Time: 5:30pm – 6.30pm

Where: Corner of Aplin St and Lake St outside Cairns City Library

Cost: Free

Dates:

Easter Saturday 27 March

Easter Sunday 28 March

Friday 01 April

Saturday 02 April

Sunday 03 April

Friday 08 April

Saturday 09 April

Sunday 10 April

Bat Chats are hosted by the Australasian Bat Society

The post Easter Holiday Bat Chats appeared first on CAFNEC.

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/about-council/meetings/ordinary-meeting/past-meetings/12-dec-2012

There were 21 items which the council raced through in well under an hour. Nearly all were bread and jam issues which were duly waved through with Cr Julia Leu (Div 10) sometimes offering an opinion or seeking a clarification. Cr Steve Brain (Div 1) offered hearty congratulations for the outcomes of item 9 -Rates Based Financial Assistance to Not for Profit Recreation, Sporting and Community Groups For 2012/13 (Assessment 413336 Division 1) – and item 12 – Proposed Shared Facilities Agreement with Ergon Energy for Use of the Communications Building and the Broadcast Tower on Lot 894 RP887080, Pannikin Street, Goldsborough– Division 1. I mention these to show the kind of commonplace issues that are the grist of local government. Fair enough too.

This report will comment on four items of interest.

Item 1: Draft Great Barrier Reef Ports Strategy 2012-2022

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/66639/12dec12_ordinary_cl1.pdf

Although only a draft document it is of interest in setting the general direction of the region. Julia Leu expressed concern over the broad intent of the plan and voted against. All others voted for. The plan is broadly focussed on establishing a Four Pillar economy for Cairns as per the state diktat (construction, mining, tourism and agriculture). Maybe Campbell Newman and Jeff Seeney were watching an SBS show on China and thought an updated version of their Four Modernisations under Deng Xiaopeng might be good for Queensland.

Emphasis is to be on strategic use of ports for economic growth; balance between environment and economic growth demands; efficiency outcomes; whole of network approach; and clarity and transparency in port planning. In other words, a classic growth strategy and some motherhood statements.

Item 3: Material Change of Use Shopping Facilities (Extension to Existing Sub Regional Centre) – Captain Cook Highway Smithfield, Captain Cook Highway Smithfield –Division 9

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/66641/12dec12_ordinary_cl3.pdf

This was approved unanimously in a blink. Council Watch has not heard if there are any community concerns about the expansion of Smithfield Shopping Centre.

Item 13: First Peoples Advisory Committee Minutes

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/66651/12dec12_ordinary_cl13.pdf

Discussion here was around proper cultural awareness training for councillors and council staff. Ian Lowth, the officer concerned, stated that was implicit in the notes although Julia Leu was concerned that it was flannel and there was a possibility that little would be down. She tied Lowth down to doing the training within this financial year (by 30 June 2013).

Item 17: Lake Street Connection – Division 5

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/66655/12dec12_ordinary_cl17_new.pdf

Being in his division, this contentious topic was led by Richie Bates the local councillor. Prior to this there had been a rally in front of the council at which a number of guest speakers, including Cr Rob Pyne, argued strongly against the proposal on cost, public space amenity, backward thinking, lack of consultation, safety etc.

Cr Steve Brain (Div 1) expressed concern at the lack of community consultation. Cr Richie Bates (Div 5) stated that he wanted to alter the wording of the recommendation from ‘council endorses…’ to ‘council proposes…’ arguing that this was simply a first measure and that discussion (community consultation) would take place down the track. Members of the audience (around 12 had come upstairs with placards to lend support to the protection of City Place) called from the background ‘why not discussion first and proposals afterwards?’ The alteration was made.

Cr Richie Bates argued for the opening up of City Place from the perspective of enhanced bus routes and even said it would improve cycling opportunities. Some were aghast at this supporter of cycle ways and, by definition, enhanced public spaces, advocating for ripping up a public space into which at least $20m has been poured over the last several years – and this without any ostensible public consultation.

Cr Rob Pyne (Div 3) spoke strongly against the motion with focus on safety issues in the centre of town with the road being opened. He also mentioned that when this last came up in 2009, $38m was on the table and nothing came of it. He asked, rhetorically, where in these straitened times the money for this latest proposal on the opening of City Place was going to come from. He argued that it was Cairns State Member Gavin King’s push to be seen to be doing something that was driving the agenda.

