JUNE 30, 2022 - HIGHLIGHTS FROM ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING

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Published
1st July 2022

The full livestream of the Council meeting can be found by visiting www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/live-stream or the agenda can be viewed here.

One minutes silence was observed in memory of three former council employees Ian Rule, Ian O’Driscoll and Albert Lanzafame.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Council holds public question time which enables community members to attend and ask questions on matters which are important to them. One resident attended this month’s question time. Listen from 21 min 45 seconds in the live stream to hear the questions asked and answers provided by Council.

BUSINESS ARISING PREVIOUS MINUTES

Listen from 33 min 6 seconds in the live stream to hear business arising from previous minutes.

COMMUNITY & CULTURE

Mission Beach Town Centre Revitalisation Project – Community Stakeholder and Reference Group – Terms of Reference

The Mission Beach Master Plan Project Control Group are preparing for project commencement.

To progress Council's goal of working collaboratively and to build a community that is informed and engaged, the Mission Beach Master Plan Project Control Group (The Project Control Group) has determined a need for a Community and Stakeholder Reference Group (the Group).

Council resolved to endorse the Mission Beach Master Plan Project Draft Community and Stakeholder Terms of Reference.

 

ECONOMIC ACTIVATION & TOURISM

Economic Development Advisory Committee

Cassowary Coast Regional Council has identified the requirement to establish a Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee. The committee will guide the Council through the provision of input and feedback to shape the region’s Economic Development Strategy and assist in the delivery of the key objectives in Council’s Corporate Plan.

Council moved to establish an Economic Development Advisory Committee, endorsing the Terms of Reference (with minor amendment to the terms of reference so as the selection committee consists of the Mayor, Director of Delivery Services, Manager Community Relations and Service and Portfolio holder – Economic Development and Tourism.) as well as appointing the Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio Holder as Chair of the Committee. Council also approved the Executive Support Team, as outlined in the Terms of Reference, begin membership recruitment.

 

GOVERNANCE, ENVIRONMENT & FINANCE

Finance Report May 2022

The Finance Report for May 2022 was received and noted by Council. Highlights from the report include:

  • Overall surplus of $5.7M which is $887K over budget compared to budget of $4.8M;

  • Operational revenue of $93.5M which is $1.7M over budget compared to YTD budget of $91.8M;

  • Operational expenditure of $87.8M which is $812K over budget compared to YTD budget of $87.0M;

  • The end of month cash balance is $55.2M;

  • Capital expenditure for the month was $2.4M with YTD capital expenditure totalling $27.6M which represents 55% of the total capital works budget of $49.8M. Total expenditure including commitments totals $38.1M which represents 76% of the total budget

 

Delegations Council to Chief Executive Officer - Annual Review

As per the Local Government Act 2009, Section 257(5), Council is required to undertake an annual review of Council to Chief Executive Officer Delegations, with the opportunity for Council to amend or rescind delegations, as appropriate. In the Council meeting, it was recommended that all powers referred to in the document titled "Register of Delegations - Council to CEO" are hereby delegated by Council to the Chief Executive Officer of Council pursuant to section 257(5) of the Local Government Act 2009.

Regional Queensland Council of Mayors – Membership

The Regional Queensland Council of Mayors was established to work to secure the future for all Regional Queensland communities. They seek to influence government policy to promote growth in Regional Queensland through investment in infrastructure and social development. Council endorsed that Cassowary Coast Regional Council will become a Member of the Regional Queensland Council of Mayors Inc. and advised the CEO to finalise Membership accordingly.

 

ASSET SUSTAINABILITY

CCRC Capital Report - May 2022

Council is advancing the delivery of Capital Works projects commenced in prior years, as well as the delivery of new projects in 2021-22. Council's Capital Works Program for 2021-22 contains 303 projects with a total budget of $49.8 million. As of 10 June 2022, the Council has expended $38.9 million (including commitments) of the programmed Capital Works budget, which equates to approximately 78% of the deliverable program.

 

Innisfail (Mundoo) Aerodrome

A report was presented to Council that provided an update on the Innisfail Aerodrome and outlined future direction on various matters impacting the airport and its future operations for adoption. Council supported all recommendations put forward.

Innisfail & District Tennis Club - Lease

Council will enter into a 20 year lease with the Innisfail and District Tennis Association Inc. for their current premises located on Fitzgerald Esplanade, Innisfail. The Club has over 140 members and already does a great job at maintaining the facility. The courts will still be available for hire by the general community for a small hire fee through the online booking system.

Community Use of Assets Framework and Policy

A significant number of community organisations rely on the use of Council assets to conduct their activities or develop infrastructure and improvements to achieve their objectives or deliver services. A formal policy was adopted by Council, which aims to:

  1. Establish a consistent, transparent and equitable framework to deal with requests for the use of Council assets to support a diverse range of community organisations.

  2.  Ensure compliance with relevant Acts, Regulations, and other statutory requirements related to property disposals, transactions and engagements.

 

Petition requesting the removal of a road safety sign - Pioneer Street, Bingil Bay

Council has received a petition calling for the removal of a road safety sign that was installed at the end of Pioneer Street, Bingil Bay. The sign is located at an informal lookout and petitioners are concerned about the impact on the local amenity. Council noted the petition and advised the petitioners that the current sign will remain in place as it was installed in response to an identified road safety issue.

 

Leak Reduction Strategy

Council has adopted a Lead Reduction Strategy which will provide water security to the community now and into the future. There are a number of benefits, direct and indirect, from embarking on a program to minimise water loss, which include:

  • Economic benefits through savings in pumping and treatment costs;

  • Appropriately sized infrastructure which does not have to accommodate downstream loss;

  • Future infrastructure investment costs can be delayed;

  • The environmental footprint is reduced due to more efficient use of pumps and chemicals;

  • Assists in meeting per capita water consumption reduction targets during periods of water restrictions;

  • Spare resource capacity is made available for residential and industrial growth;

  • Less stress is placed on the natural environment, especially aquifers and small catchment streams;

  • The image of the Council and its ability to provide a sustainable service is improved.

 

PLANNING SERVICES

Contributions in Lieu of the Provision of Onsite Car Parking Policy

Council adopted the Contributions in Lieu of the Provision of Onsite Car Parking Policy. The Policy acknowledges that while the Planning Scheme requires onsite car parking to be provided for development certain circumstances may warrant allowing a contribution to be made as an alternative to providing the car parking on site.

 

RECEIPT OF PETITIONS

Petition requesting the removal of a road safety sign - Pioneer Street, Bingil Bay

Council has received a petition calling for the removal of a road safety sign that was installed at the end of Pioneer Street, Bingil Bay following a customer request. The sign is located at an informal lookout and petitioners are concerned about the impact on local amenity. Council noted the petition and advised that the current sign will remain in place as it was installed in response to an identified road safety issue.

 

GENERAL BUSINESS ITEMS

Listen from 1.38 min 45 seconds in the live stream to hear general business.

 

CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS

Sole Supplier and Suppliers of Services of a Specialised or Confidential Nature.