MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
The 4448 meeting of the Brisbane City Council,
held at City Hall, Brisbane
on Tuesday 9 September 2014
at 2pm
Prepared by:
Council and Committee Liaison Office
Chief Executive’s Office
Office of the Lord Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THE 4448 MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,
HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,
ON TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2014
Dedicated to a better Brisbane
AT 2PM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS _____________________________________________________________ i
PRESENT: ______________________________________________________________________ 1
OPENING OF MEETING: __________________________________________________________ 1
MINUTES: _____________________________________________________________________ 1
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: __________________________________________________________ 1
QUESTION TIME: ________________________________________________________________ 5
CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS: _________________________________________ 16
ESTABLISHMENT AND COORDINATION COMMITTEE _________________________________________ 16
A PROPOSED PUBLIC LAND AND COUNCIL ASSETS LOCAL LAW 2014 _________________________ 52
B MINOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS TO BRISBANE CITY PLAN 2014 ________________ 53
C LEASE TO ALL ABOUT LIVING INC ____________________________________________________ 54
D LEASE TO THE MORNINGSIDE AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED_______________________ 55
E PRESENTATION AND TABLING OF THE AUDITED 2013-14 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014 ________________________ 57
F
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 _____________________________________ 58
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ___________________________________________________________ 59
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS: SCATS __________________ 61
B PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL MODIFY A RECENTLY INSTALLED TRAFFIC CALMING
DEVICE ON GOLDIESLIE ROAD, INDOOROOPILLY ________________________________________ 62
C PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL INSTALL A NEW PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT THE
INTERSECTION OF STATION AND MUSGRAVE ROADS, INDOOROOPILLY _____________________ 64
D PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL INCLUDE PATTERSON STREET, TENERIFFE, INTO THE
BRISBANE CENTRAL TRAFFIC AREA___________________________________________________ 65
E PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL MAKE MORTIMER ROAD, BETWEEN BEATTY AND
BEAUDESERT ROADS, ACACIA RIDGE, SAFER FOR THE COMMUNITY ________________________ 66
PUBLIC AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ______________________________________________ 69
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – BUS EMISSION STANDARDS _______________________________ 70
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE ___________________ 71
A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION UNDER SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT 2009: MATERIAL CHANGE OF
USE FOR AGED-CARE ACCOMMODATION (MULTI-UNIT DWELLING), RESTAURANT AND SHOP - 101
TO 109 ALLEN STREET AND 576 KINGSFORD SMITH DRIVE, HAMILTON - NUOVA CASA TRUST ___ 78
B PETITIONS – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL REFUSE THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR A MULTIUNIT DWELLING AT 18 BRYCE STREET, ST LUCIA ________________________________________ 81
ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE ____________________________________ 82
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – CITY BOTANIC GARDENS _________________________________ 87
B REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL FORMALLY NAME THE TWO UNNAMED SPORTS FIELDS LOCATED
WITHIN PHILLIP PLACE PARK, FOREST LAKE, AS ‘FOREST LAKE SPORTS FIELDS’ ________________ 88
C PETITION – REQUESTING THAT THE OFFICIAL NAME OF CELICA STREET PARK, RUNCORN, BE
CHANGED TO ‘LINDSAY EVANS MEMORIAL PARK’ ______________________________________ 89
D PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL DECLARE AN UNFENCED DOG OFF-LEASH AREA IN
WOOLOOWIN ___________________________________________________________________ 90
FIELD SERVICES COMMITTEE _____________________________________________________________ 91
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – WASTE SERVICES BRANCH ACHIEVEMENTS 2013-14 ___________ 93
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THE 4448 MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,
HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,
ON TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2014
Dedicated to a better Brisbane
AT 2PM
BRISBANE LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE _________________________________________________________ 93
A CONNECTED COMMUNITIES – YOUR BRISBANE: SERVICE 4.1.1.1 FESTIVALS AND EVENTS_______ 94
FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ______________________ 96
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT ________________________________ 96
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS:____________________________________________________ 97
GENERAL BUSINESS: ____________________________________________________________ 98
QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN: _______________________________ 100
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN: ____________________ 102
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THE 4448 MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,
HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,
ON TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2014
Dedicated to a better Brisbane
AT 2PM
PRESENT:
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) – LNP
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT (Pullenvale Ward) – LNP
LNP Councillors (and Wards)
Krista ADAMS (Wishart)
Matthew BOURKE (Jamboree)
Amanda COOPER (Bracken Ridge)
Vicki HOWARD (Central)
Steven HUANG (Macgregor)
Fiona KING (Marchant)
Geraldine KNAPP (The Gap)
Kim MARX (Karawatha)
Peter MATIC (Toowong)
Ian McKENZIE (Holland Park)
David McLACHLAN (Hamilton)
Ryan MURPHY (Doboy)
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR (Parkinson) (Deputy
Chairman of Council)
Adrian SCHRINNER (Chandler) (Deputy Mayor)
Julian SIMMONDS (Walter Taylor)
Andrew WINES (Enoggera)
Norm WYNDHAM (McDowall)
ALP Councillors (and Wards)
Milton DICK (Richlands) (The Leader of the
Opposition)
Helen ABRAHAMS (The Gabba) (Deputy Leader of
the Opposition)
Peter CUMMING (Wynnum Manly)
Kim FLESSER (Northgate)
Steve GRIFFITHS (Moorooka)
Victoria NEWTON (Deagon)
Shayne SUTTON (Morningside)
Independent Councillor (and Ward)
Nicole JOHNSTON (Tennyson)
OPENING OF MEETING:
The Chairman, Councillor Margaret de WIT, opened the meeting with prayer, and then proceeded with the
business set out in the Agenda.
MINUTES:
132/2014-15
The Minutes of the 4447 meeting of Council held on 2 September 2014, copies of which had been forwarded to
each councillor, were presented, taken as read and confirmed on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY,
seconded by Councillor Kim MARX.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Mr Graham Brewer – Delivering food and toiletries to drought stricken South-West Queensland
File number: 137/220/701/196
Chairman:
Councillors, I would like to call on Mr Graham Brewer who will address the
Chamber on delivering food and toiletries to drought-stricken south-west
Queensland. I would just point out there is an error on the agenda paper; it
should be south-west Queensland. Orderly, would you please show Mr Brewer
in.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
-2Mr Brewer, you may stand or sit, and you have five minutes.
Mr Graham Brewer:
Thank you. Six weeks ago, three small clubs got together to use their own
initiative and effort to bring a little joy into the drought-stricken folks of western
Queensland. The club members of around 65 years of age collected donations of
cash and non-perishable foods. This took a lot of work and dedication by people
of our age, but the three clubs involved were the Calamvale Branch of the
National Seniors, the Forest Lake Branch of the National Seniors, and the
Malaya and Borneo War Veterans Association, of which I’m a member.
We obtained a truck through Avis rent-a-car who made no charge for it, and it
was the best choice we could have made. It was almost a new vehicle. We also
had great support from several local councillors, other politicians, in the shape
of money for fuel. Angela OWEN-TAYLOR and her staff were wonderful with
their office becoming a drop-off point for donated food stuffs. I might also add
here that not one cent of the money donated was used for any administration
cost. Every cent went to the country folks.
Our liaison person in St George, which was our base, Robyn Fuhrmeister, was a
dynamo in riding boots. She had everything laid out for us in our itinerary. The
following morning the people trickled into the hall that they had allowed for us,
proud and embarrassed, but they came. The first lady was 80 years old and she
was still trying to keep her property going with her husband. She’d only halffilled a cardboard box when I told her to fill it up. She said, you have to be fair;
there’s an awful lot of people yet to come.
I’m an ex-bushy, and I’ve never seen such sad conditions that exist out in this
State at the moment. The next day we headed further bush on to the properties,
in cells and small hamlets, and these folks have been in drought for years.
There’s been several suicides since Christmas, and there are people in St George
on suicide watch as we speak. We know many of these folks receive vouchers
for food and fuel, but they don’t spend it on themselves. They spend it on their
stock and properties, and believe me, it’s hard. What we saw in those four days
made us ashamed in a way. I know it’s their choice to live in the bush, the same
as it’s our choice to live on the coast or in the city, but these are folks that get
much pride and employment in the good times.
I may sound passionate about this, and I am. I have recently spent four days with
a bunch of tired, sad and desperate Aussies who are trying to hang on, not only
to their homes and livelihood but to their way of life and very existence. You
know, one of the greatest things we experienced out there was the brief pleasure
it gave these battlers to have personal contact with people that cared, to have
someone to listen, and talk about something different than their daily dose of
sadness.
We’re going again to the south-west in early November, and perhaps the
Brisbane City Council can help these folk with money or appropriate goods. I’d
also like to ask that councillors get behind the appeal and suggest to their
constituents that they, too, could drop a few coins, baked bean tins or packets of
food off somewhere that could be picked up, or better still, contact any of the
three clubs previously mentioned.
Thank you for allowing me to talk to you today, and I’d like to leave you with
this thought: If a bunch of old codgers like us can pull something off like this on
their own bat, then anyone can. I’m a proud ex-war veteran, and I’m an exfireman, but this is the most worthwhile thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Chairman:
Thank you, Mr Brewer. If you’d just like to wait; Councillor ADAMS, would
you like to respond?
Response by Councillor Krista ADAMS, Chairman of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr Brewer, for taking the time to come
in here today, to talk about an initiative that you are extremely passionate about,
and obviously a very worthwhile cause as well. One of your requests is about
the promotion of your initiative that you’re delivering food and toiletries to
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
-3those drought-stricken areas, and definitely within Council we are more than
happy to work with you, to get in contact with other community groups. We
have quite a large network with our Community Directory and are in contact
with some of those groups that may be of assistance to you.
So, what I would offer is that we will get in contact with you through the
Connected Communities Branch. We will have a meeting and set up who we
could contact and some of the details of those groups that may be best help for
you to assist in spreading your initiative. I am sure any councillor here would be
happy to put their hand up to have a drop-off point in their ward office as well
for the goods that you distribute to your networks.
Also, one of the other key networks to think about, if you haven’t already, is
Give It—obviously a very large organisation that does do a lot of donations
across Queensland and particularly in areas affected by natural disaster like
drought, so Give It is a goods-for-good-causes, and they are a really good
grassroots community group as well that hands out those things. So if you are
not in contact with them, we are happy to work through getting you in contact
with Give It as well and see how maybe you can work together with them to
spread your initiative wider if need be, or to make your initiative in the southwest more effective as well.
But thank you very much for coming in today. We will be in contact with you
and see how we can spread your word. Thank you very much.
Chairman:
Thank you, Mr Brewer.
Mr Jason Steinberg – The Courage to Care program
File number: 137/220/701/194
Chairman:
I would now like to call on Mr Jason Steinberg who will address the Chamber
on the Courage to Care program. Orderly, would you please escort Mr Steinberg
in.
Mr Steinberg, you have five minutes; you may stand or sit, whichever is most
comfortable.
Mr Jason Steinberg:
Thank you. Madam Chairman, LORD MAYOR, Councillors, thank you for the
opportunity to address you. There’s a famous poem written just after the
Holocaust by Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemöller, and some of you may know it.
He writes: “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I
was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak
out because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did
not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no
one left to speak for me.”
Niemöller’s quote greets visitors to the unique exhibition called Courage to
Care, and it is my honour, on behalf of the Jewish community, to update Council
on this exhibition. Courage to Care is a free museum-quality travelling
exhibition and education program for children and adults that uses the Holocaust
as a metaphor.
In June this year, the Brisbane Square Library hosted the exhibition, and I would
like to thank Councillors ADAMS and SCHRINNER, and the busy staff of the
library, who made that a success. Three were more than 3,000 visitors, including
groups from State and private schools who participated over the four-week
program.
Courage to Care is an initiative of B’nai B’rith, the largest and oldest Jewish
community service organisation in the world, founded in 1843. It promotes
understanding and acceptance of all people, and demonstrates the importance of
standing up to bullying and prejudice, wherever it occurs. It educates visitors
about victims, perpetrators and bystanders by exposing them to the stories of
survivors of the Holocaust and their rescuers. It emphasises the positive stories
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
-4of rescue and support provided by others, and that each individual action can
make a difference.
The exhibition uses texts, objects, memorabilia and interactive discussions to
tell meaningful stories. It uses the Holocaust because it’s the world’s most
extreme example of how far racism and discrimination can go, if not stopped, an
event that resulted in the murder of 6 million Jews, millions of homosexuals,
gypsies, Communists, the disabled and any other minority.
The exhibition is run by volunteers from Jewish and non-Jewish communities
who deliver a two-hour educational program for schools, grades five to 12, with
links to the curriculum. There are also adult programs available. In the visitors’
book, students and adults write moving tributes saying how they feel
empowered to take action against discrimination and bullying, and they commit
not to being a bystander but to make a difference wherever possible.
Here in Brisbane we have a great lifestyle and a multicultural society that
promotes inclusion, and we are a New World City. But when Swastikas appear
on local garbage bins; a Queensland parliamentarian makes comparison to Nazi
Germany; or a European neo-Nazi political party marches in our streets; we
collectively breathe deeply and ask: what can be done?
What our great city is missing is something that Sydney and Melbourne and
Perth have, and that is a permanent home to remember the Holocaust. Yes, we
can have Courage to Care visit a couple of times a year, but we think it is time to
have something here permanently. That said, the exhibition is coming back, and
it will be in Logan in November, and although it is outside Council’s geography,
I will encourage all councillors to attend the exhibition.
Madam Chairman, thank you again for the opportunity to address you, and I will
end with a quote from Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Mr
Kevin Cocks, who after his recent visit to the exhibition, said, “The narrative of
Courage to Care is one that has the power to motivate each and every one of us
to recognise the potential we have as individuals to make a difference.” Thank
you.
Chairman:
Thank you, Mr Steinberg; Councillor ADAMS, would you care to respond?
Response by Councillor Krista ADAMS, Chairman of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee
Councillor ADAMS:
Yes. Thank you, Mr Steinberg for joining us this afternoon and presenting your
passion for this remarkable exhibition and updating the Chamber on a very
exciting exhibition that will be coming to Logan in the following months.
As you mentioned, the Courage to Care exhibition is about promoting
understanding and acceptance by using such a vivid example of an event like the
Holocaust, and it is a message that Council definitely supports through our
Access and Inclusion Plan and our vision as well of social acceptance. It is
strongly aligned with our vision.
I think it was fantastic to see it up in Brisbane Square Library in June. It was a
fantastic exhibition; an apt place for an exhibition, too. We do know our Council
libraries now are hubs for people to come and meet other people and meet
people with similar likes and interests, but places where they can feel safe and
welcome. I think it was a very non-confronting place for students to come along
to and be, I think, confronted in a lot of cases with the exhibits that you had
there for Courage to Care.
We did that one with Courage to Care New South Wales, obviously, with the
great work that you did, too, through your organisation, and the transformation I
have to say was quite impressive. I think everyone was a bit surprised on the
night that it opened on how well it really came out in the end room, so it was
wonderful to see that.
I see over 2,200 students got to the end room, which is fantastic—teachers
bringing their classes up to have that experience and go through the exhibit as
well. With a maximum of 60 students a session, that’s a lot of sessions in three
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
-5weeks, so that’s fantastic to see that the teachers from grade five to grade 12 are
really willing to come along and see the exhibit as well.
I have to say it is a very powerful feature of your exhibition that you have
people telling their personal stories and their experience of the Holocaust, which
was quite amazing. It was very inspiring and thought-provoking. I have to say
my most moving memory was the striped pyjamas in the corner, because I’d just
been through the book, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, with my son, and it was
quite a vivid reminder that that wasn’t a fiction story; it actually happened as
well. It was an amazing exhibition.
So thank you very much for coming along this afternoon. Thank you for
updating us. I look forward to staying in touch as well and see what you’re
doing in the future years. It really was a remarkable exhibition, and I would
encourage everybody to get along and see it in Logan if they can as well. Thank
you.
Chairman:
Thank you, Mr Steinberg.
QUESTION TIME:
Chairman:
Are there any questions of the LORD MAYOR or a Chairman of any of the
Standing Committees? Councillor MARX.
Question 1
Councillor MARX:
Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. Promoting
Brisbane to the world requires a multi-faceted strategy. Can you please explain
why it is important for people to know our name, especially in the lead-up to
G20, and can you explain why events such as the Global Café will help us
achieve this goal?
LORD MAYOR:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I thank Councillor MARX for the
question. Today I launched the Global Café event. This is, of course, leading up
now to the G20. It is only two months away. Brisbane will be the first city that
has embarked on this lead-up event which is designed to take full advantage of
the fact that we will have those 4,000 delegates in the city accompanying the
global leaders. We will have up to 3,000 international journalists.
While a lot of the international journalists, I expect, will arrive just in advance
of the G20, we do expect to have around 300 to 500 international journalists
associated with this event. The Global Café is very much about getting thought
leaders, futurists, in the one place at the one time to discuss important issues
affecting not only our city but importantly cities and communities across the
globe. It will be a major curtain-raiser for the G20. It will be on the Wednesday
and the Thursday, and it will be staged downstairs in the auditorium.
This is to take advantage of the fact that Brisbane will be the capital city of the
world during G20 week. The event is already attracting exceptional and
influential speakers right throughout the globe, in areas such as science,
entrepreneurs, researchers, inventors, business leaders, et cetera. Madam
Chairman, not only international speakers but speakers throughout Australia.
The event will explore important issues around the following subjects:
improving human life; developing cities that match our future needs, powering
the future economies, unlocking the opportunities with the digital age, and
exploring opportunities from emerging frontiers of tourism.
The event also has the support of some global media organisations; groups such
as BBC World News and Bloomberg Media, as well as many other local media
partners. We are grateful for the interest that is being shown in this event. The
event has also attracted to date around 25 sponsors.
It is a bold concept, and one which, if successful this year—and there is every
reason why it ought to be now, with 70 speakers engaged—it may well become
a part of the G20 scene into the future. We have been lucky in that this city has
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
-6been given more lead time in the advice and knowledge that it was to be the G20
city, and that has given us that advantage of getting out there and getting
ourselves some opportunities to further show what this city has to offer. The fact
that we want to be a part of a global conversation; the fact that we want to be a
part of the solutions of the challenges and issues facing cities and communities
across the globe.
We are hoping to have around 1,000 people participate by way of audience in
the Global Café. Already we have the five key Chairs in place in terms of the
event. Professor Ian Fraser will head up ‘Improving human life’. He is, of
course, the Brisbane Cervical Cancer Vaccine pioneer. The national tourism
identity, Christopher Brown, will head up ‘New frontiers in tourism’. Greg
Clark will look at the future of cities. We have other Chairs being Mr Alex
Wallace and also Dr Jana Matthews. They will also head and Chair different
groups.
A range of international speakers—Professor Christopher Leaver from the
University of Oxford, US Demographer Alan Berube. We also have Chinese
business leader Xu Weiping. We have people such as Gadi Mazor, the Israeli
digital entrepreneur. We have the Chairman of the LirrwiYolngu Tourism,
Djawa Burarrwanga, and indeed we have also the Young Australian of the Year
for 2012 and founder of 2Mar Robotics, Marita Cheng. They are just some of
the 70 speakers that are engaged for this event.
It will be an opportunity for people to engage in ensuring that Brisbane is seen
for what we know it is, an emerging city, or city that is looking all the time at
innovative opportunities. We hope that this will present a terrific opportunity to
engage in some of the stories that will be spread throughout the globe; that will
see Brisbane as a city which is keen to discuss these important issues.
Chairman:
Thank you, LORD MAYOR. Further questions; Councillor CUMMING.
Question 2
Councillor CUMMING:
Thank you; LORD MAYOR, on average, less than three Establishment and
Coordination decisions come to this Council for consideration and debate each
meeting. Every other decision and the reason for making it, is locked up behind
closed doors so it cannot be scrutinised by all councillors, by the media or
Brisbane’s residents. LORD MAYOR, why are you insisting on so many
decisions now being made in secret by your Civic Cabinet?
LORD MAYOR:
Well, Madam Chairman, there has always been, as Councillor CUMMING well
knows, although he has not represented this city in a Cabinet at any time, but he
has colleagues on that side who have. Councillor FLESSER, Councillor
ABRAHAMS, and of course Councillor NEWTON have all served in Civic
Cabinet at different times, and they well know that there are matters which come
to this Council; there are matters that are determined by way of delegation by
the Civic Cabinet. That has always been the case.
So, Councillor CUMMING, I say to you: during those years of 2004 to 2008,
some of your colleagues gladly signed off on all of those things which are for
determination by the Civic Cabinet. That is the reality. It has always been the
case as long as I have been here. I am not sure what you are trying to achieve—
well, I think I am sure in what you are trying to achieve by the question, but that
is the reality.
There are delegations set in place, and only set in place by this Council. They
have been made over many, many years—different delegations of authority.
Some of those delegations, of course, not only just relate to the Cabinet; they
relate to us handing delegations to officers. So, that is the reality.
Chairman:
Further questions; Councillor McKENZIE.
Question 3
Councillor McKENZIE:
Thank you, Madam Chairman; my question is to the Chairman of Infrastructure,
Councillor SCHRINNER. I understand Council recently released its first Key
Corridors Performance Report. Could you please update the Chamber on the
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
-7highlights of this first report, and how our key infrastructure is delivering value
for money for Brisbane ratepayers?
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Thank you, Madam Chairman, and thank you, Councillor McKENZIE for the
question. Yes, indeed, Council has released the first-ever Key Corridors
Performance Report. I am pleased to say it is on the Council’s website under the
Traffic section for any member of the public to see, and I would certainly
encourage everyone who is interested to take a look.
This is a report that covers the six-month period from January through to June,
and it compares that six-month period with the same time last year. We will be
doing this now on an ongoing basis every six months. This is made possible by
the Bluetooth data that we have started collecting in recent times. Previously we
would simply not have access to this type of accurate information.
Not only is this good for Council planning purposes; this is information that
would no doubt be of interest to the public, and that is why we have decided to
produce this report. The report is not for our benefit; the report is for the benefit
of the public. It certainly provides an unprecedented level of information.
I am not aware of any other Council in Australia that does this or provides such
accurate and detailed information. I am not even aware that some State
Governments provide this type of information. So we are leading the way in
terms of providing real up-to-date and accurate traffic information and data out
to the public.
The interesting thing in this report is that it shows the traffic on the 18 key
corridors has grown by 3.3 per cent compared to the same time last year. That is
quite a significant growth. It represents an increase of more than 23,000 vehicles
a day, so just under 24,000. So we’re seeing an average of 24,000 extra vehicles
per day on those major corridors. Despite that increase in traffic, we have seen
travel times remain the same. There has been a change of only two seconds in
average travel times—two seconds; given that there’s 24,000 extra vehicles per
day using those corridors.
This report shows us a couple of important things. Number one is that Council’s
efforts, big and small, to manage traffic congestion, are making a difference.
These differences come from major projects like the open-level crossings, the
bridges and tunnels, the road upgrades out in the suburbs, all the way though—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—to the Congestion Reduction Unit. Projects like the extended turning lanes
and also SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System), the world’s
best traffic-signal management software that we are using. These things are
making a difference.
It is interesting to hear the sniggers from the Opposition. Apparently, according
to the Leader of the Opposition, by releasing this report to the Courier-Mail, we
were trying to cover it up. That’s some interesting logic there; that is some very
interesting logic.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
I can say, Councillor DICK, the report is not for you. I really couldn’t care what
you think about the report, Councillor DICK. This report is for the members of
the public, the people of Brisbane out there. That is who it is for.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
If you want to have a look at it, go on the website and have a look. But this is a
report that has been produced for the public.
Some cities around the world have given up on traffic congestion. They just
have accepted the fact that traffic congestion will continue to get worse and
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
-8worse and worse. That is not an approach that Brisbane takes. Other cities have
decided that it’s actually a good thing to let traffic congestion get worse,
because they pursue a deliberate strategy of discouraging car use. They believe
that if they let traffic congestion get worse, then people will be forced to take
public transport.
Once again, that is not something we believe in. We believe in freedom of
choice. That means that there will always be people who, due to the nature of
their employment or activities, need to drive a car. You shouldn’t feel like
you’re a bad person for driving a car. On the other hand, by the same token, if
you happen to catch public transport or ride a bike, that doesn’t automatically
mean you’re a good person. The reality is these are all individual choices that
people make. We want to make sure our city is accessible for all modes of
transport.
So whether you drive a car, whether you catch a bus, whether you ride a bike,
whether you catch a train, catch a CityCat; we’re investing in the different
modes of transport to make sure our city is easier to get around. We are
certainly, unlike other cities, not giving up the fight. It is an ongoing thing that
we are absolutely committed to.
The other thing that this report shows—and it is a little bit more subtle—is that
the economy is growing.
Chairman:
DEPUTY MAYOR, your time has expired. Further questions; Councillor
JOHNSTON.
Question 4
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, thank you; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. I refer you to the
answers to Questions on Notice on page four of the Council Agenda today. That
answer states to question one at paragraph nine that: “In instances where
lighting and additional lighting is recommended by Council’s safety audits, and
within Council’s jurisdiction to install, Council has either completed the work or
the work is under way this financial year.”
LORD MAYOR, I refer you to a lighting request made by myself and residents
of Tennyson Ward for Lagonda Street Park in Annerley. In 2010, Council
undertook a safety audit, and two lights were recommended for installation in
this park that connects Fairfield Rail Station with Ipswich Road in Annerley.
Since that time, annually, I have lobbied for funding in the Council budget for
lighting over the past four years. The reason lighting—
Chairman:
What’s the question, Councillor JOHNSTON?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
The reason lighting has been requested is because of an assault in the park.
LORD MAYOR, there is no money allocated to this project in the budget this
year. Will you now agree to install the two lights that have been recommended
by Council’s own safety audit four years ago to enhance safety in Lagonda
Street Park, Annerley?
Chairman:
That’s a rather lengthy question. LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
I think I’ve got it, Madam Chairman. I thank Councillor JOHNSTON for the
question. I am not aware, obviously, of the specific details of Lagonda Park.
What I will commit to do, though, is to certainly have a look at the facts
surrounding that matter. I want to check that out for myself. If it is that we have
got an outstanding report; if that report does demonstrate a need in this
particular park, then I am very much prepared to look at installation of those
lights.
What we don’t want to do, obviously, is to have areas unlit that ought to be lit.
Every year there is a budget which sets aside opportunities for additional
lighting across our city. We also have, as part of that, and I have mentioned
previously in this place, audits. Generally we undertake 30 to 40 audits every
year. Last year we undertook 35 audits.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
-9Certainly there has been a greater highlighting of this issue in recent times. I am
happy to have a look at Lagonda Park again, to see what the requirements might
be, and take action if that is so required.
Chairman:
Further questions; Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Question 5
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman; my question this afternoon is to the Chairman of
Finance, Economic Development and Administration, Councillor SIMMONDS.
Last week you advised the Chamber that Kat Matson had been appointed the
Chief Digital Officer for Brisbane City Council. I understand that the Digital
Strategy is just one of many initiatives in your portfolio that is helping small
business to grow, expand and create more jobs.
Programs such as this are able to be created because they’re funded by the rates
paid by Brisbane residents and businesses. Can you please detail any other ways
that our rates help small business to create more jobs?
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman, and thank you to Councillor OWENTAYLOR for the question. The Administration is indeed committed to ensuring
value for money for ratepayers, and this approach is front and centre when it
comes to our efforts to drive the economic development of Brisbane, and of
course, what it is all about at the end of the day, facilitating job creation for
Brisbane residents.
It is a significant return to Brisbane ratepayers that this Administration has been
able to achieve by committing to this strong value-for-money approach when it
comes to economic development. Councillors would remember through the
budget process when I mentioned it that some $964 million in economic value
was realised through the 2013-14 investment, a return on investment to the
ratepayers of Brisbane of $55 for every dollar that they invested.
Nowhere is this more evident, as you pointed out, Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR,
than this Administration’s commitment when it comes to the small businesses of
Brisbane. It is something that this Administration is committed to supporting our
112,421 businesses in Brisbane of which 43,232 of those businesses are
registered as employing businesses.
To support this key economic sector, we developed the Brisbane Economic
Development Plan and Brisbane’s Unique Window of Opportunity Report.
These include direct assistance to our SMEs (small and medium-sized
enterprises). Already, a number of programs and projects have been rolled out
and implemented as part of these documents which were done in conjunction
with our business community, and supported by the economic development
funding that this Administration puts in—funding, I might add, bear in mind as
they go through these initiatives, that would be abolished by those opposite.
They have been quite clear on that. When it comes to their funding priorities,
their funding priorities are not to facilitate job growth in this city but to fund free
sunscreen.
So, contrast this with what this Administration has done when investing
ratepayers’ funds. We’ve established the Business Hotline; continued the regular
business forums; we’ve introduced the Brisbane Greeters program which now
boasts over 170 greeters and has conducted 600 tours with 9,000 participants in
the last financial year alone, and of course we continue to attract major events
and conventions worth in excess of $60 million every financial year.
These are exciting initiatives that have already been put in place, and we have
some exciting new initiatives being rolled out this financial year, thanks to the
investment in the 2014-15 budget. This includes a new partnership with CCIQ
(Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland) to encourage innovators
within our city and their access to new technology, like 3D printers, and also a
new partnership with the Manly Chamber of Commerce to enhance the Visitor
Information Centre and access to businesses in that precinct.
As well as those new initiatives that will be rolled out, and which there will be
more information following later in the financial year, we will continue these
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 10 important initiatives that we have already rolled out, including the Lord Mayor’s
Business Forums which engage directly with small and medium-sized
businesses, and we have got eight free forums coming up this financial year
alone. It allows SME owners the opportunity to speak with different areas of
Council, hear from successful other SMEs, and also network together to trade
tips and secrets.
Council has also partnered in order to further develop on those business forums
with Queensland leaders who are delivering four free Lord Mayor’s Business
Excellence workshops which are usually attended by the owner, founder or CEO
of the SMEs, and are a far more in-depth look at how they can look at job
creation within their own industries.
Council is, of course, continuing with the very successful Business Hotline, a
dedicated service for Brisbane’s businesses. In the last 12 months we have had
44,172 calls for businesses, and 7,968 of these have been complex inquiries
which have involved significant work by Call Centre operators to sort out those
issues. Some 92 per cent are satisfied with the service that they receive as part of
that Contact Centre. That is an outstanding endorsement of the Manager of
Customer Services and the good work that her team do.
We also have initiatives such as the new smart forms, which are a new pdf
platform that allows small businesses to fill out and submit forms online. We
have seen the use of those forms jump from 233 occurrences in the last financial
year up to 1,105 in a similar period this financial year. Council also continues to
provide information to small businesses through our community profiles and our
Business in Brisbane newsletter, which is modelled on Council’s successful
Living in Brisbane newsletter and distributed to approximately 55,000
businesses containing information profiles and resources for our SMEs.
Finally, our initiatives that are encouraging more people to spend time in these
key precincts, including for example, offering free Wi-Fi. We currently have it
in 20 parks, but we have now expanded it to Queen Street Mall, the King
George Square, Reddacliff Place and Southbank—
Chairman:
Councillor SIMMONDS, your time has expired. Further questions; Councillor
GRIFFITHS.
Question 6
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. LORD MAYOR, you say decisions aren’t being
made in secret, but for the last 100 publicly recorded decisions made by your
Civic Cabinet, less than half came to Council for consideration, oversight and
debate. What is worse, even more decisions are being made by your Civic
Cabinet that are not publicly disclosed. Isn’t this proof that you are making
decisions in secret and keeping important information from the residents of
Brisbane?
LORD MAYOR:
No, Councillor GRIFFITHS; what it is, is proof that this is the way the system
has operated for the last 30 years that I have been here.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
Can I just say—
Chairman:
Councillor FLESSER!
LORD MAYOR:
—there are three people over here that were sitting in Cabinet with me, in a
majority, between the years 2004—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
LORD MAYOR:
—and 2008, and if they thought the system was wrong, why didn’t they move to
change it then? Why didn’t they move to change it then?
Councillors interjecting.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 11 Chairman:
Order! Order! Councillor SUTTON!
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chairman, this is nice—this is the old story; they’ve got all the solutions
from Opposition. No solutions when they were in Administration. No moves
that they could have made when they had the opportunity, when they sat there
with six of the eight Cabinet positions between 2004 and 2008. They could have
said, we’ve got to change this system for the future, but no, Madam Chairman,
they did not.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
They did not.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
Now, they can squawk and carry on, because they know it is a fact.
Councillors interjecting.
LORD MAYOR:
It is a fact.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chairman, I again repeat what I said in relation—
Councillor SUTTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order; yes, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
I am concerned that the LORD MAYOR is misleading the Chamber. He is
refusing to acknowledge that he has changed the delegations about the number
of items—
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, that is not a point of order.
Councillor SUTTON:
—coming to this Council for decision.
Chairman:
I do not uphold your point of order. Resume your seat. LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chairman, I can’t change the delegations. That is the fact.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
That is the fact. Madam Chairman, the State Labor government changed some
delegations back in about 2009. That certainly occurred. But can I just say that
there is only one group of people that can change the delegations, and that is this
body. The Council, the full Council, has always had that authority.
But can I just say to you again, Councillor SUTTON, in response to your point
of order: you need to talk to your colleagues because I can tell you, I sat with
them for four years, and I can tell you they made no attempt at any stage to
change delegations.
Councillors interjecting.
LORD MAYOR:
There has always been—
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
There has always been situations where the Cabinet has responsibility to sign off
on certain matters, and other matters have to come to the full Council. As
Councillor GRIFFITHS pointed out, nearly half the matters that are determined
by Cabinet come to this body for determination.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
The other matters have been either through legislation from the State
Government and again, that was done by the State Labor government with the
last set of changes made. That has been the case—or this body determines
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 12 delegations, and that is delegations in relation to officers as well as delegations
in relation to this body and Cabinet.
