MINUTES of the ORDINARY MEETING CHAIRMAN: Cr MW Curran (Mayor) Held in the Boardroom Town Hall 2 Caledonian Hill Gympie Qld 4570 On Wednesday, 11 October 2017 At 9am
MINUTES
of the
ORDINARY MEETING
CHAIRMAN: Cr MW Curran (Mayor)
Held in the Boardroom
Town Hall
2 Caledonian Hill
Gympie Qld 4570
On Wednesday, 11 October 2017
At 9am
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 1
Gympie Regional Council
Gympie Regional Council ORDINARY
Mayor MW Curran (Chairman)
Crs MA McDonald, GC Hartwig, MS Gear, DW Dodt, DH Stewart, HT Smerdon,
WR Leitch and JK Cochrane
CONTENTS:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 3
DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS ............................................................................... 3
SECTION 1: OPEN WITH PRAYER .................................................................................................. 3
SECTION 2: APOLOGIES / LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................ 3
SECTION 3: CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES .................................................................................. 3
SECTION 4: PETITIONS ................................................................................................................... 5
4.1 PETITION - AMAMOOR TIP HOURS ............................................................................................................................................ 5
4.2 PETITION - MARY VALLEY TRANSFER STATION OPERATING HOURS ..................................................................................... 6
SECTION 5: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................. 7
5.1 DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE - HIGH IMPACT INDUSTRY (EXTENSION TO
EXISTING ENGINEERING WORKSHOP) AT 532 UPPER WIDGEE ROAD, WIDGEE................................................................... 7
5.2 UPDATE ON SOUTHSIDE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AREA .......................................................................................................... 39
SECTION 6: CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ........................................................... 45
6.1 PROPOSED RENEWAL OF TRUSTEE AGISTMENT LEASE - LOT 39 MCH4838 - WOLVI MOUNTAIN ROAD,
WOLVI ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 45
6.2 PROPOSED RENEWAL OF FREEHOLD LEASE TO COUNCIL - PART OF LOT 1 RP197493 - 402 WOLVI
MOUNTAIN ROAD, WOLVI........................................................................................................................................................ 48
6.3 EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - MANAGEMENT OF GYMPIE SALEYARDS CANTEEN ................................................................ 51
6.4 RADF REPORT TO COUNCIL ..................................................................................................................................................... 53
6.5 COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS ......................................................................................................................................... 59
SECTION 7: OFFICE OF THE CEO .................................................................................................. 66
7.1 NOTIFIED MOTION - REPORTS TO COUNCIL .......................................................................................................................... 66
7.2 NOTIFIED MOTION - OPERATIONAL EXPENSES ...................................................................................................................... 68
7.3 NOTIFIED MOTION - WASTE MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................................................... 71
7.4 NOTIFIED MOTION - PREMISES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISATION .................................................................................... 72
SECTION 8: INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES ................................................................................... 77
SECTION 9: ATTACHMENTS......................................................................................................... 78 5.1 DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE - HIGH IMPACT INDUSTRY (EXTENSION TO EXISTING
ENGINEERING WORKSHOP) AT 532 UPPER WIDGEE ROAD, WIDGEE
ATTACHMENT 1 2016-0797 WIDGEE ENGINEERING - PUBLIC NOTIFICATION ATTACHMENT ............................. 79
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Gympie Regional Council
5.2 UPDATE ON SOUTHSIDE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AREA
ATTACHMENT 1 TEMPORARY LOCAL PLANNING INSTRUMENT 1 – SOUTHSIDE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
AREA ..................................................................................................................................................... 83
6.5 COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS
ATTACHMENT 1 GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS ROUND 1, 2017/2018 .................................................................. 95
ATTACHMENT 3 INFORMATION RE: ROUND 2, 2017/2018 ..................................................................................... 96
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Gympie Regional Council
The meeting commenced at 9.01am.
PRESENT: Mayor Cr MW Curran (Chairman), Crs MA McDonald, GC Hartwig,
MS Gear, DW Dodt, DH Stewart, HT Smerdon, WR Leitch and
JK Cochrane.
Also in attendance were Chief Executive Officer (Mr BJ Smith), Director
Corporate and Community Services (Ms P Gordon), Acting Director
Infrastructure Services (Mr L O’Brien), Director Planning & Development
(Ms G Vereker), Manager Development and Compliance
(Mrs T Stenholm), Senior Officer Planning (Ms S McCormick) Manager
Property (Mrs D Jenkins), Senior Officer Community Development
(Ms N Schellback), Community Development Officer Administration
(Mrs E Cummings) and Minutes Clerk (Ms T Condon).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Cr Stewart gave the following acknowledgement:
Let me acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we
meet today, I pay my respects to the elders of the past, present and
emerging.
Disclosur e of Inter ests by C ouncillors
DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS
M04/10/17 – Material Personal Interest – Cr GC Hartwig
M05/10/17 – Material Personal Interest – Cr JK Cochrane
Section 1: Open with Pr ayer
SECTION 1: OPEN WITH PRAYER
Pastor Scott Lucas from the Cooloola Wesleyan Methodist Church
offered a prayer for the advancement of the region and the true welfare
of its people.
One Minute’s silence for family and friends of deceased residents of the
region.
Section 2: Apologies / Leave of Absence
SECTION 2: APOLOGIES / LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Section 3: Confirmati on of Minutes
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Gympie Regional Council
SECTION 3: CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
M01/10/17 Moved Cr DH Stewart Seconded Cr MA McDonald
That the Minutes of the Gympie Regional Council Ordinary Meeting held
on 20 September 2017 be taken as read and confirmed.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr JK Cochrane,
Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear, Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
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Gympie Regional Council
Section 4: Petitions
SECTION 4: PETITIONS 4.1 Peti tion - Amamoor Tip H ours
4.1 Petition - Amamoor Tip Hours
PORTFOLIO: Infrastructure Services
DIRECTORATE: Office of the CEO
DOC ID: 1957031
1. REPORT
Petition received with 149 Signatories.
“We the undersigned respectfully petition the Gympie Regional Council to:
1. Increase the Amamoor Tip hours from the current service level of 12 hours a
week, which was reduced on 1st July 2017 from 7 days a week.
2. Note that the reduced hours at Amamoor Tip are not acceptable to the
community and that the current operations do not provide a satisfactory or
reasonable level of essential community service.
3. Note community concerns that this significant decrease in service levels to
Amamoor Community and the Mary Valley in general will also increase the
level of illegal dumping in our region.”
M02/10/17 Moved Cr JK Cochrane Seconded Cr GC Hartwig
That the Petition be received and tabled for consideration at a future
ordinary meeting.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr JK Cochrane,
Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear, Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
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Gympie Regional Council
4.2 Peti tion - M ar y Valley Trans fer Stati on Oper ati ng Hours
4.2 Petition - Mary Valley Transfer Station Operating Hours
PORTFOLIO: Infrastructure Services
DIRECTORATE: Office of the CEO
DOC ID: 1957034
1. REPORT
Petition received with 837 signatories.
“We the undersigned respectfully petition the Gympie Regional Council to:
Reinstate the original Mary Valley Transfer Station (Imbil Tip) operating hours to
those prior to the changes made on the 1st July 2017
This petition advises that the reduction of the Imbil Tip hours to 22 a week is not
acceptable to the community and that the current operations do not provide a
satisfactory or reasonable level of essential community service to the Mary
Valley region, its businesses and its residents.
Given the closure of surrounding tips resulting in a loss of 224 operating hours,
the Imbil Tip usage will automatically increase and its hours need to , at the very
least, remain as they were and not be reduced.”
M03/10/17 Moved Cr JK Cochrane Seconded Cr HT Smerdon
That the petition be received and tabled for consideration at a future
ordinary meeting.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr JK Cochrane,
Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear, Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 7
Gympie Regional Council
Section 5: Planni ng and D evel opment
SECTION 5: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 5.1 D evel opment Application for M aterial C hang e of Use - Hig h Impact Industr y (Extensi on to Existi ng Engineering Wor kshop) at 532 Upper Wi dgee R oad, Wi dgee
5.1 Development Application for Material Change of Use - High Impact
Industry (Extension to Existing Engineering Workshop) at 532
Upper Widgee Road, Widgee
MATERIAL PERSONAL INTEREST
In accordance with Section 172 of the Local Government Act 2009;
Cr Hartwig declared a Material Personal Interest in Minute M04/10/17
as he operates a business within the same industry as the applicant.
Cr Hartwig left the meeting at 9.09am.
PORTFOLIO: Planning and Development
DIRECTORATE: Planning and Development
DOC ID: 2016-0797
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
3. Our Organisation – accountable, responsive, efficient and innovative
1. BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Executive Summary
The application seeks retrospective approval for a significant
intensification of an existing engineering workshop on Upper Widgee
Road, Widgee.
The business was originally approved at 216m2 in 1993 but has grown
exponentially in scale without the required planning approvals to 5,925m2
(current). The applicant has expanded the development significantly
beyond its original land use approval and has not obtained building or
plumbing approvals for parts of the expansion.
The development site and surrounding area is located within the Rural
Zone.
The closest dwelling house is approximately 288 metres from the very
southern edge of the existing fabricating shed utilised for steel
sandblasting and painting.
The Development Application was publically advertised and a total of 60
submissions were received. Some of the submissions raise valid planning
issues about the negative amenity impacts of the proposal on nearby
properties and the inappropriateness of the development in the Rural
Zone.
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Gympie Regional Council
The application is considered to be contrary to elements within the
Strategic Framework of the Gympie Regional Council Planning Scheme
2013 (Planning Scheme).
The subject site is zoned Rural in the Planning Scheme where high impact
industry is generally not intended to be located.
The proposal is in conflict with the purpose of the Rural Zone and the
overall outcomes of the Rural Zone Code.
Two (2) noise reports were submitted by the applicant as part of the
application and Council’s independent peer review of these reports
identifies a number of shortcomings, including that the mitigation
measures provided are generic and may not be applicable for the subject
site. The report further indicates that predicted noise levels are likely to
exceed the background creep noise at three (3) sensitive receivers (i.e.
houses). Any approval of the development will therefore result in
continuing noise impacts and subsequent ongoing compliance issues for
Council.
Significant works would be necessary should Council consider the
approval of the application, including installation of an on-site stormwater
management system and upgrading of external roads. Ideally, enclosing
of the existing workshops should also be imposed to assist in reducing the
impact of noise emissions at noise sensitive receptors. However, the
practicality of ensuring adequate ventilation within the closed workshop
would also need consideration. All of these works, particularly upgrading
of the on-site stormwater management system, external roadways and
ventilation of existing buildings should they be enclosed, may likely
present a significant financial impost on the business.
In the absence of sufficient planning grounds to justify the non-
compliance with Council’s Planning Scheme, the application cannot be
recommended for approval.
2. REPORT
SUMMARY SHEET
APPLICATION DETAILS
Applicant: Widgee Engineering
Proposal Material Change of Use – High Impact
Industry (Extension to Existing
Engineering Workshop)
Properly Made Date: 31/05/2016
Information Request Date: 17/06/2016
Information Response Received
Date:
16/09/2016
Public Notification Stage ended 18/10/2016
Number of Submissions: 60 (4 objections, 56 in support)
PROPERTY DETAILS
Division: 6
Property Address: 532 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee
RP Description Lot 1 RP199738
Land Area: 20.55ha
Existing use of Land: Engineering workshop
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Gympie Regional Council
STATUTORY DETAILS
Planning Scheme: Gympie Regional Council 2013
Planning Zone/Precinct: Rural
Overlays: Bushfire Hazard (Medium &
High)/Conservation Significant
Assessment Type: Impact
Figure 1 - Subject Land
Figure 2(a) - Aerial Photo 2014 – Development Site
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Gympie Regional Council
Figure 2(b) - Aerial Photo 2014 – Development Site from Gympie CBD
Figure 2(c) - Aerial Photo 2014 – Development Footprint
2.1 Purpose
Gympie
CBD
Subject Site
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Gympie Regional Council
The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s determination of an application
for a material change of use for high impact industry to expand an existing
engineering workshop in Widgee.
2.2 The Proposal
The proposed development is most appropriately defined under the current
Planning Scheme as ‘High Impact Industry’. Widgee Engineering indicates it
employs 16 employees and provides the following services:
Fabrication of Structural Steel Work;
Sandblasting; and
Transport with Extendable 22 metre Rhino Trailer.
By way of the subject Development Application, the applicant has requested
approval for:
Office Building (GFA: 145m2);
Open covered workshop (Total Use Area (TUA): 1 060m2);
Three (3) Shipping Containers (TUA: 295m2);
Shed (GFA: 850m2);
Metal Stockpiles (TUA: 3 575m2);
A proposed total use area for the development of 5,925m2.
There are two (2) access driveways proposed from Upper Widgee Road, one
(1) in close proximity to the northern boundary for employees, external
company representatives and visitors and one (1) traversing the site in the
middle of the eastern boundary for heavy vehicles only (refer to Figure 7 (a)).
The applicant has proposed an unsealed car parking area to accommodate 26
car parking spaces.
The applicant has advised the traffic movements for the use include a
maximum of ten (10) employee vehicles (based on car-pooling) and one (1) to
two (2) medium rigid/HC heavy combination vehicles per week. The applicant
has further stated the amount of night transport since October 2015 has
consisted of 11 loads requiring a pilot escort between the hours of midnight
to 6am.
