Mayor’s View – 21st May, 2009
The counsellors on the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) were elected on a platform of sustainable development, financial responsibility and good governance.
It is vitally important that we provide a climate conducive to employment for current and future generations.
Council has already advised that it is considering, as part of the 2009-2010 budget, employing an Economic Development Officer. This was identified as a high priority in the recently adopted Corporate Plan.
Since its election in March 2008 the CCRC has been very aware of the need for growth in our Region and 99 in every 100 applications have been approved.
For the first twelve months, to 31st March 2009, a total of 1026 development permits were issued by the CCRC, including 671 building development permits, of which 135 are for new dwellings, valued at $33.55 million.
Total building approvals are estimated at $75.3 million.
Development permits for works assessable under the planning schemes totalled 355, including material changes of use, reconfigurations and operational works.
There were only 10 applications that were refused for non compliance with the Planning Schemes.
These comprised:-
1. an industrial type development in a conservation area
2. a high density home unit development in a low density area
3. a reconfiguration in an extremely flood prone area
4. five small sized subdivisions in a rural zone
5. two proposals where council was directed to refuse by state agencies.
All other development applications were approved.
Only five negotiated outcomes were asked for by the applicants within the twenty business day time frame available. In every case the issues were resolved.
The Global Financial Crisis can be expected to stall some developments. This is unavoidable and we can only do our part in attempting to move forward in these difficult times.
We do have a serious shortage of industrial land in Innisfail but there are parcels in Tully and elsewhere. There are significant areas of land zoned industrial within close proximity to Innisfail but very little available for immediate use. The State Government has a strong involvement in this situation as some of the land is in State control and this is recognised in the FNQ 2031 Regional Plan where a study into the availability and suitability of industrial land is proposed.
Council has written to the state government requesting that this study be started as a matter of urgency.
Under recent changes if anyone wants to start a small light industrial business they can apply to Council for such a development in a rural zone provided the business site meets the requirements which include a building size of less than 250 sq metres and open space of less than 2000 sq metres.
So let there be no confusion, this Council is very active in promoting our region and encouraging appropriate development.