So, Madam Chairman, again, Councillor GRIFFITHS, I just say to you: I
understand completely that you may not be across it; you haven’t been in
Cabinet before, and I excuse Councillor SUTTON for that very same reason, but
I will not excuse Councillor FLESSER or Councillor NEWTON or Councillor
ABRAHAMS. They have sat in Cabinet.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order!
LORD MAYOR:
Councillor ABRAHAMS sat in Cabinet twice, in fact. Do you remember the
secret water documents, the secret drainage documents? Well, Councillor
ABRAHAMS sat in that Cabinet that presided over those secret flood-mitigation
issues, and refused to make that information available to the public.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order! Councillor ABRAHAMS!
LORD MAYOR:
So, Madam Chairman—well, all the Courier-Mail reports are there for all to see
in that regard. So, again, they want a different set of rules when they come to
Opposition than what they have when they’re in administration. I just say this: it
is a nice try on, but it does not change the fact that this is a system which has
operated, and operated well, for many, many years, for the last 30 years nearly
that I have been here. It doesn’t prevent change of administration. When people
think that an administration’s time is up, that they’re not doing the right thing by
the city and its citizens, the citizens will decide that. They always have, and they
always will.
Chairman:
Further questions; Councillor KING.
Question 7
Councillor KING:
Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the Chairman of Environment,
Parks and Sustainability Committee, Councillor BOURKE. Your portfolio
delivers significant benefits to ratepayers through a range of initiatives such as
the Bushland Acquisition program and the Boulevards and Shadeways program.
They are the two that spring to mind. Can you please detail other initiatives that
you believe really deliver value for money outcomes for the residents of
Brisbane?
Councillor BOURKE:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman, and I would like to thank Councillor
KING for the question, because you are right, the Parks, Environment and
Sustainability Committee that I Chair does lead and deliver bang for your buck,
or value for money, when it comes to outcomes out on the ground for the
residents of Brisbane. There are a number of programs that we deliver—and you
mentioned the Bushland Acquisition program as one of the ones that springs to
mind to you.
To talk about the Bushland Acquisition program for a moment, it is a program
that has been in place since the early 1990s, introduced by the Atkinson
administration, which had great foresight back in the late 1980s, early 1990s, to
set up a fund to protect and preserve at-risk bushland across our city. Since its
inception, it has purchased nearly 3,000 hectares of bushland, which means that
Council now has some 8,000 hectares of bushland in our ownership, which is
protected for future generations. Can you put a value on that bushland going into
the future for 50 years or 100 years? Well, I don’t think you can, Councillor
KING, because I think the value is there right now, but also for future
generations. The cost to replace or restore that bushland in 50 years’ time would
be far, far greater than the cost to purchase it at the moment.
It is great that we continue to invest and preserve our bushland across the city
through the Bushland Preservation Levy. Of course, over 600 hectares of that
bushland has been purchased in just the last five years, a commitment of this
Administration in terms of protecting and preserving our natural environment.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 13 Of course, another important program, one I like to talk about all the time, is our
work to tackle invasive species across our bushland. It is not one thing just to
lock up and protect that bushland; we obviously have to be actively managing it.
So, through our investment in our Invasive Species Management budget, just in
the last 12 months, we have removed 101 feral deer, 48 foxes, 19 pigs, and 489
feral cats. You might be interested to know, Councillor KING, through you,
Madam Chairman, 21 feral dogs and seven rabbits, a total of 685 pest animals
from across the city.
But it is not just feral animals that present a hazard or a challenge to our natural
environment. We also continue to invest over $3 million a year into our Wipeout
Weeds program which delivered surveying and the weed removal of some 1,429
hectares of bushland across the city. What does all of this mean? It means that
we are able to deliver better bang for our buck, and better outcomes out on the
ground for the residents of Brisbane then when we partner with our community
groups as well.
A lot of those bushland areas that I talked about will have a Habitat Brisbane
group, a Creek Catchment group or another environmental group involved in
them, and the $1 million that we invest into those Habitat Brisbane, Creek
Catchment and environmental groups in terms of support deliver many folds
back the time and value to the people of Brisbane. We estimate that there are
some 40,000 community hours that are put in by our Habitat Brisbane
volunteers across the city.
If you put a dollar figure on that, and we will say $25 an hour as a rough figure,
that equates to $1 million worth of value in terms of the labour from those
volunteers working in our natural and open spaces to help protect and preserve
the city of Brisbane’s flora and fauna into the future.
But it is not just in our conservation reserves that we see value for money. Right
across the city, with our park programs and our park infrastructure programs, we
continue to see great outcomes on the ground for our community and on the
ground for all of our residents. So, of course, we do the big ticket projects. The
CBD All abilities playground, a centrepiece of our All abilities commitment, our
Access and Inclusion Plan for the city of Brisbane, but this has a wider ranging
value to the city as well.
On top of that, we have installed an All abilities playground at Whites Hill
Reserve as well as the new outdoor gym at Minnippi Parklands, Councillor
MURPHY. I know that you are getting wonderful feedback about that particular
facility. We see, though, continued investment in our suburbs, and this is where
we get the most value for the small amounts of money that we spend upgrading
small suburban parks.
In the 2013-14 financial year, we upgraded Avondale Park in my own ward with
a new barbeque; Bilston Street Park in Stafford in your ward, Councillor KING,
where we did a furniture upgrade and installation of other facilities; Bliss Street
playground in Councillor WINES’ ward where we saw a park upgrade, a
playground equipment replacement project. We upgraded the toilet block in
Bulimba Riverside Park for the users of that particular park.
Each one of those projects is an on-the-ground delivery, on-the-ground
representation of the value for money that the residents of Brisbane see from this
Administration improving our parks and open spaces right across the city.
Chairman:
Further questions; Councillor SUTTON.
Question 8
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. For the past
19 months, you and your Administration have been hiding traffic data that
shows am peak traffic speeds on Wynnum Road are as low as 20 kilometres an
hour, but still you delay the work on the Wynnum Road upgrade. You said you
would use some of the $300 million the Federal Government has given us for
the Legacy Way Tunnel to fund this project, and that money is now sitting in
Council’s bank. LORD MAYOR, why won’t you fast-track work on this
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 14 important road upgrade, or is it now a case that you are simply saying no can
do?
LORD MAYOR:
Well, Madam Chairman, thank you; it is great to see Shadow Chairman’s
Choice in the Question Time today, and I welcome the question. I don’t recall
actually ever saying that some of the $300 million would go into this. What we
said—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order!
LORD MAYOR:
No, let’s be clear, let’s be clear; what I did say was that we were putting out
tolling rights around Legacy Way and the Go Between Bridge to generate the
income necessary to proceed with Kingsford Smith Drive and Stage 1 of the
Wynnum Road upgrade. In relation to that, the budget that we brought down this
year clearly has money in the forwards in relation to Wynnum Road Stage 1.
I want to assure you, Councillor SUTTON, that I am committed to Wynnum
Road Stage 1, and you can hold me to that every week if you want to in this
Chamber. I am committed to it, and when we get to that stage, we will be
obviously having the discussions with yourself and Councillor ABRAHAMS.
We thank you for your support for this project, because it is one that does need
to occur; it is a project which is very, very important in terms of the city.
I just say, though, that in relation to roads and so forth, whilst I hear Councillor
SUTTON, I also remember hearing loud and clear from Councillor
ABRAHAMS, because Councillor ABRAHAMS, on 2 December 2010, had this
to say, “We should put the roads on a road diet and reduce the amount of space
we give to cars.” Now, does that seem to be in some contrast—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
—to what I am hearing today in Question Time?
Chairman:
Order! Councillor ABRAHAMS!
LORD MAYOR:
Is this a uniform view, or do we have a little split in the ranks over here today in
terms of this important road project? So what I want—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Councillor SUTTON!
LORD MAYOR:
No, no, Councillor SUTTON, I’ve got some very—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, I have called your name several times. Do not interject in
that way.
LORD MAYOR:
Councillor SUTTON, I’ve got some very important work for you. I want you to
have a chat to Councillor ABRAHAMS behind you, and I want to be assured
that you are both supporting the upgrade of Stage 1 of Wynnum Road. I want to
hear it. I know you are supportive of it, Councillor SUTTON; I want to hear the
words from Councillor ABRAHAMS that: ‘I support Stage 1 Wynnum Road
upgrade.’
So, Madam Chairman, there will be plenty of opportunity in this meeting for
that to occur. There will be some General Business later in this meeting. It won’t
take long; it is just three little words, you know, three or four little words—
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
No. It had better be a proper point of order.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Would the LORD MAYOR take a question?
Chairman:
No, the LORD MAYOR is answering a question. Resume your seat!
Councillors interjecting.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 15 Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
So, Madam Chairman, again, to be fair to Councillor SUTTON—it was her
question—I support the upgrade of Wynnum Road Stage 1. Councillor
SUTTON, it won’t be too much longer before we will be engaged in
conversation with you; we’ll be engaged in conversation with Councillor
ABRAHAMS, but while I hear from you over and over again that you support
it, I am yet to hear from Councillor ABRAHAMS, who pontificates, a roads diet
and less space on the road network for cars—
A Councillor interjecting.
LORD MAYOR:
—I am yet to hear it from her. So I don’t want this double game—
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
LORD MAYOR:
I don’t want this double game being played out from the opposition. You are
either serious about what will be an important road upgrade, or you’re not. I
would like a combined response from your side of the Chamber in relation to it.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Further questions—order! Councillor ABRAHAMS, if you continue to interject,
you will be warned. Councillor WINES.
Question 9
Councillor WINES:
Thank you; my question is to the Chairman of the Brisbane Lifestyle
Committee, Councillor ADAMS. Festivals and events not only support local
artists; they also allow the people of Brisbane to participate in their city’s
cultural lifestyle which in turn helps to stimulate our economy and promote
Brisbane to the rest of the world.
More than 500 Council properties are being used for sport, recreation, cultural
or community purposes, and Council’s 33 libraries provide a welcoming
environment for residents to read, research and participate in a range of free
events, seminars, classes and workshops, including popular history and author
talks. Can you please explain to the Chamber how these and other services and
programs deliver value for money to Brisbane ratepayers?
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank Councillor WINES for the question
because I would love to talk about all the aspects of Brisbane Lifestyle
Committee and our services and initiatives that not only give back to the
community but also definitely provide value for money for the Brisbane
ratepayer. The core of our activities in Brisbane Lifestyle is in developing and
monitoring Council’s city life through a range of different policy and service
delivery areas, including arts and culture, environmental health, libraries,
community development, social, sporting and community facilities.
As you know, this month is Brisbane Festival—well, three weeks, but it will feel
like a month by the time we get to the end of the three weeks—and it is one of
Australia’s major arts festivals. It is funded by Brisbane City Council and the
State Government, and it really has got an impressive program being delivered
over the next three weeks, including the highly acclaimed American Ballet
Theatre, which are performing Swan Lake and the three masterpieces,
everything from Desh to Do Do Land to LIMBO and Theatre Republic, it clearly
is delivering value for money for ratepayers.
Simon Holt, the Managing Editor of The Brisbane Times, has commented that
it’s events like these that drive our city and indeed our State firmly into the
future. In 2013-14 we saw over 1.8 million residents and visitors attend our city
festivals and events. This generates employment for local artists, art workers, it
stimulates the local economies; it’s a great opportunity to celebrate and
strengthen our identity and our sense of community. Our four signature festivals,
including the Brisbane Festival that’s on now, 74 suburban community festivals
and 35 multicultural festivals contribute to Brisbane’s social, cultural and
economic wellbeing.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 16 We’ve got our multicultural festivals like Korean, Eidfest and Italian week,
which celebrate our wonderful diversity; we’ve got our suburban community
festivals like Out of the Box, Caxton Street Wine Festival, Teneriffe Festival
and Brisbane Pride Festival, where residents can share and celebrate their local
communities with the rest of Brisbane and any visitors to the events as well.
We also deliver value for money, as was mentioned in the question, for
ratepayers with our more than 500 Council properties that are used by various
groups and organisations, for sport, recreation, cultural or community purposes.
These properties are available for not-for-profit community organisations to rent
through lease or licence agreements, or just for that one-off event. We have our
managed community halls and facilities available for a variety of purposes—
everything from weddings to receptions, exhibitions, business functions, plays,
musicals, club and group meetings obviously, dances, conferences and even
cultural and religious events as well.
People can access any of our 20 Council pools which operate all year around in
most cases—fun, fitness and recreation—and we are looking forward to adding
two more to the list of our Council pools when Bracken Ridge and Parkinson
come on line. A great place to not just relax but you can learn to swim, you can
do stroke development, attend a class, join the swimming club or swim laps.
We’ve got water polo in a number of locations as well as diving at Centenary.
We’ve got the heated pools and disability-access facilities in most of our pools,
and all of them by the time we get through all our works in the next few years.
On top of our pools, if you’re wanting something a little bit more air
conditioned, we have our 33 libraries, of course, that allow you to do so much
more than just borrow books—a variety of facilities and services, most
importantly including free internet which really is attracting people in to spend
some longer time in the library as well; the hire of our library meeting rooms,
and all of our new libraries, as we do the refurbs, get those extra meeting rooms
which is fantastic for our community groups to be able to use it free of cost. Of
course, don’t forget our Brisbane City Archives that hold all our archive records
down at Moorooka; that can be accessed for the public during designated times.
Of course, we continue to roll out our very, very successful Writers in Residence
program, and this evening in the Ithaca auditorium, 380 guests are booked to
come and hear Geoffrey Robertson with the launch of his new book tonight.
Such a large event, we couldn’t even fit it into our libraries; we had to come into
a larger venue here in City Hall.
Last but not least, Madam Chair, of course we have our grants which are given
out to individuals, community groups, historical groups, cultural and physical
events and activities, to support a range of opportunities across Brisbane; Access
And Inclusion grants, Sports Clubs grants, Suburban Crime grants, Arts and
History grants—all of which can be found online, and most of which are open at
this point of time.
Madam Chair, I have to say, with the range of events, seminars, classes,
festivals, properties, libraries and pools, we are definitely in Brisbane Lifestyle
delivering value for money for the Brisbane ratepayer.
Chairman:
That ends Question Time.
CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ESTABLISHMENT AND COORDINATION COMMITTEE
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK), Chairman of the Establishment and
Coordination Committee, moved, seconded by the DEPUTY MAYOR (Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER), that
the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 1 September 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 17 Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, Councillor JOHNSTON, point of order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman.
Seriatim for debate and voting - Clause A
At that time Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON rose and requested that Clause A, PROPOSED PUBLIC LAND
AND COUNCIL ASSETS LOCAL LAW 2014, be taken seriatim for debating and voting purposes.
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Yes, thanks very much, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Sorry, LORD MAYOR, we will do B to F first and then we will come back to
A. So A is debate and voting.
LORD MAYOR:
That is right, so you just want to do A on its own?
Chairman:
Yes; we will do it at the end. Do the rest first.
LORD MAYOR:
I have to do B, C, D and E first?
Chairman:
And F.
LORD MAYOR:
And F, yes, okay, thank you. Madam Chairman, just prior to coming to the
matters on the Agenda today, I just wanted to raise a few issues. Firstly, just in
regards to the Lagonda Park issue that was raised earlier in Question Time, as I
indicated, I am certainly happy to have a look at that issue for Councillor
JOHNSTON. I would point out, though, that every councillor in this place gets a
bit over $400,000 for concrete footpath and for park improvements. If this was
urgent, if this was a matter that did need urgent attention, there is absolutely no
reason why Councillor JOHNSTON could not have utilised that fund for that
purpose. So, if there is any issue of delay—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
—and it was of great concern to her, that is there. That is one of the reasons we
extended that particular trust from not just being one for concrete footpaths, but
also to allow a broader flexibility and park opportunity.
I was interested in having a look at the editorial today in the Courier-Mail in
relation to the progress of the State survey on whether or not people want
additional services or reduced fares. If we listen to the debate in this Chamber,
as it has played out over this session of Council and before, you would think that
there was only one thing that needed to be done, and that was more services, if
you listen to the Leader of the Opposition.
We have constantly said here, and in responses to questions I have continued to
make it very clear, that the continued 15 per cent fare increases were hurting.
They were hurting people, and what we needed to do was to get costs under
control and to get the fares under control with it. That is why I commended the
State Government when they committed to two and a half per cent fare increases
each year for the next three years as a cap.
They have gone out, à la the carbon tax arrangements, they have gone out, and
they’ve given people a choice around whether they want more services or
reduced fares. I don’t want to, at this stage, pre-empt the outcome to that, but
clearly there is a progress report on 16,000 people that have indicated their view
one or the other, with two-thirds at this stage indicating that they would rather
see a reduction in fares than additional services. It does reflect the very point
that I have been making here week in and week out for a very long time. So,
Madam Chairman, we will obviously wait and see what the final outcome to that
is. It is a matter in the people’s hands, but it is interesting to reflect on that.
Over the last week we have had a number of events. On 3 September we saw
National Flag Day. We celebrated that in King George Square. On 5 September
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 18 we had the United Nations International Day of Charity, and this is an important
day. It’s a reflection of poverty and a whole range of other issues within our
community. It is also a day that acknowledged the anniversary of the death of
Mother Teresa.
On 5 September was Legacy Badge Day, and we took that opportunity in
Legacy Week also to announce and display the logo, the badging if you like, for
Legacy Way Tunnel; the coverage that Legacy as an organisation will receive
from that particular infrastructure facility. The 7 September was National Skate
Park Day. I didn’t know there was such a thing until I saw that the other day, but
there it is. The National Skate Park Day was on 7 September. So that are a few
things there.
I wanted to also indicate that I met the other day with a gentleman by the name
of Shoichi Miyasaka, who is the Chief Executive of the Australian arm of the
world’s fourth biggest clothing retailer, and that of course is Uniqlo. They are
very much on the lookout—it has been reported in the media now—for real
estate within Brisbane. He had a number of meetings late last week, and so it
will be great if we can welcome Uniqlo to the city of Brisbane as another world
brand here in Brisbane. That appeals to a broad range in terms of price range of
their goods, and that is a great thing. We want a city for all and a mall for all,
and I wish him well in his endeavours.
We also had the Big City BBQ last Friday. Some wonderful weather, some
wonderful entertainment on hand, and this year we expected to raise somewhere
between $75,000 and $100,000. I am not sure of what the outcome of that is at
this stage, but there are three beneficiaries to that. There is Foodbank, Drug Arm
and the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust. I thank the organisers, the sponsors and
everybody associated with that event. It was great to see so many people line up
and support and be a part of it.
Also, this morning I had the opportunity with the Premier and Minister for
Transport and Main Roads to officially open the Robinson Road Geebung Openlevel Crossing. That project, together with the one at Telegraph Road, Bald
Hills, is about three months ahead of schedule. Both of those projects have also
come in under budget.
I might move now to the issue of the day, which are items A, B, C, D, E and F,
leaving A to one side. Item B is a number of changes there associated with the
City Plan. Subsequent to our approval of City Plan earlier this year, these
changes reflect a range of minor amendments, mostly typographical, that
weren’t picked up in the week’s debate that we had, and weren’t picked up prior
to the plan. Obviously the plan, as we all know, is a massive document, so these
changes reflect some of those errors and so forth that are contained within the
document. It’s just administrative corrections.
There is also a couple of other changes in there which councillors may want to
raise. Designations, for example, within transport noise corridors are set out
there in number three. There are a number of other changes apart from
typographical errors, but they’re all set out for councillors, and I am sure the
opportunity is there if anybody wants to raise anything in particular, and
Councillor COOPER will gladly address those.
In terms of item C, this is a lease to All About Living Inc. This particular item
provides for a 10-year lease opportunity to All About Living based out there at
Brighton. They have been in those premises for the last four years, leasing those
premises, and now this will create more security of tenure for them, a 10-year
lease. They give gladly to the community in terms of the people they help, the
aged, people with a disability, people with mental health conditions, vulnerable
members of our community, and they provide a terrific amount of hours of
support. This will again help them a little in terms of one less thing they have to
worry about, knowing they’ve got a permanent home for that 10-year period,
and hopefully beyond.
Item D is the Morningside Australian Football Club. Again, this creates a longterm lease for this club. Their current 10-year lease commenced on 12
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 19 December 2011, and it expires on 11 December 2021, but they have sought a
longer lease. This often provides clubs with issues of security around
improvements to their club, often around bank finance and the like. So if they
want to make a capital investment which helps the whole community, then this
is Council’s way of responding to provide them with a security of tenure to get
them across the line in terms of their banking requirements.
Item E is the presentation and tabling of the Audited Annual Financial
Statements. I might just make some comments in relation to these. Firstly,
Council’s Annual Financial Statements, obviously they have been completed,
and once again this year Council has received an unqualified audit opinion on its
financial performance and position. These reports demonstrate Council’s strong
financial management.
There has been an up-lift in the donations, contributions, subsidies and grants on
the statement of comprehensive income which is the early payment. That is that
$300 million that was spoken of in Question Time. The payment was always
expected this financial year, but it has come early, so that has been reflected in
these audited statements.
There is also a treatment in relation to that, so it reflects the cash equivalents
line—
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR, sorry, before you continue, your time has expired. Is there an
extension?
133/2014-15
At that point, the LORD MAYOR was granted an extension of time on the motion of the DEPUTY MAYOR,
seconded by Councillor Kim MARX.
Chairman:
Thank you, LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
I thank the Chamber, Madam Chairman. Also over the course of the 12 months,
Council has kept expenses under control, with expenses rising by only 1.11 per
cent on 2012-13. Council’s asset base has also increased from $20.9 billion to
$22.2 billion, with property, plant and equipment growing by $833 million in
that period.
With the growing asset base, it is more important than ever to ensure that this
Council continues its commitment to asset maintenance, something that I have
spoken about in the last couple of budgets and remain committed to ensuring
that we spend the moneys necessary to preserve those substantial assets under
the city’s ownership. The renewal, which I made a commitment in this year’s
budget, of $68 million in 2014-15, on top of the $43.9 million in asset
maintenance in 2013-14.
I would also like to draw the Chamber’s attention to note 13E on page 53 which
contains condition rankings. These show that all footpaths, bikeways, kerb and
channels and medians are ranked fair to very good condition. So we have seen
an improvement in this asset over time. It is never perfect; we’ve got a lot of
asset base out there, but the condition of those assets has improved markedly
over the last few years.
Can I congratulate the officers for their continued hard work as they strive to
maintain and enhance what is essentially 7,615,000 square metres of footpaths
and bikeways, and 9,590,000 square metres of kerb and channel, and 1,763,000
square metres of medians.
The final item on the agenda, item F, is the Annual Report. The Annual Report
contains not just the Annual Financial Statements that I spoke about previously
but also reports on the activities and achievements of the Council. I want to
congratulate again all of the officers for their achievements to Council. I
congratulate those that have been participating in the various programs. In
particular, I acknowledge the 96 Brisbane City Council employees who received
the National Emergency Medal. Andrea Kenafake who was a finalist in the
Queensland Professional Manager of 2013, Carley Commens, a winner of the
Grant Maker of the Year, and Jess Crane, who is one of Council’s student
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 20 planners, for winning the Planning Institute of Australia Planning Student of the
Year 2014.
There are a number of achievements across the programs that I would like to
highlight. Firstly, 97.7 hectares purchased under the Bushland Acquisition
program. There was the opening, of course, as we did today, of the Robinson
Road/Telegraph Road Open-Level Crossing for traffic. The adoption of the
Brisbane City Plan 2014. We completed a SCIP (suburban centre improvement
project) at Hawken Drive, St Lucia. The completion of the $5 million
refurbishment of the Centenary Pool. We had 6,295,000 visitations to libraries;
2.9 million residents and visitors attended the 113 festivals and events that
received Council financial support. We had 142,000 square metres of graffiti
removed from across Brisbane.
We had eight Lord Mayor’s Business Forums with 954 registrations at those
forums, and $60 million worth of conventions attracted to our city. We had
43,900 calls to the Brisbane Hotline—that is the Business Hotline, not the
Contact Centre. We had 1.2 million customer inquiries through the Contact
Centre. Importantly, we have retained our strong QTC (Queensland Treasury
Corporation) credit rating with a neutral outlook for this financial year. Madam
Chairman, I am happy to move that report.
Chairman:
Further debate; Councillor NEWTON.
Councillor NEWTON:
Thanks very much, Madam Chair; I rise to speak on item C of this report, which
is in relation to a granting of a 10-year lease to All About Living, which is a
community organisation based in the Deagon Ward. I welcome the opportunity
to speak and support and vote in favour of this 10-year lease. It is something I
have been working with the All About Living Board and with the Council’s
Community Leasing Team to try and secure something which is a bit unusual, I
suppose, in that usually leases are only of a four-year nature rather than a 10year one.
This particular organisation has been around for over 20 years providing
important services to many hundreds of local residents who are very vulnerable.
Over the time it has had a few iterations of the name. It’s called All About
Living, which is it’s more recent name. It used to be Bayside Community
Options, and prior to that was Brighton Community Options, which it was called
when I was on the board quite some time ago now, Madam Chair.
It was formed as an organisation to provide services to the vulnerable people in
our community, and as mentioned in the report, it is particularly providing
support services for the aged, people with disabilities, people with mental health
difficulties, and other vulnerabilities that can lead to social isolation in our
community. They do this by providing important respite services, social support,
providing meals and shopping, for example, as well as activities to ensure that
that isolation doesn’t occur.
In that 20-year period they have had a few homes as well. They were originally
in some World War II buildings that were designed to be a temporary base at the
Eventide complex. They moved then to 31 Evergreen Street at Bracken Ridge,
where they rented a residential home, which probably wasn’t exactly totally
suited for their organisation and activities, as it was a house in a residential
street. The place at Bracken Ridge was being used for staff as well as onsite
activities and volunteering activities at that location.
I was approached probably about five years ago now to assist the organisation in
securing a site which could be used for their activities, which they were very
limited to offer in their Bracken Ridge location. So I assisted them in securing
this site at Baskerville Street, Brighton. This was originally an old Girl Guides
hut which was relinquished some years ago, and the base for a community
organisation artist, Arnos, who had given up their lease. So it was an
opportunity for this facility to have a whole new lease of life.
So a great deal of work of course was undertaken to ensure that the building was
accessible, and I would like to pay tribute to the Community Leasing Team back
at that time who did a great deal of work ensuring this building was brought up
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 21 to scratch, but also All About Living, who also contributed a significant amount
of time and energy and dollars to ensure that that building was a hub for their
activities, which now include things like Tai Chi, they have special men’s and
women’s groups, activities like Brain Gym to keep people mentally fit and
active.
So this organisation provides really critical support services to hundreds of
people in the northern Brisbane suburbs, not just within Deagon Ward. This
lease is absolutely integral to what they can offer and deliver in this community.
If you look at what they have achieved last year alone, they did 2,800 hours of
assessment and case management, 10,000 hours of domestic assistance, 2,800
hours of personal care, 3,000 hours of social support, 1,500 hours of respite,
3,000 transport trips, they mowed over 900 lawns, provided 600 meals, and
provided centre-based care to the tune of 1,600 hours.
Without All About Living and this facility, they would not simply be able to do
this. I would like to mention that All About Living has secured another lease of
a new building which has enabled them to move out of their premises in that
residential area in Bracken Ridge. It was the old British Australia Club building
in Hancock Street, which has meant that they have been able to relocate their
staff operations to the Sandgate Shopping Village, which has provided excellent
opportunities and some really terrific partnerships with local businesses and
other community organisations.
Having said that, this site is still needed. The organisation does wish to invest
and continue to invest in improving the facilities. They have been an excellent
tenant since their original lease, having provided it to other community
organisations, for example, the Sandgate Men’s Shed, for use of those facilities.
So I want to make huge congratulations to Darryl McNamara who has been
actively lobbying me for a 10-year lease, so he has had a very busy year with
this lease and also securing the new site in Hancock Street.
I also pay tribute to the Manager, Teresa Reed, all her staff, the volunteers and
everyone who helps make All About Living continue to provide these facilities
for the community. I welcome today’s decision, and I welcome the long-term
security this offers to ensure that All About Living can continue to do what they
do for our most vulnerable.
Chairman:
Further debate; Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman; I rise to speak on items B, E and F. Firstly I rise to
speak on the amendments to the Brisbane City Plan 2014, which is item B. I
note that only after a couple of months of operation we are back again—I think
this is the second time—to correct a series of mistakes and errors in the City
Plan. Given this Council’s three-year process of developing the City Plan, it is
unfortunate that these mistakes keep appearing.
In my view it reflects poor management by this LNP Administration, and I am
concerned with the description of matters that are actually in this report today.
In particular I just note that most of the amendments that have been raised we
have been told are corrections to typographical errors and putting things back in
that are missed. I actually think it is deceptive in terms of the way that some of
these items have been written. I want to specifically refer to a few matters.
I am going to first address the issue to do with 17 Laurel Avenue, Chelmer. This
site is known locally as the police college in Chelmer. It has for all of its recent
life—well, as long as I’ve known it—it has been zoned as a community facility.
It has been owned by the Queensland Police, the State Government; it has been
a community facility, and it has been used as a training college for the police
and a boarding house for recruits that are in training.
Without consultation with a single person, not a single person, not a heads-up to
the local councillor, not a heads-up to the community, not a heads-up to the
neighbours who live around it, this Council is today changing the zoning of the
police college, and it is changing it from community facilities to residential, and
I think the reason that is happening deserves to be put on the record. The State
Government has announced that it is selling this piece of land, and I was advised
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 22 by a resident yesterday that in fact the State Government has entered into a
contract for the sale of this very significant site. The building that is on the site
is heritage listed, and certainly would have character protection. It is a very
significant and culturally-important building in Laurel Avenue, which most
residents would know is one of the most beautiful streets in Brisbane.
My concern here is the sleight of hand between the State Government and this
Council in changing the zoning without public consultation. I note the reason
that is given in this document that is: reflects current actioned development
approvals. That is not the case. I am not aware that there is any development
approval on this site, or whether there is one at the moment. What I would
suggest is that there is one coming, because we know once the State
Government sells off valuable pieces of land in my district, they sell it to a
developer who then wants to develop the land.
This Council has just green-lighted that process, and has made it what is most
likely going to be code assessable by changing the zoning to allow it. It has done
so without consultation, without reference to the local councillor, and is trying
to slip it through in a series of amendments today which they describe as minor
and administrative. Well, changing the zoning of a heritage-listed house in
Chelmer on Laurel Avenue is not some minor amendment. It is a significant
change to our local area. The fact that we have to go through and find these sorts
of things in the most detailed submissions we have had this year is just
extraordinary—extraordinary that they want to slip it through.
I know this house will be protected because of its age and because of the
heritage listing over the property. But what concerns me is that this
Administration today has made it easier for a developer to build on this site.
Where they would have had to put in an impact-assessable application to change
from a community facility to a residential development on this site, they can
now most likely—depending on what they propose here in future—put forward
a code-assessable development. As we know, under the changes to this City
Plan by this LORD MAYOR and this Administration, residents do not get a
formal say in those types of development applications any longer.
With the stroke of a pen, and under the guise of what are minor typographical
amendments, this Council is changing the zoning of a character building without
consultation. That is appalling in my view. That reflects the type of secrecy and
the developer-led agenda that both George Street, that Campbell Newman have,
and the 19th minister for George Street, LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK, have,
in this place. The fact that they would try and slip it through here today is a huge
concern to me. I certainly won’t be voting for these amendments.
Seriatim - Clause B
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON requested that Clause B, MINOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS
TO BRISBANE CITY PLAN 2014, be taken seriatim for voting purposes.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I just say to anybody reading this: you cannot believe what these people say. If
they tell you it’s a minor amendment or an administrative amendment, you’ve
got to read it, because I don’t doubt for a minute that that is the only substantial
change that has a direct community impact on the people that I represent that is
in this stuff today. I don’t doubt that for a minute. I hope every other councillor
in this place stands up and exposes the sleight of hand that is going on with what
are called minor and administrative amendments to the City Plan, because they
are far, far, far from that.
I would like the LORD MAYOR or the Planning Chairman to stand up and say,
yes, the State Government asked us to do that. That is great. I will go and direct
my concerns to the State Government and the way in which they have
deceptively gone about asking Council to do this without consultation. It is not
right. You have been caught out, and it is the wrong thing to do.
I would just like to make a few comments on the Annual Report. Firstly, can I
just point out—and I did read this with some interest over the weekend—that the
Annual Report indicates that I have attended 32 meetings of 32 in this place this
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 23 year. That is true; I do come to every meeting. I attend, I participate in debate, a
lot more than some of the other councillors in this place, I can say. But week
after week, I am ejected from this Council at some point during the meeting.
Madam Chairman, the Annual Report reflects that correctly. I turn up; I am
involved; I am engaged, and I participate in the debate in this place, and
unfortunately some people don’t like what I have to say, and that is very sad. I
will continue to turn up, and I certainly will continue to participate in debates in
this place.
I would just like to mention just a couple of things that the LORD MAYOR said
which were such a shock, and I can see what he was referring to. There are no
footpaths in this city that are in need of repair, essentially, that they are all either
fair, good or very good. So they are not poor or they are not in very poor
condition. That is what it says in the financial statements, and that is what the
LORD MAYOR said here before us today. Now, that is fascinating. What he
didn’t say is more than 50 per cent of Council’s roads are either poor, very poor
or fair, all of which are in need of major or minor repairs—all of which are
needing work. So they’re described: fair is: deterioration is evident; poor is:
serviceability is now heavily impacted by the poor condition; and very poor is:
serviceability problems needing rehabilitation.
Some 50 per cent of the streets in this city fall into that category. That is on page
54 of the Annual Financial Statements. That is of massive concern, massive
concern, that that many of our roads are deteriorating, are being heavily
impacted upon, and are in a poor condition; the maintenance needs to be
addressed; they need to be rehabilitated, and others are saying immediate action
is required—50 per cent. Half the roads in this city.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, your time has expired.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
That is appalling, and doesn’t reflect well.
