MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
The 4433 meeting of the Brisbane City Council,
held at City Hall, Brisbane
on Tuesday 1 April 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 4433 MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,
HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,
ON TUESDAY 1 APRIL 2014
Dedicated to a better Brisbane
AT 2PM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS _____________________________________________________________ i
PRESENT: ______________________________________________________________________ 1
OPENING OF MEETING: __________________________________________________________ 1
APOLOGY: _____________________________________________________________________ 1
MINUTES: _____________________________________________________________________ 1
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: __________________________________________________________ 1
QUESTION TIME: ________________________________________________________________ 7
CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS: _________________________________________ 19
ESTABLISHMENT AND COORDINATION COMMITTEE _________________________________________ 19
A REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING ON 20 FEBRUARY 2014 ______________________ 38
B ANNUAL OPERATIONAL PLAN PROGRESS AND QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED DECEMBER 2013 ___________________________________________________________ 39
C CONTRACTS AND TENDERING – REPORT TO COUNCIL OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES
FOR FEBRUARY 2014 ______________________________________________________________ 40
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ___________________________________________________________ 43
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – HELLAWELL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ________________________ 45
B PETITION – REQUEST FOR A NEW ACCESS ROAD INTO FERNY GROVE _______________________ 45
C PETITION – REQUEST A REDUCTION IN THE SPEED LIMIT AND ADDITIONAL PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
FACILITIES ALONG SKYRING TERRACE, VERNON TERRACE AND MACQUARIE STREET, NEWSTEAD 47
D PETITION – INSTALL TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES IN VAUGHAN STREET, MT GRAVATT __________ 49
PUBLIC AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ______________________________________________ 51
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL WEBSITE __________________________ 51
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE ___________________ 53
A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION (DISTRIBUTOR-RETAILER) UNDER THE SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT
2009: OPERATIONAL WORK – BULK EARTHWORKS, RECONFIGURATION OF A LOT AND
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO VARY THE EFFECT OF THE PLANNING SCHEME (RURAL TO INDUSTRY)
ON LAND AT 55A AND 59A COLEBARD STREET WEST, ACACIA RIDGE – WARAPAR RESOURCES PTY
LTD ____________________________________________________________________________ 60
ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE ____________________________________ 64
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL ________________________ 66
B PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL POSTPONE THE PLANTING OF POINCIANA TREES ON THE
ROADWAY AT MORETON AVENUE, WYNNUM, PENDING RESIDENT CONSENSUS______________ 67
FIELD SERVICES COMMITTEE _____________________________________________________________ 69
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – CONSTRUCTION BRANCH SUCCESSES _______________________ 70
BRISBANE LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE _________________________________________________________ 71
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – RAPID RESPONSE GROUP _________________________________ 77
B PETITIONS – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL EXTEND THE CORINDA LIBRARY OPENING HOURS ____ 77
FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ______________________ 79
A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – BRISBANE AIRPORT: ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF A 24/7 AIRPORT __ 79
B COMMITTEE REPORT – FINANCIAL REPORTS (ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, RATES, INVENTORY,
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, PROVISIONS AND MALLS) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 2013 _____ 80
C BUSHLAND PRESERVATION LEVY REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 2013 __________ 81
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THE 4433 MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,
HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,
ON TUESDAY 1 APRIL 2014
Dedicated to a better Brisbane
AT 2PM
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS:____________________________________________________ 81
GENERAL BUSINESS: ____________________________________________________________ 82
QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN: ________________________________ 98
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN: _____________________ 99
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THE 4433 MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,
HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,
ON TUESDAY 1 APRIL 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)
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.
APOLOGY:
589/2013-14
An apology was submitted on behalf of Councillor Victoria NEWTON, and she was granted leave of absence
from the meeting on the motion of the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Milton DICK, seconded by
Councillor Helen ABRAHAMS.
MINUTES:
590/2013-14
The Minutes of the 4432 meeting of Council held on 25 March 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 Paul Cameron - The impact of the Geebung Open Level Crossing Project
File number: 137/220/701/175
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
-2-
Chairman:
I would like to call on Mr Paul Cameron who will address the Chamber on the
impact of the Geebung open level crossing project. Orderly, please show Mr
Cameron in.
Mr Cameron, you may stand or sit, and you have five minutes.
Mr Paul Cameron:
Thank you. Councillors, LORD MAYOR and Chairperson, I address this
meeting in regards to the Geebung Open Level Crossing Replacement project,
it's impact on residents and owners of Bassano Street, Geebung. By way of
background, I purchased my property as an owner-occupier in November 2007
with the support of my parents as self-funded retirees who are in this Chamber,
and therefore who are mortgagees.
In November 2008 I moved in with my now wife who I married in February
2010. We bought our home in August 2010 and in August 2012 our first child
was born. I put the property on the market in early 2009; however, withdrew it
due to lack of interest due to the proposed project. At no time was my property
bought as an investment property. In April 2011 Councillor FLESSER wrote to
the LORD MAYOR on our behalf advising of problems we had trying to sell
our property, due to the deferred decision to build the project.
Finally in June 2011 the LORD MAYOR responded to the Councillor's letter
confirming the project has been deferred indefinitely, and that you will not
purchase our property based on a hardship policy. On 1 March 2012, almost
three months after I requested them, the LORD MAYOR advised that he will be
benevolently providing the guidelines, despite the DEPUTY LORD MAYOR
saying that he will require a Right to Information request to obtain them.
On 5 March 2012 I wrote to the LORD MAYOR outlining deficiencies in the
hardship policy, and most importantly, the definition of ‘affected’ and advised
that ‘affected’ and ‘compulsory acquisition’ is effectively the same thing. It
came to be that our property was surrounded by construction work on the south
and east sides, and a heap on the west side. Anybody would think that would
justify affected in normal speak.
All the things I stated in my letter have come to pass, including that the
property's rental value being reduced during the construction. The property has
suffered damage due to the vibration, and the property's actual value has been
reduced significantly during construction to the point that it is effectively
worthless.
In November 2013 our agent wrote to us confirming the lack of interest from
tenants and recommending a reduction of rent of 25 per cent as a result of the
tenant not renewing his lease due to noise and dust. I have recently obtained a
Right to Information search advising that no vibration monitoring reports were
prepared despite tenants reporting vibration. We are incurring additional
expenses just to pursue our rights, and we are investigating commencing
litigation for negligence.
On 31 July 2012 I was officially informed that the project was to proceed and
that you were acquiring properties for the project after I advised you that two
prospective purchasers withdrew their interest due to the announcement of this
project. At a meeting at Bassano Street attended by project officers in late 2012,
an officer made a comment to my wife and father that it was in his power to
purchase the property as he has experience of similar projects, so why did you
not purchase ours?
On 28 January 2014 I made submissions with the Geebung Overpass Alliance
on additional noise mitigation measures, lighting and security. Also, as the street
is no longer a cul-de-sac, it is less secure. You will not even consider putting up
a fence, though one has been installed on a neighbour's property on the Geebung
waterholes. No compensation has been provided despite being in a vulnerable
position and that you are causing this financial and psychological harm.
It is quite concerning, considering global warming, that you would only consider
air conditioning as part of mitigation. You will not even consider laminated
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
-3tinted windows, even though this is a minimal additional expense, the cost of
laminated windows or anything else. To date you have rejected them all on the
basis it is not recommended by consultants, and you will not consider anything
else as they do not fall within the infrastructure guidelines.
I also have confirmation that you are rejecting my submissions, but being
government, you refuse to provide a straight answer. Your reliance on
guidelines that are not law is insulting. You follow and disregard them at your
desire. The bridge is now operational, and you still have not implemented the
noise mitigations, and you will not do for some time.
Chairman:
Mr Cameron, your time has expired; thank you. If you'd like to just take a seat.
Mr Paul Cameron:
Can I summarise?
Chairman:
No, no—please take a seat. You had five minutes. That was made clear when
you applied. Just take a seat there please. DEPUTY MAYOR, do you wish to
respond?
Response by the DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER, Chairman of the Infrastructure
Committee
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Thank you, Madam Chairman, and thank you, Mr Cameron, for coming in.
Look, I understand that you have been corresponding and in contact with
Council for several years. I do have the full list of correspondence here between
yourself and Council since 2009.
The first thing I want to acknowledge is that projects such as this do come with
impacts. It is something that Council understands, and particularly during the
construction phase, there is no doubt that you cannot build a large civil
construction project without impacts. Council does, however, take its
obligations to residents and the community very seriously, and we make sure
that we comply with all relevant legislation, both State and Council, in relation
to the construction of these projects.
The first thing I did want to point out, though, is that Council has been talking
about doing this project for a very long time, and committed to building this
project. In 2007 and 2008, we consulted with residents on the original design
plans for that project. Council has had a funding commitment and a financial
commitment to this project for many years. Unfortunately that commitment
wasn't matched by the State Government, and so couldn’t proceed until 2012
with the new incoming government.
At that stage we notified residents that the project was definitely going to
proceed, and we progressed with the design and the consultation and hence the
construction works. We have at all stages tried to make this project as quick as
possible. The construction works will obviously be completed this year, but in
terms of a project of this size, they have been condensed to the shortest possible
time to try and minimise the impacts. We have also taken measures throughout
the project to try and reduce those impacts, acknowledging that there are
impacts, and some of those impacts can't be fully mitigated.
In relation to the acquisition of the properties related to the project and also
adjacent properties, I acknowledge your point about the request for a hardship
and what the definition of an affected property is. Essentially, Council will
acquire a property only if we need that property for the purposes of construction
of a project. Ultimately, the acquisition of property has to be done in such a way
that we use ratepayers' dollars effectively, so we are not in the business of
buying properties that we don't actually need to build the project.
In your case, I know that there were some properties very close by to you,
including next door that were purchased for the construction of the project.
However, the design did not include the requirement for the purchase of your
property. I also acknowledge that your property is a unit within a building that
has several other property owners as well, so it would have been a requirement
to purchase all of the units within that building, rather than just a single unit, and
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
-4that is not something that Council had the funding to do or the requirement to do
for the project to proceed.
In relation to impacts specifically on your property, Council conditioned a
survey report prior to the construction works occurring, and we engaged an
independent consultant to do that work. They essentially did an assessment of
the building before the project, and again at request of your property body
corporate there, as a result of some cracking that has appeared. That independent
consultant has not found any structural damage to the building—
Mr Paul Cameron:
Oh—can I—
Chairman:
No.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—has not found any structural damage to the building, and based on that advice,
the cracking is not of a structural nature, and is superficial. That is something
that happens on buildings right across the city for various reasons, not
necessarily associated with projects.
In relation to the treatment of noise attenuation works, I'm aware that Council
has made an offer to do various works on your property and others in the
building that relate to installation of air conditioning, mechanical ventilation and
also the glazing of the windows as well. That work is being offered based on
noise modelling between now and 2024, and essentially that noise modelling
indicated that, by 2024, the requirement for that noise attenuation work would
be in place, or it would come into effect. So that is a consistent requirement that
we have on all of our projects. We do noise modelling for a 10-year period, and
if in that 10-year period in the future noise is expected to become an issue, then
we will offer noise attenuation measures which we have done in this case.
So, in relation to your concerns, I acknowledge there definitely are impacts. I
know that you haven't always got the answers from Council that you wanted.
But we have responded on every occasion to your requests. As I mentioned, they
weren't necessarily the answers you were looking for, but Council has been very
diligent, and the project team has been very diligent in responding to every one
of your approximately 50 requests to date. Thank you for taking the time to
come in.
Chairman:
Thank you, Mr Cameron. Orderly, would you please show Mr Cameron out?
Mr John Tyrrell - Proposed changes to bus operations for 192, 199, and CityGlider bus services near
Orleigh Street, West End
File number: 137/220/701/179
Chairman:
I would like to call on Mr John Tyrrell who will address the Chamber on
proposed changes to bus operations for 192, 199 and CityGlider bus services
near Orleigh Street, West End. Orderly, please show Mr Tyrrell in.
Mr Tyrrell, you have five minutes; you can stand or sit. Please proceed.
Mr John Tyrrell:
Madam Chairman, LORD MAYOR and Councillors, my name is John Tyrrell; I
live in Orleigh Street, West End, fronting Orleigh Park and the Brisbane River.
Orleigh Street and West End are well served by the CityCat and 192, 199 bus
services, with 1040 bus movements per week.
The CityGlider bus service, which began in April 2010, added 1060 movements
per week for a total of just on 2,700, or a bus every three minutes. So at the
eastern end of Orleigh Street, we have three bus services, our ferry service and
street parking by ferry commuters, park users and residents. In late 2013,
Brisbane Transport extended this bus zone west to cover 37 per cent of Orleigh
Street. Now we have out of service Council buses and tour coaches parking for
long periods in this area, often with engines running, increasing noise and
reducing parking for commuters and park users.
All West End benefits from the fantastic ferry and bus services, but Orleigh
Street residents suffer high levels of continuous noise and traffic. I've looked to
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
-5identify changes that might improve matters without degrading the ferry and bus
services. In February I wrote to the LORD MAYOR requesting proposals. The
LORD MAYOR's reply said that Brisbane Transport officers had decided that
none of my proposals were feasible. I don't think their objections are valid, and I
hope to show you why now.
Starting with the 199, two years ago the Council resumed a block and
constructed a purpose-built turnaround at the ferry terminal corner of Orleigh
and Hoogley Streets. The CityGlider uses it mostly; the 199 service terminating
there does not. It uses Orleigh Street and back streets instead. The present 199
route and proposed changes are on page 1 in that handout.
If the 199 service began its return journey at the purpose-built bus turnaround
and departed up Hoogley Street, it would avoid Orleigh Street and the back
streets. It would reduce Orleigh Street bus movements by 760 per week, or 29
per cent. It would make the inbound and outbound routes the same, and shorten
the route. The Brisbane Transport objection was that there are too many
driveways and insufficient bus parking in the zone in Hoogley Street for this to
happen.
There are two Hoogley Street 199 bus parking spaces already in use at the bus
turnaround, and there is a third bus space in Hoogley Street on the ferry side of
the Gray Road inbound 199 stop—see the handout. That third space has been
signed and used as a bus zone in the past, and is still available now. Three
spaces are currently enough for the CityGlider overflow where the bus zone is
currently shared with the 199 service; thus three separate dedicated spaces
should be enough to cope with the 199 overflow.
A bus zone in Orleigh Street. Commuters, park users and residents would be
better off if the new bus zone in Orleigh Street was moved to a street without the
levels of bus movement and parking. The present bus zone and the proposed
zone are on page 2 of the handout. The Council should move the zone to Hill
End Terrace at the other end of Orleigh Street. Private tour buses already park
there, and Hill End Terrace has no scheduled bus movements and no commuter
parking.
Re-routing of 192 service and removal of Morry Street bus stop. The lowfrequency 192 service should follow the same route outbound as it does
inbound. The current route and proposed changes are on page 3 of your handout.
The change would need an outbound stop opposite the current inbound stop in
Hoogley Street. That location is ideal in terms of road space and noise and is the
same distance from the ferry as the current stop in Morry Street. These changes
take the 192 service off two back streets and make the current Morry Street stop
redundant. I think it should be anyway, because since the CityGlider began, it is
little used by either the 192 or the 199 apart from timing stops.
The 2013 Brisbane Transport survey disagrees, but I live there and I work from
home. Brisbane Transport also objected because people in Cordeaux Street and
west Ryan Road would be further from the bus stop; the 192 outbound service is
a connection to the CityCat and a new bus stop would be required. In response,
Cordeaux Street and west Ryan Road are already closer to the CityCat and 192
stops in Montague Road. The Morry Street stop is an unnecessary third option.
The new 192 outbound stop is the same distance from the ferry as the current
stop, and the benefits outweigh the cost.
These changes don't affect the frequency or quality of the excellent bus services
in place, but they do reduce the burden on Orleigh Street East residents, and
they share it more fairly in other places. I do have lesser points to raise; five
minutes is hardly enough. One such is that each day some CityGlider buses do
not use the bus turnaround but Brisbane Transport says this happens only
when—buses fill the Orleigh Street zone, but this is not the case. Thank you for
this opportunity.
Chairman:
Thank you, Mr Tyrrell. If you would like to just take a seat; Councillor MATIC,
do you wish to respond?
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
-6Response by Councillor Peter MATIC, Chairman of the Public and Active Transport Committee
Councillor MATIC:
Thank you, Madam Chairman, and good afternoon, Mr Tyrrell. My name is
Peter MATIC; I'm the Councillor for the Ward of Toowong and the Chairman
for the Public and Active Transport Committee. Mr Tyrrell, I've had the
opportunity to read your correspondence to the LORD MAYOR on 3 February
2014, and his lengthy response to you on 24 February 2014, and I actually went
out there today, Sir, to have a look at the points that you have raised, and stood
out at Orleigh Street watching the Gliders and the 199 that was there at the time
that I was present.
Listening to you, Sir, and looking at the issues, there are a number of things in
the LORD MAYOR's correspondence in respect of the comments that you have
raised today and in your correspondence around Morry Street. It seems that the
key issue is Morry Street and the use of Morry Street for that turning circle once
they either pass the Orleigh Street stop or stop there for a short while. I noticed
that there is signage there indicating to drivers, if they are stopping there, to turn
their motors off, which the two CityGliders did immediately upon stopping at
the Orleigh Street stop, and then the drivers got out for their break.
But it seems that the issue is that turn into Morry Street that you are talking
about, and certainly your correspondence, which you have spent a significant
amount of time putting together, with photographs indicating alternative options
to Morry Street, using Orleigh Street as the turning circle and going back up
Orleigh Street, for example, in some of those routes.
One of the issues in the LORD MAYOR's correspondence, and from what I
could see there today, was the use of Hoogley Street as the pit stop, if you like,
for those buses that would be stopped at Orleigh Street and then have to work
their way back up. I noticed that there was not a significant amount of parking
that would be available to be used for those buses. What was there was out the
front of people's residences.
I counted at least six vehicles that were parked out the front of people's homes
that would, under this option, have to be removed if that was to be implemented,
on top of the loading zone that was near that café as well, and that would be
certainly an enormous impediment on those people, and would require an
enormous amount of consultation with them in order to be able to undertake a
process such as that.
But I noticed also the issue that you raised around the road surface. I note in the
LORD MAYOR's correspondence that if that is still an issue, there is a point of
contact there. I can certainly follow that up for you as well. But I noticed also in
the LORD MAYOR's correspondence in the last paragraph, because of those
impediments around the proposal that you've got, of removing Morry Street as
the turning option and relying on Orleigh Street as the turning circle and
Hoogley Street for the layover of vehicles, that would not be possible because of
those impediments. However, in looking through that, the LORD MAYOR has
put forward that option to you at looking at those times of buses and the impacts
that that would have, and looking at reducing those where we can. I will
certainly follow that up for you as well.
I have noticed also in all of this, I haven't received anything from Councillor
ABRAHAMS on your behalf in respect of this, so I am not sure what her
position is. I know that she was previously, in respect of the CityGlider
implementation before I was the Chairman, very heavily involved and very
supportive of the CityGlider service, and very heavily involved in Orleigh Street
and where the bus route would be and where the stop would be as well.
Councillor ABRAHAMS interjecting.
Councillor MATIC:
But in respect of what her current position is—
Councillor ABRAHAMS interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRHAMS!
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
-7Councillor MATIC:
in respect of what her current position is, I am not sure—
Councillor JOHNSTON interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, be quiet.
Councillor JOHNSTON interjecting.
Councillor MATIC:
But I am sure that—
Chairman:
Just a minute, Councillor MATIC. Councillor JOHNSTON, an answer is being
given to a guest in this Chamber. Show some courtesy and some manners.
Thank you, Councillor MATIC.
Councillor MATIC:
But undoubtedly, sir, I am sure that at some point we will receive something
from Councillor ABRAHAMS on this. But in the interim, I will continue to
follow up on what the LORD MAYOR has written here around those services
and those timeframes for you, and if there is anything further as far as the road
base in Morry Street that needs to be looked at, we will certainly do that for you
as well. Thank you very much for your attendance.
Chairman:
Thank you, Mr Tyrrell.
QUESTION TIME:
Chairman:
Councillors, are there any questions of the LORD MAYOR or a Chairman of
any of the committees? Councillor MURPHY.
Question 1
Councillor MURPHY:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. I
understand that you were at a sod turning event this morning at the Metroplex
Westgate complex. Can you please detail why amenity-rich business parks such
as this are important for the economic growth of our city?
LORD MAYOR:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Yes, it is certainly the case that this
morning we saw the sod turning for the Metroplex Westgate development. This
is a very significant development in the city, some 58 hectares in size, and the
first stage of which will be a 15-hectare development. This is going to be a
250,000 square metre platform in terms of development—very significant in our
city.
In terms of the development, it will also see around 6,000 square metres of retail
and commercial space which will include other facilities for staff. Things like a
gymnasium, things like childcare, things like obviously opportunities for those
who will work there to obtain food and the like.
So, it is very significant on two fronts that are of great public benefit. The first
of those relates to that of the 10,000 jobs that this site is expected to house over
the coming period of time. In 2012, I announced the Windows of Opportunity
report. In that report, I signified that this city expected to see around 343,000
new jobs over the next 10-year period. When you look at this single site alone,
you will see about three per cent of those proposed jobs in to our future.
So, Madam Chairman, it is very, very important. It is, of course, located at
Wacol, half-way between the CBDs of Brisbane and Ipswich. It is a perfect
location for this type of development which will be largely a business industrial
park. I mentioned that there were two components of this development which
were significant. The other significant aspect of it is that it will add to the green
cover of our city, in that 19 hectares of this development will be put over to
public ownership as public and open space. This will add to that vision that we
have to have around 40 per cent of this city as green cover or open space for
future generations.
So again we see a development that provides additional industrial land use. It
provides for additional employment in significant numbers, and it provides for
that permanent long term public use of land. I today want to thank those who
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
-8have been involved in this development. It has been a long haul to reach the
point of negotiation where an outcome was achieved, infrastructure agreement
put in place, and to see the sod turning today I think is a very, very good step
forward in terms of the development of our city and, importantly, those jobs that
we create.
When I announced through that Brisbane's Unique Window of Opportunity
report that we would see some 343,000 additional jobs, I indicated that we
expected around 200,000 of those would be in the professional and managerial
areas. A lot of these jobs, obviously, will be in those areas of the trades—be in
those areas of industry workers, so it is very, very good to see that we will see a
broad spectrum of opportunities created in this city. That is why I welcome
today's sod turning and the development that will follow in relation to it. Thank
you, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK.
Question 2
Councillor DICK:
Thanks Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. Your quarterly
financial report today shows that the rates bill from one in every seven
ratepayers is purely paying the $131 million annual interest bill for your $2.3
billion Council debt. How can you justify using 100 per cent of the rates from
one in every seven ratepayers just going to a black hole of bank interest?
LORD MAYOR:
Well, Madam Chairman, most people in this city have also got a mortgage.
When you look at their household budget in terms of what goes into that
mortgage, that may well hold the answer to Councillor DICK's question. What
we are doing is building the sort of infrastructure which is inter-generational
infrastructure. We are building facilities in this city which have a 100-year life,
and I talk about game-changing infrastructure in this city which will serve our
City of Brisbane and the region in terms of the capacity of the network for a
long, long time to come.
I have reminded the Opposition before, and I do so again today, that when the
Legacy Way project is complete, we will see $400 million returned to this city
from the Federal Government, and that will be a significant reduction in terms
of loan borrowings. I am also cognisant of the fact that each and every year the
Queensland Treasury Corporation examines the financial health of this
organisation. I don't need to remind Councillor DICK that, for two years
running, we received an upgrade to our credit rating, and that credit rating was
again in the last credit review maintained as strong with a neutral outlook.
It ought to be said also that there are many, many local government authorities
around this State that are in a far, far worse position than Brisbane. In fact, the
Queensland Treasury Corporation have been at the point of sending councils to
this organisation to seek some guidance as to how to best manage the recurrent
costs of an organisation, and indeed to set a budget framework in place which
provides for building infrastructure into the future and that of also being able to
live within your means.
Councillor SIMMONDS, I think it was, has just provided to me some numbers
here which, of course, show what the per capita debt was under Labor—that is,
the debt for every man, woman and child in our city—as opposed to what it is
now. That debt showed that in—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
Well, Madam Chairman, that is—
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
—that is a direct sleight on the officers of this Council.
Chairman:
Yes.
Councillor DICK:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
-9Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Point of order against you, LORD MAYOR. Councillor SUTTON!
Councillor DICK:
The LORD MAYOR is misleading the Chamber. He clearly said Councillor
SIMMONDS gave him those figures.
Chairman:
Well, Councillor SIMMONDS handed the LORD MAYOR a piece of paper that
he is now reading from. How can you say that is misleading the Chamber?
Councillor DICK:
He just said it was provided by Council officers.
Chairman:
No. I did not hear what you said, but the LORD MAYOR—
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chair, let me be clear: the piece of paper was given to me by Councillor
SIMMONDS; the figures are figures that have been provided by officers of the
Council.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, point of order against you, LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Does that help?
Chairman:
Order! Yes, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman, as I heard Councillor DICK's question, it was about
ratepayers in the current budget, and the LORD MAYOR is not being relevant
to the question when he wants to talk about the Labor Party from I don't know
how many eons and eons ago, and I would ask you to draw him back to the
question.
Chairman;
Councillor JOHNSTON, I do not uphold your point of order. The LORD
MAYOR has every right to defend the issues at stake in Councillor DICK's
question and the way in which it was framed. LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. So look, there are a whole range of
pieces of evidence out there which suggest that this Council's financial position
is sound. In fact, again we only have to look to the Queensland Treasury
Corporation's assessment of this place, and each and every year they make that
assessment. If things were out of hand, they would be the first organisation to
say so. They weren't backwards in saying so recently when they did a review of
councils around the State again. There were some damning reports in relation to
neighbours not that far from us to the south in that regard.
Again I want to reiterate that when the Federal Government come forward with
their $400 million at the completion of Legacy Way that will come off loan
borrowings. It will not be reinvested; it will come off loan borrowings. We will
be improving in the years to come around the loan indebtedness of this city. Can
I just remind Councillor DICK of what Councillor Hinchliffe always used to
say: public debt for public infrastructure is good. Is good! That was his words,
spoken in this Chamber just a few years ago when he was Deputy Mayor of this
city, in those days of the joint LNP-Labor Cabinet.
That is where it was, and they, of course, were days when a lot of the
infrastructure leading to this indebtedness was signed jointly with a majority of
Labor Cabinet members. Councillor FLESSER, yes, Councillor ABRAHAMS
and others were there in relation to those sign-offs. So there it was. It was the
Clem7, Madam Chairman. I think I have responded to Councillor DICK. He
raises this question over and over again, and again I just say to him: if there
were problems, QTC (Queensland Treasury Corporation)—
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR, your time has expired.
LORD MAYOR:
—would be the first to be indicating that there was a problem.
Chairman:
Thank you. Councillor HUANG.
Question 3
Councillor HUANG:
Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the Chairman of the Public and
Active Transport Committee, Councillor MATIC. Could you please update the
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 10 Chamber on the successful launch of Cycling Brisbane, and detail why
initiatives such as these are important for the economic growth of our city?
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MATIC:
Thank you, Madam Chairman; it gives me great pleasure to be able to inform
the Chamber about the launch of Cycling Brisbane in greater detail, and to
clearly illustrate why it is that this side of the Chamber understands the need of
cycling across this city. This side of the Chamber clearly has a plan about
developing important infrastructure, implementing that infrastructure, and
following it up with the necessary behaviour change programs that will bring
about better outcomes for our city, unlike those opposite who told us last
week—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MATIC:
—that they only just discovered that there are cycling issues in our city two
years into a term, and that they tried to go out there and investigate these matters
further. That is what you get from those opposite.
But let's have a look at what this program really delivers. Cycling Brisbane is an
important travel behaviour strategy that we are implementing as part of our
Better Bikeways for Brisbane program. This program is about real outcomes; it
is about working with Brisbane residents to get them out there cycling in a safer
and more enjoyable fashion. This already fits within the strategy that this
Administration has clearly set down in this Chamber and is delivering on.
This side of the Chamber is investing $120 million across this term in cycling
infrastructure. It is doing it right now. It is a record amount of investment, unlike
anything seen before. Unlike anything that the ALP (Australian Labor Party) has
ever put up before. Why? Because we get it on this side of the Chamber. Why?
Because we are building for a better future, while those opposite don't
understand what cycling is about and what the challenges are across our city,
while the Leader of the Opposition is too busy out there doing a fact-finding
mission. He must have done it while he was out there reviewing the last Federal
election. We are actually getting on and delivering.
Through this $120 million investment, this side of the Chamber is delivering
real outcomes and benefits for our city. The Bicentennial Bikeway Stage 3, this
important key path across our city, over 6,000 users a day and growing. Why?
Because of the investment that this Administration has put into it. Separated
paths for pedestrians and cyclists; 560 metres of dedicated pathway; three-anda-half metres wide for cycle paths, two-metres wide for pedestrians; enhancing
safety, providing amenity, pit-stops along the way. These are the kinds of
services that cyclists and pedestrians out there want.
The Victoria Bridge Bikeway, the realignment of that bikeway to separate
pedestrians and cyclists and improve safety for all the multiple users that use
that path to go down to South Bank. Barry Parade, the connection between the
Valley and the city, installing safe on-road bike lanes on both sides of Barry
Parade and upgrading key intersections along the way, improving the safety of
cyclists through dedicated paths through the CBD and the Fortitude Valley.
Other examples such as the duplication of Kedron Brook Bikeway, our longest
and one of our most important bikeways, and our strong commitment to
continue to improve the safety and amenity of users.
This is why this program, Cycling Brisbane, works hand-in-glove with that
investment of infrastructure, because it is not just about developing and
implementing improvements in infrastructure; it is also about information and
education. An integral part of our program is the free cycling courses that are
available to all users across our city, called Back on your Bike, for those who
are starting off as first-time cyclists, and cycling in traffic for those who want to
build their confidence level in getting to and from work.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 11 These are important initiatives within this program that will help cyclists, and
we are delivering those outcomes for the benefit of all residents. Incorporated
within our program, too, is information about the multiple paths around our city
that people can use, making sure that they've got plenty of information with
maps and other helpful hints to plan their trips, to be able to get around our city
and enjoy all the different bikeways that run around all the different areas of our
suburbs.
But also as part of this is the importance of the economic development that this
program brings, in two key areas: working with residents to provide paths to and
from their workplaces; and making sure that we provide incentives and
motivation through safer paths so that people will reduce the amount of car use,
reduce traffic congestion, and improve the amount of cycling that they have.
Also, we are working with key stakeholders through our program, such as
Bicycle Queensland and Safe Cycling Australia to improve those opportunities
for cyclists, to look at better and effective ways for them to get around, and—
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor MATIC; your time has expired.
Councillor MATIC:
—working with our partners.
Question 4
Councillor DICK:
Thanks, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. You previously
announced you are cutting $16 million from public transport in this year's
budget. The quarterly report you are presenting today shows another $5 million
cut in operations. Can you confirm that if this trend continues for the rest of the
year, your cuts will total more than $20 million?
LORD MAYOR:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I thank Councillor DICK for the
question, but of course it is based on some type of hypothetical transitioning of
costs which is not the reality of the situation. We announced that there were
going to be certain changes to a significant number of routes—
Councillor DICK:
Cuts.
LORD MAYOR:
Well, that is an interesting point. Councillor DICK interjects with the word
'cuts'. How come, then, we have had a growth in patronage?
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order!
LORD MAYOR:
You see, Labor always come at things—
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
—from a premise that the more you spend, the more you get. It doesn't
necessarily work that way, Madam Chairman.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
LORD MAYOR:
Through a common sense approach in relation to the bus review we have been
able to achieve a cost saving on the one hand—remember, it is not my money, it
is not your money, it is the people's money—so we have been able to achieve—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Just a minute, LORD MAYOR. Councillor JOHNSTON, if you continue to
interject in that way, you may be warned or you may be expelled under section
186A of the City of Brisbane Act. LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Thanks, Madam Chair. So we have been able, on the one hand, to achieve a cost
reduction. On the other hand, the place where the screams were the loudest
about the cuts out around Councillor DICK's area were the very place that we
have achieved the increase in patronage, by some proper planning—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK!
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 12 LORD MAYOR:
Interjections aside, that is the fact. That is the fact. The bums are on the seats.
Councillor interjecting.
LORD MAYOR:
The bums are on the seats.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chairman, that is the facts.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor JOHNSTON;
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
LORD MAYOR:
Oh, here we go.
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR, point of order; yes, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman, you have just warned me for interjecting. Councillor
MATIC, Councillor DICK and Councillor ABRAHAMS have also been
interjecting loudly then. Why do you continue to warn me only in this Chamber
and not other Councillors that do exactly the same thing?
Chairman:
Because it is about how often and how they interject, Councillor JOHNSTON;
you should know that by now.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
It's the same thing.
