Council Brief - Wednesday 17 June 2020

Mayor Otto explained, “To ensure the South Burnett community is updated with the latest news as it is discussed by Council, I will be providing a monthly Council Brief following each General meeting.”

“The brief will provide an overview of current Council decisions, and I urge community members to read both the agenda and minutes of each Council Meeting to ensure you are up to date on relevant information as it comes to hand,” Mayor Otto said.

The June Council Brief covers the below items:

Dark Sky Petition

An e-petition was received requesting that Council reconsider issuing an updated letter of support for the Bunya Mountains Dark Sky Park and fund the $20,000 needed for the Lighting Management Plan. Council endorsed the recommendation that the e-petition be referred to Council’s Chief Executive Officer for consideration and relevant action.

Minutes of the Audit Advisory Committee Meeting held 28 May 2020

In accordance with Section 211 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council received the minutes of the Audit Advisory Committee Meeting held on Thursday, 28 May 2020.

LGAQ Annual Conference Call for Motions

That South Burnett Regional Council progress the following resolutions to the 2020 Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference in relation to:

• That Council lobby the State Government to waiver the agistment charge for roadside grazing in regions that are Drought Declared;
• That the wild dog bounty be consistent across all local Government areas to encourage people collecting the bounty to stay in their own region and not go across borders. This will help Councils to get a better understanding of the number of wild dogs being caught in their region. It is also fair that the dogs caught in the local government area should be paid for in that area; and
• Review the State Waste Levy.

Monthly Financial Report

In accordance with Section 204 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Monthly Financial Report including Capital Works, Road Maintenance Expenditure and Works for Queensland (W4Q3) as at 31 May 2020 were received and noted.

Procurement Policy

In accordance with Section 198 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council must prepare and adopt a procurement policy including details of the principles that the Council will apply in the financial year for purchasing goods and services, and review its procurement policy annually. Council adopted the South Burnett Regional Council Procurement Policy – Statutory-007 as amended. Amendments will underline Council’s desire to support local business in conjunction with ensuring value for money for ratepayers.

Investment Policy

In accordance with Section 191 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council’s investment policy must outline - (a) the local government’s investment objectives and overall risk philosophy; and (b) procedures for achieving the goals related to investment stated in the policy. Council adopted the South Burnett Regional Council Investment Policy – Statutory-009 as presented.

Debt Policy

In accordance with Section 192 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council’s debt policy must state the new borrowings for the current financial year and the next nine (9) financial years. Council adopted the South Burnett Regional Council Debt Policy – Statutory-010 as presented.

Asset Management Plans

Asset Management Plans have been developed to assist Council with balancing the financial, operational and risk constraints on the delivery of services to the community. The Asset Management Plans cover the following items around delivering outcomes for the community: Financial planning and management; Service planning and management; Asset planning and management and; Data and information management. The various asset plans set out to demonstrate that Council is at or approaching a ‘Core’ status in asset management maturity for the various asset classes.
Council adopted the following Asset Management Plans: Transport Asset Management Plan; Building Asset Management Plan; NRM and Parks Asset Management Plan; Waste Asset Management Plan; Wastewater Asset Management Plan and; Water Asset Management Plan.

Memorial Park Waterway

A request was received via email regarding the naming of the waterway that flows through Memorial Park, Kingaroy as “Memorial Creek” in commemoration of the 101st Remembrance Day and in acknowledgement of service men and women. Council endorsed that the name “Memorial Creek” be given to the section of the waterway through Memorial Park.

Road name for Development at 14471 D'Aguilar Highway Nanango

Council addressed the request to name a new road within a development at 14471 D'Aguilar Highway, Nanango. The applicant had supplied three (3) names as per the Infrastructure Asset Naming Policy, with the preferred name by the applicant being ‘Luna Rise’ with access to be provided from Parsons Road, Nanango. Council adopted the name of Luna Rise as the road name for the development at 14471 D'Aguilar Highway Nanango - Lot 1 RP180937.

Requesting Funding for Wide Bay Burnett Warning Infrastructure Upgrade Program

The Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisations of Councils (WBBROC) grant application consists of installing new flood warning stations, automated road flood warning signs and flood depth markers at key locations. Council endorsed the recommendation that Council allocate $175,000 from its 2020/21 infrastructure budget to undertake installation of automated road flood warning signs in South Burnett if the project proceeds with an external balance of funds.

Development Application - Material Change of Use for Service Station (Above Ground Fuel Cell) and Reconfiguring of Lot (Long Term Lease)

Council endorsed the recommendation that Council approve the Development Application comprising Material Change of Use for Service Station (Above Ground Fuel Cell) and Reconfiguring a Lot (Long Term Lease) on land at Chinchilla-Wondai Road, Durong – described as Lot 1 RP50789 subject to the conditions as listed. The application was advertised from 3 April to 29 April 2020 with no submissions received.