Chairman:
Further debate; Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair; I rise to talk to item D and very briefly to item F in
this report. I will start with item F which is the Brisbane City Council Annual
Report. I am going to leave the substantive debate on this matter from the
Opposition’s perspective to the Opposition Leader. However, I would just from
a personal perspective like to add one thing which is with regard to the meeting
attendance.
Maybe it’s the Catholic guilt or the working-mother guilt, but I feel the need to
actually stand up and say that, of all the councillors in this place, obviously it is
recorded that I attended the least number of Council meetings, being 26 of the
32. Obviously that was as a result of the extended period of leave that I was
granted by this Council, and I thank everyone in the Chamber for providing that
leave to me after the birth of my second child last year.
While I can stand here and say that today, I am a little bit disappointed that there
isn’t some kind of clarification in the Annual Report that might record that,
because when this document is read in isolation, I am not going to be there with
everyone to actually explain that to them. So I would think that, perhaps in
future, maybe it is something for consideration, that perhaps if a councillor is
given extended leave for whatever reason, or perhaps if a councillor is, Madam
Chair, in your own case absent because of a representative position on the
ALGA (Australian Local Government Association), or perhaps if the councillor
is suspended, that there is maybe a little note to explain that that is not just
because they didn’t front up for several meetings with no explanation.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, I think it is probably something we maybe could look at
an amendment for.
Councillor SUTTON:
Great. Thank you very much for that. I would really appreciate that, if you could
do that. I wasn’t expecting that.
Chairman:
No, it’s fair enough.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you for that. Moving along then to item D—
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 24 Councillor interjecting:
Taken the wind out of you.
Councillor SUTTON:
Yes, taken the wind; it doesn’t happen very often, so thank you. Item D, which
is the lease to the Morningside Australian Football Club Limited. Voting in
favour of this item today will be the second piece of good news that the
Morningside Panthers Club has had this week, the first being, thanks to a win on
Sunday, they are now in the grand final for the Brisbane comp, and that is very
exciting. So that is the first piece of good news. The second piece of good news
is of course Council’s endorsement of this 20-year lease for them today.
This is a lease that we have been working on for some time, and it is great that it
is here today. However, I do have to say that the Morningside Panthers have had
to be very, very patient as Council goes through the processes it needed to go
through in order to approve this lease. It has taken some time, and the signing of
this lease does actually come at the 11th hour. Of course, the club, as the LORD
MAYOR indicated, is wanting to progress stage 2 of some very, very significant
renovations on their site. Renovations that will add an enormous benefit, not just
to the club itself but to all its members and the broader community, which I fully
and wholeheartedly supported.
The club has in the past received financial assistance from the AFL (Australian
Football League) Queensland and from the Brisbane City Council, and a
significant grant by the former State Government to progress stage 1 of their
master plan. This lease is now going through to progress stage 2, and I
understand that Council is currently working with the State Government and
AFL Queensland in the hope that—they say things happen in threes—once the
results of those grant applications are known, the Morningside Panthers will be
able to have even more good news in terms of great things happening for their
local club.
I would like to go on record and personally record my thanks to Mr David
Diamond and Mike Mollison and Paul Mazoletti, all executive members of the
club, for their patience and diligence in working alongside of me and the
Council officers to make this long-term lease a reality. We have come this far,
and I certainly look forward to continuing to work closely with them as we get
on with stage 2 in terms of securing the necessary finance for that stage 2, and
then getting on and building this stage 2 of the clubhouse for the benefit of all.
Chairman:
Further debate; Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on items B, C, D, E and F. I am a
little surprised, given that we are dealing with the report card into the Council’s
performance today, that not one Chair or LNP councillor wants to speak.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
I wouldn’t want to speak about the record, either. Councillor SIMMONDS says
it speaks for itself.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
We have become so arrogant in this Administration that they don’t—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
—even feel they have to justify their decisions. I will be going through the
decisions one by one. Because what the LORD MAYOR didn’t go through, and
what one LNP councillor who were too lazy to even bother to speak on this
report card on the Council, is to actually go through what we did last year versus
this year, so a real comparison. That is not in this report. You would think there
would be a litany of: this is what we did last year, this is what we have achieved
in 12 months, because it is a 12-month report card.
But before I get to that, I want to echo what Councillor JOHNSTON was saying
regarding the minor and administrative amendments to Brisbane City Plan 2014.
When this came across late on Thursday night, late on Thursday night, the
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 25 biggest item that we have seen this year so far, our officers received it late at
night on Thursday evening—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
Sure.
Chairman:
Order! Sorry, Councillor DICK, I was listening.
Councillor DICK:
I will take the interjection from Councillor SIMMONDS. He said: I’ve got a lot
on my plate. Madam Chair, I do, because when the incompetence and arrogance
is delivered in spades from this Council, there is a lot to go through. But we will
get to you, Councillor SIMMONDS; we will get to you, and about your proud
record that you are refusing to even—you are so proud of it, you won’t even
actually speak to your achievements. Anyway, I think that speaks volumes.
What’s the bet he speaks after me. Here’s the tip.
Madam Chair, going through the minor administrative amendments, this is
nothing more than sloppy work. This is more arrogance from the LNP. See, this
is what happens when you have record majorities: things start falling through
the cracks. After 10 long years of running this city, and 30 years in the job that
the LORD MAYOR has been in, we see a clapped-out Council taking their eye
off the ball. That’s what this is about.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
That’s what this is about. So, going through the amendments, this is just sloppy
work, and it goes to show this is just one piece of the puzzle regarding City
Plan, and just how hopeless it is that they can’t even get basic details. Through
all the checks and balances that we do have, and what’s the bet there will be
more coming? What’s the bet there will be more coming?
So we are already behind in schedule, yet there is more delays and more
incompetence surrounding it, and I am not surprised. I do acknowledge clause C
and clause D which are the two leases, to All About Living and also to the
Morningside Australian Football Club, which I have had the privilege of visiting
from time to time for local events, in partnership with Councillor SUTTON,
where we did recognise her 10 years of service to the people of Brisbane and
Morningside Ward.
But I also want to make a few remarks regarding the leasing process.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
I get the feedback from local clubs—and not just in my own community but
across the city—and also from Council staff—the extreme pressure that they are
under in the complicated technical details that they are requested to deal with.
Our clubs are doing an enormous service for kids in sport, for community
education, a whole range of services, but they are not being resourced and
supported by this Council.
How many times, through the councillors on this side of the Chamber, have we
heard complaints from clubs because the people they’re dealing with are no
longer there? There has been huge staff turnover. Simply, there isn’t enough
staff to deal with the complexities of our sporting clubs and our service clubs
across the city. So I do acknowledge these two clubs and the renewal of their
leases, and wish them well, particularly the Morningside AFL Club in their
pursuits.
Item E, which is the presentation and tabling of the Audited 2014 Financial
Statements, I just want to draw the Council’s attention to page 58 where it
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 26 specifies regarding Legacy Way, and under Project Costs, project costs include
$82.9 million in interest has been incurred to June 30, 2014. Under Project
Funding, the project is estimated to require funding of $1.5 billion plus funding
costs which will be financed by $500 million from the Federal Government and
the QTC debt of $795 million plus capitalised interest.
Council, we know, originally borrowed the $795 million from the QTC, but as
of June 2014, the balance of the loan drawn from the QTC for this project
amounted to $884.2 million including capitalised finance costs. We know
Council owes more today for Legacy Way than when the original loan was
taken out, and this is further proof where our debt just keeps growing and
growing and growing unchecked by those opposite.
I want to spend a bulk of my time—and I may request an extension by the
Council Chamber; I am flagging that now—regarding the Annual Report. Now,
as I said, this is a report card into this year’s Council’s services, 2013-14 year,
and it is a failure. It is an F for failure. I was concerned last year when we saw
cutbacks to services, but this is diabolical for the ratepayers of our city. The
LORD MAYOR prattled off a few statistics, and I will quote a few back to him
which he didn’t, because when you look at last year to this year, we know that
we’ve cut 200 full-time equivalent employees, down from 7,700 to 7,500. It is in
the LNP DNA to cut jobs, and to sack people, we know that, right across the
board.
When you look at it, the Council acquired 1.59 hectares less land for new parks,
so building less parks—this is page 40—from 5.99 hectares last year to 4.4
hectares. So our city grows, but we acquire less land for new parks. And we
know, Madam Chair—and I’ll get to what’s happening inside those parks in a
moment—because at those parks, we know there are seven fewer Green Heart
community events and fairs. Remember the big flagship, I Green Heart
Brisbane, remember all that? Slowly fading away; slowly reducing funding for
that flagship program. We don’t hear too much of that anymore.
I take the debate before when we were talking about the footpath service. The
LORD MAYOR said, well, you know, we’ve got 65,500 square metres of
footpath. You know what? That is 39,000 square metres less footpath services
from last year—39,000. There were 105,000 last year down to 65,000. So
40,000 square metres of less footpath service that we are delivering, and it goes
on. When we talk about bikeways service—no wonder they don’t want to talk
about it. No wonder they sit mute, not actually dealing with what they’re
offering up and serving up to the people of Brisbane—5,500 square metres less
constructed bikeway service. Of course, I can’t walk away from talking about
CityCycle. That is mentioned, of course. But no details are provided regarding
the funding, the $17 million that has been ripped out of the ratepayers for that
diabolical scheme.
Moving right across the organisation, there are examples. There were media
reports last week about the Questions on Notice last week about dog attacks and
the information, and there was a bit of a media campaign on that last week.
Well, we know that there are 1,803 fewer dogs registered with Council. So our
population is growing, but less and less people are registering their dogs. I want
to know why. Is that because we see a spike in fines and a spike in fees? The
only language that Councillor ADAMS knows is: ‘fine them’. That is the only
word she knows to tackle a problem, whether it be dog attacks or whether it be
parking issues; just put the fines on and not actually deal with any of the
problems.
But also the LORD MAYOR wanted a pat on the back for graffiti. That was one
of his flagship announcements today. Well, we’ve got 7,097 square metres less
graffiti than last year, from 20,000 down to 13,703 square metres, and it goes
on. We hear about the success of the Call Centre. Well, we know that there are
200,000 fewer customer inquiries through the Contact Centre. I believe that is
because the community is being ground down and having, I guess a lack of
confidence in this Council as we are seeing less and less people actually turning
to the Council for assistance—
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 27 Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
But the basics that I’m talking about—let’s talk about grass cutting; let’s talk
about sweeping of roads. We know that the Council cut 24,666 hectares—
Chairman:
Councillor DICK, before you continue, your time has expired.
134/2014-15
At that point, Councillor Milton DICK was granted an extension of time on the motion of Councillor Victoria
NEWTON, seconded by Councillor Helen ABRAHAMS.
Councillor DICK:
Thank you, Madam Chair, I am getting through the list, and I take the
interjection from Councillor BOURKE, ‘So please sit down’. Well, I am not
going to sit down, Councillor BOURKE. This is not a fan club for you to be
patted on the back. This is where you may not like debating issues, you may
want to hide and sit back, easy on your chair and not actually defend your
record, but you are going to be held to account.
When you talk about less grass in parks, when you talk about 5,596 kilometres
less road swept per year, no wonder the LNP have become so arrogant, they
think they can reduce services—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
—sack staff—Councillor KNAPP is laughing, it’s all a big joke. This is serious.
This is core business, when it comes to delivering services. One thing has gone
up, one thing has gone up, the rates and services and charges asking people to
pay more but getting less. The list goes on and on and on. What else has
improved? Take a guess, Councillor FLESSER; I am looking at you. You’ll
never believe what’s gone up.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Overseas travel. Overseas travel has gone through the roof.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
—through the roof, Madam Chair, through the roof. Overseas travel trips
increased by 15 on the previous year. What’s the bet we’re going to have the
same arguments: oh, what happened 10, 15 years ago? You whinged and whined
about it, but now you’re doing exactly the same thing. You’re going to be held
accountable—through you, Madam Chair—for the wrong priorities that this
Council is delivering.
What else has gone up? Executive salaries. Believe it or not, the two flagship
programs, fat-cat salaries and overseas travel; you can set your watch to it,
without a doubt. So we know there are 21 extra people earning between
$200,000 and $299,000. Of course, sadly, we know one of them is not Alan
Warren anymore, and he’s referenced in the report as well, a terrific officer that
unfortunately this Council didn’t see fit to continue because of his, as he said the
‘new dawn’ of privatisation in public transport.
So we know there are now 172 executives earning more than $100,000. The
biggest amount of salary increases that this city has ever seen under the watchful
eye of LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK and the huge LNP majority. If I was
them, I wouldn’t be able to defend this either. That’s why not one of them has
spoken today. Councillor SIMMONDS is dusting off his notes. He’s ready to
get up and speak, now that I’ve finally woken him up.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Well, Madam Chair, wasn’t that a big difference to the beginning of the speech
when he said, ‘The record speaks for itself’. Well, here’s your chance. He’s
getting his lines emailed to him so he knows what to say. What is important is
that the ratepayers know that this is an F for failure when it comes to service
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 28 delivery. We have seen job cuts, basic services going backwards under this
LNP, debt going through the roof, and of course travel through the roof, and if
there was ever an example of wrong priorities, the fat cat bonuses going through
the roof.
Madam Chair, this report does speak for itself. It’s not good enough. The people
of Brisbane are waking up to what the LNP are actually delivering: higher rates,
higher charges, less services.
Chairman:
Further debate; Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
I am very pleased to rise in support of items E and F, particularly now that I
have something to debate. I was worried there for a minute that Councillor
DICK was asleep for the afternoon. He delegated Question Time out very
successfully; I was worried he was delegating this out. He hasn’t, which is good,
so let’s have a bit of a chat about first of all the Annual Financial Statements,
another unqualified audit report by this Council, something that previous Labor
administrations weren’t as successful at, but this Administration has always
achieved an unqualified audit report.
I should mention at the beginning before I forget, Councillor SUTTON, we will
as an administrative amendment sort out that issue and make that note for you as
part of that. I am pleased that Councillor DICK mentioned debt, because there is
a huge policy chasm that has opened up on the Labor side of the Chamber over
there, and it is a real worry.
On one hand I’ve got Councillor DICK telling me that debt and paying down
debt is the most important thing. I know that. I know that because I heard him in
his budget reply speech this year when he said: “Debt is the biggest threat to this
Council’s long-term financial sustainability. LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK
wants to keep his head in the sand.”
I know that he supports me when, as part of these Annual Financial Statements
and Annual Report, we want to use the $300 million from Legacy Way from the
Federal Government to pay down that debt. I know he supports me, because he
said that in his budget speech too. He said: “We heard on Wednesday that debt
would be reduced, not by the actions of this Administration but by a $400
million payment from the Federal Government.” That was Councillor DICK’s
own words.
Yet today we have heard from Councillor SUTTON, the Opposition
spokesperson for Finance is totally at odds with her Leader. She has a totally
different policy which she expressed in the Brisbane Times today that we
shouldn’t use that money from the Federal Government to pay down debt; in
fact, if we’ve received the payment early, and I quote, “Then the Lord Mayor
should do the right thing and begin the upgrade of Wynnum Road earlier as
well.” So now we know; now we know that policy, the Labor policy in this
Council, isn’t made in the party room; it isn’t even made in a Chinese restaurant
in Darra; it’s made in a café in Bulimba.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Councillor SUTTON!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
That’s where they’re making up their policy.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Councillor SUTTON!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
It was Councillor ABRAHAMS, actually, for the record.
It is a magic pudding. This is when we are debating the most important thing
when it comes to the finances of our city, the financial statement is all about the
strong and responsible financial management of this Administration, and here
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 29 we have those councillors opposite with totally different policies. I know that
Question Time today was all about the audition for the Labor Lord Mayoralty.
That’s why even Councillor JOHNSTON had a go and threw her hat in the ring.
But coming up with policy which is totally contradictory is not a good way—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
—to win a pre-selection, Councillor SUTTON.
Chairman:
Order! Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
It is incumbent on Councillor DICK today, given he has stood up in the debate
on these items, where he has said that it is important to reduce debt from what it
currently is, and we support him on that—he supports us using the $300 million
to reduce the debt—that he repudiate his finance spokesman. That is what he
needs to do. He needs to call her out and say that that is not the Labor Party’s
policy. That is not the Labor Party’s policy.
A few issues that Councillor DICK raised—Graffiti, for example, graffiti and
travel. It might interest you to know that, as the astute Finance Chairman that I
am, I can in fact link the two issues. Does the Chamber know that the previous
Labor administration, when they were in administration, spent 242 per cent
more on travel than on graffiti removal? That is their record. Our record does
speak for itself, Councillor DICK, in this Annual Report. Their record is 242 per
cent more under Labor spent on travel than on graffiti removal.
I might also add that when Councillor DICK talks about footpaths, and the
distance of footpaths that are installed in the financial year, what he doesn’t
mention is that his own Labor councillors carried over $287,000 of their Ward
Footpath and Parks Trust Fund—$287,000 that they could have spent last
financial year on more footpaths, carried over, because they couldn’t get the job
done. Oh, well, whose record speaks for itself now?
DEPUTY MAYOR Interjecting: I didn’t think they liked carryovers.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
I didn’t think they liked carryovers either, Councillor SCHRINNER. Apparently
it is not okay for us but it is okay for them. The hypocrisy, the hypocrisy of the
Leader of the Opposition is outstanding.
Let’s have a little bit of a chat about staff numbers. Indeed, staff numbers in a
direct comparison between the two annual reports have decreased. That is not a
secret. I talked about it during the budget information session. The reason it has
decreased is because of an item that came to this very Chamber, that was voted
on by this Chamber, regarding the ISB (Information Services Branch)
restructure. I might add that this Administration never sacked staff. Sacked was
the word that the Leader of the Opposition used. We never sack staff. We don’t
believe in forced redundancies.
Anyone who has left this organisation, the 200 reductions in FTE (full-time
equivalent) numbers, was as a result of voluntary redundancies or natural
attrition in this organisation, because we are committed to strong financial
management. The LORD MAYOR outlined that you’ve only seen expenses rise
by 1.1 per cent. That is an achievement that could never have been matched by
Labor Oppositions because they want to spend. We know, Councillor SUTTON,
there is $300 million in the bank account; quick, spend it. Spend it in my ward;
spend it on my projects. That is not how this Administration operates.
Let’s get some facts as well into the executive pay debate. We heard a lot of
rhetoric from the Leader of the Opposition today. Yes, what we saw was 21
employees jump from the higher end of their pay bracket to the lower end of the
next one. There is no doubt about it. Those are the numbers in the report. What
it might interest the Chamber to know is that in that financial year that those
numbers relate to, the executive remuneration for that year increased—the
award that they were under was given an increase of just two per cent inclusive
of a compulsory increase in superannuation from nine per cent to 9.25 per cent.
So, while the numbers have jumped because of some bracket creep, we only saw
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 30 executive pays increase by two per cent, the same as every other staff member in
this organisation.
Despite awarding a two per cent pay increase, in addition, Council’s salary bill
for executives only increased by 0.34 per cent. When you exclude the
compulsory superannuation increase, it is even less—0.09 per cent, because the
overall number of executives under this Administration last financial year
reduced by five, from 177 to 172, something that the Leader of the Opposition
conveniently left out in his extended debate. Executives in fact make up just 2.3
per cent of Council’s workforce.
I noted the hypocrisy today where one week they are friends of executives,
because they are lauding Alan Warren, a previous executive manager in this
place, and the next week they are happy to come in here and deride their pay,
deride a two per cent increase that executives received in that time.
Travel—I am not sure how Councillor DICK can, with a straight face, talk about
travel spending. We had, of course the Asia Pacific City Summit last financial
year, and as a result, there is more travel in the Annual Report than from the
previous financial year. I love it when they compare our record with our record,
because we do like to set new benchmarks on this side of the Administration.
We do like to set new benchmarks when it comes to keeping the costs for this
Council and ratepayers down.
But when you compare it to the previous Labor administration, what you see is
that, in four of the last five years that Labor were in office, they spent over $1
million in travel costs—$1 million in travel costs each and every financial year;
$1.2 million, then $1.4 million, then $1.1 million, then $1.4 million. Of course,
when we spend money on travel on behalf of the ratepayers of Brisbane, it is for
important economic development and business missions. When they spend it, it
is for a $50,000 farewell tour around the world for their previous Labor Lord
Mayor.
In relation to road maintenance, that was another issue that was raised. Well, I
read the same statistics, and what I read was that 90 per cent of the roads in
Brisbane are rated very good, good or fair—90 per cent of the roads in Brisbane
are rated very good, good or fair. That can only be a direct result of the record
amount of money that this Administration puts into road resurfacing every year,
$60 million each and every year. It wasn’t their policy. It wasn’t the policy of
the Labor councillors on that side of the Chamber; it is the policy of this
Administration that has been implemented every single budget.
Before I run out of time and because I am conscious of that, I would like to put
on the record my thanks to the Council officers who have put together the
Annual Report and the Annual Financial Statements. It is a tight timeframe that
we are under in terms of the City of Brisbane Act, but they have done it
diligently, pulling all this work. There are so many achievements across the
Divisions, it is a significant undertaking to pull it all together. I thank them very
much for their efforts. There’s quite a number of things I—
Chairman:
Councillor SIMMONDS, your time has expired. Councillor MURPHY.
ADJOURNMENT:
135/2014-15
At that time, 3.59pm, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor
Kim MARX, that the meeting adjourn for a period of 15 minutes, to commence only when all councillors had
vacated the Chamber and the doors locked.
Council stood adjourned at 4.21pm.
UPON RESUMPTION:
Chairman:
Further debate on the E&C report, items B to F, Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and I rise to speak to item B, the minor
and administrative amendments to Brisbane City Plan 2014. I would like to start
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 31 off by raising some facts of the matter as opposed to some of the debate we’ve
heard from those opposite, Madam Chair. We had the Councillor of Tennyson
Ward saying it was the second time for a proposed amendment package. That’s
wrong, Madam Chair. This is the first lot of amendment packages that have been
proposed. So unfortunately that is incorrect.
The councillor raised number 32, that particular matter with respect to a site at
Laurel Avenue, Chelmer, and suggested it hadn’t gone through a proper process.
Well actually there’s been an application lodged over that site, Madam Chair, on
30 June. It was approved on 15 July this year. There were no submissions and in
fact the local councillor was asked for comment which she did not provide,
Madam Chair.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Councillor KNAPP.
Councillor COOPER:
She did not provide any comment with respect to that and I’ve got a copy of the
record asking her on 2 July to make comment to that particular proposal. So
that’s twice that she’s wrong on that matter. That’s not unusual however. So her
comments were incorrect. This was originally—so it has gone through due
process. It has been decommissioned from it being a police residential training
facility and has been sold to a private owner.
It is my understanding that the private owner is currently abiding in the house.
It’s in a residential area. It’s being lawfully used as a dwelling house. It’s moved
to a character residential outcome, Madam Chair, and it’s gone through a due
process. It has also got the heritage overlay remaining over that site, so that
nonsense from that councillor has been proven to be yet again nonsense, Madam
Chair.
Councillor DICK, he said that this was a sloppy piece of work from us. Well I
would suggest perhaps he could check with his office because he suggested that
he did not get the documentation with respect to this amendment package. We
actually have a courier receipt from the delivery of the USB to his desk, USB to
his office, which was delivered on 3.18pm on Thursday signed for by a staff
member at his office. So I don’t think that’s late by any means, Madam Chair.
We have signed documentation to prove it was delivered to his office. Perhaps
he should talk to his staff.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
Perhaps he was not there; perhaps it wasn’t in his job description, Madam Chair.
So this is a package which is of course carrying on from the work that we did for
new City Plan. It is minor and administrative amendments. Many of them are
self-explanatory. For example we have typographical errors; one in Councillor
KING’s ward for Weller, where it was spelt Weller, when it should be Wheller.
So there are other amendments included. There’s the removal of a house from
the pre-1911 building overlay due to further evidence being provided and then
confirmed that the development approval had been acted upon under the existing
plan.
So they’re in part response to feedback that we’ve received since City Plan
commenced from 30 June. So this is really about making sure that our document
is remaining current and relevant to the environment we live in, so it will
continue to go through change as events change, Madam Chair. These will be
notified in an advertisement in the Courier-Mail and gazetted on Friday 12
September. Those amendments will come into effect on that same day.
So Councillor KNAPP and I were out there at The Gap at that Talk to a Planner
session the other day, talking to the community about opportunities under new
City Plan. This is a 20-year document so we will need to make amendments as
we go along. So, Madam Chair, I had a look to see what happened under City
Plan 2000. That was a document that was adopted in 2000. Then about six
months later, Madam Chair, councillors presented and I’m quoting from the
Council Minutes on 30 October 2000, Council adopted City Plan 2000.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 32 In the six months since its adoption the development industry and Council
officers have raised a number of interpretation and implementation issues.
Furthermore several drafting inconsistencies have been identified, unquote. Well
I’ll tell you how many several is, to Councillor ABRAHAMS’ little snide
remarks over there through you, Madam Chair.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor COOPER:
These inconsistencies, there were 207 buildings that were not listed through City
Plan 2000. There were 128 character commercial buildings that hadn’t been
listed. So they got about 400 properties that should have been given some
protection under a character, whether it’s commercial character building
requirements, they completely missed it, Madam Chair. Oops. That’s a small
error perhaps so I’ve also got and if I look at appendix B of the document what
was going on. So all the minor amendments were listed but they weren’t
actually even attached to the Minutes. So their due diligence is pretty poor if
they didn’t even make sure that they had the proper documentation attached to
the Minutes.
I’m quoting again from what they said in this. “The proposed amendments
resolved these issues thereby improving the implementation of the plan, the
amendments address the most commonly raised issues, particularly those related
to houses in character areas or on small lots”, unquote, Madam Chair. Then
there’s more. Just five months later councillors presented with two sites at
Morris Street, Taringa, that had their DCPs (demolition control precinct)
reversed. So they were and I’m quoting from the actual documentation so there
is proof here. “The sites were exhibited from March to June 1999 in the draft
Brisbane City Plan 1999 as part of the proposed demolition control precinct with
the balance of the street block excluded from demolition control.
“In the subsequent modified draft City Plan November 1999 and the final
Brisbane City Plan 2000 as adopted by Council, demolition control over the
street block is reversed. The two subject sites are now not located in the DCP
and the balance of the street block is included in the DCP. This was the result of
data corruption and was never the intent of City Plan.” So, Madam Chair, this is
the Australian Labor Party’s record—DCPs having to be reversed, nearly 400
buildings across the city hurriedly getting protection because they made an error
when they were drafting the initial document; two lots of amendments within
months of each other coming through to Council to deal with inconsistencies,
errors and interpretation issues that the public and officers found.
So, Madam Chair, this is nothing new. This is a process that we will continue to
go through. There are endless pieces of information I can provide about the
whole range of how the process works to keep this document live, to keep it
reflecting the exact situation at that time, that point in time. So Councillor DICK
as usual doesn’t understand the process. The Councillor for Tennyson got it
wrong on more than one account and failed to even—perhaps it’s not in her job
description, Madam Chair—failed to even make a comment about an application
she knew nothing about, I would suggest that this is clearly a process that will
continue.
This is a process that was carried out under the Australian Labor Party. This is a
process to make sure that the document remains up-to-date and accurate and this
is a process we’ll continue to go through as the years ahead roll on. Thank you
very much Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I wish to speak on item B and F.
Seriatim - Clauses E and F
Councillor Helen ABRAHAMS requested that Clause E, PRESENTATION AND TABLING OF THE
AUDITED 2013-14 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014, and Clause F, BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 201314, be taken seriatim en bloc or voting purposes.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 33 -
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair, I will start on item F which is the Annual Report. Madam Chair, I
think with the Annual Report the most significant thing is what the Annual
Report doesn’t say. Because when the report is becoming increasingly a market
report with gloss and positive stories but not really how the city is being
managed, all of the difficult issues, all of the non-performance issues are
ignored and instead there is a very positive picture portrayed.
So, Madam Chair, if you turn to the portfolio of which I am the shadow, the
planning of our city in Program 3, Future Brisbane on page 57, one sees that
Council has done many wonderful things but there is no quality. It is only
content. This number of neighbourhood plans, this number of newsletters, so
many people ringing Council, so many people have been spoken to but
absolutely no quality. Also, Madam Chair, no ability to do any trend analysis as
to whether there is an improvement or not.
So, Madam Chair, I am very disappointed in the view of not having any trend
analysis that the data doesn’t have what I would think would tell the story of the
development in Brisbane, such as how many character houses have actually
been protected through the whole appeal process? How many applications were
there to extend existing character buildings so showing a degree of sustainability
as those buildings are not pulled down but are actually reused as only the tin and
timber can? How many apartment buildings are there being built across the city?
How many appeals were there and then how many were upheld in the court?
These are the sorts of information that you wouldn’t understand the status of
planning of the city is. But even, Madam Chair, if one wanted just to know from
year to year what the development application numbers were, it would be
impossible to do because the figure is greater than 4,425. Not even that figure is
an accurate statement. But, Madam Chair, there are some figures that are
accurate and some figures that are solid and they relate to public transport.
Madam Chair, the figures, and I will read out; in 2012-13 there were 3.31
million bus trips. In this report, Madam Chair, there are 3.09 million bus trips.
Madam Chair, that is a decrease of 7.1 per cent or 220,000 have just
disappeared.
Isn’t it interesting that those figures aren’t put in any trend analysis so the public
can actually know there are fewer buses undertaking trips in our city? But,
Madam Chair, it gets worse. Using just the same comparison, on the same page,
in 2012-13 there were 78.78 million passengers. In this report it has 77.8 million
passengers using our buses. Madam Chair, that is 980,000 fewer bus passengers
from last year to this year. Madam Chair, that is almost a million. It is 1.2 per
cent on those huge figures. Madam Chair, that is absolutely significant.
So I say to the residents of Brisbane, every time you hear the LNP councillors
say we have done the best thing, we have got air-conditioned buses, we have got
the best fleet of the buses, they need to remember there are fewer trips
undertaken by those buses and there are fewer people on those buses. Madam
Chair, why is that happening? Because these buses aren’t meeting the needs of
the residents. They are snarled in traffic congestion because they don’t have
designated routes and they are too expensive. The Brisbane residents are saying
that clearly. So that’s what this annual report should be saying.
But, Madam Chair, now I would like to go onto item B which is the minor
amendments to the City Plan. Madam Chair, while Councillor DICK who is my
leader and who I always support whatever he says, was very, very tough on the
minor amendments. As someone whose English sometimes lets me down I
would never be quite so tough. But, Madam Chair, what I am tough on is item
14 which just tucked away there says, reinstate three significant corner sites to
reflect the public notification on the figure. This relates to the South Brisbane
Riverside Neighbourhood Plan.
Now, Madam Chair, this is secretive, this is something that really should have
been spoken about and everyone in the Chamber knows exactly what the
consequences of that is. Because, Madam Chair, a significant corner site just
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 34 gives the property owner two additional storeys, gives them increased
development right with the flick of a little asterisk that tells them they are a
significant corner. Now, Madam Chair, why I am so concerned is because I
went to the original South Brisbane Neighbourhood Plan.
I then went to the South Brisbane Neighbourhood Plan in City Plan 2014 and
they are identical, as one would have expected because when we were given the
briefings, both Councillor COOPER and the officers said there was no change to
any of the neighbourhood plans; nil, no change, no change to the neighbourhood
plan. But now we learn there were three significant sites that don’t have
asterisks on because these two documents are exactly the same. There were
three sites that were given increased building density and it was just only
available to be reviewed when the draft plan went out for the public notification.
Madam Chair, every councillor remembers the public notification. It was on an
iPad that you couldn’t photocopy, and you couldn’t do anything with and was
removed immediately after we actually used it. So, Madam Chair, that is a
process whereby I would suggest there is information where this correction has
the potential of giving landowners increased development—oh they’re laughing
because it actually went on their website. But it went on their website afterwards
during the consultation process and did not highlight this change; did not
highlight there was a change when in fact the Council officers and Councillor
COOPER said there was no change.
So, Madam Chair, to restore this is to give development rights isn’t a minor
amendment. I would suggest many people if they wish to develop by just getting
two additional storeys through a minor amendment, would think their day had
arrived. It isn’t minor. It is absolutely giving increased development potential. It
should have been highlighted. It is outrageous that it has come in this way and
held.
Madam Chair, the final point in the USB that we were given we have just
checked to see because I’m really interested to find out where these three sites
are. Why I’m so interested, there is already a development application saying
it’s in a significant corner and it is not shown on any plan that I can see. So,
Madam Chair, we went and looked for USB and what does it show, a plan
identical to the original South Brisbane Riverside Plan. Madam Chair, this is not
a minor correction. This is information that is obfuscating the facts.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor ADAMS.
Councillor ADAMS:
Madam Chair, I rise to speak on item F and very proudly as Chair of Lifestyle,
who looks after three programs to commend the Annual Report to this Chamber.
I have to say as I said three different programs, a lot to get through under my
purview but I have to say, very, very proud of the officers and everybody in the
Brisbane Lifestyle portfolio and the work that they have delivered to the
community through these three programs in the last 12 months. I do just have to
make one correction, Councillor DICK said we should be ashamed that the
customer enquiries through to the Contact Centre have actually dropped by
about 300,000.
It has dropped on the numbers of phone calls through to the Call Centre and I
would hope that those in this place would understand what this means. It means
that the website is doing better job thank you Councillor SIMMONDS. Much
easier to use the website now if you go online and have a look with—
Councillor DICK:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order. Yes Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
To set the record straight will Councillor ADAMS table those details today?
Chairman:
Councillor ADAMS?
Councillor ADAMS:
I didn’t actually give any details to table, Madam Chair. There is a new website
and I think it’s known by everybody. The numbers that I am—
Chairman:
Order.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 35 Councillor ADAMS:
—happy to announce to the Chamber is that all customer contact across
Brisbane City Council went up from 6.9 million in 2012-13 to 7.3 million in the
last financial year, an increase in contacts. I am amazed that Councillor DICK
can say well people just don’t want to contact Council. I would ask any
councillor in this place to ask their residents what they think of the Contact
Centre and the service that they get from our customer service through the Call
Centre at all.