Chairman:
But whilst answers are being given, please remain quiet. You asked the
question; at least listen to the answer. LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. So, the other thing that I wanted to say in
relation to this was that the budget is, in terms of what is before us today—and
that is the document that Councillor DICK is referring to, which is in the E&C
Report—is a flash in time of where the budget is at that particular time. The
reality is that the budget is the budget, and apart from what we have announced
months ago and put in place months ago, there is and have not been any
additional changes to services around that.
We undertook announcements; we had public consultation around the changes
that were made to bus routes. We then introduced those, and we have seen the
outcome of those. As I said earlier, the outcome of those is increased patronage
overall and particularly increased patronage in those areas where the Opposition
Leader and, indeed, not only here but in the State Parliament, the Opposition
leaders of both places, were claiming foul—
Councillor DICK:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order against you, LORD MAYOR; yes, Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
All this waffling has nothing to do with the question, which was very specific
about the $20 million figure. If the LORD MAYOR doesn't know how much it
is going to go up, he needs to find out. My question was specific about the $20
million figure.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK, can I ask you to read it again? There has been a lot of
disruption, and I think it would be worthwhile if you could read it again, please.
Councillor DICK:
Happy to. LORD MAYOR, you previously announced you are cutting $16
million from public transport in this year's budget. The quarterly report you are
presenting today shows another $5 million cut in operations. Can you confirm
that if this trend continues for the rest of the year, your cuts could total more
than $20 million?
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chairman, I thank Councillor DICK for reading it again. I actually did
understand it the first time.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 13 LORD MAYOR:
The $20 million is Councillor DICK's figure, and that is what I said. The budget
is the budget. The $20 million is a fictitious figure in Councillor DICK's mind,
and it is based on a premise.
Councillor interjecting.
LORD MAYOR:
Well, look at the budget, Councillor DICK. The budget is the budget, and so
Councillor DICK, I don't believe it will be anywhere near $20 million. It will be
what the budget said it would be.
Can I just say to you that we are not proposing any more cuts between now
and—as you just called them—you call them cuts—I would call them sensible
changes—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order! Councillor SUTTON. Order!
LORD MAYOR:
Sensible changes which led to—
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
—patronage increase. You see, when these people laugh, you've got to
remember that they were the custodians that watched a 20 per cent population
increase between 1991 and 2004, and just a nine per cent increase in public
transport through buses in that same period.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order!
LORD MAYOR:
Let us not forget—let us never, ever forget—
Chairman:
Just a minute, LORD MAYOR. Order!
LORD MAYOR:
Let us never forget in this place that bus patronage grew from just 44 million to
48 million between 1991 and 2004, and since 2004—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON!
LORD MAYOR:
—that patronage has grown from 48 million to 80 million people on buses
today. So, Madam Chairman, they have got no grounds on which to make these
spurious claims. We have made sensible changes which have saved public
money and which has driven patronage up out of the changes that we have
made. The Labor Party—
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR, your time has expired.
LORD MAYOR:
—don't like it because they see public transport as their own.
Chairman:
Thank you. Further questions; Councillor WINES.
Question 5
Councillor WINES:
Thank you, madam Chairman; my—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WINES:
—question is to the Chairman of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee, Councillor
ADAMS. I understand Brisbane Youth Week is being celebrated from 4th to
13th April. Can you please update the Chamber on what activities Brisbane City
Council is delivering for younger people of Brisbane during this week and detail
why initiatives such as this are important for the economic growth of our city?
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you Councillor WINES for the question. I
hope those opposite get as excited about this as they did on the last question
about what we are doing in National Youth Week coming up, as Councillor
WINES said, from 4th to 13th April. I am very excited about the amazing talents
and skills and diversity that we are going to see over those 10 days in Brisbane
for National Youth Week. This is a great opportunity to get our young people
actively participating in civic life. To do that, we realise we have to have
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 14 workshops and entertainment and avenues that are interesting to them, so we
will be launching on Friday night, in Reddacliff Place with an all-ages venue
from 6p.m. This is a major part of our Youth Strategy.
One of our priorities that we heard over and over again from those consulted
was that it was about all ages being used, that they could participate in in
Brisbane safely. So Reddacliff Place on Friday night—I have to show the poster,
because there are only probably some of us that remember what cassettes look
like, I am think that there are some people under 25 who may not even know
what it is other than—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor ADAMS:
Yes, Councillor MURPHY is asking: what's that? It's not a phone case,
Councillor MURPHY; it is a cassette. It is what old people used to use for
music.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor ADAMS:
But it is going to be a fantastic—I can say that, because I used it, LORD
MAYOR. I am putting myself in that bracket. We've got Astor'; we've got the
Academy of Brothers; we've got the Eves, we've got Go Violets; they are all
going to be there, free for our young people on Friday night. It is going to be
fantastic. The Remence Dance Showcase. The great thing about this is many of
these performers are then going to go on and work through workshops with our
Styling Up Festival that we have on at the end of May as well.
We also have many other things that we are doing during the week. Over
200,000 young people in Brisbane means we do need a very large variety. We
are looking at shaping the vision for Brisbane through their creativity. We are
looking at innovation in Brisbane in the art, in urban planning and in the
environment. Next Monday we have a multicultural youth empowerment
leadership forum, so they are going to be held at Visible Ink. It's going to have
guest speakers, workshops, presentations, activities, all about young people
realising their full potential and chasing their dreams.
On Tuesday we've got the Lord Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (LMYAC).
We've got the alumni from last year coming back, sharing with the new group
that we've got this year, about what they did—a fantastic project that they
delivered in Councillor McLACHLAN's ward, through you, Madam Chair, in
Oriel Park, that was run and delivered by the Youth Advisory Council last year.
They are also going to share their experiences—five of last year's LMYAC
students are actually in Queensland Youth Parliament this year, so they are
going to share some of those experiences on leadership and what it means to be
a leader for our young people.
On Wednesday there's going to be a focus on Youth Homeless Matters Day. So
there's an exhibition—photographs and artwork—produced by homeless young
people to connect them through organisations throughout the city. It is going to
be on at Visible Ink for Youth Week. There's going to be, again, activities and
workshops, music, dancing, and singing on that day to promote the exhibition at
Vis Ink.
You know that I am also on about the Creative Strategy in Brisbane, and we are
linking that in with our young people. There is an opportunity for our creative
young people to make their own ‘zine’ at Visible Ink. For those of you who are
not quite on the youth scene, because I needed to get the definition of this, too; a
zine is a small circulation self-published work of original or appropriated text
and image usually reproduced via photocopier. So it is about a tiny little
magazine for the youth to actually express their own ideas. They can use
typewriters, stamps, photocopies, stencils, their own imagination, and it is being
presented by Bizoo Zine, which is a workshop ideally aged for those 12 and
overs in our local libraries. Go online to find out where. Very exciting.
If you are less into the written creative and more into the dancing creative—and
we all like a good dance—you might want to learn about hip-hop 101. The
history of Australian hip-hop is going to be held in our libraries as well—Banyo,
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 15 Indooroopilly, Wynnum, Bracken Ridge, Garden City and Inala, right
throughout the week.
I think what we are seeing—there are many more activities that I might speak
about in my committee's report, but I have to say that these initiatives are
important about engaging our young people, but also making sure that they are
contributing to our economic development in the city. We are striving to
empower young people by expanding their interactions with the other young
people in Brisbane, having youth-focused activities, learning new skills, and
gaining confidence, so they one day can be effective employees, entrepreneurs
and innovators in our great city. This can only lead to a positive effect on our
social, intellectual and economic development in Brisbane. Thank you, Madam
Chair.
Chairman:
Further questions; Councillor JOHNSTON.
Question 6
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. Last
year the Queensland State Coordinator General's officers approached this
Council via Councillor ADAMS and offered this Council the use and
management of community facilities on the Yeerongpilly TOD (transit-oriented
development) site for nothing—for no cost to Council. Why did your
Administration refuse to take up the offer of free community facilities in
Tennyson Ward in the Yeerongpilly TOD?
LORD MAYOR:
I will have to take that on notice; thank you.
Chairman:
Further questions; Councillor HOWARD.
Question 7
Councillor HOWARD:
Thank you, Madam Chairman; my question is to the Chairman of the
Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee, Councillor
COOPER.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON! Consider yourself on an official warning. Sorry,
Councillor HOWARD.
Councillor HOWARD:
Councillor COOPER, I understand that one of the challenges facing Brisbane is
how we plan for 156,000 new dwellings as detailed in the South East
Queensland Regional Plan. I also understand growth must be planned in order
for it to integrate with community needs. Can you please provide an update to
this Chamber on planned communities, and explain why planning instruments
such as the Rochedale Urban Community Local Plan are important for the
economic growth of our city.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and I thank Councillor HOWARD for the
question. The Rochedale Urban Community Local Plan for those on this side of
the Chamber who actually understand and appreciate what is going on in our
city in terms of development, and particularly of course the DEPUTY MAYOR
who is actually the local Councillor down there in Rochedale, know this very,
very well. This area is one of the last remaining greenfield sites for our city. We
have been working hard—this Administration has been working very hard to
support this kind of development and certainly to encourage investment in these
parts of our city.
The LORD MAYOR was out there at Metroplex this morning. That was I think
really a key industrial investment in our city for industrial development. This, at
Rochedale, is largely more of a residential nature with the community. But it is
important to actually understand what has occurred on this site since 2010. So a
bit of a snapshot to date.
We have seen 933 residential lots. We have seen 375 units, so 52 per cent of
these have been planned, filled, and are ready for sale right now. We've got two
multimillion dollar infrastructure agreements that have been approved on the
site. These agreements actually support the $100 million development by
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 16 AVEO, formerly FKP and Pask who signed an infrastructure agreement with
Council in May 2010.
We are also in discussions with Coles about an infrastructure agreement relating
to that particular site, and we understand that is progressing very well. We have
seen Stage 1 of the new town centre that has been approved, so these new
residents will not be without those sorts of facilities they really need to develop
a strong community. We have seen 27,000 square metres of non-residential
development approved, so we anticipate that will see another 9,000 new jobs in
Rochedale, so lots of new constituents for the DEPUTY MAYOR. This is also
being coupled with an investment in our local community. So we will see 4.5
hectares of park, 2,500 square metres of community land, and over 700 metres
of road to ensure that the future of Rochedale is economically strong.
The infrastructure agreements between Council and those parties will ensure
that development does deliver those requirements for the community, but it also
will deliver 352 lots, $5.7 million worth of trunk infrastructure, and is
anticipated to create upwards of 250 jobs.
It was disappointing when we actually look back in history to see what those
opposite thought about this community building investment in Rochedale. We
note when the infrastructure agreement came to Council for discussion in 2009,
Councillor DICK actually said that they supported quality investment that is
occurring at Rochedale, but then claimed they couldn’t actually make a decision
on the infrastructure agreement and said that they were going to abstain. After a
couple of pieces of flip-flopping, which is fairly consistent with what the
Australian Labor Party do, they ended up even voting for this infrastructure
agreement. So they had really no position in any way, shape or form.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
In contrast—and the information was provided very clearly—Councillor DICK
seems to, as usual, like to rewrite history. If he is not prepared to do his job—
and we note that his deputy seems to be too busy to do her job as she admitted in
committee. She is so very, very busy, she can't be actually across her brief—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
Well, if you want to take the money to do the job—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor COOPER:
—I would suggest that you actually make time to do the job as well.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor COOPER:
In relation to this application—
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
Councillor COOPER:
I note that Councillor ABRAHAMS said I was a delight; thank you very much,
Councillor ABRAHAMS.
In contrast, this Administration is already delivering great outcomes for
Rochedale and its residents, and this is very much set to continue. Currently 567
residential allotments, 951 residential units are under assessment. So Rochedale
will see dwelling growth of 25 times its current number over the next 20 years.
Currently we've got dwelling numbers of about 260; this will rise to anticipated
6500 new dwellings over the years to come.
This will very much contribute to Council's plan for 156,000 new dwellings
under the SEQ (South East Queensland) Regional Plan. It will also, of course,
see new homes for people, but there will be new jobs; there will be new
infrastructure for the community, with roads, stormwater drainage, parks as well
as water and sewerage services.
This is going to be a fantastic new suburb with a range of employment
opportunities, with two proposed new business parks and, of course, that newly
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 17 approved town centre. These, of course, are adjacent to the brickworks industrial
area which is a key industrial hub in the south of our city. Madam Chair—
Chairman:
Councillor COOPER, your time has expired.
Councillor COOPER:
—this is a great outcome for the people of Brisbane. Thank you.
Chairman:
Thank you. Councillor DICK.
Question 8
Councillor DICK:
Thanks, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. You are
correct—Labor does support public transport; do you? When was the last time
you caught a bus, LORD MAYOR?
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chairman, I do catch public transport on occasions.
Councillor SUTTON interjecting.
LORD MAYOR:
Thank you very much, Councillor; I think I've got five minutes as I recall, to
respond to the question.
Chairman:
Yes, you have, LORD MAYOR, without interjections. There's people, in
accordance with Councillor JOHNSTON's complaint, you'll have to be warned,
Councillor SUTTON, if you are not careful. Yes, LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I have been on a bus in the last 12
months. I can't give the councillor an exact date when that might have been. But
what I do on occasions is to take the opportunity to assess for myself what the
public transportation is like. This is something that I've done religiously over
time.
I can recall on one occasion also when I did this, I specifically left from the
Eight Mile Plains Park ‘n’ ride, from that bus station. What was revealed to me
during that exercise was the number of people who come far and wide to catch
public transport from that bus station. We had people that came to there from Mt
Tambourine—in other words, they drove their motor vehicle in from Mt
Tambourine, parked at the Eight Mile Plains bus station and caught the busway
into town from there.
That is the response that I would give to Councillor DICK. I again will continue
on occasions to undertake public transport travel to ensure—
Councillor interjecting.
LORD MAYOR:
Well, you know, Councillor DICK, I thank you. I am not sure how often you
catch public transport. Maybe it's frequently; I don't know. But look, again—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
I will on occasions do that to make sure that I am in touch with what is
happening out on the network. But equally, the actual act of catching public
transport in and of itself doesn't change the desire to make sure that we have a
system that is efficient, that is effective, and that is continuing to drive up public
transport usage.
Councillor DICK interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK!
LORD MAYOR:
I would want to remind Councillor DICK that he can lower himself to these
questions, but what he ought to be reminded of is that I was the bloke, when I
was Public Transport Chairman, that took the air conditioning on our bus system
in this subtropical climate from one in every three buses having air conditioning
to 100 per cent of buses having air conditioning within my first year and a half
of being in the chair.
Councillor DICK interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK!
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 18 LORD MAYOR:
What was Labor's response to that, and the growing patronage through buying
more and more buses and putting them on to the network—new buses? Their
response was to use their numbers to remove me as Public Transport Chairman
and install Councillor Victoria NEWTON—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
—into the role. They used their numbers in this place at a time when Campbell
Newman was Lord Mayor, because they didn't like the fact that we were making
so many inroads into public transport against, again, the background where they
had simply been able to only increase public transport patronage by nine per
cent in 13 years against that population growth of 20 per cent in that same
period of time.
So, Madam Chairman, their record was abysmal. They didn’t develop road
networks because they wanted to force people onto public transport. At the same
time they didn't invest in public transport. When we started to invest with air
conditioning, with new buses, people started to vote with their feet and they
started to jump back on buses. The Labor Party hate it when we are successful
with public transport because they see it as their rightful domain. They talk
about it, but they have traditionally failed to act upon it.
So it is that the State Government and this Council will work together to get the
BaT (Bus and Train) Tunnel built and revolutionise public transport even further
in this city.
Chairman:
Thankyou. Further questions; Councillor McKENZIE.
Question 9
Councillor McKENZIE:
Thank you, Madam Chairman; my question is to the Chairman of the
Infrastructure Committee, Councillor SCHRINNER. In my own ward of
Holland Park, I often get requests for traffic calming in order to slow down
vehicular traffic and discourage rat-running.
However, in my experience as a local councillor, I've found that traffic calming
is an expensive solution that doesn't always lead to better outcomes on the
ground. Indeed, it can often cause frustration for local residents trying to get to
and from their homes, and have the unintended consequences of redirecting
traffic down alternate routes. What are some of the most common problems
Council experiences with traffic calming, and are you aware of any specific
projects that simply did not work?
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Thank you, Councillor McKENZIE, and a very good question and a pertinent
question. We know that some councillors in this Chamber love traffic calming.
They want it in every street. They are constantly asking for more of it, and they
are constantly complaining that the budget is not massively increasing for traffic
calming. But as Councillor McKENZIE points out, traffic calming can be a
double-edged sword. It is no silver bullet to the problems of speeding traffic or
rat-running, indeed.
Nowhere have we found a better example of what can be the downside of traffic
calming than in Councillor MURPHY's ward of Doboy. Councillor MURPHY
obviously was newly elected at the 2012 election, and his predecessor,
Councillor John Campbell, who was a Labor councillor, seemed to be a very big
lover of traffic calming. But in 2010, Councillor Campbell initiated a big
program to put traffic calming in Tingalpa, and in a particular location in
Tingalpa known as the Tingalpa LATM (Local Area Traffic Management).
As we know, the consultation on these projects is generally done by the
councillors. They are the ones who lobby for it, and they are the ones who
generally survey residents. Each councillor takes a different approach, but in this
case we are told that the consultation on the LATM was done very poorly, and
Councillor Campbell pushed ahead with it regardless.
Councillor MURPHY, when he was elected, inherited a situation where the
RTBU (Rail, Tram and Bus Union) was up in arms about having to drive over
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 19 endless platforms, and they specifically demanded for their bus route to be
changed so the bus drivers and their passengers wouldn’t have to go over all this
traffic calming. Councillor MURPHY obviously was concerned that the bus
route was changed. He did some local consultation of his own. He was left with
Labor's legacy problem. The results of that consultation were absolutely
fascinating. He wrote out to all residents in the area and asked them what they
thought about the traffic calming.
Supposedly this should have been done before, but here is what he found: 86 per
cent of respondents did not support the current traffic calming project—86 per
cent. What is more, 65 per cent of those people who responded wanted to see
some of the LATM components removed. So some of the speed bumps and
speed platforms removed. In fact, 59 per cent of everyone who responded
wanted at least half of the platforms removed.
So Councillor MURPHY went and did what Labor was afraid to do, and asked
people what they thought. So he has now initiated a process where we will see
half of those traffic calming platforms in the Tingalpa LATM area removed,
based on resident feedback. So what has happened here is Labor's love for
traffic calming has created the ridiculous situation where not only was a bus
route changed because the traffic calming, and people lost their bus services, but
now we have to spend ratepayers' money to remove half of the traffic calming
devices. This is a ridiculous outcome, but I have to commend Councillor
MURPHY—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—for dealing with this legacy problem that Labor created.
It is a situation we are seeing increasingly across the city. You get lots of
requests for traffic calming. In fact, Council, last time I checked, receives at
least 1,000 requests for traffic calming each year. But we have a process in
place, knowing what we know about traffic calming, to make sure that people
have a real say, and that it is only used where it is appropriate.
There is definitely a place for traffic calming. There are some streets that
definitely benefit from the installation of traffic calming, and our job as an
Administration is to make sure that only the streets where residents want it, and
where there is a clear benefit, get traffic calming installed. It is a clear
distinction between our approach and the approach of those opposite who want
to see it all over the place, a growing scourge across our city, slowing traffic
down.
That leads me to the other initiative that Council has introduced, the flashing
speed warning signs. This is an alternative to traffic calming which has been
proven, where the signs are installed, to slow down traffic. That is our
alternative approach. Rather than putting speed bumps in every street, we want
to see alternative approaches, clever approaches, use of technology that helps
slow down traffic, Madam Chairman.
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 23 March 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 20 LORD MAYOR:
Yes, thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Prior to coming to the report
itself, I would like to just make comment on a few other issues around the city.
Firstly, I would just like to acknowledge and congratulate a company based in
Newstead, a company called Sourced Grocer. This particular company, a
Brisbane-based café, has been sought out and beaten thousands and thousands of
stores around the world to be named Best Neighbourhood Shop in the
prestigious Monocle magazine.
That is a very, very big thing obviously for them, but also a big advert for our
city of Brisbane. I just extend, I am sure on behalf of all councillors here, the
congratulations to them on the great work that they have done, and the help that
they are giving to brand Brisbane as an interesting city in which to live.
Earlier today we heard Councillor ADAMS tell us that we all like a good dance.
Well, may I say, some more than others. I just want to acknowledge Councillor
ADAMS' success in winning the Dancing with the CEO's competition last
Friday night in Brisbane. Importantly it was a charity fundraiser event. That was
the basis of it, but we congratulate her on her successful performance on the
night and the money that she has raised. I am sure she would want me to thank
on her behalf all councillors that helped contribute towards her fundraising
efforts on both side of the Chamber. So thank you.
The 6 April is Be Alarmed Day. It is a reminder to change your smoke alarm
battery. I simply raise this because it is a fact that we put in smoke alarm
detectors; then there is that important task of not forgetting that they do require
battery renewal, and it is important that people remember to do that in terms of
their safety of themselves and their property. So, it is just a timely reminder for
those individuals.
Of course, Councillor MATIC mentioned earlier that, on 26 March, we had
Cycling Brisbane launched. It is out there as an incentive for people to learn
more about cycling, cycling etiquette, the interactions, the opportunities that
exist around cycling, and to broaden the interest and experience that cycling can
provide. So, for all of those, both experienced and newcomers to cycling, that is
another opportunity, if you like, in terms of that mode of transport for people.
On Thursday of last week, we saw the launch of the Red Shield Appeal for this
year. Again I commend that appeal to all councillors and to the community at
large. On Saturday I had the opportunity of opening what is I refer to as the next
generation of supermarket. In this case it was a Coles at Indooroopilly, and it is
certainly a shopping experience with a difference. These will be expanding out
across the city in different major shopping centres around Brisbane. It is just
something a little bit different. It sort of broadens the shopping experience, if
you like, so I just thank Coles for their innovation and for what will become
certainly a new world experience in terms of retail shopping and supermarket
experience generally.
I noted also that an edition of QB Monthly last weekend carried several very
significant success stories about Brisbane in it. There was the story of Craig
Scroggie, NEXTDC, being the IT company. They were previously a recipient of
the Lord Mayor's Business Achiever's Award. They show great innovation in the
ICT (information and communications technology) space. There was mention
also of the digital expo and what it is doing for our city—a whole range of
Brisbane-based experiences within that. It was a good cursory glance of a whole
range of offerings. Domino's pizza, I noticed. The digital nature of that business
was also celebrated within that lift-out magazine.
On today's agenda, we have three items. They are, firstly, the report of the Audit
Committee; secondly, the Annual Operations Plan—that is the Progress and
Quarterly Financial Report for the period end of December; and the contracts
and tendering.
I might just deal with the contracts and tendering first. A number of contracts
are in there, obviously. The first one was the pipe installation and associated
drainage work for micro-tunnelling. This is in Montague Road at West End. It
was won by Botha Boring and Tunnelling Pty Limited. The second contract
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 21 there was the Bishop Street Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge at Kelvin Grove. That
was Cragcorp Pty Limited that won that. That is a piece of bridge construction
work.
There was the South Regional Business Centre space fit-out; that was won by
Premis Solutions Pty Limited—a half a million dollar contract for $585,000.
The landscaping at Poppy Street at Hemmant was won by Naturform Pty
Limited for $117,000. Wagner CFT Manufacturing Pty Limited won a $155,000
contract to construct a boardwalk and footbridge at Poppy Street, Hemmant as
well. So a significant project out there.
Service Stream Holdings Pty Limited were awarded a $169,000 contract which
was a civil pit and conduit installation at the Holland Park Library, and Wagstaff
Piling Pty Limited were successful in getting the construction and certification
work of board piles for Creek Road, Bridge 4. The lifestyle area, development
of the Moorooka Community Centre, $745,000 there for Box and Co Pty
Limited. They also, as with others, have achieved the best value for money
index, so that work will be carried out.
The other ones on page 5 are Alphamark Pty Limited for the supply and delivery
of a self-propelled paint line marking machine, a $277,000 machine, because
line markings are a very important part of the recurrent maintenance program,
and new markings for our city. Finally, the maintenance for the CNG
(compressed natural gas) refuelling facilities at Toowong and Virginia bus
depots was won by AGL Sales Pty Limited, and that is a $237,000 project.
Item B, which is the annual operations plan and quarterly financial report, shows
a number of things. The first thing it shows is that 42 per cent of the capital
works for this particular 12-month budget was complete by the end of
December. I know you say that is less than half, but this is traditionally the case.
There is always a lead time start-up in regard to capital spends. So after a budget
is announced in June, there is the preparation work which is commenced in
terms of, be it design or programming of works, and it invariably means that less
than half of the capital is undertaken by the end of December. In fact, I can't
remember a time when more than half of the capital has been completed by
December. Suffice to say, we are on track in relation to that spend.
The matrixes associated with this particular report as set out there on page 4 also
show that, in the case of interest coverage, we have a target of less than 10 per
cent. That interest coverage target at the moment sits at 6.47 per cent. If we are
talking about debt servicing as a proportion of total income, we seek a figure of
less than 33 per cent; that currently sits at 8.79 per cent.
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR, before you continue, your time has expired.
591/2013-14
The LORD MAYOR was granted an extension of time on the motion of the DEPUTY MAYOR, seconded by
Councillor Ryan MURPHY.
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman. If you look at the net debt to total income
ratios, again we seek for that to be under 150 per cent, and it is sitting at 119 per
cent. I do point out that that is up from 91 per cent last year, and again, the
reason for that is because, in the last 12 months, we have invested enormous
amounts of money into Legacy Way, and that figure will very much be lowered
at the time when the $400 million comes through from the Federal Government
at the completion of the project.
Working capital, we seek a figure of more than 1, and that is at 1.05; total assets
to total liabilities, we seek more than 3, and that is at 7.64; and finally with
regards to average debt maturity, we seek to mature debt within a 15-year time
period, and it is currently sitting at 13.98 years. Again, that I believe will come
down once the $400 million comes through from the Federal Government. So
that is the general matrix which determines the state of the budget and the
position of the budget as at December last year.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 22 There is a setting out of the variances that are throughout the document. The
primary variations related to timing issues. In some cases, savings, but each and
every line item has a story to tell in relation to those variations. I am happy, as I
Councillor SIMMONDS, to respond to any questions that councillors may raise.
We will do our best to respond to those during the course of this debate.
Chairman:
Further debate; Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thanks, Madam Chair, and I rise to speak on all three items. I will knock over
items A and C quickly before I get to the main issues that I have with the
Operational Plan Progress and Quarterly Financial Report for the period ended
December 2013. The Audit Committee Report—well, we seem to be getting less
and less information from the Audit Committee. The first page, of course, is
taken up with who is on and who attended the meeting, and then unfortunately
we get to see that the Audit Committee gets a lot of information that Councillors
don't get. I reiterate my call for a little more information, a little more detail.
Perhaps when we talk about updates on BaSE Release 2, it would be great if the
LORD MAYOR could actually brief the Chamber on this project. I know they
like to keep BaSE hidden away—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Yes, one line in the budget should cover it all, that's right. That's the LNP
(Liberal Nation Party) way, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Order! Order!
Councillor DICK:
That's the LNP way. One line in the budget and that's all you need to know. A
bit like the quarterly report. As the LORD MAYOR says, every line item has a
story. Do you know what? One item worth millions of dollars has five words in
it—not good enough.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
Not good enough. I can hear them squealing and yelling—
Chairman:
Order! Order!
Councillor DICK:
I can hear them squealing and yelling, when the LNP are exposed, as always—
Councillor SUTTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order; yes, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
You know, consistency is a good thing. I can't hear Councillor DICK, and he is
sitting behind me, because of the howls of interjections over there. I said one
word in the LORD MAYOR's answer to a question, and you threatened to warn
me. Can you please warn the LNP Councillors as you did myself and Councillor
JOHNSTON in Question Time?
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor SUTTON. Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thank you—
Councillor SUTTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Yes, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
I would like you to rule on the point of order that I have just made.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, this is a place of political debate. There are—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
There are rules by which this Chamber should operate and there are times when
it is totally inappropriate for the sort of interjection that you made during the
LORD MAYOR's answer.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, I am not going to warn the other side. However, I would
ask that they keep the noise down a little bit. Councillor DICK.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 23 Councillor DICK:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Look, I'll get back just to finishing off on the Audit
Committee, because there isn't much to say on the Audit Committee because
there is no information provided in the Audit Committee Report. When it comes
to big projects, like BaSE, we think that this Council deserves regular updates
on that major program, and that doesn't occur. It does occur at the Audit
Committee, but it doesn’t occur in this place.
There are also other issues where the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) provided an
update on key corporate issues. QAO (Queensland Audit Office) client strategy,
sale of toll concessions to QMH (Queensland Motorways Holding), Trade Coast
bus depot lease and asset revaluations. Equally so, important information,
important business of this Council, instead of bringing one or two items in each
week that the LNP are want to do with their agendas, they'd be better to actually
bring forward this information for debate, for scrutiny, rather than hiding away
information at the E&C meetings. Now we are seeing a pattern within the Audit
Committee itself as well.
Under 8, the great mystery of the world, the Brisbane Marketing update, one of
the most secret organisations going around, and we find that the Chair of
Brisbane Marketing Audit and Risk Committee gave a presentation on the
activities of this committee. It would be great, equally so, with the $20 million
that this Council pours into Brisbane Marketing, rather than keeping it hidden
away, that actually this sort of information is brought forward out into the open.
So we won't be supporting the Audit Committee Report today because it simply
is more secrecy from the LNP. We note that this is only because the LNP are
obliged to do it because of the legal requirements, not because they want to do
it.
Moving right along to the contracts and tendering, I've got one issue that I would
like further clarification about, and that is the $585,000 to be paid as a lump sum
on the South Regional Business Centre. I understand that centre and level 2 is
vacant, and it is a space fit-out. I'd like to know what the Council is proposing to
do on that site. I understood that building was to be used for Council offices. I
certainly hope that we are not seeing a reduction in staff numbers so much that
we now are releasing floor space because we don't require that, because our staff
requirements are continually dropping.
Have there been cuts in staff in and around that area, or are we simply
transferring other services and units out into different locations? So a full
explanation about what the long-term plans for the South Regional Business
Centre would be I think of use to all councillors, particularly those Councillors
who are serviced by the hard-working officers in the South Regional Business
Centre.
Moving along to the main item today, which is of course the annual operational
plan progress and quarterly financial report, as the LORD MAYOR said, as he
glossed over a few of these items, we have serious concerns, we have serious
issues when it comes to the level of detail and the amount of secrecy in this
report. It is not good enough, as I said earlier, to have millions of dollars of cuts
and program re-allocations without any detailed information. Simply one
sentence or one line and then inserting the amount of money per item is not
good enough. It is not good government, and the LNP needs to do better when
presenting financial information.
I will start on page 4, the net debt total income ratio has increased in the last 12
months to 27.96 per cent, and we are now sitting at around 119.46 per cent. On
page 25, we are seeing later expenditure and later expenditure on two programs,
the Green Heart Community Engagement and Community Partnership for
Conservation—around $1 million in total there; a $1.623 million favourable
revenue for developer contributions. So we are getting more money in from
developer contributions for the parks infrastructure charges project on page 26,
but then on the same page, $3.433 million later expenditure in parks
infrastructure project charges. So getting more money in, spending less on those
projects.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 24 We are getting $1.8 million later expenditure related to various projects on page
26 as well, and I note on page 29, when it comes to flooding investigations and
planning under City Planning and Sustainability, $507,000 later than anticipated
expenditure due in part to project scope change. I would like some more
information, a detailed explanation, exactly what was the scope change, what
was involved with that decision, why that decision was taken, and a full
explanation. When it comes to drainage and it comes to flooding, we need, on
behalf of all ratepayers in this city, to have a full explanation when it comes to
around $0.5 million's later than anticipated expenditure.
Moving onto Brisbane Infrastructure, $2.51 million savings to provide ferry
services. Now, the LORD MAYOR uses weasel words all the time, we know
cuts when we see them. He used the word cuts today and then had to quickly
climb down from that slip of the tongue. But we know that there is at least $2.5
million in cuts and that is providing ferry services on page 35.
You can always guarantee that there'll be references to e-toll revenue. We've up
by $560,000 but yet we're looking at around $2.282 million in e-toll
management service and delivery. So Council has spent an extra $2.2 million
chasing e-toll infringements but we've only got an extra $560,000 in e-toll
revenue. So clearly we're seeing an ongoing problem with how we manage and
how we collect e-toll revenue.
Where we are up, Madam Chairman, is $455,000 favourable revenue from
searches and certificates. So we are up on page 42, but interestingly, we're
looking at $1.137 million unfavourable revenue from event bookings, due to the
withdrawal of two events. Now, this could be easily explained by the LORD
MAYOR for the two events at the Riverstage. What were the events, why were
they cancelled? Is there an issue with the event booking process? This is on page
48 for the LORD MAYOR's benefit. I note that the Riverstage is proposed to be
upgraded as part of the City Centre Master Plan, but there was around $502,000
favourable savings from the cancelled event bookings. I'm guessing these are
probably staffing costs as well.