The applicant has proposed landscaping of a minimum width of 3.5m
(exclusive of the access driveways) along Upper Widgee Road to visually
screen the development from the surrounding area. A landscaping plan
detailing the proposed landscape strip has been submitted with the
Development Application (Figure 3 (i)).
The applicant has nominated the following hours of operation:
Monday to Friday: 7.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday: 8.00am – 1.00pm
The hours of operation were recently amended from those originally
submitted, in addition to reducing the number of employees from 32 to 16
(four (4) office staff and 12 boiler makers). In the original application, the
applicant has stated the business intended to operate outside of these hours
‘occasionally’.
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Gympie Regional Council
Figure 3(a) – Proposal Plan (Site Plan)
Figure 3(b) – Proposal Plan (Below ground hopper blaster room)
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Gympie Regional Council
Figure 3(c) – Proposal Plan (Below ground hopper concept)
Figure 3(d) – Proposal Plan (Floor Plan – Building A)
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Gympie Regional Council
Figure 3(e) – Proposal Plan (Floor Plan – Building B)
Figure 3(f) – Proposal Plan (Elevations – Building A)
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Gympie Regional Council
Figure 3(g) – Proposal Plan (Elevations – Building A)
Figure 3(h) – Proposal Plan (Elevations – Building B)
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Gympie Regional Council
Figure 3(i) – Proposal Plan (Landscaping Plan)
2.2.2 Site Description
The subject site is described as Lot 1 RP199738 and situated at 532 Upper
Widgee Road, Widgee.
The site is 20.55ha in size and zoned Rural under the Gympie Regional Council
2013 Planning Scheme (Planning Scheme). It is further identified under the
Planning Scheme overlay maps as having bushfire hazard (medium and high)
prone land and contains conservation significant areas.
Aerial photography (refer to Figure 2(a)) demonstrates that the site is mainly
cleared of vegetation in the eastern portion of the site close to Upper Widgee
Road. The western portion of the site is densely vegetated. The subject site
ranges in height from 135m AHD at the road frontage and rises up to 245m
AHD in the south-western corner of the site.
Since 1993 the eastern side of the property has been used as an engineering
workshop. On the western side of the development site is an existing dwelling
house, associated shed structures and swimming pool. An electricity easement
also traverses through the eastern portion of the development site.
2.2.3 Site History
The existing engineering workshop had a development approval (DA30) for
Land Use (Engineering Workshop) granted on 10 September 1993 by the
former Kilkivan Shire Council (KSC). The approved gross floor area (GFA) was
216m2.
The proposal was approved subject to conditions requiring power supply to
the workshop, vegetation screening, access and parking area construction.
With the exception of a written certification from the Wide Bay Burnett
Electricity Board (power supply), there is no evidence documented to
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Gympie Regional Council
demonstrate the applicant has complied with the conditions of approval. A
site inspection confirms that conditions relating to access, parking and
vegetation screening have not been implemented.
Figure 4(a) – Approved Site Plan (DA30 – Engineering Workshop)
Figure 4(b) – Approved 3D Plan (DA30 – Engineering Workshop)
The site was also the subject of a Building Permit No 91/93 for Workshop
Shed (216m2) and Septic Tank Approval 46/93 issued by KSC on 8 September
1993.
The application states that over the past 23 years the business has diversified
from general engineering to specialising in structural steel work for the
commercial sector to accommodate demand in the construction industry
Australia wide. Through the diversification process the business has physically
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Gympie Regional Council
grown unlawfully without obtaining required planning, building and plumbing
development approvals with the exception of the following:
DA06062 – Building Work (Abrasive Blasting Shed): Issued by KSC on 30
July 2007; and
2011-0255 (Material Change of Use – Environmentally Relevant Activity -
#17 (Abrasive Blasting): Issued by Gympie Regional Council on 23 March
2011.
Figure 5(a) – Aerial Photography Rural 2010
Figure 5(b) – Aerial Photography Rural 2014
2.2.4 Surrounding Land Uses
The surrounding land uses are rural in nature and include dense forestry to the
west and the grazing of animals. The rural allotments range in size from
15.08ha up to 555.22ha. The closest house is approximately 288 metres from
the very southern edge of the existing fabricating shed utilised for steel
sandblasting and painting.
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Gympie Regional Council
To the north-east of the development site is the township of Widgee, while
the subject land is 20.58km west of the Bruce Highway and 26.87km west of
the centre of Gympie.
2.3 Assessment
2.3.1 Framework for Assessment
Instruments for Statutory Assessment
Under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA) the application must be
assessed against each of the following statutory planning instruments to the
extent they are relevant to the development:
State Planning Policies;
Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan;
State Planning Regulatory Provisions; and
the Planning Scheme for the local government area.
Of these, the statutory planning instruments relevant to this application are
discussed in the sections that follow.
2.3.2 State Instruments – State and Other
State Planning Policies
The Queensland Government established the State Planning Policy (SPP) in
December 2013 to simplify and clarify matters of state interest in land use
planning and development.
In accordance with Part E interim development assessment provisions of the
SPP, there are three (3) codes triggered and addressed below:
Biodiversity
The subject site is identified under the new SPP mapping as being subject to
Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES) – Regulated Vegetation
(intersecting a water course) and MSES – Regulated Vegetation.
Figure 6 - SPP Interactive Mapping System (DA): Biodiversity (Regulated
vegetation – intersecting a watercourse)
The areas mapped as remnant vegetation (intersecting a watercourse) on the
site are located from the middle to the western portion of the allotment. These
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Gympie Regional Council
areas are also mapped as conservation significant areas in the current Planning
Scheme. The proposed extensions to the engineering workshop are located
approximately 278m to the east of the mapped conservation significant areas.
The applicant does not propose to clear any further vegetation on the site
than that which has already occurred.
Water Quality
The subject site is identified under the SPP as being in a climatic region
requiring stormwater management design. As the proposal is a material
change of use for urban purposes with a site area of more than 2,500m2,
assessment against these provisions is required.
A levee bank has been constructed on the western side of the fabricating
sheds and metal stockpile areas to prevent stormwater runoff through these
areas. The runoff from the levee bank is directed to Upper Widgee Road and
the resulting concentrated flow has caused damage to the road shoulder in
the past. A detention system will likely be required to be installed to control
the flows to Upper Widgee Road.
A water quality treatment system should also be installed to ensure
stormwater runoff from the development site is not contaminated and meets
the quality requirements of the SPP. This system will help prevent the silting of
the road table drain and also filter out metal, and other contaminates that may
be present on the development site. The required drainage system will need to
be designed by an appropriately qualified professional.
Complaints have been received regarding stormwater runoff from the subject
site with concerns regarding silt entering the property across the road via the
road table drain.
Should the development be approved, it is recommended conditions of
approval be imposed to manage the stormwater on the subject site as
indicated above.
Natural Hazards:
The subject site was identified as potentially being subject to a local
government flood mapping area. However, as the subject site is not subject to
any flood hazard overlays, assessment against this provision is not required.
The subject site was also identified as having land medium, high, very high and
being within a bushfire buffer zone on the SPP interactive mapping:
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Gympie Regional Council
Figure 7 - SPP Interactive Mapping System (DA): Bushfire hazard area
The engineering workshop is located approximately 215m away from the
areas of medium to very high bushfire prone land. However, the development
is located within the potential impact buffer zone and the subject land is
heavily vegetated in the western portion of the allotment.
The applicant has advised “since Widgee Engineering has been operating since
1993, bushfire has not been a major concern”, it is recommended the applicant
submit a bushfire management plan for the proposed development should an
emergency event occur.”
The applicant was asked to submit a Bushfire Assessment by a suitably
qualified and experienced person in the request for further information stage.
A Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan authored by North Coast
Environmental Services dated 30 August 2016 was submitted by the applicant.
Section 6 of the report recommends bushfire impact reduction measures and
suggested conditions of approval including the following:
Asset Protection Zones (APZ’s):
A 10m wide fully cleared APZ is to be provided about the external
perimeter of the development footprint to reduce the risk of direct flame
contact to buildings, people and plant and equipment.
The APZ be maintained clear of flammable material such as hazardous
vegetation, including unmanaged grassland, as well as other flammable
items including all unroofed storage areas host to flammable materials
(i.e. discarded battery stockpiles, oil drums, equipment and machinery
host to combustible liquids).
The APZ be maintained for the life of the development including the
removal of surface fuels such as twigs, leaf litter, grass and woody
regrowth on an annual basis and prior to the fire season (i.e. August to
early September).
The APZ is to be readily trafficable and not constrained by access gates
and the like.
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Water Supply:
One (1) water supply tank is provided within 100m of each class 1, 2, 3 or
4 building and has:
(a) fire brigade tank fittings; and
(b) if the buildings are in a high or medium risk area identified in the
bushfire hazard overlay, the buildings take off connection from the
tank is at a level that allows 5 000 litres to be dedicated for fire-
fighting purposes.
Fire Breaks:
A 10m wide fully cleared fire break is to be provided about the external
perimeter of the development footprint to reduce the risk of direct flame
contact to buildings, people and plant and equipment.
The fire break is to be located external of the working footprint of the
development and shall be maintained clear of flammable material such as
hazardous vegetation, including unmanaged grassland, as well as other
flammable items including all unroofed storage areas host to flammable
materials (i.e. discarded battery stockpiles, oil drums, equipment and
machinery host to combustible liquids).
No activities associated with the development including storage of
machinery and waste is to be located external of the encompassing fire
break.
The fire break shall be continuous from the front entry point from Upper
Widgee Road so that if forms a continuous loop around the development
footprint.
Vehicular Access:
The development site is to be serviced by safe access/exit points for both
occupants and emergency services personnel.
It is considered the concerns relating to bushfire risk can be effectively
managed should the above recommendations be incorporated into conditions
of approval.
Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan
The subject land is included within the Regional Landscape and Rural
Production Area (RLRPA) of the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan (WBBRP).
The application is considered to be in conflict with the following principles of
the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan:
“2.3.1 The environment is protected to maintain the health and wellbeing of
the community and the natural environment through effective
management of air and noise.”
“3.4.1 The region’s primary production areas are protected and sustainably
managed to ensure their continuing contribution to the economy, and
to mitigate the anticipated effects of climate change.”
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Gympie Regional Council
“4.1.3 The urban–rural interface is appropriately managed to reduce potential
land-use conflicts.”
“4.2.3 Development does not detract from the established character and role
of rural townships.”
“10.8.3 Impacts from freight operations, including freight movement on
sensitive land uses, are minimised.”
2.3.3 Local Instruments – Gympie Regional Council Planning Scheme
2013
The applicable Planning Scheme for the application is the Gympie Regional
Council Planning Scheme 2013 (Planning Scheme). The following sections
relate to the provisions of the Planning Scheme.
Rural Zone Code
The purpose of the Rural Zone is to:
“(a) provide for a wide range of uses including cropping, intensive horticulture,
intensive animal industries, animal husbandry, animal keeping and other
primary production activities;
(b) provide opportunities for non-rural uses that are compatible with
agriculture, the environment, and the landscape character of the rural
area where they do not compromise the long-term use of the land for rural
purposes; and
(c) protect or manage significant natural features, resources, and processes,
including the capacity for primary production.”
Figure 7 – Zone Mapping (Rural) – 2013 Planning Scheme
It is considered the development is in conflict with the purpose of the Rural
Zone as stated above as the land use is not for rural or agricultural purposes. It
is considered the use is not compatible with agriculture, the environment or
the landscape character of the Rural Zone due to the noise stormwater, and
visual impacts which have not been adequately addressed in the application
and in relation to noise, are unable to be adequately resolved.
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Gympie Regional Council
Overall Outcome (a) of the Rural Zone Code states:
“(a) The establishment of a wide range of rural pursuits is facilitated,
including cropping, intensive horticulture, intensive animal industries,
animal husbandry and animal keeping and other compatible primary
production uses.”
The Planning Scheme requires that non-rural uses (other than outdoor
recreation and small scale tourism facilities) not be established in Rural Zones
unless they are:
Separated from rural uses to ensure that existing and future rural
activity is protected from the intrusion of incompatible land uses; and
Hold significant benefits to a local or wider community, but where
circumstances or characteristics are such that they are not suited to
conventional urban areas; or
Ancillary or subsidiary to principal rural land uses to widen the
economic base for rural production provided that rural production in
surrounding areas is not alienated.
In regards to this, the application states:
“Due to the scale and size of Widgee Engineering, the use cannot be
accommodated at a typical industry zoned land parcel … Re-locating Widgee
Engineering to an alternative Industry Zone site is not possible due to the limited
supply of suitable Industry Zoned land …”
The applicant was asked to further substantiate this statement given the
amount of zoned industrial land in the Gympie Urban area has more than
tripled since 2009 with vacant zoned land increasing six-fold. The applicant’s
response to this question focused on the business being established on the
site since 1993, the lack of industrial land in Widgee at the time it was
established and the cost of re-locating the business being substantial. It did
not address the potential of other appropriately zoned industrial land.
It is acknowledged a development approval was granted on the site in 1993 by
the former KSC for an engineering workshop and the proposed use is not a
new use on the site. However, the intensity and scale of the business has
grown significantly requiring a material change of use Development
Application to be lodged with Council. At the time the business commenced
the size of the proposed use (216m2) was considered to be appropriate for the
site, zone and locality. It is considered the size of the business now requires a
property zoned for high impact industry uses. Approval of a significant
industrial use outside of the preferred appropriately zoned areas has the effect
of undermining the viability of the zoned areas and the enforceability of the
Planning Scheme.