What I would like to say is congratulations to the Customer Focus Team which
is developing customer focus processes and making sure that those things that
are on the website you can go there easily. You may not need to call Council
anymore. The Brisbane Hotline is doing fantastic work in working with
customers on very simple applications for food applications, food licensing, DA
and questions like that. Through that process we have streamlined and
continually made process improvements around our systems and our online
documents and things that you can download that people don’t need to call as
much because they can actually sort it out themselves online.
So I think the fact that people are still contacting us if they need to but it doesn’t
necessarily need to be by phone call anymore. Other achievements in Brisbane
Lifestyle this year, let’s look at our libraries, a 94 per cent customer satisfaction
rate. There are over 6.2 million visitors to the libraries in the last financial year.
We have got statistics telling us that over 94 per cent of them love our libraries.
That is something to be shouting from the rooftops, something that I am more
than happy to be standing up here and presenting in the Annual Report this year.
In Active and Healthy Communities we have got more than 3,600 free or lowcost health and fitness activity across 50 Brisbane parks. We reach in excess of
50,000 people participating in those programs this year. We continue our GOLD
and GOLD n’ Kids to over 15,000 participants. Our Chill Out programs are
going from strength to strength on the school holidays, generally helped too by
the Youth Strategy launched earlier in the year to get young people involved.
We continue with the Heart Foundation. Councillor WINES and I had a great
day working with the Heart Foundation on their anniversary for our
Gonewalking program. We provide facilities and services for more than 585
local clubs through this financial year. Madam Chair, I would love to touch on
our Eat Safe program. We delivered 6,117 audits over the financial year,
responded to 922 food related public health and safety complaints, pursued 60
successful prosecutions and I think what we need to see here is that we have
over 90 per cent of our restaurants now with three stars.
We are making sure that it is safe for people to go to restaurants in Brisbane. We
ask people to ask for the stars so they know the service they are getting at those
restaurants. Council is working diligently with those businesses to make sure
that we are increasing the effectiveness of our Eat Safe program but also the
marketing and communication strategies around making sure that we can eat
safe in Brisbane.
Councillor DICK touched on graffiti. This year we removed over 142,000
square metres of graffiti. We have expanded our graffiti partnerships with
Queensland Rail (QR), our Memorandum of Understanding, so we’ve actually
removed 13,703 square metres of graffiti from city-rail corridors for the first
time ever. I would like to ask those opposite how did their TAG (Taskforce
Against Graffiti) Team do when they were in administration? That’s right they
didn’t have a TAG team. That’s right. What about the Memorandum with QR
and Crime Stoppers? That’s right they didn’t have one.
So I would say anything is an improvement from the last ALP administration.
What we’re seeing year on year is a major improvement on graffiti. I know
Councillor BOURKE enjoyed his pop-up event on Saturday morning in Rocks
Riverside Park and we will continue to work with Crime Stoppers and make
sure we deliver education programs right throughout the city. When it comes to
our Public Health and Safety we continue to look after a range of things.
Interestingly after last week one of the statistics here is our rodent baiting
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 36 stations; over 1,100 of those that we monitor regularly throughout the financial
year.
We have just over 97,000 registered dogs. Yes the number is down on last year.
Councillor DICK said he wanted to know what we’re doing about it. I can tell
you very clearly what we’re doing about it, Madam Chair. We have got FIDO,
Finding Irresponsible Dog Owners. We’ve got BARCC, Brisbane’s Active
Registration Compliance Campaign that we introduced in May 2013 where we
are going out proactively and holding community events in suburbs that we
know that there are issues with their dogs. We are making sure that people know
about registering dogs. But you need to realise as the biggest city council in
South East Queensland, we’ve got a very transient nature in a lot of our
residents as well.
There are a lot of reasons why people choose not to register their dogs. They’re
moving in and out of the Brisbane City Council area, they’re not aware of what
the legislation is and we are working very hard in Lifestyle to make sure we get
that information out there. We’ve got the Pet Prep program that we are running
through our primary schools about safe interaction with animals; the Dog, Baby
and You program for families with dogs. I love the line that all Councillor
ADAMS is interested in is ‘we’ll fine them’. Well we’ve also got the discounted
days for the micro-chipping for our dogs so where you can get your dog microchipped for $25 which is usually up to $100 if you go to the vet to microchip
your dog.
We are asking people to do the right thing. Of course what we have seen in the
last six months in particular—and I think it will show out in next year’s Annual
Report—is the proactive patrols of Council’s parks and off-leash areas to really
start talking to owners about having their pets on a leash. Because when pets
aren’t on their leash that’s when we end up with dog attacks or intimidating
dogs confronting young children or other dogs as well. Might I say as the
statistic says here, 99.5 per cent of dog attack complaints were responded to
within 24 hours; something that I’m more than happy to promote out of this
year’s Annual Report.
Madam Chair, there is nothing that any of my Cabinet members are embarrassed
about in this Annual Report. I thank the officers too, Councillor SIMMONDS
for putting forward the report.
Councillors Interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Order.
Councillor ADAMS:
I will refrain my Cabinet colleagues for those that are being so particular on the
other side and I commend the report—
Chairman:
They’re listening, Councillor ADAMS.
Councillor ADAMS:
—to the Chamber. At least they’re listening. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate? LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Yes thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, I often wonder
when I listen to these debates whether or not it’s just a fair bit of scripting
regardless of the facts of the matter that have presented. We’ve heard a lot again
today from the Leader of the Opposition around debt, saying that debt is through
the roof. Madam Chairman, the Annual Report quite clearly on page 13, shows
where debt is and where it’s heading, Madam Chairman. It shows that the net
debt per capita is $1,885 in this report. The budget presented recently of course
and here it’s all outlined on page 13, shows it at $1,411 and going down to,
progressively over time, Madam Chairman, to $952 by 2016-17.
So, Madam Chairman, as I say sometimes I think they’re just words for the sake
of it because they sound good, rather than keeping up with the changing
circumstances and what is being presented. I do want to restate though very
clearly for the record that the executive team is down by five this year in this
report compared to what it was the year before, from 177 down to 172. Again to
reiterate very clearly that the salary position was an increase of 1.75 per cent
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 37 plus 0.25 per cent, a guaranteed superannuation increase which was required by
law.
So we still hear the same old lines about fat cats and all the rest of it from
Councillor DICK but the reality is that we have constrained salaries around the
executive team. We appreciate that that is a constraint that is being cast across
the whole organisation. Madam Chairman, as part and parcel of that, as I said,
well I think Councillor SIMMONDS actually outlined the fact that last year
there were a number of executives, around 21 of them in fact that were just
under the $200,000 mark, that in this report with the increase of two per cent,
1.75 per cent salary increase, 0.25 per cent super increase it does cast them just
over that $200,000 line. So that has created the variation in the numbers in that
$200,000 to $300,000 category. So they’re just inside $200,000.
Madam Chairman, a number of other comments that were made. I do want to
make reference to some of Councillor ABRAHAMS’ comments. She was
saying that she always supports what Councillor DICK says. I found that
encouraging. The real question for the Chamber today is does Councillor DICK
always support what Councillor ABRAHAMS says and that would be an
interesting point. Councillor ABRAHAMS—
Councillor interjecting.
LORD MAYOR
Well I thought it was fair and reasonable given what I’ve got to put up with here
every week but that said, Madam Chairman, Councillor ABRAHAMS was
making the point in relation to public transport patronage. Can I just say again
that what we have seen is a very, very significant increase in patronage from 48
million in 2004, through to where it is today and that is a fact. I have said and
I’ve noticed for the very first time today Councillor ABRAHAMS, you have
also said it, that fares were a factor. Fares have been a factor, Madam Chairman.
This is what I’ve been saying for some considerable time. They are a factor and
are driving people back into cars. If we’d seen the progression and the
continuation of those 15 per cent a year increases that were a part of that old
government TransLink arrangement, Madam Chairman, there would have been
nobody left. That’s the reality and that is why there has been this commitment
towards cost reduction and towards fare reduction. I think we will see a reemergence of that.
To sustain my point I want to just draw people’s attention to the graph in
relation to CityCats and the ferries, Madam Chairman. I’ll just see if I can very
quickly find that page. It was—thank you Councillor ABRAHAMS—it was
there in Program 2 on page number 52 I think it was page 55. That shows that
there had started to be a significant decline in ferry patronage. Subsequent to us
introducing the CityHopper, those three free Hoppers out there on the river, we
have now seen a very, very substantial growth in patronage and it’s a good
thing. 2012-13, look at where it went when we introduced those three free
ferries out there on the river, the patronage went from 5.3 million to 5.9 million
that first year we introduced it. It’s grown subsequently to 6.2 million.
So we have seen a real resurgence but it was taking a battering before that, a real
battering, Madam Chairman, in terms of patronage. So it is good to see that
recovery.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
LORD MAYOR:
So, Madam Chairman, I wanted to also comment on another item in the report
where Councillor JOHNSTON was making reference to the issue of 17 Laurel
Avenue, Chelmer. Madam Chairman, the Councillor and Councillor COOPER
made some reference to this but Councillor JOHNSTON was asked what her
position was in relation to this back on 2 July. I’ve got the email here. It said,
dear Councillor JOHNSTON, please find attached the proposed plans for the
above application proposal, house other heritage place QHP (Queensland
Heritage Place). Please provide comment by 9 July 2014. If no comment is
received—
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 38 Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
LORD MAYOR:
—if no comment is received by this date—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
LORD MAYOR:
—it will be assumed that you have no objections to this application and the
decision will be made. So, Madam Chairman—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON if you continue to interject you will be warned.
LORD MAYOR:
It’s the story of the horse and the water, Madam Chairman. You can never make
them drink. So, Madam Chairman—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR just a moment. Councillor JOHNSTON, I direct you to cease
interjecting in the way that you have been and defying my rulings. Councillor I
hereby warn you that unless you obey the rulings of this Chamber you may be
excluded from the services of the Chamber. LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Well, Madam Chairman, I wouldn’t want Councillor JOHNSTON to use me as
an excuse for departing the Chamber so I’ll sit down on that basis at this time.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for item B.
Clause B put
Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clause B of the report of the Establishment
and Coordination Committee was declared carried on the voices.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for items C and D.
Clauses C and D put
Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clauses C and D of the report of the
Establishment and Coordination Committee was declared carried on the voices.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for items E and F combined.
Clauses E and F put
Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clauses E and F of the report of the
Establishment and Coordination Committee was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Victoria NEWTON and Helen ABRAHAMS immediately rose and called for a
division, which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 19 -
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK,
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES
and
Norm WYNDHAM.
NOES: 7 -
The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors
Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS,
Victoria NEWTON and Shayne SUTTON.
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR, item A.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 39 LORD MAYOR:
Yes thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, the proposed
Public Land and Council Assets (PLACA) Local Law of 2014 is a
comprehensive local law which provides for the management and regulation of
community activities in Council assets. These have been key changes or there
have been key changes at least to some of the current local laws which will be
reflected in what we call PLACA or Public Land and Council Assets Local Law.
These include the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 and it will
provide a unified and coherent framework for the regulation and management of
public assets that will bring 11 current local laws under one new local law.
These local laws have not been revised for a number of years. The opportunity
to review these local laws allows Council to transition to one local law that takes
into account Brisbane's change in lifestyle, and the activities that also ensures
protection, preservation of public assets that encourage a more vibrant use.
Public Land and Council Assets Local Law will support public expectation of
our open space by providing Council with the flexibility and adaptability to
respond to community expectations, while also providing opportunities for
economic development through a permit regime for commercial activities on
public assets. It might be coffee vans in parks as one example.
In addition to these activation of parks, examples of some of the other major
changes include King George Square will be managed and regulated as a mall.
In other words it's currently regulated as a park, Madam Chairman. It is a
square, is a public space and in that vein will be administered in the same way as
the mall. It allows for a self-assessment process that provides Council with
flexibility and simplifies the application process. New enforcement tools such as
oral compliance, directions and ability to confiscate articles and vehicles on
Council land also apply.
It effectively manages the use of Council assets by introducing a new process
that allows for the removal of vehicles from roadways that obstruct Council
works and regulates Council ferry terminals, providing fairer use of Council
infrastructure. The law will provide a mix of permits for self-assessable
activities which may have a fee structure associated with them. So, Madam
Chairman, that is a brief summary but a summary nonetheless in terms of what
the amalgamation of these 11 local laws into one mean.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thank you, Madam Chair, and I rise to speak on this item. I am glad that it has
been taken seriatim for voting and debate because I certainly wouldn't have
wanted this to seem to be rushed in and not given the proper scrutiny that it
deserves. Madam Chair, the LORD MAYOR basically glossed over and didn't
go through the practical nature of these new changes and that's what I want to
focus on. Rather than just saying what it will do, I want to speak tonight about
how it will impact on particularly the use of open spaces in our city. Because
what we're looking at is a fundamental shift in how we use our green spaces and
in particular our parks in Brisbane.
Madam Chair, this is a serious law coming in today, the Public Land and
Council Assets Local Law 2014. That's why I requested a briefing today for
councillors. Disappointingly the relevant chairperson wasn't able to answer even
the most basic of questions, had to take a number of, even simple questions on
notice. I assume he will be, through you, Madam Chair, detailing those. I would
have thought the LORD MAYOR would have done that today in preparation for
the debate but I will await—well I would have thought that would have been the
courteous thing to do, given that you couldn't answer those questions, that the
LORD MAYOR in preparation today would have actually provided those
answers.
But nonetheless that is how the LNP do business. Madam Chair, I also requested
the file on Friday afternoon regarding this. Not the file up in the CEO's office
which consisted of a manila folder with the local law on it, situation normal.
Councillors interjecting.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 40 Councillor DICK:
Yes the most open and transparent government—not—in Australia. Madam
Chair, I did request the file because I wanted to see the reasons behind this, not
just simply take the LORD MAYOR and Councillor BOURKE at their word
because we know what happens. Sometimes when we are told information, it
proves to be inaccurate but more importantly not actually covering the details
and the full extent and impacts onto the residents of Brisbane. As of 30 minutes
ago those files still have not been made available to me. I'm sure tomorrow I
will receive an email and say the files are available, after the debate and after the
vote has occurred.
The reason why I wanted to see the information about this is, Madam Chair, I
wanted to see what the advice and information was for councillors and what the
debate—because we are effectively covering a whole range of local laws—sorry
consolidating as the LORD MAYOR said. I wanted to see the theories behind
this. The law now regulates, this one law, traffic and malls, commercial
activities, use of landings, construction of crossings, private stormwater,
infrastructure, removals, storage, disposal of abandoned unregistered vehicles, a
whole range of comprehensive and streamlined approval systems, which I'll
come back to in a moment and also a requirement that people not sleep rough on
any Council infrastructure.
It says in the E&C report and it goes through a number of chapters and the draft
proposed law was submitted on file. But when you look at and go through and I
do want to start with this point how the LORD MAYOR said, it's rather ironic,
that we're moving King George Square. One thing we will all agree on, Madam
Chair, it definitely isn't a park.
Councillor DICK:
It definitely, in anyone's language is not a park. Absolutely, that's one thing. It is
a mall. It is a mall, that's what it is; full of concrete, hot in summer, unusable.
We all know that, millions of dollars wasted absolutely. No wonder they wanted
to move it from a park. We absolutely know that, Madam Chair, because it isn't
a park. Madam Chairman, what I'm concerned about is that this is political
correctness gone mad. This is a backward step when it comes to and I'm going
to paint a picture today regarding this law around kids' birthdays.
What we're finding now and you look at the attachment D, activities in parks
and it's spelt out on page 3. For example a local resident of mine will be
celebrating a child's fifth birthday. You would think they may invite their prep
class year to the event. They may invite their parents and grandparents and their
siblings. Easily will top 50 people and that is the prescribed when it is now selfassessable or Council assessable, a kid's birthday with mum, dad, grandparents
and the school class will now be requiring the onerous task of lodging
paperwork and making sure—but not only lodging and letting the Council know
but also paying for the privilege, paying for the privilege for it.
Now I can understand that residents and neighbours from time to time may have
issues with it and we do need a common sense balanced approach to dealing
with the issues of neighbours, with the issues of people who live nearby our
parks. But this isn't it, this isn't it. This is tying the city up with red tape so that
kids' birthday parties now are going to be big brothered or heavy-handed by this
Council is not on. It is not acceptable. I'll move on so if a kid's birthday party
which we know from time to time could have kids running around the place,
perhaps playing games, playing sport will now face a Council inspector or
officer turning up and saying here is a fine, here is a fine—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
—of thousands of dollars, Madam Chair, thousands—and they're shaking their
head. Well that is the law that you are bringing in today in black and white,
thousands of dollars for a kid's birthday party right, for a kid's birthday party. It
is absolutely ridiculous. It is ridiculous. I know that there are families in my
local communities from non-English speaking backgrounds and we've now got a
new provision that there is not going to be advice given with perhaps a letter. It
is now going to be an oral or spoken to advice about compliance.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 41 Now what is the process involved with that? The misdirection that we can see
what this is all over the place. You'll find what if people don't have those—nonEnglish Speaking backgrounds? Will that be provided to the people there? How
will it be enforced? Why are we going down this path? Now that's the issue and
I certainly hope this isn't about revenue-raising. Because this Council has a poor
track record when it comes to dealing with compliance in our city. We know
that the first option is always to start the fines. We know that, Madam Chair, and
I am really disappointed that people may get caught up with this.
You read through the self-assessable as of right activity that meets one or the
more following criteria may require either a self-assessment permit or park use
permit, so 20 people in a natural area or 50 people in all other parks. So 51
people turn up to a kid's birthday party and unintentionally they turn up. There
are huge problems. You can drive a truck through this with all of the compliance
issues and the complexities around this. I simply want to know why the Council
is doing this.
It's not good enough to say alright well we're just going to slap a few laws
together and then ensure that, trust us, we're going to deliver because this
Council has a toxic record when it comes to actually implementing and dealing
with these sorts of issues. You only need to look at car-parking; you only need
to look at the mess they've made of that across the city. The last thing we want is
people unfairly fined simply for having a kid's birthday party. Madam Chair, I'm
concerned about as I said the oral complaint directions. If someone gets an oral
compliance notice how do they seek independent advice?
What happens if that person is as I said does have poor English skills; they don't
understand what they're being directed to? What is the mechanism for them to
appeal that? Some of the fines are based on $113.85 per one penalty unit. So
that's $113 per one penalty unit. You look at 20 or 50 penalty units, thousands of
dollars, thousands of dollars. Some of the fines also engage in any sporting
game for 20 penalty units; delivering any public address except at a location
designated by Council. If there's a poetry meeting in a park who knows what
trouble that could lead to; distributing any written material or communicating
any advertising matter by means other than placard, board, banner or article of a
similar nature, 50 penalty units, $5,692.
So, Madam Chair, we've got huge concerns regarding this local law. I don't
think it's been properly thought through. I don't think the Chair is across the
detail. I am very concerned about how this will actually be implemented. Today
Labor councillors will not be supporting this but more importantly we'll be
doing everything we can to warn our residents not to be caught up with the LNP
net which kids' birthday parties may now fall into.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on item A today. I'll make it very clear as
well I do not support the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014. It
was an extraordinary display by Councillor BOURKE in the information session
earlier today and I used the term information session loosely because Councillor
BOURKE either refused or was unable to answer the questions put to him by
myself or Labor councillors. I am still waiting for a question to be answered
about whether the Geckos Animal Farm Show that my local Neighbourhood
Watch Group has a barbeque for each year has to go and get a permit for. Under
the basis of this new local law I believe they will now be forced to pay a fee,
which Councillor BOURKE can't tell it how much it'll be—but it'll be in
addition to the $300 park booking fee that they will require, he made that clear.
But, Madam Chairman, he couldn't answer a simple question about whether a
Neighbourhood Watch group would require a permit. It is extraordinary the lack
of thought that has gone into the practical implications of the changes being
brought into this Chamber today by the LNP Administration.
I note that in answer to a Dorothy Dixer from his own colleagues, Councillor
BOURKE said—and this was the most entertaining part of the whole thing—if
you go and google it, you can find out why trees shouldn't be knocked down.
Policy by Google, that is what Councillor BOURKE is doing. It is wrong. It is
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 42 wrong. You should not be changing local laws, Madam Chairman, so that they
put more red tape, more cost and more complexity on residents in using Council
facilities at the moment.
Where have we heard from this Administration about a problem? Now the only
one Councillor BOURKE raised is about commercial personal trainers using
parks. There's already a process to deal with that. They have to get a permit,
they have to pay for it, they can only operate in certain hours. There is already a
well-known process that this Council can follow. Why on earth a little local
Neighbourhood Watch group that has a barbecue for residents and invites the
Geckos Animal Show along so the kids can pat an alligator or a crocodile, has to
go and pay probably hundreds of dollars for a park permit, is beyond me.
It is not practical, it is silly and it is clearly not thought through because that is
the exact question Councillor BOURKE was asked earlier today and he did not
know the answer. He hasn't stood up and provided it yet either, Madam
Chairman. Perhaps he will. Perhaps he will. But the concern, Madam Chairman,
is these are just two examples you've heard already about the impact of this that
has not been thought through by LNP councillors.
Now there's a couple of other issues I would like to raise as well. Firstly, I do
not support oral notices being issued to people. Turning our Council officers
into policemen is unacceptable. I think it is wrong, they do not have the same
level of training, support, legal jurisdiction and we are putting them, in my view,
into an untenable situation. How are they going to document how this happens?
Are they going to record conversations with people? How are they going to deal
with English as a second language problem with the vast majority of people who
use our parks in the southern suburbs?
Because people from non-English-speaking backgrounds are huge users of parks
in my area. I am concerned that they may be given an oral direction because a
Council officer, may not fully understand it and then under the terms of this
local law, which are written here in black and white, they can be issued with a
fine of up to $5,500. That's section 72 of this new local law. $5,500. Now,
Madam Chairman, when Councillor BOURKE was asked to explain the
objection process, he had an argument with Councillor ABRAHAMS who was
simply trying to clarify how you contested that.
That's—he said to Councillor ABRAHAMS, and I wrote it down, I'm not going
to enter into debate with you around individual issues. Now if you can't explain
how someone can contest a decision of a Council officer under a new local law
that you're implementing in this place then that's incompetence in the biggest
way possible.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
If you can't stand up today and justify the decisions you are making, how they
will impact on people—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
—and what the processes are for this Council to—for residents to appeal against
Council decisions, that is negligence and incompetence. This is a poorly-drafted
local law that has adverse impacts on our residents. They will have to apply for
permits to do basic activities in parks. If more than 20 or more than 50 gather in
certain parks, they need a permit. If they want the Geckos to come in, they need
a permit. If they want to—I don't know, drive the car on to set up the tent, they
need a permit.
We are going to force our residents to deal with so much bureaucracy and red
tape to do basic activities in this park that this Administration has not given this
clear thought or discussion. I do not understand why on earth they would go
down this route. Are there problems? We're not hearing them. It's pretty much
politics 101, if there's a problem with something, you go out and you tell people
about it and then you present the solution.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 43 You don't come in here and whack down a giant solution and not give any
explanation about why. Two, you can't explain the actual impacts of your
clauses. Now that's what's happened today. Now let me say this, there are some
extremely offensive provisions in this legislation that I don't support. Adding red
tape and making people get permits for basic activities that have been done in
our parks for generations is wrong.
Two, oral directions by Council officers is not supported. Turning Council
officers into policemen is a backwards step and I think puts them in a vulnerable
position that we should not be doing. It is reasonable that a Council officer
should produce a piece of paper outlining what the alleged offence is. I don't see
any problem with that at all.
Secondly, I don't support fines of up to $5,500 for failing to get a permit. Now
that's what's in here. If you haven't got consent to use the park, you can be fined
thousands of dollars. This Administration says, oh that'll never happen. But
what's going to happen when the laws are there, the Council officers are out
there enforcing it and in a year's time, this Administration is encouraging them
to increase revenue, to follow up, to fine people and to make sure that they are
enforcing the rules. That's not good enough.
The rules have got to be right in the first place. This local law has been botched.
It is poorly thought out and we're still—we're going to be given two weeks for
public consultation. Councillor BOURKE told us. From the middle of
September to 2 October and he wants this local law back in and introduced in
this place by November. They are on the fast track to a hiding with this local
law.
Its implications have real and practical impacts on our families, our community
groups and it is going to cost them time, money and is going to make things
much more complex for us and our Council officers and the community. They
have so got this wrong. It should be withdrawn today. It should be taken back to
the drawing board and reconsidered.
If there are some good elements in here, fair enough, but the things that are
wrong with it condemn the entire document because of the way it's been
presented by this Administration. I believe that Councillor BOURKE should
stand up now and say he'll withdraw this and go away and come back with
something better. Because fining residents for not getting a permit is not the way
to go. Forcing residents who are just having a barbecue and there might be 20 or
50 of them to get a permit, is not the way to go.
That's not the open, accessible, inclusive community that we should have in
Brisbane. I don't want some of the families who rely on parks because they can't
afford the private gyms or function halls to have their event, to have to pay
money to use a park. $300 to book plus whatever the permit's going to be. It's
not on. This is wrong, they've got it wrong on so many levels, and I think this
should be withdrawn.
If Councillor BOURKE and this LORD MAYOR continue with this, I will
absolutely be voting against it and I will be campaigning in my area to make
sure the residents understand that they are going to be taxed and fined and
regulated for using their local park by this LORD MAYOR.
Chairman:
Further debate. Councillor BOURKE.
Councillor BOURKE:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I rise to enter the debate on item A,
which is the PLACA that we have before us. Madam Chairman, the local law
that we have before us repeals in full or in part a number of local laws, 11 in
total. I'm going to read them into the record just so that the rest of the debate and
the rest of the comments I've made are taken in context. So we're repealing the
Chinatown and Brunswick Street Malls local law, the Foreshore Retaining Walls
local law, the parks—the existing Parks local law, the Public Health, Safety and
Convenience local law which is no longer required because the number of the
activities being regulated under PLACA.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 44 The Ferries, Jetties, Pontoons local law, the Health, Safety and Amenity local
law, the Legal Proceedings local law, are all partly amended. As well as partly
amended the Parking Control of Traffic local law, the Queen Street Malls local
law, the Streets, Bridges and Culverts local law and the Sundry Matters Relating
to Structures local law.
Madam Chairman, the sum total of removing those 11 local laws gets rid of
local laws that were written in the 1970s. What we've heard today, here, in
debate from those opposite is that they want to live in a city back in the 1970s.
They are yet to realise that the City of Brisbane has moved forward, that our
residents have moved forward in how they want to use our parks and open
spaces, how they want to use our nature reserves, Madam Chairman.
But the Labor Party seems to be stuck in the 1970s, running the mother of all
scare campaigns. If you listen to Councillor DICK and Councillor JOHNSTON
who just spoke, Madam Chairman, you would think the sky was falling. I stand
here and I think to myself, when was the last time I heard these sort of
comments and the sky was going to fall in and the world was going to end? It
might have been when we had the Natural Asset local law debate. But not one of
them could be bothered putting in a submission on a Natural Asset local law,
Madam Chairman.
So let's just take everything they say with the grain of salt that it's said. Madam
Chairman, this local law is about simplifying the process. It's about simplifying
our local laws, bringing them up to a 2014 language, Madam Chairman,
acknowledging the changing use that we have in our parks and open spaces
across the city and the way that people do use our parks. Most importantly,
acknowledging the way that people use our parks and the types of activities that
people do in our parks, but also acknowledging some of the challenges that we
now face as a city.
So, Madam Chairman, I can't wait for Councillor ABRAHAMS to raise the first
problem when she has people camping down on Riverside Drive or Mowbray
Park or somewhere like that and goes, Council you've got to do something.
Well, Madam Chairman, PLACA gives us greater powers to address those
issues. Oh, Councillor ABRAHAMS, do you just want us not to bother dealing
with the issues down there for you because you're going to vote against PLACA.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor BOURKE:
Well, Madam Chairman, through you, that's what Councillor ABRAHAMS is
saying. She's giving touted approval to people going and camping down on
Riverside Drive because she—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
—doesn't want to change the local laws.
Chairman:
Yes, point of order against you, Councillor BOURKE. Yes, Councillor
ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Point of order, Madam Chair, he's imputing motive. I haven't spoken, so how
can he conjecture?
Chairman:
Thank you Councillor ABRAHAMS. Yes, Councillor ABRAHAMS, hasn't yet
spoken on this item.
Councillor BOURKE:
I know. Madam Chairman, as I was saying, Councillor DICK indicated that the
Labor Party were going to—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
—vote against.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS. Your point has been made.
Councillor BOURKE:
So in voting against this—in voting against this today, they acknowledge that
they don't want to deal with those issues that I raised. I gave a number of
examples, private stormwater issues where people are having their houses
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 45 flooded because of private stormwater drains. Councillor JOHNSTON and
Councillor DICK don't want us to support and help those residents in dealing
with those issues. Councillor ABRAHAMS doesn't want us dealing with the
issues in terms of illegal camping—
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, point of order, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Claim to be misrepresented.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor BOURKE:
Yes, well the record will show, Madam Chairman, she said she's not supporting
this local law today, but this local law deals with that very issue, Madam
Chairman. It deals with that very issue and helps Council resolve those issues
between private residents, Madam Chairman. On top of that, it helps us deal
with some of the modern sort of things, so model planes, model boats, noise,
personal trainers. Yes, personal trainers.
While there is a process in place, Madam Chairman, through you to the
councillors on the other side, while there is a process in place, it needs more
rigour to it, it needs to provide greater flexibility to the personal trainers and it
needs backing up in a local law, Madam Chairman. Because our compliance
officers at the moment, under the existing Parks local law, don't necessarily have
the full ability to enforce some of those uses in our parks.
What this local law does do is it provides greater flexibility for our parks and
open spaces. It puts more activities into an as of right. It puts some activities into
self-assessable. I take Councillor DICK's point, he raised the issue of parties,
and we always know the Australian Labor Party selectively read—selectively
read documents into the record, Madam Chairman, to suit their own political
purposes.
So Councillor DICK said, if I'm having a kids' birthday party and I have more
than 50 people there, it'll be terrible, they'll have to get a permit. Well,
Councillor DICK, no. No you don't. Because parties and private gatherings are
an as of right use in a Council park. Even if you go into the 50-plus category for
the self-assessable, over the page, it says, may require. May require.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor BOURKE:
It doesn't mean it's going to, it may require.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
So, Madam Chairman, through you, so—and this is the complex that the
Australian—the complex space the Australian Labor Party don't get. So if I'm
having a kids' birthday party and I have—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
Well Councillor GRIFFITHS, you walked out of the information session
because you don't care about parks and you're not interested in the issues. So
you can't exactly—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
You can't exactly comment, Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
You can't exactly comment on this stuff. So if you have a kids' birthday party
that has six inflatable bouncing castles, a large marquee, various other things,
Madam Chairman, do you think reasonable that the public would expect that
there should be some sort of permit so we understand the impact that that is
going to have on a Council park? I would say yes.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 46 If I'm going to have a kids' birthday party and it's going to be low impact, we're
using the existing facilities and we're doing pass the parcel and basically not
having impact on the park, should it be a permit? Well no. So once again, this is
providing the flexibility so that our Council officers can deal with the issues as
they arise, Madam Chairman. Because once again, the range of uses in our
Council parks has changed and will continue to change. We need to make sure
that we have the flexibility.
Councillor JOHNSTON's issue around the Geckos group or if Neighbourhood
Watch are putting on an event, I answered that question, Madam Chairman,
through you to Councillor JOHNSTON, I answered that question in the
information session where I said, the booking process for Council parks has not
changed and will not change as part of PLACA.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
I answered that question, Madam Chairman, Councillor JOHNSTON might
have been interjecting at the time. She might have heard it just then. But the
booking process has not changed. In a park that does not have park booking
spaces, because some of our parks don't have park booking spaces, the consent
from the Assets Services officers is the consent that people will have to get.
They will refer, the Asset Services officers will then refer to this document and
the matrix there to help inform their decision and help inform what needs to be
done.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor BOURKE:
Madam Chairman, this is a simplification of the process.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON. You're already on a warning.
Councillor BOURKE:
Madam Chairman, they didn't want to listen in the information session because
they didn't understand the document and they didn't want to actually ask
questions about the document. They wanted to pose hypothetical questions that I
wasn't going to get the Council officers to answer and put them in a political
position. I know that in the information session I got more questions about how
they can have political fundraisers and political events in parks, Madam
Chairman, because that was all they asked.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
The first question—Madam Chairman—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor BOURKE:
The first question, Councillor BOURKE, how do I have a political event in a
Council park? That was the first question I had, Madam Chairman. So look,
when it comes to this local law, we're going out for consultation. We're going
out for consultation with the people. What we are saying is, here is a way that
we're able to manage the uses in our public parks. Here is a way that we want to
see some uses that were previously prohibited become now able to be done
under certain conditions in our parks.
Some uses which we really, tightly conditioned previously become selfassessable and there is a bulk of conditions that are as of right, that people are
able to do. But of course, Madam Chairman, of course, in the public interest, we
should always reserve the right to see how we can manage those issues, if those
uses, if some people use them outside of the bounds of what the general public
would think was appropriate.
I use the party example, I go back to the party example, Madam Chairman. If a
party took over a park with jumping castles and all sorts of things, would the
public expect us—would the public expect us to be able to permit or control or
somehow manage that impact? Because there are other people that want to be
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 47 able to use our parks, Madam Chairman. We need to be able to make sure that
we have the protection there and the ability for the officers to deal with that.
