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Summary of Ordinary Council Meeting Thursday 25 July 2024

Acceptance of Funding

$75,000 in funding has been accepted from the Department of Tourism and Sport for the development of a business case for the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park (AFMBP) Stage 2. The business case will provide an in-depth analysis of stage two including the evaluation of the project’s viability across socio-economic, financial and sustainability factors.

Conference Attendance

Mayor Rod Marti and Deputy Mayor David Bilney will attend the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference as delegates, and Councillors Con Spanos, Kylie Lang and Maree Baade will attend as observers. These motions will be submitted at the conference:

  1. Resilient and Reliable Communications for Regional Queensland — that the LGAQ advocate for a change in the Mobile Black Spot Funding Program to further incentivise investment in telecommunications infrastructure to improve mobile coverage and competition, to ensure day-to-day communications are resolved, and to consider work required to ensure greater reliability, redundancy and resilience.
  2. Disaster Recovery Funding for local governments — that the LGAQ call on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to undertake a review of financial and other disaster assistance made available to local governments to ensure improved delivery of counter disaster operations including community recovery initiatives, and that the restoration of essential public assets can commence in a timely manner after a disaster.
  3. QRA and NEMA Disaster Recovery Funding for Communities — that the LGAQ call on the QRA and NEMA to undertake a review of financial and other disaster assistance to regional Queenslanders to ensure the criteria are sufficiently flexible to enable immediate assistance, and indirect consequences are considered as eligible.
  4. High-Priority Groundwater Allocations For Town Water Supply — that the LGAQ call on the Queensland Government to amend water legislation, regulation, plans and protocols to allow allocation of high-priority groundwater entitlements to registered water service providers for town water supply.
  5. Local Governments Implementing the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan) — that the LGAQ call on the Queensland and Australian governments to support local governments, particularly the Reef Guardian Councils, in their efforts to implement actions under the Reef 2050 Plan through direct funding and capacity building.
  6. Queensland Government funding for Local Governments implementing the Reef 2050 Plan — that the LGAQ call on the Queensland Government to match the Australian Government Reef Guardian Councils Program — Activating Local Councils’ Reef Action Plans funding to support implementation of the Reef 2050 Plan.
  7. Population Projections — that the LGAQ make representation to the Queensland Government to create a mechanism for population projections provided by the Queensland Treasury to be reviewed in circumstances where a local government considers the population projection to be incorrect.

Councillors Kevin Cardew, Maree Baade and Kylie Lang, and the Executive Manager Economic Development will attend the Agforce Queensland Agricultural Industry Conference. AgForce represents Queensland’s rural producers to ensure the long-term growth, viability, competitiveness and profitability of broadacre cattle, grain, cane, sheep and wool industries in Queensland.

Advisory Committees

Gordon Carcary, Roy Murray-Prior, Greg Binnie, Sandra Curcio, Richard Cuda, Jason Ward, Colleen McLucas and James Geraghty were endorsed as industry representatives on the Agriculture Advisory Committee, and Councillor Maree Baade was endorsed as the chair. The committee advises on the development of agriculture in the TRC Region and on issues affecting the agricultural and forestry industries and water sector.

The Rating Advisory Committee will not be established due to minimal community interest in membership.

The minutes of the Traffic Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday 18 June were received and noted, the amended terms of reference were adopted, and these recommendations were endorsed:

  • Request Department of Transport and Main Roads implement left in / left out only traffic at the intersection between the Kennedy Highway and Manthey Road.
  • Request Department of Transport and Main Roads consider traffic safety improvements at Tolga Road between Grove Street and Mazlin Creek.
  • Request Department of Transport and Main Roads consider improvements to the Tolga Road and Grove Street intersection as a matter of priority.

Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) Meeting Minutes

The unconfirmed minutes of the FNQROC Board Special Meeting and 166th Board Meeting on Thursday 6 June were received and noted. FNQROC’s mission is to advocate on behalf of, and foster cooperation and resource share between, FNQROC councils.

Tourism Development Advisor

A Tourism Development Advisor will be engaged to review and recommend changes to TRC’s destination marketing approach and Destination Management Plan, collaborate with stakeholders to align opportunities with tourism strategies and economic development goals, build relationships with local tourism operators, and raise the profile of the region as a destination.

Road Closure

Department of Resources will be advised TRC has no issues with the permanent closure of 1625m² section of Rutile Street in Mount Garnet, subject to conditions. The closure is sought to ensure existing infrastructure is contained within private boundaries.

Community Project Requests

Approval was given for:

  • Atherton Cricket Club to install new cricket training net and fixtures, cement the training nets area and replace astro turf at Loder Park, Atherton and Morrow Park, Tolga.
  • Better Together to build a community garden on TRC land at their Robert Street, Atherton location, subject to conditions.

FNQROC Committee Representation

Councillor Maree Baade will represent TRC on the FNQROC Natural Asset Management Advisory Committee (NAMAC) and Climate Resilience Technical Committee (CRTC). The FNQROC NAMAC creates a framework for local governments and their partners to work closely with the community to advance understanding, appreciation and management of unique landscape and lifestyle. The FNQROC CRTC is a group of Far North Queensland councils and organisations working together to manage risks and develop opportunities for a climate-resilient and low-carbon future.

Financial Report

Operating revenue is tracking underbudget by 6.33% due to a significant portion of the financial assistance grant not being prepaid in June (as in some previous years). This shortfall is a timing issue as the budgeted $4.6M prepayment was not received until July, and will therefore be reflected in 2024–25 accounts. The total operating expenses are tracking very close (1.44% variance) to budget expectations. The financial report presents the preliminary year-to-date position at Sunday 30 June 2024 and the final position will be reported in the 2023–24 Annual Report.

After Hours Service

The Afterhours Service Performance Update Report was received and noted, and a Customer Experience Performance Report will be presented quarterly. The afterhours arrangement ensures customers receive the same standard of service regardless of when they call, speaking to a person who may resolve enquiries at the first point of contact.

Grant Programs

More than $152,177 across 147 grants was provided to the TRC community in the 2023–24 financial year supporting excellence and activities across a range of streams including youth, community, economy, environment and art, culture and heritage. The TRC Grant Program provided $96,500 to 127 organisations and individuals for the purchase of equipment, advertising, printing, events, attendance at sporting, cultural and music events, facilities hire, website design, personal protective equipment, bursaries, graphic design, food licences, storage fees, art supplies, classes, track maintenance, uniforms and other in-kind support. The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) provided $55,677 across20 grants for workshops, professional development, events, signs, festivals, exhibitions, theatre productions, book editing and design, videos and translation services.

IT Managed Services

TRC will enter into a three-year agreement with Roberts and Morrow Technology under the local buy agreement for $465,894.00 including GST (year one), $475,211.88 including GST (year two) and $484,716.12 including GST (year three).

Delegation of Statutory Powers

Under Section 257 of the Local Government Act 2009, the CEO was delegated the identified powers contained in the Environmental Protection Act 1994, Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 and Land Act 1994.

State Emergency Service (SES) Building

The requirement for a new fit-for-purpose SES building in Atherton will be investigated.

Termination of Contract

The contract with John Fish Pty Ltd for the design, manufacture and installation of artwork at Priors Creek will be terminated.

Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting

The next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 22 August at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street in Atherton. The meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed and recorded.

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