If the development was proposed today on the site, an industrial use of this
scale and intensity would not be anticipated or likely to be supported in the
Rural Zone. The original GFA approved in 1993 (216m2) is 3.64% of the
proposed TUA proposed in this Development Application (5 925m2).
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As stated above, the applicant has advised at the time the business located in
Widgee there was no industrial zoned land available. The applicant has also
highlighted the significant cost of re-locating the business taking into account
that since the time the original planning approval was given in 1993 the
operators have invested significant capital into onsite infrastructure. However
the expansion of the business has occurred in the absence of obtaining the
relevant Council approvals, therefore the existing investment by itself cannot
be considered sufficient grounds to not consider relocation or warrant
approval.
The applicant has not demonstrated a specific need for the business to be
located in the Rural Zone in Widgee. The Planning Scheme requires that non-
rural activities in rural areas should not compromise rural production on the
site or in the surrounding area. It is acknowledged the site is not mapped as
good quality agricultural land, however the property is zoned rural and in
accordance with the Planning Scheme it is difficult not to conclude that the
development does compromise any future rural use of the land.
Overall Outcome (b) and (f) of the Rural Zone Code requires:
“(b) Development embraces sustainable land management practices and
contributes to the amenity and landscape of the area.”
“(f) Uses that require isolation from urban areas as a consequence of their
impacts such as noise or odour may be appropriate where land use
conflicts are minimised.”
The Planning Scheme does foreshadow the possibility of some industry uses
with high impacts being established in areas where amenity is already
compromised, subject to maximum mitigation of those impacts. An acoustic
assessment of noise associated with activities conducted at Widgee
Engineering prepared by GHD dated March 2016 was provided as part of the
Development Application. In the discussion section of the report, GHD make
the following statements:
“Observations made during the attended noise measurements taken on the
Widgee Engineering site boundary indicated that site activities (including
grinding, welding, sandblasting, forklift operations, etc.) were the dominant
noise sources.
Observations made during the attended measurements at the complainant’s
residence indicated that the ambient noise environment was dominated by
insects, animals and traffic noise. Operations from the Widgee Engineering site
were not audible from this location”.
This statement is contradictory to the observations of Council Officers made in
October 2015 as detailed in their written statements. The question was raised
by Council Officers as to whether the noise assessment was a true
representation of noise emissions from all activities being conducted at
Widgee Engineering. As a result, a revised environmental noise emission
impact assessment report was requested.
Specifically, the revised report was to include the following specific criteria:
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 26
Gympie Regional Council
Assess noise impacts at the Nuisance Sensitive Places (dwellings)
detailed in Table 1 of the letter;
Consider all noise sources detailed in Table 2 of the letter. Note: noise
sources include but are not limited to all sources detailed in the table;
Consider all noise sources individually and cumulatively;
Provide a comparison of the noise emissions with the “Acoustic quality
objectives” as detailed in Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection
(Noise) Policy 2008. As appropriate, adjustments are to be considered for
all noise emissions that have impulsive and / or tonal characteristics;
Identify all exceedances and the level of all exceedances of the “Acoustic
quality objectives” as detailed in Schedule 1 of the Environmental
Protection (Noise) Policy 2008. and
Include the submission of a Noise Management Plan detailing mitigation
methods to be implemented to achieve compliance with the “Acoustic
quality objectives” and how the impact of noise sources that are
impulsive and / or have tonal characteristics including grinding, reversing
alarms, truck loading / unloading, hammering, yard storage / stacking
operations and metal cutting will be managed so as not to cause an
environmental nuisance at Nuisance Sensitive Places including all
existing dwellings located on the properties detailed in Table 1.
A Noise Investigation Report by the applicant’s consultants GHD dated March
2017 was submitted to Council for review on 31 March 2017. Submission of
the report was delayed by the applicant as they requested the “acoustic
assessment be carried out during a medium-busy working period in order for the
assessment to be worthwhile and hold weight”.
The report concluded:
“A noise monitoring survey at seven nearby receivers determined that site noise
was not continuous, and that the site was typically inaudible at the furthest
receivers from site …
… Site noise from Widgee Engineering was found to be significantly lower
than the ‘Acoustic Quality Objectives’ set out in Schedule 1 of the EPP
(Noise), at all identified receiver locations.
Site noise from Widgee Engineering was found to exceed the ‘Controlling
background creep’ criteria set out in Part 4 of the EPP (Noise) at the three
nearest receiver locations, but complied with at all other identified
locations (including the complainant). It is noted that Widgee Engineering
have never received a complaint from the three nearest receiver locations,
and that two of these receivers are employed by the site.”
Mitigation measures proposed by GHD in this report included:
Where practical, machines would be operated at a low speed or power and
switched off when not being used rather than left idling for prolonged
periods.
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Gympie Regional Council
Keep truck drivers informed of designated vehicles routes, parking
locations and delivery hours.
Avoid dropping materials from height and avoid metal to metal contact on
material.
All engine covers would be kept closed while equipment is operating.
Use structures (such as the large workshop) to intersect the line of sight
between particularly noise activities (such as grinding) and sensitive
receivers (such as the complainant).
Locate activities further away from sensitive receivers were practicable.
A sign at the entrance of the site to be erected with a phone number and
permanent site contact so that noise complaints can be received and
addressed in a timely manner.
Upon receipt of a noise compliant, consider how the activity of concern
could be performed to minimise noise impacts, where practicable.
Council engaged independent consultants, Air Noise Environment (ANE), to
review the applicant’s report, given concerns with the methodology,
conclusions and the proposed mitigation measures.
Key concerns and comments raised by Council’s consultants ANE are
summarised below:
GHD proposed background noise levels to determine the noise limits for
the surrounding receivers. These are not conservative or representative
for each location.
The completed noise prediction was not based on the worst-case
weather conditions nor did it consider the cumulative impacts on the
subject site. Therefore, ANE do not agree with the GHD concluding
remarks that only three receivers (R3, R4 and R5) will experience noise
levels over the background creep noise limits.
The GHD Noise Investigation Report (NIA) indicated that predicted noise
levels are likely to exceed the background creep noise at three receivers,
but the report did not demonstrate any investigative effort to minimise
the noise impacts at these locations.
The issued NIA has not adequately addressed the noise impact of the
operation of the subject site at the surrounding residential receivers.
No site-specific recommendation or mitigation measures were
prescribed to attenuate the noise impact to an acceptable level.
ANE consider a review of potential mitigation options should be
undertaken and their reasonableness reviewed.
The GHD report makes no attempt at such an investigation and assumes
that it is not reasonable to comply with the adopted noise limits due to
the rural nature of the site.
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Gympie Regional Council
The peer review and the observations of Council Officers indicate the
development will impact upon noise sensitive receptors. Even if the applicant
implemented significant noise mitigation measures, there are likely to be long
term issues for Council and the community in managing compliance. The
applicant already has a track record of non-compliance with Council
conditions and the use has expanded well beyond its original land use
approval with no building or plumbing approvals obtained for a substantial
part of the work.
Given the uncertainty of the outcomes of the noise report and that the use
includes potential night time and ongoing outdoor activities, it is considered
the proposed development is not appropriate for the rural locality in which it is
located.
The applicant has advised the proposed hours of operation for the
development include:
Monday to Friday: 7.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday: 8.00am – 1.00pm
The original proposed hours of operation were recently reduced to that listed
above. However the application also states the business intends to operate
outside of these hours ‘occasionally’.
Should the application be approved, it is recommended restrictions on
operating hours be imposed to manage the noise impact on the surrounding
area, to protect the rural amenity as well as the local character. However, given
the nature of the use it is questionable as to whether the business can be
contained to reasonably operate only during these times, which may likely
burden Council with on-going compliance obligations.
In regard to Overall Outcome (h) and (k):
“(h) Water supply catchments are protected from activities that may
endanger water quality.”
“(k) Natural features such as creeks, gullies, waterways, wetlands and
bushland are retained, managed, enhanced and separated from
adjacent development where possible.”
Pollutants, Dust and Runoff
The applicant has proposed to use the existing open ended buildings for steel
sand blasting and painting. Concern has been raised by the Mary River
Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) through a submission objecting
to the development approval as follows:
“Widgee Creek is known (sic) habitat for the endangered Mary River Cod and the
importance of Widgee Creek for its habitat is recognised in the Mary River Cod
Recovery Plan developed jointly by the Queensland and Australian Government.
Although the location of the property does not directly (sic) located on Widgee
Creek, we have strong reason to believe that flow from the works can enter the
creek. The MRCCC and local landholders are concerned about the impact this
development has on species, in particular, water quality through inappropriate
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 29
Gympie Regional Council
stormwater management. Neighbours report potential contaminants from the
property in overland water flows following significant rain events. From
information they have provided it would appear that the existing activity on the
site has been well in excess of its original approval, both in terms of its footprint
and in hours of operation …
… It is plain that this business has prospered. This is good, but it is equally plain
that it should be relocated to a suitable industrial site. The enterprise in its
expanded form is scarcely compatible with surrounding rural properties It is
difficult to see how council could impose conditions that would provide adequate
mitigation …
… Professionally designed swales and bio-retention basins for the capture and
on-site processing of site runoff and appropriate visual and mitigation
vegetation buffers should be fully exploited to maintain existing (or better) water
quality exiting the site and into Widgee Creek if this development application is
approved for this site.”
Figure 8 – Water watch network map (Wide Bay – Widgee Creek Waterwatch
Network Report 2012/2013, MRCCC)
The applicant was asked to provide details of how dust produced by abrasive
blasting would be managed. In response to this the applicant advised that as
an outcome of a work, health and safety audit by the state an abrasive blasting
enclosure (booth) including a garnet reclaimer and dust extraction fans has
been installed. The applicant has advised this will meet all of the requirements
and standards for Queensland Sandblasting Code of Practice.
As discussed earlier in this report, a levee bank has also been constructed on
the western side of the fabricating sheds and metal stockpile areas to prevent
stormwater runoff through these areas. The runoff from the levee bank is
directed to Upper Widgee Road and these flows have caused damage to the
road shoulder. Should the application be approved, a detention system should
be required to be installed to control the flows to Upper Widgee Road. For the
remainder of the development site, a bio-retention system should be installed
to control the flow of stormwater runoff from the site to prevent the silting of
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Gympie Regional Council
the road table drain and to also filter out metal, other materials and
contaminates that may be present on the development site.
It is also noted the consultant’s planning report and site plan for the
development reveal toilets, septic tanks and an effluent disposal area are
installed on the site. Council’s records indicate these installations have not
been approved by Council.
Should the proposal be approved, it is recommended conditions of approval
be imposed to ensure appropriate maintenance of the abrasive blasting
enclosure (booth) including the garnet reclaimer and dust extraction fans,
manage the stormwater as stated above and obtain the relevant Plumbing &
Drainage approvals to have a compliant effluent disposal area on site.
In summary, it is considered the relevant provisions of the Rural Zone Code
have not been met and the development compromises the outcomes for the
Rural Zone.
Infrastructure and Operational Work (excluding Advertising Device) Code
The purpose of the Code is to be achieved through a number of overall
outcomes including:
“(a) Infrastructure is to be provided to an appropriate standard.
(b) Vehicle parking and access arrangements reflect the nature and
intensity of the proposal.
(c) Landscaping softens built form and provides relief from buildings and
hard infrastructure.
(d) Filling or excavation avoids adverse environment impacts.
(e) Development is established where the impacts of natural hazards are
avoided or safely managed.
(f) Development is reflective of and responsive to the environment
constraints of the land.”
As previously stated, the site is not connected to reticulated water and
sewerage and has access to electricity and telecommunications infrastructure.
Traffic and Parking
The Planning Scheme states industrial activities are to be located in areas of
high accessibility as they are reliant on long-distance road networks and major
transport access points. The applicant has advised that the transport route
typically utilised by Widgee Engineering to reach the Bruce Highway is via Bells
Bridge (refer to Figure 8). This route entails travel along Gympie Woolooga
Road and Wide Bay Highway; both of which are State-controlled roads.
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Gympie Regional Council
Figure 8: Typical Transport Route
A 3km (approximately) section of Gympie-Woolooga Road from Tooth Drive
(Widgee Industrial Estate) north to Reuben Road is constructed to a single lane
sealed standard including the bridge adjacent to Marg McIntosh Park.
Prior to the transport vehicles entering onto Gympie Woolooga Road and on
to the Bruce Highway, the route from the subject site takes freight along
Upper Widgee Road and Thornside Road. Upper Widgee Road, leading from
Glastonbury Road (Gympie-Woolooga Road – State controlled road), is
constructed to bitumen sealed standard of various widths from 3.6m wide to
6.0m wide. To widen the narrow sections (i.e. 3.6m to 5.4m totalling 2.57km) to
the ultimate construction widths of 7.0m and 8.0m for this road the estimated
cost would be in the order of $2.0 million to $3.0 million.
The applicant’s consultant has advised the expected traffic generation for the
development consists of traffic generated by 16 employees, plus
delivery/dispatch vehicles of one to two medium rigid or articulated vehicles
per week. Since 1993, Widgee Engineering has had two large loads
transported required to be off the road by 6.00am (December 2010) requiring
police and traffic escorts from the site at midnight. Since 2015, eleven loads
have required a pilot escort and leave the site at 6.00am.
It is considered 16 employees will potentially generate 32 trips per day on
Upper Widgee Rd. With car-pooling (as suggested in the original application),
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this may reduce to 20 – 25 trips per day. It would also be expected that some
passenger and/or commercial vehicle trips would be generated on a daily
basis to source the various materials and services necessary to operate the
business.