Turning, Madam Chairman, to the enforcement, there is maximum penalty units
assigned to some of these items. There is always maximum penalty units
assigned to offenses under our local laws, Madam Chairman. Our officers do a
fantastic job. Our Compliance and Regulatory Services officers and our parks
officers do a fantastic job out there enforcing it. Providing them with the added
support and the ability to offer oral directions, rather than to go and have a
written notice issued, Madam Chairman, gives them greater flexibility.
If there is someone out there doing the wrong thing that is potentially going to
harm or hazard other users in a park, Councillor JOHNSTON wants them to run
back to the office, print out a letter, come back and go, well there you go, you've
got to stop that. In the meantime, Madam Chairman, all sorts of damage could
have been done, people could have been injured. This is about providing them
with the ability and the legal ability to offer oral directions to help protect the
residents of Brisbane but also to help our parks.
Chairman:
Councillor BOURKE, your time has expired. Councillor JOHNSTON,
misrepresentation.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman. Councillor BOURKE said that I didn't want to help
residents with local drainage issues. That's exactly what Councillor BOURKE
said, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, not only is that imputing motive, I
made absolutely no such statement in my speech about this local law. Councillor
BOURKE was misleading the Chamber.
Chairman:
Thank you. Councillor BOURKE. Councillor FLESSER.
Councillor FLESSER:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I obviously want to talk about this
issue. The first thing I'd like to point out is how much better this proposed local
law could have been if Councillor BOURKE chose to bring it to the Parks and
Environment Committee, which—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor FLESSER:
—really is the place where things like this should be looked at. That's what
happens at federal parliament, that's what happens in State Government Madam
Chair, but not here. Not in the Brisbane City Council under this Administration.
Now, Madam Chair, let me talk about how this local law is going to affect
people, real people. People in my ward, Madam Chair. I'll talk about the
Rohingyan community. There's a group of Burmese refugees and they use the
Banyo Memorial Park on occasion to play volleyball. Madam Chair, there's
usually about 35 or 40 people, occasionally there might be 50 people, if
extended families come along.
So what Councillor BOURKE is proposing here is that these people, with very
poor English skills, they are a great community, when I talk to them they're
always very keen to get involved in local community events. They do the right
thing in the park, they don't kill the grass in one spot, they move it around when
they set up their volleyball court, Madam Chair. They are a real community that
we need to be looking after in Brisbane.
Madam Chair, this local law, what's it going to do to them? Well firstly,
according to Councillor BOURKE, if they're going to have an event, well
they've got to make an application to Council 20 days before they have that
event if it's going to have more than 50 people. They don't have jumping castles,
they don't have any special things that's going to cause any danger to anyone,
they have a couple of sticks in the ground with a bit of rope across, Madam
Chair, and they're there while that's happening.
So according to Councillor BOURKE and the table that's been provided with
this local law, they've got to put an application to Council within 20 days of
when they're going to do it. Madam Chair, keep in mind at the moment, they
decide on a daily or a weekly basis if they're going to have a volleyball match.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 48 They've been inviting residents from other parts of Brisbane, other communities
to play in the Banyo Memorial Park, Madam Chair.
So they've got to have 20 days' notice, Madam Chair, that is going to cause them
a big problem. If when they put in their application, and as it says in the table, it
says, as of right activity meets one or more of the following criteria, may require
either a self-assessable permit or park use permit. Well, Madam Chair, how do
they know whether their application is going to be a self-assessable permit or
park use permit? How will they know in advance?
Madam Chair, they won't know. They will have no idea. Councillor BOURKE
has been unable to answer that very simple question, what does may mean?
What's the criteria for may? So, Madam Chair, let's say that they do the best
they can and, Madam Chair, they speak very little English so I don't know how
they're going to even know about this new local law. But, Madam Chair, let's
say they're there and they're playing volleyball, let's say they've got 51 people
there and along—and someone makes a complaint or says there's a lot of people
playing in the park and a Council officer comes along.
According to this local law, the Council compliance officer can now act, as
Councillor JOHNSTON said, now has the power of a policeman and able to
issue oral directions to someone. Madam Chair, at the moment if someone
breaches a Council law, they can be given a written compliance direction.
They've given a written compliance direction. When they get something in
writing, and I've seen them, they're usually one or two pages, and it's very
explicit, it makes it clear who is being directed to do what, Madam Chair, gives
them an opportunity to appeal that decision.
Madam Chair, the big thing it gives them is the opportunity to take the pieces of
paper and go and get some advice. Get some independent advice from someone
else or from a solicitor to find out what their obligations are and what their
abilities are to challenge it. But if we're relying on Council officers to give oral
compliance directions, Madam Chair, that is a very, very dangerous thing to be
asking our Council officers to do in the first place. Secondly, Madam Chair, it's
going to open a legal minefield as to—if there's some claim as to whether a
compliance direction was followed or not.
Because, Madam Chair, you're going to have, do we know that the person that's
been given the oral compliance direction fully heard what was said? Did they
fully understand what was said? Madam Chair—that's right, was the right
person being told? If there's a group of 51 people in a park, who is the Council
officer going to go and speak to? Madam Chair, that's why it's really important
for this organisation to continue to have written compliance directions.
Madam Chair, sure it's fine if there's a group of people and a Council officer
wants to come and give some advice. Madam Chair, I'm sure on most occasions,
people will understand that. Hopefully they'll take directions. But, Madam
Chair, if we're changing the law that we're going to be able to lawfully give
someone a compliance direction orally, Madam Chair, that is a very, very
dangerous precedent.
So what's going to happen to this group of Rohingyan refugees, Madam Chair,
playing volleyball, 51 people there, they get an oral compliance direction, they
don't follow it, Madam Chair. I'm not saying that Council's going to go and give
them the $5,500 fine but why would we have a local law that allows something
like that?
It's poorly, written, Madam Chair, not enough thought has gone into this. As I
said, it should have gone to the Parks and Environment Committee at least for
some scrutiny before it came here. Madam Chair, this is a bad local law that
needs rewriting, Madam Chair, and I am really surprised that Councillor
BOURKE was able to come along with this document and try and say that this is
really good for Brisbane's residents, Madam Chair.
Because those examples I've given to the community that I represent in my area,
Madam Chair, are going to be seriously disadvantaged by this. I'm sure there are
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 49 other communities and groups and family groups right around Brisbane that are
also going to be adversely affected.
Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thanks, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on this item and enter the debate on it.
Firstly, can I start by expressing my disappointment with the quality of the
briefing that was provided to councillors on this subject earlier today. I think the
best thing that I could say about it is that it resembled nothing more than a
Monty Python skit. I have to tell you that Councillor BOURKE is certainly not
the messiah when it comes to that.
I am concerned about a number of things that this local law contains. I have—
still have a range of questions about it and I am uncomfortable supporting this
local law until I get the answers to those questions. Unfortunately, those
questions don't seem to be forthcoming. This local law regulates commercial
activities in parks. Now I have a fundamental view that we should be doing our
best to keep commercial activity out of our parks. That parks should be reserved
as free, public space for residents to use.
We have plenty of places in this city where commercial activity can take place. I
think that we should be safeguarding our parks from commercial activity rather
than taking the leash off and allowing it to blossom. I note that the LORD
MAYOR mentioned in his opening comments about the fact that this could see
coffee vans in parks. Now, I represent the ward of Bulimba, far be it from me to
argue against coffee vans and coffee anywhere, but I guess I would be interested
to know how that's going to be regulated in detail.
I would like to know more about the process for assessment. Already we have
got personal trainers holding commercial activities in our parks and there are
some provisions to limit that activity. But what I was seeking from that briefing
today was some kind of assurance that there would be limits to further extension
of commercial activities in parks.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
No, Councillor BOURKE, I didn't get a chance to ask. This goes to the conduct
of the briefing. I didn't get a chance to ask because it was an hour long—capped
at an hour long session. There were a large number of Dorothy Dixers asked by
members of the Administration and you proceeded to answer their questions for
large amounts of time, using up the time available for opposition councillors to
ask questions.
You also then refused to proceed with any type of information.
Councillor MURPHY:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Councillor SUTTON:
Well I'm taking the interjection.
Chairman:
Yes, point of order against you, Councillor SUTTON. Yes, Councillor
MURPHY.
Councillor MURPHY:
Madam Chairman, there's been a lot of discussion around the presentation today
but I note that the presentation is not actually subject of the motion and ask that
you draw councillors back to the substance of this debate.
Chairman:
Well I think—no, I won't uphold the point of order. I think Councillor SUTTON
is trying to seek information, that's fine. Continue.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair, I appreciate that. So I do want to know the process of
assessment. I do want to know what safeguards this Administration has in place
to make sure that our parks don't become overly commercialised. That is a
relevant and reasonable question for the opposition councillors to be asking and
this Administration hasn't provided an answer to it.
I want to know what internal stakeholders will be consulted when an application
for a commercial activity in a park is made. I know, with the personal trainers
applications that currently come into parks, as the local councillor I’m not asked
for my view on that, and I think that some of our parks are already being over
used by personal trainers.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 50 Particularly when Council spends a huge amount of money putting in exercise
equipment in these parks only to have that exercise equipment utilised by
commercial operators at the expense of the general public being able to use them
in their own time.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
That is my issue. Madam Chair, I also have a philosophical view about the cost
of permits. The size of our credit card or your credit limit should not be a predeterminant as to whether or not you are able to access a park for a birthday
party.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
We should not have to be worried; parks are public spaces. Council is merely a
caretaker of this precious public space. With more and more people moving into
the city, there is greater demand for those spaces. I do not believe Council
should be charging large amounts of money for people to hire parks.
I understand, Councillor BOURKE, and I will give you this, sometimes there is
a need for a permit, particularly in terms of the scenario where you outlaid
where there are six jumping castles, an animal farm and all the rest of it. No
problem.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
Won't get an argument about that in terms of needing a permit from me.
However, when—and this is a very, very real scenario—when you have a single
child's birthday party and you're wanting to bring in a small jumping castle, the
type you might be able to buy at Kmart for example and operate from your own
home, charging someone to hire a piece of your public park for $300, is a
possibility.
Councillor BOURKE, if I'm wrong, it is because you have not been able to
provide the answers in the briefing to satisfy my concern that that scenario—
Chairman:
Through the Chair, thanks Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
—isn't going to play out, through you, Madam Chair. Sorry, my apologies.
I also have questions like the rest of the councillors about this question of ‘may’.
When is a self-assessable permit required and when is a park use permit required
by Council? There are a lot of scenarios where one or the other may be required.
Councillor BOURKE has been unable to provide us with answers. For any
scenario. Sometimes, Councillor BOURKE, hypothetical scenarios can assist in
explaining things.
It is with regret that I see that you refuse to elaborate on hypotheticals.
Chairman:
Through the Chair, thanks Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Sorry, Madam Chair, I do apologise. I think that there does need to be more
clarity provided to everyone. Councillors, the media, Brisbane residents, about
when and how these self-assessable permits will work. If you want compliance,
you need to provide clarity. That clarity is sorely lacking.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
The oral orders. I concur with the concerns raised by other councillors on this
side of the Chamber. I think it is putting our staff in a vulnerable position and
positions that they may not be trained for. I would hate to see any kind of
conflict arising, verbal or physical between parties as a result of an oral order
being issued without the necessary support to back it up.
I also have concerns about what Councillor FLESSER said, in terms of the nonEnglish speaking background community in terms of how an oral order could be
appealed, about how someone who has been issued with an oral order can
exercise their rights under Council's customer service charter to have the matter
escalated to a team leader for review on the spot. These are a whole range of
questions that I still haven't got.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 51 Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
Well I didn't—as I said, Councillor BOURKE, one hour timeframe does not
provide a thorough and detailed—
Chairman:
Councillor BOURKE.
Councillor SUTTON:
—opportunity to ask all the questions that we have. If you think that that's
enough justification then you are sorely mistaken and you are out of your depth
in terms of trying to provide quality advice to people you want to support a
motion that you have put before this Council.
I also would like to see the implementation guide for officers who are meant to
be implementing this local law. Because I would like to see the instructions.
You have the local law but then you have the interpretation of the local law and
the implementation guideline. We have not seen that, I would like to see that
because that will inform what instruction Council officers have been given in
terms of implementing this law. We should be allowed to have access to that.
Just to sum up, Madam Chair, why I'm worried about this. These scenarios
could play out in any park in any ward around this city. But I'm going to give
you one example of a park in my area where I see that this local law could have
some issues. That's Bulimba Riverside Park. It is a highly popular park for kids'
birthday parties—
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, your time has expired. Thank you. Further debate.
Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, Madam Chair. I attended part of the briefing session and it was pretty
evident that Councillor BOURKE couldn't answer any questions.
Chairman:
Can we get onto the actual item please, Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Well, no, it's a fair point to make. I just have one question for Councillor
BOURKE, Madam Chair, or any members of the LNP who care to answer. If a
family has a birthday party in a park with 51 people attending, do they have to
apply for a permit or not? Perhaps we could have an answer from that side of the
Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate. I will put the motion.
Clause A put
Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clause A of the report of the Establishment
and Coordination Committee was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Nicole JOHNSTON and Victoria NEWTON immediately rose and called for a division,
which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 16 -
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Matthew BOURKE, Amanda COOPER, Margaret de WIT, Vicki HOWARD,
Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX, Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE, David McLACHLAN, Ryan MURPHY, Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES and Norm WYNDHAM.
NOES: 7 -
The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors
Peter CUMMING,
Kim FLESSER,
Steve GRIFFITHS,
Victoria NEWTON,
Shayne SUTTON and Nicole JOHNSTON.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham Quirk) (Chairman); Deputy Mayor
(Councillor Adrian Schrinner) (Deputy Chairman); and Councillors Krista Adams, Matthew Bourke,
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 52 -
Amanda Cooper, Peter Matic, David McLachlan and Julian Simmonds.
A
PROPOSED PUBLIC LAND AND COUNCIL ASSETS LOCAL LAW 2014
155/455/468/28
136/2014-15
1.
The Chief Executive Officer provided the information below.
2.
The proposed Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 (the “proposed local law”) is
a comprehensive local law which provides for the management and regulation of community
activities (including commercial activities in or on Council assets).
3.
Council assets include:
(a)
malls
(b)
Council controlled roads
(c)
Council land
(d)
parkland, bushland, open space, sport and recreation and conservation land owned or
controlled by Council.
4.
Control of activities is primarily done through regulation by a consent or permit system.
However, the proposed local law provides some activities (at Council’s discretion) to be
permitted on a self-assessment basis.
5.
The streamlined management of these activities will provide Council with a greater ability to
monitor the use of Council assets, and ensure appropriate measures are undertaken to protect
its assets.
6.
The proposed local law also regulates:
(a)
traffic in malls;
(b)
commercial activities on roads;
(c)
use of landings;
(d)
construction of crossings;
(e)
private stormwater infrastructure;
(f)
ability to direct the removal of animals from Council assets;
(g)
removal of vehicles obstructing Council works;
(h)
removal, storage, release and disposal of abandoned or unregistered vehicles;
(i)
confiscation, storage, release and disposal of articles;
(j)
comprehensive and streamlined approval system;
(k)
a comprehensive enforcement, prosecution and offence system; and
(l)
a requirement that people not sleep rough on any council infrastructure.
7.
The proposed local law will reduce red tape by consolidating, updating and, where
appropriate, repealing part or all of the following local laws:
Chapter 4 – Legal Proceedings
Chapter 6 – Streets, Bridges and Culverts
Chapter 7 – Ferries, Jetties and Pontoons
Chapter 9 – Parks
Chapter 11 – Sundry Matters Relating to Structures
Chapter 12 – Public Health, Safety and Convenience
Chapter 13 – Foreshore and Retaining Walls
Part 3 of Chapter 14 – Parking and Control of Traffic
Chapter 19 – Queen Street Mall
Chapter 21 – Chinatown and Brunswick Street Malls
Health, Safety and Amenity Local Law 2009
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 53 -
8.
The draft of the proposed local law is set out at Attachment B, submitted on file.
9.
When proposing local laws of this type, Council is required to identify any possible anticompetitive provisions in that local law. A review of that proposed local law has resulted in
the assessment set out in Attachment C, submitted on file. A table outlining activities in parks
is set out in Attachment D, submitted on file.
10.
Once the submission is approved by Council, it will be necessary to undertake public
consultation. At the same time, consultation with Queensland Government entities will take
place.
11.
Once both of those matters are finalised, the proposed local law may return to Council for
formal adoption.
12.
The Chief Executive Officer provided the following recommendation and the Committee
agrees.
13.
THAT COUNCIL RESOLVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ATTACHMENT A,
hereunder.
Attachment A
Draft Resolution
TO PROPOSE TO MAKE THE PUBLIC LAND AND COUNCIL ASSETS LOCAL
LAW 2014
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT
COUNCIL PROPOSES TO MAKE THE PUBLIC LAND AND COUNCIL ASSETS
LOCAL LAW 2014 in Attachment B, submitted on file, using the procedures specified in
Chapter 3, Part 2 of the City of Brisbane Act 2010 and the Local Law Making Procedures
adopted by Council;
COUNCIL NOTES THAT THE OUTCOME OF THE PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
of the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 is that no significant impacts from the
anti-competitive provisions were identified.
ADOPTED
B
MINOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS TO BRISBANE CITY
PLAN 2014
152/160/1218/4
137/2014-15
14.
The Divisional Manager, City Planning and Sustainability, provided the information below.
15.
On 30 June 2014, Brisbane City Plan 2014 (the planning scheme) commenced. Minor and
administrative amendments are now proposed to maintain the planning scheme’s currency,
align the planning scheme with recent development approvals, adjust references and refine
terminology. A table outlining the details of each amendment is set out in Attachment B,
submitted on file. The proposed amendments to the planning scheme are set out in
Attachment C, submitted on file.
16.
If Council resolves to approve the recommendation, it is proposed that the amended planning
scheme come into effect on 12 September 2014.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 54 -
17.
The Divisional Manager, City Planning and Sustainability, provided the following
recommendation and the Committee agrees.
18.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL RESOLVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ATTACHMENT A,
hereunder.
Attachment A
Draft Resolution
TO MAKE MINOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS TO BRISBANE CITY
PLAN 2014
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT
As Council:
1.
Pursuant to Step 1.1 of Stage 1 of Part 2.4A.1 of Statutory Guideline 02/14 (the
Guideline) made under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, decides to make minor
and administrative amendments to Brisbane City Plan 2014 (the planning scheme);
and
2.
Pursuant to Step 3.1 of Stage 1 of Part 2.4A.1 of the Guideline, has prepared the
proposed amendments as set out in Attachments B, submitted on file and Attachment
C, submitted on file (the proposed amendments); and
3.
Pursuant to Step 1.1 of Stage 1 of Part 3.3.2 of the Guideline, decides to make minor
and administrative amendments to planning scheme policies contained in Schedule 6
of the planning scheme (the proposed planning scheme policy amendments); and
4.
Pursuant to Step 2.1 of Stage 1 of Part 3.3.2 of the Guideline, has prepared the
proposed planning scheme policy amendments as set out in Attachment B, submitted
on file and Attachment C, submitted on file.
Then Council:
(a)
Pursuant to Step 10.4(a) of Stage 4 of Part 2.4A.1 of the Guideline, adopts the
proposed amendments; and
(b)
Pursuant to Step 5.1(a) of Stage 3 of Part 3.3.2 of the Guideline, adopts the proposed
planning scheme policy amendments; and
(c)
directs that notice of the adoption of the:
(i)
proposed amendments be given in accordance with Steps 10A.5 and 10.6 of
Stage 4 of Part 2.4A.1 of the Guideline; and
(ii)
proposed planning scheme policy amendments be given in accordance with
Steps 5A.2 and 5.3(a) of Stage 3 of Part 3.3.2 of the Guideline.
ADOPTED
C
LEASE TO ALL ABOUT LIVING INC
112/445/444/829
138/2014-15
19.
The Divisional Manager, Brisbane Lifestyle, provided the information below.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 55 -
20.
All About Living Inc has leased the premises at 174 Baskerville Street, Brighton, from
Council for the past four years and has requested a new lease.
21.
All About Living Inc meets Council’s criteria for letting community land and facilities. In
addition, it has demonstrated community benefit and capacity to manage the community
facility for the lease term.
22.
All About Living Inc has requested a 10 year lease to provide certainty to their major funder,
the Department of Social Services, and to support their continued provision of respite, social
support and group activities. All About Living Inc specialises in assisting the aged, people
with a disability, people with mental health conditions and other vulnerable members of the
community by providing over 5,500 combined hours of service annually.
23.
The Divisional Manager, Brisbane Lifestyle, provided the following recommendation and the
Committee agrees.
24.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL RESOLVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ATTACHMENT A,
hereunder.
Attachment A
Draft Resolution
TO ENTER INTO A LEASE WITH ALL ABOUT LIVING INC FOR 174
BASKERVILLE STREET, BRIGHTON
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT
As:
(a)
(b)
Council is the trustee of a Reserve for Water and Recreation purposes, described as
Lot 269 on SL11319, Parish of Nundah, 174 Baskerville Street, Brighton and which
was the subject of a lease to All About Living Inc that has expired; and
All About Living Inc has requested to be granted the lease over Lease B on
SP150653, Lot 269 on SL11319, Parish of Nundah, 174 Baskerville Street, Brighton.
Then Council approves:
(c)
Entry into a lease for 10 years with All About Living Inc for 174 Baskerville Street,
Brighton:
(i)
in accordance with the terms for lease as set out in Attachment B,
submitted on file; and
(ii)
otherwise on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Divisional
Manager, Brisbane Lifestyle and the Chief Legal Counsel, Brisbane
City Legal Practice.
ADOPTED
D
LEASE TO THE MORNINGSIDE AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL CLUB
LIMITED
112/445/444/476
139/2014-15
25.
The Divisional Manager, Brisbane Lifestyle, provided the information below.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 56 -
26.
Morningside Australian Football Club Limited (the Club) has been a long term lessee at
Hawthorne Park, Park Street, Hawthorne and has requested a new 20 year lease. Their current
10 year lease commenced on 12 December 2011 and will expire on 11 December 2021.
27.
The Club has requested a longer lease to facilitate the upgrade of their clubhouse facilities and
proposes to add a second storey to the Club’s newly built change rooms for a fitness centre,
player weight room and medical room at ground level. The Club intends to enter into a 15
year (five, plus five, plus five years) sub-lease with a commercial fitness operator, trading as
Kosama Fitness Pty Ltd, to support the ongoing financial viability of the Club.
28.
The proposed facility upgrade will benefit the Club and the community by:
supporting new infrastructure to underpin the financial growth of the club including
$300,000 investment in building extensions, $100,000 investment in fit-outs from the
commercial fitness operator, and $60,000 per annum in lease fees from the
commercial fitness operator plus 50% shareholding;
providing gymnasium facilities for both playing members and the community;
providing additional space and storage to cater for additional community user groups;
providing improved player medical facilities at the venue;
removing temporary buildings and improving visual amenity and safety; and
providing additional revenue to meet maintenance and running costs.
29.
The club is hoping to self-fund the facility upgrade works, however, may require a mortgage
over the lease if a loan is required.
30.
Under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 an application to reconfigure a lot is required when
leasing parts of a lot for a period exceeding 10 years. As the club has requested a long term
lease, it is their responsibility to lodge a development application with Council to reconfigure
a lot.
31.
The Divisional Manager, Brisbane Lifestyle, provided the following recommendation and the
Committee agrees.
32.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL RESOLVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ATTACHMENT A,
hereunder.
Attachment A
Draft Resolution
TO ENTER INTO A LEASE WITH THE MORNINGSIDE FOOTBALL CLUB
LIMITED
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT
As:
(a)
(b)
Council is the owner of Lot 65 on CP S151824, Parish of Bulimba, Hawthorne Park,
Park Street, Hawthorne, which is the subject of a lease to Morningside Australian
Football Club Limited;
Morningside Australian Football Club Limited has requested to be granted the lease
over Leases A, B, C and D on SP237824, Lot 65 on CP S151824, Parish of Bulimba,
Hawthorne Park, Park Street, Hawthorne.
Then Council:
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 57 -
(c)
Approves entry into a lease for 20 years with Morningside Australian Football Club
Limited for part of Hawthorne Park, Park Street, Hawthorne:
(i)
In accordance with the terms for lease as set out in Attachment B, submitted
on file;
(ii)
Subject to the surrender of lease number 714690974; and
(iii)
Otherwise on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Divisional Manager,
Brisbane Lifestyle and the Chief Legal Counsel, Brisbane City Legal
Practice.
(d)
Approves Morningside Australian Football Club Limited making an application for
Reconfiguring a Lot.
(e)
Consents to the club entering into a sublease of part of the building with Kosama
Fitness Pty Ltd, subject to the form and content of the sublease being satisfactory to,
and on such other terms and conditions required by, the Divisional Manager,
Brisbane Lifestyle and the Chief Legal Counsel, Brisbane City Legal Practice.
(f)
Consents to a mortgage over the lease on terms and conditions satisfactory to the
Manager Asset Management and the Chief Legal Counsel, Brisbane City Legal
Practice.
ADOPTED
E
PRESENTATION AND TABLING OF THE AUDITED 2013-14 ANNUAL
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014
134/695/317/254
140/2014-15
33.
The Acting Divisional Manager, Organisational Services, provided the information below.
34.
The audited 2013-14 Annual Financial Statements are prepared by Brisbane City Council
based on the requirements of the City of Brisbane Act 2010 and are consistent with Australian
Accounting Standards. The Statements have been reviewed and approved by the Audit
Committee, and are outlined in Attachment A, submitted on file.
35.
The Auditor-General has completed his audit of the 2013-14 Annual Financial Statements,
and has signed the audit certificate. The audited 2013-14 Independent Auditor’s Report is at
Attachment B, submitted on file, together with the audit certificate.
36.
The Auditor-General has a statutory obligation to audit Council’s financial statements, as
required by the Auditor-General Act 2009. Under the City of Brisbane Act 2010, the AuditorGeneral may prepare a report, a copy of which must be given to both the Lord Mayor and the
Minister responsible for local government. The City of Brisbane Act 2010 requires the report
to be tabled at the next Council meeting following its receipt.
37.
The Acting Divisional Manager, Organisational Services, provided the following
recommendation and the Committee agrees.
38.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE ATTACHED 2013-14 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT AS OUTLINED IN ATTACHMENTS A AND B,
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 58 -
SUBMITTED ON FILE, BE TABLED IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
ADOPTED
F
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
134/695/586/105
141/2014-15
39.
The Acting Divisional Manager, Organisational Services, provided the information below.
40.
Section 174 of the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 (CoBR) requires that Council adopt its
Annual Report each year within one month after Council’s receipt of the Auditor-General’s
report on Council’s financial statements, or a later day as decided by the Minister for Local
Government, Community Recovery and Resilience.
41.
Council received the Auditor-General’s report on 28 August 2014. That report on Council’s
financial statements is the subject of a separate submission to Council. Council goes into
recess after its meeting on 9 September 2014 and this requires that the 2013-14 Annual
Report be adopted by then to ensure compliance with the CoBR.
42.
The legislation stipulates that the Annual Report must include the following:
-
the general purpose financial statement for 2013-14 and the current year financial
sustainability statement, audited by the Auditor-General;
the long-term financial sustainability statement for 2013-14;
the Auditor-General’s audit reports about the general purpose financial statement, and
the current year financial sustainability statement;
the community financial report;
details of Council’s business activities;
particulars of Councillors’ remuneration, expenses, facilities, meeting attendance, and
orders and recommendations made regarding Councillors;
particulars of administrative action complaints;
particulars of overseas travel by Councillors and employees; and
information regarding Council’s operational performance and its performance in
Corporate Plan delivery.
43.
In compliance with Section 174, the Annual Report has been prepared by Council officers and is
set out in Attachment B, submitted on file.
44.
The Annual Report also contains reporting by the Chief Executive Officer regarding Council’s
progress in implementing the Corporate Plan 2012-13 to 2016-17 as required by Section 157(3)
CoBR.
45.
The Acting Divisional Manager, Organisational Services, provided the following
recommendation and the Committee agrees.
46.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL RESOLVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ATTACHMENT A,
hereunder.
Attachment A
Draft Resolution
TO ADOPT THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 59 -
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT
Council:
(a)
ADOPTS THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 (the
“Report”) located at Attachment B, as submitted on file, as required by Section
174(2) City of Brisbane Regulation 2012;
(b)
NOTES THE CEO’S ASSESSMENT of progress towards implementing the
Corporate Plan on pages 18 and 19 (Corporate Plan Scorecard is referenced at pages
5 to 10 as required by Section 157(3) City of Brisbane Regulation 2012, contained in
the Report).
ADOPTED
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER, Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, moved,
seconded by Councillor Ian McKENZIE, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 2 September
2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Yes, briefly, Madam Chairman. On the Agenda we have a presentation plus four
petitions. The presentation was provided by the New South Wales Department
of Roads and Maritime Services, or RMS, who are the developers and providers
of the SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System) traffic control
system. It was good to hear from the so-called horse's mouth in terms of the
developers of that system and how it's being used not only in Brisbane but also
many places around the world.
SCATS is used to control 40,000 intersections in 27 different countries. It is a
world-standard, world-class system. It has been around since 2010, here in
Brisbane. I'm pleased to say that it is being used in Brisbane because it does
make a difference to traffic congestion in our city. Now the advantage of
SCATS over previous systems that have been used is that it's fully adaptive. So
using the loops in the road, the loop detectors underneath the surface of the road,
it detects traffic volumes going through each intersection and it adjusts the
timing of signals according to traffic flows.
As the traffic flow changes, the timing of signals automatically changes as well.
It's actually adapting all day every day to the changing traffic conditions. So it's
a system that while motorists on the road may not realise it and may drive
through an intersection without realising what's going on under the surface, is
constantly working to optimise traffic flow.
So this system not only is adaptive but it also coordinates traffic signals as well.
As we discussed in the presentation, coordination of traffic signals doesn't
necessarily mean that someone will get a green light through every set of traffic
signals all the way to where they're going. What it does do, though, is it
optimises traffic flows along corridors to ensure that as many vehicles as
possible can go through an intersection based on demands in each direction.
So it was good to see some very complicated intersections where this is being
used, in particular in New South Wales, where there were four or five sets of
traffic signals in a very close proximity and how those traffic signals were being
coordinated to optimise the traffic flow. But this SCATS system is just one of
many things that we're doing to deal with congestion.
The battle in terms of fighting congestion is an ongoing thing. There's no end, it
is a continuous thing. As long as our city continues to grow and develop, it will
always be an ongoing effort to manage traffic flow and traffic congestion. We
are absolutely committed to it. It's been a key platform of our agenda ever since
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 60 2004. We have invested in both large and small projects aimed at dealing with
traffic congestion and improving traffic flow. We are making an impact.
As I said earlier, the traffic key performance report, the corridor key
performance report that we released indicates that even though traffic numbers
are growing and we're seeing, just compared to last year, an extra 24,000
vehicles on average per day on our major road corridors, that the traffic travel
times have stayed steady. That is a good thing because they, without
management, could easily go in the wrong direction very quickly.
So that's something we continue to adapt to and continue to work on. But more
importantly, we will be reporting, going forward, on how traffic volumes and
travel times change. I have no doubt that some of these reports will show good
news and some will show not so good news. But we are keen to get this
information out to the public so that they can see.
More importantly, I'm particularly interested in being able to track and monitor
the projects that we deliver and the impact that they have. So in the report that
was released today, there are some real examples of congestion reduction
projects and the positive impact that that's made in travel times. So councillors
can see on page 10 of this report, there are a couple of examples provided here.
One is a right turn pocket extension from Waterworks Road into the Gap
Shopping Centre, which was completed—
Councillors interjecting.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Yes, completed in August 2013. The figures show that since we did that, travel
times have improved. Another example was the right turn pocket extension from
Main Street into Stanley Street and a double right turn pocket into Vulture
Street, which was completed in September 2013. Once again, the real data
shows that travel times have improved as a result of this. The same goes for the
extension of a right turn pocket from Logan Road and that's improved travel
times as well.
These are just a few of the many projects that we are dong across the city which
make a real difference. Now, for the first time ever, we have the data to show
that these projects are working. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing next
year when Legacy Way opens up, the benefits that will flow onto other road
corridors. So Milton Road, Coronation Drive, Kelvin Grove Road are all
expected to see positive improvements as a result of Legacy Way and we will be
able to see those changes going forward as we release these reports.
So something that I think is very positive for the city and having real accurate
traffic data provided on a six-monthly basis is something that's good not only to
help us with planning but good for the residents of Brisbane that can see some
real data on what's happening around the city.
Chairman:
Further debate. Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, thanks, Madam Chair. I just rise to speak on petition E which is about
Council making Mortimer Road and Watson Road safer. Madam Chair, this is
certainly an issue that's come up with local residents down at Acacia Ridge and
it certainly was reflected quite heatedly at the Lord Mayor Listens forum that
was held two weeks ago in the suburb.
LORD MAYOR, I am happy that this outcome has been delivered. It certainly
outlines what Council will be doing over the next two years to reduce trucks on
Mortimer Road and Watson Road. Basically, this area of the suburb Acacia
Ridge has a lot of homes, a lot of parkland, churches. It has two schools, it has
shops and it has a community centre on these roads.
However, it is surrounded by heavy industry and heavy industry or vehicles used
in heavy industry do tend to transverse through the suburb along the Mortimer
and Watson roads. So I don't believe it is appropriate to have heavy vehicles
traveling past schools or past community centres, homes, et cetera. So this
petition outlines as suite of actions that will be undertaken this year and next
year. One of the first things that Council has agreed to do is to remove the B-
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 61 double route from Mortimer Road, which I congratulate them on. We do still
need the support of the State Government to get that through.
Council has also supported the installation of flashing lights and enhanced
school zone signage outside Our Lady of Fatima School, which once again I
support but acknowledge that that is a state government requirement. We're
obviously going to have a very busy state member out that way in the lead up to
the election. The other thing is designing and installing diversion signage for
Mortimer and Watson Road, working with truck operators to tell them about
alternate routes and planning for additional improved pedestrian refuges on
Mortimer Road.