So if we could have a full explanation on those items. Look, we're still listing
$252,000 unfavourable allocation between capital and expense for the City Hal
restoration project. Now—
Chairman:
Councillor DICK, your time has expired.
592/2013-14
The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Milton DICK was granted an extension of time on the motion of
Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, seconded by Councillor Shayne SUTTON.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thanks, Madam Chair, I thank the LORD MAYOR and the Chamber. Look, I
wanted to just simply put on the record, we have been working and operating in
this City Hall, in this terrific building, I want to know when will the City Hall
Restoration project be complete? We're still looking at dealing with this issue,
there could be some unfinished business there. I call for a full explanation there
as well.
$920,000 favourable revenue from public health licenses. Now other revenue
and enforcement revenue. This is part of city amenity and food safety on part of
the Brisbane lifestyle portfolio on page 52. So I'd like a breakdown today on
how much of this is made up of enforcement revenue and particularly how many
fines are being issued and what are the natures of those fines.
Look, we're—and you may be able to assist with this, Madam Chair. There's a
$207,000 unfavourable payment for the Local Government Association of
Queensland (LGAQ) and the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors Association
membership fees. Perhaps we are fast-tracking our membership fees, and that's
under the support for elected representatives. I certainly would like some
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 25 explanation for the LORD MAYOR about why we are seeing an unfavourable
payment there. There could be new requirements put into place, I'm not sure.
But as I said, with the limited information provided, that's why I ask these
questions, to get a full explanation. Now there could be very logical reasons but
we don't get it from reading through these papers today. One sentence or a
couple of words doesn't cut it when it comes to looking at how the budget is
being rephrased or reframed. I know the LORD MAYOR said this is a snapshot
in time but we also need to know where we're travelling with the budget as well.
Brisbane Transport is ahead of budget by $8.6 million for the December '13, '14
quarter on page 69 and patronage figures are tracking slightly lower than they
should be for mid-way through the financial year. We just heard in question time
today that they are allegedly going through the roof, but Brisbane Transport has
a favourable expense around $11.2 million with the key factor being savings on
labour and services.
Now, today I asked the LORD MAYOR a simple question about the $20 million
figure. He bounced around that quite a lot and said that we won't be cutting any
more than the $16 million. Well I still say $16 million in cuts in public transport
is too much but these papers today that we're dealing with—and I know the
LORD MAYOR only catches the bus once a year, but—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
That's what he confirmed.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
That's fine—okay, all right, moving on, Madam Chair. Anyway, Madam Chair,
they don't like it. Well that's the truth. So, Madam Chair, when I'm looking at
those figures, the first quarterly financial report showed favourable expenses,
which was around savings of $5.4 million as a result of cost and savings in
internal charges—also known as cuts. The second quarterly financial report
shows favourable expenses, which is really savings around $11.2 million, as a
result of savings on labour and material and services.
So we are seeing changes in the budget. That's the issue that I have and on behalf
of the commuters, we need more information than the LORD MAYOR saying,
well every line has a story. Well the problem is, the story is so short, no one can
actually tell what this Administration is actually doing. It's a very short story
indeed. So we are concerned that we are going to see a blow-out in those costs.
I'm delighted to note the LORD MAYOR has ruled out not one more dollar will
be spent than the $16 million in cuts that he has already allocated.
So, Madam Chair, once again we're seeing a report with very little detail but,
once again, we're seeing a report being brought forward to this Chamber today
with—once the budget's brought in, significant changes, significant delays and
we know why that is, because all of our money is being tied up in debt servicing
and debt payments and we now are looking at more pain for the ratepayers of
Brisbane and this report delivers that today.
Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor HOWARD.
Councillor HOWARD:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise to speak to item C and
thank you for the opportunity to briefly talk to the report and specifically to the
Bishop Street Bridge reinstatement which is contract number 530008 to
Cragcorp Pty Ltd trading as Queensland Bridge & Civil for $967,120. I know
that locals from the Enoggera Creek walking group, Downey Park Dog Park
group and others are very much looking forward, as am I, Madam Chairman, to
being able to cross the creek conveniently and safely again.
Residents will be aware that the old bridge was a popular pedestrian and cyclist
crossing that was damaged beyond repair during last year's Australia Day storm
event and closed for safety reasons. This project will improve accessibility for
north side pedestrians and cyclists, with residents of the southern side of
Enoggera Creek benefiting from the convenient access to the Enoggera Creek
Bikeway, Spencer Park and Wilston Recreational Reserve.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 26 I understand how important this link is for the local community, which is why
the new bridge will have greater flood resilience and be four metres wide, which
is twice as wide as the old bridge. Residents will be pleased to hear that the new
bridge will be made of per-cast concrete to increase durability and flood
resilience and will be widened from 1.8 to four metres to improve safety and
reduce the likelihood of conflict between cyclists and pedestrians. Lights will
also be installed along the bridge for increased user safety.
Logistically, Madam Chairman, I understand work will generally take place
between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday and I have asked our BCC
(Brisbane City Council) operators and contractors to try and minimise noise,
dust and vibration impacts from the works as well as truck movements in the
local area. I thank the community for their understanding and patience as
Council works to restore this asset. Another example, Madam Chairman, of this
Administration building for a better future.
Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak on items A and B and C—all
three—and I'll do A first. I, too, have noticed—somebody different must be
doing the minutes, I think, because they actually—the tone of them is a little bit
different to what we've been getting previously as well, but sadly they seem to
have the same instructions on how to prepare them which is not to provide any
useful information in the audit report whatsoever.
The concern I have is one that I've raised in this place previously and one that I
thought had been solved. We found that a few—a couple of years ago, the Audit
Committee members weren't turning up to the Audit Committee meetings and
that again appears to be a problem in this report. I know the LORD MAYOR
undertook last time to find out why those Audit Committee members weren't
attending the meetings and I say to you, Madam Chairman, to the LORD
MAYOR through you, there seems to be the problem that is occurring again, that
the Audit Committee members are not attending the Audit Committee meeting
and that is a great concern.
If we, as councillors, are not being allowed to have the detailed information
about the risk and financial integrity measures that this Audit Committee is
looking at, Madam Chairman, I would expect the members who are on that
committee would turn up and actively participate in every meeting. If they can't
do that, I think we need to find some other Audit Committee members that can.
Again, we do need, LORD MAYOR, to make sure these people can attend the
meetings and that they will do so. It is a statutory role and it is extremely
important that they are there for the meetings. It's not good when there are more
observers at a meeting than there are members of that committee for the meeting.
I also, just briefly, note that there is a lot less information about the sort of at-risk
projects, which used to be listed in a bit more detail, and that seems to have
stopped. I don't think that's because there are less at-risk projects but I do believe
there is perhaps some change to the way the minutes are being recorded that is a
problem. You've had a meeting for two hours and yet we've got a page and a bit
of what happened at that meeting. That's not enough detail.
Just briefly with respect to item C, there is an issue—in the spirit of the LORD
MAYOR saying he'd be happy to answer our questions today, either the LORD
MAYOR or the Finance Chairman perhaps can explain why, in the contracts and
tendering report, the South Regional Business Centre level 2 vacant space bid
out, why we're spending almost $600,000 on a bid out for a vacant space on the
South Regional Business Centre.
I would have thought that that's a CBIC (City of Brisbane Investment
Corporation Pty Ltd) requirement, as the owner of that building, to undertake
that work, so I would certainly like some explanation about why Council's
paying for those bid out costs and—well, we own the CBIC, but why it's
appearing in our transaction lines rather than in their budget.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 27 Now the most important issue today is the annual operational plan and the
quarterly financial report. Councillor DICK is right, there is a real problem with
the way in which this Administration has fallen foul of its promise—which it
used to repeat in this place over and over again—that they were the most
transparent administration, the most open administration. We haven't heard it
from them for years and that is because the information that they are bringing to
this Council has less and less detail and less and less accountability every single
Council meeting.
Now, the quarterly report usually is a place where you can identify where major
changes to expenditure are happening. Now the quarterly report we have before
us today is worded very differently to they have been in the past. When you look
at it, Madam Chairman, on some occasions you'd be thinking, well what does
this mean? The same language appears and the only difference between the line
items listed is an F or a U, a favourable or an unfavourable
Madam Chairman, the accounts do tell a story and that story needs explanation
from the LORD MAYOR or the Finance Chairman today. So I raise the
following issues of concern that I would certainly like some information
provided to me, the Council Chamber and Brisbane ratepayers about why there
are changes—significant changes to our budgetary process?
Now if this just happened once, a year or even a few changes, it would be a
problem. But we see report after report, carry-overs, roll-overs, cuts and we see
major changes to the budget that are being done without any explanation to the
people of Brisbane. The LORD MAYOR stands up in June and announces the
budget and for that one day of the year, he says, this is what we're going to do.
Every day thereafter, he says what we're going to cut, roll over and delay. That is
what these documents before us show today, Madam Chairman.
I would like some explanation certainly about why we are delaying weeding.
Now I don't think that's a big one. So we are—we've basically underspent almost
$300,000 on weeding around the city and I can tell you, Madam Chairman, the
groups I look after are desperate for money in our parks to undertake weeding.
They're not getting that money and I can see it is being rolled over and not
expended as budgeted. That is not good enough and we need an explanation as to
why.
It is exactly the same with managing trees on public land. $1.5 million dollars
less is being spent this quarter and is being rolled over into next quarter. Now
$1.5 million out of our tree budget is a lot of money. I think the ratepayers
deserve to know why it takes this Council so long to undertake the basic services
that they pay rates for. It takes up to 12 months to get a tree trimmed in this city.
There is a massive waiting list to get trees trimmed, and why is it we can't spend
the money we budgeted just six or seven months ago?
Why is it we can't spend that money on tree trimming? What's going so wrong in
the operational and the delivery services of this Council that we can't spend $1.5
million in tree trimming services? I think it needs an explanation. I think,
Madam Chairman, that there are real concerns in the ability of this
Administration to effectively manage the essential basic services that the
ratepayers of Brisbane are after.
It's the same story, Madam Chairman, when it comes to parks and equipment.
We know the LORD MAYOR won't support the delivery of a park at Rocklea,
but there is also, Madam Chairman, $3.5 million that's being rolled over in other
park infrastructure around the city. No explanation as to why, he's said
Councillor SIMMONDS will answer all the questions, I hope he's taking notes.
Because, Madam Chairman, I would like an answer, the Council would like an
answer and the ratepayers of Brisbane would like an answer.
There are numerous other problems, Madam Chairman. A big one I'd like an
answer on, why is there such a big gap, about $1.3 million, between the revenue
we've received from the State Government for the management of Roma Street
and South Bank parklands and the costs that we are paying out. So I would
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 28 certainly like to know that we are not, as a Council, out of pocket for the
administration of that land.
Because it was handed over to us on the basis that the State Government would
cover those costs. I would certainly like the Finance Chairman to confirm that is
the case and that this Council is not out of pocket, as it appears to be, on page 28
of the annual report and financial statements that we have here before us today.
We can also see the real impact of the LORD MAYOR's bus cuts. We all know,
if you come to Public and Active Transport Committee, that every week I ask the
same questions which are deflected or ignored by Councillor MATIC about what
the impact of the bus cuts that are being planned by this Administration will
have. Month after month and week after week, he refused to answer. Well today
we can see there's a bit problem. We can see that the bus cuts mean that we're
getting less revenue in from TransLink and that's great, Madam Chairman, if bus
patronage is going up, why is TransLink paying us nearly $3 million less than
they would have otherwise?
So why is it, if patronage is going up, we are getting less?
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Is it? I don't know, I would like Councillor SIMMONDS to stand up and explain
it to me. If patronage is going up, as we've been told, if everything's hunky dory,
why is there less money coming in?
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Well, I'll let him explain, we've had the offer of it. So there's a real problem.
There is a real problem with what is going on. Plus, this $3.3 million in savings
on buses. Well, Madam Chairman, I didn't want the buses cut out my way, the
people who live in Corinda lost their bus service altogether. They haven't got an
alternative service to hop onto, they just don't have a bus, LORD MAYOR, and
that's not good enough.
We can see right through this document that there are serious problems like the
$2.2 million it is costing us to get toll revenue in—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, your time has expired. Further debate—
Councillor MURPHY:
Happy April Fool's, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Councillor MURPHY, just a minute. Councillor SIMMONDS was up first.
Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor MURPHY:
Madam Chairman, happy April Fool's. Madam Chairman, I want to talk about
item C, contracts and tendering and I want to refer to the $117,139 contract for
landscaping at Poppy Street at Hemmant, which was won by Naturform Pty Ltd,
as well as the $155,462 for the construction of a boardwalk footbridge at Poppy
Street, Hemmant, won by Wagners CFT Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Madam
Chairman. These are, of course, packages of work that form part of the creation
of a brand new parkland there at Poppy Street in Hemmant.
I want to note that it's the second such new park that's been constructed in
Hemmant in as many years, Madam Chairman, under this Administration. After
land resumptions are taken into account, this will be a project that is worth over
$2 million for the area, Madam Chairman, so it is a significant investment. This
new park will provide a green link between the streets of Hemmant in that area
and Aquarium Passage, Madam Chairman. It will open up Aquarium Passage for
the residents of the area and the workers that work in the business parks there.
As part of the scope of works, we've undertaken a very extensive program of
rehabilitation. We've removed a lot of waste and garbage. The site was used as a
dumping ground before then, so Council has removed a lot of waste from there
as well as a lot of weeds, pepper trees, things which shouldn't have been there
along the waterfront, Madam Chairman. So I want to really just comment the
Council officers, the LORD MAYOR and Councillor BOURKE for the work
that they've done in allocating the money and getting this project—which was
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 29 thought to potentially take up to three years but will be completed mid-way
through this year, Madam Chairman.
Key to the project is—and I want to thank them—the Port of Brisbane Rotary
organisation, Madam Chairman, particularly Bill Benham, the current Secretary
and past president who, for the last decade, has lobbied incredibly hard to make
this project see the light of day. It's their contribution towards the fishing
platforms that will be installed as part of these works that have made this project
possible.
So, Madam Chairman, on behalf of the community, I'd like to thank them
especially and commend the project. I hope that when works are complete, that
we'll be able to open this part and I'm certainly planning on naming the park in
Mr Benham's honour as a recognition of the commitment that he's had towards
getting this project off the ground. Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on item A briefly and item B of this
report. Firstly, the Audit Committee Report which is item A. Madam Chair, this
Council is meant to be the highest decision making body of this Council. We are
elected councillors in this place and are supposed to have a responsibility under
the City of Brisbane Act to make decisions in the best interest of the people of
Brisbane in terms of the information and decisions that are coming to this place
each and every week.
Madam Chair, we can't do that if this Administration continues to withhold
critical information from us when it comes to the position of this Council's
finances. These two items today on this E&C report, items A of the audit report
and B the Annual Operation Plan and Quarterly Financial Report are the
embodiment of the secrecy that has draped its dark cloak over this building.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
This is an appalling display of governance in this city. Any self-respecting board
member could never bring themselves to support the content of these reports as
they are presented here today. The content of the Audit Committee report is
quite frankly a joke. It provides us with no information about critical projects
that are in the interest of all employees of this Council and to Brisbane
ratepayers. It is not good enough.
If the LORD MAYOR and Councillor SIMMONDS believe it is, well they
should get themselves off to a good governance seminar or workshop or
education lesson. The Institute of Company Directors perhaps needs to have
them on board for a course because this is not good governance that we are
seeing from this Council. I'm going to spend the rest of my time highlighting
some of the critical questions in the quarterly financial report that this
Administration should be standing up and explaining.
I note, this item only comes to Council this week when there are no committee
meetings for councillors to ask the relevant chairpersons questions prior to
consideration this afternoon. Had this report come last week, myself on the
Finance Committee and Councillor FLESSER could have asked Councillor
SIMMONDS a range of questions and each of the Opposition councillors could
have asked the respective chairpersons questions—
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, point of order against you, Councillor SUTTON. Yes, Councillor
SIMMONDS?
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Clearly misleading the Chamber. Councillor SUTTON rarely asks me questions
on these reports.
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor SIMMONDS, that's not really a point of order.
Councillor SUTTON:
I think that's called too cute. There's another word I'd call it and that is—the first
word is s, second word is a but I won't say it.
Chairman:
I suggest you just get on with your debate, Councillor SUTTON.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 30 Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
No I didn't hit a raw nerve, Councillor BOURKE, it's just arrogance in the
extreme.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
The content of this report—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
—reflects the arrogance that this LNP Administration is now governing with.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
So, let's just start and let's just start with your portfolio, Councillor BOURKE,
Clean, Green and WaterSmart City program. This LORD MAYOR stood up
when the State Government announced the transition of the Roma Street
Parklands—Roma Street and South Bank Parklands to this Council for
operation, both the LORD MAYOR and the Premier swore black and blue that
there would be no additional cost to Council and that Council would be
recompensed.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON. Just a moment please. Could I ask the gentleman in the
gallery to please—yes, keep feet off the seats, thank you. Thank you, Councillor
SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Page 27 clearly shows that in this quarter there is a $1.3 million deficit in terms
of the cost of the parklands; Roma Street Parklands and South Bank Parklands,
to this Council, why? When the protestations to the contrary when this deal first
took place, why has this Administration refused to provide the details of this
transition to the general public to the media, to councillors in this place? Why
are they keeping that deal secret? All we know about it is last quarter, it cost us
$1.3 million.
Councillor BOURKE, sustainable water management, $352,000 unfavourable
variance for, quote, earlier land acquisition costs. Where? What project? You
stand up and explain. You tell us where and what project? Public Health and
Safety program, law enforcement and animal management services,
unfavourable variance of $0.5 million for, quote, operational expenses. What
operational expenses? Why have we got $0.5 million extra in these operational
expenses? What has gone on? Someone stand up and give me the answer to that.
$207,000 worth of lower expenses due to the maintenance of our cemeteries over
Christmases. So is this Council telling us that we are maintaining our cemeteries
less over the Christmas period, at a time when more relatives traditionally will
come and visit to pay their respects to the loved ones that they have lost? Is that
what this report indicates? Because I would really like to know.
Page 48, under the Your Brisbane program, $232,000 revenue reallocated to golf
services under the community facilities management process. Why? What
revenue was it and why was it reallocated to the golf services? $1.128 million
expenditure due to a change of site of the Southside Performing Arts Complex.
Now apparently, a site that they were looking at located at the Port of Brisbane
has fallen through. You don't think there should be some disclosure of that? You
don't think there should be a report or an update to the media, to the community?
The LORD MAYOR stood up in his budget speech when the budget was
delivered and said, ta-da, we're going to deliver a Southside Performing Arts
program. How much money did they spend investigating this site? Why did that
site fall through? What's going on? Someone needs to get up and make some
disclosures. Madam Chair, as Councillor DICK and Councillor JOHNSTON
have indicated, the $11.2 million that this Council has saved on labour, material
and services due to their public transport cuts.
Less money—the LORD MAYOR stands up in question time and says, we've
got more patronage, well as Councillor JOHNSTON says, and here to you
Councillor JOHNSTON, if there are more people using it and paying for more
tickets, why, then, is there less revenue from TransLink? You tell us, particularly
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 31 as they keep jacking up the public transport fares. Why are we getting less
money if apparently more people—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
No, no, no, don't you tell at me Councillor SIMMONDS, I will take you on any
day of the week.
Chairman:
Order. Councillor SUTTON. Councillor SIMMONDS, just a minute. Councillor
SUTTON, please—just don't be distracted and keep your voice down a little.
Councillor SUTTON:
Who? Me or Councillor SIMMONDS?
Chairman:
Yes, you.
Councillor SUTTON:
Because I've got the floor.
Chairman:
Yes, you've got the floor and you're yelling as much as Councillor JOHNSTON
was last week when I pulled her up.
Councillor SUTTON:
Well maybe I'm yelling to get over the interjections of the LNP councillors that
aren't being called into line.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
Madam Chair, I continue and I won't be distracted. Page 62, Councillor
SIMMONDS' own portfolio. Finance Management and Planning, Organisational
Services, $293,000 unfavourable variance revenue. That's all it says. Where
from? Who to? What's going on there? $7.5 million, Organisational Services on
property management, all of it's there as a favourable variance. $7.5 million.
What does it say? Quote, revenue to be reallocated. Where's the revenue from?
Where's it being reallocated to? Simple questions that deserve an answer if we
are supposed to be undertaking our responsibilities under the City of Brisbane
Act to actually make decisions on whether or not to endorse this financial report
this afternoon.
Property management, office of the CEO (Chief Executive Officer), $362,000
unfavourable variance, cost associated with security services and labour. What
security services? Why are we paying $362,000 extra on security services?
These questions deserve answers. Another one, property infrastructure, $1.278
million, again, on property management, costs to be reallocated. What costs were
they and where were they going to be reallocated to? Effective management and
administration, again, City Governance program, $2.122 million, costs to be
reallocated.
Where is this detail? If Councillor SIMMONDS is worth his salt as the finance
chairperson in this city, he shouldn't have to take any of these questions on
notice, he should be able to get up and provide the answers here, now, in this
Chamber, in this debate this afternoon.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
To every single one. I note, $243,000 favourable variance because, quote, the
Federal Government bus driver trainee subsidies for trainees is to be reallocated
because, of course, we're not training extra bus drivers any more because we're
not providing the services.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
Madam Chair, I go on. There is more and more here to get through. These are
legitimate questions that we deserve and answer—that we deserve answers to.
Again, Your Brisbane portfolio—
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, your time has expired.
Councillor SUTTON:
Oh, what a shame, Madam Chair, because I still had pages to go.
Chairman:
Order. Councillor SUTTON, your time has expired. Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak on all items, A, B and
C. First of all, in terms of the Audit Committee, just of course—
Chairman:
Order.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 32 Councillor SIMMONDS:
—to thank—well, I take the interjection from the other side that they'd rather go
to afternoon tea. Do you want your answers or do you want to go and eat some
catering? Really.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
You're not interested in answers. Just goes to show, they're not interested in
answers—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
They're not interested in answers, all they want is to score the political points
and try and get their headline, Madam Chairman. I obviously support—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
I'd like to say—I'd like to say, firstly, if I can get over the top of them, that it's a
pleasure to stand up as a member of the most open and transparent
administration that this Council has ever seen.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
The most open and transparent administration this Council has ever seen bar
none.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Bar none, Madam Chairman, and it's a pleasure to rise.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Audit Committee, to start off with the Audit Committee, obviously to thank the
Committee for their ongoing work.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
In relation to the Opposition's questioning regarding not enough information,
well, again, I would say that the Audit Committee receives—it's like Groundhog
Day, I say the same thing every time—the Audit Committee gets information on
these projects regarding their financial accounting and their accounting
treatments, all of that information then obviously comes to us as part of quarterly
reviews, the budget and the 3BR (third budget review). Now, if they want to ask
a program question relating to the progress of these particular items, I'm here
every week during Council, I've never been asked a question.
In two years that I've been running the Finance Committee, do you know how
many questions I've received from the Opposition councillors on BaSE?
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Two? Five? Zero.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Zero, through you, Madam Chairman, zippo, none, nada, not a one. Not a one.
Two years in Finance Committee, three years in the budget, three information
sessions, Madam Chairman, and a debate on the budget every year. Every
Finance Committee for two years, not a single question. Not a single question.
These people weren't just born—they were born with silver spoons in their
mouths, Madam Chairman, they want the information served up on a silver
platter.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
They don't want to do any work.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 33 Councillor SIMMONDS:
We heard Councillor ABRAHAMS, too busy to do her job. She's too busy to ask
questions in the Committee—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Well this is what—
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Order. Point of order—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Just a minute. Councillor SIMMONDS, point of order against you. Yes,
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman, the items we're debating today are the annual operational plan
and quarterly financial report. I have, and other councillors have asked genuine
questions that the LORD MAYOR said Councillor SIMMONDS would answer.
I would ask you to draw him back to the report and the LORD MAYOR's
direction to him to facilitate a real debate about the items before us today.
Chairman:
I don't recall the LORD MAYOR giving Councillor SIMMONDS any
directions. But Councillor SIMMONDS has 10 minutes, we've still got eight
minutes to go. Thank you, Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman, and I will come to that item and
obviously answer quite a few questions. I'm happy for them to move that I get an
extension of time if they'd like.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Madam Chairman, so that's item A. That's the Audit Committee. If I could jump
quickly to item C, the contracts. Again, obviously, I support this item, I just want
to answer the question regarding the South Regional Business Centre. So this is
fit-out costs that Council is bearing to fit out the spare space in the South
Regional Business Centre as it currently stands for Council offices, Madam
Chairman. So it would be responsible of us if we are going to have Council
officers work in that office that they have a fitted out office. I think that's pretty
self-explanatory.
Madam Chairman, item B, the second quarter report. So, Madam Chairman, the
second quarter report shows this Council is in a strong financial position. A
strong financial position. If you look at the overalls, if you look at the ratio—if
we start on page 4 at the ratio, this is all bits that they glossed over, the
opposition councillors. If you look on page 4, you see the ratios which are
indicative of effective financial management, you see that all targets are being
met.
This goes to the LORD MAYOR's earlier point today that if there was a problem
with the financials of this organisation, the QTC (Queensland Treasury
Corporation) would be the first to raise it and so far they're upgraded our credit
rating twice and we've maintained a strong rating last financial year.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Now, we've made no secret of the fact that we are borrowing to fund essential
infrastructure. We don't borrow to keep the lights on like Labor does, like the
Labor State Government do, but we do borrow for essential infrastructure. We've
made no secret of that. We know that Legacy Way, Robinson Road and
Telegraph Road Rail Crossings and KSD (Kingsford Smith Drive), Madam
Chairman, are all the type of projects that this Administration is undertaking.
I note here, Madam Chairman, I note here that when they talked about finance
costs, which are in this report, they glossed over the fact that under Labor, net
debt per person was $2,440 per person, under this Administration, it's $2,084 per
person, Madam Chairman. What they glossed over is the percentage of budget
used to pay debt—so this is the percentage of the budget that is used to pay the
debt, that's what they were talking about earlier, was 13 per cent under Labor.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 34 Under Labor, 13 per cent of their budget went to paying debt. Under this
Administration, it's 6.42 per cent. Wow. How more sustainable is that?
Under Labor, they glossed over the fact that the finance costs compared to
budget size were almost 14 per cent. Under us, it's a little over four per cent,
Madam Chairman. Those are facts, those are the facts of the matter. Despite the
pleading of the councillors on the other side.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
I'd also say that the overall financial picture in this report shows that total
expenses have been kept under control with only a 0.7 per cent increase on the
same period last year, that's despite a CPI (consumer price index) increase of 2.5
per cent. So this Administration is continuing to use ratepayers' money very,
very wisely.
In terms of responding to some of the concerns of those opposite, again, I feel
like I'm in Groundhog Day, I have to explain this every time. They are not that
silly, they are just being deliberately obtuse. The fact of the matter is, this is a
quarterly report. It is not a budget review. A quarterly report cannot cut money
out of a budget, it cannot move money, it cannot add money. It is a quarterly
report, it is a snapshot in time. Any of those changes come through as a budget
review and are debated and then are either approved or not approved by this
Chamber.
It is also a snapshot in time against the budget figures, Madam Chairman. So we
know the best endeavours are done when building the budget. For example, if we
put in $1 million to the budget, we will then say, well, that's $250,000 per
quarter so half way through the year you should have spent $500,000. That's
how we do it, it's a very—it's a broad brush. Now we know that specific projects
have very different requirements to that.
Councillor BOURKE, who has to procure playground equipment and that takes
six months before he can procure it and then install it in the latter half of the
years, cannot spend half his budget, Madam Chairman. He cannot spend exactly
50 per cent of his budget after 50 per cent of the year has elapsed. It is not
possible, Madam Chairman, so what this does, what this allows the Council to
see, it's not changes in the budget but allows to see the progress of some
projects, Madam Chairman, and in most cases there is a very good reason why a
project is either ahead or behind the budget.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
So—well, I take Councillor SUTTON's interjection. She and her colleagues used
the word cuts. They're not cuts. They're not cuts.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
There's no money being removed from the budget because of this item. That's
the important point.
Councillor SUTTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order, Councillor SIMMONDS, against you. Yes, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
I claim to be misrepresented.
Chairman:
Thank you. Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Well, while we're on Councillor
SUTTON, let's take one of her big criticisms. Because she—let's all remember,
Councillor SUTTON is my shadow, right? So if anyone on that side of the
Chamber is across this financial report, surely it's Councillor SUTTON. Surely?
Surely?
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Say it isn't so that it's otherwise? Now her first big complaint was South Bank
and Roma Street— why are we spending more money than what the State
Government's giving us? Good question.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 35 Councillor SUTTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Yes, point of order against—
Councillor SUTTON:
I would like to claim to be misrepresented twice on that.
Chairman:
Okay, so you don't have a question about that. Thanks, Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
No, I'm not. Councillor SIMMONDS was referring to a question that you asked.
You claimed to be misrepresented by what he was saying. Councillor
SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. She's worried, isn't she? She's
worried; she's not sure where this is going. Madam Chairman, I can tell you that,
on the page of the quarterly report, page 27, it talks about Roma Street and South
Bank Parklands, it talks about a favourable revenue variance of $1.4 million.
What does favourable mean? It means we've got more revenue than we
anticipated. Wow, okay, all right. Well—so I've got more revenue, maybe I've
spent more as well.
So then I go onto the report and see a $2.75 million favourable variance in cost.
Now costs are favourable when there's less of them. So guess what? A $2.7
million favourable variance in cost means I've spent $2.7 million less.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
So I've received $1.4 million more than I thought I've had and I've spent $2.7
million less. Councillor SUTTON, my shadow, cannot even read. Cannot even
read this report. How embarrassing. She's pretty quiet now. We've seen her the
most quiet that she's been this whole time. She's pretty quiet now.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
I'll go on to a few other—
Chairman:
Order. Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
I'm happy to answer their questions, Madam Chairman, if they'd like me to
continue.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
I'll go on to a few others, Madam Chairman. The LGAQ payment, for example.
Well, again, this is a timing issue. We can't pay 50 per cent of an LGAQ
payment and then pay the other 50 per cent when it suits us. We pay the whole
amount, a lump sum, we pay our invoice. Therefore, guess what? As a timing
variance, we have spent more than the 50 per cent allocated for 50 per cent of the
time. It's rocket science, isn't it. Amazing how—what happens when you read
the report? You get to understand it.
Chairman:
Councillor SIMMONDS, your time has expired.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Oh, Madam Chairman, I was only just warming up.
Councillor MURPHY:
Madam Chairman, I move that Council now adjourn—
Chairman:
No, just a minute. Sit down, Councillor SUTTON. Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor MURPHY:
Madam Chairman, I move that Council now adjourn for afternoon tea for—
Chairman:
Oh, I thought you were moving an extension, sorry. Councillor SUTTON. You
claimed misrepresentation on two occasions.
Councillor SUTTON:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. On two points. Councillor SIMMONDS claimed
that I had stood up and said cuts, cuts, cuts everywhere. I did not, I asked a series
of questions across a whole range of portfolios and asked him to explain the
variances and why project variances were occurring.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
Which he didn't do in his response. On the second front, yes, I did highlight the
South Bank issue. Councillor SIMMONDS said, she asked why we are spending
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 36 more. I said that it appeared that there was a deficit and the key point, though, I
made on that, was that this Administration and the State Government have never
disclosed the details of the deal of the handover and that was the key point.
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor SUTTON. Councillor MURPHY.
ADJOURNMENT:
593/2013-14
At that time, 4.15pm, 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 4.16pm.
UPON RESUMPTION:
Chairman:
Further debate on the E&C? Councillor FLESSER.
Councillor FLESSER:
Thank you, Madam Chairman, just like to make some comments on the quarterly
report, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'd like to congratulate the Administration,
they've made an absolute clean sweep of the financial ratios this time. Every
single one of them is going backwards. Every single financial ratio has gone
backward from last time, Madam Chair. I think that was a record, I think last
time one of them was heading in the right direction but this time, no, it's every
single one.
So the interest coverage, it's going in the wrong direction from five per cent to
6.47 per cent, the debt servicing total income ratio going from 7.5 per cent to 8.9
per cent; wrong direction. Net debt total income ratio going from 91 per cent to
119 per cent, Madam Chairman. If I can just spend a minute talking about that.
Madam Chair, this is the ratio that Peter Costello said that said governments
should stick to no more than 60 per cent. Madam Chair, what are we looking at?
119.46 per cent.
So when Peter Costello did an audit of the State Government's finances, he said,
look, it's way over the top—I don't even think it was 119 per cent, Madam Chair,
I think it was less than that but he said, no, It should be 60 per cent. Well what
have we got today? This Council, 119 per cent. So, Madam Chair, I had a little
bit of a look at this level in years gone by and I did have a look back in the 2003,
2004 era, Madam Chair, and looked at the annual report from 2004. I looked at
what that ratio was because very few of the ratios are directly comparable to the
ones that we're presented with today.