Alignment of Plumbing & Building Fees

To align with the Plumbing and Draining Act 2018 and Building Act 1975, Council adopted the amendments to the Register of Fees and Charges for Plumbing and Building applications as follows:

1. Plumbing Fees

a) Delete the lodgement of application fee;
b) Retain the approval and inspection fee
c) Retain $109.50 per fixture fee.
d) Insert a new fee for alterations or modifications to replace the full fee for a new application.
e) Delete the service report registration fee of $55 for each service report and insert a $55 lodgement fee for service reports that is a once off payment at the time the respective service reports are lodged with Council.

2. Building Fees

a) Insert a new $640 fee for Minor Alterations/Modifications to kitchen or bathroom for existing Class 1 building where funding for this work is made available through the NDIS scheme.
b) Insert a new fee for Class 7 and Class 8 Farm Sheds and Farm Buildings that is calculated at $1,020 for buildings with a floor are less than 500m2 and $2,040 for buildings with a floor area more than 500m2.
c) Delete the $180 modification/alteration fee and the $105 change to development approval fee for Temporary Tents over 500m2.

Review of Standpipe water charges

A review of the standpipe water charges was conducted to compare the standpipe water charges with domestic connected rates. Council endorsed the recommendation that:
1. Council adopts the recommendation to increase standpipe charges to $10.00 per Kilolitre and;
2. The Chief Executive Officer is delegated to close any standpipe unit or place on bypass if it becomes inoperable or damaged.

Appointment of Managers to Council's Tourist Parks

Council endorsed the recommendation that Council delegate to the Chief Executive Officer the power to negotiate terms and appoint new Park Managers including a Relief Manager at Council’s tourist parks - Lake Boondooma Caravan & Recreation Park & Yallakool Caravan & Recreation Park at Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

Offer of a trustee lease to formalise tenure for the existing telecommunications tower on Mt Wooroolin, Kingaroy

The Public Service Business Agency (PSBA) have sought to enter into a trustee lease with Council over part of the Reserve for Public Park (Lot 365 on FY489) to formalise tenure for the telecommunications tower at Mt Wooroolin, Kingaroy. The telecommunications tower is essential for continued use by emergency services. In accordance with Section 236 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council endorsed the recommendation that Council enter into a trustee lease with the State of Queensland (Represented by the Public Safety Business Agency) for part of Lot 356 on FY489 for the continued use of the telecommunications tower for emergency services.

Approval to transfer the tenancy of a shed at Kingaroy Enterprise Centre

That Council approves the transfer of occupation of the shed to the St John’s Lutheran School Parents and Friends Association to continue the Bookarama fundraising event.

Sale of Macalister Street Murgon by tender (house only)

Council owns house and land adjoining the Murgon Depot at 41 Macalister Street, which was rented until the tenant vacated in 2019. The house requires maintenance over the next 2-3 years to ensure it complies with current rental standards. Council offered the property for sale on the open market, but it did not sell. The land is to be retained for future expansion of the Murgon depot and the house offered for sale for removal. Council endorsed the recommendation to dispose of the house in accordance with Section 227 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.

South Burnett Tourism Advisory Committee Minutes

Council received the minutes of the South Burnett Tourism Advisory Committee’s meetings held on 27 April and 11 May 2020 for information.

Financial Hardship Rates Application

Two applications were considered in line with Council’s hardship policy.

Replacement of John Deere Grader

Council endorsed the recommendation to purchase from John Deere the John Deere 670G with Top Con 2D Laser representing value for money, and with standard lever controls Council operators have extensive experience in operating the plant.

Preferred Supplier Tender SBRC 18/19-14 - Traffic Management

Council endorsed the recommendation to accept the tender from South Burnett Security and Traffic Control for the supply and delivery of traffic control services for a period of twenty-four (24) months with a fixed period of twelve (12) months for rates and prices.

Pre-Qualified Supplier Tender SBRC 18/19-15 - Civil Works

Council endorsed the recommendation to approve the list of providers to be included in the Prequalified Supplier Register for Civil Works for the period 17 June 2020 to 17 June 2025.

Portfolio Reports

Mayor Otto’s Social & Corporate Performance, People & Culture, Communications/Media, Finance and ICT Portfolio Report to Council was received for information.

Cr Jones' Roads & Drainage Portfolio Report to Council was received for information.

Cr Potter's Community, Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation Portfolio Report to Council was received for information.

Cr Henschen’s Rural Services, Natural Resource Management, Planning and Compliance Services Portfolio Report to Council was received for information.

Cr Frohloff’s Local Disaster Management, Water, Waste Water and Waste Management Portfolio Report to Council was received for information.

Cr Duff’s Rural Resilience, Parks & Gardens, Property & Facility Management and Indigenous Affairs Portfolio Report to Council was received for information.

Cr Schumacher’s Economic Development Portfolio Report to Council was received for information.

Please Note: Specific information and related documents can be found in both the agenda and minutes (once complete) of the General Meeting for Wednesday 17 June 2020.

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As well as accessing a live stream of Council meetings, visitors will also be able to view future recorded (archived) meetings and follow links to meeting schedules, agendas and minutes via Council’s website - ‘Council Meetings’ page. This will provide our community greater access to Council decisions and debate, while eliminating barriers that may prevent the public from attending in person.

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