All of those things are very good and all of those things, I understand, will be
done this financial year. Next financial year, we will undertake the construction
of the pedestrian refuges. Which I hope will get up in the budget. We'll review
the effectiveness of the truck diversion, looking at the classification of the road
and whether it's suitable to be classified as a suburban road or whether that
classification should be dropped.
My feeling is that that classification should be dropped, particularly as we look
at the rezoning of a lot of Willawong as an industrial area. That we should be
getting trucks to use Boundary Road and Kerry Road as ways through to the
industrial parts of our city. Madam Chair, I thank the Administration for taking
this issue seriously and for delivering on this outcome. I'll be working with
residents to ensure that it is effective next year.
So I'm proposing and I'll write to Councillor SCHRINNER—I'd like to have a
truck count done this financial year so that next financial year, once all these
changes are through, we can do a comparison and a follow up to see how this
has worked and whether there needs to be changes to this particular proposal.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate. DEPUTY MAYOR? No. I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Infrastructure Committee
was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adrian Schrinner (Chairman), Councillor Ian McKenzie
(Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Margaret de Wit, Milton Dick, Victoria Newton and
Norm Wyndham.
A
COMMITTEE
PRESENTATION
SYSTEMS: SCATS
–
INTELLIGENT
TRANSPORT
142/2014-15
1.
Fraser Johnson and Alan Dickson, Transport, Roads and Maritime Services, New South
Wales Government; and Adrian Gibbons, Traffic Signals Operations Manager, Congestion
Reduction Unit, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, attended the meeting to provide an update
on the Intelligent Transport Systems: SCATS. They provided the information below.
2.
SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System) is an adaptive traffic management
system that synchronises traffic signals to optimise traffic flow across a whole city, region or
corridor. It is a sophisticated traffic engineering system that allows implementing complex,
objective-oriented, traffic management strategies.
3.
The benefits of using this system include:
maximising road network use
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-
real-time adaptive control
configuration of intersections and corridors
reduced air pollution, fuel consumption and delays
enhanced public transport time and reliability
real time information
4.
SCATS began 40 years ago and is in use on 40,000 intersections in 27 countries across the
world.
5.
The presenters explained the operational principles of SCATS. Since its inception, these
principles have not changed, however, SCATS has evolved and matured.
6.
SCATS operates on reality; measuring and collecting actual data. It responds to reality with
continuous real-time operation. The system operates as required; based on user configuration.
7.
The presenters displayed examples of SCATS in use in New South Wales.
8.
In November 2011 SCATS was installed at 878 of the 921 intersections across Brisbane.
Initial data in 2012 showed an am peak benefit of 2.1 per cent and a pm peak benefit of 1.1
per cent. SCATS and other congestion reduction initiatives have helped to maintain or reduce
travel times while traffic volumes have grown.
9.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked the presenters
for their informative presentation.
.
10.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
B
PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL MODIFY A RECENTLY
INSTALLED TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICE ON GOLDIESLIE ROAD,
INDOOROOPILLY
CA14/461285
143/2014-15
11.
A petition from residents of Indooroopilly, requesting that Council modify a recently installed
traffic calming device outside 31 and 32 Goldieslie Road, Indooroopilly, was presented to the
meeting of Council held on 3 June 2014, by Councillor Julian Simmonds, and received.
12.
The Branch Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
provided the following information.
13.
The petition contains 18 signatures.
14.
Traffic calming was installed along Goldieslie Road following consultation with the
Councillor for Walter Taylor Ward, Councillor Julian Simmonds, and the local community.
The project was brought to Council’s attention by members of the local community who were
concerned primarily about the high volume and speed of vehicles using Goldieslie Road.
15.
This traffic calming device was installed to ensure the movement of service vehicles is not
compromised by using the apron around the island. The narrow width between the apron and
the nominal face of kerb (approximately 3.4 metres) together with the close proximity of the
kerb build-out islands at both approaches constrains the driving path of passenger type
vehicles, provided they choose to maintain a driving path on the asphalt.
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16.
Drivers of passenger type vehicles choosing to traverse the apron would sustain some
discomfort with the suspension of the vehicle interacting with 1:3.5 taper to land on 50
millimetres rise in level. The closeness of the mountable kerb housing the minimal landscape
also provides a deterrent to errant driving. The extent of no stopping is localised to the
immediate extent of works. The event of on-street parking at the proximity of the device
would further constrain the driving path.
17.
Council has installed small plants into the centre island. Landscaping was included as a direct
result of the feedback from residents during the public consultation. Due to the layout of the
traffic devices, it is not considered viable to install larger plants on them.
18.
Following receipt of this petition, an automatic seven day traffic survey was undertaken
between number 35 and 39 Goldieslie Road in June 2014. This was completed to determine
the effectiveness of the current traffic calming device. The results from this survey were
compared to survey results taken in August 2012, prior to the installation of the traffic
calming device. It was found that after the traffic calming device was installed, there has been
an average reduction of 25 per cent in vehicle volumes and 16 per cent in vehicle speeds.
19.
The traffic calming device has effectively reduced the volume and speeds of vehicles driving
along Goldieslie Road. The 85th percentile speeds of vehicles are now less than the posted
speed limit of 50km/h. Prior to the installation of the traffic calming device, the 85th percentile
speeds were higher than the posted speed limit.
20.
The petitioners have also requested that the modifications to the traffic calming device be
similar to the traffic calming devices in Bayliss Street, Toowong. This street has a ‘one-lane
slow way’ device installed which includes shrubs and trees.
21.
Council has investigated the concept of a one lane slow point and the desired design speed
outcome would ideally reduce speed by 20 km/h from the posted speed limit. Placing a device
that satisfies that potential, at an appropriate location i.e. mid length along the street, while
recognising driveway spacing directly influences possibilities, is subject to a detailed design
process.
22.
The concept investigation found the following risks associated with installing this type of
device outside 31 and 32 Goldieslie Road:
Due to the close spacing to allocate the device between driveways, zero line of sight
through the device is not achievable for the desired design speed. The lateral gap
between the islands would be 1.6 metres to satisfy design speed requirements. This
design deficiency erodes the effectiveness of the device as a traffic calming measure.
The design of the treatment must not encumber access to driveways at house
numbers 31 and 32. Accommodating this requirement limits the size of the kerb
islands and consequently limits the effectiveness of the device.
The limitations placed on the size and positioning of the islands (for a given design
speed) mean that there would likely be five metre road width between the islands. A
gap of this width is neither wide nor narrow and may be misread by some drivers as a
two way slow point. Design constraints will lead to ambiguity in the function of the
device.
The yellow no stopping line is required to enable opposing traffic to travel to the
correct alignment after negotiating the slow point.
Within a defined Local Area Traffic Management scheme a one way slow point
would be appropriate, but not as a device in isolation (as in this case on Goldieslie
Road). The risks associated with excessive speed and or improper yielding are
significant. These risks are increased given that: motorists in the precinct will be
unaccustomed to or not expecting a one-way slow point; and design deficiencies
identified above may lead motorists to misinterpret the one-way nature of the device.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
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23.
Council also investigated increasing the height of the apron and speed platforms to address
the petitioners’ concerns. Increasing the height of the apron may not resolve the issues
presented by the community as drivers are already mitigating the imposition of the existing
traffic control. However, raising the height of the apron to 75 millimetres, as an example,
could be considered. This may cause extra noise from tyres hitting the higher apron and cause
damage to passenger vehicles. Speed platforms had previously been considered during the
initial design process of the traffic calming, however was not the preferred solution.
Consultation
24.
The Councillor for Walter Taylor Ward, Councillor Julian Simmonds, has been consulted and
supports the recommendation below.
Preferred Option
25.
It is the preferred option that Council retain the existing arrangements.
26.
The Branch Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees, with Councillors
Milton Dick and Victoria Newton abstaining from the vote.
27.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE HEAD PETITIONER BE ADVISED OF THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT, AND THAT COUNCIL ENDORSE THE
PREFERRED OPTION ABOVE.
ADOPTED
C
PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL INSTALL A NEW
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATION AND
MUSGRAVE ROADS, INDOOROOPILLY
CA14/530904
144/2014-15
28.
A petition from residents of the Indooroopilly area, requesting that Council install a new
pedestrian crossing at the eastern side of the Station and Musgrave Roads intersection,
restricting all buses turning left from Indooroopilly bus interchange and reallocation of all
affected bus services to a different platform, was received during Winter Recess 2014.
29.
The Acting Branch Manager, Congestion Reduction Unit, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
provided the following information.
30.
The petition contains 84 signatures.
31.
Currently there are pedestrian crossings located at the southern and western leg of the
Indooroopilly Bus Station and Musgrave Road intersection. The new Foxton Street and
Station Road intersection, located about 120 metres east of the Musgrave Road intersection,
provides an alternative for pedestrians to access the eastern side of the shopping centre where
the main entrance is located, and pedestrians should be encouraged to use the signalised
crossing at this location. These existing signalised pedestrian crossings provide adequate and
safe pedestrian facilities.
32.
The Station and Musgrave Roads intersection is operating at capacity during peak hours, with
Musgrave Road carrying the highest traffic volumes. The current phasing allows the bus exit
phase to operate twice in each cycle to ensure minimal delays for buses exiting the
interchange. Altering the existing phase arrangement would increase congestion during peak
times.
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33.
The proposed changes requested in the petition, specifically the pedestrian crossing, would
restrict the bus phase to operate only once per cycle and also restrict the vehicle movements
to one in a shared lane which could be blocked by vehicles intending to proceed straight.
Analysis via various models indicates that this would cause delays for buses during peak
hours where they had to wait for a two minute cycle to exit. Observations of the bus
interchange, particularly during school exit and pm peak periods, show that all platforms used
can be full with buses needing to queue back into Musgrave Road waiting to move into the
interchange.
Consultation
34.
The Councillor for Walter Taylor Ward, Councillor Julian Simmonds, has been consulted and
supports the recommendation below.
Preferred option
35.
It is the preferred option that Council retain the existing arrangements.
36.
The Acting Branch Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.
37.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE HEAD PETITIONER BE ADVISED OF THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT, AND THAT COUNCIL ENDORSE THE
PREFERRED OPTION ABOVE.
ADOPTED
D
PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL INCLUDE PATTERSON
STREET, TENERIFFE, INTO THE BRISBANE CENTRAL TRAFFIC AREA
CA14/62820
145/2014-15
38.
A petition from residents of Teneriffe requesting that Council include Patterson Street,
Teneriffe, into the Brisbane Central Traffic Area (BCTA) was received during the Summer
Recess 2013-14.
39.
The Branch Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
provided the following information.
40.
The petition contains 12 signatures.
41.
The street located opposite to Patterson Street, Kent Street is located along the border of the
BCTA. Due to the close proximity, all-day parking commuters use Patterson Street causing
traffic concerns for the residents. These concerns include:
Commuters park their vehicles all day in Patterson Street, with many commuters
arriving prior to 6am, which is disturbing the peace of the street
Driveways are blocked, garbage bins are inaccessible for waste trucks and the parked
vehicles narrow the street into a single lane. As such, access is restricted for
residents’ and other service vehicles. This leads to waste trucks reversing down the
street and also residents unable to see small children and pets
Tradespeople cannot park within the street and thus add this cost to residents
Residents are being fined for parking in their driveway, due to no car parks available
in the street.
42.
Council recently undertook consultation with the residents along Kent Street about the
possible removal of ‘No Limit’ parking. The result of this consultation indicated that residents
did not support the removal of the ‘No Limit’ parking and as such, this was not removed.
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43.
Currently, Council does not have any plans to expand the existing BCTA. However, the
request of the petitioners will be kept on file, if the BCTA is to expand in future.
44.
Council is aware that commuter parking can impact local residents. On-street parking is
considered as a community asset, and works on the basis of ‘first come, first served’. Council
makes every attempt to balance the areas of on-street parking with residential amenity and
safety. However, many visitors and businesses for the local area rely on this type of parking.
45.
To ensure that on-street parking is not taken up entirely by commuters, Council could
consider short-term parking restrictions. However, these restrictions would apply to all road
users, including residents and their visitors. Consultation with the residents would need to
occur if the head petitioner believes the residents would support this proposal.
46.
The head petitioner also raised concerns that driveways are being blocked and garbage bins
are unable to be accessed by waste trucks due to parked vehicles. Under the Queensland Road
Rules, it is illegal for motorists to park across a driveway, or partially block access to a
property. Council’s waste collection contractors are required, by the conditions of the
contract, to manually access bins to which access is obstructed (i.e. by parked vehicles). As
such, instances of illegally parked vehicles or rubbish bins that are not collected due to
vehicles being parked in front of them on collection day should be reported to Council’s
Contact Centre by telephone on (07) 3403 8888, so appropriate action can be undertaken.
47.
It is also understood the petitioners are not happy with waste trucks reversing down the street.
Whilst this practice is not ideal, it is noted that in some streets there are no alternatives due to
the width and nature of the road.
48.
The head petitioner has also raised concerns that residents are being issued with infringement
notices for parking in their driveways. Parking in a driveway as long it is within the private
property boundary is not illegal, unless the vehicle is parked across the footpath area. Under
the Queensland Road Rules, parking on the footpath area, which includes the driveway, is
illegal.
Consultation
49.
The Councillor for Central Ward, Councillor Vicki Howard, has been consulted and supports
the recommendation below.
Preferred option
50.
It is the preferred option that Council retain the existing arrangement.
51.
The Branch Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees, with Councillors
Milton Dick and Victoria Newton abstaining from the vote.
52.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE HEAD PETITIONER BE ADVISED OF THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT, AND THAT COUNCIL ENDORSE THE
PREFERRED OPTION ABOVE.
ADOPTED
E
PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL MAKE MORTIMER ROAD,
BETWEEN BEATTY AND BEAUDESERT ROADS, ACACIA RIDGE, SAFER
FOR THE COMMUNITY
CA14/508742 and CA14/666455
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146/2014-15
53.
Council received two petitions from residents of Acacia Ridge, requesting that Council make
Mortimer Road, between Beatty and Beaudesert Roads, Acacia Ridge, safer for the
community. Petition number CA14/508742 was presented to the meeting of Council held on
17 June 2014, by Councillor Helen Abrahams on behalf of Councillor Steve Griffiths, and
received. Petition number CA14/666455 was presented to the meeting of Council held on 12
August 2014 by Councillor Steve Griffiths, and received.
54.
The Branch Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
provided the following information.
55.
Petition number CA14/508742 contains 30 signatures; petition number CA14/666455
contains 104 signatures.
56.
The petitioners have requested Council make Mortimer Road safer for the community by:
re-directing B-doubles along alternative industrial routes;
limiting the size of heavy vehicles and large trucks using the road;
installing a school safety zone with flashing lights for Our Lady of Fatima School;
installing additional traffic islands to assist residents in crossing the road safely to
parks and public transport; and
requesting Police regularly enforce the speed limits.
Redirecting B-doubles along alternative industrial routes
57.
Mortimer Road is classified as a Suburban Route in Brisbane City Plan 2014. These types of
roads connect arterial roads in and around suburbs, and form important links in Brisbane’s
freight network. Mortimer Road provides a connection between Beaudesert Road and the
Archerfield industrial precinct. Mortimer Road was approved by Queensland Government’s
Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), as a B-double route between the hours of
9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, prior to 2001.
58.
Council has recently undertaken a survey and review of heavy vehicle movements in
Mortimer Road and adjacent roads. The review has indicated that east-west B-double
movements between Beaudesert and Beatty Roads can be best accommodated on Kerry and
Boundary Roads, both located north of Mortimer Road. Consequently, the opportunity may
exist to remove the B-double route designation from Mortimer Road.
59.
Following the introduction of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in February 2014, as
the local road manager, Council is responsible for authorising changes to B-double routes.
TMR, as the road authority, has some power to override the road manager’s decisions. The
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) handles applications for changes and issues
permits.
Limiting the size of heavy vehicles and large trucks
60.
Under the Queensland Road Rules, general-access vehicles have unrestricted access to the
road system unless specific prohibitions are in place on particular roads. General-access
vehicles include trucks, semi-trailers, articulated vehicles and buses up to 19-metres long.
Specific approvals are required for overweight or over-dimension vehicles such as B-doubles.
61.
Councils have some ability to place restrictions on vehicle movements in special
circumstances. However, under Council’s road hierarchy, roads classified as district,
suburban or arterial are expected to provide for a wide range of vehicle types. Consequently,
as Mortimer Road is a Suburban Route in the road hierarchy, restriction of general access
vehicles is not considered appropriate.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
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62.
However, Council will design and implement a signage plan to advise truck operators of the
preferred alternative route, via Kerry and Boundary Roads, to access Acacia Ridge and the
Archerfield industrial precinct. It is anticipated that this will reduce those vehicles accessing
Mortimer Road.
63.
In addition, Council will also consider the classification of Kerry, Boundary and Mortimer
Roads, 12 months after the implementation of the signage plan to determine if
reclassifications of these roads in accordance with Austroads guidelines.
Installing a School Safety zone with flashing lights for Our Lady of Fatima School
64.
TMR has been rolling out Enhanced (flashing) School Zone signs at schools throughout
Brisbane, which are considered high risk. These signs consist of a standard school zone sign
that incorporates a flashing red annulus and twin alternate flashing yellow lights mounted
above the ‘school zone’ sign plate. These lights flash during the operation of the school zone
and are intended to draw motorists’ attention to the operation of the school zone.
65.
Council, on behalf of residents, will formally contact TMR and advise them of the residents’
request for Enhanced School Zone signs along the front of Our Lady of Fatima School.
Additionally, Council will also approach TMR in regards to altering the signal timings along
Beaudesert Road, to encourage vehicles to use the preferred alternative route via Kerry and
Boundary Roads.
Installing additional traffic islands so residents can cross the road safely to parks and public
transport
66.
Council has identified Mortimer Road as one where improvements or additions to pedestrian
crossing facilities may improve pedestrian connectivity and safety. This project has been
listed for detailed investigation work in Council’s Network Modernisation schedule, and will
include a review of pedestrian connectivity and safety along the full length of the road.
67.
As funding for the Network Modernisation schedule is already committed through the budget
for this financial year, including Troughton Road in nearby Coopers Plains, the priority of the
Network Modernisation project for Mortimer Road will be considered in line with similar
citywide priorities in the 2015/16 Council budget.
Requesting Police regularly enforce the speed limits
68.
Council does not have the authority to enforce moving vehicle violations. If motorists are
observed speeding on Mortimer Road, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) have asked that
they are notified directly on 131 444. When phoning, if residents can provide details such as
the times and days this is more likely to occur, this will help QPS coordinate their speed
enforcement activities.
Consultation
69.
The Councillor for Moorooka Ward, Councillor Steve Griffiths, has been consulted and
supports the recommendation below.
Preferred option
70.
It is the preferred option that Council undertake the following actions:
Council is currently seeking to rescind the approval given for the B-double route
designation for Mortimer Road issued prior to 2001
Council will design and implement a signage plan to advise truck operators of the
preferred alternative routes to access the Acacia Ridge and Archerfield industrial
precinct
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
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-
-
-
Council will reconsider the classification of Kerry, Boundary and Mortimer Roads,
12 months after the implementation of the signage plan
Construction of additional pedestrian refuges is listed for consideration in the 2015-16
Council budget, with funds already committed this financial year to nearby Troughton
Road, Coopers Plains
Council will contact TMR on their behalf, to request Enhanced School Zone signage
for Mortimer Road in front of Our Lady of Fatima School and alter the signal timings
along Beaudesert Road; and
Advise the petitioners that they can contact QPS directly on 131 444 if they observe
motorists exceeding the speed limit on Mortimer Road.
71.
The Branch Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.
72.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE HEAD PETITIONER BE ADVISED OF THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT, AND THAT COUNCIL ENDORSE THE
PREFERRED OPTION ABOVE.
ADOPTED
PUBLIC AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE
Councillor Peter MATIC, Chairman of the Public and Active Transport Committee, moved, seconded by
Councillor Steven HUANG that the report of that Committee held on 2 September 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor MATIC:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. Before I get to the committee presentation, I just
want to briefly reiterate the words of the LORD MAYOR in the annual report.
He made comment on the success of the CityHopper service. I just want to
reinforce how successful that service has been to the general public. Madam
Chairman, just as an indication of the amount of patronage that it enjoys, its
record day was on Friday 29 November 2013 at just over 9,000 trips. Its second
highest in this calendar year in March of 2014, at 8,722 just for the day alone.
You can clearly see the significant amount of success that this program—this
project has received. It clearly shows, Madam Chairman, that this side of the
Chamber's strong commitment to public transport and looking for those
opportunities where we can to provide incentives and provide opportunities for
increased patronage. When they are made available, obviously, the numbers
clearly indicate that they are wholeheartedly embraced by the people of
Brisbane.
So I'd certainly want to acknowledge the hard work of everyone involved with
the CityHopper project and the vision and the leadership of the LORD MAYOR
in introducing it, making it as part of his election commitments in 2012 and
seeing it through, because of his strong and passionate commitment to public
transport as well.
Madam Chairman, in the committee presentation there was a very informative
presentation done by officers on bus emission standards. It clearly showed that
this Administration has a very strong commitment to making sure that we
reduce our emission standards as much as possible, utilising the latest
technology available in Australia and the standards that we need to comply with.
But making sure, Madam Chairman, that through our record investment in
public transport, through our buses that we continue to have the youngest fleet
in the country and by doing so, we stay at the cutting edge of emission standards
of any other operator in Australia.
The presentation clearly showed that the evolution of the Euro standards has
been based on technological advance. That this Administration and its fleet is
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 70 currently at Euro standard 5, for its newest bus fleet rollout. By making sure that
we continue to have that record investment, by continuing to take on those
technological advances as they continue to roll out, we are at a stage now where
the technology is so good that improvements are as good as they can get as far
as diesel is concerned. That there will only be slight improvements in those
modifications to those emissions.
So that whatever standards come out in the future, Madam Chairman, will be
more around other structural issues in the bus, that's how good we're getting. So
I really want to acknowledge the hard work of officers within BT (Brisbane
Transport) that continue to update themselves on these standards, that continue
to take on board all of the technological improvements that are available out
there. Madam Chairman, that clearly shows through the presentation that we're
about delivering a service, we're about delivering amenity and we're about
delivering a cleaner and greener city.
Chairman:
Further debate. I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Public and Active
Transport Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Peter Matic (Chairman), Councillor Steven Huang (Deputy Chairman),
Councillors Steve Griffiths, Nicole Johnston, Kim Marx and Ryan Murphy.
A
and
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – BUS EMISSION STANDARDS
147/2014-15
1.
Scott White, Engineering and Assets Manager – Brisbane Transport Division, attended the
meeting to provide an update on Bus Emission Standards. The presenter provided the
information below.
2.
Emission standards set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the
environment. They are used to dictate limits for pollutants including nitrogen oxides (NOx),
total hydrocarbon (THC), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon monoxide (CO) and
particulate matter (PM).
3.
Australia has had road vehicle emission standards for new vehicles in place since the early
1970s; these have progressively tightened over the past 40 years. The current standards reflect
Australia's commitment to align with the vehicle standards developed by the United Nations
wherever possible. In the early 2000s, Australia began harmonising Australian Design Rule
certification for new motor vehicle emissions with Euro categories (Euro 1 to 5) . It is
generally accepted that the increasing proportion of vehicles meeting tighter emission
standards has played a major part in air quality improvements.
4.
Graphs were shown displaying the varying levels of emissions under the different Euro
categories.
5.
The presenter then elaborated on the Euro categories of Council’s bus fleet. He went on to
explain the future for emission standards, including the implementation of Euro 6 and the
challenges of emission reduction.
6.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr White for
the informative presentation.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 71 -
7.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT
COMMITTEE
Councillor Amanda COOPER, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment
Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor 2 September 2014, that the report of the meeting of that Committee
held on Vicki HOWARD, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor COOPER:
Yes, thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, at committee last
week, we had a development application for a site at 101 to 109 Allen Street and
576 Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton. We also had a petition seeking Council
to refuse a development application for a multi-unit dwelling at 18 Bryce Street,
St Lucia. Council has actually refused that development application and that
matter is in appeal. So that was the recommendation and the committee
unanimously supported that decision.
With respect to the development application, this is an application that was
made to Council. We've gone through a process, it was an impact-assessable
application. It was unanimously supported at committee. So it's a site that
actually fronts Nudgee Road and Kingsford Smith Drive, so a very high profile
corner. A number of people seem to recall the street because of its proximity to
the 24-hour Nudgee confectionary warehouse. So you know that’s an important
site for all of us on the north side, in fact all Brisbane-ites I think might perhaps
know that. That’s right it is a bit of a battle to get into the car park at certain
times of the year.
This particular site however, is not the confectionary warehouse but it’s equally
as interesting. It’s zoned Multi-Purpose 3 (MP3) Suburban Centre and LMR
(low-medium residential), it’s in the Kingsford Sub-precinct of the Racecourse
Precinct Neighbourhood Plan. It is a currently vacant site, with one existing
dwelling at 101 Allen Street.
So this one we did discuss at committee, there was actually some unlawful
demolition of five pre-1946 existing character houses on the site in 2007 which
drew a lot of attention and was quite an outrage to all of us. So since then the
site has changed hands, the current owners took over the ownership of the site in
October 2012.
So they have basically come to Council to propose aged-care accommodation on
the site, it was lodged in December 2013 and properly made on 16 th January
2014. The application is for a three to four storey building fronting on to Allen
Street for 100 bed aged-care facility and a seven storey building on the corner of
Kingsford Smith Drive and Nudgee road for 50 transitional aged-care units. On
the ground level the application proposes a shop and restaurant to 840 square
metres. That shop area has the potential to be broken into eight separate retail
tenancies.
So there certainly is opportunity for small business to get a toe hold in this
particular spot. The application proposes 181 car spaces across two basement
levels including 84 for residents and staff, 24 for visitors, 73 for the shop and
restaurant as well as 14 bike spaces. It was an impact assessable application and
officers had to carefully regard a number of issues as they assessed the
application.
These were design, it also had to look at proposed upgrades to Kingsford Smith
Drive and when the officers issued the information requests these were all
outlined. There was a response to that information request on 23 rd June and
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 72 detailed how the applicant sought to respond to those. There were a number of
changes made where the applicant actually created greater transitions stepping
down towards Allen Street, so a reduction in the number of units.
There were further setbacks to levels five and six from Kingsford Smith Drive
as well as taking on board fitting in with the character code for the element that
faced Allen Street of course having to reflect that in the building materials of the
development.
There were no submissions on the application and certainly this seems to be one
that we’ve had strong support from the local councillor, I thank him for finding
it in his job description to make comment to the application. I did appreciate his
input, he always gives me very detailed input on his views about these sorts of
matters. This of course also accommodates a major upgrade to Kingsford Smith
Drive so that has been facilitated as a part of this. There’s also some land
dedication along Nudgee Road and corner at the truncation.
While not directly in the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast, the ANEF,
contour, noise from both air and road was a serious consideration of the
application. The applicant provided an air and noise-impact assessment as part
of the wider noise-impact assessment. So they will include building components
that will achieve the attenuation requirements to ensure amenity is provided for
residents, so there will be specialist elements like windows, double-glazing, all
those sorts of factors to make sure the traffic and aircraft noise is appropriately
mitigated.
In particular, design offers very large balconies as well as big internal spaces so
a really innovative way of accommodating the needs of its future residents that
will encourage gatherings for family and friends. It’s really been designed to
look somewhat like a cruise ship, which seems to be the very much new love of
Australian residents to go on a trip on a ship, so that will be allowing that
movement of people on the balconies. So they will not be small little closed
balconies. They will all be connected and they will be encouraging the residents
to have a safe environment for taking a stroll, holding events encouraging their
family to come along and visit them.
Height was a performance solution for this, it was very clear that a performance
solution for the proposed height was considered to meet the performance
criteria, taking into account the transitional height, stepping down from
adjoining sites and the maximum height is focussed on the corner fronting
Nudgee Road and Kingsford Smith Drive.
So there’s a whole range of matters that have been carefully considered by the
officers, I am particularly delighted with the outcome. I think it is a great—will
be a great asset to the local community and certainly something that takes a
different approach to providing those sorts of facilities.
So I think it's a great outcome. I'd also particularly like to thank the officers.
They have done a fantastic job in assessing the application. It was a complex
one and I think that the outcome with this $50 million development in our city
certainly will allow people to age in place in their local community.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor SUTTON?
Councillor SUTTON:
Oh thank you, Madam Chair. I just rise to enter the debate on these two items
before us on the neighbourhood planning report as a member of the committee.
As Councillor COOPER has already indicated, both items were supported
unanimously in the committee, and I won't go into the detail of the development
application because I think Councillor COOPER has already done a pretty good
job of explaining exactly what it is for. Never let it be said that the ALP isn't
prepared to support appropriate development in appropriate locations. On the
basis of the content provided to us in the presentation by the Council officers we
were happy to support this application.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 73 I'll also make the point that that's two from two in terms of supporting aged-care
accommodation—you knew exactly what I was going to say didn't you before I
even said it—that is two from two in terms of the last two development
applications that have come before this Council for aged-care accommodation.
The ALP has been pleased to support that again. We are happy to support this
type of accommodation in appropriate locations where the development being
proposed is—I'll take that interjection Councillor FLESSER that some of us will
be in it soon.
Chairman:
He's speaking for himself of course Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Well there was a comment in the committee, with your indulgence Madam
Speaker about one of our committee members possibly being prepared to ask for
the price of one of these sites, but we won't dwell on that. It was all done in
good humour.
So, yes, again Councillor COOPER I'm sorry you might have to change the
script a little bit on aged care in terms of our preparedness to support aged-care
accommodation to allow people to age in place. We do understand and
acknowledge that that is a very, very important issue facing a large number of
people in our community and in our population, and we are only too happy to
support that type of appropriate development in those appropriate locations.
In terms of the second item, the petition, again we were pleased to support that
petition. Obviously the petitioners were calling on Council to refuse the
development application, which Council did and I know Councillor
SIMMONDS as well will be happy with that outcome given that he was the
local councillor.
But I do notice Councillor COOPER indicated that this matter is now in the
Planning and Environment Court and it would be interesting to have reported to
us in committee what the final outcome of that appeal is, because we often don't
get the outcomes of appeals unless we're the local councillor getting the
notification email that comes through on a daily basis.
So I guess my only comment to that was I would love to see Council refuse
more inappropriate development when it comes past, and I would like to see
Council refuse more applications. Certainly this is not the only development
application I feel that has been non-conforming, and I think that when we have
strong planning grounds to refuse these development applications we absolutely
should.
I think we should be a little bit braver in pushing back against some of the
arguments for performance solutions that applicants put forward to us in the
assessment process. I think that we should have more confidence in our City
Plan in terms of being prepared to defend what we have nominated as acceptable
solutions when the arguments put by a developer are for a performance solution
are not strong or could be argued or seem to be weak.
So I think it's a good outcome on both accounts this week. It was really great to
have a report that came through where we could support both items. I would
hope that there is more of that in the future.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor JOHNSTON?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, just briefly—
Chairman:
Oh sorry Councillor JOHNSTON, Councillor MCLACHLAN?
Councillor MCLACHLAN:
Oh thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak on item A briefly but thank you
very much for the opportunity to support what will be a fantastic development in
my ward. I know the residents of Hamilton are looking forward to seeing a high
quality development on this corner which has been left vacant for far too long,
and following, as Councillor COOPER said, the unfortunate illegal demolition
of the previous building that was on the site that has, as she mentioned,
subsequently changed hands from the owner of that site at that time.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 74 But this is an excellent development. I know the operator is passionate about
providing high quality aged care and is looking forward to providing a facility
on the north-side of the river following successful ventures elsewhere in this
city.
I think the proposed 100 bed aged-care facility and the 50 transitional units help
achieve the aim of the LORD MAYOR's aged-care taskforce, and does provide
for a range of facilities for people who are moving out of their own homes who
want to continue to live in independent aged care for as long as they can before
having to take the next option and living in that location as long as possible in
the site.
It will, as Councillor COOPER said, have a reminiscence of the other cruise ship
and this is a great location because it's within the sightline of the cruise ship
terminal down at Portside. They'll be able to hear the whistles going of those
cruise ships as they head off on their cruises and perhaps be tempted to go and
jump onboard one as well if they could see it from where they're living as they
perambulate around the excellent balconies that I know are built into this
application.
I would like to thank the officers for their hard work in reaching this outcome.
As Councillor COOPER said, there were some performance solutions that were
required. I was very pleased to see that there were no submissions opposed to
this application and was pleased to see the unanimous support of the committee
when it came up before the committee.
I'd like to thank Councillor COOPER and her staff for getting it through to here
and to the staff in the Department, and I look forward to seeing the sod turned in
the development of this building in the not too distant future.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor JOHNSTON?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on item A and put some concerns on the
record about the proposal before us.
Before I'm howled down by Councillor COOPER in response, what I will say is
there is a big difference between an impact assessable development application
and a code assessable development application. I note that Councillor COOPER
believes I think that I should be objecting to all development applications but,
Madam Chairman, let me put my position about this application and others on
the record.
I don't have a problem with code assessable applications but this one is not. It's
pretty simple; I will stand up for my residents and for other residents around the
city to raise concern about impact assessable applications because the principle
of them is that they are outside—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes?
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON can you get onto whatever the issues are with this
particular application.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes and I am, Madam Chairman, thank you. It is an impact-assessable
application and the principles that are attached to that impact-assessable
application are that there are potential adverse impacts on the community and it
is generally outside of the intention for the planning in that area. Now that's the
basic understanding of impact assessable applications.
Now I support retirement villages, I don't have a problem with retirement
villages, but the concern that I have with this application is that it does not
match the zoning which has been set down for a building in this location.
If Councillor COOPER, Councillor MCLACHLAN, the town planners, the
owners of this site believe that it should have a different zoning to what is
currently there, then they should apply and change that. This site has been zoned
for Multi-Purpose 3 and is generally considered to be low-to-medium height.