Madam Chair, what do you see there? Back in 2003, the ratio was 64 per cent,
2004 was 60.7 per cent. That's about where it should be. But it's not, Madam
Chair, it's not that today. It's 119 per cent, Madam Chair. That is almost twice
what Peter Costello says governments should stick to when it comes to the net
debt total income ratio, Madam Chair. So I don't know why the LORD
MAYOR's proud of that and he says, oh look, it's within target. Well, Madam
Chair, anyone can set targets that are a lot higher than what they need to be and I
certainly would be arguing that 119 per cent, Madam Chair, is miles too high,
twice as much as what it should be, even according to the former Federal
Treasurer, Madam Chair.
So what we see in this financial report, Madam Chair, is some figures that
should really be worrying for Brisbane's ratepayers. Madam Chair, one of the
items that shows up in section 1, Madam Chair, the statement of comprehensive
income, Madam Chair, shows that the interest that Council has paid this year,
and up to 31 December, $62 million and it's expected to cost $131 million this
financial year. $131 million dead money, interest payments, going to our
finances, Madam Chair. That's an awful lot of road upgrades and park upgrades
and money spent on libraries, Madam Chair, $131 million.
When you compare that $131 million to the—when you look at the actual
number of ratepayers there are in Brisbane, Madam Chair, which is about
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 37 450,000, now what we find is that each ratepayer is actually paying about $291 a
year in dead money, just in interest. So when they get their rates bill each year,
Madam Chair, about $291 of that is going in dead money. So, Madam Chair, we
know that the rates revenue expected this year, the net revenue is about $864
million so, Madam Chair, about one in every 6.6 ratepayers—so when you walk
up and down the street, one in every 6.6 ratepayers, Madam Chair, their total
amount of rates they're paying is just going to dead money. Just going into
interest payments.
So, Madam Chair, a couple of the comments that Councillor SCHRINNER made
when he talked about debt, and—Councillor SIMMONDS made, Madam Chair,
about debt, it always fascinates me about how he can make it so complex when
he talks about 2008, 2009 dollars or 2013, 2014 dollars and that is one of the
answers to the questions today. He talks about the answers in 2013 and 2014
dollars including wage growth, then there's extra calculations incorporating EBA
(enterprise bargaining agreement) pay increases, Madam Chair.
At that time, 4.40pm, the Deputy Chairman, Councillor Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, assumed the Chair.
Councillor FLESSER:
The simply facts are that Councillor SCHRINNER actually did her job back in
2008 and produced a graph. I've raised this matter with the current Chair of
Finance not long ago, Madam Chair. Councillor SIMMONDS claimed that the
net debt was $2.8 billion or something in 2013 dollars or whatever he makes it
up, Madam Chair. That is in stark contrast to what Councillor SCHRINNER was
saying not too long ago when he said that the net debt back in 1991 was only
$1.6 billion.
So, Madam Chair, it seems that no matter how high this Council's debt goes,
Councillor SIMMONDS is able to find some figures, make up some figures that
always makes it look as if it was worse in the past. Madam Chair, that's what's
happening because the document that Councillor SCHRINNER produced clearly
shows that the amount of debt we have today is way in excess of what it has ever
been in Brisbane City Council, Madam Chair, way in excess.
You've got to keep in mind that the vast majority of that debt is invested in—is
as a result of toll tunnels, Madam Chair. When you look at the debt that previous
administrations have been investing in, especially in the 1970s when Clem Jones
was here, when debt did increase, was in infrastructure that affected every single
person in Brisbane. In sewage and water, Madam Chair, the sorts of
infrastructure that every ratepayer was getting a benefit from.
The tunnels, at the moment Madam Chair, sure I use them, most councillors use
them—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor FLESSER:
—but, Madam Chair, ratepayers of Bracken Ridge, they're paying for them,
ratepayers in my ward, ratepayers in Marchant, they're paying for it, Madam
Chair. They're not necessarily getting a benefit and we know who the big
beneficiaries of the next tunnel that's going to be built are going to be, Madam
Chair, that's Ipswich ratepayers. That's who are going to be the big beneficiaries.
So, Madam Chair, councillor—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor FLESSER:
Councillor SIMMONDS talks about QTC and QTC saying, oh no, the debt's
fine. Well, Madam Chair, QTC are our financiers, they know that this Council
can just increase rates if debt becomes too big a problem. They know that
because, Madam Chair, that's what this Council's been doing for years. Been
increasing debt and increasing rates to pay for it, Madam Chair. QTC, they don't
look at whether the money is going to good causes, Madam Chair, they don't
make assessments on that, they don't make assessments on what Brisbane's
ratepayers think the money should be spent on, Madam Chair, they just look to
see whether the Council can afford to pay the repayments, Madam Chair.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 38 If we keep increasing rates by six per cent, as we have been in the last few years,
of course we can keep paying those interest payments. But, Madam Chair, what's
the effect on ratepayers? Madam Chair, increasing debt means rates keep going
up; that's what's been happening, that's what's going to continue to happen
irrespective of all the advice, the LORD MAYOR's coming in here and saying,
oh, but we're going to get $400 million from the Federal Government next year.
Madam Chair, even when we get that, this Council's debt is too high. It is too
high, we're not providing the services out in the suburbs that we should be in
relation to the amount of rates that ratepayers are paying. Madam Chair, we've
got to remember when Brisbane's ratepayers pay their rates, they are also paying
to the Council when they're paying their water bills, Madam Chair, another
enormous cost. Madam Chair, I think that figure is around $364. So when
average Brisbane ratepayer pays their water bill, about $364 of that is coming
straight back to this Council.
So when you look at the amount of rates that ratepayers are paying that goes in
the interest, the amount of water charges that ratepayers are paying that come
directly back to this Council, Madam Chair, I think that an average ratepayer
would say that enough is enough. This Council's debt is too high, rates are too
high, Madam Chair, and it's about time we started doing something about it by
cutting back on the fat cat bonuses, cutting back on the money we spend on
Brisbane Marketing, fixing up the CityCycle debacle, Madam Chair. There are
ways to save money, this Council just doesn't have the nerve to do it.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate? Nothing further, I will now put the report.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Establishment and
Coordination Committee was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Milton DICK and Councillor Helen ABRAHAMS
immediately rose and called for a division, which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 18 -
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: 6 -
The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors
Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS, and
Shayne SUTTON.
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,
Amanda Cooper, Peter Matic, David McLachlan, and Julian Simmonds.
A
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING ON 20 FEBRUARY 2014
109/695/586/6
594/2013-14
1.
The Chief Executive Officer provided the information below.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 39 -
2.
Section 201 of the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 requires that as soon as practicable after
a meeting of the Audit Committee, Council must be given a written report about the matters
reviewed at the meeting and the Committee’s recommendations about the matters.
3.
The Chief Executive Officer is to present the report mentioned in subsection (1)(c) of section
201 at the next meeting of the Council.
4.
The Chief Executive Officer submits the following recommendation with which the
Committee agrees.
5.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING
ON 20 FEBRUARY 2014 AS SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, submitted on file.
ADOPTED
B
ANNUAL OPERATIONAL PLAN PROGRESS AND QUARTERLY
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 2013
134/695/317/344
595/2013-14
6.
The Divisional Manager, Organisational Services Division, provided the information below.
7.
The City of Brisbane Regulation 2012, section 196(2) and (3), state that the Chief Executive
Officer must present financial reports to Council at least quarterly. The reports are to state the
progress that has been made in relation to Council’s budget.
8.
The financial report set out in Attachment B, submitted on file, separately identifies and
reports the financial results of Brisbane City Council, Brisbane City Council Core Services
(i.e. Council excluding business units) and Brisbane City Council Business Units. The written
commentaries provide an explanation of the figures.
9.
Section 166(3), City of Brisbane Regulation 2012, states that the Chief Executive Officer
must present a written assessment of the Council’s progress towards implementing the annual
operational plan to Council at least quarterly.
10.
The previous financial report for the period ended 27 September 2013 was presented to
Council on 26 November 2013. The current report relates to the period ended 27 December
2013. It is not practicable for the current report to include results to a later date due to the
length of the process required to gather explanations of those results from across the
organisation.
11.
The Divisional Manager submits the following recommendation with which the Committee
agrees.
12.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL RESOLVES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ATTACHMENT A,
hereunder.
Attachment A
DRAFT RESOLUTION
TO NOTE THE ANNUAL OPERATIONAL PLAN PROGRESS AND QUARTERLY
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 2013
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 40 -
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT
(1)
As:
(a)
(b)
(2)
Section 196(2) and (3) of the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012, requires that
the Chief Executive Officer present financial reports to Council at least
quarterly.
Section 166(3) of the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 states that the Chief
Executive Officer must present a written assessment of Council’s progress
towards implementing the annual operational plan to Council at least
quarterly.
Then:
(a)
Council directs that the Annual Operational Plan progress and Quarterly
Financial Report for the period ending December 2013, as set out in
Attachment B, be noted as submitted on file.
ADOPTED
C
CONTRACTS AND TENDERING – REPORT TO COUNCIL
CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR FEBRUARY 2014
109/695/586/2
OF
596/2013-14
13.
The Chief Executive Officer provided the information below.
14.
Sections 238 and 239 of the City of Brisbane Act 2010 provide that Council may delegate
some of its powers. Those powers include the power to enter into contracts under S. 242 of
the Act.
15.
Council has previously delegated some powers to make, vary or discharge contracts for the
procurement of goods, services or works. Council made these delegations to the
Establishment and Coordination Committee and the Chief Executive Officer.
16.
The City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 (“the Regulation”) was made pursuant to the City of
Brisbane Act 2010. Section 227 in Chapter 6 (Part 4) of the Regulation provides that: (1) The
Council must, as soon as practicable after entering into a contract under this chapter worth
$200,000 or more (exclusive of GST), publish relevant details of the contract on Council’s
website; (2) The relevant details must be published under subsection (1) for a period of at
least 12 months; (3) Also, if a person asks the Council to give relevant details of a Contract,
the Council must allow the person to inspect the relevant details at the Council’s public
office. ‘Relevant details’ is defined in S. 227 in Chapter 6 (Part 4) (SS.4) as including: (a) the
person with whom Council has entered into the contract; (b) the value of the contract; and (c)
the purpose of the contract (e.g. the particular goods or services to be supplied under the
contract).
17.
The Chief Executive Officer submits the following recommendation with which the
Committee agrees.
18.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE REPORT OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY
DELEGATES FOR FEBRUARY 2014, AS SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, hereunder.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 41 -
Attachment A
Contract/Quote No. &
Successful Contractor/s
BRISBANE INFRASTRUCTURE
1.
City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 – Chapter 6 - Contracting
Details of Contracts Accepted by Delegates of Council for February 2014
Delegate
Nature of
Contract/Quote
Unsuccessful Tenders
Arrangement
Purpose
& Quoters
and Estimated
Maximum
Expenditure
CPO
Lump sum
$1,385,360
Contract No: 520010
Bothar Boring and Tunnelling Pty Ltd $1,385,360
Achieved highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 5.64.
2.
CPO
Contract No: 530008
Schedule
rates
$967,120
Cragcorp Pty Ltd t/a Queensland
Bridge & Civil - $967,120
Achieved highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 75.
3.
Pipe Installation and Tunnelcorp Pty Ltd
Associated
Drainage Achieved VFM of 2.75.
Work
by
Micro
Tunnelling at Beesley
Street and Montague
Road, West End – Stage
2
$3,147,866
Lump sum
$585,000
Contract No: 530028
Premis Solutions Pty Ltd - $585,000
Achieved highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 15.38.
EM
Field Lump sum
4.
Services
$117,139
Group
Contract No: 530080
Naturform Pty Ltd - $117,139
Achieved highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 69.4
EM
Field Lump sum
5.
Services
$155,462
Group
Contract No: 530081
Wagner CFT Manufacturing Pty Ltd $155,462
Achieved highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 52.7
CPO
6.
Contract No: 530107
Schedule
rates
$169,670
Service Stream Holdings Pty Ltd t/a
SEQUD - $169,670
Achieved highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 51.8.
Approval,
Start/End
Dates &
Term
Approved
13.02.14
Start
07.04.14
End
Expected
completion
within
weeks
of Bishop Street Pedestrian Moggill Constructions Pty Ltd
and
Cycle
Bridge, Achieved VFM of 56.
Kelvin Grove
McIlwain Civil Engineering Pty Ltd
Achieved VFM of 47.
Doval Constructions (Qld) Pty Ltd
Achieved VFM of 43.
CPO
Prices
Tendered
$1,006,913
$1,137,031
Approved
13.02.14
Start
18.02.14
End
31.05.14
$1,282,377
Davbridge Properties Pty Ltd t/a $1,035,895
Davbridge Constructions
Achieved VFM of 35.
South Regional Business Box & Co
$643,385
Centre – Level 2 Vacant Achieved VFM of 12.43
Space Fitout
PBI Australia Pty Ltd
$776,911
Achieved VFM of 10.43
Landscaping at Poppy Dig-It Landscapes Pty Ltd
Street, Hemmant
Achieved VFM of 60.6
$128,459
Logan Landscapes Pty Ltd
Achieved VFM of 40.4
$166,578
Construction
of
a Naturform Pty Ltd
Boardwalk
and Achieved VFM of 40.7
Footbridge at Poppy
Street, Hemmant
Approved
13.02.14
Start
12.03.14
End
06.06.14
Approved
27.02.14
Start
03.03.14
End
21.03.14
$201,380
Approved
27.02.14
Start
24.03.14
End
04.04.14
of Civil Pit and Conduit Tenderers shortlisted but not
Installation at Holland recommended:
Park Library
Sheriff Drilling and Excavations Pty $166,490
Ltd
Achieved VFM of 45.3.
Approved
27.02.14
Start
05.03.14
End
Price Family Trust t/a Brisbane $172,400
Directional Boring
Achieved VFM of 40.6.
Expected
completion
within 6 weeks
Tenderers not shortlisted:
7.
CPO
Schedule
rates
Integra Contracting Pty Ltd
Achieved VFM of 29.3
$205,000
Civex Pty Ltd
Achieved VFM of 16.8
$242,732
Bothar Boring &
Operations Pty Ltd
Achieved VFM of 13.3
of Construction
and Avopiling (Qld) Pty Ltd
Certification of Bored Achieved VFM of 30.5
23
Tunnelling $464,000
$237,754
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
Approved
30.01.14
- 42 Contract/Quote No. &
Successful Contractor/s
Delegate
Contract No: RPQ008 – Quote 11
Wagstaff Piling Pty Ltd - $234,500
Achieved highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 38.9.
Nature of
Contract/Quote
Unsuccessful Tenders
Prices
Arrangement
Purpose
& Quoters
Tendered
and Estimated
Maximum
Expenditure
Piles for Creek Road
$234,500
Bridge 4
Davbridge Properties Pty Ltd t/a $246,760
Davbridge Constructions
Achieved VFM of 29.4.
Approval,
Start/End
Dates &
Term
Start
14.04.14
End
28.04.14
Non-conforming offers
(final tendered price and VFM not
calculated)
Drilled Foundations Contracting Pty N/A
Ltd
BRISBANE LIFESTYLE
8.
CPO
Lump sum
$745,256
CPO
Lump sum
Oracle IdAM Software
($54,019)
Licence Update and
Annual
Support
payments
($145,719 p/a)
$345,457
Contract No: 530036
Development
of Probuild Industries Australia Pty Ltd $856,427
Moorooka Community Achieved VFM of 10.11.
Centre
Box & Co Pty Ltd - $745,256
Achieved highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 11.88.
BRISBANE TRANSPORT
Nil
CITY
PLANNING
SUSTAINABILITY
Nil
Approved
06.02.14
Start
10.02.14
End
06.06.14
&
DISASTER
RESPONSE
&
RECOVERY
Nil
OFFICE OF THE LORD MAYOR &
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Nil
ORGANISATIONAL SERVICES
9.
Contract No: 510072-000
Oracle Corporation Australia Pty Ltd $345,457
10.
CPO
Lump sum
$305,642
Contract No: 530105-000
Contract entered into without seeking N/A.
competitive tenders or quotations
from the marketplace. Exempt from
the Contract Manual Process for
extension of Information and
Communications
Technology
Maintenance
&
Support
Arrangements under Schedule A of
Council’s
Annual
Procurement
Policy and Contracting Plan.
Council is required to continue to
purchase software licence updates
and support services (access to
technical support, supported patches
and fixes for bugs and security
vulnerabilities) for the Oracle product
to enable compatibility with other
software, operating environments and
to ensure the current hardware is
supported.
Supply and Delivery of a Ennis Traffic Safety Solutions $309,637*
Self-Propelled
Paint (Hoffmann agent)
Line Marking Machine Achieved VFM of 141.
Alphamark Pty Ltd - $277,142*
Achieved Highest Value for Money Index
{VFM} of 245.
*Final tendered price is for the cost of the
line marking machine only. Estimated
contract sum includes supply of a trailer to
suit the machine.
CPO
11.
Contract No: SPO140069-13/14
AGL Sales (Queensland) Pty Limited $237,600*
Schedule
rates
$237,600
of Maintenance for CNG CompAir Australasia
$184,320**
Refuelling Facilities at
Toowong and Virginia **Submitted pricing that was
Bus Depots
competitive on aspects that were on a
like for like basis but did not offer the
broader range of services to enable
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
Approved
11.02.14
Start
12.02.14
End
14.07.16
Approved
20.02.14
Start
17.03.14
End
16.03.14
Approved
12.12.13
Start
01.02.14
End
30.01.2015
- 43 Contract/Quote No. &
Successful Contractor/s
Delegate
Nature of
Arrangement
and Estimated
Maximum
Expenditure
Contract/Quote
Purpose
Unsuccessful Tenders
& Quoters
Prices
Tendered
comparison with AGL.
*Included
additional
services
for
management and conducting of safety
training, CNG plant training for all
refuelling staff, auditing all major works
and compressor rebuilds.
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 25 March
2014, be adopted.
Deputy Chairman:
DEPUTY MAYOR.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Thank, Madam Chairman. Just briefly, we had a Committee report on Hellawell
Road improvements in Councillor MARX's area. I know Councillor MARX is
very happy with the outcome and will no doubt speak on that presentation. We
also have a few petitions. A petition requesting a new access road into Ferny
Grove. A petition requesting reduction in the speed limit and additional
pedestrian crossing facilities along Skyring Terrace, Vernon Terrace and
Macquarie Street, Newstead. Also a petition requesting the installation of trafficcalming devices in Vaughan Street, Mount Gravatt.
Just briefly in relation to item B, essentially the request for a new road is noted
but obviously it's not a simple issue and the appropriate location for a new access
road needs to be developed not only by Council but by the State Government
and Moreton Bay Regional Council as well. So we obviously need to talk to
them about future plans in that respect.
In relation to item C, we acknowledge that there's a lot of traffic now using that
route along Skyring Terrace and Vernon Terrace and Macquarie Street. We've
done an audit of that particular section of roadway and the recommendation is to
do two things: one is to improve a particular pedestrian crossing along that route
and also to survey local residents to ask for their views on a possible reduction in
the speed limit.
The final petition is requesting traffic calming devices to be installed in Vaughan
Street. We previously consulted with residents on this issue in the past and the
residents weren't supportive of installing traffic-calming devices as part of that
previous consultation. So we've decided that it's appropriate to maintain the
status quo at this stage.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor MARX.
Councillor MARX:
Thank you, Madam Acting Chair. I rise to speak on item A, the Committee
presentation on Hellawell Road improvements, as the DEPUTY MAYOR
mentioned. I want to start by saying that this was an election promise from
myself and this Administration and I'm happy to say that that election promise
has now been delivered. There was a $1.4-million road improvement project
along Hellawell Road which runs through the suburb of Sunnybank Hills.
This is a road that I would consider that you would call a rural condition and it's
now been brought up to urban standards. It had previously contained differing
widths of road, there was curb and channelling missing, the sides of the road
were all gravel, there were problems with pools of water on the side of the road,
we had to improve the drainage. There was also a lot of trees needed to be
trimmed back from the edge of the road and landscaping and tree planting was
also undertaken within this project.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
Approval,
Start/End
Dates &
Term
- 44 It was a massive project. Anything that, I think, costs over $1 million is
considered a massive project in anyone's language. But before we actually went
ahead and started with any physical work, we did a lot of community
consultation and I think that's key to any project that this Administration does. A
couple of things did come out of that community consultation and one of them
was that people were talking about wanting a pedestrian refuge on Hellawell
Road, at the Borella Road intersection which is a road that leads to a very busy
primary school.
That consultation and suggestion was taken on board and I'm pleased to say that
that was also delivered as part of this project. The other thing that residents
wanted was actually traffic lights coming out of the avenue which is only home
to about 200 residents—so it really doesn't, at this point in time, meet the criteria
for traffic lights. But what we were able to do is, after some consultation, was
just put in a dividing line so that the laneway out of the avenue was divided into
two lanes, so that people could get into the left hand side, go left, people who
wanted to go right just get into the right hand side.
So it's a very, very basic piece of infrastructure but the residents were so happy I
got a photo from the resident the very next day showing me the cars neatly in
their own little lanes and was very happy. So that was a very successful outcome
for virtually no money at all. So I think that just goes to prove that community
consultation is certainly very important. So the next part of the project is road
resurfacing and I've been asking residents for their opinion on that and they're
quite happy to get me to find funding for that in the new financial year. So that's
something else I'll be making representation to the LORD MAYOR on.
I just want to say thank you to Councillor SCHRINNER and all the Council
officers involved with this project. It was a massive undertaking through the
middle of my ward and it was very successfully done. Thank you.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor McLACHLAN.
Councillor McLACHLAN:
Thank you, Madam Deputy Chairman. I rise briefly to speak to item C in this
report which was in relation to the petition calling for traffic speed reductions on
Skyring Terrace. This is a response to the petition I support. There has been, as
Councillor SCHRINNER said, significant change in the landscape in this area.
You could almost say that the area's a victim of its own success in terms of urban
renewal. And we need to be reminded occasionally of what the landscape was
there just a few years ago when the whole gasworks site was literally a gas
works industrial environment and Vernon Terrace, when it came up to the
gasworks gate, was actually the end of the road.
Now there's a road that punches through that whole site and connects to
Montpelier Road and Breakfast Creek Road and there's over 11,000 vehicle
movements a day coming through there, off Montpelier Road out of the Airport
Link Tunnel down along this road, Skyring Terrace into Vernon Terrace and
Macquarie Street, heading for the New Farm peninsula.
Residents quite rightly have concerns about the volume of traffic and the speed
at which some of that traffic moves. There's also a big problem created for the
bus movements across Commercial Road that need to be addressed and I'm
pleased to see the petition response has pointed to the potential for that
intersection to be signalised which I think would be a significant improvement to
this road network. But in the meantime, I think it's—we do need to go out to the
broader community, as has been suggested, to test the proposition about what the
speed limit should be along this network. I'm pleased to see and support the
potential, certainly, for further investigation of potential for a pedestrian crossing
at the Florence Street intersection.
Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate, DEPUTY MAYOR. Nothing further, I now put the report.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Infrastructure Committee
was declared carried on the voices.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 45 -
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 – HELLAWELL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
597/2013-14
1.
Graham Nell, Program Director, City Projects Office, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
attended the meeting to provide an update on the improvements to Hellawell Road,
Sunnybank Hills. He provided the information below.
2.
A map showing the location of the project site was displayed. The presenter noted that the
works were undertaken on Hellawell Road, between Jackson Road and The Avenue in
Sunnybank Hills.
3.
Prior to the commencement of the improvement project, Hellawell Road, between The
Avenue and Jackson Road, Sunnybank Hills consisted of missing sections of kerb and
channel and missing sections of footpaths and poor drainage, resulting in water ponding on
the road.
4.
The scope of the project involved completing the missing sections of kerb and channel and
road widening to provide a uniform road width, new driveway and footpaths being installed
on the northern side of Hellawell Road, new kerb and channelling at the Jackson Road
intersection and the installation of street lighting along the southern side of Hellawell Road.
5.
The project also involved creating a right-turn pocket into The Avenue with line marking, tree
trimming to improve sight lines and vehicle clearance heights, landscaping and tree planting
to replace tree removal, relocating two bus stops to improve traffic flow and improved path
access to the bus stops to meet Disability Discrimination Act 1992 requirements.
6.
The Hellawell Road improvement project commenced in October 2013 and was completed in
March 2014, on time and within budget. The presenter noted that the original budget for this
project was $1.4 million. An aerial photograph of the completed project was shown.
7.
Photographs were shown of the project site under construction and of the completed works.
8.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Nell for his
informative presentation.
9.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
B
PETITION – REQUEST FOR A NEW ACCESS ROAD INTO FERNY GROVE
CA12/196482
598/2013-14
10.
A petition from residents of Ferny Grove and Ferny Hills, requesting that Council create a
new access road into Ferny Grove from Samford Road, was presented to the meeting of
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 46 -
Council held on 12 June 2012, by Councillor Andrew Wines, and received.
11.
The Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy Branch, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
supplied the following information.
12.
Ferny Grove is a residential suburb in Brisbane’s west, approximately 12 kilometres from the
CBD. It houses approximately 6,000 people and, as the petitioners note, is serviced by a
limited number of trunk roads, with Kedron Brook, Samford Road and the Ferny Grove train
line combining to form accessibility barriers into the area. The main access roads into the
suburb are Tramway and Arbor Streets, which come off Samford Road and feed into
McGinn Road. Additional access is available through Upper Kedron further to the south via
Upper Kedron Road.
13.
While it is acknowledged that accessibility into Ferny Grove could be improved by the
construction of an additional road off Samford Road to the west of Arbor Street, the available
options for this are limited and problematic and the area is not expected to experience strong
traffic growth into the future, it is not proposed to construct such a road at this time.
14.
Any connection will require agreement from the State Government as it will require access to
a State Government controlled road. It also will require the involvement and agreement of
Moreton Bay Regional Council as Council’s border with Moreton Bay Council is Kedron
Brook. Land would be required on both sides of the boundary to facilitate a connection.
15.
Analysis has been undertaken on the two options that were identified following an
investigation. The most effective link from a road network perspective would be an extension
of Archdale Road onto Samford Road, however implementing this would be problematic. It
would be costly due to the need for the resumption of a number of properties and the need for
extensive intersection realignment works on Samford Road.
16.
It is also expected that such a connection would be opposed by the residents of
Archdale Road. When the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main
Roads recently began to consider the possibility of connecting Archdale Road into Samford
Road, as part of its Ferny Grove Area Transport Study, the residents of Archdale Road made
strong representations against it.
17.
The other alternative identified was the construction of a road in the Ancaster Road reserve at
the western end of Ferny Grove. While this would potentially not require land resumption and
would be less expensive, its benefits are likely to be marginal given that traffic to and from
the city is expected to continue to use Tramway Street or Arbor Street to access Ferny Grove,
instead of incurring a distance penalty and interacting with the open level crossing on
Samford Road. An additional problem with this option is that traffic using this road would
need to use Lanita and Archdale Roads, potentially causing concern to residents of those
roads.
Consultation
18.
The Councillor for Enoggera, Councillor Andrew Wines, has been consulted and supports the
recommendation.
Preferred option
19.
It is the preferred option that Council approach the State Government and Moreton Bay
Regional Council to undertake a joint investigation into a project to construct a new access
road into Ferny Grove.
20.
The Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 47 -
21.
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 – REQUEST A REDUCTION IN THE SPEED LIMIT AND
ADDITIONAL PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES ALONG SKYRING
TERRACE, VERNON TERRACE AND MACQUARIE STREET, NEWSTEAD
CA13/521234
599/2013-14
22.
A petition from residents of the Teneriffe Progress Association, requesting that Council to
introduce a speed limit of 40 km/h, as well as additional or improved pedestrian crossing
facilities along Skyring Terrace, Vernon Terrace and Macquarie Street, Newstead, was
presented to the meeting of Council held on 30 July 2013, by Councillor David McLachlan,
and received.
23.
The Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy Branch, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
supplied the following information.
24.
The petition contains 146 signatures, representing approximately two thirds of residents
residing in the immediate vicinity of Skyring Terrace, Vernon Terrace and Macquarie Street.
Reduction of Speed Limit from 50km/h to 40km/h:
25.
Under the provisions of the recently revised Part 4 (Speed Controls) of the Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUCTD), a 40km/h speed limit would be considered
appropriate in the following situations:
local access streets designed to support the lower speed limit, or where appropriate
traffic calming devices have been installed
traffic carrying roads at strip shopping centres and commercial areas with high levels
of pedestrian activity, where appropriate
on streets within a Central Business District (CBD) area, such as the Brisbane City
CBD, where there is significant pedestrian activity and vehicles speeds are typically
less than 49 km/h
on streets where facilities such as entertainment areas and sporting complexes
generate significant pedestrian activity at certain times of the day.
26.
The Skyring Terrace, Vernon Terrace, Macquarie Street route is the primary district access
route from New Farm through to Newstead, carrying approximately 11,000 vehicles per day.
It is also the designated truck route. It is generally considered inappropriate to place traffic
calming devices on district access roads which carry high volumes of traffic.
27.
The section of Skyring Terrace, Vernon Terrace and Macquarie Street that is under
consideration generally features residential land use on the river side with mixed commercial,
retail and residential use on the western side.
28.
The area has particularly high pedestrian volumes in the vicinity of the CityGlider/199 BUZ
route as well as the Teneriffe Ferry Terminal, which all depart from the area and generate
pedestrian traffic from a number of streets in the vicinity. The retail land use is intermittent
along this section of the road rather than concentrated strip shopping, however commercial
uses are most concentrated on Macquarie Street north of Kingsholme Street and Vernon
Terrace in the vicinity of Florence Street.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 48 -
29.
Traffic survey data recorded at separate locations along the section of Skyring Terrace,
Vernon Terrace, and Macquarie Street during July 2013 indicated that vehicle speeds are
typically about 50km/h (85th percentile speed). A close correlation between the posted speed
limit and the 85th percentile speed recorded would be considered an indication of public
acceptance of the limit as being appropriate. It should be noted that traffic volumes have
increased considerably since the connection of Skyring Terrace to the intersection of
Ann Street, Breakfast Creek Road and Montpelier Road following on from development of
the Gasworks precinct.
30.
Skyring Terrace, Vernon Terrace and Macquarie Street form a district access route through
the New Farm, Teneriffe and Newstead areas carrying approximately 11,000 vehicles per day
with an 85th percentile speed of around 50km/h.
31.
It is noted that the intersection of Vernon Terrace and Commercial Road is scheduled for
signalisation as a priority project.
32.
Council has implemented 40km/h zones in other parts of the city where they comply with the
State guidelines for areas of high pedestrian activity and there has been strong community
support. Council has only made these changes once surveys obtaining residents views have
been undertaken and demonstrate significant community support. This was the case when
Council changed the speed limit in the New Farm Village area in 2011.
33.
Given the low level of support on this petition from local residents when compared to the
wider population of residents in the suburbs of New Farm, Teneriffe and Newstead, it is
considered that a similar survey should be undertaken to demonstrate community support
prior to further consideration being given to a reduction in speed limit in this particular
location.
Additional and/or improved pedestrian crossing facilities across Skyring Terrace, Vernon
Terrace and Macquarie Street
34.
There is a zebra crossing located on Skyring Terrace, at the intersection of Commercial Road,
as well as pedestrian refuge crossing points located near the intersections of Wyandra Street,
Dath, Ethel, Beeston, and Hastings Streets. In addition to this, there are kerb build outs
located near the intersection of Florence Street to reduce the crossing distance at that location.
35.
The pedestrian refuge and zebra crossing locations along the length of road are under
consideration and are spaced at intervals of 200 metres or less with the exception of the gap
between Ethel and Beeston Streets locations, which is approximately 540 metres. Florence
Street is located within this gap but as this crossing point features kerb build outs, it only
provides a lower level of service and safety.
36.
A traffic and pedestrian survey has been conducted at the intersection of Florence and
Macquarie Streets to determine pedestrian crossing demand. Based on this data it is
recommended that the pedestrian crossing facility at this location be upgraded as deemed
appropriate under relevant engineering guidelines. Works will be subject to community
consultation on the resultant loss of parking and available funding in a future Council budget,
which will be considered in line with similar citywide priorities for this type of work.
Funding
37.
Funding to undertake this work is available in the current budget from Program 2, Schedule
209 – General Amenity.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 49 -
Consultation
38.
The Councillor for Hamilton Ward, Councillor David McLachlan, has been consulted and
supports the recommendation.
39.
The Councillor for Central Ward, Councillor Vicki Howard, has been consulted and supports
the recommendation.
Preferred option
40.
That Council survey the residents of New Farm, Teneriffe and Newstead in the vicinity of the
proposed speed limit reduction area along Skyring Terrace, Vernon Terrace and Macquarie
Street, Newstead (between the intersections of Skyring Terrace and Wyandra Street, and
Macquarie Street and Kingsholme Street) from 50km/h and 40km/h prior to making a
decision on a speed limit reduction in this area.
41.