The traffic generated on Upper Widgee Road by this business is a significant
proportion of the total traffic on the road – approximately 25% at the property
entrance. However, the additional traffic generated (both light and heavy
vehicles) on Gympie – Woolooga Rd would be minor compared to the existing
traffic on that road.
The additional traffic poses two concerns on the single lane sealed sections of
Upper Widgee Road:
(i) potential safety concerns due to increased conflict between
approaching vehicles; and
(ii) increased wear on gravel shoulders creating an extra maintenance
burden for Council.
With respect to safety, an argument could be made for requiring the applicant
to widen the 2.57km of narrow seal to two lanes. However, an alternative
would be to target the locations where the road geometry limits sight distance
and creates the greatest potential safety risk. Taking this approach the
developer should be required to extend by 150m in both directions, the
existing bitumen widening on the crest at chainage 4500 (650m north of the
development site). Note that the estimated cost of this work (involving 300m
widening in total) is $100,000 - $125,000.
The impact of increased wear and tear on the remaining gravel shoulders
could be mitigated by the application of a benefitted rate on the property.
$7,500 per year would fund an additional annual grading of the remaining
gravel shoulders on Upper Widgee Road north of the development site.
The internal driveway to the office and car parking areas is constructed in
some sections to the gravel standard, other sections with road screenings and
the remainder mowed grass. .The majority of the car parking area is mowed
grass. The internal driveway for heavy traffic to the fabricating sheds,
unloading/loading areas, manoeuvring area and stockpile areas has sections of
gravel, some screening and a lighter granular material.
Table 9.6 Minimum Vehicle Parking Requirements in the Infrastructure and
Operational Work (excluding Advertising Device) Code states “high impact
industry” requires one (1) space per 100m2 or part thereof of GFA and one (1)
space per 200m2 or part thereof of external use areas. There is 995m2 of GFA
(9.95) and 4 930m2 (24.65) of external use area. Therefore, 34 car parking
spaces are required for the development.
The applicant has proposed 26 car parks and has justified a reduction in
numbers by excluding some of the external use areas (stockpiles) and advising
the 16 employees will car pool. Given the amount of employees proposed for
the business and any overflow can easily be accommodated on site, it is
considered non-compliance with this provision can be accepted on this
occasion.
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Landscaping
A landscape plan has been submitted with the application. There is no
specified minimum landscaping required in the Rural Zone as indicated in
Table 9.7 Landscaping. In the High Impact Industry zone a minimum width of
2m is required unless adjoining a major State-controlled road where a
minimum of 6m is required.
The proposal is within 350 metres of two (2) dwelling houses on Rural
Residential properties, and is approximately 800 metres from an additional two
(2) dwelling houses (also Rural Zoned land). These properties are all located
along Upper Widgee Road. There are additional houses on rural properties
located within a greater distance, all to the east of the subject site.
The applicant has proposed a landscape buffer of 3.5m wide along the road
frontage of Upper Widgee Road to assist in screening the development and
protecting amenity.
It is considered that the proposal is inconsistent with the type of rural uses
anticipated within the zone, and will not preserve the anticipated amenity of
the predominantly rural area. Environmental issues relating to noise and dust
may still affect neighbouring properties regardless of the landscaping strip.
Although once established to a reasonable height landscaping will certainly
assist in addressing visual impact it will not act as a sound/noise buffer.
The development is considered inconsistent with the above overall outcomes
of the Infrastructure and Operational Work (excluding Advertising Device)
Code. Whilst conditions can be imposed to ensure compliance with some of
these provisions, the cost of implementing those conditions may likely be
significant.
Strategic Framework
As the application is not consistent with the purpose of the Rural Zone, it is
necessary to consider the Strategic Framework of the Planning Scheme.
For a development proposal to be consistent with the Planning Scheme, it
must meet the Strategic Framework in its entirety. It is not the case of being
selective with only some of the provisions that apply. Where an inconsistency
with part of the Strategic Framework is found, grounds must be established to
overcome any conflict.
The Strategic Framework considers the following matters:
Settlement Pattern
Rural Futures
Strong Economy
Natural Systems and Sustainability
Strong Communities
Infrastructure and Servicing
The application has been assessed against each of the matters above and is
found to be inconsistent with the themes of settlement pattern and rural
features.
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Section 3.3 Settlement pattern (Urban form) of the Strategic Framework
highlights
“(h) Industrial, commercial and other high-employment generating activities
are located in areas of high accessibility; …”
The development is inconsistent with the Strategic Framework of the Planning
Scheme as it conflicts with the settlement pattern intended for the Widgee
area. The development site is approximately 20.58km west from the Bruce
Highway and 26.87km west from the centre of Gympie. The current
development location and its distance to major transport routes does not
meet the requirement for high accessibility especially noting the strategic
location of high impact industry zoned land available in the region.
Specific outcome (3) (b) in Table 3.1 Theme components – Settlement pattern
in Section 3.3 Settlement pattern of the Planning Scheme states:
“Rural centres and townships include a range of small-scale retail, business and
industrial activities to facilitate growth in services and provide employment
opportunities.”
The original development approval over the site is considered to be a small
scale industrial activity. The proposed development is considered to be of a
large scale and more appropriately located on land zoned for high impact
industry.
Therefore, as the development proposal does not meet the Strategic
Framework in its entirety, it is considered to be in conflict with the Planning
Scheme and sufficient grounds are required to be able to support it.
2.3.4 Other Planning Considerations
Infrastructure Charges
Council’s Adopted Infrastructure Charge Resolution allocates $38.00 per m2 of
GFA for a high impact industry use with no credits applicable as all current
uses are remaining on the site. The infrastructure charges are allocated to the
roads network (50%), water supply (30%) and sewerage system (20%).
As the site is not connected to reticulated water and sewerage infrastructure
charges will not be allocated to these networks. Therefore, the total
infrastructure charges applicable for the development should it be approved
equate to $18,905.00 (until 30 June 2018).
3. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
If approved, it is recommended the developer be required to construct
approximately 300m of road widening on Upper Widgee Road and contribute
via a benefitted rate an amount of $7,500 per year towards additional road
maintenance.
There may be an expectation from some ratepayers that the rest of the narrow
seal should be widened if the development is approved. The cost of this would
be over $1,000,000.
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Gympie Regional Council
4. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The proposal is in conflict with Council’s Planning Scheme and sufficient
grounds have not been provided to justify approval despite the conflict.
5. CONSULTATION
IDAS Referral Agencies
Concurrence Agencies – Nil
Advice Agencies
Ergon Energy
The proposal required referral to Ergon Energy due to an electricity easement
accommodating an overhead 11kV powerline being within the property
(Schedule 7, Table 3, Item 7 in the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009).
As an advice agency conditions of approval can only be suggested to be
imposed. Ergon Energy has provided the following response:
“Plans provided as part of the referral material suggest stockpiling of metal is
proposed within the easement area. This is not supported by Ergon Energy and
could be in breach of the easement conditions relevant to the site. We request
council seek an amendment to the plan removing these stockpiles from the
easement area, or amend the plans (in red) to illustrate that the stockpiles are
not approved.”
Ergon Energy acting as an advice agency has recommended that if approved
Council apply the following conditions:
“1. All easement conditions remain relevant and applicable to the
burdened parcel.
2. Access to the easement and access along the easement must be
available to Ergon Energy personnel and equipment at all times. Where
fencing prohibits access to and along the easement area, gates must be
supplied and installed at the developer/owner’s expense.
3. Should changes to any Ergon Energy infrastructure be proposed or
required as part of the development, those changes are made with
Ergon Energy’s consent and at the developer/owner’s expense (unless
otherwise agreed to by Ergon Energy).”
Other Referrals
The application was forwarded to the following internal Council specialists and
their assessment forms part of this report:
Design Services Division; and
Environmental Health.
Public Notification
The development application was advertised for public comment in
accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 from 14 October to
4 November 2016. In response to the advertising, a total of 39 properly made
and 21 not properly made submissions were received (60 in total). It is noted
35 of the submitters (58%) were located in Widgee.
56 submissions were lodged in support of the proposed use on the following
grounds:
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Gympie Regional Council
Major employer in the district
Supporter of other local businesses
Appropriate site location away from dense urban areas
Four (4) submissions objected to the proposal and the key issues raised by
submitters include:
Hours of operation
Effective visual screening to help minimise dust and noise
Environmental impacts of dust produced from the existing business e.g.
abrasive blasting and vehicle movements
Noise produced from the developments operations
Night lighting
Effects on health, well-being and stock
Reduction in property values
Stormwater runoff
Air, water and land pollution
Appropriateness of business in the Rural Zone
Suitability of Upper Widgee Road for access for the proposed transport
vehicles
Inconsistency with intent for the Rural Zone and its character
Inappropriate scale and design for the Rural Zone
Potential for noncompliance with conditions and/or further
development
Impacts on Widgee Creek
Attachment 1 details the issues raised by the submitters and officer comments
in response to these concerns.
6. CONCLUSION
The application seeks a retrospective development permit for the extension of
an engineering workshop at 532 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee. The proposal
consists of 995m2 of GFA and 4 930m2 of external use area.
The subject land is included in the Rural Zone where high impact industry is in
conflict with the Planning Scheme, unless there is specific justification for its
location and there are no adverse impacts on the surrounding area. In this
respect the applicant has not provided any argument to support a specific
locational need for development to be situated on the subject site, and even
with the imposition of stringent conditions of approval not all of the current
adverse impacts on the surrounding area would be able to be satisfactorily
mitigated. In particular it cannot be ruled out that the impact of noise
emissions from the operation of the business will not continue to have a
detrimental effect on residents in the area.
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Gympie Regional Council
Grounds submitted by the applicant to warrant approval include:
- the site being currently used as an engineering workshop;
- the lack of industrial land at the time of establishment (ie 1993);
- Widgee Engineering being a major employer in the Widgee area; and
- the financial capital invested to date.
The existing approval is for less than 300m2 of gross floor area and the
business currently has a total use area of almost 6,000m2. The grounds
presented by the applicant are not considered sufficient to justify the
intensified development outside of a zoned industrial area.
The application is considered to be inconsistent with the purpose and Overall
Outcomes of the Rural Zone Code as well as matters within the Strategic
Framework of the Planning Scheme. The application is therefore unable to be
recommended for approval.
It is acknowledged that the business is well established and has significant
infrastructure on site. Therefore, should Council determine the application by
way of refusal, consideration should be given to allowing a reasonable time
period for the business to relocate to an industrial site. Alternatively, should
Council be of a mind to approve the application despite its non-compliance
with the Planning Scheme it is recommended that the approval be for a
limited period of time with a requirement that the business relocates to an
appropriately zoned site prior to the expiry of the approval.
ATTACHMENTS
⇩1. 2016-0797 Widgee Engineering - Public Notification Attachment
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 38
Gympie Regional Council
M04/10/17 Moved Cr MA McDonald Seconded Cr MS Gear
A. That Council as Assessment Manager, REFUSES development
application (2016-0797) for Material Change of Use of Premises for a
High Impact Industry at 532 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee on Lot 1
on RP199738 for the following reasons:
1. The proposed development conflicts with elements of the
Strategic Framework and the purpose of the Rural Zone Code
in the 2013 Gympie Regional Council Planning Scheme.
2. The proposed development is in conflict with the Wide Bay
Burnett Regional Plan.
3. The proposed development is not compatible with the rural
uses in the locality and will have significant adverse impacts
upon the amenity of the area due to noise and dust generated.
4. The application is deficient in that the applicant has not
adequately demonstrated that the proposed development is
suitable for the site and can operate without causing significant
adverse impacts.
5. Noise impacts on sensitive receptors – there is significant risk
that any approval will result in continuing noise impacts on
sensitive receptors and subsequent ongoing unreasonable
compliance burden for Council.
6. The approval of the application would necessitate significant
works, including upgrading of the on-site stormwater
management system and upgrading of external roads required
as a consequence of the inappropriate location of the business
within the rural zone. These works may be considered to be an
unreasonable condition in accordance with Section 345 of the
Sustainable Planning Act.
7. Noting the rural zoning and scale of the development, the
proposed development does not reflect what is anticipated in
the zone and what community would reasonably expect to be
established on the site.
8. Insufficient grounds have been identified that warrant approval
of the development proposal despite the significant level of
conflict identified with the Planning Scheme.
B That Council advises the applicant that the development is to be
relocated within two years from the date of the refusal.
Carried
FOR: Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear and
Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Cr MW Curran, Cr JK Cochrane and Cr HT Smerdon
Cr GC Hartwig returned to the meeting at 09:43am.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 39
Gympie Regional Council
5.2 U pdate on Southside Local D evelopment Ar ea
5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
MATERIAL PERSONAL INTEREST
In accordance with Section 172 of the Local Government Act 2009;
Cr Cochrane declared a Material Personal Interest in Minute M05/10/17
due to being a land owner in the Southside Local Development Area.
Cr JK Cochrane left the meeting at 09:44am and did not return to the
meeting.
PORTFOLIO: Planning and Development
DIRECTORATE: Planning and Development
DOC ID:
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
4. Our Environment – sustainable, well-managed and accessible
1. BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Council would be aware that a series of amendment packages are currently in
the process of being prepared for the Gympie Regional Council Planning
Scheme 2013 v1.3 (the Planning Scheme). As part of this process the need has
been identified to review the approach taken by the current Planning Scheme
and its policy response to the identification, protection and management of
environmental values, including the regulation of vegetation clearing. The
need for review is primarily based on the inadequacy of the current Planning
Scheme which does not regulate any vegetation clearing.