Now that all across this city is essentially three storeys.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 75 Now, yes, Councillor COOPER will stand up again and say no Councillor
JOHNSTON doesn't understand, it's about performance solutions. Well yes I do
and I deal with them every single day out in my ward. Unlike Councillor
COOPER's area we get hundreds if not thousands of DAs (development
applications) through my area and, Madam Chairman, there is a big difference
between a three storey zoning and a seven storey zoning which is being
proposed in this location.
Now I note that this application is seven storeys at the main road dropping down
to four storeys fronting Allen Street, but it's very clear, very clear in the
assessment principles for this zoning that you are supposed to take into account
the surrounding residential heights.
Now I'm not sure what the zoning is for all those houses back from Allen Street,
but I think it'll either be low to medium density or it'll even be low density
through that part of Hamilton I would be thinking and yet they're suddenly going
to have a seven storey medium density building on the site.
Now we know what springs from that; the next developer comes along and says
well Council you set the precedent here, I also want seven storeys. More likely
they'll say well you gave them seven, I want eight and that is a poor outcome.
So my point here is I support a retirement village, I think it's a great idea,
wonderful. The zoning for this area is for MP3 with a three storey height limit.
If it had been four storeys maybe you'd go righto I can understand that, but
seven storeys is more than double what the allowable zoning for this area is.
It makes a mockery of the point that we actually have gone through the process
of setting up the area zoning, telling the community what those zonings are, and
then when an application comes along we go well none of that really matters, we
think you're good people, we'll give you seven storeys just like you've asked.
That's not the purpose of the planning scheme. Our job here is to make sure that
there are rules that are well understood by the community, and if those rules no
longer apply for a particular purpose, change them. But don't go around
approving developments that are way outside of the planning scheme that cannot
be justified under any reasonable performance solution because it's not in
keeping with the intent of the zoning, which is for low to medium density
buildings that reflect the surrounding residential zoning because that's just not
happening here.
There is no justifiable grounds for the performance solution that would allow
seven storeys in a three storey area. What I will say, Madam Chairman, just so
Councillor COOPER's clear on this because she seems to think that I should be
opposed to all development is this city, if any developer wants to build a code
assessable development I'd be supportive of that because it meets the intention
for the area. It is generally accepted as the right use for that zoning, but when
any developer puts in an impact assessable application as they have done in this
area, then that deserves scrutiny.
We deserve to be questioning why they want something that is so far outside of
the intent for that area, and we should be applying a rigorous scrutiny to that.
I heard what Councillor SUTTON said earlier about pushing—
Councillor KNAPP:
Point of order, Madam Chair?
Chairman:
Point of order against you Councillor JOHNSTON. Just a minute, yes
Councillor KNAPP wait till you're called.
Councillor KNAPP:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Yes, Councillor KNAPP?
Councillor KNAPP:
I certainly will. Point of order, Madam Chair. I fail to see what this treaty is on
the City Plan that she quite clearly doesn't understand is relevant to this
application.
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor KNAPP I'm struggling a bit myself, however, I'm sure
Councillor COOPER will deal with it. Councillor JOHNSTON?
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 76 Councillor JOHNSTON:
Well let me aid the discussion here, Madam Chairman, because it says right here
in paragraph nine—and I know Councillor KNAPP probably doesn't get a lot of
impact-assessable developments out her way—the performance solution for
building height is considered acceptable based on the site size and location, the
maximum building height et cetera, et cetera.
Let me tell you, Madam Chairman, you look as I did in the actual City Plan and
you look at what the intent of the zoning for MP3 is and it says, as I've been
quoting, that it is low to medium density and it should reflect the surrounding
residential uses. Now that's off the Council website in the City Plan for MP3
which, guess what, that's what the zoning is and that's referred to in paragraph 2
Councillor KNAPP.
So, Madam Chairman, through you if Councillor KNAPP hasn't actually read
the Council papers before us today, perhaps she'd like to before standing up and
trying to imply that I'm not speaking about the development—
Councillor KNAPP:
Point of order, Madam Chair, claim to be misrepresented?
Chairman:
Councillor KNAPP I don't think you've been misrepresented.
Councillor KNAPP:
Point of order, Madam Chair?
Chairman:
No Councillor KNAPP. Councillor JOHNSTON is disagreeing with what you
may or may not have done but I don't think you've been misrepresented. Thank
you. Councillor JOHNSTON?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. Oh that's—come on get her to withdraw.
Chairman:
Get on with it Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
You heard her clearly Councillor de WIT.
Chairman:
I did not, you're on a warning. I do not know what Councillor KNAPP said.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman? Councillor KNAPP audibly from this side of
the Chamber said you're an idiot about me in defiance of your rulings. You
heard it, I heard it, Councillor DICK heard it and I'm on the far side of the
Chamber. Now I would have thought, Madam Chairman, that you would ask her
to withdraw that as a matter of basic fairness in this Chamber, but if you will not
do so of your own accord, I request that you ask her to withdraw that absolutely
outrageous and offensive statement.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON I did not hear what Councillor KNAPP said probably
because there was other noise in the Chamber and I would ask you to get on
with your debate or resume your seat.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman, everybody in this Chamber heard that.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON resume your seat.
Councillor KNAPP:
Point of order, Madam Chair?
Chairman:
Councillor KNAPP point of order?
Councillor KNAPP:
Madam Chair, I am quite happy to withdraw the statement that she heard me
make and I will qualify it by saying that I am allowed to have the perception that
she—
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor KNAPP. Thank you.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman? You just heard Councillor KNAPP admit—
Chairman:
Resume your seat.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman?
Chairman:
No, I'm not taking another point of order, resume your seat.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman?
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman?
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 77 Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON you do not tell me what I can or cannot do in this place.
You are being disruptive in the way you conducted debate on that particular
item when the entire Chamber agrees with it. Resume your seat.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman?
Chairman:
No, Councillor JOHNSTON I have dealt with the issue, resume your seat. You
are in violation of the laws in continually calling a point of order on the same
issue, resume your seat.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman?
Chairman:
Further debate? Further debate? Councillor COOPER?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam—
Chairman:
Councillor COOPER?
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I would like to thank Councillor
SUTTON for her debate here this afternoon, well this evening I suppose, and I
particularly would like to say that this is a site that is a Multi-Purpose Centre so
it's MP3 and low density residential—
Chairman:
Just a minute Councillor COOPER. Councillor DICK sorry would you mind
taking the conversation outside. Thank you Councillor COOPER?
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. So I would like to thank Councillor
SUTTON. It was discussed at length at committee last week about this site. It is
a significantly large site, just under 8,000 square metres. It is a site that is a very
prominent corner site, and Council looked at this application.
Now I feel like I say this every single week, Madam Chair, but City Plan is a
performance based planning scheme. Under state legislation we look at each and
every application on its merits. Now councillors might not like that but that is
the reality. Those are the rules and lots of people in this Chamber love to apply
rules when it suits themselves but this is a rule that Council officers must apply
impartially, fairly, and assess each and every application on its merits.
In this case there were very specific provisions that they took into careful
consideration when they assessed the application. They looked at what was
allowable in the vicinity of this particular location also, and I note just south of
this location sits Northshore Hamilton. Northshore Hamilton, home of the Urban
Land Development Authority. What do they say in this area, what is appropriate
in this area?
Well they have opportunities to go from eight to 10 storeys, in fact you can go to
23 storeys within Northshore Hamilton. So Council officers understood and the
neighbourhood plan talks about that relationship with the areas around and
stepping down and transitioning back into the areas to the north of that site.
So that was what the Council officers very carefully considered with respect to
this application, and in fact if you look at the Racecourse Precinct
Neighbourhood Plan this is performance criteria which is different than an
acceptable solution. It says P19, building height is consistent with the height of
adjoining development and preserves the character of the streetscape and the
amenity currently enjoyed by nearby residents. Nearby residents also includes,
Madam Chair, Northshore Hamilton.
So Council officers I think have done a fantastic job. I appreciate the support of
Councillor SUTTON and Councillor ABRAHAMS. I think there was very
informed debate at committee last week. I was delighted with the unanimous
decision to support this application, we think it's a great outcome and I am
disappointed that some people fundamentally do not understand the principles
under which we assess each and every application in this city. Thank you.
Chairman:
I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber by the Chairman, the motion for the adoption of the report of the
Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee was declared carried on the voices.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 78 The report as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Amanda Cooper (Chairman), Councillor Vicki Howard (Deputy Chairman), and
Councillors Helen Abrahams, Geraldine Knapp, Shayne Sutton and Andrew Wines.
A
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION UNDER SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT
2009:
MATERIAL
CHANGE
OF
USE
FOR
AGED-CARE
ACCOMMODATION (MULTI-UNIT DWELLING), RESTAURANT AND
SHOP - 101 TO 109 ALLEN STREET AND 576 KINGSFORD SMITH DRIVE,
HAMILTON - NUOVA CASA TRUST
A003786244
148/2014-15
1.
The Team Manager, Development Assessment Planning Services North, City Planning and
Sustainability Division, reports that a development application has been submitted by NG
Sanders & Associates Pty Ltd on behalf of Nuova Casa Trust, and was properly made on
16 January 2014, as follows:
Development aspects:
General description of proposal:
Land in the ownership of:
Address of the site:
Described as:
Containing an area of:
Carry out building work (preliminary approval)
Material change of use (development permit)
Building work for aged-care accommodation
(multi-unit dwelling), shop and restaurant
Material change of use for aged-care
accommodation (multi-unit dwelling), shop
and restaurant
Nuova Casa Trust
101 to 109 Allen Street and 576 Kingsford Smith
Drive, Hamilton
Lots 26 to 30, 34, 42 and 43 on RP33641; Lot 2 on
RP44399; Lots 3 and 4 on RP51091; Lot 2 on
RP61905; Lots 1 and 2 on RP78860; Lot 1 on
RP80772; Lot 33 on RP87448; Lot 2 on RP61905;
and Lots 37 and 38 on RP33641
7,882 square metres.
2.
The application is over land currently included in the Multi-Purpose Centre MP3 – Suburban
Centre and low-medium density designation under the Brisbane City Plan 2000 (City Plan)
and is within the Kingsford Smith Drive Sub-precinct 3(a) Kingsford Smith Drive West, in
the Racecourse Precinct Neighbourhood Plan.
3.
The site is predominantly vacant land with one existing dwelling (at 101 Allen Street) and has
road frontages to Allen Street, Kingsford Smith Drive and Nudgee Road.
4.
The proposed three to seven-storey development is comprised of 14,812.4 square metres and
includes:
-
5.
a three to four-storey building fronting Allen Street for a 100 bed aged-care facility
a seven-storey building on the corner of Kingsford Smith Drive and Nudgee Road for
50 transitional aged-care units
ground-level shop and restaurant uses (840 square metres) to support the aged-care
use and cater for the local community.
A total of 181 car parking spaces have been provided in two basement levels, including 84
spaces for resident/staff parking, 24 spaces for visitor parking and 73 spaces for shop and
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 79 -
restaurant use. Fourteen bicycle spaces are also included.
6.
Vehicle access to the development will be from Allen Street to the basement parking levels,
and a left in/left out service vehicle access from Kingsford Smith Drive.
7.
The proposal meets the planning intent of the Kingsford Smith Drive Precinct (Precinct 3) in
the Racecourse Precinct Neighbourhood Plan. The proposed residential development along
Kingsford Smith Drive provides a transition between the high–rise development of
Northshore Hamilton and the low to low–medium scale residential development north of
Allen Street. The design incorporates traditional character elements in the building design on
the Allen Street frontage. Conditions have been imposed to ensure building materials and
treatments accord with the character provisions.
8.
The proposal meets the intent of the Racecourse Precinct Neighbourhood Plan for building
height within the area, providing a transition in height between the high-density development
envisaged for the Northshore Hamilton area to the south and the low-medium density
residential area to the north. The proposal has a maximum building height of seven storeys
and varies in heights of three, four, six and seven-storey built-form components. The
maximum building height is focused on the Kingsford Smith Drive and Nudgee Road
intersection and therefore contributes to a corner built-form element for the site.
9.
The performance solution for the building height is considered acceptable based on the site
size and location, the maximum building height being focused on the corner, and the
transitional heights provided to the adjoining sites.
10.
The proposed 100 bed aged-care facility and 50 transitional aged-care units achieves the aims
of the Lord Mayor’s Aged Care Taskforce. The proposed development provides a care facility
and range of independent-living unit options which contribute an alternative design and
product to the community to accommodate local residents aging-in-place.
11.
Significant road improvement works are planned for both Kingsford Smith Drive and Nudgee
Road as a result of the Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade project. A requirement of this
approval is to dedicate land at the Kingsford Smith Drive and Nudgee Road frontages and
corner of the site.
12.
The proposal was subject to impact assessment and public notification was carried out for a
period of 15 business days between 11 July 2014 and 1 August 2014. The Notice of
Compliance was lodged and no properly made submissions were received.
13.
The Councillor for Hamilton Ward, Councillor David McLachlan was notified of the
application by email on 20 January 2014. Councillor McLachlan provided written advice on
the 22 January 2014 that he supported the application.
14.
The application was referred to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and
Planning (DSDIP) as a Concurrence Agency for the Department of Transport and Main Roads
(DTMR) for ‘Development impacting on State transport infrastructure’ (schedule 7, table 3,
item 2). DSDIP has imposed conditions for the application which are included in the
Development Approval Package submitted on file and marked Attachment A.
15.
Queensland Urban Utilities have set conditions in relation to the connection of water and
sewerage services to the proposal.
16.
The Team Manager advises that relevant reports have been obtained to address the assessment
criteria and decision process prescribed by the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 appropriately
justifying the proposal and outlining reasonable and relevant conditions of approval.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 80 -
17.
The Team Manager recommended that the application be approved, subject to the approved
plans and conditions included in the Development Approval Package submitted on file and
marked Attachment A. The Committee agrees unanimously.
18.
RECOMMENDATION:
(i)
That it be and is hereby resolved that whereas—
(a)
A development application was properly made on 16 January 2014 to the
Council pursuant to section 260 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, as
follows:
Development aspects:
General
proposal:
description
Land in the ownership of:
Address of the site:
Described as:
Containing an area of:
(b)
of
Carry out building work (preliminary
approval)
Material change of use (development
permit)
Building work for aged-care
accommodation
(multi-unit
dwelling), shop and restaurant
Material change of use for agedcare accommodation (multi-unit
dwelling), shop and restaurant
Nuova Casa Trust
101 to 109 Allen Street and 576
Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton
Lots 26 to 30, 34, 42 and 43 on RP33641;
Lot 2 on RP44399; Lots 3 and 4 on
RP51091; Lot 2 on RP61905; Lots 1 and
2 on RP78860; Lot 1 on RP80772; Lot 33
on RP87448; Lot 2 on RP61905; and Lots
37 and 38 on RP33641
7,882 square metres.
The Council is required to assess the application pursuant to Chapter 6, Part 5,
Division 2, section 314 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (the Act) and
decide the application under section 324 of the Act;
the Council—
(c)
Upon consideration of the application and those matters set forth in sections
314 and 324 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 relevant to the application
considers that:
(i)
the site is within the Urban Footprint of the South East Queensland
Regional Plan 2009-2031, and the use is consistent with an Urban
Activity;
(ii)
the proposal is consistent with the Brisbane City Plan 2000;
(iii)
the proposal advances the intent and development principles of the
Racecourse Precinct Neighbourhood Plan in particular the Kingsford
Smith Drive Sub precinct 3(a) Kingsford Smith Drive West;
(iv)
the proposal will not create adverse amenity impacts on the
surrounding area; and
(v)
the development can be accommodated within the existing essential
infrastructure networks.
(d)
Accordingly considers that were reasonable and relevant conditions imposed
on the development, it would be appropriate that the proposed development
be approved on the subject land;
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 81 -
(e)
(ii)
Issue a Brisbane City Council Infrastructure Charges Notice for the
development pursuant to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and the Brisbane
Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No.4) 2014, for the transport,
community purposes and stormwater trunk infrastructure networks.
Whereas the Council determines as in (i) hereof, THE COUNCIL APPROVES
THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION referred to above and subject to the
conditions in the Development Approval Package submitted on file and marked
Attachment A, and directs that:
(a)
the applicant be advised of the decision;
(b)
the applicant be given the Brisbane City Council’s Infrastructure Charges
Notice for community purposes, stormwater and transport;
(c)
the Central SEQ Distributor-Retailer Authority be advised of the decision;
(d)
the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, be advised
of the decision; and
(e)
the Councillor for the Hamilton Ward, Councillor David McLachlan, be
advised of the decision.
ADOPTED
B
PETITIONS – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL REFUSE THE
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR A MULTI-UNIT DWELLING AT 18
BRYCE STREET, ST LUCIA
CA14/539646; CA14/558132
149/2014-15
19.
Council received two petitions from residents of Queensland, during the Winter Recess 2014,
requesting that Council refuse the development application for a multi-unit dwelling at
18 Bryce Street, St Lucia.
20.
The Divisional Manager, City Planning and Sustainability, provided the information below.
21.
Petition number CA14/558132 has 72 signatures and the ePetition number CA14/539646 has
127 signatures.
22.
The petitioners are requesting that Council refuse the development application at
18 Bryce Street, St Lucia, based on non-compliance with the planning scheme, in particular
with the height of the building and also raise concerns with future developments in the St
Lucia area in general, and in particular the following:
development exceeding the acceptable solutions for height in the low-medium density
residential areas
development negatively impacting on sunlight, breezes, privacy and views of
neighbouring homes
development providing insufficient car parking on site
development not providing adequate set backs to allow green space, preserving the
‘green and leafy’ character of St Lucia.
23.
An impact-assessable development application for a multi-unit dwelling (15 units) was
declared properly made on 14 August 2013. The application required advertising in
accordance with the requirements of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA). The
notification period was between 13 February 2014 and 10 March 2014. This petition was
received outside the notification period and after the decision had been made by Council on
20 June 2014. Therefore, the petition could not be considered as a submission to the
development application. However, both head petitioners lodged a submission during the
notification period, and are registered as valid submitters.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 82 -
24.
Following assessment of both the application and submitter concerns, Council refused the
application on 20 June 2014 on the following grounds:
The bulk and scale of the proposed building was not consistent with the
low-to-medium density of the locality. In particular the podium and tower design
resulted in a building that was set very close to the side boundaries.
The podium walls were built-to-boundary on almost all of the boundaries.
Where side setbacks were present, they were too small to be considered to meet a
performance solution.
There was limited room for landscaping or screening to minimise impacts to the
adjoining properties.
The height and extent of the built-to-boundary walls were excessive.
25.
On 21 July 2014, the applicant appealed Council’s decision to refuse the development
application in the Planning and Environment Court. The appeal reference number is 2768/14
and can be tracked by visiting the Queensland Court’s website at www.courts.qld.gov.au by
selecting ‘Search civil files’ clicking on ‘party search’ and entering the reference number
above.
Consultation
26.
Councillor Julian Simmonds, Councillor for Walter Taylor Ward, was consulted on
27 August 2014 and supports the recommendation below.
27.
The Divisional Manager recommended as follows and the Committee agrees.
28.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED THAT this development application was
refused by Council on 20 June 2014 after being assessed against the relevant provisions of the
Brisbane City Plan 2000 and in accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.
The applicant has lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court against Council’s
refusal of the development application. The appeal reference number is 2768/14 and can be
tracked by visiting the Queensland Court’s website at www.courts.qld.gov.au by selecting
‘Search civil files,’ clicking on ‘party search’ and entering the reference number above.
ADOPTED
ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Councillor Matthew BOURKE, Chairman of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee, moved,
seconded by Councillor Fiona KING, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 2 September
2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor BOURKE:
Yes, thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Just before I get to the committee
report I've got a number of items I just want to touch on. I just want to go back
because I enjoyed the debate so much. Just relive PLACA just for a little bit
longer.
I don't know how much more clear I can be about this, but the booking systems
and consent for our Council parks has not changed. The process is there, the
process remains. Madam Chairman, this is about simplifying and rationalising
some of the local laws and also making sure that we have a clear framework to
help support some of the uses in our parks when it comes to some of the high
impact uses.
Everyone was provided with the table about activities in parks where it clearly
outlines some of the self-assessable permit requirements and what the impacts
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 83 are and why there might be some risk and who or how you're actually able to
apply for those.
So, Madam Chairman, there will be an online process for self-assessable
permits, it's a pretty simple straightforward thing, but some of those uses and the
Labor Party contradicted themselves in their speeches where they said I can
understand that if you have this, this, this, this at a party then yes you should get
a permit, but at the same time they're going oh every birthday party you have in
the city will be canned, you can't possibly have one in a park.
Well you can't have it both ways to the Australian Labor Party and when it
comes to having it both ways I would have thought that Councillor
ABRAHAMS, the ‘queen of parks’, the councillor who often tries to champion
parks, would have stood up and said something. But I know and I notice that she
took herself out of the room to vote so she didn't vote against PLACA when I
put the challenge to her in the debate.
So the public consultation is out there for PLACA now. We're going to have a
conversation with the people of Brisbane and I know that the Australian Labor
Party will be out there scaremongering, but this is about making it simpler and
easier for people to get access to our parks.
Madam Chairman, just—
Chairman:
Councillor NEWTON.
Councillor BOURKE:
Well I'll keep going on PLACA. So the letter I have from Councillor
CUMMING wanting mobile food vendors in his parks down on the Bayside, the
support I've had from other councillors on the other side for mobile food
vendors, but Councillor SUTTON stands up and says we can't commercialise
our parks.
Those opposite stand fundamentally conflicted from one side of their team to the
other side of their team when it comes to the issue of parks and open space. We
know they voted against Wi-Fi in parks. They didn't want to even put Wi-Fi in
parks because it was going to be the end of the world, the end of the world. Now
they write to me and to Councillor ADAMS asking for Wi-Fi in their parks.
Come on, Madam Chairman, the Australian Labor Party needs to get honest and
realistic when it comes to—
Councillor FLESSER:
Point of order, Madam Chair?
Chairman:
Point of order against you Councillor BOURKE. Yes Councillor FLESSER?
Councillor FLESSER
Madam Chair, I'm just wondering if Councillor BOURKE would be strong
enough to answer a question from me.
Chairman:
Councillor BOURKE?
Councillor BOURKE:
Councillor FLESSER you had an hour to ask me questions earlier today. You
had question time.
Chairman:
Okay, so you're not going to take the question, thank you.
Councillor BOURKE:
No, I'm not taking the question, Madam Chairman. They had an hour. They had
an hour to ask me questions and Councillor DICK can snicker and laugh
because that's the total contribution that he makes in this place most of the time,
but—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order, order.
Councillor BOURKE:
—but when it comes—when it comes to PLACA we're getting on with the job
of making it easier and simpler for residents to use parks and to understand
where they can use some of those previously prohibited uses in our parks.
So—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order, Councillor DICK.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 84 Councillor BOURKE:
Madam Chairman, their childish interjections just go to show the level that they
want to drag this organisation down to.
So moving on as I was saying. This week we had a presentation to the
committee about the City Botanic Gardens, and it's a great honour that on
Monday 8 September the City Botanic Gardens Volunteer Guides celebrated
their 25th anniversary. Quite a milestone; they were originally set up in 1989 by
Ross McKinnon, of course who was the curator of the City Botanic Gardens and
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens for a period of time, and he set up the original
Brisbane Botanic Gardens, the ones at Mt Coot-tha Volunteer Guides in 1988 as
part of Expo. Then in 1989 he set up the City Botanic Gardens Volunteer Guides
organisation.
There's currently 36 active guides supporting residents and visitors to the City
Botanic Gardens. They come from a range of different backgrounds and I just
think that we should pay tribute to their service and dedication to the people of
Brisbane over the last 25 years, and acknowledge their contribution that they
continue to do in the City Botanic Gardens and right across the city.
Madam Chairman, before I get to the other items on the report, there was a
detailed presentation about the City Botanic Gardens and also the master
planning and the public consultation which is now open until 26 September. I
encourage all residents and all councillors to make sure they get their
submissions in on that particular item.
Talking of master planning, it's my privilege to announce this evening that as
part of the Bus and Train Tunnel project, the BaT project, that's being delivered
between the State and with Council partnership. We will be undertaking a
master planning process for Victoria Park.
Now the residents of Spring Hill are very vocal and very adamant that we need
to make sure that we plan Victoria Park. It is a space that is seeing significant
changes in the uses, it has a rich and strong history in our city, and we're in the
process of putting together a draft master plan that will be going out to the
community for consultation from 16 September to 13 October. So 13 October is
the closing date for submissions on the BaT project as a whole, but also on this
draft master plan.
The draft master plan is going to look at the future use of the park, look at
realigning some of the existing pathways, activation and obviously how the park
will be put back together post-construction of the Bus and Train Tunnel.
Madam Chairman, three other petitions on the agenda, one relating to park
naming in Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR's ward, as well as another park naming
in Councillor MARX's ward, and a petition for an unfenced dog-off-leash area.
I'll leave the petitions to debate in the Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor FLESSER?
Councillor FLESSER:
Thank you, Madam Chair, I'd like to speak to item D.
Seriatim - Clause D
Councillor Kim FLESSER requested that Clause D, PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL
DECLARE AN UNFENCED DOG OFF-LEASH AREA IN WOOLOOWIN, be taken seriatim for voting
purposes.
Councillor FLESSER:
This is a petition requesting an off-leash dog area on the bank of Kedron Brook
at Wooloowin.
I'm really disappointed that the LNP councillors in the committee voted against
having this off-leash dog area commissioned in that particular spot, and I'm not
sure what Councillor McLACHLAN will be doing but, Madam Chair, I would
hope that because this proposal would greatly benefit his residents, I would hope
that he would be voting against the proposal, the petition response today.
There's 507 petitioners and I must say that I'd like to congratulate Sally Johnson
for putting together this petition. It is very well-worded, very strong arguments
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 85 in the petition, in the background to the petition, and I note that of the 507
petitioners that have signed the petition, she's gone to the trouble of working out
the percentages of where the petitioners live, and 46.5 per cent of them live in
Hamilton Ward, 24.5 per cent in Northgate Ward and 15.8 per cent in Marchant
Ward.
Madam Chair, she's gone to a lot of detail and obviously 507 people who have
agreed to this petition obviously agree to the rationale that she's put forward for
an off-leash dog area on the bank of Kedron Brook on the Wooloowin side
between Shaw Road and probably a couple of hundred metres west of there.
The rationale that they've put in the petition they've said that it's located in an
under-utilised section of the existing floodway which forms part of the natural
walking route for residents with dogs. She says that a substantial majority of
existing users are dog owners and very few people without dogs actually use this
area.
Now, Madam Chair, the petitions also say that if the installation of an off-leash
dog area at this location is consistent with the Council's draft ClayfieldWooloowin plan which describes the location as a possible off-leash area for
dogs.
So, Madam Chair, the petitioners have gone to the trouble to do some research
and they've found that Council in the past has supported this area for an offleash dog area.
The petitioners go and say that: the parkland is on the southern side of Kedron
Brook with varied topography, includes areas of sun, shade and open space,
does not require the expense of fencing, and this makes it a highly suitable area
for an off-leash area for dogs.
Madam Chair, many councillors have got off-leash dog areas that are not
fenced. I've got a couple. I don't have any problem with them. I think that
Brisbane's residents of dog owners they understand if they go to an off-leash dog
area that's not fenced they have some extra responsibilities and I think that those
areas are working pretty good.
So, Madam Chair, I absolutely support this off-leash dog area being put at this
particular location. I'm at a bit of a loss to understand why the LNP councillors
voted against this to happen. You know, 507 petitioners, we should be taking
notice of such a large number of people who clearly want to use this is an offleash dog area.
So, Madam Chair, I don’t support the recommendation that's been put forward
by the LNP Administration posing this off-leash dog area and I hope that maybe
Councillor McLACHLAN and the other councillors on the administration of the
Council may have a change of heart and vote down the petition recommendation
today.
So, Madam Chair, I support an off-leash dog area at this location. I'm
disappointed it appears the LNP councillors do not.
Chairman:
Further debate. Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, just briefly to item B and item D, and I do have a question for Councillor
BOURKE so let's see if he can answer this when he comes up. I would like to
know how many unfenced dog off-leash areas there are in the city because I
didn't know there were any. But I'm told that there are several. So it would be
very helpful to know if Council does allow them in other areas and, if so, how
many there are because I think that would aid the discussion because it's
unsuitable—it would be in breach of the parks local and animals law.
So we can't have it both ways. It can't be a breach of the law to have an
unfenced dog off-leash area but Council actually has them in other parts of the
city and I would certainly like some clarity on how many unfenced dog off-leash
areas exist in the city.
Councillor FLESSER is actually indicating to me he's got four in his ward alone,
so why on earth would there a problem with a fifth? I would certainly like some
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 86 clarification on this because based on my reading of this report you cannot have
a dog off-leash anywhere in Brisbane.
So how are these areas being allocated, how are they being marked and I think
there should be some clarity around that because if we allow them, we need an
explanation about why it can't be allowed here. That hasn't happened. We're just
told that you can't have them because it would breach the local by-law and,
clearly, that's not the case.
So I think Councillor BOURKE should provide some further explanation to that
if, of course, he can answer this question because he's struggled all day to
answer questions.
Very briefly on item B, I note with great interest the advice in the petition on
this in paragraph 16, and I intend to use it. It's very interesting the way LNP
councillors get their way on issues and the rest of us don’t. Paragraph 16 of this
report indicates that: Council officers had made a recommendation that the park
should be officially named—this is Philip Place Park—first and then the two
sporting fields within the park could be named as a place.
Now that was the recommendation that the Council officers gave about how to
address the petition before us today re the naming of these sports fields. But then
comes the really interesting bit: however, after seeking clarification with
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR councillor for Parkinson Ward, it's been decided
to rename Phillip Place Park as Forest Lake Sports Field and not to name the
two ovals.
So, Madam Chairman, I find that fascinating because I've been told that you
can't do that, that you can name places within parks but you can't rename them
like that. Well, what's interesting here is the Council officers have given their
recommendation about how to handle this matter and Councillor OWENTAYLOR has said, no, I don’t agree, do it this way. Instead of that being
recorded in this petition response as Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR didn't agree,
they changed it all to do exactly what she wanted.
Now, Madam Chairman, that's not how it works out my way. I'd love it if the
Council officers did what I asked. That would be fantastic, and I note that
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR seems to have discovered the way to do this.
I went and had a look in the file and, you know what, it's very interesting the
way she does it. There's literally six words in there: I support the renaming. You
don't need to name the ovals. That's the extent of the feedback that got Council
to change their recommendation. It's literally six words in an email, not Dear
Glen, blah, blah, blah or Dear Whatever and, yes, I don’t agree with you, these
are the reasons. It's six words. So, Madam Chairman, the double standard in this
Council just know no bounds whatsoever.
Chairman:
Further debate. Councillor BOURKE.
Councillor BOURKE:
Look, thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Once again, selectively into the
record those on the other side of the Chamber read. Just reading from the
petition, the official ePetition: your petitioners therefore request that the sports
fields which are home to the Forest Lake Junior Rugby Union and Forest Lake
Little Athletics and the Forest Lake districts junior sporting facility be officially
named as Forest Lake Sports Fields.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for items A, B and C.
Clauses A, B and C put
Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clauses A, B and C of the report of the
Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee was declared carried on the voices.
Chairman:
I'll put the motion for item D.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 87 Clause D put
Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clause D of the report of the Environment,
Parks and Sustainability Committee was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Victoria NEWTON and Peter CUMMING immediately rose and called for a division,
which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 16 -
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Matthew BOURKE, Amanda COOPER, Margaret de WIT, Vicki HOWARD,
Steven HUANG, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX, Peter MATIC, Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS, Andrew WINES and Norm WYNDHAM.
NOES: 5 -
The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors
Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Victoria NEWTON and Shayne SUTTON.
ABSTENTIONS: 1 -
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON.
The report as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Matthew Bourke (Chairman), Councillor Fiona King (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors
Kim Flesser, Geraldine Knapp, Ryan Murphy and Peter Cumming.
A
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – CITY BOTANIC GARDENS
150/2014-15
1.
Adriana Bramley, Parks and Environmental Planning - Service Delivery Manager, Parks and
Environmental Planning, Natural Environment, Water and Sustainability Branch, City
Planning and Sustainability Division, provided a presentation on the upgrade to the City
Botanic Gardens. She provided the information below.
2.
Some historical data and information regarding the City Botanic Gardens site includes:
penal colony established in Brisbane in 1825
farm established at Gardens Point in 1828 to feed the penal settlement
settlement closed in 1842
site was reused for a public botanic garden in 1855
City Botanic Gardens along with Bowen Park form the foundation of horticulture as a
science and a practice in Queensland (famous experiments with sugar crystallization
were performed in the City Botanic Gardens and many plants of economic, medicinal
and ornamental value were established, trialled and then disseminated globally from
this place)
site for major ceremonial occasions receiving royalty and hosting cultural events and
State receptions and has always been central to the life and development of Brisbane
as a New World City
Botanic Gardens transferred to Mt Coot-tha in 1976
major redevelopment occurred between 1987 and 1989
new All-abilities playground was opened in 2014
master plan is currently underway.
3.
Recently the ‘Chairs to Share’ program and food and coffee vendors were successfully
trialled in the City Botanic Gardens. The Garden Club and Café has recently been opened in
the Curators Cottage.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 88 -
4.
The 2014 City Centre Master Plan identified the need for a ‘green spine’ to run from Roma
Street Parklands to the City Botanic Gardens. The City Botanic Gardens Master Plan
responds to cultural heritage values and key challenges and was developed with a community
reference group. Wider consultation on the plan is currently underway.
5.