Further, that an upgraded pedestrian crossing facility or refuge over Macquarie Street, at the
intersection of Florence Street, be provided. These works will be subject to community
consultation on the resultant loss of parking and available funding in a future Council budget,
which will be considered in line with similar citywide priorities for this type of work.
42.
The Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.
43.
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 – INSTALL TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES IN VAUGHAN
STREET, MT GRAVATT
CA13/827981
600/2013-14
44.
A petition from residents of Vaughan Street, Mt Gravatt requesting that Council install traffic
calming devices in their street, was presented to the meeting of Council held on 26 November
2013, by Councillor Ian McKenzie, and received.
45.
The Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy Branch, Brisbane Infrastructure Division,
supplied the following information.
46.
The petition contains 22 signatures from residents of Vaughan Street. Additionally, there are
58 properties with direct frontage to Vaughan Street, 14 of which are represented on this
petition.
47.
The petitioners are requesting the construction of speed bumps within Vaughan Street,
Mt Gravatt, to reduce the speed and volume of its traffic.
48.
Vaughan Street is a neighbourhood access road that runs parallel to Gaynesford Street, which
is a district access road. Vaughan Street is primarily residential and is accessed via a stop
controlled intersection with Greening Street at its midpoint, as well as via 90 degree bends
from Clough and Pitcairn Streets.
49.
In 2012, a Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) scheme, consisting of speed bumps, was
implemented on Gaynesford Street with the aim of improving the safety and amenity of
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 50 -
motorists, cyclists and pedestrians within the Gaynesford Street Precinct. It is the view of the
petitioners that some traffic has been re-routed to Vaughan Street to avoid the
Gaynesford Street LATM devices.
50.
Residents of Vaughan Street were surveyed as part of the Gaynesford Street LATM scheme
in 2012. At that time, all respondents from Vaughan Street were opposed to the traffic
calming scheme proceeding.
51.
Traffic count surveys undertaken before and after the LATM implementation on
Gaynesford Street indicate that volumes have dropped around 50 per cent and that speeds are
below the speed limit.
52.
Traffic count surveys on Vaughan Street indicate traffic volumes and speeds as follows:
- Western section (between Clough and Greening Streets)
volume: 292 vehicles per day
speeds: 45km/h both directions (85th percentile speed)
- Eastern section (between Greening and Pitcairn Streets)
volume: 694 vehicles per day
speeds: 49km/h eastbound, 50km/h westbound (85th percentile speed)
53.
The percentage of commercial vehicles Vaughan Street (2.4 per cent) is in line with
expectations for a typical neighbourhood access street, and is significantly lower than that of
Gaynesford Street.
54.
Volumes are expected to be higher on the eastern section of Vaughan Street as a result of
traffic from Greening Street rather than any diverted traffic from Gaynesford Street.
Gaynesford Street provides a more direct journey for through traffic and is 200 metres shorter
than taking Vaughan Street. The Vaughan Street route also has notable features that would
naturally slow traffic including 90 degree bends at each end, a bend within the western
section and a stop controlled intersection at its midpoint. While Gaynesford Street has speed
bumps, it would still be expected to be the most convenient route for the majority of traffic.
55.
A search of the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads crash
records has been undertaken and there have been no reported crashes on Vaughan Street
within the past five years.
56.
Council’s LATM projects are prioritised based on several criteria including speeds, volumes,
crash history and the road environment. Given the above, Vaughan Street would not warrant
treatment by traffic calming and as such is not recommended.
57.
Given the mixed views on the street in relation to this matter and the lack of strong support
demonstrated on this petition, it is not proposed to list Vaughan Street for LATM works at
this time. However, if a greater level of support was demonstrated Council could revisit the
matter.
Consultation
58.
The Councillor for Holland Park, Councillor Ian McKenzie, has been consulted and supports
the recommendation.
Preferred option
59.
That Council advise the petitioners that residents of Vaughan Street were surveyed as part of
the Gaynesford Street traffic calming scheme and traffic calming was opposed by Vaughan
Street respondents. Council will consider listing Vaughan Street for traffic calming works at a
future time if higher levels of support are received from residents.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 51 -
60.
The Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.
61.
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 25 March 2014, be adopted.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor MATIC.
Councillor MATIC:
Madam Deputy Chairman, just one item, that's the Committee presentation on
the Active School Travel website. I just want to thank the officers for a very
informative presentation but particularly want to thank them for the enormous
amount of work that they have put into the Active School Travel website. There
are a significant number of improvements on the website, I certainly urge all
councillors to go and have a look at all of the options that are available now as
far as information, schools wanting to register for being on the program. Also a
number of initiatives on there as well.
So—and the links through the social media. The officers have really done a great
job of bringing all the information together in one place and making it as userfriendly as possible. I think it just goes to show that the passion and commitment
of officers to the program overall not only extend to the day to day activities they
do out in the schools but importantly in really great tools like this. Thank you.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate. Nothing further, Councillor MATIC? I will now put the report.
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), and Councillors
Steve Griffiths, Nicole Johnston, Kim Marx and Ryan Murphy.
A
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL WEBSITE
601/2013-14
1.
Mark Pattemore, Project and Program Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy Branch,
Brisbane Infrastructure Division, and Cameron Hillard, Project Officer Active Transport,
Transport Planning and Strategy Branch, attended the meeting to provide an update on
Council’s Active School Travel website. They provided the information below.
2.
Mr Pattemore explained that the Active School Travel (AST) website enhancement project
was implemented to provide information to parents and schools to encourage participation in
Council’s AST program. Previously, the AST webpage was only a single text-based page
with limited flexibility of content with only one image. The presenter noted that in the period
from January 2013 until January 2014, just over 2,000 people visited the AST webpage and
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 52 -
were spending approximately less than one minute on the page.
3.
The enhanced AST website now includes copies of e-newsletters that are available to
download in PDF format, better visuals, more information and resources for parents and
teachers, and a dedicated registration section to allow schools to nominate for the AST
program.
4.
The AST team worked closely with Council’s Corporate Communications Branch in the
rebuilding of this website to meet the needs of the target audiences that were identified. The
website content was drafted to provide specific information that meets these needs. The
information architecture was developed to allow simple and effective navigation by users.
5.
Mr Hillard then demonstrated and explained each of the key links in the enhanced
AST program website.
6.
Mr Pattemore spoke about Council’s involvement in 14 social media platforms, including
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest. He noted that the AST team has
been working with Council’s corporate social media team to develop appropriate messages
and a posting schedule that will help promote the program and its initiatives.
7.
An analysis of the AST webpage indicates that there has been a spike in the number of visits
it has received since the program started being promoted on Council’s Facebook and Twitter
webpages. All Facebook and Twitter posts direct readers to the AST webpage. Social media
drove 43 per cent of visitation after the initial Facebook message was posted, with 60 views
per day (23 coming from Facebook or Twitter) being recorded.
8.
The AST team has liaised with Council’s Cultural and Linguistic Diversity team to provide
translations of the webpage and social media content to cater to the needs of the Brisbane’s
diverse population. Currently, AST information is provided in Chinese and Korean.
9.
Following the enhancement of the AST website, the flow-on effect has seen schools and
school community groups now using the information to promote the AST program in their
local areas.
10.
Since the relaunch of the enhanced AST website, statistics have shown that it has already
received a total of 1,350 visits in this six week period, compared to the 2,000 visits received
for the old website over a 12 month period. Evaluation of the site and content using surveys
and analytics has found that visitors are also staying for a longer period of time (three
minutes) on the enhanced webpages. Schools are now able to link the AST webpage to their
own websites and social media pages.
11.
The AST team is currently evaluating other communication channels, including: video on
Council’s YouTube channel, Flickr, Instagram, app development and further translation into
other languages.
12.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Pattemore
and Mr Hillard for the informative presentation and the AST program team for the level of
work that has been involved in this project.
13.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 53 -
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT
COMMITTEE
Councillor Amanda COOPER, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment
Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Vicki HOWARD, that the report of the meeting of that Committee
held on 25 March 2014, be adopted.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Chair. So last week at Committee we had
a presentation from Council officers about an application at 55a and 59a
Colebard Street West, Acacia Ridge, for an application to see a preliminary
approval material change of use, a reconfiguration of a lot and operational works
on that site. This particular development is proposed in two stages with stage 1
being the reconfiguration of the lot. So it's going from two into to two lots and
just, obviously, the outline of those lots is different.
Operational works to allow for the relocation and stabilisation of fill from lot
900 to proposed lot 1. Stage 1 will see the transfer up front, so that's fantastic
outcome. Up front to Council of lot 900. So that will come into Council's
ownership. This means over 21 hectares will come to Council for preservation
and protection. The advice I've received is that this brings to a total of 165
hectares of land owned or controlled by Council along Oxley Creek, including
the Archerfield Wetlands.
So that is something that really has been a massive transformation of the whole
entire geography down there by ensuring that Council has control over these
sites and Council can manage what occurs on them as we go forward. Also, by
removing that fill and undertaking stabilisation works, that was discussed at
Committee last week, the officers specifically have conditioned this. In
particular I note conditions 9, 10 and 11. This will ensure that our work will
continue to restore the Oxley Creek corridor, so it will be preventing erosion,
improving the quality of stormwater runoff as well as acting as a natural buffer
to both existing and future industrial uses.
Stage 2 is for the preliminary approval for the material change of use to go from
a rural use to industry, and will only take effect when stage 1, including the stage
1 survey plan, has been endorsed—so ensuring that that land comes to Council
in Council ownership before they are able to get that in place. This will mean
stage 2 will see 16 hectares of much-needed, well located industrial development
land to be provided in what is already an identified major growth corridor.
As we heard at Committee last week, this site's located very close to Ipswich
Road, the Logan Motorway, the Acacia Ridge rail yards and the Archerfield
Airport. So, Madam Deputy Chair, you would suggest it is ideally placed for this
kind of outcome and noting that our city certainly does need to make sure that
we protect our remaining industrial land. So we think that this is a great
outcome.
This site has experienced flooding and, as officers pointed out last week at
Committee, the applicant commissioned a flood study by Cardno. That report
very clearly concluded that there will be no adverse flooding on adjoining
properties and that is specifically documented in that report submitted by Cardno
and reviewed by Council. So this is a site that covers nearly 40 hectares with a
significant proportion of land along Oxley Creek. To put it into some
perspective, it's not only near the Archerfield Airport but other industrial
developments such as Hastings Deering and Transpac.
For all of those DA (development application) aficionados, they would recall
that the application for Transpac came to Council in December nearly two years
ago and as a result has seen nearly 22 hectares of land dedicated to Council. It
was disappointing that the Australian Labor Party did not support this particular
proposal, this multi-million dollar development which would see the creation of
hundreds of jobs and that important land dedicated to Council, to ensure the
environmental rehabilitation of Oxley Creek.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 54 However, in relation to this application, Council issued an information request,
asking for further information on a whole range of issues and particularly
flooding, seeking advice as to how the applicant would seek to respond to that. It
triggered the highest level of assessment under City Plan, so it was an impact
assessable application and went out for public notification for 30 business days.
There was one formal submission received from a neighbouring business, and
the issues raised were lot size, how City Plan was being complied with and
potential environmental impact. Officers very carefully considered this feedback
and there has been some changes that did occur as a result of that commentary.
So this application originally was proposing a reconfiguration of two lots into
three, with lot 2 originally proposed to come in just under five hectares and lot
900 and lot 1 being proposed to be over 10 hectares.
Since this feedback has been received, the applicant changed their application on
14 January, changing to a reconfiguration of two lots to two, with both lots now
being over 10 hectares. Therefore, the application now complies with the
minimum lot size of 10 hectares for a rural area under City Plan's subdivision
code. So that has addressed that specific issue.
This application triggered referral to two agencies, QUU (Queensland Urban
Utilities) and DSDIP (Department of State Development, Infrastructure and
Planning) with QUU specifically setting conditions for water and sewerage
services. In addition, in that submission also, officers considered the change
from rural to industrial, compliance with City Plan, the level of assessment and
the environmental impact. The officers' advice, very clear advice to Committee
last week, was that this site is located in the Brisbane Ipswich corridor—it's
identified in the South East Queensland Regional Plan as a strategic area of
growth.
The lot sizes now comply with City Plan and the applicant provided a
comprehensive flooding report form Cardno concluding that there would be no
adverse impact on adjoining sites and conditioned, very carefully, how fill would
be dealt with between the lots as well as conditioning that no imported fill could
be imported onto that site. That's specifically condition 9. I note that the local
councillor does not support this application and I think there was a phone call
and an email that officers received to make his comments.
From what we understand from the Australian Labor Party spokesman for
planning, Councillor ABRAHAMS, she abstained from voting on this particular
matter. Apparently, according to her, she thinks that's jolly good, Madam Deputy
Chair. We think it's a great outcome. This will see rehabilitation of this area.
This will see groups like OCCA (Oxley Creek Catchment Association), who
have expressed their very keen interest to get in there and work with Council to
rehabilitate that land that comes to Council.
It also will give confidence and support to our hard-working industrial sector,
Madam Chair. Madam Deputy Chair, we think this is a great outcome and we
support this investment in our beautiful city. Thank you.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, thanks, Madam Chair. I rise to speak and I actually rise to speak in support
of it. I always find it interesting that Councillor COOPER consistently gets my
position wrong.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
I think it's quite deliberate and quite misleading. It's good that Councillor
COOPER—
Councillor COOPER:
Point of order, Madam Deputy Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
Point of order against you, Councillor GRIFFITHS. Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
I believe that the councillor is imputing motive—
Councillors interjecting.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 55 Councillor COOPER:
—in suggesting that I deliberately misrepresent his position. No, that's imputing
motive.
Councillor interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, you are not chairing this meeting. You're already on a
warning. Remain silent, please. Councillor GRIFFITHS, can you please choose
your words carefully to ensure that you do not impute motive in this place.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Sure, but I don't believe I was, but anyway—
Councillor interjecting.
Warning – Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON
The Chairman then formally warned Councillor JOHNSTON that unless she desisted from interjecting she
would be suspended from the service of the Council for a period of up to eight days. Furthermore, Councillor
JOHNSTON was warned that, if she were suspended from the service of the Council, she would be excluded
from the Council Chamber, ante-Chamber, public gallery and other meeting places for the period of
suspension.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS, please continue.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Thank you. Look, it is an interesting site and it's a very complex site. I suppose I
had several major issues with it and they related to, basically, the flood impact
and also rehabilitation of the site. That was what I expressed to officers. So I
don't believe I've ever said I'm outright opposed to this. In terms of getting a
good outcome for the community, I actually believe this DA does deliver that. I
believe that removing unauthorised or contaminated fill in the Oxley Creek
corridor is beneficial certainly to residents and to the city more broadly.
I think it's equivalent of 43 rugby fields coming over to Council, in terms of the
size of the land that will be coming over to us. That's part of the Oxley Creek. So
I believe that's good and I believe that that will be happening once that land is in
a clean state. Now there is land that was previously farmland that will be turned
to industry and once again I support that. It makes sense to have industry in the
area—there's adjoining industry.
My concern with the 16 hectares that was becoming industry is that a significant
portion of it, from the advice from the officers that I've received is at the Q100.
So that did raise concerns with me. However, the officers advised me that by
taking the clean waste—clean fill out and using it on this site, that there would
be a balance in terms of the waterway corridor and so it shouldn't impact on
flooding. Much as what was expressed by Councillor COOPER.
So with those facts in mind, I'm happy to support this DA. I think it provides a
reasonable outcome and certainly cleans up a site which has been a blight for the
suburb of Acacia Ridge for some time. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I just simply wish to give a little bit of
information regarding the flood on this property. Madam Chair, in Committee, I
asked whether we could see any of the flood lines in a map relating to this
development application. Madam Chair, the officers did not have that map
available for us to see the flood lines. Now I have just heard Councillor
COOPER give a very detailed explanation about the issue of flooding on this site
but that information was not available.
Madam Chair, since that time, I have gone in and had a look at the flood plan
and guess what it shows? The whole site, with three different levels of blue with
flood, on the site, which was contrary to the information that was given verbally
in Committee. Madam Chair, that is why, Councillor Steve GRIFFITHS, being
very concerned about development and flooding, has had to go back a number of
times to the Council officers to clarify what was the existing flood level on this
site and what are the final flood levellings on this site.
That is appropriate information for our city, for our Committee and for this
Council to be aware of when we make a decision on this application. The fact it
was not available and the whole intent of that Committee was, we are not going
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 56 to discuss it, Councillor ABRAHAMS, is an indictment of the secrecy of this
Administration on one of the most crucial issues relating to this development.
But the fact that we have land coming into public ownership so that it is there to
improve the water quality and flood capacity is a benefit and we will be
supporting this development.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate, Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Chair, and I would say the commentary
from Councillor ABRAHAMS is a gross misrepresentation of what occurred at
Committee, but unfortunately that is nothing new for us in our Committee.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
I also note we had Councillor GRIFFITHS saying that he had raised issues with
Council officers. Well I've got a copy of the submissions that he made in
response to this particular application and I note, I read through, so Councillor
GRIFFITHS replied back to the Council officer on 19 February, he said, as
discussed yesterday, I am writing to advise that I do not support the approval of
this development, I do not support the approval of this development due to the
fact that there is not full remediation, restoration of the wetlands Oxley Creek
catchment section of the DA.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
I note that Councillor GRIFFITHS—
Deputy Chairman:
Order.
Councillor COOPER:
—stood up in this Chamber and he said that he had issues with flooding. I also
note, I've got a record of conversation, so the Council officers, when Councillor
GRIFFITHS had rung in about this application, he phoned to discuss the
application, provided him with an overview and outlined exactly what was going
on. He asked as to whether he—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
I've got a record of conversation, Madam Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
Just a moment, please, Councillor COOPER. There is a fair bit of noise going on
on both sides of the Chamber. Councillor COOPER is not yelling at the top of
her voice like some other people have been in here. When there are
conversations going on on both sides, it does interfere with the capacity to hear
the speaker appropriately. Please do the courtesy of allowing the speaker to be
heard. Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair. This record of conversation between
Councillor GRIFFITHS and the Council officer who assessed this application
outlines exactly what the issues were for Councillor GRIFFITHS and again he
states that, he advised his formal comment for the file is that he is not supportive
of the application unless the applicant is ful—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
At that time, I hear the interjection from Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor COOPER:
That's twice Councillor GRIFFITHS had the opportunity to go on the record and
say whether or not he chose to support this application. He did not, he also did
not raise flooding, Madam Chair, in either of these two responses that he sought
from Council officers. So, Madam Chair—
Councillors interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
Order.
Councillor COOPER:
Madam Deputy Chair, if the local councillor had such a burning concern, I
would suggest he would put it in writing to the Council officers to ensure that it
is on the record, Madam Deputy Chair.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 57 Now, we also saw Councillor ABRAHAMS say that in Committee we did not
discuss flooding and that basically there was no allowance of that discussion of
flooding.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
Madam Deputy Chair, I know that Councillor ABRAHAMS thinks that her
stream of consciousness is of interest to us in the Chamber, but I would suggest
if she doesn't seem to be able to accurately recall conversations at Committee,
perhaps she should stop talking—
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
Point of order against you, Councillor—
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Claim to be misrepresented.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS, can you please wait till I call you. Councillor
ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Claim to be misrepresented, Madam Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair. I would suggest if she does more listening
and less constant talking, she might accurately recall events at Committee. So
there was very specific—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
I think that it's appropriate to provide information as to what happens at
Committee, whether you may consider it patronising or not, Councillor DICK, is
for you to decide. But I think the facts of the matter speak for themselves. I think
it's important to note we did discuss flooding at length at Committee last week,
and we noted—and I note there was a suggestion by Councillor GRIFFITHS that
it was not accurate.
So if he thinks that Council officers are not doing their job appropriately, I
would suggest—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
And he said yes, Madam Deputy Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
Order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
Order. Councillor JOHNSTON, you have a point of order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman. Now, Councillor COOPER did then very directly cast
motives about what Councillor GRIFFITHS had said by saying he was implying
some wrongdoing by the Council officers, Madam Chairman. That absolutely is
an adverse reflection on him and, Madam Chairman, that needs to be withdrawn.
Councillors interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
Order. Order. Councillor GRIFFITHS was clearly interjecting and reference was
made by you, Councillor GRIFFITHS, to the Council officers and Councillor
COOPER was merely confirming your statement that you were making without
the microphone.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Point of order, Madam Chair. That was clearly imputing—
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
It was clearly imputing motive.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS, you made the statement and Councillor COOPER just
confirmed that you said, yes.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
That—Councillor, don't interrupt me.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
I won't.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 58 Deputy Chairman:
I have made my ruling. You made the statement audibly for me to hear and
Councillor COOPER to hear. Councillor COOPER merely reflected what you
had said. If anyone was imputing motive, it would probably be yourself.
Councillors interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
In this instance.
Councillor interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
Order. I remind all councillors in this place that you need to be conscious when
you are reflecting on the duties of the Council officers. Councillor COOPER,
please continue.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, and very accurately expressed, Madam Deputy Chair. So
in relation to flooding, it was discussed quite significantly at length at
Committee as to what was going on on this specific site. There is a report by
Cardno. Council itself has undertaken significant work with AECOM, so has
completely reviewed this significant section of Oxley Creek for Archerfield
Wetlands to the upstream section of Learoyd Road. AECOM had prepared a
report for Council in 2011. This report indicated what the actual scenario was
and then, with this application, the applicant submitted a report from Cardno,
outlining the specific findings.
CHECKED TO HERE
It said, and very clearly said, the results of the analysis—I'm quoting from the
report—of the analysis showed that the proposed development does not cause
any adverse impact on flood levels external to the site. So it provides, very
clearly, that information. Now if the local councillor had any questions, if the
local councillor had gone onto the website, looked for information, could not
understand that information, he has every opportunity to speak with the
assessment manager and get some explanations.
Because, yes, this is very complex. But, Madam Deputy Chair, he chose not to
do that. All he has done, Madam Deputy Chair is made inappropriate—
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Point of order, Madam Chair, that's just not—
Deputy Chairman:
Point of order—just wait to be called, please, Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
That is just misleading and not accurate.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS, you either get up on a point of order or you claim
misrepresentation. You don't get up and make a statement.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Well I'm claiming misrepresentation.
Deputy Chairman:
Thank you. Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
Madam Deputy Chair, if the councillor wants information, the Council officers
are there to answer his questions to the best of their ability. I am very
disappointed to hear his suggestion that he does not think they were conducting
themselves in accordance with their requirements. I believe that the Council
officers are very vigilant, very diligent and work very hard to try and make sure
that they provide all that information that is required.
If he has any complaints about their conduct, I assure him that that is taken very
seriously and he should bring that information forward. This application has
been carefully, comprehensively assessed by all of the officers. I think it's a great
outcome. This will really help with the impact on Oxley Creek. We will see land
come to Council's ownership and that land, I believe, will make a huge
difference to the ongoing viability of the Oxley Creek catchment and make a
great difference to the water quality and the associated water quality
improvements, Madam Deputy Chair.
I think this is a great outcome and I support this application. Thank you.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS, you claim misrepresentation.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 59 Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I was very careful with my words and
I said, in Committee, that Councillor COOPER was not keen to—I'm sorry, I've
actually forgotten what I said, but I was very—
Councillors interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
Order.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
No, I did not say we didn't discuss the flood. I said that she was not—had any
intention to do so and it was repeated questions. I had to ask—
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS, that is actually imputing—
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
—repeated questions.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS, stop when I speak, please.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Deputy Chairman:
You were actually imputing motive when you said it was not her intention just
then, so just be careful as to how you're reflecting the situation.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair, it might be useful to know that—
Deputy Chairman:
No, no, this is not a discussion. You've made your point of misrepresentation.
Councillor GRIFFITHS, you claim to be misrepresented.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Certainly, Madam Chair. The points—
Deputy Chairman:
Sorry, Councillor COOPER, did you have a point of order?
Councillor COOPER:
Yes, I believe that is imputing motive, Madam Chair, and should be—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
Excuse me, it should be withdrawn, it is clearly imputing motive and should be
immediately withdrawn.
Councillors interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS, could you please withdraw the comment in respect of
Councillor COOPER's intentions.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair, I would certainly withdraw it, but nothing can excuse the—
Deputy Chairman:
No, no, no. Stop
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
—plan not being at Committee.
Deputy Chairman:
Order. I didn't ask you for further statements, thank you for withdrawing.
Councillor GRIFFITHS, you had a claim to be misrepresented.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, Madam Chair. Some of the comments that Councillor COOPER was
making were inaccurate in that I did receive advice regarding the DA in relation
to flooding and I have to say the advice was contradictory at times from the
officers in relation to flooding.
Councillors interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
I will now—Councillor COOPER, have you got a point of order?
Councillor COOPER:
I absolutely do, Madam Deputy Chair. That is—
Deputy Chairman:
Order.
Councillor COOPER:
That is a reflection on the Council officers and their conduct, it should be
withdrawn. What a disgraceful comment.
Councillors interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
I will not have everybody shouting out when someone is on their feet attempting
to speak in this place. I have asked you previously to show some courtesy to
each and every one of each other. Councillor GRIFFITHS, to claim that the
advice was contradictory does cast aspersions on the work of the Council
officers. Would you care to reconsider that statement?
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
No, it's true.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 60 Councillors interjecting.
Deputy Chairman:
I ask you to withdraw—order. Councillor GRIFFITHS, I think that in light of
that statement, because of the reflection on the Council officers' characters, as
Chairman, could you please withdraw that.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Madam Chair, I'm not going to withdraw it. No, no, I'm not withdrawing it,
Madam Chair.
Order under section 186A of the City of Brisbane Act 2010 that disorderly conduct by Councillor Steve
GRIFFITHS be noted in the minutes
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS, in respect of your refusal to withdraw at my direction, I
request that your conduct in this meeting tonight be noted in the minutes, in
accordance with Section 186A of the City of Brisbane Act.
Deputy Chairman:
I will now put the report.
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.
Thereupon, Councillors Amanda COOPER and Vicki HOWARD immediately rose and called for a division,
which resulted in the motion being declared carried unanimously.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 24 -
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, Ryan MURPHY, Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS, Andrew WINES, and Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of
the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS,
Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS, Shayne SUTTON and
Nicole JOHNSTON.
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 (DISTRIBUTOR-RETAILER) UNDER
THE SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT 2009: OPERATIONAL WORK – BULK
EARTHWORKS, RECONFIGURATION OF A LOT AND PRELIMINARY
APPROVAL TO VARY THE EFFECT OF THE PLANNING SCHEME
(RURAL TO INDUSTRY) ON LAND AT 55A AND 59A COLEBARD STREET
WEST, ACACIA RIDGE – WARAPAR RESOURCES PTY LTD
A003664504
602/2013-14
1.
The Team Manager, Planning Services South, Development Assessment Branch, City
Planning and Sustainability Division, reports that a development application (distributorretailer) has been submitted by Urban Systems Pty Ltd on behalf of Warapar Resources Pty
Ltd and was properly made on 2 August 2013:
Development aspects:
Operational Works – Development Permit (under section 243
of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009(SPA))
Reconfiguration of a Lot – Development Permit (under
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 61 -
General description
proposal:
of
Land in the ownership of:
Address of the site:
Described as:
Containing an area of:
section 243)
Material Change of Use – Preliminary Approval (under
section 242)
Stage 1–
Bulk earthworks (relocation of unregulated fill from
proposed Lot 900 to proposed Lot 1 and stabilisation
works); and
Reconfiguration of a lot (two into two lots).
Stage 2–
Preliminary Approval under the SPA section 242 to vary the
effect of the planning scheme (Rural to General Industry)
Warapar Resources Pty Ltd
55A and 59A Colebard Street West, Acacia Ridge
Lot 3 on RP130715 and Lot 927 on SL7167
38.44 hectares
2.
The subject site has frontage to Loam and Research Streets. The site is designated Rural and
part of the site is located within the boundary of the Acacia Ridge/Archerfield Neighbourhood
Plan under the Brisbane City Plan 2000.
3.
The proposed development includes two stages as described in the table above.
4.
In terms of the application:
unregulated fill is to be relocated from proposed Lot 900 (21.648 hectares) to
proposed Lot 1 (16.793 hectares). Proposed Lot 900 is to be transferred to Council for
environmental and drainage purposes;
Lot 1 will gain vehicular access from Loam Street and Research Street; and
Vehicular access easement over proposed Lot 1 in favour of proposed Lot 900,
providing access to proposed Lot 900.
5.
The proposal generally complies with the relevant provisions of the Brisbane City Plan 2000,
including the Desired Environmental Outcomes, the Impact Assessable – Generally
Inappropriate Criteria, Acacia Ridge / Archerfield Neighbourhood Plan, Subdivision Code,
Biodiversity Code, Waterway Code and Stormwater Management Code.
Conditions specific to this development
6.
Proposed conditions specific to this development relate to:
relocation of unregulated fill from proposed Lot 900 to proposed Lot 1 within nine
months of the approval taking effect;
relocated fill on proposed Lot 1;
transfer of proposed Lot 900 (21.648 hectares) to Council;
no material to be spread or stockpiled within 10 metres of the trunk sewer unless
Queensland Urban Utilities provides written consent
General Industry level of assessment will not apply to proposed Lot 1
(16.793 hectares) until unregulated fill is relocated from proposed Lot 900 and is
transferred to Council.
State Planning Policies
7.
The application does not conflict with the relevant State Planning Policies or State Planning
Regulatory Provisions, which include the following:
2/02 Planning and Managing Development Involving Acid Sulfate Soils;
4/10 Healthy Waters;
2/10 Koala Conservation in SEQ;
1/92 Development and the Conservation of Agricultural Land; and
South East Queensland Koala Conservation State Planning Regulatory Provisions.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 62 -
Referral agencies
8.
The application required referral to relevant agencies as follows:
Queensland Urban Utilities set conditions for the provision of water and sewerage
services to the site; and
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning had no objection
to the proposal, subject to the works being carried out in accordance with the proposal
plans.
Consultation
9.
The Moorooka Ward Councillor, Councillor Steve Griffiths, advised via telephone on
18 February 2014 that he did not support the application unless the applicant was required to
fully rehabilitate the site.
Public Notification
10.
Public notification was carried out in accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009
between 6 November 2013 and 19 December 2013. One properly made submission was
received. Issues raised in the submission include:
compliance with the strategic outcomes of the Brisbane City Plan 2000;
impact on stormwater quality and environmental corridors; and
compliance with the minimum lot size requirements of the Subdivision Code.
11.
Continuing, 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.
12.
The Team Manager therefore recommends that the application be approved subject to the
approved plans and conditions included in the Development Approval Package, submitted
and marked Attachment A, and the Infrastructure Agreement for Warapar Resources Pty Ltd.
The Committee agrees, with Councillors Helen Abrahams and Shayne Sutton abstaining.
13.
RECOMMENDATION:
(i)
That it be and is hereby resolved that whereas—
(a)
A development application (distributor-retailer) was properly made on
2 August 2013 to the Council, pursuant to Section 260 of the Sustainable
Planning Act 2009 (SPA), as follows:
Development aspects:
General description of
proposal:
Operational Works – Development Permit
(under section 243 of SPA)
Reconfiguration of a Lot – Development Permit
(under section 243)
Material Change of Use – Preliminary Approval
(under section 242)
Stage 1–
bulk
earthworks
(relocation
of
unregulated fill from proposed Lot 900
to proposed Lot 1 and stabilisation
works); and
reconfiguration of a Lot (two into two
lots).
Stage 2–
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 63 -
Land in the ownership
of:
Address of the site:
Described as:
Containing an area of:
(b)
Preliminary approval under SPA section 242 to
vary the effect of the planning scheme (Rural to
General Industry)
Warapar Resources Pty Ltd
55A and 59A Colebard Street West, Acacia
Ridge
Lot 3 on RP130715 and Lot 927 on SL7167
38.44 hectares.
The Council is required to assess the application pursuant to Part 7A
(Distributor Retailer) and Section 314 and 316 of the Sustainable Planning
Act 2009, and decide the application under sections 324, 326 and 327 of the
Sustainable Planning Act;
the Council—
(c)
Upon consideration of the application and those matters set forth in Sections
314, 316 324, 326 and 327 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 relevant to
the application considers that:
1.
the applicant has demonstrated that the proposal does not cause
conflict with the State Planning Policies, Planning Regulatory
Provisions or Regional Plan;
2.
the proposal is consistent with the Desired Environmental Outcomes
of the Brisbane City Plan 2000;
3.
the proposal provides a tangible community benefit with the
decontamination and dedication of 21.648 hectares of land for
‘drainage and environmental purposes’;
4.
the proposal recognises the shortage of industrial land in the region
and a number of industrial precincts close to capacity within
Brisbane;
5.
the proposal facilitates the growth of the city’s economy and
employment through the provision of land for future industry through
the preliminary approval;
6.
the proposal will not adversely impact on flooding of adjoining,
upstream or downstream properties;
7.
environmental impacts are managed to protect ecological values
associated with the environmental protection and rural areas located
close by;
8.
the proposal will not impact the amenity of residential uses or
remaining rural activities within the surrounding area in terms of
noise, air quality, and water quality; and
9.
representations to all submissions lodged pursuant to the Sustainable
Planning Act 2009 for the proposed development have been
addressed.