2. REPORT
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS - SOUTHSIDE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AREA
The structure plan for the Southside Local Development Area (Southside LDA)
was endorsed by Council in January 2017 as a high level policy document,
guiding future land use intent for one of the three local development areas.
The structure plan intended that developers undertake detailed ground-
truthing of environmental matters on their property and prepare
accompanying environmental reports to be submitted to Council as part of a
Development Application. However the expectation that each individual
developer (or land owner) engage an expert consultant to undertake ground
truthing of their property to determine the location and extent of the
environmental corridor and size is not ideal, either from an economic
development or environmental perspective. It may create uncertainty in terms
of facilitating development as well as the potential for erosion of
environmental values within the structure plan area.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 40
Gympie Regional Council
As the structure plan has been approved by Council, and was endorsed by
Council to be used as a guide for development assessment purposes, it is now
appropriate to undertake detailed investigation of various elements of the
plan including refining the extent of zones and provisions that should relate to
the environmentally significant areas to achieve the structure plan intent.
By Council undertaking ground-truthing based on the identified
environmental priorities, this enables a sensible approach to encouraging
future development in the Southside LDA whilst mitigating adverse impacts on
the environmental matters identified as Council priorities. The onus will then
be taken off the developer to engage consultants to ground-truth the
environmental priorities on their property, and will subsequently provide
certainty in clarifying the areas that need to be protected.
The ground-truthing of environmental matters will assist in establishing the
precise boundary of the district open space/environmental corridor that serves
various functions for the LDA including wildlife habitat and movement,
waterway protection, passive recreation and landscape amenity. The
realisation of this corridor for the intended purpose is a key anchoring
element for the success of a balanced approach to development in the
Southside LDA and in delivering good planning outcomes for future residents.
RISK OF PRE-EMPTIVE CLEARING AND STATUTORY TOOL TO ALLEVIATE
RISK
In order to undertake ground-truthing within the Southside LDA, engagement
will occur with land owners in the structure plan area and permission will be
sought for access to properties to enable survey and environmental
assessment to be carried out by Council and its consultants.
While the environmental corridor and environmentally constrained areas are
identified within the structure plan and are required to be protected, the
current Planning Scheme provides no statutory protection and does not
restrain or control any clearing within the environmentally significant areas.
The possibility of pre-emptive vegetation clearing is therefore considered to
be a significant risk to the protection of environmentally sensitive areas within
the LDA pending the inclusion of the structure plan into Council’s Planning
Scheme by way of a Major Amendment.
A Major Amendment to the Planning Scheme can take up to 12 months from
commencement of the statutory process to adoption into the Planning
Scheme noting that full public consultation and consideration of State
interests is part of the process. If Council were to wait until the completion of
all survey and ground truthing of the corridor and the inclusion of this
information along with appropriate written provisions to be incorporated into
the Planning Scheme, there is the potential for pre-emptive clearing to occur
up until the day that the Major Amendment is adopted into the Planning
Scheme (potentially a 12 month period).
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 41
Gympie Regional Council
Opportunity to introduce a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI)
Under the Planning Act 2016 (the Act), there is a statutory tool Council is able
to utilise to avoid the risk of pre-emptive vegetation clearing in the Southside
LDA, called a Temporary Local Planning Instrument. A Temporary Local
Planning Instrument provides Council with the ability to set out planning and
development assessment policies to protect all or part of a local government
area from adverse impacts in urgent or emergent circumstances as set out
under the Act. The circumstances set out in the Act include:
there is significant risk of serious adverse cultural, economic,
environmental or social conditions happening in the local government
area; and
the delay involved in using the process in sections 18 to 22 to make or
amend another local planning instrument would increase the risk; and
the making of the TLPI would not adversely affect State interests.
Essentially, the policy and provisions set out in a TLPI override the Planning
Scheme. A TLPI can be valid for a period of up to two (2) years; however the
instrument can be repealed by Council resolution at any time. A TLPI is not
required to undergo public consultation; rather, it goes direct to the Minister
for consideration and review due to the urgency and risk of adverse outcomes.
The Minister has 20 business days to assess and determine whether the
proposed TLPI is approved.
It is proposed to establish a TLPI for Vegetation Clearing in the Southside LDA
(see proposed TLPI in Attachment 1) to ensure the immediate protection of
environmental values within the Southside LDA until the final structure plan
has been appropriately integrated in to the Planning Scheme.
Noting that the Southside LDA is identified for significant future urban growth,
with a forecast demand for an additional 1,200 dwellings to house the 2,950
increase in population that is projected for the whole of the Gympie-South
Statistical Area 2 by 2036, it is vital that Council commence the more detailed
planning process of putting in place the policy and mechanisms to protect
priority environmental values in the LDA.
KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSED TLPI
The proposed TLPI for Vegetation Clearing in the Southside LDA encompasses
the following elements:
Regulating (not prohibiting) vegetation clearing;
Two new maps that identify two new precinct areas indicating:
o areas of environmental significance; and
o steep slopes equal to or greater than 15%;
Priority flora and fauna species list.
In the proposed TLPI, Table 1 prescribes the following Categories of
development for Operational Work for vegetation clearing:
Accepted development (no application required to Council) if for
accepted vegetation clearing identified in Table 2 – Definitions;
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 42
Gympie Regional Council
Code assessment (application required to Council) if for Operational
Work for vegetation clearing, unless identified as impact assessable (so
essentially any area in the Southside LDA that is not included in the
new precincts); and
Impact assessment (application required to Council) if for Operational
Work for vegetation clearing if located in the Southside Environment
and Conservation Precinct or the Southside Steep Slopes equal to or
greater than 15% Precinct.
As outlined above, for the purposes of the proposed TLPI, two new maps that
identify two new precinct areas have been created. This is to allow Council to
focus on the areas where priority environmental matters are most likely to be
located, and accordingly tailor the provisions in the TLPI to suit.
The Southside Environment and Conservation Precinct comprises the area
currently identified in the open space/environmental corridor in the Southside
LDA structure plan, as well as State government identified Matters of State
Environmental Significance (MSES) that adjoin, or are located where there is
linkage or connectivity to the corridor. An application for Operational Work for
vegetation clearing in this precinct would require an impact assessable
Development Application to be submitted to Council. The provisions in the
proposed TLPI that are called up by this precinct recommend an applicant
undertake an ecological assessment to demonstrate that there are no priority
environmental matters located in the proposed clearing area. Alternatively, a
property owner wanting to clear in the area identified as the Southside
Environment and Conservation Precinct has the option to wait until Council has
undertaken the ground-truthing exercise, and the final Southside LDA
structure plan is adopted into the Planning Scheme. This would alleviate the
costs for applicants that will be associated with the ecological assessment and
provide certainty in relation to the extent of developable area.
The Southside Steep Slope equal to or greater than 15% Precinct identifies
sloping land of 15% or greater in the Southside LDA. An application for
Operational Work for vegetation clearing on land identified in this precinct
would require an impact assessable Development Application to be submitted
to Council. The provisions in the proposed TLPI that are called up by this
precinct require an applicant to demonstrate that the proposed vegetation
clearing does not increase the risk of soil erosion or landslip hazard. An
ecological assessment to demonstrate that there are no priority environmental
matters located in the proposed clearing area is also recommended.
An application for Operational Work for vegetation clearing in the Southside
LDA, not located in the Southside Environment and Conservation Precinct or
the Southside Steep Slope equal to or greater than 15% Precinct, would require
a code assessable Development Application be submitted to Council, or in
some circumstances (as identified in Table 2 – Definitions) would be accepted
development and therefore not require any application to Council.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 43
Gympie Regional Council
3. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
The processing of applications for Operational Works for vegetation clearing
in the Southside LDA will be undertaken by existing resources and as such, no
budget implications are identified.
4. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The Southside LDA structure plan was approved by Council, and endorsed by
Council to be used as a guide for development assessment purposes in
January 2017. Following this endorsement, it is now appropriate to undertake
detailed investigation of various elements of the structure plan including
refining the extent of zones and provisions that should relate to the
environmentally significant areas to achieve the structure plan intent. This
information will form the basis of a Major Amendment to the Planning
Scheme. In the interim a TLPI is proposed to regulate vegetation clearing in
accordance with the land use intent for the structure plan and to protect
identified environmental values.
5. CONSULTATION
Extensive consultation with Southside LDA land owners was undertaken
throughout the preparation of the structure plan. Consultation involved
discussions regarding the introduction of an open space/environmental
corridor which establishes wildlife movement corridors and protects natural
vegetation and waterways and from these discussions an expectation has been
set that a corridor would be secured and protected.
With respect to the TLPI, consultation has been undertaken with relevant staff
and State government agencies to ensure the appropriateness of the policy
set out in the proposed TLPI, as well as to gauge the State government’s
support for implementing the TLPI. The Department of Infrastructure, Local
Government and Planning and Department of Natural Resources and Mines
have agreed that the proposed TLPI is appropriate to address the emergent
risk of pre-emptive clearing in the Southside LDA, and both agencies have
indicated support for the implementation of the proposed TLPI.
Should the Minister approve the TLPI and Council subsequently resolve to
adopt and commence the TLPI, a letter will be sent to each land owner in the
Southside LDA advising of the commencement of the TLPI. A public notice will
also be placed in The Gympie Times advising of the adoption and
commencement of the TLPI.
With respect to the ground-truthing of the corridor to be undertaken by
Council, discussions will be held with each affected landowner to ensure that
owners understand the purpose of the ground-truthing and how the
information gathered will be incorporated into the Planning Scheme and
utilised for the purpose of development assessment.
6. CONCLUSION
The Southside Local Development Area is a greenfield site with the capacity to
accommodate the forecast demand for an additional 1,200 dwellings to house
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 44
Gympie Regional Council
the 2,950 increase in population that is projected for the whole of the Gympie-
South Statistical Area 2 by 2036.
A Temporary Local Planning Instrument for Vegetation Clearing in the
Southside LDA is proposed to ensure the immediate protection of
environmental values within the Southside LDA, given the projected significant
growth in this area, until the final structure plan has been appropriately
integrated in to the Planning Scheme.
The Minister has the ability to agree to an earlier ‘effective day’ for the
proposed TLPI (the day the TLPI comes into effect and is applicable) and it is
proposed that the effective day for the TLPI be 11 October 2017 to minimise
the risk of pre-emptive clearing occurring between 11 October 2017 and the
date the Minister endorses the TLPI (approximately 20 business days after this
date). Should the proposed effective date be endorsed by the Minister, this
would mean any clearing undertaken from 11 October 2017 onwards within
the Southside Local Development Area without Council approval (with the
exception of the exemptions included in the TLPI) would be unlawful.
It is proposed that the TLPI remain in place until detailed investigations
including ground-truthing environmental priorities to determine the precise
boundary for the open space/environmental corridor are completed and a
Major Amendment has been undertaken incorporating the Southside LDA
structure plan into the Planning Scheme. Once the final Southside LDA
structure plan has been adopted into the Planning Scheme, Council should
repeal the TLPI for Vegetation Clearing in the Southside LDA as it will no
longer be required.
ATTACHMENTS
⇩1. Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development
Area
M05/10/17 Moved Cr MA McDonald Seconded Cr DH Stewart
That Council:
1. Makes a Temporary Local Planning Instrument for Vegetation
Clearing in the Southside Local Development Area.
2. Submits the proposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 –
Southside Local Development Area to the Minister for Infrastructure
and Planning, seeking approval for the making of the Temporary
Local Planning Instrument and commencement from 11 October
2017.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 45
Gympie Regional Council
Section 6: Corporate and Communi ty Ser vices
SECTION 6: CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES 6.1 Pr oposed R enewal of Trustee Agistment Lease - Lot 39 MCH 4838 - Wol vi M ountain Road, Wol vi
6.1 Proposed Renewal of Trustee Agistment Lease - Lot 39 MCH4838 -
Wolvi Mountain Road, Wolvi
PORTFOLIO: Infrastructure Services
DIRECTORATE: Corporate and Community Services
DOC ID: 1950472
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
1. Our Infrastructure – well planned, integrated and safe
2. Our Community – active, diverse, creative and engaged
4. Our Environment – sustainable, well-managed and accessible
5. Our Organisation – accountable, responsive, efficient and innovative
1. BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The existing Trustee Agistment Lease between Council and the Lessee for the
agistment/maintenance over the area currently known as the Reserve at Wolvi
Mountain expired on 5 August 2017.
Previous Council Resolution F08/11/11 refers:
“Recommend that Council considers calling tenders for a Standard Trustee
Agistment Lease over Recreation and Camping Reserve (No. 1120), Lot 39 on
MCH 4838 Wolvi Mountain Road, Wolvi Mountain, subject to the Minister’s
consent to include the following terms and conditions:
(a) Term of Lease – 5 years;
(b) Rental – Most suitable Tender PA + GST + CPI;
(c) Use – Agistment (as a maintenance provision and not to inhibit the
purpose of use of the Reserve (Camping and Recreation in the
designated area);
(d) The Lessee to hold public liability insurance in a sum not less than
$20,000,000.00 or such other amount that Council shall determine from
time to time in the name of the Lessee and Gympie Regional Council;
(e) All costs associated with the preparation, stamping and registration of
the Lease be borne by the Lessee; and
(f) That all relevant legislative requirements, including any necessary
permits are obtained.
That the Director of Engineering be required to set any special conditions in
regards to maintenance requirements for the site.”
