Summary of Thursday 14 December Ordinary Council Meeting
Reconfiguration of Lots
Approval was given for:
- reconfiguring of one lot into three at 58 Third Avenue in Tarzali, subject to conditions.
- reconfiguring lots 11 and 12 at 14 Oak Street in Yungaburra, subject to conditions. The reconfiguration is to resolve boundary issues, and to reconfigure one of the lots into two.
Standing Orders & Meeting Procedures
TRC’s Standing Orders were updated following a review against Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s recently released best practice Standing Orders. The Department’s new Model Meeting Procedures were also adopted.
Policies
The Advisory Committee Policy was amended to require minutes of the meetings to be presented to the next possible ordinary Council meeting.
The Investment Incentive Policy has been amended to include the development of duplexes in low-density residential zones, new secondary dwellings in medium- and low-density residential zones, and to extend the policy to Tuesday 30 June 2026.
Councillor Conduct Matter
Allegations of inappropriate conduct against a Councillor were sustained, and no further action will be taken.
Tenders
Tender T-TRC2023-19 for management services for Lakeside Caravan Park was awarded to Brenton Clark and Patrice Smalley trading as Financial Forecasts, for 12 months, with the option to extend for another year. The cost is $118,800.00 including GST plus 10% of gross revenue commission fee.
Contract T-TRC2023-13 for the Malanda Integrated Water Supply was awarded to FGF Developments Pty Ltd $8,326,977.55 including GST. The tender includes additional expenditure of up to $889,057.82 including GST for additional items that may be required during construction, and a contingency allowance of $1,249,046.63 for variations.
Contract T-TRC2023-15 for the Yungaburra Raw Water Intake Replacement was awarded to Civil Plus Constructions Pty Ltd for $3,248,808.85 including GST. The tender includes additional expenditure of up to $380,868.64 including GST for additional items that may be required during design and construction, and a contingency allowance of $487,321.33 for variations.
Concept Designs
The Millaa Falls Precinct Improvement Plan aims to identify ways to maintain and enhance the Millaa Falls area, increase tourism and economic outcomes, improve the visitor experience, and provide increased accessibility. The preliminary design was endorsed, and design and construction of stages 1–3 will be delivered this financial year. The preliminary designs for stages 4–7 will be revised to remove bus parking from the lower car park.
The Concept Plan for Battery Park in Herberton aims to maintain and enhance the area to improve visitor experiences and increase accessibility. The concept design for the park was endorsed, and stages 1–3 will be designed and constructed this financial year. Consideration will be given to additional parking in future stages.
Advisory Committees
The minutes of the Tuesday 14 November meeting of the Pest Management Advisory Committee (PMAC) were received and noted. PMAC supported motion 2 from the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting (Friday 20 October) to improve information exchange between TRC and landholders. Consideration will also be given to the installation of automated washdown facilities.
The minutes of the Wednesday 30 August and Wednesday 29 November Rail Trail Advisory Committee meetings were received and noted. The terms of reference were updated for meetings to be held at least once every three months.
The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee assists TRC in fulfilling its corporate governance role and oversight of financial management and reporting responsibilities. The unconfirmed minutes of the Wednesday 6 December meeting were received and noted.
Road Closures
Support will be provided for the permanent road closure of a portion of Brandon Lane in Herberton to resolve an encroachment at 26 Broadway in Herberton, subject to conditions.
Support will be provided for the conversion of Eacham Place in Malanda from road reserve to park reserve.
Finance Report
Operating revenue and expenditure continue to be on target.
Budget Review
The first revised budget for the 2023–24 financial year included revisions to both the capital and operating budgets. The capital budget review includes adjustments due to grant funding, scope changes and project alignment.
Audit Report
Following the completion of the 2022–23 financial audit, the Queensland Audit Office has issued an unmodified audit opinion and provided the final management letter and closing report.
Fees & Charges
Each year fees and charges for services provided by TRC are reviewed and updated. In setting these fees, consideration is given to the cost of delivery, the regulated requirement of the service, and comparison against similar charges by other service providers. The revised fees and charges come into effect on Monday 1 July 2024.
Lease & Licence Renewals
A lease will be renewed for 20 years with Aplite Pty Ltd for 65m2 of land on Glen Allyn Road for a telecommunications tower.
A three-year licence to occupy will be granted the Cairns District Power Boat and Ski Club Inc. over part of Lot 2 on Tinaburra Drive, Tinaburra. The licence includes overnight stays outside TRC’s standard terms licence agreement.
The trustee lease over Lease D at the Atherton Aerodrome will be renewed with IOR Aviation Pty Ltd, subject to conditions.
Review of Delegation of Statutory Powers
The register of delegations of statutory powers from the Council to the CEO, in accordance with Section 257(5) of the Local Government Act 2009, was received and noted.
Local Laws Amendments
The proposed changes to Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2019 and Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2019 were not supported.
Priors Creek Public Art
Mabi Tree-Kangaroo by John Fish Studio was chosen as the major public art installation for the Priors Creek Development, at a cost of $200,000.00 excluding GST.
Cashmere-Kirrama Road
Road and drainage issues on Cashmere-Kirrama Road will be addressed.
Peterson Creek
A report on updates on the Peterson Creek Walking Track was received and noted.
Sale of Land
Sale of the residual interest in lots on Lakeside Drive in Yungaburra will be negotiated with the leaseholders.
Social Housing Agreement
The Housing Management Agreement with Tableland Community Housing Association Inc. for the management of social housing tenancies, maintenance and reporting was extended for 12 months to Monday 31 March 2025.
Tablelands Community Housing
A portion of Lot 3 on Kelly Street will be gifted to Tablelands Community Housing for the construction of five duplexes to support ageing in place.
Agendas, Minutes & Next Meetings
The next Planning Committee meeting will be at 9am Thursday 11 January, and the next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 25 January 2024 in the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street, Atherton. The meetings will be live streamed and recorded.