(d)
Accordingly considers that having executed the Infrastructure Agreement and
if the reasonable and relevant conditions in the Development Approval
Package, submitted on file and marked Attachment A, were imposed on the
development, it would be appropriate that the proposed development be
carried out on the subject land;
(e)
Issue Brisbane City Council Adopted Infrastructure Charges Notices for the
development pursuant to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and Brisbane
Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No. 3) 2013, for the transport,
community purposes and stormwater trunk infrastructure networks;
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 64 -
(f)
(i)
Under section 755A of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, Council on behalf
of Queensland Urban Utilities as the Central SEQ Distributor Retailer
Authority issue Adopted Infrastructure Charges Notices for the sewerage and
water supply trunk infrastructure networks; and
Whereas the Council determines as in (i) hereof, THE COUNCIL APPROVES
THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION (DISTRIBUTOR-RETAILER) referred
to above and subject to the conditions in the Development Approval Package,
submitted and marked Attachment A and the signed Infrastructure Agreement for
Warapar Resources at 55A and 59A Colebard Street West, Acacia Ridge, and
accordingly will:
(a)
notify the applicant of the decision and any Adopted Infrastructure Charges
Notices;
(b)
notify the Central SEQ Distributor-Retailer Authority of the decision and be
given a copy of any Adopted Infrastructure Charges Notice;
(c)
notify the concurrence agency, the Department of State Development,
Infrastructure and Planning, of the decision;
(d)
notify the Councillor of the Moorooka Ward, Councillor Steve Griffiths, of
the decision; and
(e)
notify the submitter of the decision at the expiration of the applicant’s appeal
period.
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 25 March 2014,
be adopted.
At that time, 5.21pm, the Chairman, Councillor Margaret de WIT, resumed the Chair.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor BOURKE:
Yes, look, thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Just a few things before we get
to the Committee report that we have before us. I just have to, though, make a
few comments because Councillor ABRAHAMS stood up just before in this
place and she made statements and she gave a speech about the DA that we just
dealt with, Madam Chairman, in regards to flooding. One would think, Madam
Chairman, that there is no flood information available anywhere in Council, not
accessible, you couldn't find it. If you went looking on the Council website,
Madam Chairman, you could not find a single piece of flood information,
Madam Chairman. That's what Councillor ABRAHAMS would have you
believe.
The reason she would have you believe that, because we all know that when the
Australian Labor Party were in power, Madam Chairman, they were getting
newspaper articles like, flood cover up, Madam Chairman, or reports they
refused to release, Madam Chairman. Let's not forget these pearlers that the
Australian Labor Party, Madam Chairman, when they were in power, refused out
and out to release flood information—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
—to the residents of Brisbane, Madam Chairman. When you could get a flood
report, Madam Chairman, you had to pay for it, Madam Chairman. You had to
pay to get the flood report to find out how your property was going to be
affected by flooding. Well, Madam Chairman, we on this side of the Chamber
have a different approach and Councillor GRIFFITHS can giggle all he likes
over there, Madam Chairman. He can giggle away. All the information is on
Council's website.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 65 Councillor interjecting.
Councillor BOURKE:
He can interject because we know he doesn't take flooding seriously, Madam
Chairman. All the information is available on Council's website. The new city
plan, Madam Chairman, breaks down the four different types of flooding
residents can experience across the city, Madam Chairman. There's the
FloodWise Property Report, there's flood awareness maps, Madam Chairman. So
there is a heap of information.
We know that Councillor ABRAHAMS is too busy to do the work, Madam
Chairman, by her own words. Too busy to actually do any work in this place,
Madam Chairman, but what I say to all councillors, and the Labor councillors
and the independent councillors in this place, Madam Chairman, that that
information is there and if Councillor ABRAHAMS wants to go and look on the
Council website, that information is there about the flood heights, Madam
Chairman, for those blocks that we just discussed and the type of flooding that
could potentially impact those blocks, Madam Chairman.
Turning to the Committee report, there was two items of the Committee report,
Madam Chairman. The first one was a presentation around erosion and sediment
control from the Council officers, Madam Chairman. An informative
presentation, highlighting the role the Council plays in protecting the waterway
in the bay. We understand that the bay is worth some $5.1 billion worth of
economic benefit to the city and the region, Madam Chairman, and obviously
about $2.1 billion of that is direct economic benefit to Brisbane.
That is why, Madam Chairman, we on this side of the Chamber continue to
invest more and more into the work that we do in creeks, waterways and also
compliance around erosion and sediment control across the city. So it was great
to see that the DA that we just ticked off, Madam Chairman, goes a long way to
helping to improve water quality through the Oxley Creek corridor and also
issues of sediment with some of that landfill or some of that fill that had been
placed on the site previously.
So, Madam Chairman, quite an informative presentation. We looked at some of
the types of devices that are used across the city to deal with sediment and
erosion issues, Madam Chairman, and where we've sort of gone, the journey,
Madam Chairman, when it comes to dealing with sediment and erosion control.
Turning to the other item, Item B, is a petition, Madam Chairman, calling on
Council to postpone the planting of Poinciana trees on the roadway at Moreton
Avenue, Wynnum. Madam Chairman, I understand that the local councillor did
consultation with the residents on this issue a number of years back. There's been
some to-ing and fro-ing. Some residents want the trees planted, some residents
don't want the tree planted, Madam Chairman. It was great for Councillor
CUMMING to make a call, a little bit late but at least he made a call, Madam
Chairman, and he supports the recommendation that we have before us, that is,
we continue with the existing five-year rolling program to plant the trees in the
roadway.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor CUMMING.
Councillor CUMMING:
Yes, Madam Chairman, I will be brief. Councillor BOURKE said I made a call
late. I got the response to the petition, I was given one day to respond so that was
a pretty late call. I thought a very prompt call. I support the recommendation.
Moreton Avenue has got a very attractive streetscape. It will be even better after
the proposed plantings. That's a very wide street. There's plenty of room for trees
to be planted in the street.
The street has actually performed a bit of traffic calming infraction as well
because without them, this is a street that's probably a normal lane width, about
five or six lanes wide and a kilometre and a half long and it would be very
attractive to hoons if it wasn't for the trees and of course some traffic calming
which we have in the street.
There's a small number of trees being removed. They are trees that are either
dying or structurally unsound so it's common sense if they be removed and I'm
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 66 looking forward to when the new trees are planted. I think it will be an even
more attractive avenue for people to live in and have a lot of nice houses in the
street as well. Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor BOURKE? I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber by the Chairman, the motion for the adoption of the report of the
Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Matthew Bourke (Chairman), Councillor Fiona King (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors
Peter Cumming, Kim Flesser, Geraldine Knapp and Ryan Murphy.
A
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
603/2013-14
1.
Pat Bourke, Natural Resource Management Integration Outcome Manager, Natural
Environment, Water and Sustainability Branch, City Planning and Sustainability Division,
delivered a presentation to the Committee on erosion and sediment control (ESC). He
provided the information below.
2.
Sediment poses the most significant risk to the health of waterways through damaging
habitats. The most significant source of sediment is from run-off from construction sites.
3.
Regional waterways and Moreton Bay provide an estimated $5.1 billion per year in economic
benefits and wealth creation, with Brisbane accounting for an estimated $2.1 billion per year
of this figure. Council addresses erosion and sediment impacts through managing waterway
health, implementing stormwater quality improvement devices and waterway enhancement
projects.
4.
A number of the primary impacts of sediment run-off were detailed and photographs showing
examples of these were displayed. The types of impacts discussed included: sediment washoff onto road networks, local waterways, the bay and private and community assets; the work
required to de-silt drains; and the impact of creek and bank erosion.
5.
Types of ESC methods were summarized and photographs of examples of each were
displayed. Control methods discussed included building hard infrastructure road extensions
and capability, installing silt fences, ensuring appropriate locations for on-site building
materials, and installing rumble pads, turf and jute matting. More expensive types of ESC
include construction of sediment basin/settlement ponds, on-site mulching and constructing
artificial wetlands.
6.
Council’s ESC compliance program was detailed. This program consists of the following
aspects:
compliance on development assessment and residential building sites
on-site education, training and awareness
site audits and enforcement.
Council site visits have demonstration that a high level of compliance is being achieved.
7.
The presenter concluded by reiterating that sediment from construction sites was the most
significant risk to the health of Brisbane River, Moreton Bay and local waterways. He
explained that Council’s ESC compliance activities were a cost effective, preventative, nonasset solution to effectively address these issues.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 67 -
8.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Bourke for
his informative presentation.
9.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
B
PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL POSTPONE THE PLANTING
OF POINCIANA TREES ON THE ROADWAY AT MORETON AVENUE,
WYNNUM, PENDING RESIDENT CONSENSUS
CA14/202633
604/2013-14
10.
A petition from residents of Wynnum, requesting that Council postpone the planting of
Poinciana trees on the roadway at Moreton Avenue, Wynnum, pending resident consensus,
was presented to Council at its meeting of 11 March 2014 by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor
Adrian Schrinner on behalf of the Lord Mayor, and received.
11.
The Executive Manager, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, provided the
information below.
12.
The petition has 36 signatures.
13.
The head petitioner wrote to Councillor Matthew Bourke, Chairman of the Environment,
Parks and Sustainability Committee in October 2013 regarding the themed-planting program.
She has also contacted the Lord Mayor twice, in November 2013 and again in February 2014
in relation to Council’s proposal to re-establish the tree corridor along Moreton Avenue.
14.
There are 83 properties in Moreton Avenue, including corner blocks. Thirty of these
households are represented amongst the petitioners. There appears to be diverse opinions and
attitudes amongst residents. This project arose because of strong representations from
residents and objections to the removal of dying trees. Achieving consensus amongst all
residents is unlikely because of these divergent views.
15.
In June 2009, a large significant Poinciana tree located at 44 Moreton Avenue had to be
removed due to structural reasons. Council received an objection to the removal from the
resident at 44 Moreton Avenue. Surrounding neighbours rallied behind the objection. The
resident who objected was informed of the reasons for the removal.
16.
Council officers and the local Councillor for Wynnum Manly Ward, Councillor Peter
Cumming, worked together to create a replacement plan that was to be carried out over the
next five years, to re-establish the original themed avenue of Poinciana trees, with trees
planted in the parking lanes. The resident at 44 Moreton Avenue and neighbours were very
supportive of this replacement plan.
17.
The head petitioner has never been in support of this replacement plan and in 2013 objected
to the replacement planting to occur at her address. The head petitioner was advised in
October 2013 that the project would proceed as planned. The Lord Mayor has advised the
head petitioner that she will be contacted once the outcome of the petition is known.
18.
Under Council’s replacement plan, trees were planned to be removed at:
90 Moreton Avenue – removal of one medium-sized Black Bean tree
7 Moreton Avenue – removal of one small Flame tree
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 68 -
-
96 Moreton Avenue – removal of one medium Jacaranda tree
100 Moreton Avenue – removal of one small Poinciana tree
118 Moreton Avenue – removal of one small Poinciana tree.
19.
The head petitioner objected to these tree removals and the proposed replanting. In the middle
of December 2013 Council officers met with Councillor Cumming to discuss this situation
and agreed on a revised plan that would avoid all but one of the tree removals (until the trees
decline naturally) but proceed with the proposed plantings. One tree at 90 Moreton Avenue
(Black Bean tree) was in decline and could not be saved, therefore this tree was removed in
February 2014.
20.
A letterbox drop advising all residents in the street of the planned works was carried out in
late January 2014.
21.
The Arboriculture Coordinator from Council’s Asset Services East Region inspected the site
on 14 February 2014 and found that five existing tree sites on the footpath required soil and
grass seed to be placed over some exposed roots to reduce the trip potential on the grassed
nature strip areas. This work is planned to be completed when the tree planting begins. These
sites are at 90, 92, 103, 108 and 122 Moreton Avenue.
22.
A contractor has been engaged to complete the project and preliminary work has commenced.
Planting was scheduled to start on 24 March 2014 but this has been put on hold pending the
outcome of this petition. The work can be resumed immediately once this outcome is known
and will be completed in less than one week.
23.
The work proposed in this stage will include a total of nine trees being planted within the
parking lanes at the following addresses: 11, 44, 56, 66, 80, 102, 114, 119 Moreton Avenue,
and outside the corner property at 90 Stradbroke Avenue. Five of the proposed nine plantings
are on the road outside the homes of people who have signed the postponement petition.
24.
Moreton Avenue is not intended as a major through-road, indeed it has already been treated
with traffic calming devices to influence the speed and volume of through traffic using it.
25.
The Moreton Avenue replacement program originally arose from requests by residents of
Moreton Avenue in consultation with the local ward councillor, and the current plantings are
the final stage in that program. After consideration of the varying opinions of local residents,
it has been decided that Council will proceed with the project as planned.
Funding
26.
This project is the last part of a planned five-year program and funding is available in the
2013-14 Council budget.
Consultation
27.
Councillor Cumming has been consulted and supports the recommendation below.
Customer impact
28.
The proposed planting program includes a tree outside the frontage of the head petitioner and
the frontages of four other petitioners. All of these are in the parking lane, not on the footpath,
so impact on the properties from root invasion and leaf or flower drop will be minimal.
29.
The trees will cause some loss of parking capacity in the street but the remaining capacity
considerably exceeds demand.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 69 -
30.
The Executive Manager therefore recommended as follows and the Committee agrees.
31.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED THAT the Moreton Avenue replacement
program originally arose from requests by residents of Moreton Avenue. The five-year
program began in 2009 in consultation between Council, local residents and the Councillor
for Wynnum Manly Ward, and the current plantings are the final stage in that program. After
consideration of the varying opinions of local residents, it has been decided that COUNCIL
WILL PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT AS PLANNED.
ADOPTED
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 25 March 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor McLACHLAN:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. Before us at committee presentation at Item A on
some of the work of the Construction branch in our committee presentations so
far this year have been moving through all the various divisions of Field Services
and Construction branch put their hand up to talk about some of their, what they
call, successes.
I believe all their projects are successes but some are more successful than others
perhaps but in their eyes what they've been able to highlight is what might be
regarded as relevantly smaller projects but extremely well-delivered and
providing a great outcome for the residents of Brisbane and in particular, and as
was highlighted during the presentation by the Construction branch manager,
providing wonderful opportunity for the apprentices employed by Council to get
some real experience on the job, not just in the schoolroom environment. So
that's been one of the great advantages of what might be regarded as smaller
projects undertaken by the Construction branch to provide real time on the
ground in-situ training for our apprentices.
That was in particular in relation to the Mount Coot-tha Gardens caretaker's
cottage which had been refurbished to provide office space for the garden's
maintenance team. But a couple of the other projects that were highlighted were
in Kenmore, the Merlin Terrace works, and Paddington, the Croydon Road Park
at Paddington—which were works undertaken and designed by members of the
Construction branch and executed extremely well by them to provide great
outcomes for Brisbane residents.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor CUMMING.
Councillor CUMMING:
Thanks, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I was very disappointed with this
presentation because, Madam Chairman, if this Administration is as transparent
and open as they claim then they would have had the Construction branch's
failures as well dealt with—
Chairman:
Councillor CUMMING.
Councillor CUMMING:
—at the same meeting and I did ask the manager if he would like to outline some
failures and he declined to do so, no doubt because Councillor McLACHLAN
wouldn't have liked him to do so. So I think it's important for many members to
learn that there have been successes but there's also been failures and what the
Council is doing to overcome any failures that had occurred during the year as
well.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor McLACHLAN.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 70 Councillor McLACHLAN:
Madam Chairman, how disappointing. In Councillor CUMMING's one
contribution in this place this year, he wants to serve it up to our Council
officers. I find that very disappointing but I guess it's what we've come to expect
from them.
Chairman:
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.
A
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – CONSTRUCTION BRANCH SUCCESSES
605/2013-14
1.
Shane MacLeod, Manager Construction Branch, Field Services Group, Brisbane
Infrastructure Division, attended the meeting to provide an update on the successes of the
Construction Branch. He provided the information below.
2.
One of the recent projects was a joint project between Asset Services Branch staff and the
Construction Branch. This involved the construction of an improved pathway and drainage in
Merlin Terrace, Kenmore. This project commenced on 24 January 2014 and was completed
on 6 February 2014 at a cost of $83,000. Images were shown of the three-week construction
project.
3.
A photograph was shown of the completed project in Merlin Terrace. The presenter noted that
the project team achieved a high quality outcome at a reduced cost to Council.
4.
The next project that was discussed involved the construction of a new park area and rock
wall at the Croydon Road Park in Paddington. It was noted that this area was a difficult site
because of the steep slope of the land and the associated water issues. The project commenced
on 17 February 2014 and was completed on 28 February 2014 at a cost of $32,000.
5.
A number of photographs were shown of the construction phase of the Croydon Road Park
project and the completed works. The presenter noted that the Croydon Road Park project in
Paddington reinforced the positive working relationship between the Construction and
Asset Services branches in providing a high quality of work in a cost-effective manner.
6.
The Construction Branch is currently involved in a project where the Mt Coot-tha Gardens
caretaker cottage is being refurbished to accommodate office space for the gardens
maintenance team. This project began on 14 January 2014 and is expected to be completed in
April 2014. The planned works require major demolition works, including the removal of
internal walls and the conversion of an old toilet and bathroom into a DDA (Disability
Discrimination Act) compliant facility.
7.
Some of the labour is being undertaken by the Asset Services branch and Trade Services
branch apprentices. This has resulted in a cost savings in the delivery of this project. The
approach taken by the Construction Branch for the project was to combine the works
provided by contracted and day labourers, giving the apprentices an exposure to on-the-job
training in projects that they would normally not have the chance to work on.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 71 -
8.
9.
10.
Photographs were shown of the refurbishment works both during the construction phase and
nearing completion. The presenter noted that to date, the project is on time and $20,000 under
budget.
Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr MacLeod
for his informative presentation.
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 25 March 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Before I get to the report, I'd just like to mention
some of the other fantastic things we're doing in Youth Week, particularly
around the suburbs, for councillors in the Chamber to make sure they can share it
with their local constituents. I did mention the Hip Hop 101 for young people to
learn about the history of Australian hip hop in our libraries in Banyo,
Indooroopilly, Wynnum, Bracken Ridge, Garden City and Inala and Zillmere
libraries.
On Saturday there's going to be a large youth event at DJ Sherrington Park and
The Hut from 10am to 3pm. So this is a family-friendly event for all ages so the
parents can come along too. It's activities from sport to creative types of projects.
So what we're doing is supporting the new youth facility down there called The
Hut that I'm sure Councillor DICK is very familiar with. The Inala Youth
Services is running that at DJ Sherrington.
We've been supporting them for the last nine months and this event is really
about the planning and coordination and the provision of chill-out activities over
the holidays in cooperation with The Hut. So there will be BMX workshops and
skate clinics, rock climbing walls, photo booth, food stalls, live entertainment
with DJs and Medusa Entertainment. So that's going to be on Saturday.
There's a free concert that afternoon—4ZZZ in Fortitude Valley for Councillor
HOWARD to share and anybody, I suppose, to speak to their young people
about getting into the Valley. So this one is about the indie darlings of junior
rock in Brisbane. So we have Un Dia Antes and Concrete Lips. Again I am
reading their names, Madam Chair, I don't actually know them personally but
I'm sure if you're into that arts scene with your garage rockers in Brisbane,
there'll be a lot of young people very excited. There's also going to be The
Missing and Junior Arcade so it should be a fantastic afternoon there, free too
and free station tours at 4ZZZ as well which would be very interesting for young
people interested in that industry.
A lot of youth organisations around Brisbane are also—
Chairman:
Councillor CUMMING, keep your voice down.
Councillor ADAMS:
—celebrating with us. So we have Vibrant—I hope Councillor CUMMING is
listening because we have Vibrant Voices for young people at 11am to 3pm at
the Wynnum bandstand on Wednesday 9 April and coordinated by Open Minds
and BABI (Bayside Adolescent Boarding Incorporated) and the Lota PCYC
(Police-Citizens Youth Club)from 11am to 3pm as well. So that's getting out to
the suburbs down there as well.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 72 The last one I really wanted to promote was on Sunday the 13th it's called Walk
in our Shoes. It's an event organised by QPASTT (Queensland Program of
Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma) and MDA (Multicultural
Development Association), two organisations we work with closely, and Youth
Voice and they're going to coordinate a walk from South Bank to West End
through the twilight markets from 12pm to 5pm. This was something that was
developed during the 2011 Queensland Youth Forum. The idea is to increase the
youth engagement in the local community.
So it's trying to get young people involved, to walk from South Bank to West
End so they can have a greater presence in the community and learn about other
people and walking a moment in their shoes and having a talk to some of the
survivors of trauma as we know that deal with QPASTT or our refugees at MDA
as well.
Fantastic line-up. That's just the big points. Please go onto the website and make
sure you find out, or Council's Facebook, and share it on your Facebook and
your newsletters and your Twitters, however you get your information out to
your young people so that they will know what's going on and making sure that
they know that we are catering for our youth in Brisbane. I think over the school
holidays, all parents will be looking for any opportunity to have their young ones
entertained as well.
At committee presentation last week, we had a very interesting presentation, a
day in the life of a Rapid Response Group (RRG) officer. So it was fantastic to
see. We had a little bit of a video to show you the variety of different things that
RRG officers do. They were established in 2009 by the LNP Administration. It
was the first local government 24/7 frontline response team and it did start out of
The Gap storm, realising that we needed somebody there 24/7.
It has grown into an amazing team of 33 officers that work right across the city.
Twenty eight of those are field-based. There's four operational supervisors and
one team leader. During the January storm last year, they actioned more than 200
jobs within 36 hours. That's the type of emergency work that they do for us and I
have to say Lord Mayoral commendations don't go anywhere near the type of
things that they deserved our thanks for when it came to the flood response in
2011. They did an absolutely amazing job.
So these officers need to be across 46 different State and local laws. They deal
with more than 600 different offences and attend more than 35,000 complaints
across same day responses. So it's an enormous job that they do year on year,
day in, day out—everything from litter enforcement, parking complaints, urgent
building matters, comprising demolition or unauthorised building work, also
vegetation management. They're first response for water contamination and
environment incidents and of course our health, safety and amenity local laws as
well.
I have to say very, very proud of the officers and the work that they do in this
field and I'm sure everybody here in the Chamber knows of an event or an
occasion in their ward that they've called on the RRG officers there. They've
been there prompt and timely and sorted it out in a very professional but
courteous manner as well.
Madam Chair, I'd just like to highlight that the RRG has improved our
compliance service delivery. It has improved our health, amenity and local
suburbs where we live, whether it be around our schools, whether it be in our
streets. On average they travel over 16,000 kilometres per month and as I said, a
fantastic group of men and women who are passionate and committed to their
job and they help keeping Brisbane a safe city.
There's also a petition on the committee here today and I'll leave that for
discussion in the Chamber. Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak on Item B which is a petition by local
residents to extend the opening hours of Corinda Library.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 73 Corinda Library is a fantastic community facility. It is in a heritage-listed
building in the middle of the Corinda shopping precinct. Far from the description
in this report, Madam Chairman, this is a medium-density area where, as part of
this Council's City Plan, the then deputy chairman of the planning committee,
Councillor ADAMS, and Councillor COOPER, specifically want to put more
people into this part of our city.
They up-zoned the area and, Madam Chairman, they fully expect that there will
be five storey buildings all over the place in this area. It is very disappointing
though, Madam Chairman, when residents see that this Council will not invest in
the resources to support a growing community. I am very disappointed, Madam
Chairman, that there's not even been a modicum of consideration given to
opening the library for longer.
As we know, Corinda Library works on a part-time basis. As this report outlines,
it's only open 31 hours a week. It means that it is very hard for shift workers and
families to get into the library with such limited opening hours. It would have
been a very good initiative of this Council to open the library for longer. This is
a resident-generated petition. These residents love their local library and, Madam
Chairman, for many people in my community, it is not an option to go to
Indooroopilly some five kilometres away, if you can get there over the crowded
bridge, to go to the library.
It is, Madam Chairman, essential that we have local services for local residents.
We know that this Administration is not interested in supporting the needs of
local residents when they don't consider things like extending library hours. This
is a really disappointing response. I can see, Madam Chairman, that it doesn’t
look like any consideration has been given to this request.
I've looked at the files. The only thing in the files are the email from the head of
Library Services to me and my responses to her. That is it. There is nothing in
terms of independent assessment. There is nothing in terms of internal
discussion. There is absolutely not a skerrick of paper in the file to show that this
Administration gave even a moment's thought to extending the library hours.
It looks like the petition has come in, the LNP Administration has formulated a
response, sent it to me and then I've said this is not a good decision, you should
really look at reconsidering and they haven't, Madam Chairman. There's not a
single thing in the file that demonstrates that there's been any reason thought to
the position that the LNP Administration is putting forward today.
Corinda Library is a fantastic resource. The fact the building is small does not
mean that more people cannot come along. It is the place where this Council
holds its public meetings. It is the place where we have wonderful events for our
community and I simply would like to see it open a bit longer so that we can
have more of those events to support our community in Corinda and surrounding
suburbs.
This would benefit residents in my ward. It would benefit residents in Councillor
DICK's ward and it would benefit residents in Councillor BOURKE's ward and I
know Councillor BOURKE is absent from the Chamber. I hope he’s going to
come back for the vote because he will be voting against extending library hours
for his own residents, Madam Chairman, his own residents.
What's his position on this? Is he going to stand up and say he doesn’t think that
the Corinda Library should be open any longer? This is a great initiative. It's a
great proposal and I'm happy to support the residents' petition. I want to see
more kids being able to go and read books. I would like to make sure, Madam
Chairman, that we can have more events by opening the library longer. I would
certainly like to, Madam Chairman, ensure that our residents have the use of
great local facilities.
If this Council wants to keep pushing density into these parts of town, and
Councillor ADAMS is nodding her head, yes, she's pushing, she's nodding her
head, Madam Chairman—
Councillor ADAMS;
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 74 Chairman:
Point of order against you, Councillor JOHNSTON. Yes, Councillor ADAMS.
Councillor ADAMS:
Councillor JOHNSTON is imputing motive. I'm not nodding my head at her.
Chairman:
Thank you. I think, Councillor ADAMS, perhaps deal with it in your summing
up.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, I just made a statement, she was nodding her head, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSON, get on with it.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Well, I am, Madam Chairman. I was interrupted by something that wasn't a point
of order. Now, Madam Chairman, it is not good enough to say there's
Indooroopilly Library up the road. Local residents want local services and
facilities and this decision by the LNP is another poor decision for the residents
of Corinda, Sherwood, Graceville, Chelmer, Oxley, Seventeen Mile Rocks,
Richlands, all the other suburbs that are around this library.
They will lose out because this LNP Administration cannot, Madam Chairman,
find a little bit of extra money, and if I remember correctly they're actually
cutting library services in the financial reports today. This is a terrible decision.
It does not in any way, shape or form reflect the needs and desires of residents
out my way.
Seriatim - Clause B
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON requested that Clause B, PETITIONS – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL
EXTEND THE CORINDA LIBRARY OPENING HOURS, be taken seriatim for voting purposes.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
It's a bad decision and I don't support the recommendation.
Chairman:
Thank you. Further debate? Councillor MARX.
Councillor MARX:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on the committee presentation on the
Rapid Responses Group. I want to echo Councillor ADAMS' words and say that
I think that every single councillor in this Chamber, regardless of what side of
Chamber you are on, would agree that the Rapid Response Council officers do a
fabulous job.
I unfortunately had the personal experience of having to call them for myself
when I was out walking in the ward and got bailed up by a dog. So I was in a
panic, rang the contact centre and luckily for me they were only 15 minutes
away in the next suburb so they were there rapidly, as the name suggests. Then
as like what happened as soon as the dogs saw the gentleman getting out of the
car, he was the one that ran away. So they obviously know these guys better than
I do and what a wonderful job they do.
The other thing that we all call Rapid Response Group Council officers for is
school parking. We all have schools in our ward, we all have problems with
parking in our ward around schools and the Council officers are always there for
us to go out there and deal with this issue for us. So I just want to say they do a
wonderful job and I'm sorry I missed the presentation and hopefully I'll get
another chance to see it again some time. Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise to speak briefly in
respect of the Rapid Response Group and certainly I have got the utmost respect
for the efforts that these particular Council officers put in across our city day in,
day out. As Councillor ADAMS has explained, they do travel significant
distances on a daily basis to attend to urgent jobs.
I think that this is one of the areas of Council that the residents certainly see
these officers out there in a very visible way but also know that they are there to
support them when they need things dealt with on a very rapid basis, hence the
name.
Madam Chairman, over a number of years since the inception of this Rapid
Response Group, there have been quite a number of times where the officers
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 75 have assisted with circumstances in my ward and all I can say is that the
response from the officers has been second to none. It is a high-level quality
professional service that they undertake to provide to the residents across our
city, certainly in their approach to all of these circumstances. They are often
difficult circumstances, they are often circumstances where people maybe
distressed or irate and they certainly have the capacity to quickly assess those
situations and manage them and that is a very key component of their work.
It's certainly something that in my ward we value their contribution to our
Council and our city and our suburbs and on behalf of my residents, I say to all
of those officers a very big thank you for the work that they do. Thank you,
Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Further debate? Councillor ADAMS.
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd just like to respond to the argument about the
petition that we heard here today. The petition that we received, the e-petition
about the Corinda Library requesting extension to the opening hours, asked for
the Corinda Library to be open seven days a week, full-day Saturday and
evening hours one night per week.
I think we need to make it very clear here that we have 33 libraries across
Brisbane City. They are varying size, they cater for varying needs, they cater for
varying events and for that reason they cater for varying numbers and then of
course the resources and the hours that we have them open for.
I would like to clarify one thing, that there is no cutting the libraries that we saw
in the quarterly report today. That is an absolute furphy and I’d just like to make
that very clear. Just made up perhaps, Councillor SIMMONDS. But I have to say
that when it comes to our libraries, we have to balance the budget when it comes
to all 33 libraries across Brisbane.
We are saying in this petition and the councillor is right that the Corinda Library
is serviced very closely by an important library hub at Indooroopilly. It is open
seven days a week, it does include two evenings a week until 8pm but do we
know why? It is a regional library. One of the reasons is Corinda Library has
averaged 68,000 to 70,000 people over the last couple of years, about 1,300 a
week. Indooroopilly Library: 435,000.
So what is the comparison there? I would suggest poor and reckless financial
management by this Chair to go and open seven days a week in the Corinda
Library for a library that is seeing so much less numbers than the Indooroopilly.
I have to say there's other small libraries doing way better than that. We've seen
a 31 per cent increase in the Inala Library in the last 12 months.
The refurbishment that we did, taking out the service centre, has really made the
library come to life and people are voting with their feet to go to that library.
How many people at the Inala Library? Two hundred and thirty one thousand
plus per year for the Inala Library. So this is a smaller library on the scale to
some of the others that we have across Brisbane.
Some of the comparative libraries that we are looking at, and I take the comment
that it was not considered. It definitely was considered. It was considered in light
of the other similar libraries to the Corinda Library. The Mount Gravatt Library,
which opens on the same basis as Corinda Library with an average of 62,000
visitors, again within the four to five kilometres from the Garden City Library.
The Carina Library, again less hours than the Corinda Library. The Carina
Library averages about 63,000 visitors, again within the four to five kilometre
range from the Carindale Library. The West End library, which is very close to
our BSQ, only has 45,000 but is a very much smaller library in a heritage
building as well, mind you 27 hours a week, and Annerley is another one with
much less numbers but has similar hours, 25 hours.
Madam Chair, we cannot open every library seven days a week, two nights a
week, to satisfy some political agenda by a councillor in that local area. It is
ridiculous to suggest—
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 76 Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Point of order against you.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I do believe that Councillor ADAMS is imputing motive with that statement and
I would ask you to ask her to withdraw it.
Chairman:
Well, Councillor ADAMS didn't mention your name but—no, she didn't. She
said a councillor in that area. You're the one who was talking about it being
Councillor BOURKE's library as well. Councillor ADAMS, perhaps you might
withdraw the comment.
Councillor ADAMS:
I'm happy to withdraw the comment, Madam Chair, but as I said before, these
libraries are looked at across the board on a scale of libraries of a similar size. I
think the councillor who has spoken on this petition, who shall not be named,
should be happy that she has two libraries in her ward because there are others
that would love any library in their ward—three libraries. Sorry, Councillor
WINES, I'll take that back. Three libraries in her ward and I think there's some
councillors that would like any library in their ward, Madam Chair. But we do
have to make sure that we are considering the—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor ADAMS:
—budget from Councillor SIMMONDS as well, thank you very much. We
focus—
Chairman:
Order! Councillor JOHNSON, you're on a warning.
Councillor ADAMS:
—on our regional libraries. We don't shut libraries, Madam Chair, like those
before us. We do keep them open, we do keep them serviced and as the
councillor has said, it is a fantastic spot for events, for local events, for
community groups to meet. It's a fantastic resource, Corinda, and it will continue
to be a fantastic resource for Corinda as it is designed to meet the needs of the
residents that it serves.