2. REPORT
Property Description: Lot 39 MCH4838
Location: Wolvi Mountain Road, Wolvi
Area: 42.397ha
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 46
Gympie Regional Council
Zoning: Rural
Tenure: Council as trustee for Reserve for Recreation and
Camping purposes
Current Use: Grazing livestock as a maintenance provision
Locality Plan:
Council is currently trustee of this land and it is preferable to agist the whole
of lot to ensure the site is maintained appropriately. The lessee is required to
ensure that unrestricted daily access is made available to the picnic area within
the site in accordance with the purpose of this Reserve.
The current lessee has advised Council that the land is required for the
purposes currently being undertaken in conjunction with farming activities on
adjoining freehold land.
In accordance with Chapter 6 Section 236 (1)(c)(iii) of the Local Government
Regulation 2012, Council may dispose of a valuable non-current asset other
than by tender or auction if the disposal is for the purpose of renewing the
lease of land to the existing tenant of the land.
3. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
In accordance with current budget allocations.
4. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Local Government Regulation 2012
5. CONSULTATION
Infrastructure Services Directorate
Water Business Unit
6. CONCLUSION
It is considered appropriate to renew the existing Trustee Agistment Lease as a
maintenance provision in accordance with the current legislative requirements.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 47
Gympie Regional Council
M06/10/17 Moved Cr DH Stewart Seconded Cr HT Smerdon
That Council:
1. Provides an exemption from calling for tenders for the lease of the
property described as Lot 39 on MCH4838 and obtaining a market
valuation to determine the lease fee, in accordance with Chapter 6,
Section 236 (1)(c)(iii) of the Local Government Regulation 2012; and
2. Offers a lease to the current lessee in Council’s standard trustee
agistment lease format, over Lot 39 on MCH4838, Wolvi Mountain
Road, Wolvi, subject to the Minister’s consent to include the
following terms and conditions:
a) Term of Lease – 10 years;
b) Rental – $1.00 if demanded;
c) Use – Agistment (as a maintenance provision and not to inhibit
the purpose of use of the Reserve);
d) The Lessee to hold public liability insurance in a sum not less
than $20,000,000.00 or such other amount that Council shall
determine from time to time; and
e) All costs associated with the preparation, stamping and
registration of the Lease be borne by the Lessor.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 48
Gympie Regional Council
6.2 Pr oposed R enewal of Freehol d Lease to C ouncil - Part of Lot 1 R P197493 - 402 Wol vi M ountain Road, Wol vi
6.2 Proposed Renewal of Freehold Lease to Council - Part of Lot 1
RP197493 - 402 Wolvi Mountain Road, Wolvi
PORTFOLIO: Infrastructure Services
DIRECTORATE: Corporate and Community Services
DOC ID: 1950472
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
1. Our Infrastructure – well planned, integrated and safe
2. Our Community – active, diverse, creative and engaged
5. Our Organisation – accountable, responsive, efficient and innovative
1. BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The existing freehold lease between the landowner and Council for the
maintenance and use of the 535 Repeater Station UHF and transmission tower
(Wolvi Mountain Repeater Station) expired on 5 August 2017.
Council resolved to accept responsibility for the management of this site from
the Gympie Emergency Monitoring Service in 2005 and this tenure agreement
expired in 2012. At this time, Council accepted the option to renew the tenure
agreement for a further five year term expiring in 2017.
2. REPORT
Property Description: Part of Lot 1 RP197493
Location: 402 Wolvi Mountain Road, Wolvi
Area: 59m2
Zoning: Rural
Tenure: Freehold
Current Use: Maintenance and use of a 535 Repeater Station UHF
and transmission tower.
Locality Plan:
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 49
Gympie Regional Council
Council requires access to this site for the purposes of operation and
maintenance of key infrastructure associated with Council’s
telecommunications network located on the tower.
Council has requested to renew the existing freehold lease for a further term
of ten years under the same terms and conditions, which has been confirmed
as acceptable by the landholder.
3. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
In accordance with current budget allocations.
4. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Local Government Act 2009
5. CONSULTATION
Engineer – Construction and Maintenance
General Manager – Construction and Maintenance
Coordinator – Disaster Management
6. CONCLUSION
Council requires access to this site due to key telecommunication
infrastructure being constructed on the site. It is considered appropriate to
renew the existing freehold lease for a further term of ten years under the
same terms and conditions.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 50
Gympie Regional Council
M07/10/17 Moved Cr DW Dodt Seconded Cr MA McDonald
That Council accepts the offer to renew the Freehold Lease from the
current registered owner over part of Lot 1 RP197493, located at 402
Wolvi Mountain Road, Wolvi to include the following terms and
conditions:
a) Term of Lease – 10 years;
b) Rental – $1.00 if demanded;
c) Use – Maintaining and using a 535 Repeater Station UHF and
transmission tower for telecommunications;
d) The Lessee to hold public liability insurance in a sum not less
than $20,000,000.00 or such other amount that the Lessor shall
determine from time to time; and
e) All costs associated with the preparation, stamping and
registration of the lease be borne by the Lessee.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 51
Gympie Regional Council
6.3 Expr essions of Interes t - M anagement of Gympie Saleyards Canteen
6.3 Expressions of Interest - Management of Gympie Saleyards
Canteen
PORTFOLIO: Business Activities
DIRECTORATE: Corporate and Community Services
DOC ID:
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
1. Our Infrastructure – well planned, integrated and safe
2. Our Community – active, diverse, creative and engaged
3. Our Economy – dynamic, productive and resilient
5. Our Organisation – accountable, responsive, efficient and innovative
1. BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Tenders were previously called for the Management and Operation of the
Canteen Facilities at the Gympie Saleyards Complex for a term of three years
with a further two year extension, subject to agreement of both parties. This
agreement is due to expire on 31 December, 2017.
2. REPORT
The previous tender was for the management and operation of the canteen
facilities which were located at both the main Gympie Saleyards and the Pig
and Calf Saleyards complex. In 2016 Council resolved to close the pig and calf
saleyards complex with all saleyard operations now occurring from one
location with the facility operating once a week with specialised sales
occurring throughout the year.
The canteen is currently being operated from a permanent onsite building
which includes a covered outdoor eating area. Bookings for the Gympie
Saleyards are coordinated through Council’s Infrastructure Services in
consultation with the Council’s Saleyard staff, the Authorised Selling Agent
and the canteen operator.
Council is responsible for ensuring the facility complies with all relevant
legislation with the operator being required to hold the necessary approvals to
operate a Food Business and applicable public liability insurance. It is
proposed to call for Expressions of Interest to identify opportunities for the
provision of a food and beverage service at this facility.
The current canteen operator has advised that he will be retiring after being
with Council since 1997.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 52
Gympie Regional Council
3. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
Within current budget allocations.
4. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
In accordance with the Local Government Act 2009 and Local Government
Regulation 2012 and Council’s Procurement Policy.
5. CONSULTATION
Director Infrastructure Services
Engineer – Construction and Maintenance
Officer – Saleyard Operations
Coordinator – Community Facilities
Manager – Development & Compliance
Coordinator – Environmental Health Services
Councillor – Social Wellbeing Portfolio
6. CONCLUSION
It is considered that the provision of the canteen facility at the Gympie
Saleyards provides economic and social opportunities for the users of this
facility.
M08/10/17 Moved Cr MS Gear Seconded Cr GC Hartwig
That Council:
1 calls for Expressions of Interest in accordance with the Local
Government Regulation 2012 for the Management of the Gympie
Saleyards Canteen on Lot 3 SP116459 Saleyard Road, Gympie for
a Term of three years.
2 Undertakes maintenance and repairs to the existing facility
including public amenities prior to awarding any contract.
Carried
FOR:Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt,
Cr MS Gear, Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 53
Gympie Regional Council
6.4 RAD F R eport to Council
6.4 RADF Report to Council
PORTFOLIO: Social Wellbeing
DIRECTORATE: Corporate and Community Services
DOC ID:
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
2. Our Community – active, diverse, creative and engaged
5. Our Organisation – accountable, responsive, efficient and innovative
1. BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the
Queensland Government and Gympie Regional Council to support quality arts
and cultural experiences through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).
RADF promotes the role and value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers
of diverse and inclusive communities and strong regions. RADF invests in local
arts and cultural priorities, as determined by local communities, across
Queensland.
RADF objectives are to supports arts and cultural activities that:
• provide public value for Queensland communities
• build local cultural capacity, cultural innovation and community pride
• deliver Queensland Government’s objectives for the community.
Council endorsed the Regional Arts Development Fund Grant Guidelines 2017
at its Ordinary Meeting on 7 December 2016, thereby enabling the RADF
grants to be administered in accordance with the allocated budget and
endorsed grant guidelines.
GYMPIE RADF priorities
Gympie Regional Council’s Arts and Cultural Plan 2015-2025 outlines Council’s
cultural vision for the Gympie Region and establishes four key themes (people,
place, past, possibility) through which cultural life is supported across the
region.
RADF funds are aimed at the development of emerging and professional
artists and creative arts workers. RADF funds individuals and businesses for
new and established creative projects that clearly establish a community need
and benefit. The 2017 goals and priorities for the Gympie RADF program are
offered in three categories as in the table below. Although there will be an
intentional shift away from the individual grant application to a bigger picture
cultural planning, implementation of the Cultural Plan and evaluation.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 54
Gympie Regional Council
Who Can Apply
Individuals, organisations and businesses that:
• are based in, or provide direct benefit to, the Gympie Region
• hold appropriate insurance and demonstrate sound workplace health and
safety practices
• are over 18 years of age (if individual), or have an auspice arrangement
• have satisfied all requirements of previous RADF and/or Gympie Regional
Council funding.
Who Cannot Apply
Applications cannot be made by:
• government agencies or departments of state or federal government
• educational, religious or medical organisations, where the application is
for the organisation’s core business.
RADF is not intended to be used for:
• the purchase of capital items
• operational expenses
• the main income source for any professional artist or arts worker.
Applications are assessed by their ability to meet one or more of the following
objectives.
• Project supports locally determined arts and cultural priorities.
• Project supports local artists and arts and cultural activity.
• Provides opportunities for local communities to participate in arts and
cultural activities.
• Supports artists to develop and practice their creative endeavours.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 55
Gympie Regional Council
• Engages local communities.
• Builds the capacity of local artists.
• Builds existing partnerships and develops new partnerships.
• Supports individual professional development opportunities.
To be eligible for assessment applicants:
• discuss their idea / project with the RADF Liaison officer
• follow the application process
• have appropriate insurance and adhere to sound workplace health and
safety practices
• be able to demonstrate viability, and
• have acquitted any previous council grants.
Funds are not available for projects that:
• begin before the date specified on the application
• include entertainment for events without a specific developmental
outcome for artists
• are to fund a competition, a prize or an eisteddfod
• provide majority funding for publishing and/or printing costs
• are craft workshops
• seek costs of purchase of capital items, e.g. equipment, buildings or
vehicles
• seek ongoing operational expenses.
Successful recipients of grant funds must complete and submit an outcome
report online no more than eight weeks after completing the funded activity.
This acquits the RADF monies spent. Failure to acquit any grant will result in
the recipient being ineligible to apply for future funding through RADF and
Arts Queensland.
The outcome report must show evidence of the outcomes of the activity and
how the recipient spent the RADF money. It is used as a reflection on the level
of success of the activity achieved by:
• identifying key outcomes
• assessing the benefits and drawbacks
• checking financial estimates against actual expenditure
• learning from any difficulties — these can often teach more than
successes
• recognising the potential for growth or new directions in the recipients
work
• setting new priorities.
RADF funded activities must acknowledge the Queensland Government and
Gympie Regional Council in all promotional material, publications and
products by inclusion of the RADF acknowledgment text and logos.
2. REPORT
Five applications were received totalling $25,705 in funding requests. Table 1
below outlines the number of applications received per category, amount of
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 56
Gympie Regional Council
requests and recommendation summary and Table 2 shows the breakdown
across each category.
Table 1: Number of Applications Received and Recommended Summary
Category Applications
received
Total funding
requests
Recommended
Projects
Recomm.
funding
Community
Projects
3 $19,505 2 $11,800
Concept
Development
1 $2,200 1 $2,200
Individual
Skills
Development
1 $4,000 1 $1,500
TOTALS 5 $27,505 4 $15,500
Table 2: Breakdown of recommended applications in each Category
I
n
t
h
i
s
r
o
u
n
d
o
f
R
A
D
F
2.1 Assessment process
All applications have been assessed against specified eligibility and
assessment criteria detailed in the Regional Arts Development Fund Grant
Guidelines 2017. Section 9 of the Guidelines sets out the Council endorsed
assessment process as follows:
Eligibility check: All applications are checked against eligibility criteria to
ensure the applicant type, project type, amount requested and timeframes are
eligible.
Assessment: Applications are assessed against specified assessment criteria by a
panel comprised of: The Portfolio Councillor (Chair), Manager Arts and Culture,
COMMUNITY PROJECTS CATEGORY (maximum $8,000)
Name of
Applicant Project Name Amount granted
Zodiac Players Inc. Youth Theatre Production $4500
Five Mile Radius Jungle Love Train $7300
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY (maximum $5,000)
Name of
Applicant Project Name Amount granted
Kim Guthrie Gold Mine $2200
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY (maximum $1500)
Name of
Applicant Project Name Amount Granted
Community
Information and
Resource Service
Association Inc.
Community Art Class – Oil
Painting with Robin Hines $1500
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Radf Liaison Officer and community members serving on Council’s Arts and
Cultural Reference Panel where conflict of interest does not exclude their
involvement.