Acting Chair Cr Terry James asked if there were any other speakers for the motion and Cr Steve Brain said that he simply wanted to make a comment and not speak for the motion. Cr James than asked if there were any more speakers against the motion and Cr Julia Leu started to speak at which point Cr John Schilling (Div 2) interjected and stated that Cr Leu did not have the right to speak against as there had not been a second speaker for. Cr James got very flustered about what to do and asked Cr Leu to speak again whereupon Cr Schilling again insisted that she didn’t have the right and that Cr James must put the motion and close the discussion. Cr Leu interjected ‘what is this, North Korea? I have something I want to say about this important issue.’ Cr James recovered and put a motion to the chamber on whether to end the debate. Cr Schilling’s attempt to stifle discussion was temporarily lost. This was very revealing of the mentality of a councillor who, as part of a team with the numbers in council, clearly doesn’t feel that it is necessary to have any kind of debate on contentious matters.

That was effectively the end of the debate anyway and the motion ‘proposing the refurbishment of Lake St’ was passed 6-3 (Cr James as Chair did not need to vote). Only Cr Leu, Cr Pyne and Cr Brain voted against.

Where this will take us in terms of consultation on the issue is anybody’s guess.

For the record Crs Max O’Halloran (Div 7), Jessie Richardson (Div 8) and Greg Fennell (Div 9) uttered not a word throughout the meeting. Nice work if you can get it.

Notes taken by Denis Walls – 12 Dec 2012

The post Cairns Regional CouncilWatch: Ordinary Meeting 12 Dec 2012 appeared first on CAFNEC.

The first issue of interest was the rescission (re-vote) motion tabled by Cr Julia Leu and titled – Notice of Rescission – “on street” Bikeway on the Esplanade

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/63951/Notice-of-Rescission_ordinary_31oct12.pdf

Julia gave a spirited overview of the need to leave the current cycleway on the Esplanade as is. She mentioned an email that had been sent to Council from Brisbane questioning the decision to rip up such a path, after significant public expense and long community consultation, and counselling strongly against the decision. This email had arrived 12 days ago and yet had only been circulated to Councillors yesterday with little time to digest its importance. The CEO, Peter Tabulo, did not adequately explain why it had taken so long to distribute to Councillors and raises serious issues about information flow to elected representatives.

Nobody from the majority Unity team bothered to speak against Julia’s rescission motion so it went straight to a vote. It was defeated 6-4 with three Independents Julia, Rob Pyne and Linda Cooper voting for the rescission along with Richie Bates from the Unity team. It was very unparticipatory that no one from the majority even bothered to express a view. They obviously knew they had the numbers and didn’t need to justify their opinions to the expectant audience.

The next important matter was:

Repeal of the State Planning Regulatory Provisions for the Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009 – 2031

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/63958/31oct12_ordinary_cl6.pdf

This came into force on 26 October and was in the public notices of the Cairns Post of 12 October. The summary repealing of these regulations by State Government means that Council is no longer restricted from receiving or assessing development applications outside the current planned urban footprint.

Julia Leu again spoke against this repeal but the acceptance of the State Governments imposition was passed 8-2 with only Julia and Rob Pyne dissenting. Once again nobody spoke on the majority side.

The next key topic was: Strategic Direction: Flying Fox Colony Cairns CBD 

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/63968/31oct12_ordinary_cl14.pdf

There was actually a bit of debate on this one with Unity’s Greg Fennell of Div 9 arguing that flying foxes should be moved on to improve the amenity of the CBD. Rob Pyne spoke against, as did Unity’s Steve Brain from Div 1 and Julia Leu. Their arguments against moving the bats on were mostly based on other areas having to inherit the problem of where they would end up and, in particular, proximity to horses (which are pretty few in the CBD!) and the threat of the Hendra virus. Nobody mentioned bats as a tourist attraction although that destination of tourists, the Novotel in town got many mentions as it is the organisation pushing for the relocation.

The chambers held its collective breath, given that one of the Unity team had already broken ranks. Lo and behold, only four Councillors voted for the move on which the Mayor could scarcely believe because he turned for a long time to the CEO, then asked again for the numbers obviously disbelieving his own eyes. What had happened to the Mexican wave! He then announced that he would be voting with the gang of four but still didn’t seem able to work out that, even with his vote, the motion would fail. Mayors only need to vote if there is a 5-5 split. Yes, Mr Mayor, there were six remaining Councillors and they all voted for the status quo. The crowd let out a cheer and applause. A small victory for common sense. Steve Brain (Div1), Richie Bates (Div 5) and Jessie Richardson (Div 8) were the three Unity recalcitrants with the three already mentioned Independents making up the six in favour of leaving the bats in peace.

Council Watch was so excited by the small victory that the following topic was waved through in a scarcely noticed jiffy. It is review plan and doesn’t seem too threatening at this stage. See for yourself.

