Weekend Edition

Just as the party balloons have deflated on Kevin ‘07, the honeymoon is well and truly over for the Fraser Coast Regional Council.  We’ve just had a read of the latest council meeting minutes and to say we’re disappointed would be an understatement.

We refer to Article 10.8 “Hervey Bay Water Education Park”

There was a motion made by Cr Brooks. seconded by Cr Harris that “Council undertake a community consultation process in relation to the Water Education Park based on the preliminary proposal provided by Wide Bay WaterCorparation” and “Council advise WBWC of the financial parameters and request that WBWC provide final design details and financial feasibility report to Council for approval”

This motion was lost 5/6 with Crs Brooks, Dalgleish, MucKan, Harris & Hawes voting for with the remainder against.  The following resolution shows the steam roller mentality that still exists - instead of community consultation and an examination of the feasibility study by council, it seems that the project will go ahead regardless.

Further to this, there was some indication council has sought for the project to be “cost neutral without impacting on any short or long term dividends to the council”.  What this means is anyones guess but the only way we can see this happening is if WBWC either starts making huge profits from selling their services elsewhere or they sting ratepayers significantly more for their water.  There is no way even the most highly paid accountants in the country could make the $7 million cost to Wide Bay Water disappear.

We commend Cr Brooks for her opposition to the process being taken by council on this project and express our disappointment in the rest of them for failing to ensure the project will not become another White Elephant - lets see if the feasibility study stacks up before we rush about building it please!

Ouch!

Reports this week from the Sunshine Coast suggest that the Sunshine Coast Regional Council is about to embark on the search for a new CEO.  Nothing unusual in itself but how about the cost?  Information received suggests the process will cost that council in the vicinity of one hundred thousand dollars and that is not to mention the potential cost of paying out the 3 former CEOs.

It is a scary thought and one has to wonder what other councils are paying to recruit CEOs.  Not a bad lurk if you are in the business of corporate recruitment but not so good for the ratepayers who foot the bill! 

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Here’s some thoughts on today’s council meeting courtesy of John Neve:

Fraser Coast Council’s Ordinary Meeting No. 2, was just that, ordinary.
 
Public Participation:
Three members of the public spoke in support of REST, seeking an extension on time for their operation. It will be interesting to see if councillors heed their cry.
 
I put a number of Questions on Notice, relating to the HBCC’s “flawed town plan”. The $150,000 ratepayers apparently will have to cough up in legal costs. I also questioned whether it was true that ongoing developer challenges could cost ratepayers millions of dollars.
 
There are a number of questions still outstanding, regarding the ex mayor and councillors actions in relation to the confrontation with the ex CEO. These related to legal costs, council’s actions and authority to engage lawyers.
 
Items of interest:
 
Ord 10.1  Councillors Superannuation, councillors can receive twice their own contribution up to 12% of salary.
 
Ord 10.2  Corporate Governance Portfolio Terms of Reference.  This I believe will replace the current Code of Conduct, but suggest you read it for yourself.
 
Ord 14     General Business:
 
This was interesting as Councillor MucKan asked if the Water Park cost $12 million, where would the extra $7 million come from? Mayor Kruger suggested this would be better answered in confidential!!
 
Ord 15     Confidential:
 
Ord 15.1  Chapel Rd Rehabilitation and Widening.
Ord 15.2   WBW Quarterly Report for March 2008; and
Ord 15.3   Water Park - Hervey Bay.
 
Unfortunately I cannot comment as result is unknown.

Strewthisbackwrites: It is very disappointing that council chose to discuss the Water Park issue behind closed doors.  The question Cr Muckan asked is a valid one and many of us would love to see council publicly debate this issue. 

 

FCRC Planning & Development Meeting 09/04/08

The Fraser Coast Regional Council held is first Planning &
Development meeting today. There were three applications on
the agenda.
 
Item 4.1
Material change of use, two (2) lots into seventeen (17) lots in
Annie Street, HOWARD. This was rejected due to the potential
for flooding, the land being low lying.
 
Item 4.2
Reconfiguration of two (2) lots into fifty one (51) lots in Madsen
Road, URRAWEEN. The mayor vacated the chair, whether there
was a conflict of interest or a pecuniary interest, I don’t know.
Councillor McNeven took the chair and the recommendation to
approve the application was passed 9/0 with councillor MucKan
abstaining.
 
Item 4.3
Material change of use multiple units in access of two (2) stories
in height. Restaurant/food services and vegetation removal. The
Esplanade, SCARNESS. This application was deferred until July 9,
at the request of the applicant. The officer’s recommendation was
for a refusal.
 
There were three items in CONFIDENTIAL these being the
Waterfront (Qld) Pty. Ltd - Crn Fraser Street &  The Esplanade,
Seashift Properties - Burrum Heads Road, Burrum Heads and
Torquay Heights Drainage Flooding Issues. All three were covered
verbally!
On resumption of the open meeting no comment was offered, so
I’m unable to comment.
 
General Business - Councillor Dalgleish requested an update on
                               the Burrum Town Plan.
 
John A Neve