Each library does that from community to community and I totally recommend
the petition response.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for Item A.
Clause A put
Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clause A of the report of the Brisbane
Lifestyle Committee was declared carried on the voices.
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 Brisbane
Lifestyle Committee was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Nicole JOHNSTON and Steve GRIFFITHS immediately rose and called for a division,
which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 17 -
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
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,
Shayne SUTTON and Nicole JOHNSTON.
The report read as follows
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 77 -
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Krista Adams (Chairman), Councillor Andrew Wines (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors
Steve Griffiths, Vicki Howard, Steven Huang, and Victoria Newton.
A
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – RAPID RESPONSE GROUP
606/2013-14
1.
Sean Hodgson, Branch Manager, Compliance and Regulatory Services Branch, Brisbane
Lifestyle Division, presented to the meeting on Council’s Rapid Response Group. He
provided the information below.
2.
The Rapid Response Group was established in 2009 following The Gap storm event. The
group is comprised of 33 Staff members; 28 field-based officers, four operational supervisors
and one team leader. Mr Hodgson gave a brief explanation of how incidents were dealt with
prior to the Rapid Response Group’s formation and showed the Committee a video of the
group in action and of some of the events that they deal with on a daily basis.
3.
The Rapid Response Group functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is
Queensland’s only compliance team that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The group
operates under 46 different State and Local Laws and enforces compliance of over 600
different offences. The group also has additional disaster and event responsibilities. Council
receives over 35,000 complaints each year that require same-day, high-priority response that
Council areas, such as Rapid Response Group, respond to.
4.
Mr Hodgson showed images and described some examples of the incidents that the group is
involved, including:
animal attacks
protected vegetation
dangerous structures
heritage buildings
footway hazards
environmental incidents
disaster response
emergency traffic response and safety
events and protest management.
5.
A map of Brisbane showing the sites around the city that a Rapid Response Group officer
travelled on a particular day was displayed. The diversity of locations and activities carried
out by that officer was discussed.
6.
The Committee asked a number of questions and the Chairman thanked Mr Hodgson for his
informative presentation.
7.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
B
PETITIONS – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL EXTEND THE CORINDA
LIBRARY OPENING HOURS
CA14/92129 and CA14/110179
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 78 -
607/2013-14
8.
Two petitions from residents of Brisbane, requesting that Council extend the Corinda Library
opening hours, were received. One was received during Summer Recess 2013-14 and the
other was presented to Council at its meeting of 11 February 2014 by Councillor Nicole
Johnston, and received.
9.
The Divisional Manager, Brisbane Lifestyle Division, provided the information below.
10.
The two petitions request that Council extend the opening hours of the Corinda Library to
seven days a week including, all day Saturday and on one evening during the week. The first
petition (CA14/92129) contains a total of 149 signatures and the second petition
(CA14/110179) contains nine.
11.
Corinda Library is open 31 hours per week, Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday
9am to 12pm.
12.
Within the structure of Council’s network of 33 libraries, Corinda Library is considered a
small facility. The library has the capacity to provide focussed services and currently serves
an average of 1,340 people each week. It is located within a small local shopping precinct.
13.
The services of Corinda Library are complemented by the regional hub library located within
six kilometres of the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. The Indooroopilly Library is a much
larger hub facility with the capacity to serve a high volume of customers and provide a greater
range of services and facilities. Currently, Indooroopilly Library serves an average of 8,400
people per week. It is open 61 hours per week, over seven days, including two late nights
(until 8pm) during the week.
14.
Due to the Corinda Library’s size and location, it does not have the capacity to provide the
range of services to attract, or support the volume of customers that can be achieved through a
regional hub library. The larger Indooroopilly Library is within reasonable proximity, is open
seven days per week and is located within the major shopping centre precinct in the region.
Therefore extending Corinda Library’s opening hours to seven days per week is not
considered necessary at this time.
Consultation
15.
The Councillor for Tennyson Ward, Councillor Nicole Johnston, was consulted on
19 March 2014 and does not support the recommendation.
16.
The Divisional Manager recommended as follows and the Committee agrees, with
Councillors Steve Griffiths and Victoria Newton dissenting.
17.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE COMMITTEE NOTE THE INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT AND
ENDORSE THE DRAFT RESPONSE (ATTACHMENT A BELOW) TO THE HEAD
PETITIONER.
ATTACHMENT A
Draft Response
Petition References: CA14/92129 and CA14/110179
I write to you in response to the two petitions submitted to Council requesting an extension to the
opening hours of the Corinda Library to seven days a week, including all day Saturday and one
evening during the week.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 79 -
The opening hours for each Council library are determined by a range of factors including use by
customers, location, space capacity and the range of services available, operating budget and the level
of service provided through other libraries in reasonable proximity.
Corinda Library is a small library with the capacity to focus on services that meet the majority of local
needs. Corinda Library is complemented by the hub library at the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. The
Indooroopilly Library has the capacity to provide a greater range of services and is open seven days
per week, with late evenings to 8pm on Tuesday and Thursday.
Due to Corinda Library’s size and location it does not have the capacity to provide the range of
services, or attract or support the volume of customers that can be achieved through a hub library.
Because the much larger Indooroopilly Library is within reasonable proximity, opens seven days per
week and is located within the major shopping centre precinct in the region, extending the Corinda
Library’s opening hours to seven days per week is not considered necessary at this time.
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 25 March 2014, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate? No debate? 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 – BRISBANE AIRPORT: ECONOMIC
BENEFITS OF A 24/7 AIRPORT
608/2013-14
1.
Mr Shawn Day, Economic Development Manager, City Planning and Economic
Development Branch, City Planning and Sustainability Division, attended the meeting to
provide a presentation on the economic benefits of a curfew-free status for Brisbane Airport.
He provided the information below.
2.
On 19 March 2014, the Federal Government confirmed that it would not impose a curfew on
Brisbane Airport. The ruling was based on the recommendations of the Brisbane Airport
Curfew Review Steering Committee. The Committee found that night-time restrictions would
not significantly reduce aircraft noise impacts on Brisbane residents.
3.
Brisbane Airport is hugely important in terms of economic value because it is vital for trade,
tourism and business travel. In 2012, Brisbane Airport moved more than 20 million
passengers and over 107,000 tonnes of air freight and mail. Over the last decade, there has
been a 71 per cent increase in international passenger movements through the airport. It is
currently Australia’s third-busiest airport.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 80 -
4.
A map showing the international destinations currently serviced through Brisbane Airport was
displayed. There are 29 international destinations, all spanning a 12-hour time zone, as well as
43 domestic destinations that can be reached directly from Brisbane Airport.
5.
The current (2012-13) and projected (2033-34) economic contribution, based on the
assumption that Brisbane Airport remains curfew-free, is as follows:
Brisbane Airport is estimated to contribute $5.4 billion to Gross Domestic Product
currently, and this is expected to grow to $13.4 billion in 2033-34.
A total of 20,592 FTE (full-time equivalent) workers were employed directly at the
airport in 2012-13. This is expected to grow to 51,592 FTEs in 2033-34.
Tourism facilitated by the airport has been quantified at $3.1 billion in 2012-13. This
is expected to grow to $7.6 billion in 2033-34.
A total of 16.8 million domestic and 4.5 million international passengers travelled via
the airport in 2012-13, and this is expected to increase to 37 million and 11.3 million
passengers, respectively, in 2033-34.
Flights are also forecast to grow from 227,000 in 2014-15 to over 360,000 by 2035.
6.
It is estimated that the introduction of a curfew would reduce the airport’s economic
contribution by $1.7 billion for South East Queensland alone, and an additional $250 million
Australia-wide by 2033-34—a total of $1.95 billion for the entire nation. This equates to
about a 15 per cent loss in economic contribution should a curfew be imposed on the airport.
7.
Some of the reasons that a curfew-free status for the airport is economically beneficial are as
follows:
makes Brisbane more attractive to international carriers as it fits in with other time
zones and decreases the cost of landing slots, providing greater choice and flexibility
increases Brisbane’s global status as a business and tourism destination
gives Brisbane a competitive advantage over Sydney, Gold Coast and Adelaide
airports, which currently have curfews.
8.
The impacts of a curfew include:
daytime slots becoming oversubscribed
reduced growth potential of long-haul services
limits the operation of low-cost carriers
increases flight cancellations
compresses early-morning departures and associated noise.
An airport curfew would constrain Brisbane’s growth as a global city, and would be
detrimental to future growth of exports, international students, tourism, visitation and
competitiveness of Brisbane businesses.
9.
The Committee asked a number of questions and the Chairman thanked Mr Day for his
informative presentation.
10.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE
REPORT.
ADOPTED
B
COMMITTEE REPORT – FINANCIAL REPORTS (ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE,
RATES,
INVENTORY,
ACCOUNTS
PAYABLE,
PROVISIONS AND MALLS) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 2013
134/695/317/346
609/2013-14
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 81 -
11.
The Divisional Manager, Organisational Services Division, provided a detailed report
(submitted on file) on Council’s position relating to accounts receivable, rates, inventory,
accounts payable, provisions and malls for the period ended December 2013.
12.
The Committee noted the report. The financial reports (accounts receivable, rates, inventory,
accounts payable, provisions and malls) for the period ended December 2013 are now
presented for noting by Council.
13.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT, SUBMITTED ON
FILE, BE NOTED.
ADOPTED
C
BUSHLAND PRESERVATION LEVY REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 2013
134/695/317/347
610/2013-14
14.
The Manager Financial Management, Corporate Finance Branch, Organisational Services
Division, provided the Committee with a report on expenditure for bushland purposes for the
period ended December 2013.
15.
The Bushland Preservation Levy Report is prepared on a quarterly basis in order to show the
balance of funds held for environmental bushland purposes along with details of
environmental bushland expenditure.
16.
The Committee noted the information contained in the report (submitted on file) and that the
balance of the funds held for environmental bushland purposes for the period ended
December 2013 is -$3,206,518.
17.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT, SUBMITTED ON
FILE, BE NOTED.
ADOPTED
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS:
Chairman:
Councillors, are there any petitions? Councillor HOWARD.
Councillor HOWARD:
Yes, Madam Chairman. I have two petitions, one regarding residential parking
permits and the other regarding parking limits in Langshaw Street, New Farm.
Chairman:
Councillor MARX.
Councillor MARX:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm presenting a petition on behalf of yourself to
request that Brisbane City Council immediately install a shelter on Moggill Road
outbound at the Grandview Road bus stop.
Chairman:
Councillor KING.
Councillor KING:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to present a petition about traffic management
on Swan Street.
Chairman:
Councillor CUMMING.
Councillor CUMMING:
Two-page petition calling upon Council to fund the Lindum level crossing fly
over.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 82 Chairman:
Further petitions? Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I have a significant number of
petitions calling for a new West End park on the distant education site.
Chairman:
Further petitions? Councillor MURPHY.
611/2013-14
It was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor Shayne SUTTON, 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.
CA14/280149
CA14/285715
Councillor
Vicki Howard
Vicki Howard
CA14/289765
CA14/246906
Kim Marx on behalf
of Margaret de Wit
Fiona King
CA14/289810
Peter Cumming
CA14/289730
Helen Abrahams
Topic
Opposing the proposed fee for residential parking permits
Requesting that Langshaw Street, New Farm, has a
four-hour parking limitation between 8am and 5pm
Requesting that Council install a shelter on Moggill Road
outbound at the Grandview Road bus stop, Pullenvale
Requesting that Council install speed mitigation devices
in Swan Street, Gordon Park
Requesting that Council commit to constructing the
Lindum Railway Crossing Overpass before the end of the
current term of Council
Opposing the resumption of homes in Rogers and Raven
Streets, West End and calling on Council to deliver a new
park at 405 Montague Road, West End
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Chairman:
Are there any items of general business? Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise tonight to speak on two
things, the first being Ruth Frith Place and the second being the Parkinson Ward
Neighbourhood Festival.
Madam Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to advise the Chamber that last
Thursday morning, the official unveiling took place of Ruth Frith Place and it
was quite interesting because while we were setting up—yes, Councillor KING,
it was raining but that did not deter the family and friends from coming down
and supporting the unveiling. For the actual time when family members and
close friends were speaking on Ruth's behalf, the rain stopped. So the joke was
that Ruth probably got them to put a plug in it so it stopped raining for a little
while while it all took place and then when she'd had enough of the speeches it
started to rain again.
It was a lovely occasion, Madam Chairman, and it was certainly one that was,
whilst it had a sense of formality to it, it was very informal in the sense in that it
was very much about Ruth and how humble she was as a person and we were
reflecting on many different aspects of what she was like. She used to say: “I
don't know what the fuss is all about, you know.” When she reached 100 she
said: “all I did was just keep breathing to get to 100.” She said: “I haven't done
anything special to get to 100.”
I think in respect of her sporting achievements and her contribution to sport and
the community over many, many years, that was what was significant. The fact
that she was 104 and a half and she was still mobile, she was still engaged in
activity. She really proved that age is no barrier to achieving goals, if you set
your mind to something. She was a very determined lady and she was just so
witty and so on the ball. She didn't miss a trick.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 83 I think that's one thing I really valued about the friendship that I had with her,
that she was so down to earth, that she always extended the hand of friendship,
she always had a smile for people and she would talk to anybody, no matter what
their age. She always loved it when a younger person took time to speak to her
because she had a wealth of experience in her lifetime. I think one of the things
that she was really about was about friendship and about contributing to our
community.
Certainly my life has been enriched, both personally and professionally, for
having the opportunity to get to know her and to have friendship with her over a
number of years. It was interesting also to note that Ruth's daughter, Helen is a
dual Olympian and also attended three Commonwealth Games and is a triple
Commonwealth Games medallist. Helen actually said when we were doing the
unveiling that she felt it was an honour to be able to accept that recognition on
behalf of her mother but also that she thought that Ruth would be there saying: “I
don't know what all the fuss is about.”
Ruth was a very humble lady and I think that's what, when we do these park or
place namings and we recognise people, it isn't the people who deliberately go
out there and say, look at me, aren't I great. It is the people who are the quiet
achievers, the people who day in, day out, do the sort of things that make us take
notice, that people in our communities notice. It was interesting as well to see
the mix of people that were there at the unveiling. I do thank the media outlets
who took an interest as well and turned up at the event, despite the rain.
We had representatives there from the Algester Bowls Club, both ladies and
men's. Ruth had a very keen interest in bowls as well. We had some of her
master's games fellow competitors. We had representatives from local
businesses. We had neighbours who took time off work to turn up. We had a lot
of residents from the Carrington Retirement Community who also came down.
The other couple of people that were there who Ruth meant a lot to were Margie
Brown and Mandy Lake of the Flickchicks. They actually did the 100+ Club
documentary and they've done an extremely large amount of work with
centenarians across our city in bringing together that documentary. I think it was
very important to have them there because they were a very big part of Ruth's
life.
I do say thank you, a very big thank you, to the Council officers who made sure
that the sign was in place, that all the work around the site was done and
certainly I have passed on to the relevant work units my appreciation for those
officers making sure that everything was done, completed and ready to go in
time for the unveiling. We all miss Ruth but this is a way that we can reflect and
honour her memory forever more.
Madam Chairman, on Saturday, despite the heat, the Parkinson Ward
Neighbourhood Festival went ahead and it was a fantastic day, just by the sheer
numbers of the community who attended. We had come and try activities for the
children, including Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL. We also had League &
Learn. We had music opportunities, craft opportunities and certainly we were
well supported by St John's Ambulance, the Queensland Police, the Crime
Prevention Unit. Of course, my SES (State Emergency Service) south-western
group were there in full force and working extremely hard as usual—and to Kate
from SES who did a lot of the coordination on the day. She also did a fantastic
job.
We also had Tina Bollendorf who sings. She's trained at the Queensland
Conservatorium and her and her band performed initially prior to the citizenship
ceremony hosted by Forest lake Rotary, where we saw citizenship conferred on
to 150 people in our local community and that was a great time for many of
those residents. After the citizenship ceremony, we had Dezzi Dee and the
Stingrays playing rhythm and blues in the park for the afternoon. So it was a nice
way to just chill out in the park after the citizenship ceremony in the lead up to
the movies in the park.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 84 Can I say, Madam Chairman, Calamvale District Park is becoming a fantastic
venue for events like this and we did an approximate count and we estimated
about 1000 people there, families with young children as well as teenagers who
were actually just hanging out in the park watching the movies all by themselves
without mum and dad hanging around them.
It was a great night having the food stalls. I do acknowledge as well the
coordination of the Easter egg prizes for the come and try activities which were
donated and supported by LJ Hooker at Algester and also I do recognise Charles
Adler from the Buy a Bale campaign. He had a stall there to encourage people to
be more aware of the plight of our farmers out west and to encourage them to
pay their $20, buy a bale, help the farmers and support our primary industries out
west.
Madam Chairman, Parkinson Ward Neighbourhood Festival was first derived
from the national Neighbour Day focus to break down barriers of isolation and
create better networks in our community. Certainly from the activities that took
place on Saturday afternoon, we are achieving that and I thank all of the
community members, particularly Algester Guides and Scouts, for their guard of
honour during the citizenship ceremony and everybody else for their
participation. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Further general business? Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thanks, Madam Chair, I'll be very brief tonight. I rise tonight to acknowledge
the service of Councillor SUTTON and Councillor CUMMING who celebrate
10 years and 20 years respective service to the City of Brisbane. I understand
Councillor WYNDHAM will also be celebrating 10 years, wherever he is
tonight, so I acknowledge his service as well.
He's sleeping in the corner to celebrate. He's deserved that, Madam Chair. It's the
one time I'll say he deserves that.
I do acknowledge anyone who serves in public life and I particularly say to the
opposition, on behalf of Labor councillors, I acknowledge their service. I was
fortunate enough to attend a gala dinner celebrated with Councillor SUTTON
and her family and around 200 people on Saturday night. Well, anyway I
attended the dinner with a number of community representatives and I know that
Councillor CUMMING will be similarly having a function this Friday night.
It is a significant achievement for anyone to serve for that level of time. At the
dinner they wanted to know what Councillor SUTTON was like in the Chamber
and I said, quiet as a mouse but then everyone started laughing. So they knew
that as a passionate advocate for Morningside Ward, and they know with
Councillor CUMMING someone who will always stand up for their local
communities, I acknowledge their service and pay tribute to the work that
they've done for the local residents and the Brisbane wider community.
Chairman:
Further general business? Councillor ADAMS.
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I get up to respond to a question on notice on behalf
of the LORD MAYOR who asked me to respond to the Yeerongpilly TOD
because there was some suggestion that I knew something about it as well and I
do know something about it.
The Yeerongpilly TOD had three heritage buildings on site when they were
looking at the redevelopment, the State, and those three buildings were offered
to Council but I have to make it very clear that nothing comes free, nothing
comes free these days. So yes, the buildings were offered free in situ as they
were on site at that point of time.
So as we do in this place, we did our due diligence. The Property Asset
Coordinator, the Asset Manager from Brisbane Infrastructure and the
Community Facilities architect, all three major experts in their area when it
comes to asset optimisation, undertook a site inspection of these heritage
buildings and they made it very clear that the buildings were considered to be a
potential liability, could become a high risk for Council with prohibitive costs—
and prohibitive, I think, is an under-estimate associated cost in refurbishment
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 85 and ongoing management of these three heritage buildings, particularly for use
as community space.
That we would investigate ways to fulfil the community facilities within this
area as new buildings came on site and looked at community dividend that may
become available. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I rise to speak on a new park in West
End or the disappearing new park in West End, the name of parks in West End,
my workload.
Now, Madam Chair, before I start, I might—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
—just let you know that there are two other councillors very keen to speak and
I'm sure they will be brief.
Madam Chair, last week at about this time Councillor COOPER gave an
explanation of a park that was on the distance education site. Madam Chair, her
speech was so misleading that I am obligated to get up and deliver the facts.
Madam Chair, the facts are—and I will take that interjection. It's got nothing to
do with luck, it's got to do with the facts. Madam Chair, the South Brisbane
Riverside Neighbourhood Plan, which is in the Brisbane City Plan 2000 has
Map C which is entitled New Public Open Space. Madam Chair, I will table all
of these documents at the end of my speech so that the officers don't have to get
up.
Madam Chair, on that plan it shows clearly an asterisk which is in the code a
new public open space. That area is a bit obscured by other information but it is
in the site of the Distance Education site, the Pradella/Duncan Street site and
possibly the Bailey Street site. But, Madam Chair, that plan shows a new public
park.
Madam Chair, the next plan I wish to table is in the new City Plan, the draft new
City Plan, and that is figure A on what is essentially should be the same plan.
But that shows a plaza on the same area. Cadastral, so you're not exactly sure
where it is, but a plaza. And, Madam Chair, when you go to the new City Plan
and see what the definition of a plaza is. It says that it's privately-owned open
space that is publicly accessible during hours of operation. Privately owned,
open space.
Madam Chair, when I give that information to the residents of West End, they
know that is not a park. A park is public land that is publicly accessible for the
residents in the area. They were very clear about that. There was no decision. In
fact, what they thought was privately owned, publicly accessible during hours of
operation is what we think of when we think of shopping malls because that fits
into that context. So, Madam Chair, let us be quite clear, the park disappeared
with the change in the new City Plan.
Let's now go to the issue of the actual location of that public park and that's
where it really gets interesting because, Madam Chair, the Pradella site, which I
will call the Duncan Street site, is 2.1 hectares. In the city plan it has five tower
buildings that range from nine to 14 storeys on them. The city plan, in the South
Brisbane Riverside Plan, is very clear. It says any site that is a hectare or more
should provide a minimum of 20 per cent publicly-accessible open space.
Now, does the development application that was approved on the Pradella site
show public accessible land? Far from it, Madam Chair, and I will table in these
plans of the tower buildings where it says northern elevation to private open
space. Private open space, Madam Chair. So again it can't be private if we're
actually calling it a public park. So I am very clear in everything that I have said
on this is the lack of a park.
Madam Chair, in the Bailey Street site that has recently been picked up where
the plaza, is, that cannot be considered a public park. So, Madam Chair, the
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 86 community is very aware that the former Distance Education site, which is a
hectare, also would need to comply with the delivery of 20 per cent of that space
for publicly-accessible land.
So, Madam Chair, the West End community is very clear. This public park that
is disappearing should not disappear and should be on the location consistent
with two sections of the South Brisbane Neighbourhood Plan, and therefore a
new park, to make sure that we meet the social needs of the residents is a new
park on the distance education site.
So, Madam Chair, that is what I will be lobbying for on behalf of the community
who's asked for it. But what did Councillor COOPER say in the chair last week?
She talked about, and it was the most dishonest thing I have ever heard her do.
Admittedly the tact was there which you always get, it was only her operation
but it was the most dishonest.
She presented first of all—
Councillor COOPER:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS you are casting aspersions on Councillor COOPER
and that is not acceptable, the way—
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
I’d ask you to withdraw that comment.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
I withdraw because the facts speak for themselves, Madam Chair. So fact one in
terms of what Councillor COOPER did. She presented one of the early drafts of
the neighbourhood plan, where we hadn’t even got the name of the precincts—it
was Precinct 7, rather than Riverside South Precinct—and said, there was no
open space on that plan. A fact, had nothing to do with the fact the final
neighbourhood plan had an open space on it.
Then she looked at the zone map. And in the zone map—that’s exactly what she
did—then she looked at the zone map and said there was no park on the zone
map. Madam Chair, there was no park on the ACI site, because the zone map
was not showing them. Then she even went to the PIP, which showed that
indicative park over houses on the eastern side, and said grandly, no park on the
site in the PIP (Priority Infrastructure Plan). Madam Chair, I never said there was
any. I just need to go to the public open space plan in the city plan, in the
neighbourhood plan, because that’s my reference and that is the reference.
Because after all, Madam Chair, we’ve always been told the neighbourhood plan
is the crucial thing when you’re looking for what’s happening in a local area.
Madam Chair, that is to me total misrepresentation of the facts. Madam Chair,
why did Councillor COOPER go to all this trouble? For one thing, she wants to
obfuscate the issue, she wants to—
Councillor COOPER:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Yes point of order against you Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor COOPER:
That is clearly again imputing motive, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
It is Councillor COOPER. Councillor ABRAHAMS I’m finding this speech
fairly—it’s not appropriate, the way you are imputing motive and—in relation to
Councillor COOPER and I would ask you—you can speak about the facts about
the matter but you do not impute motive on what Councillor COOPER may or
may not have done.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair—
Chairman:
That’s offensive.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair, I withdraw. But everyone in this Chamber has heard Councillor
COOPER take aspersions which I have never responded to and this is the point
where I need to redress the facts. Madam Chair, that is the issue of the
disappearing park.
Chairman:
Order.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 87 Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Now I would like to talk about Councillor BOURKE, who talked about my
request for the names of the park in my ward. Madam Chair, that is not the case.
I asked for the area, against the names of the park in my ward and, Madam
Chair, it is terribly distressing—it is because I’ve put it in the email—it is very
distressing that that information which is relevant to any PIP, which is relevant
to any standard of public service within the City Plan is not publically
acceptable.
Madam Chair, also the issue that I’m too busy to do my work. It’s the context,
for those who might be interested in the fact, Madam Chair—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
I hope you heard that interjection. They’re not interested. That is the point. There
is complete and utter lack of respect and position of people in this Council
Chamber. It’s not politics, it’s just petty arrogance. Madam Chair, in the
committee when I was given between 5pm one night and 9am the next morning
to go through a very detailed DA in terms of flooding, I commented that it was
my problem that my workload did not give me the time to open every document
because PD Online is so slow.
Madam Chair, in the reference to the development that we had discussed today, I
spent all of the time in here going through to get the flood documents and to look
at the hydraulic reports. Madam Chair, that was almost two hours that it takes if
you do it carefully, and read it. That is the point. That is the issue of my
workload, it is nothing else. And I know that Councillor COOPER and
Councillor BOURKE will continue to poke fun, but I just wish to give the
information so that those who are interested—and we’ve acknowledged who are
petty enough not to be—can actually have some information of accurate
representation of comments in committee.
Chairman:
Further general business? Councillor KNAPP.
Councillor KNAPP:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I’d like to firstly say that both you and I celebrated
our seventeenth year of being a Councillor on 15 March. Why was it 15 March?
Well Easter was early that year and you always have an election before you
have—so congratulations to myself and you, and to Councillor FLESSER who is
not here, who was the class of ’97.
Madam Chair, I would like to speak of the three history groups that are in my
ward, because I think that the work that each of the groups have done, and the
contributions they’ve made to raising the consciousness of how each of the
suburbs came to be has been absolutely tremendous.
The Ashgrove Historical Society was founded probably in 2003. The first
president was Richard Paten. There was a wonderful lady called Meta Truscott
who was part of the Mater Dei Parish who actually worshipped at Glenlyon
House when it was a Marist monastery. There was a group of people that had
lived there since they moved into Nappy Valley in about 1940, Madam Chair.
Meta kept a diary and cut out everything from daily newspapers. She recorded
everything that occurred daily. She donated it eventually to the library in
Sydney. It was magnificent. It wasn't a historical document, it was actually a
social history of people and places and things and events that occurred in
Ashgrove.
So it became important I think at that stage to start gathering information about
the how and why and how Ashgrove grew because Ashgrove, as you know, we
all see it in the ward as Ashgrove was the mother.
Now we were very lucky that there were some sort of quite imminent historians
as well. Janet Hogan and Manfred Cross who both lived in the Ward, Manfred
Cross lives in the ward and so the Ashgrove Historical Society was formed and
from there, Madam Chair, The Gap Historical Society was set up in 2000. Now
it was set up originally and the president was an amazing bloke called Richard
Speechley who had done many things and when he retired he decided to start
recording the stories of the residents of the Gap who had lived there in their
childhood.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 88 The Gap is one of those unique suburbs because before 1956 there were only 90
houses in The Gap, so there was a generation of settlers' children who had the
history of their parents.
There were the Hilders, the Paynes, the Patens, the Bennetts, so the original
names of the streets: Hilder Road, Bennett Road, Payne Road, Paten Road,
Chaprowe Road were named after the settlers, Madam Chair.
So from there we had the two societies and Richards was always a social history.
He wrote three books about memories of the Gap, went around to talk to people
about what it was like to grow up in their childhood, how the Enoggera Creek
and Fish Creek were particularly pristine and you could go swimming in it, all of
the memories of the people that are now a little bit older than myself who are
still proudly living in the Gap.
From that Jeff Hilder and his wife Ann, who was a Fanning—they decided that
they actually wanted to do some research papers and so they set up The Gap
Pioneer and History Group.
So, Madam Chair, the work that all of the groups have done is amazing.
I'd like to actually mention Professor John Laverty who died last year who along
with a group of historians including Paul Sayer who lived in the Ward, John
Mackenzie-Smith, Shirley McCorkindale and Ron Fisher, set up the history
group and one of their focuses was on Ashgrove. Now I think probably the
reason that it was on Ashgrove because in Ashgrove was the Granite House
which was owned by Judge Harding. Judge Harding didn't build it but it was
famous because it was the first house in Ashgrove. Subsequently of course the
Stewarts built Glenlyon House and that estate is now what represents all the
avenues in Ashgrove.
I knew John Laverty and I liked him enormously. The book is a series of papers,
is Brisbane: People and Places of Ashgrove, and one of the contributors is a dear
friend of mine, Uncle Nurdon Serico, who is an elder of the Gubbi Gubbi people.
Now Nurdon lives in my Ward. He's actually now the president of The Gap
Historical Society. The Gubbi Gubbi people were neighbours to the Turrbal
people. The Gap and Ashgrove is all part of Turrbal land.
He talks in this that The Gap was an important transition area for the Turrbal. “It
stood between the plenty of Brisbane River and the plenty of the Martin
Rainforest of Mt Glorious and the other piece of the divide. Through the Gap the
pathways to and from the rainforest follow the creeks and hills on the northern
side of the suburb. Many years later our family echoed these treks with our
walks and picnics in the Gap.
When you move into the Gap, Madam Chair, you can look around and stand and
look up at Mt Coot-tha and over to Annand Range and up to Brisbane Forest
Park and you can feel like it was before there was a white footprint. It's truly the
most amazing place.
Nurdon wrote about the Bora rings and his childhood in Bardon playing in the
creeks and the amazing life that young people had growing up in these suburbs.
This book is an important document and it was more important that during the
City Plan debate in St John's Wood they identified a pre-1911 house which was
independent from of course the historically listed Granite House.
It was a house up in Piddington Street and I said but that house wasn't there
before 1945. They said “Oh yes it was”. So I produced the book, Madam Chair,
and I've given the book to all of our historians in Council so that they can
accurately chart the work that an amazing group of people that have done this
book and all of the work that Richard Speechley and Jeff Hilder and his wife
Ann have done and made a contribution to the history of the suburb.
Madam Chairman:
Further general business? Councillor CUMMING?
Councillor CUMMING:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to speak on traffic calming in Tingalpa and
the SES group base at the Morningside depot at Redfern Street.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 89 One of the questions in question time today was about traffic calming in
Tingalpa. In his reply Councillor SCHRINNER claimed that the requirements
for approving the traffic-calming scheme had not been met. I've got to say I
believe that's defamatory of Councillor CAMPBELL and also of Council staff.
I actually went and had a look at the file and anyone who's been through a
traffic-calming scheme knows that there's a requirement that 60 per cent of those
in the street to be traffic calmed who respond to the questions actually agree to it
otherwise it doesn't go ahead.
The Council department supervises the process. Councillors can send out the
letters but these are usually drafted by the department. The department vets the
letters. The department requires councillors to send them copies of all responses.
Madam Chair, the file shows all this was done in compliance with Council
policy. The result for each of the streets which had traffic calming proposed
were on the file and all over 60 per cent as required.
There's also a very interesting letter from the Lord Mayor at the time, Councillor
Campbell Newman. Campbell had sent a very pally letter to Councillor
CAMPBELL saying he's happy to cooperate with Councillor CAMPBELL in
providing funding for the traffic calming project in the Doboy Ward.
So we've got an interesting situation here where Councillor SCHRINNER is
claiming the LNP Administration has approved and provided funding for a
project which has not complied with Council policy, yet the Lord Mayor at the
time was part of the process. So it was a very interesting allegation to make. If I
was mischievous I'd say it should be taken on to another level of authority to
have a look at.
Regardless, Madam Chair, this area—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor CUMMING:
Oh sorry, sorry—regardless, Madam Chair, this area is a classic—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor CUMMING:
This area is a classic rat-run for motorists from Wynnum, Manly, Doboy and the
Redlands—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor CUMMING:
The streets that were traffic-calmed provide a shortcut in the morning from
Manly Road to Belmont Road where you can go off to Carindale or get to the
Gateway Motorway and workplaces beyond that area. In the afternoon there's a
classic shortcut from Belmont Road to Manly Road on the way home.