NORTH QUEENSLAND AIRPORTS CAIRNS AIRPORT LAND USE PLAN

http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/63969/31oct12_ordinary_cl15.pdf

One final topic was unanimous – prohibiting the giving away of free balloons at outdoor events up to 100 metres from a marine environment which was supported 10-0. This is to try to stop wildlife from ingesting them when the fall into the sea. Good idea but I wonder if the wind agrees that 100 metres is enough to stop turtles from choking.

Council Watch learned from this experience that Julia Leu puts in a lot of hard work on behalf of the whole Cairns community and that many in the Unity team appear to have chronic laryngitis.

Notes taken by Denis Walls 31 Oct 2012

The post Cairns Regional CouncilWatch: Ordinary Meeting 31 Oct 2012 appeared first on CAFNEC.

There were 20 agenda items in the open session of the meeting, and two additional items of general business. This open session of the meeting lasted less than an hour.

Items where discussion and or debate occurred prior to voting included the following. Many of these items still resulted in no decision on an issue, other than acceptance of various reports.

• Banning Balloon Giveaways at Community Events on Council Owned Land within 100 Metres of a Marine Environment

The original motion involved noting a Council Officer’s report. Clr Pyne put up an alternative motion that sought for the banning of ‘gas filled balloons’ from all events on Council Owned Land whatever the vicinity to the marine environment. Clr Schilling pointed out that air was a gas and that this should be amended to read ‘helium’ filled balloons. Clr Cooper was concerned about how easily this could be enforced, and a Council Officer informed the meeting that it could be easily incorporated into booking terms and conditions, but would not be policed on the ground due to resourcing. Clr Brain was concerned that no distances were incorporated in this motion, and he felt that not all events should have this ban placed on them. Clr Cooper suggested banning balloons altogether if they have such a detrimental effect on the marine environment. Clr Pyne defended the motion not including a distance from the marine environment as it is well-known that helium-filled balloons can travel significant distances. Clr Leu supported the alternative motion, while Clr Brain felt that if Council banned balloons then they would also need to ban other activities such as fireworks if they had a negative effect on the marine environment and he wanted to know where it would stop. The alternative motion was lost with only Clr Pyne and Leu voting in support. The original motion to accept the Council Officer’s report was then put and was carried unanimously.

• Council’s Smart Card

The motion sought for the Council to note the report on the Smart Card used for ‘economic stimulus’ in the Daintree area including free travel on the Daintree ferry at various times. Clr Brain asked where this report goes to from here. A Council Officer reported that at this stage the Card was working effectively but they will be looking into future options for the card as the technology changes. The motion was put and carried unanimously.

• Cairns Rectangular Pitch Stadium – Final Report

Councillors sounded like they had recently had a workshop on this issue, and the proposed motion was supposed to reflect their agreement on the issue. This included endorsing Barlow Park as the designated site to stage the development of a Cairns rectangular pitch stadium. However Clr O’Halloran put an alternative motion to accept the consultant’s report and then go out and consult with local clubs to determine a suitable place for new facilities. Clr Brain was concerned that this new motion indicated Council support for a new rectangular stadium which he understood not to be the case, and Clr Cooper agreed that there was no funding now, but better consultation could be done in the future. Clr Bates felt that it was important to give the current club users of Barlow Park surety of tenure by not seeking to do this consultation, but continue to look for opportunities to fund and place a rectangular pitch somewhere. A further alternative motion was put that only part (a) of the original motion (which included 5 parts) to accept the consultant’s report, which was carried unanimously.

• Provision of Playground at Dubuji Park – Cape Tribulation – Division 10

This motion was basically to not proceed with this playground even though the equipment had already been bought and was waiting to be installed. Clr Leu sought for this item to be adjourned as she believed the Cape Tribulation community would be very disappointed if no playground was built at this stage, so that an alternative strategy could be developed. This was unanimously supported.

• North Queensland Airports Cairns Airport Land Use Plan

This item follows up from a previous meeting where Council agreed to take their concerns about the Land Use Plan (LUP) to the Minister which included development of the commercial precinct, the loss of areas of ecological significance and key vistas, and the impact of relocation of general aviation. The motion before Council was to note the advice of the Planning Department and provide support for the LUP. The Department’s advice was that they had made a number of changes to the LUP in response to State and Local government comment. However Clr Leu believed that these changes would not sufficiently protect the mangroves or areas of high ecological significance. The Dept’s advice identified: provisions to maintain riparian buffers on waterways; provisions to retain vegetation along Airport Drive; provisions from the Coastal Management and Biodiversity Overlay Code about protecting ecological values or providing offsets; and, the Dept of Environment and Heritage have advised that they have no outstanding matters with the LUP. The motion was put and carried with only Clr Leu and Cooper voting against the motion.

