February 24, 2022- HIGHLIGHTS FROM ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING

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Published
24th February 2022

The full livestream of the Council meeting can be found by visiting https://youtu.be/11V1-PXm4v8  or the agenda can be viewed https://bit.ly/3haEyGv

ECONOMIC ACTIVATION & TOURISM

Quarterly Tourism Activity Report – October to December

Highlights for the quarter included Family things-to-do, 2022 Event Calendar , Cardwell Mountain Bike – dedicated project page launched. See here:  https://bit.ly/3HfuCpU

GOVERNANCE, ENVIRONMENT & FINANCE

Council adopted the below guidelines:

Park and Street Furniture Donation and Memorial Plaque Policy DS009. The purpose of the policy is to provide the standards and conditions for Council to manage the donation of park or street furniture and plaques, as either a donation to the community or as a memorial to an event or individual.

Finance Report January 2022

Overall Council are in a good place and are still on track to receive a surplus budget. This report was received and noted.


Supporting Agribusinesses – Feral Animal Aerial shooting

  • Council reaffirmed their support for Agribusiness and the peak industry bodies (Innisfail Cane Growers, Tully Cane Growers, Australian Cane Farmers Association, ABGC, Cassowary Coast Banana Growers Association);
  • Endorsed the reallocation of $10K of the Natural Environment Operational Budget 21/22 for a once off co-contribution for aerial shooting;
  • Requested the Chief Executive Officer prepare for consideration in the 2022/2023 financial year budget a funding allocation to support regional agribusiness peak bodies to combat feral animals through the Feral Animal Executive Oversight Group."

Operational Plan 2021/2022 Progress Review as at 31 December 2021

A report was presented to Council which provided an update on the current status of key initiatives outlined in the 2021/22 Operational Plan. Council received and noted the contents of this report.

Councillor Remuneration 2022-2023

  • On 30 November 2021, the Local Government Remuneration Commission concluded its determination of the levels of remuneration for Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors of Local Governments as required by section 177(c) of the Local Government Act 2009 and chapter 8, division 1 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
  • Council resolved to adopt the remuneration schedule as determined by the Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal in accordance with Section 244 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 from 1 July 2022.

ASSET SUSTAINABILITY

CCRC Capital Report

An update on the Capital Works Program was provided. Some key projects completed since the last update were Flying Fish Point Road Reconstruction, Mission Beach Stinger Net Drainage, Cardwell Whitfield Creek Road WM Renewal and Rinaldo Road Re-sheeting. The report was received and acknowledged.

Asset Rationalisation Process - 2021/22 Implementation Update - Quarter 2

At the end of the second quarter Council has achieved a saving of $169,000 in annual depreciation and operating expenses. Council received the report and noted the status of the asset rationalisation implementation.

Asset Rationalisation Process - Lease Report (Innisfail and District Senior Citizens Centre Inc.)

A request was received regarding the renewal of a 30-year lease at Innisfail and District Senior Citizens Centre Inc at 4 Lily Street. The extension of this lease was accepted and authorised.

PLANNING SERVICES

Reduction in infrastructure charges

Council agreed to a potential 100% reduction in infrastructure charges on several lots and properties on the condition that all works associated with the development as contained with the reconfiguration of a lot approval and any other statutory requirements are completed prior to 27 January 2025.

Crown Hotel, Innisfail – Request for extended trading hours

Council offered no objection to the granting of additional hours from 12am to 2am Sunday – Tuesday (Six (6) additional hours) to allow the trade of liquor from the Crown Hotel, Innisfail from 10am to 2am Monday – Sunday based on the additional information provided to Council about the multi-million dollar refurbishment of the entire premises which has changed the amenity, quiet and good order of the locality.

GENERAL BUSINESS

6 March – Clean-up Australia Day – register online here: https://www.cleanup.org.au/register

All residents at Hull Heads are encouraged to complete the Open Space Survey which was provided in a letter drop. Please contact Council on 1300 763 903 if you did not receive your letter.

Community groups can apply for Community Grants. Consultation has occurred and tomorrow at 5pm is the closing date! 

Is disability access being consider in the Mission Beach Masterplan? Council is currently heading into detailed design and will look at all entry and exits to ensure they are accessible no matter what ability. 

Service level regarding mowing in different areas of the region: Council is experiencing impacts due to COVID-19 with staffing which is causing a backlog of mowing. Council is working to prioritise areas based on their use

Information Centre Update: The Information Centre strategy is nearly complete and will be presented at Council workshop during March.