Summary of Thursday 25 January Ordinary Council Meeting
Large Format Retail Precinct
Preliminary approval was given for a variation request and development approval for reconfiguring a lot at 7813 Kennedy Highway in Atherton (near John Cole Toyota). The development is a large format retail precinct that could include garden centres, showrooms and hardware and trade supplies.
Regional Development Manual Planning
The Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) amended the FNQROC Regional Development Manual, which provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for civil engineering work. The amendments ensure the manual continues to be current and functional, and contains a consistent set of standards. Submissions received during the public consultation period were considered, and the manual was endorsed.
Atherton Arboretum
An objection to the listing of the Atherton Arboretum on the Queensland Heritage Register will be submitted to the Department of Environment and Science. The objection is based on concerns that the application was not raised by the current owner, and the conditions the listing would impose on this and adjacent properties.
Meeting Dates
The caretaker period in preparation for the local government elections commenced on Monday 29 January. Legislation places limits during the caretaker period on making major policy decisions and publishing election material.
Planning Committee meetings will be suspended until the new Council is sworn in, and the March ordinary Council meeting will be moved to Thursday 14 March.
Malanda Falls Caravan Park
Management of the Malanda Falls Caravan Park will continue via a management agreement.
Advisory Committee Meetings
These advisory committee meeting minutes were received and noted:
- Rail Trail Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday 20 December 2023
- Cycling Advisory Committee meetings on Thursday 15 June 2023 and Thursday 7 December 2023
- Youth Advisory Committee meeting on Friday 3 November 2023
- Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting on Monday 20 November 2023.
Vegetation Management Policy
The Vegetation Management Policy provides clarity and consistency in the management of vegetation on TRC-controlled land. It was developed with internal and external consultation. The policy was adopted.
Go Tak Bridge
The bridge over Coolabi Creek on Go Tak Road will be decommissioned, and a replacement bridge added to the bridge and major culverts program for consideration for future funding.
Cashmere-Kirrama Road
Work on weather-damaged areas of Cashmere-Kirrama Road will commence when Queensland Reconstruction Authority funding is approved. Other sections of the road will be graded under the annual grading program once weather and road surface conditions allow. $250,000 will be allocated in the 2023–24 capital budget to upgrade sections of Cashmere-Kirrama Road to gravel road standard in accordance with the desired service standard for this road.
Finance Report
Operating revenue and expenditure continue to be on target.
Local Law Amendments
Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2019 will be amended to include the definition of an urban area.
Grant & Sponsorship Programs
Ninety-four applications were funded by the TRC Community Grants Program between Saturday 1 July 2023 and Monday 15 January 2024. This year’s budget will be increased by $25,000 to support community grants and event sponsorship for the remainder of the financial year.
Eight arts, culture and heritage grants were supported by Regional Arts Development Funds between July and December 2023. The grants totalled $21,137 and included major rounds and small grants.
Funding will be provided for two events that are eligible for event sponsorship but fall outside the application timing requirements of the new Event Sponsorship Policy.
- $500 to the National Servicemen’s Association — Tablelands Branch for National Servicemen’s Day on Saturday 10 February.
- $1395 to the Malanda Chamber of Commerce Inc. for the Queensland Day community event on Sunday 9 June 2024.
Community Project Request
Tableland Outdoor Recreation Association’s Community Project Request to install Spoke’s Nest public art on the Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail was not supported.
Customer Requests Management
A report will be provided to Council on the performance of the customer requests management program.
After Hours Service
A report will be provided to the March meeting of Council that investigates alternative options to contractors providing the after-hours phone service.
Sale of Land
Seventeen properties that have outstanding rate debts (more than three years in arrears) will proceed to the next level of debt recovery, being the sale of land.
Agendas, Minutes & Next Meetings
The next ordinary Council meetings will be at 9am Thursdays 22 February and 14 March in the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street, Atherton. The meetings will be live streamed and recorded.