Summary of Ordinary Council Meeting Thursday 26 September 2024

Petitions

The Mayor tabled petitions regarding the Patrick English Pavilion and Mount Garnet Town Pool.

Nature-based Tourism, Cafe & Microbrewery Approval

Approval was given for development of 13 additional cabins, café and microbrewery at Mount Quincan Crater Retreat, Peeramon, subject to conditions.

Reconfiguration of a Lot

The condition requiring the construction of a sealed driveway was altered to an all-weather and dust-free driveway on a previously approved reconfiguration application at 31 and 31L Topaz Road, Malanda, subject to conditions.

Conversion Application

A conversion application for a road connection from the Kennedy Highway through to the Tolga Industrial Estate was approved. The proposed road will facilitate the development of and attract new commercial, retail and industry opportunities for the region, better serve the residents, create employment and improve safety.

Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Recovery Chair

The LDMG Recovery Group will be chaired by the LDMG Local Recovery Coordinator and a Councillor will attend Local Recovery Group meetings to ensure oversight by elected officials. In most activations the LDMG Recovery Group will be resourced by the LDMG Chairperson and Deputy. Other Councillors may be invited to chair the Recovery Group in large-scale events. Divisional Councillors will be involved in incidents that only affect a single division.

Capital Projects Monthly Report

The Capital Projects Report provides a summary of the financial position of capital budget expenditure and the status of projects.

Advisory Committees

These advisory committee meeting minutes were received and noted:

Regional Arts Development Fund Advisory Committee on Tuesday 6 August 2024
Herberton Mining Centre Gift Advisory Committee on Wednesday 14 August 2024
Tablelands Regional Gallery Advisory Committee on Wednesday 14 August 2024
Natural Asset Management Advisory Committee on Tuesday 20 August 2024
Herberton Mining Centre Advisory Committee on Wednesday 21 August 2024
Cycling Advisory Committee on Wednesday 28 August 2024
Reconciliation Action Advisory Committee on Friday 30 August 2024
Youth and Inclusion Advisory Committee on Wednesday 2 September 2024
Traffic Advisory Committee on Tuesday 17 September 2024

These new and amended terms of reference were endorsed:

Several recommendations from the Traffic Advisory Committee were also endorsed.

Patrick English Pavilion

A development permit for the material change of use for the removal of the Patrick English Pavilion will be prepared and submitted. Subject to the determination of the application, a contractor will be engaged to remove the pavilion and stage, salvaging components for later use where appropriate. An options analysis for a multi-purpose facility, honouring the history of the pavilion and incorporating the salvaged components, will be developed in the 2025–26 financial year.

Tenders & Contracts

Tender T-TRC2024-17 for the purchase of an Isuzu FXU 240-350 auto LWB with a HIAB Multilift Ultima XR18Z.59 hook was awarded to Ireland Isuzu for $359,124.80 including GST.

Tender T-TRC2024-19 for the purchase of four light rigid crew cabin job trucks was awarded to Ireland Isuzu for $616,319.94 including GST.

Tender T-TRC2024-23 for the Northern gravel resheeting program was awarded to Bono’s Excavations for $1,208,105.82 including GST.

Tender T-TRC2024-24 for the Southern gravel resheeting program was awarded to Bono’s Excavations for $682,936.98 including GST.

Tender T-TRC2024-25 for the replacement of Wondecla Creek bridge on Webster Road, Wondecla was awarded to Northern Civil Earthworks trading as Terranovus for $1,176,741.61 including GST.

Tender T-TRC2024-28 for the replacement of Station Creek bridge on Kaban Road, Kaban was awarded to Lift Tek Pty Ltd trading as Dempsey Cranes and Construction for $262,157.78 including GST.

Contract FNQ029 for the regional removal and beneficial reuse of biosolids that was awarded to Arkwood (Gloucester) Pty Ltd was extended for 12 months for $215,458.85 including GST.

Tender T-TRC2024-16 for the operation of the gatehouse at the Atherton Transfer Station for two years was awarded to Evy Entertainment for $382,702.50 including GST, with the option to extend by two 12-month periods for $198,742.50 including GST (year three) and $203,670.00 including GST (year four).

Natural Asset Strategy Consultation

Community engagement will commence on the draft Natural Asset Strategy 2024–34. The strategy guides TRC towards achieving long-term sustainability in efficient and effective natural asset management.

Finance Position Summary

Rates revenue has a minor variance due to water consumption being lower than forecast, however operating revenue and the operating position for the month remain over target due to the $4.5M-upfront payment of the Financial Assistance Grant. This payment is usually received in June of the prior financial year instead of the first month of the new year. Operating expenditure is on target with a slight variance of just 1.15%.

MetroCount, Local Government Mutual Assets, Local Government Mutual and Rosie Douglas Consulting were added to the sole/specialised supplier register.

Lease Renewals

Trustee leases will be established for Malanda Community Kindergarten (for 10 years) and Yungaburra Community Kindergarten (for up to 10 years).

Policies

These updated and new policies were adopted:

Acceptable Requests Guidelines Policy — provides guidance on the way Councillors may ask for information and advice in order to perform their roles and make informed decisions.
Investigation Policy — establishes how complaints about suspected conduct breaches of Councillors are investigated as required by the Local Government Act 2009.
Signing of Correspondence Policy — provides guidance on the responsibility of officers for the signing of documents on behalf of TRC.
Advertising Spending Policy — provides for the control of expenditure on advertisements placed by TRC in third-party media.
Councillor Contact with Lobbyists, Consultants, Developers and Submitters Policy — a new policy to provide guidance and protection to Councillors when they are engaging with lobbyists, consultants, developers and/or submitters, particularly in relation to development applications.
Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy — fulfills TRC’s duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of Councillors, TRC officers and customers; ensures fairness in interactions with customers; and ensures TRC resources are allocated equitably in service delivery to customers.

The Councillor Interaction with the Organisation Policy was repealed as the content is covered by the provisions of the Local Government Act 2009 and other policies.

Tenure Negotiations

The CEO will liaise with stakeholders on tenure options for the Atherton Performing Arts Theatre.

Sunwater Wet & Dry Concession Deed

Council will enter into negotiations with Sunwater Limited regarding the terms of a new Wet and Dry Concession Deed.

Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting

The next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 31 October at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street in Atherton. The meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed and recorded.