Endorsement: Panel recommendations are provided to Councillors for
endorsement of the grant recommendations.
2.3 Notification
Following Council’s endorsement of grant recommendations, applicants will
be formally notified to advise of the grant round outcomes. Councillors will be
invited to contact Cr Dan Stewart (Social Well-being Portfolio Chair) or the
Manager Arts and Culture if they require further information.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome via a letter and with the amount
of funding distributed to successful applicants. The list of successful applicants
will be displayed on Council’s website after 15 October 2017.
3. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
Summary of applications and funding
A total of $52,735 was available for RADF for the two rounds in the 2017
calendar year. Round One awarded $19, 534 in March 2017 with council
initiated projects accounting for $14,765. Of the total available funds, $3000
was allocated to two Quick Response Applications. At the time of writing this
report a total of $15, 436 is available for this Round.
Little Kids Day Out, Round 1 recipient
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 58
Gympie Regional Council
Holly Hughes and Mary Valley Artslink Round 1 Recipient
4. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Recommended funding is in accordance with the Regional Arts Development
Fund Agreement.
5. CONSULTATION
Applications were formally assessed at a meeting on Thursday 21 September
by the Arts & Culture Reference Panel chaired by Portfolio Councillor Dan
Stewart.
6. CONCLUSION
Council directly supports arts and culture through a range of cultural facilities
across the region and delivery of many community programs and activities.
Successful partnerships with other tiers of government enables a greater
funding pool for programs like the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF)
that support individuals and groups to achieve their own creative pursuits.
Council is committed to ensuring the delivery of these services continues to
support and celebrate the distinctiveness and creativity of the people and
places in the community.
M09/10/1
7
Moved Cr DH Stewart Seconded Cr DW Dodt
That Council:
1. Endorses the 2017 Regional Arts Development Fund Round 2
recommendations totalling $15,500.
2. Thanks the Arts and Culture Assessment panel for the time and
effort taken in assessing applications.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 59
Gympie Regional Council
6.5 C ommunity Assis tance Gr ants
6.5 Community Assistance Grants
PORTFOLIO: Governance, Finance, Disaster Management
DIRECTORATE: Corporate and Community Services
DOC ID:
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
2. Our Community – active, diverse, creative and engaged
1. BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Council’s Community Assistance Grants program provides financial assistance
to incorporated, not for profit organisations to support the provision of
projects which respond to identified community needs and contribute to
building stronger communities.
There are two grant rounds per financial year. Round one of 2017/18 was
open from 1-31 August 2017 with assessment undertaken in September.
2. REPORT
2.1 Summary of applications and funding
A total of $155,000 is available for community grants in 2017/18 (excluding
RADF). In Round 1, thirty-four applications were received, with twenty-nine of
those being eligible applications totalling $118,000 in funding requests. Six of
these applications were from community organisations that had not received
prior Community Assistance Grant funding.
Table 1 below outlines the number of eligible applications received per
category, amount of requests and recommendation summary.
Table 1: Number of eligible applications received and recommended for
funding
Category Eligible
applications
received
Total
funding
requests
Recomm.
projects
Recomm.
funding
Community Capacity
Building
9 $41,661 4 $9,232
Community Equipment 11 $20,314 8 $14,795
Community Facilities
Development
8 $55,625 5 $25,922
New and Emerging
Community Events
1 $400 1 $400
TOTAL 29 $118,000 18 $50,349
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2.2 Assessment process
All applications have been assessed against specified eligibility and
assessment criteria detailed in the Community Assistance Grants Guidelines
2017/18. Section 7.3 of the Guidelines sets out the Council endorsed
assessment process as follows:
Eligibility check: All applications are checked against eligibility criteria to
ensure the applicant type, project type, amount requested and timeframes
are eligible. Ineligible and incomplete applications will not progress to the
assessment stage.
Assessment: Applications are assessed against specified assessment criteria
by a panel comprised of: Councillor/s, Council staff who have knowledge
and experience in the respective grant categories and subject matter
experts (if required).
Endorsement: Panel recommendations are provided to Council for
endorsement.
Categories:
Community Capacity Building
Purpose
To support community-led projects that increase the social
wellbeing of residents
To increase the capacity of community organisations and clubs
to deliver services to their members and the broader
community.
Amount Up to 80% of total project costs, maximum $5,000 grant
Priorities
Priority will be given to projects which enhance:
Social connection and sense of belonging between residents,
neighbourhoods and/or the broader community;
Volunteering opportunities and retention;
Active and healthy lifestyles including sporting, recreational or
social initiatives that encourage active community participation
and wellbeing;
Partnerships and collaborations between community
organisations in improving community outcomes;
Learning and skills development for particular target groups,
residents and/or the general community;
The organisational capacity of community organisations and
clubs including strategic planning, governance, financial
management, leadership skills, training for members or
management committees;
Positive outcomes for specific target groups or community
issues, for example young people, seniors, access and inclusion.
Specific
Eligibility
Criteria
Equipment purchases may be eligible under this category if the
equipment is integral to the delivery of the community capacity
building project.
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Gympie Regional Council
Examples
of eligible
expenses
Training programs for volunteers, preparation of a club’s strategic
plan, community workshops for young people.
Facilities Development
Purpose To support community organisations to plan, develop and
improve community facilities to enable increased community
participation, healthy and active lifestyles and social wellbeing.
Amount Planning: Maximum $5,000 grant, no contribution required
Capital works: Up to 75% of project costs, maximum $10,000
grant
Priorities
Priority will be given to projects which:
Enable greater community participation, healthy and active
lifestyles and/or social wellbeing;
Enhance Council assets used for broad community purposes;
Encourage collaboration between community groups and
shared use of community facilities;
Maximise the use of the community facility;
Demonstrate sound asset management processes, including
safety and risk management;
Are sympathetic to the surrounds of the reserve or building.
Lower priority may be given to projects which are considered routine
maintenance or emergency repairs.
Specific
Eligibility
Criteria
Eligible applications
Applications for:
Planning projects involving the planning and design of new
facilities or improvements to existing facilities; or
Capital works projects involving purchase of materials and/or
construction.
An organisation applying under this category must:
have an existing tenure agreement with Council and be
compliant with all relevant conditions of the agreement; or
own or be trustee of the land/facility and demonstrate how
the project will benefit the broader community.
Applications for projects on land owned by the State
government may be considered where there is a formal public
use arrangement in place between Council and the State
government.
Ineligible applications
Organisations applying to develop or improve facilities on
properties owned by an individual or commercial entity.
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Gympie Regional Council
Land
Owner
Consent
Required
For projects relating to Council owned land: consent from
Council’s Manager, Property or delegate (email:
For projects on non-Council land: written consent from the land
owner or trustee of the land must be submitted with the
application. If the applicant organisation is the owner of the
subject land, submission of this application is considered
evidence of consent.
Additional
Support
Material
A concept and site plan for buildings works must be readily
available upon Council request.
Examples
of eligible
expenses
Planning: Architectural or engineering plans, concept, site,
feasibility plans, consultation studies or other planning
documents generally required prior to commencement of capital
works.
Capital works: materials, construction and contractor costs
associated with new construction and/or maintenance projects,
e.g. building repairs, plumbing and electrical works, playing
surface or lighting upgrades to sporting fields, safety fencing.
New and Emerging Events
Purpose
To support community organisations to develop and deliver new
or emerging events which generate social and/or economic
benefits.
Amount Up to 20% of total event costs, maximum $1,000 grant (for local
events) and $5,000 grant (for regional events)
Event
Definitions
Emerging event: event in its early stages of development and
delivery, having occurred only once or twice prior to the grant
application being submitted
Local event: event likely to attract less than 1000 people, have
high significance to local residents, low tourist demand, high
local social benefits
Regional event: event likely to attract more than 1000 people,
potential tourist demand, reasonable economic and tourist
impact, substantial social benefit.
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Gympie Regional Council
Priorities Priority will be given to events that:
Celebrate identity, creativity, diversity and/or lifestyle
Have unique characteristics (i.e. different to other exiting events)
Encourage social benefits, such as community pride or social
connection
Attract residents from within the Gympie region
Build the capacity of local event management talent and
suppliers
In addition, for regional events, priority will be given to projects
that:
Enhance the reputation of Gympie region as a desirable event
and tourism destination
Attract visitors from outside the Gympie region
Provide reasonable economic benefit and substantial social
benefits
Specific
Eligibility
Criteria
An applicant can only receive Council grant funding for the
same event for a maximum of three times
Celebration activities where attendance is limited to individual
organisations or their members are ineligible
Events that have the potential to adversely affect existing
community events may be given lower priority
Examples
of eligible
expenses
Community celebrations, sporting carnivals, expos that are
community focused, music festivals.
Equipment
Purpose To assist community organisations to purchase equipment so
they can better serve their members and the broader
community.
Amount Maximum $2,500 grant, no co-contribution required
Priorities
Priority will be given to equipment requests which:
Enable the effective functioning of a community organisation
Support volunteers to undertake their roles in a safe and
enjoyable manner
Encourage shared use of resources between community
groups (where possible)
Examples of
eligible
expenses
White goods, storage solutions, sporting equipment, safety
and/or training resources, office furniture, computers.
Content experts from across Council were involved in assessment panels. This
included Portfolio Councillor for Social Well Being, Manager - Community
Development and Facilities (Acting), Senior Officer - Community Development
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 64
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Officer (Acting) and Officer Community Development (Acting) formed the final
moderation panel which met on Wednesday 20 September 2017.
Attachment 1, at the end of this report, lists the projects recommended for
funding including information on any funding the applicant has received in
2016/2017. Attachment 2 lists unsuccessful and ineligible applications for
information.
2.3 Notification
Following Council’s endorsement of grant recommendations, all applicants will
be notified of the outcomes via a letter and funding distributed to successful
applicants.
The list of successful applicants will be displayed on Council’s website
following endorsement by Council.
2.4 Round 2, 2017/2018
Applications for Round 2 will open on 1 March 2018 and close 31 March 2018.
An Information Session will be held in the first week of Round 2 and
prospective applicants are encouraged to attend. The Information Session
held during Round 1 recorded an attendance of 75 people from 40 local
community organisations.
Attachment 3 refers to available funding categories during Round 2.
3. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
Recommended funding is within 2017/18 budget allocation and in accordance
with the Community Assistance Grants Policy (CSPOL353).
4. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The 2017/2018 Community Assistance Grant allocations were adopted by
Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 28 June 2017. Council then endorsed the
Community Assistance Grants Guidelines 2017/18 at its Ordinary Meeting on
19 July 2017, thereby enabling the grants to be administered in accordance
with the allocated budget and grant guidelines.
5. CONSULTATION
A/Senior Community Development Officer
A/Community Development Officer
Facilities Officers
Manager, Parks Design
Manager, Property
A/Manager, Community Development and Facilities
Councillor, Social Wellbeing Portfolio
6. CONCLUSION
All grant applications were assessed against approved eligibility and
assessment criteria and recommendations for funding are within budget.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 65
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Grant Recommendations Round 1, 2017/2018
2. Unsuccessful and Ineligible Applications Round 1, 2017/2018 -
CONFIDENTIAL
⇩3. Information re: Round 2, 2017/2018
M10/10/17 Moved Cr DH Stewart Seconded Cr DW Dodt
That Council:
1. Endorses the Round One 2017/2018 Community Assistance Grant
recommendations totalling $50,349.
2. Advises and promotes successful recipients
3. Advises unsuccessful applicants and offers further assistance with
future grant applications.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 66
Gympie Regional Council
Section 7: Office of the C EO
SECTION 7: OFFICE OF THE CEO 7.1 N otifi ed M oti on - R eports to Council
7.1 Notified Motion - Reports to Council
PORTFOLIO: Governance, Finance, Disaster Management
DIRECTORATE: Office of the CEO
DOC ID:
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
5. Our Organisation – accountable, responsive, efficient and innovative
1. REPORT
Councillor Stewart has given notice of the following proposed motion:
Currently there appears to be a disconnect between the financial matters and
Council operations. The budget does not include much on what the money is
used for (hence the associated notified motion). On the other hand, reports we
receive from managers throughout the year have little or no comment on the
financial side. This motion seeks to address the later.
Proposed Motion:
“That a report be brought back by the end of the year that considers that when
council receives reports from business units that describe their activities and
achievements, the report shall also provide a summary of the finances of the
business unit that includes how much has been spent thus far in the current
year, how that compares to the current budget and the actual result of the
previous financial year, and how much income has been received from what
sources thus far in the financial year, and how that compares to the current
budget and to the previous financial year. Where reports are provided early in
the financial year, income and expenditure figures from the previous two
financial years with a comparison to the current budget shall suffice.”
Officer comment
Following previous Council resolutions, Council will be receiving reports in the
near future on a revised reporting structure, the intent of which is to have a
more comprehensive integrated reporting structure for Council which includes
both quantitative and qualitative reporting. This should address the intent of
most of the notified motion.
The intent of the current business unit reporting at workshops was to ensure
councillors and the community are briefed on activities which could be of
particular interest.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 67
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M11/10/17 Moved Cr DH Stewart Seconded Cr GC Hartwig
MOTION
That a report be brought back by the end of the year that considers that
when council receives reports from business units that describe their
activities and achievements, the report shall also provide a summary of
the finances of the business unit that includes how much has been spent
thus far in the current year, how that compares to the current budget and
the actual result of the previous financial year, and how much income has
been received from what sources thus far in the financial year, and how
that compares to the current budget and to the previous financial year.
