bridges and Major Culverts
The 2022/23 budget for bridges and major culverts will be increased for additional repair and renewal work — with $221,145 being reallocated from the pavement rehabilitation budget.
Wet Tropics Waterways
The Wet Tropics Waterways (WTW) Partnership is a group of more than 50 organisations aiming to improve the quality of water flowing to the Great Barrier Reef. TRC will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with WTW and provide $10,000 annually to deliver a yearly waterway health report card. Councillor David Bilney was nominated as Council’s delegate for meetings and other associated events.
Transport Asset Management Plan Adopted
The Transport Asset Management Plan 2022–2031 aims to ensure TRC’s roads, footpaths, car parking and kerb and channel assets are fit-for-purpose and maintained in a cost-effective manner.
Financial Report
Operating expenses are tracking close to budget expectations with a variance of 2.83%, however depreciation calculations are experiencing increasing inflation rates and will be monitored. Operating revenue has a variance of 3.33%, which is primarily associated with the phasing of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements operating grant.
Herberton Town Reserve Trusteeship
TRC will not take on the trusteeship of unallocated state land in Herberton — described as Lot 304 on Crown Plan CWL3609.
Local Laws Review
A report providing an update on the Local Laws review was noted.
Plumbing and Drainage Regulation
Powers contained in the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 were delegated to the Chief Executive Officer.
Atherton RSL
A meeting will be held between members of Atherton RSL, the Department of Transport and Main Roads and TRC officers regarding the future of the Atherton RSL on Railway Lane.
Tablelands Rail Trail Strategy
A Tablelands Rail Trail Strategy, including community consultation, will be included in our 2023–24 Operational Plan.
Rate Debt Recovery
Nine properties that have outstanding rate debts will proceed to the next level of debt recovery, being the sale of land. The debts have been outstanding for more than three years and total $136,977.64.
Council Social Housing
An agreement will be sought with the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works to exit from the National Regulatory Scheme for Community Housing.
Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting
The next Planning Committee meeting will be at 9am Thursday 9 March, and the next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 23 March. The meetings are held at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street, Atherton, and are live streamed and recorded.