Summary of Ordinary Council Meeting Thursday 31 October 2024
Development Assessment Delegated Decision Making
Development assessment delegated decision-making criteria were revised for certain planning matters to ensure effective decision making. New reporting requirements to Councillors will also be implemented.
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:
- Ravenshoe Visitor Centre Gift Fund on Tuesday 3 September 2024
- Malanda Falls Visitor Centre Gift Fund on Tuesday 10 September 2024
- Cycling on Wednesday 25 September 2024
- Agriculture on Wednesday 25 September 2024
- Audit, Risk and Improvement Advisory Committee meeting on Friday 15 October 2024.
These amended advisory committee terms of reference were endorsed:
Councillor Maree Baade will represent TRC on the Tinaroo Water Committee.
Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) Minutes
The minutes of the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) board meeting and annual general meeting on Thursday 3 October 2024 were received and noted.
Tenders
Tender T-TRC2024-21 for supply and delivery of commercial vehicles was awarded to John Cole Toyota Atherton for:
- six 4×4 dual cab utilities for $402,936.06 including GST
- one 4×4 single cab utility for $60,641.92 including GST
- one 4×4 extra cab utility for $68,165.99 including GST
- six 4×4 large capacity single cab utilities for $585,712.00 including GST
- two medium sedans for $77,250.26 including GST.
Tender T-TRC2024-26 for the renewal of the Twelfth Avenue reservoir in Atherton was awarded to QPAMS Pty Ltd for $238,342.50 including GST. A contingency of $35,751.38 including GST was also approved to account for variations that may occur during the contract.
Community Project Request
Approval was given for the Atherton Tableland Mineral and Lapidary Club’s Community Project Request to install a concrete slab at the entrance of their clubhouse in Morrow Park Tolga.
Mount Garnet Pool
The Mount Garnet Pool will be decommissioned and the pool and surrounding infrastructure disposed of. Advocacy will continue via the draft Mount Garnet Economic Development Strategy and identified projects will be discussed at a Councillor information session for budget consideration. A request will be submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works for the reallocation of the $500,000 of funding for the pool. The projects to receive the funding will be determined in the future.
Road Renaming
Community engagement will be conducted on the changing of McGraw Road to McCraw Street, Atherton.
Permanent Road Closure
Department of Resources will be notified that Council has no objection to the permanent closure of around 3.3ha of Pinnacle Pocket Road and Long Road reserve, subject to conditions including the realignment of Long Road ensuring access is maintained.
FNQROC Regional Waste Management Advisory Committee
Councillor Kevin Cardew will represent TRC, and Councillor Con Spanos will be proxy, on the FNQROC Regional Waste Management Advisory Committee. The committee will guide the Technical Committee in delivering the Regional Resource Recovery Plan.
Tolga Road Revegetation Project
$36,481 excluding GST will be allocated to the 2024–25 budget for the revegetation of the bank on the western side of Tolga Road between Golf Links Road and Grove Street, Atherton. The annual maintenance component of subsequent operational budgets will be increased to $7,594 increasing by CPI each year.
Riparian Restoration on Private Land
Four applicants were selected for the externally funded Riparian Restoration on Private Land project, which is part of the Reef Guardian Councils Program. TRC will provide technical support, practical assistance and contracted labour to deliver projects and initiatives that directly align to outcomes of the Reef Guardian Council Action Plan.
Finance Position Summary
Operating revenue is on target with a slight variance of 0.41%. Operating expenditure is also on target with a slight variance of 1.7%.
MG Solutions Pty Ltd was added to the sole/specialised supplier register.
Revised Budget and Borrowings Plan
The first budget review for 2024–25 resulted in an increase of the operational expenditure by $185,189 and capital expenditure by $5,728,418. This influenced analysis of grant-funded programs and milestones, cashflow expectations and borrowing requirements. The revised revenue budget of $21,086,107 was adopted and relevant budget documents will be updated.
Quarterly Report
The Quarterly Report for 1 July to 30 September 2024 provides an overview of customer request management response performance, progress against Operational Plan initiatives, and after-hour call responses.
Meeting Procedures & Standing Orders
The Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works recently updated their Model Meeting Procedures and Standing Orders to better align with recent amendments to the Local Government Act 2009. The TRC Model Meeting Procedures and Standing Orders were updated to reflect the department’s changes.
Delegation of Statutory Powers
The CEO was delegated the identified powers contained in the Land Act 1994 under Section 257 of the Local Government Act 2009.
Approved Inspection Program
A six-month selective Approved Inspection Program will be conducted to ensure compliance with registration, microchipping and regulated dog requirements of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.
Inclusion Policy
A new Inclusion Policy was endorsed and the Disability Access and Inclusion Policy was rescinded. The new policy provides the guiding principles for enhancing inclusion and diversity in the community.
TRC Grant Program
$61,066.08 has been allocated to support 64 TRC grants across the community, environment and youth excellence streams. The budget will be increased to $100,000 for 2024–25 and the policy reviewed for future years.
Yungaburra Treatment Effluent Reuse Agreement
Negotiations will commence on the disposal of treated effluent from the Yungaburra Sewage Treatment Plant.
Acquisition of Land for Overdue Rates
The process will commence to acquire five properties in the former Coolgarra township due to unpaid rates and charges for more than three years.
Financial Assistance Request
Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway Inc. will be advised to submit a Community Project Request for a new water connection, once certain conditions are met.
Water Use Concessions
Four properties will receive concessions outside the conditions of the Water Usage Concession Policy.
Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting
The next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 28 November at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street in Atherton. The meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed and recorded.