• Regional Development Australia Funding – Round 3

This motion was to submit an RDA application for funding skate park facilities. Clr Leu spoke against the motion noting that it was not the best project for this funding round as it did not meet the additional grant criteria about not funding infrastructure which is core State or Local govt business. Clr Leu believes the Daintree Gateway project would be a better fit for this funding round, and more likely to be successful. She also noted that Council has already budgeted for the skate park project. Cl Pyne agreed that the Daintree Gateway project would be better for this funding round but would not be voting against the motion as he was also supportive of the skate park project. Clr Cooper also noted her support of the Daintree Gateway project. Clr James as Chair identified that if the first Expression of Interest  (EOI) was unsuccessful the second option should be the Daintree Gateway project but a Council Officer explained that only one EOI would be considered and there was unlikely to be a chance to put in an additional project if the first was not successful. The motion was put and only Clr Leu voted against it.

• Regional Development Australia Funding – Round 4

This motion related to support for an RDA application for the Shields Street Heart project. Clr Leu spoke against this motion as it is part of the CBD revamp project and does not fit into the FNQ Regional Plan. She believes that the Port Douglas Waterfront Masterplan would be a better project for RDA funding as it fits the RDA criteria better and isn’t for the construction of a road. Clr James (as Chair) stated that he did not believe the project was about building a road, and Clr Leu identified where this was stated in the Council meeting papers. Clr Pyne stated that he supported the Port Douglas Waterfront Masterplan project but also supports this motion (to fund the Shields Street Heart project) and would therefore not be voting against this motion. Clr Brain also supports the Masterplan project but noted it had been knocked back by the RDA previously. Clr Terry pointed out a lease issue on the Materplan project. Clr Leu did not agree that the lease issue precluded applying and identified that 46% of projects funded in the last RDA round had previously been knocked back. Clr Cooper wanted to know if the grant application made a point of identifying that Cairns would be hosting G20 next year, and a Council Officer identified that this was unlikely to a be a significant consideration by the RDA. The motion was put and only Clr Leu voted against the motion.

A number of items were passed without any discussion or debate and were carried unanimously.

These included:

• Amendment of Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2011 to Extend Hartley Street Off Street Parking Area and vary Penalty Units, and Regulated Parking Fees
• Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) – Annual Report 2011 – 2012 (with Clr Leu identifying a potential conflict of interest as a council-appointed member of the TPDD Board)
• Delegations to Chief Executive Officer Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011
• Planning Scheme Amendments – Cairnsplan & Douglas Shire Planning Scheme – Operational Works for Vegetation Damage & Clearing
• Draft Proposed State Interests – Part 1 of The State Planning Policy
• Planning Strategies General Policy and Planning Scheme Policy Review
• Request to Change Existing Approval for Reconfiguring a Lot (2 Lots into 330 Lots Plus Park & Balance) –Division 6 (with Clr Cooper identifying a potential conflict of interest for all Unity members, as campaign funds were received from the development’s proponents – this conflict was felt to not be relevant by Councillors as the motion was framed to provide Council will funds for road infrastructure that would otherwise be paid for by ratepayers)
• Reconfiguration of a Lot (Lease Exceeding Ten (10) Years) – Bloomfield River Degarra – Division 10
• Material Change of Use (Impact Assessment) Business Facilities (Children Family Centre) –6 Moignard Street and 48-50 Moody Street Manoora –Division 5
• Cairns Performing Arts Centre- Status Report
• 2012/2013 Community, Sport & Cultural Services Departmental Operational Plan – First Quarter Review

Following on from the open session was a closed session of Council that included the following issues.

• Port Douglas – Offer of Three Further Trustee Permits for Six Months to Marinas Port Douglas ty Ltd over Lease Areas D, E  and J being part of Lot 126 on SR868, Wharf Street
• Economic Diversification Fund 2012/13 – Assessment of Applications
• Interim Management of Tobruk Memorial Pool
• Cairns Airport Adventure Festival
• International Mountain Bike Events – 2014 – 2017

Notes taken by Sarah Hoyal – 5 Dec 2012

The post Cairns Regional CouncilWatch: Ordinary Meeting 5 Dec 2012 appeared first on CAFNEC.

(prior to Council meeting and the re-vote on the Esplanade cycleway)

• Defend our cycleway

• Demand environmental protection

• Demand a Council accountable to all the people – not just developers

Our new Council has set out to dismantle cycling facilities, turn the clock back on planning laws, and throw consultation in the bin. Hear speakers from Cairns Bicycle User Group (CBUG), Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) and Julia Leu from Council, and make your voice heard.
For more information, contact Denis Walls on 0434 279 552.

DOWNLOAD EVENT POSTER HERE:  Council_rally_poster_31Oct2012

The post PUBLIC RALLY – Cairns Regional Council:‘BACK TO BASICS’ or BASICALLY BACKWARDS? appeared first on CAFNEC.