Where reports are provided early in the financial year, income and
expenditure figures from the previous two financial years with a
comparison to the current budget shall suffice.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 68
Gympie Regional Council
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
The Meeting adjourned for morning tea at 10.21am.
RESUMPTION OF MEETING
The Meeting resumed at 10.41am.
7.2 N otifi ed M oti on - Operati onal Expenses
7.2 Notified Motion - Operational Expenses
PORTFOLIO: Governance, Finance, Disaster Management
DIRECTORATE: Office of the CEO
DOC ID:
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
5. Our Organisation – accountable, responsive, efficient and innovative
1. REPORT
Cr Stewart has given notice of the following proposed motion:
“In the lead up to the 2017-18 budget we had presentations in regard to the
budget. However in some instances the information appeared quite broad.
Our ratepayers need to know their rates are being well used. The official budget
papers are light on detail and ratepayers can be forgiven for being unaware of
how their rates are spent.
Council needs to be presented with income and expense figures broken down to
at least business units with an explanation of how the money is spent, and how
it helps meet the needs of the community and meets regulatory requirements.
Greater community consultation on the budget will help residents understand
the need for their level of rates and how their money is spent, as well as being
able to make suggestions in regard to these matters. The last part of the motion
includes capital expenditure on assumption that my previous motion on capex
will mean there will be a reasonable understanding of what capital expenditures
will be in the next budget.
The end result will be a budget that gives sufficient detail to residents and
ratepayers that their money is being wisely spent. It also means that if they want
to object, they can have greater understanding of what they are objecting to and
thus provide potentially better solutions.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 69
Gympie Regional Council
Proposed Motion
“That a report be brought back by the end of November regarding the following
proposal:
Council will receive for discussion at workshops in March reports from each
department in regard to the following financial year:
a) Expected income and proposed expenditure for each business unit;
b) How that expected income and proposed expenditure compares with the
current year budget and actual amount to date, and previous year actuals;
c) Explanation for the expected level of income;
d) The reason for the proposed expenditure in regards to how it meets the
Corporate Plan objectives, community needs, and legislative and
regulatory requirements;
e) Explanation for any significant changes in proposed income or
expenditure.
A report of the outcome of the deliberations will be tabled at a Council meeting
by the end of April of the same year, with the intention that it be released to the
public and be open for the public to comment on. This publicly available report
will as a minimum include proposed operational and capital expenditures down
to at least business unit level, the reasons for the expenditure items, and the
expected overall change in rates and charges.”
Officer Comment:
Any amendments council makes to the budget process will need to take into
account the regulatory framework in place regarding budget information.
Council's budget papers are in line with the relevant legislation.
A significant part of councils operational budget is non discretionary and the
majority of the capital budget is underpinned by previously adopted
strategies, masterplans or previous specific council decisions. The opportunity
for extensive discussion on the details of the capital budget was provided.
In the case of major road projects, detailed business cases were provided to
councillors.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 70
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M12/10/17 Moved Cr DH Stewart Seconded Cr WR Leitch
MOTION
That a report be brought back by the end of November regarding the
following proposal:
Council will receive for discussion at workshops in March reports from
each department in regard to the following financial year:
a) Expected income and proposed expenditure for each business unit;
b) How that expected income and proposed expenditure compares
with the current year budget and actual amount to date, and
previous year actuals;
c) Explanation for the expected level of income;
d) The reason for the proposed expenditure in regards to how it meets
the Corporate Plan objectives, community needs, and legislative and
regulatory requirements;
e) Explanation for any significant changes in proposed income or
expenditure.
A report of the outcome of the deliberations will be tabled at a Council
meeting by the end of April of the same year, with the intention that it be
released to the public and be open for the public to comment on. This
publicly available report will as a minimum include proposed operational
and capital expenditures down to at least business unit level, the reasons
for the expenditure items, and the expected overall change in rates and
charges.”
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 71
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7.3 N otifi ed M oti on - Waste Management
7.3 Notified Motion - Waste Management
PORTFOLIO: Infrastructure Services
DIRECTORATE: Office of the CEO
DOC ID:
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
1. Our Infrastructure – well planned, integrated and safe
1. REPORT
Councillor Smerdon has given notice of the following proposed motion:
“The recent changes to Council Transfer Station opening days and hours are not
working for the Community. The amended opening days and hours are too
restrictive and very unfair to certain sections of the community. The community
deserves and expects a level of service of a high standard. This is a core business
for council, a service council is by duty required to provide.”
M13/10/17 Moved Cr HT Smerdon Seconded Cr MS Gear
MOTION
That the recent changes to council's waste management services be taken
back to a council workshop with a view to looking at reforms to the
service to alleviate the problems being encountered by the general public.
Reforms to be considered include:
1. Days open
2. Hours Open
3. Sites Provided
4. Charges on Green waste
5. The investigation of the purchase of a mulcher and the subsequent
sale of mulch back to the public.
6. The investigation of the option of giving ratepayers coupons for a
number of free visits to transfer station sites.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 72
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7.4 N otifi ed M oti on - Pr emises for C ommunity Organisation
7.4 Notified Motion - Premises for Community Organisation
PORTFOLIO: Social Wellbeing
DIRECTORATE: Office of the CEO
DOC ID:
LINKS TO CORPORATE/OPERATIONAL PLAN
STRATEGIC THEMES:
2. Our Community – active, diverse, creative and engaged
5. Our Organisation – accountable, responsive, efficient and innovative
1. REPORT
Councillor Curran (Mayor) has given notice of the following proposed motion:
“Gympie Regional Council (GRC) currently provides support (both financial and
in-kind) to numerous sporting and community not for profit groups and
organisations.
This support assists the facilitation of those sporting and community groups to
enhance the well-being of our community. Council has also provided land
and/or facilities, as they become available, to various groups right across our
region. Council also assists these community minded not for profit organisations
through the GRC community assistance grants program. This support adds to
the well-being of individuals as well as enhancing the liveability of our region in
general.
Whilst council does not and arguably should not, provide direct medical services
(responsibility of State and Federal Governments) GRC has at times provided
assistance to groups, wherever possible, to enhance the provision of those
services within our community.
Some examples are the provision of land to Supporting Chemotherapy in
Cooloola, providing medical consulting rooms in Kilkivan as well as supporting
Cooloola Medical Transport through our community assistance grants, all
services which are vital and needed for our community.
One such community group, Little Haven palliative Care, has had limited
assistance from council.
The information below has been provided by Little Haven Palliative Care to
support this motion.
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 73
Gympie Regional Council
Little Haven’s model of care values
24/7 support ~ genuine after hours care (not just telephone support)
educating and empowering families to care for their loved ones –
backed up by our support
High Tech / High Touch care –
Clinically our patients are very well supported with many local GP’s
providing extremely good palliative support, home visits and after hours
advice. This relationship – one of mutual professional respect has been
fostered across the years.
The role of the GP in management of community palliative patients
with access to specialist palliative services (SCSPCS) for patients with
complex symptom management issues.
Early intervention of palliative care to support patients from their
point of diagnosis
Of note the average number of patients on our books at any given time
has nearly doubled in less than 5 years; from 38 in 2012 to a current
average of 76 patients on our books at any given time. Families are
accessing support earlier and staying with us longer– just as we’d
hoped.
Supporting patients through active treatments (palliative chemo &
radiotherapy)
We receive regular referrals from the visiting oncologists for support
during their cancer treatments. With one carer recently saying she was
simply told by her oncologist, “go and see Little Haven, patients who
have their support do better than those that don’t”.
Providing support in the patients environment of choice – “At the
right time, in the right place”
From the Gratten institutes report into dying well.
Dying in Australia is more institutionalised than in the rest of the world.
Community and medical attitudes plus a lack of funds for formal
community care mean that about half of Australians die in hospital, and
about a third in residential care. Often they have impersonal, lingering
and lonely deaths; many feel disempowered. Seventy per cent of people
want to die at home, yet only about 14 per cent do so. People are twice
as likely to die at home in countries such as New Zealand, the United
States, Ireland and France.
This places a high cost burden on the health system, and potentially a
poorer quality of death. Little Haven consistently averages well above
these stats supporting 60% of our patients remaining at home to die in
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 74
Gympie Regional Council
the past reporting period and a further 24 % dying with less than 5 days
in Hospital.
Shaping compassion by community engagement in care of the
dying – Little Haven sources more that 65% of our funds from the local
community.
Equitable access for all through provision of all services on a no
fee basis
Little Haven also provides
Advanced Clinical Management of all symptoms – Physical and
Spiritual
All the equipment needed in that care
Respite care volunteers
A comprehensive list of Complementary therapies
Bereavement support service
Resource Library and Education –
Advance Health Planning
Social work support to assist with Advanced Care plans / Aged Care
Assessments etc
QHealth Funding
Little Haven receives QHealth funding through
Project funding through the Community Funding Unit – Contract 2015 –
2018 - $255860 per year (provided in quarterly instalments) Project Id
$38960 Scripted funding SCPCHSD (2015/2016)
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As can be derived from the above information, Little Haven provides an
important, if not essential service for our community. It can also be seen that,
whilst some funding is provided by the State government, the majority of funds
necessary to provide services comes from community support.
Little Haven currently leases both a storage shed and a pop-up shop front in the
Gympie area at commercial rates. This arrangement has a financial impact on
the organisation which could be better served by providing those commercial
costs back to the provision of care services.
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
$900,000
Little Haven / Qld Health funding gap 2005 / 2016
LH Annual Expenses Qhealth funding
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 76
Gympie Regional Council
Little Haven have previously approached the office of the Mayor GRC seeking
assistance in regards to both storage and shop front space however on that
occasion no such facilities were available.
With GRC’s acquisition of a commercial premises at the corner Jaycee Way and
River Road (locally known as the ‘Don Cameron’ building) for future planned
CBD and inner city development, an opportunity exists to locate Little Haven at
those premises pending development of the site by GRC (no specific estimate of
time-frame) as the premises provides both storage and shop front facilities.”
M14/10/17 Moved Cr MW Curran Seconded Cr DW Dodt
MOTION
That Community Services staff commence discussions with Little Haven
Palliative Care regarding the feasibility of it occupying the premises
known as ‘the Don Cameron Building’ (inclusive of storage and shop front
facilities) at the corner of Jaycee Way and River Road.
Carried
FOR: Cr MW Curran, Cr MA McDonald, Cr WR Leitch, Cr DW Dodt, Cr MS Gear,
Cr GC Hartwig, Cr HT Smerdon and Cr DH Stewart
AGAINST: Nil
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 77
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Section 8: Infr astr ucture Ser vices
SECTION 8: INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
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Section 9: Attachments
SECTION 9: ATTACHMENTS
5.1 Development Application for Material Change of Use - High Impact
Industry (Extension to Existing Engineering Workshop) at 532 Upper
Widgee Road, Widgee
ATTACHMENT 1 2016-0797 WIDGEE ENGINEERING - PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
ATTACHMENT .............................................................................................. 79
5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
ATTACHMENT 1 TEMPORARY LOCAL PLANNING INSTRUMENT 1 – SOUTHSIDE
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AREA ...................................................................... 83
6.5 Community Assistance Grants
ATTACHMENT 3 INFORMATION RE: ROUND 2, 2017/2018 ............................................. 91
There being no further business the meeting closed at 11.06am.
Confirmed this FIRST day of NOVEMBER 2017
________________________
Cr MW Curran
CHAIRMAN
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 79
Item 5.1 Development Application for Material Change of Use - High Impact Industry (Extension to
Existing Engineering Workshop) at 532 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee
Attachment 1 2016-0797 Widgee Engineering - Public Notification Attachment
Gympie Regional Council
ATTACHM ENT 1 - R efer I tem 5.1 2016-0797 Wi dgee Engineering - Public N otificati on Attachment
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 80
Item 5.1 Development Application for Material Change of Use - High Impact Industry (Extension to
Existing Engineering Workshop) at 532 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee
Attachment 1 2016-0797 Widgee Engineering - Public Notification Attachment
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 81
Item 5.1 Development Application for Material Change of Use - High Impact Industry (Extension to
Existing Engineering Workshop) at 532 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee
Attachment 1 2016-0797 Widgee Engineering - Public Notification Attachment
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 82
Item 5.1 Development Application for Material Change of Use - High Impact Industry (Extension to
Existing Engineering Workshop) at 532 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee
Attachment 1 2016-0797 Widgee Engineering - Public Notification Attachment
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 83
Item 5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
Attachment 1 Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development Area
Gympie Regional Council
ATTACHM ENT 1 - R efer I tem 5.2 Tempor ar y Local Planning Instr ument 1 – Southside Local D evelopment Ar ea
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 84
Item 5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
Attachment 1 Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development Area
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 85
Item 5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
Attachment 1 Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development Area
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 86
Item 5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
Attachment 1 Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development Area
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 87
Item 5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
Attachment 1 Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development Area
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 88
Item 5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
Attachment 1 Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development Area
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 89
Item 5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
Attachment 1 Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development Area
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 90
Item 5.2 Update on Southside Local Development Area
Attachment 1 Temporary Local Planning Instrument 1 – Southside Local Development Area
Gympie Regional Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 91
Item 6.5 Community Assistance Grants
Attachment 1 Information re: Round 2, 2017/2018
Gympie Regional Council
ATTACHM ENT 3 - R efer I tem 6.5 Infor mation r e: R ound 2, 2017/2018
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 11 October 2017 92
Item 6.5 Community Assistance Grants
Attachment 3 Information re: Round 2, 2017/2018
Gympie Regional Council