The project timelines for the City Botanic Gardens Master Plan include three phases as
follows:
Phase 1
community reference group meeting number one on 19 June 2014
community reference group site tour on 21 June 2014
community site tour on 12 July 2014
Phase 2
community reference group meeting number two on 16 July 2014
draft master plan approved on 18 August 2014
community consultation between 20 August 2014 and 26 September 2014
Phase 3
community reference group meeting number three in October 2014
finalisation of the master plan in November
finalisation of the Conservation Land Management Plan in November/December
2014.
6.
The presenter explained the vision for the gardens, some of the design principles and
opportunities and priority projects.
7.
The next steps for the gardens includes:
Council’s Natural Environment, Water and Sustainability Branch will review
feedback and refine the draft master plan with input from the community reference
group
finalisation of the Conservation and Land Management Plan
seek approval for both documents from Council’s Establishment and Coordination
Committee
commence planning for implementation of priority projects with program partners.
Motion
8.
During discussion on the presentation, Councillor Kim Flesser moved the following motion:
“That this Committee support the installation of safety panic buttons in the City Botanic
Gardens as a matter of urgency.”
9.
After debate, the Chairman put the vote to the Committee and it was declared lost, with
Councillors Peter Cumming and Kim Flesser voting in favour of the motion.
10.
The Chairman thanked Ms Bramley for her informative presentation.
11.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
B
REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL FORMALLY NAME THE TWO
UNNAMED SPORTS FIELDS LOCATED WITHIN PHILLIP PLACE PARK,
FOREST LAKE, AS ‘FOREST LAKE SPORTS FIELDS’
CA14/501202
151/2014-15
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 89 -
12.
An ePetition from residents of South East Queensland, requesting that Council formally name
the two unnamed sports fields located within Phillip Place Park (D1566), Forest Lake as
‘Forest Lake Sports Fields’, was presented to Council at its meeting of 17 June 2014 by
Councillor Fiona King on behalf of Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor, and received.
13.
The Executive Manager, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure, provided the
information below.
14.
The petition contained 14 signatures.
15.
Phillip Place is a minor access point to the park and is only one of eight entries to this park,
which is known by the interim name of Phillip Place Park. The two main frontages are Forest
Lake Boulevard and College Avenue. Phillip Place Park Sports Fields are home to Forest
Lake Junior Rugby Union, Forest Lake Little Athletics and the Forest Lake District Junior
Sporting Facility.
16.
The petitioners had requested to name the unnamed sports fields in Phillip Place Park as
‘Forest Lake Sports Fields’. It was discussed with Council’s Natural Environment, Water and
Sustainability Branch that the park should be officially renamed first and then each of the two
sports fields could be named as a place within the park. However after seeking clarification
with Councillor Owen-Taylor, Councillor for Parkinson Ward, it has been decided to rename
Phillip Place Park as ‘Forest Lake Sports Fields’ and not to name the two ovals.
Funding
17.
Council’s Asset Services South will fund the park-naming signage and installation from its
recurrent budget.
Consultation
18.
Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor, Councillor for Parkinson Ward has been consulted and
supports the recommendation below.
19.
The Executive Manager recommended as follows and the Committee agrees.
20.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED THAT PHILLIP PLACE PARK WILL BE
RENAMED AS FOREST LAKE SPORTS FIELDS.
ADOPTED
C
PETITION – REQUESTING THAT THE OFFICIAL NAME OF CELICA
STREET PARK, RUNCORN, BE CHANGED TO ‘LINDSAY EVANS
MEMORIAL PARK’
CA14/508277
152/2014-15
21.
A petition from residents of Queensland, requesting that Celica Street Park, located at Celica
Street, Runcorn, be formally named ‘Lindsay Evans Memorial Park’, was presented to
Council at its meeting of 17 June 2014 by Councillor Kim Marx, and received.
22.
The Acting Executive Manager, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
provided the information below.
23.
The petition contains a total of 47 signatures.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 90 -
24.
One of the first homes to be built right beside the park at 8 Vidler Close was built by Lindsay
Evans. It is a large dominant home in the area which is a good example of Queensland design
and character, with large wrap-around verandas at the back overlooking the park.
25.
Lindsay Evans was a licenced builder but he also ran a small business called Evans Cabinets.
He and his family lived in the house for approximately 20 years. Lindsay was a communityminded good man and he often helped elderly local residents by doing odd jobs for them.
Lindsay passed away in December 2012.
26.
Councillor Kim Marx, Councillor for Karawatha Ward has met with the family (wife and two
daughters) and is very supportive of the proposed name change.
27.
Celica Street Park is a General Park and Celica Street has one of three entries to access this
park.
Funding
28.
Council’s Asset Services South will fund the park-naming signage and installation from its
recurrent budget.
29.
The Acting Executive Manager recommended as follows and the Committee agrees.
30.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED THAT Celica Street Park, Runcorn will be
renamed as Lindsay Evans Memorial Park.
ADOPTED
D
PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL DECLARE AN UNFENCED
DOG OFF-LEASH AREA IN WOOLOOWIN
CA14/588075
153/2014-15
31.
A petition from the Greater Brisbane region, requesting that Council declare an unfenced dog
off-leash area along the southern Kedron Brook floodplain in Wooloowin, was received
during Winter Recess 2014.
32.
The Divisional Manager, City Planning and Sustainability, provided the information below.
33.
The petition contains 507 signatures.
34.
The site for the proposed off-leash area extends the length between Shaw Road, Wooloowin,
and the first cycle/footbridge heading west along the floodplain. The area is Council-owned
parkland and classified as a District Corridor Link Park. The land is subject to flooding.
35.
Council’s policy for establishing dog off-leash areas is outlined in the Infrastructure Design
Planning Scheme Policy of City Plan 2014. When determining suitable dog off-leash
locations, the size of the park, demand, locality and placement of existing facilities in the area
are considered. These considerations ensure that a dog off-leash area complement and
enhance other recreation opportunities in a park.
36.
The Parks Local Law states that a dog in a park must be restrained on a leash under proper
control, so as to not cause annoyance to any person or animal. The Animals Local Law also
requires dogs to be kept under ‘effective control’, whereby a dog in an off-leash area is unable
to cause damage to a person, animal or property. Outside of an off-leash area, a dog is
required to be on a leash.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 91 -
37.
Council has considered this area unsuitable for an unfenced dog off-leash area. Allowing dogs
off-leash in this location would conflict with the Parks Local Law and Animals Local Law, in
that the dogs would not be under proper or effective control and would have the potential to
cause harm to other people or animals. Council has liability concerns about possible
third-party damage, as well as environmental impacts on water quality. In addition, the area is
in close proximity to several dog off-leash areas including Gympie Road Park, Kalinga Park
and Shaw Estate Park.
Consultation
38.
Councillor Kim Flesser, Councillor for the Northgate Ward, was consulted and does not
support the recommendation below.
39.
The Divisional Manager recommended as follows and the Committee agrees.
40.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED THAT COUNCIL HAS REVIEWED THIS
REQUEST AND DEEMED THE ZONE UNSUITABLE FOR AN UNFENCED DOG
OFF-LEASH AREA. This is due to the close proximity of several dog off-leash areas,
environmental impacts and possible liability issues to Council.
ADOPTED
ADJOURNMENT:
154/2014-15
At that time, 6.50pm, it was resolved on the motion of the Chairman, Councillor Margaret de WIT, seconded
by Councillor Krista ADAMS, that the meeting adjourn for a period of 10 minutes, to commence only when all
councillors had vacated the chamber and the doors have been locked.
Council stood adjourned at 6.51pm.
UPON RESUMPTION:
FIELD SERVICES COMMITTEE
Councillor David McLACHLAN, Chairman of the Field Services Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor
Norm WYNDHAM, that the report of that Committee held on 2 September 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor McLACHLAN:
Madam Chairman, just briefly before I get to item A before us, the presentation
that we had in Committee last week on the Waste Services Branch, I would just
like to tell members of Council about the important conference that is under way
in Perth as we speak. The Mosquito Control Association of Australia is holding
its 11th Biennial Conference in Madura.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor McLACHLAN:
Thank you very much, Councillor; I certainly will tell. This is a three-day
conference that brings together a couple of hundred of the world's experts on
mosquito control, including our own Medical Entomologist, and Professor Scott
Ritchie from James Cook University, Associate Professor Dina Fonseca of
Rutgers University of New Jersey, Joe Conlon, the technical adviser from the
American Mosquito Control Association, Mr James McNelly from the Volusia
County Mosquito Control, Florida, and numerous others. This is a three-day
conference which is, as they say here, taking a science-based approach to
mosquito control, some very important papers being delivered at this
conference.
Councillor interjecting.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 92 Councillor McLACHLAN:
There is nothing on Gambusia, Councillor SCHRINNER, I know you will be
very disappointed to hear, but there is one paper, and I'll make sure that the
Medical Entomologist does report on it, on a serious note, from Pat Dale on the
Coomera Runnelling project—past, present and future.
This is the one area of research where runnelling is undertaken by officers of
Griffith University, which our Council officers are well aware of, and I am sure
if there is anything of interest in the paper that they present, this paper of one
15-minute presentation amongst three days of scientific research on mosquito
control, I am sure the Medical Entomologist will be able to report back to us in
due course. I look forward to that presentation, and indeed anything else that is
learned from this conference in terms of the leading edge of mosquito control
based on what world experts are saying.
I also just wanted to mention briefly, because we are about to go into recess, the
garage sale trail coming up on 25 October, to remind Councillors that there will
be a lot of material that will be available during the recess period for them to
remind their residents about getting involved with the garage sale trail which is
an important opportunity to remind residents of our objectives of reuse, recycle
and not sending material through to landfill. That is a very important aspect of
our education program that will be coming around in October.
A related issue was before us in the Committee last week. Item A to the
committee report was a presentation from the Manager of Waste Services. It was
another in the series of presentations that we have been having in our committee
reports on the achievements of the branches of the Field Services Group for the
2013-14 financial year. I was pleased to see that in 2013-14, in terms of
customer perception surveys that were undertaken, ranking amongst the top
three best value Council services are the areas that we have responsibility for in
Field Services and Waste Services in particular—rubbish, recycling, cleanliness
of the local area, and cleanliness of the city—all undertakings of either the
Urban Amenities Group or the Waste Services Group within Field Services.
The officer was able to remind us of
the year, not that we are in it for the
Day and Phyllis Frost Award for
Beautiful, Sustainable Cities Award,
Mobile Muster Award.
a couple of awards that were won during
awards. But the Keep Australia Beautiful
litter prevention; the Keep Queensland
and Our Brisbane was the winner of the
These are all important elements of the work that is undertaken by Waste
Services, and a reminder also of the fundamentals that were undertaken in terms
of collections, with 284,000 tonnes of domestic waste collected, 91,000 tonnes
of recyclables collected, and 15,000 tonnes of green waste collected. These are
also covered in the annual report which goes to show that we are performing
very well, meeting or exceeding customer expectations, and this was covered
both in this report last week and in our part of the annual report which we have
debated here earlier. Thank you very much, Madam Chair; I commend it to the
Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate; I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Field Services Committee
was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor David McLachlan (Chairman), Councillor Norm Wyndham (Deputy Chairman), and
Councillors Peter Cumming, Nicole Johnston, Kim Marx and Ian McKenzie.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 93 -
A
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION
ACHIEVEMENTS 2013-14
–
WASTE
SERVICES
BRANCH
155/2014-15
1.
Arron Lee, Manager, Waste Services Branch, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure
Division, attended the meeting to provide information on the achievements of the Waste
Services Branch for the 2013-14 financial year. He provided the information below.
2.
The Waste Services Branch structure consists of four work units including: Collections,
Disposals, Waste Minimisation and Business Delivery.
3.
The Customer Perception Survey results ranked top three ‘Best value’ Council services;
rubbish, recycling and cleanliness. Council has also won three awards due to the efforts of the
Waste Services Branch:
Keep Australia Beautiful Dame Phyllis Frost Award for Brisbane City Council Litter
Prevention
Keep Queensland Beautiful Sustainable Cities Award
Mobile Muster Award.
4.
The overall achievements of the Waste Services Branch in 2013-14 were outlined. The
highlights included:
low absenteeism (below Council average)
zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI)
zero environmental incidents
all projects delivered on time and within budget
continued high-level customer satisfaction
significant industry penetration and leadership.
5.
The presenter outlined the significant achievements for each of the work units.
6.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Lee for his
informative presentation.
7.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
BRISBANE LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE
Councillor Krista ADAMS, Chairman of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor
Andrew WINES, that the report of that Committee held on 2 September 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Our presentation last week was on festivals and
events that are held through Council's Connected Communities in Your
Brisbane, Service 4.1.1.1. It is fantastic to see the photos of everything that has
happened in the last year. I spoke about this in Question Time today.
Obviously we have Brisbane Festival on at the moment; the Brisbane Writer's
Festival was on over the weekend, which was fantastic. Interesting that it
coincided with Comic-Con as well, so there were a lot of cosplayers (costume
players) walking around and joining in some of the Writer's Festival events as
well, the Queensland Music Festival and, of course, the international Film
Festival, 74 suburban community festivals, 34 multicultural festivals.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 94 I think it reaffirms, as LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK said in his budget
speech, that Brisbane is a city of festivals, and I am glad to see that the increased
funding for this service has resulted in 46 new program participants in the 201314 financial year, including 33 new suburban community festivals and 13 new
multicultural festivals. They are an integral part of our lifestyle, and I think of
the increase of 300,000 people coming to our festivals. People are voting with
their feet as well as getting out and being involved. So I recommend the
Committee report.
Chairman:
Further debate; Councillor WINES.
Councillor WINES:
Thank you, Madam Chairman; I just rise in support of the festival funding. It
truly is a great service that this Council provides to support so many community
festivals across the whole city, community and multicultural festivals. I note the
joy that events such as the Ferny Grove Festival, Christmas in the Grove and
Christmas in Keperra bring to the residents of north-west Brisbane.
I remember when I was brand new in this place that there were no festivals
funded centrally through the LORD MAYOR's budget in Enoggera Ward. There
are now three, and they are well attended and well supported by the residents of
north-west Brisbane, and I look forward to those events continuing for many
years to come.
Chairman:
Further debate; Councillor ADAMS? I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber by the Chairman, the motion for the adoption of the report of the
Brisbane Lifestyle Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Krista Adams (Chairman), Councillor Andrew Wines (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors
Steve Griffiths, Vicki Howard, Steven Huang and Victoria Newton.
A
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES – YOUR BRISBANE: SERVICE 4.1.1.1
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
156/2014-15
1.
Georgina Siddall, Acting Creative Communities Manager, Creative Communities, Connected
Communities, Brisbane Lifestyle Division, attended the meeting to provide a presentation on
Connected Communities - Your Brisbane: Service 4.1.1.1 Festivals and Events. She provided
the information below.
2.
Festivals across Brisbane contribute to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the
city. In 2013-14 there were 112 festivals and events funded through Service 4.1.1.1, they
included:
four signature city festivals; including the major Brisbane Festival, Queensland Music
Festival, Brisbane International Film Festival and Brisbane Writers' Festival.
74 suburban community festivals; including Brisbane Cabaret Festival, Brisbane
International Jazz Festival, Backyard Bonanza, Centenary Rocks and Out Of The
Box.
34 multicultural festivals, including Africa Day Festival, Eidfest, Paniyiri, Parkinson
Multicultural and Dragonboat Festival and Chanukah in the City.
3.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, in his 2013-14 budget speech, reaffirmed “that Brisbane is a city
of festivals”, and announced an increase in funding for Service 4.1.1.1. This increase in
funding resulted in 46 new program participants in the 2013-14 financial year, including 33
new suburban community festivals and 13 new multicultural festivals. A graph was displayed
that showed the growth of festivals and events from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 95 -
4.
The graph showed that in 2014-15, there is a reduced number of festivals supported from
2013-14; this is a consequence of the movement of two Shakespeare festivals in Bulimba and
Sandgate, (delivered by 4MBS) to the Arts and Cultural Organisation Support program, as
well as the Crackerjack Carnival, First Contact’s Annual Spirit of Time Festival and
Jamboree Australia Day celebrations leaving the Suburban Community Festivals program.
5.
Festivals form an integral part of the city’s cultural, community and creative life and are a
significant part of our social fabric. Support for Brisbane’s festivals and events meets key
Council priorities, specifically, Thriving Arts and Culture, as articulated in Council’s
Corporate Plan 2012-13 to 2016-17. Under 4.1 Thriving Arts and Culture, Council commits
to assisting festivals in the development of attendee numbers, service delivery and connection
to the people of Brisbane.
6.
Festivals animate and enliven the city and suburbs and in 2013-14 the total number of
residents and visitors attending these festivals and events was over 1.8 million. This was an
increase of 300,000 compared to 2012-13 even though there were significantly less festivals
in that year.
7.
In 2013-14, festivals and events funded under this service engaged 5,659 artists, spanning all
artistic genres, and arts workers, in all fields, at a total cost of $3,351,478. This means that,
because of the other revenue leveraged by these festivals and events, Council’s annual
financial investment in Service 4.1.1.1 is returned in full to artists and arts workers living and
working in Brisbane.
8.
In 2013-14, total Council investment in the Festival Funding Program Service 4.1.1.1 was
$3,351,478. In the same year, the total income of the 114 organisations in the Festival
Funding program Service 4.1.1.1 was $25,816,153. This represents a significant return on
investment; for every dollar invested by Council, the community spends $7.70.
9.
The Festival Funding program also leverages a further $368,590 in social capital through
volunteering. Festival organisers, large and small, connect with service clubs, community
groups, schools and tertiary institutions for their annual volunteer programs. These programs
are designed to not only support the festival experience of each patron but to give volunteers
the opportunity to witness and participate the behind the scenes of a major, or minor, festival
and event.
10.
Festival and events funded through this service are delivered in each and every Council ward.
Multicultural festivals give voice to the wonderfully diverse community that is Brisbane.
They celebrate communities from all corners of the globe and from a diversity of faiths.
11.
Suburban community festivals help the people of Brisbane celebrate and share their local
communities. These festivals illustrate the community spirit of Brisbane that is famous around
the world. The presenter spoke about a number of events including: Out of the Box; Caxton
Street Seafood and Wine Festival; Teneriffe Festival; Brisbane Pride Festival and the 2high
Festival.
12.
Continuously commemorated since 1916, Anzac Day is Brisbane’s longest continuously
running civic event. The Brisbane Anzac Day Parade, together with dawn vigils, memorial
services and veterans reunions have been a feature of the commemoration of Anzac Day by
the citizens of Brisbane since its earliest days. Council has provided financial support to this
event through Service 4.1.1.1 since the 2005-06 financial year. Council increased funding
support in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 financial years to commemorate the upcoming Anzac
Centenary.
13.
The signature festivals funded by Council help brand Brisbane as a New World City and
attract national and international audiences to Brisbane. Brisbane Festival for example, owned
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 96 -
by Council and the State Government, is one of Australia’s Major Arts Festivals. Simon Holt
Managing Editor of the Brisbane Times commented: “events like these are what drive our city
and indeed our State firmly into the future.” The presenter mentioned some of the highlights
of Brisbane Festival, Queensland Music Festival, Brisbane Writers Festival and Brisbane
International Film Festival.
14.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Ms Siddall for
her informative presentation.
15.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Councillor Julian SIMMONDS, Chairman of the Finance, Economic Development and Administration
Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, that the report of that Committee held
on 2 September 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate? No. I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the Finance, Economic Development and
Administration Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Julian Simmonds (Chairman), Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor (Deputy Chairman); and
Councillors Kim Flesser, Fiona King, Ryan Murphy and Shayne Sutton.
A
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
157/2014-15
1.
Shawn Day, Acting Economic Development Manager, City Planning and Economic
Development, City Planning and Sustainability Division attended the meeting to provide an
update on Small Business Support. He provided the information below.
2.
Small business support is a key focus of the Brisbane Economic Development Plan
2012-2031 and the Brisbane’s Unique Window of Opportunity report.
3.
Statistics on small businesses in Brisbane including the main industry sectors were provided.
4.
There are eight free Lord Mayor Business Forums held each year providing an opportunity
for small to medium businesses to engage with Council and connect with supportive
non-Council programs.
5.
There are four Lord Mayor Business Excellence Workshops held each year with the
workshops providing an opportunity for pre-start up and larger more well established
companies to engage and network with businesses and Council.
6.
The Business Hotline was discussed and the following information was provided:
44,172 calls from businesses have been received since the establishment of the hotline
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 97 -
-
7,968 complex enquiries
client managed calls have grown by 22 per cent since October 2012
92 per cent satisfaction rate.
7.
27 online smart forms have been established for businesses to engage with Council. Dynamic
forms have been created to increase interaction with small to medium businesses and the new
platform will provide an enhanced mechanism for interconnectivity with Council.
8.
Council has established information and self-service tools for businesses to promote their
services through the following tools:
online community/socio-demographic profiles
inner-city investment prospectus
Business in Brisbane
economic snapshot.
9.
Digital Brisbane is a strategy for a digitally-driven Brisbane economy. Digital Brisbane is
promoted through the facilitation of digital start-ups under the Lord Mayor’s Budding
Entrepreneurs program, digitalbrisbane.com.au portal for online tools and the Coderdojo
program.
10.
-
Free Wi-Fi is available in a variety of locations within the CBD including:
Queen Street Mall
King George Square
Reddacliff Place
South Bank
Chinatown Mall
Brunswick Street Mall.
11.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Day for his
informative presentation.
12.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS:
Chairman:
Councillors, are there any petitions? Councillor NEWTON.
Councillor NEWTON:
Thanks, Madam Chair; I rise to present an ePetition which actually closed a
couple of weeks ago, but there was an omission in presenting this to the Council
Chamber. It is accompanied by a paper petition of different signatories as well.
It is a petition supporting the formalisation of naming the foreshore pathway
between Cliff Street and the pier Lover's Walk, as it has been known for over
100 years.
Chairman:
Councillor McKENZIE.
Councillor McKENZIE:
Thanks, Madam Chairman; I have a petition objecting to a proposed four-storey
building in Durham Street, Coorparoo.
Chairman:
Further petitions; Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair; I have a petition calling on the LORD MAYOR and
Brisbane City Council to fund the installation of traffic lights at the intersection
of Lytton Road, Apollo Road and Thorpe Street, Bulimba to improve safety at
the intersection.
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 98 Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman, I have a petition from approximately 200 residents
calling on Council to release the south-west corridor study investigating options
for the upgrade of Oxley Road that this Council refuses to release to me.
Chairman:
Further petitions; Councillor CUMMING.
Councillor CUMMING:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a petition calling upon the Council to keep the
park in our Wynnum Central School site at 3,200 square metres. I've also got a
petition calling for the Council to allow the men's shed to remain at the
Wynnum Central State School.
Chairman:
Further petitions; Councillor MURPHY.
158/2014-15
It was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor Victoria NEWTON, that
the petitions as presented be received and referred to the Committee concerned for consideration and report.
The petitions were summarised as follows:
File No.
CA14/736971
Councillor
Victoria Newton
CA14/736903
Ian McKenzie
CA14/756566
Shayne Sutton
CA14/756504
Nicole Johnston
CA14/756441
Peter Cumming
CA14/756876
Peter Cumming
Topic
Requesting that Council formally name the foreshore pathway
'Lover's Walk'
Objection to the proposed four-storey high-density residential
development in Durham Street, Coorparoo
Requesting that Council install traffic lights at the intersection
of Lytton Road, Apollo Road and Thorpe Street, Bulimba, to
improve safety of this intersection
Requesting that Council release the full report and
recommendation for Oxley Road in the South West Corridor
Study
Requesting that Council replace the Wynnum Central School
with parkland along the frontage of Florence and Charlotte
Streets
Requesting that Council allow the Wynnum Manly and District
Men's Shed Inc. to be located on the old Wynnum Central State
School site where they currently reside
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Chairman:
Councillors, are there any statements required as a result of a Councillor
Conduct Review Panel order?
Councillors, are there any matters of General Business? Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Yes, Madam Chair, and I am conscious of the fact that I am standing between
Councillors and the Spring recess, so I will make it quick. I rise to speak tonight
on two issues: the petition that I have just presented on the Lytton Road, Thorpe
Street and Apollo Road intersection, and my previous call and renewed call that
I want to make tonight to make the Bulimba/Teneriffe Cross-river Ferry service
free.
Firstly, on the Apollo Road, Lytton Road and Thorpe Street intersection, this is
an intersection that locals in my area have been calling to be upgraded, to be
made safe, for some time now. There was a cyclist fatality there several years
ago, and that fatality occurred round about school pick-up time. Unfortunately
there was a situation where the full horror of that accident was actually seen by
parents coming to pick up their schoolchildren and some of the children
themselves.
This issue, and the request for funding of this intersection, has been a continued
priority for me as the local Councillor in Morningside Ward when it comes to
transport and traffic improvements, and it continues to be at the top of my
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 99 priority list for my budget requests in terms of intersection improvements.
Obviously the Wynnum Road corridor is a priority in terms of a road corridor
upgrade, but in terms of local intersections that require a safety improvement,
this is the number one priority in my ward. I have made a number of
representations over the years with the support of the local Bulimba State
School community and the broader community living around that area.
We have the plans for this intersection upgrade and we know how much it costs.
All we need is for this Administration to fund it. The design has been done. It is
sitting in a Council officer's drawer somewhere, or on their hard drive as the
case may be, and it just needs to be funded. So, in terms of presenting this
petition tonight, I want to renew my call on behalf of my local community that
this intersection be funded for improvement as a priority by this Council
Administration on safety grounds.
There is renewed concern about the functioning of this intersection from the
local community due to two issues. The Bulimba State School is bursting at the
seams. We have received more advice recently about even more students being
expected to be enrolled in that school, and that will have a direct impact on the
way in which the intersection functions in the morning am peak and in the
afternoon school pick-up period. There is also a very big development
application down in Taylor Street which is literally two streets away from this
intersection. If that is approved, it will mean there will be an extra vehicle on the
road every minute in the peak period.
So, quite understandably, my community has got renewed concerns about the
need to upgrade this intersection and make it safe for everyone to use. That is
why I have tabled this petition tonight, and I just say that this is not an issue that
is going to go away. I really seek the positive engagement of the DEPUTY
MAYOR and the Infrastructure Chairperson to engage on this issue so we can
start talking about timeframes of when we might actually see some action in
terms of funding for this intersection.
On making the Bulimba cross-river service free, I was heartened to hear that
there is the desire today, again in the Annual Report—from the LORD MAYOR
and Councillor MATIC to see patronage grow on our city ferry services. I can
tell you, Madam Chair, if they want patronage to grow, make the Bulimba ferry
service free. It is actually not going to be that costly to do it, when you think
about it in these terms.
Under the fares scheme that we have, the zone system that we have, Bulimba
and Teneriffe and both in zone 2. The number of patrons that get on at the
Bulimba ferry terminal to go across the river to catch the CityGlider into the city
is quite high, so making the Bulimba Ferry Terminal free is actually not going to
see any decrease in revenue, because these patrons are still going to be paying a
two-zone ticket when they get to the other side of the river.
It is more an acknowledgement to these people that they are using the public
transport services that we are putting on for them, and it is an acknowledgement
about the fact that the Bulimba to Teneriffe bridge has been talked about for
more than a hundred years, and no one has yet built it, and it is still not on the
'within 30 years' timeframe to be built.
One local resident actually said to me, you could put on the Bulimba cross-river
ferry service free for a hundred years and still not get to the cost of funding the
construction of that bridge. I think making that cross-river ferry free would be a
massive step in the right direction in terms of increasing patronage on not just
the CityFerry but also on to the CityGlider, once you get into the other side of
town. That will help with the traffic congestion problems that we are currently
experiencing along Wynnum Road, because people will have more of an option
rather than just simply getting in their cars.
The other thing that it will help, it will assist cyclists and those people who just
want to take the cross-river ferry service across the river to walk or cycle to their
employment or to the entertainment venues, cafes and restaurants along that
Newstead Teneriffe side of the river. It is true that we will forgo some revenue
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 100 from those people, but I think if you checked out the stats in terms of the
number of people crossing the river and getting on the CityGlider versus the
number of people crossing the river and going elsewhere, I would be really
interested to actually see those stats, because I would think certainly during the
week, the number of people getting on the CityGlider would far outweigh the
number of people who are walking and cycling once they get to the other side of
the river.
Again, it makes good public transport policy sense, and I don't think it would be
as costly as the proponents against the proposal would have us believe. I would
deeply love to see the stats in terms of those people who continue the journey on
to the bus on the other side of the river versus those who travel in a different
way. Perhaps the Chairperson of Public Transport might find it within him to
generously share those figures with me so we can have an open conversation
about what that might mean, but I really do think that this is good public
transport policy.
It sends a really strong message. It has been done before in terms of the inner
city ferry service, the inner city hopper service that is also free. I think this is the
next logical extension, and I will continue to advocate in this place and in the
broader community for this public transport investment.
Chairman:
Further General Business; Councillor MURPHY.
Motion that the meeting conclude
159/2014-15
Councillor Ryan MURPHY, moved, seconded by Councillor Kim MARX, that the meeting conclude. Upon
being submitted to the meeting the motion was declared carried on the voices.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Division.
Chairman:
I declare the meeting closed.
QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN:
(Questions of which due notice has been given are printed as supplied and are not edited)
Submitted by Councillor Victoria Newton (received on 4 September 2014)
Q1.
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for the 'Restoration for Recreation' $2.173m
capital expenditure under 'Service 1.8.2.1 Closed Landfill Management' in the 2014/2015 Council
Budget
PROJECT LOCATION
Q2.
DETAILS
AMOUNT
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for the 'Metropolitan and District
Playgrounds' $1.016m capital expenditure under 'Service 1.4.3.1 Parks Maintenance and Enhancement'
in the 2014/2015 Council Budget?
PROJECT LOCATION
Q4.
AMOUNT
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for the 'Stormwater Harvesting' $6.332m
capital expenditure under 'Service 1.5.1.1 Water Smart' in the 2014/2015 Council Budget?
PROJECT LOCATION
Q3.
DETAILS
DETAILS
AMOUNT
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for the 'Key City Park Upgrades' $10.436m
capital expenditure under 'Service 1.4.2.1 Park Development and Planning' in the 2014/2015 Council
Budget?
PROJECT LOCATION
DETAILS
AMOUNT
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 101 Q5.
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for Clubs and Community Centres Asbestos
Management in the 2014/15 Council Budget (4.5.2.1)?
PROJECT LOCATION
DETAILS
AMOUNT
Q6.
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for Clubs and Community Centres
Compliance Works in the 2014/15 Council Budget (4.5.2.1)?
PROJECT LOCATION
DETAILS
AMOUNT
Q7.
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for Clubs and Community Structural Repairs
in the 2014/15 Council Budget (4.5.2.1)?
PROJECT LOCATION
Q8.
AMOUNT
DETAILS
AMOUNT
DETAILS
AMOUNT
DETAILS
AMOUNT
Please provide a complete list of all projects funded with Parks Infrastructure Charges revenue received
in the 2012/2013 year including the park, project value and project description and park
PROJECT LOCATION
Q15.
DETAILS
Please provide a complete list of all projects funded with Parks Infrastructure Charges revenue received
in the 2013/2014 year including the park, project value and project description and park
PROJECT LOCATION
Q14.
AMOUNT
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for the Brisbane Access and Inclusion Plan
Implementation in the 2014/15 Council Budget (4.4.1.3)?
PROJECT LOCATION
Q13.
DETAILS
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for Sports Field and Hard Court Condition
Rehabilitation in the 2014/15 Council Budget (4.5.3.2)?
PROJECT LOCATION
Q12.
AMOUNT
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for Community Halls Maintenance and
Rehabilitation in the 2014/15 Council Budget (4.5.2.1)?
PROJECT LOCATION
Q11.
DETAILS
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations Community Hall AV Improvement Program
in the 2014/15 Council Budget (4.5.2.1)?
PROJECT LOCATION
Q10.
AMOUNT
Please provide a breakdown of the projects and locations for disability access improvements (including
DDA compliance) to Libraries in the 2014/15 Council Budget?
PROJECT LOCATION
Q9.
DETAILS
DETAILS
AMOUNT
Please advise what was the total amount of funds spent on Roads maintenance in the following
financial years:
2012/2013
2013/2014
2014/2015 (budgeted amount):
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]
- 102 Q16.
Please advise the top ten suburbs where complaints from residents about rats have been lodged in the
2013/14 year, including information on how many complaints per suburb.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN
GIVEN:
(Answers to questions of which due notice has been given are printed as supplied and are not edited)
Submitted by Councillor Nicole Johnston (from meeting on 2 September 2014)
Q1.
How many public spaces including parks, pathways and streets have been audited by Council, been
found eligible for additional lighting and are currently awaiting budget funding?
A1.
Council recently undertook safety audits of a range of public spaces raised by readers of the CourierMail in addition to other safety audits undertaken during the 2013-14 financial year's normal schedule
of work for Council's community safety team. In instances where lighting or additional lighting was
recommended and it was within Council's jurisdiction to install, Council has either completed the work
or the work is underway in this financial year.
Q2.
What is the total estimated cost of lighting for all public spaces that have been identified for additional
lighting?
A2.
An estimate of the cost of installing additional lighting in various locations in Council's jurisdiction as
a result of the audits conducted is not available at this time as quotes and invoices for this work are not
yet finalised. However, funding for these initiatives is available through Council's existing budget
allocations.
Q3.
Please provide a list by place name or street and suburb for all public spaces including parks, pathways
and streets have been audited by Council and been found eligible for additional lighting but not yet
funded?
A3.
Refer to the answer to question 1 above.
RISING OF COUNCIL:
7.20pm.
PRESENTED:
and CONFIRMED
CHAIRMAN
Council officers in attendance:
James Withers (Senior Council and Committee Officer)
Jo Camamile (Council and Committee Officer)
Billy Peers (Personal Support Officer to the Lord Mayor and Council Orderly)
[4448 (Ordinary) Meeting – 9 September 2014]