I've a challenge for Councillor MURPHY. He must have the figures for traffic
volumes and average speed for Castlerea and Thurston Streets before the
changes occurred and afterwards so anyone can judge the success or otherwise
of the changes he proposes. My prediction is that after the changes are made
there'll be high levels of traffic and the average speed will be faster.
I move on now to the SES Group based at Redfern Street Morningside depot.
This group has become very large and split into two recently and now they're
concerned that they may be moved out of the depot. My indication from people
I've spoken to is that morale is poor and they're at risk of some of the
experienced members leaving the group which would be a great blow. These are
groups that have done tremendous work for our community and during the
floods in recent years.
What should have happened of course is this Administration should have built a
new depot as was proposed in Herbert Street at Lota and people who lived
around the Wynnum Manly area and the Redlands could have moved to that
depot. However, that wasn't done unfortunately and I call upon the Council to
get its act together to work on this situation and to ensure that we don't lose
experienced SES members and that they're adequately housed and that the
situation is improved.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 90 Go ahead and build that depot at Lota where a Council officer who came to see
me had lovely plans all set to go, a new depot which could have been used by the
Council parks department as well to store some of their vehicles. It was a great
idea and they should have gone ahead with that and the situation that's
apparently now being faced wouldn't have occurred.
Chairman:
Further general business? Councillor BOURKE?
Councillor BOURKE:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I just rise tonight in general business on
two things: one is parks across the City of Brisbane and the other one is the
passing of Dr Peter Yeoh OAM.
Just dealing with the parks issue first, Madam Chairman, for the record
Councillor ABRAHAMS isn't here unfortunately but I'll read the email into the
record again.
The Council officer's name is at the top. It says, I am seeking the following for
the Gabba Ward: name of park, area of park for all existing parks. Thank you in
anticipation, Helen Abrahams.
There cannot be any clearer indication that Councillor ABRAHAMS didn't know
the name of her parks in her ward or the size of them because she was asking the
Council officers for the name of the parks. So when Councillor ABRAHAMS
comes back if she wants to do a retraction of the comments that she made I'm
more than willing to accept her apology.
Madam Chairman, turning now to the other item which I raised which is the
passing of Dr Peter Yeoh. It was with some surprise on Friday night that I found
out about the passing of Dr Peter Yeoh. He was an inspirational individual in the
Chinese, Malaysian and Australian community in the work that he did not only
in business but also through various community groups of which he was either
the head of or an instrumental part in.
Madam Chairman, the Jamboree Ward will be all the worse off for his passing,
but we are all the better off for the hard work and the dedication that he has put
into his life here in Australia.
I remember vividly going around to his place just after the 2011 floods in
Westlake and the devastation that he suffered like many residents across the City
of Brisbane, but that was not enough to get this man down. He continued his
work in the community, he continued to support other people who had suffered
from the floods and I remember taking the then Lord Mayor, Campbell
Newman, around there on I think the Thursday or the Friday and the smile and
the embrace that Peter gave Campbell when we went around there.
This individual truly was a giant when it came to supporting not only young
individuals in our community, not only individuals from the Chinese and the
Malaysian community but all Australians and everyone. He was there to support
and to mentor and to help and provide friendship. It is of great sadness, Madam
Chairman, that we have lost Peter. His contribution as I said though will live on
through the many charities, through the many organisations and through the
influence he's had on so many people across our city.
Chairman:
Further general business? Councillor JOHNSTON?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman, and I rise to speak on a couple of matters today. Firstly
the Rocklea parkland issue and secondly, the Yeerongpilly TOD (transit oriented
development) and RSPCA (Royal Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
site at Fairfield.
Firstly, I put a question on notice which has been answered today which is a
miracle in and of itself, but what it outlines is that the parks policy the LORD
MAYOR stood up in this Council Chamber a few weeks ago and said prevented
Council from building in the Q2 flood area is Open Space Policy OS01 which is
called parks policy basically.
Madam Chairman, I had seen that policy a few weeks ago and I thought that
couldn't possibly be the one the LORD MAYOR was referring to, that
Councillor BOURKE's been referring to and the officers have been referring to
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 91 because that parks policy absolutely does not at all mention any restriction on
building parks facilities in parks that flood.
So let me refresh the Council's recollections with this. I was told a couple of
months ago that Council could not build seats and a bin and a tap and things that
residents wanted in a park at Rocklea in that park because the land was in the Q2
area and there was a Council policy that prevented—prevented—facilities from
being built in a park.
Now number one as I outlined last week, this parcel of land is not in the Q2 area
and now, Madam Chairman, as we found out with the answer to the question on
notice, there is no policy at all that restricts building in parks that flood. In fact—
and Councillor BOURKE's mumbling away over there and I'll take the
interjection. Councillor BOURKE, I've read the policy, have you? Because—
through you, Madam Chairman—he's clearly not aware that the policy
absolutely in no way makes any such restriction. In fact, as I outlined a couple of
weeks ago, the parcel reports for these blocks of land clearly state that they are
zoned for parkland and their purpose is for community facilities and specifically
seating. That is what the Council policy documents say.
Now it is clear that the Council officers who gave me the advice on Councillor
BOURKE's say-so—they've told me that—have been wrong. It is clear that
when the LORD MAYOR stood up in this Chamber he made incorrect
statements and it is clear when he wrote to me about a month ago saying some
weird answer like it's up to Councillor GRIFFITHS to decide what goes into
parks—that's not part of any policy I'm aware of—that this Administration has
dissembled—dissembled—and misrepresented this Council's policy on parkland,
open space and flooding to prevent the Rocklea community from getting a basic
parks upgrade.
Now all the documents are very clear. I absolutely think this is one of those
times where you've made a really, really bad decision and, Madam Chairman, let
me make it clear, this matter is going to go to the Queensland Ombudsman.
There is no Council policy restricting this. This Council has made a decision that
is outside of its own policy grounds, that is not supported by its own floodmapping reports and it is a bad decision that has been made for some purpose
that Councillor BOURKE didn't even have the guts to stand up and debate a
couple of weeks ago. He sat there mute and simply voted down a minor parks
upgrade for Rocklea residents without a single bit of policy or any legitimate
grounds to say so.
Now that's clearly what's happened here. It's not good enough and like I said to
the Council officers when this happened a few months ago, I will pursue this till
every single bit of my energy has been expended because the 130 families that
live in Rocklea that don't have a park, that don't have a single community facility
between them, deserve this Council's attention. They deserve our respect and
they deserve to have their neighbourhood, that flooded so badly, rehabilitated
and made into a vibrant community space that they can all enjoy.
I do not accept the bad decision that's been made by this Administration without
any legitimate policy grounds as being reasonable or being right and I will
continue to pursue this matter.
Secondly tonight, Madam Chairman, we've heard straight out of Councillor
ADAMS own mouth the news—and this is news—that for the second time the
State Government has offered land, and in this case, buildings to Council at no
cost in Tennyson Ward which this Council has refused.
Now it did so with the RSPCA site at Fairfield, we know that, and the reason
Councillor ADAMS that it was done at that stage is even though we had a
unanimous and a full Council decision saying that this Council fully expected to
contribute $300,000 to $400,000 in remediation costs to the parkland once we
acquired it, this Council then later decided without telling me—I was asking
questions and I've got one-line replies from Councillor BOURKE saying
nothing's changed. Well it had because there'd been a secret E&C decision where
this Administration, this LNP Administration, had decided not to acquire the
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 92 parkland at Fairfield. They didn't tell anybody, they didn't tell me, they told the
State Government and then the State Government had to write back to confirm
it. It's all there. It's very clear what's happened here.
This Council's prepared to spend millions and millions of dollars in some parts
of the ward in some parts of Brisbane, but it is not prepared to make a small
investment or even put these properties on the waiting list for a future
investment.
Now the Yeerongpilly decision is even worse than we've heard from Councillor
ADAMS tonight because the other thing that I found out in my discussions with
the Coordinator-General's Office is that Council was also asked how much of
this land do you want for parkland and you know Council's answer? We don't
need any more parkland.
Now here we have had the LNP Administration knock back the offer of
buildings which could have been used for community purposes and they have
knocked back the use of land for parkland purposes because they don't think we
need any more parkland. Well I think we do and it is wrong that this
Administration has been caught out. I've checked the files, there's nothing in
there. I've asked the questions, Madam Chairman, and this Administration
cannot come clean. They cannot come clean. You would think that it would be a
good thing if the State Government offered us buildings for community use, land
for community use and even if we accept Councillor ADAMS's argument, there
might be some remediation costs. It doesn't mean it has to be done straightaway,
it doesn't mean that we can't look at grants to improve those facilities and there is
always a way.
Instead what do we see from this Administration? They can't get us our
performing arts centre up. They've been trying to do that for, I don't know, four
or five years. They can't get the Forest Lake Community Centre up. Councillor
GRIFFITHS's been battling away and finally getting some action on Moorooka,
but when—with the Federal Government—but this Administration has been
offered buildings and land at no capital cost and it has knocked it back.
Now I don't know any administration or any government that would do that.
Surely you would take the land and then you would look at how you could, in
future at some point, rehabilitate those buildings or you negotiate with the State
Government to get them to pay some of the costs, but what I would say, Madam
Chairman, is knocking back these parcels of land that were offered to Council
for nothing—the land and the buildings—is the wrong decision by this
Administration.
It shows they are only interested in playing political games. They don't want to
budget any money in the future for an investment in Tennyson Ward where they
want—they fully support another 3000 people being put into this 14-hectare area
without any additional parkland or community facilities—3000 people. That's
what the State Government wants to put into that little block of land at
Yeerongpilly—3,000 people. That's bigger than some of the suburbs that I
represent. Chelmer's 1,100, Graceville's 2,000, Sherwood's 2,500—but this
Administration is happy to see up to 3,000 people jammed into Yeerongpilly
without any community facilities and without any additional parkland.
That is not good planning, that is not good decision-making and it is disgraceful
that Councillor ADAMS had this little meeting in secret, did decide it off her
own bat apparently that she didn't want to do this. It was very interesting the
feedback I got and, Madam Chairman, it is a poor planning decision for this
Council to knock back these offers.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON your time has expired. Councillor COOPER?
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on the history of 405
Montague Road, West End.
Well, Madam Chair, I think last week I provided that evidence to understand
exactly what Council's planning intent was for this particular area and it's
interesting, in the Chamber this evening, we've seen Councillor ABRAHAMS
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 93 step up—she's stepped up to the microphone and she has expressed her concerns
about this particular site.
Now this is a councillor who, when we went through the South Brisbane
Riverside Neighbourhood Plan, when we debated it in this Chamber on three
different occasions, this was a councillor who has never supported that plan—
never, ever, ever, supported that plan, spoke against that plan, was vehemently
opposed to that plan.
Well now she's quoting it in the Council Chamber, now she's citing it saying it
should comply with that neighbourhood plan. The neighbourhood plan that she
rejected on behalf of her local community is now her defence—not correctly but
it is her defence as to why her argument is correct. It is not correct but that is her
defence, Madam Chair, and that to me really smacks of hypocrisy. To hold the
document that she so, so trenchantly spoke against up and say that this document
is not being fulfilled is outrageous.
In terms of the actual plan, I showed the maps to this Chamber last week and I
will yet again—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor COOPER:
—I will yet again show—
Chairman:
Be quiet.
Councillor COOPER:
I will yet again show, Madam Chair, South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood
Plan map C. What is this map for? It says, new public open space, cross block
links, laneways and significant views. This is clearly the document. If it is the
document indeed where you would see new public open space, this is where we
would see that map, the map that is supposedly in existence on the former
Distance Education site. Is it, Madam Chair? No it is not. It is not. This is the
map, the burning branches. This is the issue that I would suggest the local
councillor doesn't seem to be able to grasp. It's not on the map.
She now seems to have finally come to the conclusion that there is in fact a dot
here: new public open space at the end of Bailey Street. We talked about this in
new city plan. We've talked about this on a range of occasions, so her claims are
clearly not correct. We have not reneged on any commitment to a park on the
distance education site. It is not true.
As I noted earlier, end of Bailey Street—and there is a specific map that outlines
it— so this site was never zoned as a site for a park. When the local plan was
introduced—and I remember the West End Woolloongabba Local Area Plan,
Madam Chair. Remember that beautiful document prepared. I think it was
finalised in 2006 during the dark times, the split Council, when the Labor Party
had control unfortunately of the Chamber. When that document was prepared the
local councillor was Councillor ABRAHAMS. That document, the West End
Woolloongabba Local Area Plan, in which they tried to put some provisions in
there about affordable housing which were found to be illegal and they actually
had to withdraw from.
So, Madam Chair, the local councillor was actually the parks chairman and at
that time and she would have had the opportunity certainly to put in a park if she
chose to do so—but did that plan, which she signed when she was a member of
Civic Cabinet, did that plan, when she was the chair for Environment, Parks and
Sustainability, did that plan have a park on this site? No it did not, Madam Chair.
So when she had her chance, when she had her moment of potential glory, she
did not put a park on that site and it is now—it is now—that the local councillor
is regretting her lack of action, her lack of action on behalf of her local residents,
but in fact it is not in the Priority Infrastructure Plan, it's not in the
neighbourhood plan, it's not in city plan. It just is not there. There are no maps
showing the distance education site as parkland.
Now also, Madam Chair, it's really important when you look at the document.
Maybe she was crossing her fingers and hoping that there might miraculously
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 94 have something appear because she certainly did nothing to make it happen, but
in the neighbourhood plan there's very specific provisions, Table 3 Public Space
Acceptable Solutions—it says what Council's intent is for these open spaces. So
they should be places where we have lighting, shelter, informal seating,
pedestrian-friendly space, secure infrastructure for art installations and the
inclusion of permanent public art. So the neighbourhood plan always has
intended for this open space that's delivered as a part of this plan to be plaza or
urban common type of space.
So there is nothing mysterious. It's very clear in the neighbourhood plan about
how these public open spaces are to be developed. It would be a shame if we
completely missed the point that these are specifically documented in the plan.
This is very clearly outlined and I would suggest that the local councillor
perhaps does actually read the document and understand what's before us.
So they're assessed as part of a development application on the site and the only
thing that Councillor ABRAHAMS in this whole debate has actually got right—
she did get one thing right, not a lot, but she did get one thing right—it says in
the neighbourhood plan where the area of these sites is equal to or greater than
10,000 square metres a minimum of 20 per cent of the site is publicly accessible.
So there's specific provisions.
So Councillor ABRAHAMS knows that there is no current development
application lodged over 405 Montague Road. When one is it will be assessed
against the provisions of the neighbourhood plan that I've just outlined.
So, Madam Chair, it is clear the case. There was an opportunity for the local
councillor to actually, through the West End Woolloongabba Local Area Plan, to
get that parkland that she seems to now be advocating on behalf of. She did not
do that. The neighbourhood plan never did anticipate this on the site. It said, and
I quoted very clearly the provisions for a site of this size to provide these sorts of
facilities, but this is not a park. It has always been very clear that they are
required to make a contribution towards open space.
Madam Chair, this is indeed the case with all DAs in this city where they are
required to make a contribution towards open space or actually provide a
proportion of their infrastructure charges to contribute towards park. It is
disappointing that this local councillor has not presented the facts for this
Chamber to understand.
I also note that the LORD MAYOR is currently undertaking a resumption
process for a piece of public open space on a vacant block of land at 68 Vulture
Street and this is a site that the local councillor actually was very supportive,
initially, of a development application on that site.
So it is shameful that this absolutely incorrect information continues to be
brought forward to this Chamber for discussion. It is clearly not the case and the
provisions should be read and understood by the local councillor. Thank you.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON?
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on public transport funding and the
TransLink agreement and comments made by the LORD MAYOR in question
time earlier today.
Every so often statements are made in the Chamber that I think need to be
responded to and the LORD MAYOR's answer in question time this afternoon
about what this Administration has done to public transport and the allegations
he'd put in terms of what the record of the previous Labor administrations does
need to be responded to with some balance.
Madam Chair, the LORD MAYOR's statements today in question time
completely and utterly denied the provisions of the TransLink agreement which
was signed in 2004. It was signed by Maureen Hayes and Steve Bredhauer. It
was a deal that was negotiated by the former Labor council administration, by
the former Labor state government and it was a deal that would see massive
investment in public transport services for this city like we have never seen
before.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 95 As a result of that agreement signed by two Labor counterparts, we saw funding
for public transport services in this city more than double within four years. The
only thing that really grates on my nerves as a Labor councillor, the only thing
that upsets me about that deal was that the timing of it. The timing of its
implementation corresponded with the election of Campbell Newman as Lord
Mayor in the city. Never have I seen a master of spin like Campbell Newman,
who was effectively able to spin his way into having people believe that this
investment in public transport was wholly and solely his decision, when any
independent inquiry into the facts and the history of that agreement will bear out
the fact that it was Maureen Hayes as the former public transport chair and Steve
Bredhauer as the former minister for public transport who negotiated and signed
that agreement. It was the state Labor government who delivered that agreement.
That needs to be said and the bare facts of it is any comparison between the
Brisbane City Council budget figures and the State Government budget figures
will show that from the time the TransLink agreement was signed the percentage
of BCC's total subsidy, compared to the State Government's percentage of total
subsidy for Brisbane transport buses, declined in percentage terms year-on-year
every year.
So when the LORD MAYOR gets up and claims he's the only one who has ever
invested in public transport in this city and bus services in this city, quite frankly
that is incredible spin at best, a deliberate misinformation at worst.
What LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk did was voted against the introduction of
CityCats. Then he was part of Campbell Newman's administration who sold off
our CityCats. Many people don't actually understand that it was Campbell
Newman back in 2008-09, after he gained full control of this Council, who
actually sold our CityCats off. We no longer own our CityCats—we have sold
them and we lease them back for those services.
It is also an administration who, when the going was tough, refused to release
the bus full figures when passengers were being stranded right around the city.
They always have claimed the 500 buses and completely deny the fact it was the
State Labor Government—who was providing the substantial bulk of the funding
provided—who actually delivered those bus services.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Point of order, Madam Chair?
Chairman:
Point of order against you Councillor SUTTON. Yes Councillor—
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Will Councillor SUTTON take a question?
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON?
Councillor SUTTON:
I'm happy to take Councillor SIMMONDS's question.
Chairman:
Councillor SIMMONDS?
Councillor SIMMONDS:
If she in this Chamber is taking credit for all things that proves that Labor State
Government did on public transport, will she also take credit for their 15 per cent
fare increases and acknowledge those at the same time?
Councillor SUTTON:
Well it's interesting what you say Councillor SIMMONDS because at the same
time will you acknowledge the fact that the Newman State Government has
ripped the guts out of public transport funding for this city since it was elected?
Why have you got a hole in your public transport services budget? Why have
you? Because your mate has already forgotten where he came from and has
ripped the guts out of public transport services and public transport funding for
Brisbane City Council.
I don't know why you're letting him get off scot-free, quite frankly, because it's
you guys who are feeling the pain for this. I note even the LORD MAYOR had
to acknowledge in his budget speech this year that he had previously committed
to delivering 90 buses per year in the coming election campaign and now he's
going to have to reduce that to only 60 buses—and he actually acknowledged it
is due to cuts by Campbell Newman up at the State Government who will no
longer invest in public transport services the way the previous State Labor
Government invested.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 96 So Councillor QUIRK cannot have it all his own way. Yes there has been
funding for public transport services but it is he who has ripped $16 million out
of funding for Brisbane public transport services and it is the Premier of
Queensland Campbell Newman who has substantially reduced funding when the
previous State Labor Government was prepared to invest in public transport
services, who was prepared to provide Brisbane City Council with the financial
support to continue to grow our public transport services.
We know Campbell Newman never liked public transport services and the
LORD MAYOR himself freely admitted that he doesn't catch public transport
and he can't remember the last time he caught a bus. He said today he cannot
remember the last time he caught a bus. He thought it may have been some time
in the last 12 months. He doesn't believe in public transport, he doesn't believe in
our bus services, he's never believed in our CityCat services and that's why he's
prepared to cut, cut, cut regardless of how it is affecting commuters out there
waiting at bus stops and ferry terminals around this city.
Chairman:
Further general business? Councillor MURPHY?
Councillor MURPHY:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I'll try to be quick because we are at the
end of the meeting. I want to speak tonight about the very important issue of
transparency and accountability when dealing with the media and when dealing
with community groups, as well as councillor milestones in Council.
But before I do that can I briefly—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON you're behind the bars. Either sit down or be quiet or get
out.
Councillor MURPHY:
Okay can I just quickly address Councillor CUMMING's points on this Tingalpa
LATM (Local Area Traffic Management). I acknowledge that there was over
60 per cent support to install traffic calming. What there wasn't support for was
there to be 17 platforms and three chicanes in that scheme, Councillor
CUMMING, and if consultation had occurred—and I acknowledge that
Councillor SUTTON is leaving the Chamber at the moment as well as
Councillor GRIFFITHS and Councillor CUMMING remains the lone wolf here
representing ALP in Council.
So, Madam Chairman, look I accept, Councillor CUMMING, that 83 per cent of
my residents were wrong and that the Labor Party's policy going into the 2016
election is to put that traffic calming back in. So if that's your position I
absolutely want to acknowledge that.
Madam Chairman, look I would like to be here tonight congratulating my
Council colleague and my neighbouring councillor, Councillor SUTTON, on
achieving her 10-year milestone in serving the community of the Morningside
Ward. I absolutely would love to do that. A decade is a very long time to serve
the community and that should be acknowledged and that should be celebrated.
But I must admit I was disappointed when I read the article: “Councillor
celebrates major milestone” in the South-East Advertiser on March 26, 2014
because from the timing of the article it appeared that I had not been invited to
the event. I had not been invited to the event. I'll read the article:
“Time flies for Brisbane City Councillor Shayne Sutton (Morningside) who is
getting ready to celebrate 10 years in the job. Councillor SUTTON was just 25
when she was elected—making her the youngest woman ever to be elected to
Brisbane City Council. “It doesn't seem like 10 years,” she said. “While some
days are harder than others, I still love it every single day.” This Saturday, night
Councillor SUTTON celebrates the milestone with a dinner at the Morningside
Football Club. Tickets
are $50 a head. To book email
mecmorningside@gmail.com or phone…” and there's a phone number.
Now that last sentence is important and I am not an expert on the internal
machinations of the ALP, but I do seem to recall that MEC is an abbreviation
and it stands for Municipal Electoral Council which is the Labor Party's party
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 97 unit that is responsible for the fundraising of its election campaigns at a Council
level.
Now Councillor SUTTON is an experienced councillor and knows that
councillors have to hold themselves to the highest level of accountability when it
comes to dealing with the media and the public, so surely Councillor SUTTON
would never deliberately mislead the South-East Advertiser into thinking that
this fundraising dinner was some sort of community festival.
So, Madam Chairman, I managed to get a copy of the invitation, even though I
wasn't invited, and I'll read that now:
You're invited to help me celebrate 10 years representing the community.
Saturday, 29 March 2014, 6pm for 6.30pm. Cost is $50 per person, $40 for a
concession. Please join me for a three-course dinner and a night of fun and
memories. One hundred per cent of funds raised will be put towards the cost of
my 2016 election campaign. Mmm—and there's a direct debit details for the
Morningside MEC. Pre-payment is required to secure your booking.
So certainly it seems at face value to be a political fundraiser, so I went back to
the original article in the South-East Advertiser and I had a look at it and I saw if
there was that critical line about it being a political fundraiser—100 per cent of
funds raised to be put towards the costs of my—no it's not in here, definitely not
in here, Madam Chairman. That line was missing in action from the article.
Now I know the journalists at the South-East Advertiser, I know them very well
and I know that because of their journalistic integrity and their dedication to
solid unbiased community news they would not publish an open invitation to an
ALP fundraiser.
Now clearly Councillor SUTTON has led them down the garden path of thinking
that this was a pirates-and-fairies style community event that all and sundry
could come along—everyone was invited. You come along, pay tribute to the
king who's now been there for 10 years, yes of course, but Councillor
SUTTON—and I say this to Councillor SUTTON who I know has left the
Chamber because she doesn't want to hear the words—you can fool all of the
people some of the time and some of the people all the time but you cannot fool
all of the people all of the time, Madam Chairman.
The South-East Advertiser seems to think so too because I have an advanced
copy of tomorrow's editorial. Sutton dinner clarification it reads:
In last week's story, “Councillor celebrates major milestone”, we reported on
Brisbane City Councillor Shayne Sutton hosting a dinner to celebrate 10 years as
a local councillor. It has since been brought to our attention Councillor
SUTTON's invite stated 100 per cent of funds raised “will be put towards the
cost of my 2016 election campaign.” Here's the kicker: Councillor SUTTON did
not include this information in the details she provided to the South-East
Advertiser.
Who would have thought, who would have thought?
After viewing the invitation we sought clarification from Councillor SUTTON
who said the $50 ticket price merely covered the costs of the dinner, she said.
Some kind of a fundraiser where all you do is cover the costs of the dinner. This
is why these people should never be put in charge of a budget—
So she said the money was raised during a raffle at the event but this did not go
to the ALP's central coffers.
Well of course it didn't go to the central coffers, you said it went to your reelection campaign.
So the South-East Advertiser would like to reaffirm its commitment to unbiased
reporting. We require full disclosure if an event we feature is being used as a
political fundraiser.
So look it's pretty bad at this point, Madam Chairman. She's been caught out
trying to fool the local paper into giving her party-political fundraiser a free
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 98 plug. I mean it doesn't get much worse than that does it? It couldn't get much
worse than that could it? Well it does get much worse than that.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor MURPHY:
It gets a lot worse than that. It gets a lot worse than that. So I have here—I
almost don't want to say it—I have here a copy of the Norman Park State School
newsletter. I have a copy of the State School newsletter and I'm going to read it
for you:
Ten years representing our community. You are invited to help Councillor
Shayne Sutton celebrate 10 years representing our community. Saturday, 29
March at 6pm for 6pm. Cost $50 per person, $40 for concessions. Includes a
three-course dinner and a night of fun and memories. RSVP by Friday, 14
March, email mecmorningsideward@gmail.com.
Now I had a look. I was going through and I had a look and I checked the
original story and I checked the invitation and that key line about it being a
fundraiser for political purposes was omitted again. But it's funny isn't it, they
managed to get all the other details that were on the invitation but they didn't
manage to get the bit about it being a political fundraiser. It's almost as if it was
deliberately omitted to fool the kids.
Madam Chairman, does it get any lower than advertising your party political
fundraiser in a school newsletter? Does it get any lower than treating the school
kids of Brisbane as a cash cow for the Labor Party? Well I say: shame Shayne, I
say: shame Shayne.
I think we can acknowledge that every councillor here—Labor, independent and
LNP, has a right to go out and fundraise, but what you don't have is you don't
have an ability to use school newsletters and community newspapers to do the
heavy lifting for you.
Tonight Councillor SUTTON has been caught out red-handed, her hands in the
pockets of school kids, her hands in the pocket of the very community that she
purports to represent. So I'm calling on Councillor SUTTON and the MEC for
Morningside Ward to return all the fat profits they made from that fundraiser
back to the community, to nominate a charity of her choice and to give the
people the representation that they want because I'll tell you what, they expect a
hell of a lot more than this kind of grubby political fundraising.
Chairman:
Further general business? 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 27 March 2014)
Q1.
Can the CEO please advise how many buses are at each depot and are not being used during weekday
peak hours?
Carina
Upper Mt Gravatt
Sherwood
Eagle Farm
Virginia
Willawong
Toowong.
Q2.
Can the CEO please advise how many river ferries are not used during weekday peak times?
Q3.
Can the CEO please advise how many CityCats are not being used during weekday peak hours?
Q4.
Can the CEO please advise of the number of complaints lodged with the Brisbane City Council’s
Contact Centre for each of the following financial years?
2010/11
2011/12
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 99 -
2012/13
2013/14 (year to date).
Q5.
Can the CEO please advise of top ten issues raised with the Brisbane City Council’s Contact Centre for
each of the following financial years?
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14 (year to date).
Q6.
Can the CEO please advise of the number of wandering dogs reported with the Brisbane City Council’s
Contact Centre for each of the following financial years?
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14 (year to date).
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 Victoria Newton (from the meeting of 19 November 2013)
Q1.
In relation to the expenditure of $231,000 from the Doboy and Chandler Ward Footpath and Parks
Trust Fund for the installation of an outdoor gymnasium at Preston Road Park, Carina; could the CEO
please advise:a.
Is the supplier of the equipment who has been engaged by Council, currently on a Council
preferred supplier panel?
b.
How many alternative suppliers did Council seek quotes from to supply the gymnasium
equipment?
c.
How many alternative suppliers submitted prices higher than $231,000?
d.
How many alternative suppliers submitted prices lower than $231,000?
e.
If no prices were sought by Council from alternative suppliers, on what basis is Council
claiming the $231,000 cost represents a $100,000 discount?
f.
Has the decision to award this contract fully complied with Council’s procedures for
procurement, contracting and tendering?
g.
Has Council placed any restrictions on the supplier regarding commercial branding on the
equipment supplied at this location? If so, why?
A1.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
No.
0. While alternative suppliers were investigated, the items proposed are unique.
N/A
N/A
The total cost of the items sourced was discounted from the recommended retail price by the
supplier.
Yes.
Yes. There will be no branding.
Note: For questions 2-5, to provide an accurate comparison, all staff costs are in 13/14 dollars including
wage growth, calculated by incorporating the EBA pay increases over the relevant years. Also, the labour
costs for the Lord Mayor’s two drivers were billed to the Lord Mayor’s Administration Office in the 2002/03
and 2003/04 financial years and have since changed to being funded in the Lord Mayor’s Private Secretariat.
For the purposes of this analysis these two wages have been excluded from the below figures to allow a more
accurate comparison.
Q2.
Can the CEO advise what was the total Staff Budget for the Lord Mayor’s Personal Secretariat in the
Lord Mayor’s Office during the 2013-14 Financial year?
A2.
Budget: $2,214,758.
Actual year to date: $1,445,717.
It should also be noted that political staff were not embedded in the Lord Mayor’s Administration
Office during this time.
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 100 Q3.
Can the CEO advise what was the total Staff Budget for the Lord Mayor’s Personal Secretariat in the
Lord Mayor’s Office during the 2012-13 Financial Year?
A3.
Budget$2,139,173.
Actual: $2,152,222
% over budget: 0.6%
It should also be noted that political staff were not embedded in the Lord Mayor’s Administration
Office during this time.
Q4.
Can the CEO advise what was the total Staff Budget for the Lord Mayor’s Personal Secretariat in the
Lord Mayor’s Office during the 2003-04 Financial Year?
A4.
Budget: $1,479,968
Actual: $1,986,081
% over budget: 34%
Q5.
Can the CEO advise what was the total Staff Budget for the Lord Mayor’s Personal Secretariat in the
Lord Mayor’s Office during the 2002-03 Financial year?
A5.
Budget: $1,360,961
Actual:$1,649,563
% over budget: 21%
Q2.
Submitted by Councillor Nicole Johnston (from meeting on 18 February 2014)
Please provide a list of new parks children’s playgrounds by name, street and suburb created and/or
built by Council in:
1)
2012
2)
2013
3)
2014?
A2.
Park name and suburb information in relation to this question is available via the Council budget
schedules for the relevant years, as well as submissions to the Environment, Parks and Sustainability
Committee, who approve playground upgrades based on expenditure guidelines contained in the Ward
parks and ward footpath and parks trust fund policies.
Q3.
Please provide a list and description by ward of new or improved children’s playgrounds or parks
funded via the Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund, the Wards Parks Trust Funds and/or Ward
Parks and Footpath Trust Funds in
1)
2012
2)
2013?
A3.
This information is publically available via the Council annual report for the relevant years, as well as
submissions to the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee, who approve playground
upgrades based on expenditure guidelines contained in the Ward parks and ward footpath and parks
trust fund policies.
Submitted by Councillor Nicole Johnston (from meeting on 18 February 2014)
Q1.
Please provide a list of all Brisbane City Council grants, not including from The Lord Mayors
Suburban Initiative Fund, awarded in Tennyson Ward in:
a) 2012-13 and
b) 2013-14?
A1.
Grant recipients are publically listed on Council’s website.
Q2.
Please provide a list by street name, suburb and length of footpaths that were repaired in the first six
months of the 2013-14 financial year?
A2.
The information requested is not immediately available and would take an unacceptable amount of
time to collate in a list due to the very small nature of some repairs. Retrieval and collation of the
material will cause an unacceptable increase in the workload or delay in the performance of normal
day to day services of Council officers.
With regard to footpath reconstruction projects listed in the Council budget, the area responsible for
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 101 delivering the footpath reconstruction program advise that they are on track to deliver the listed
projects within the allocated budget.
Q3.
Please provide a list by name and suburb of streets that were resurfaced in the first six months of the
2013-14 financial year?
A3.
It is assumed this question refers to roads listed for resurfacing in the schedule contained in the
Council budget. A list of projects completed in the first six months of the year for the entire City was
not completed in January 2014, so this question is unable to be answered. The quarterly financial
reviews to Council often list individual projects which may, for various reasons, not be completed in a
financial year. The area responsible for delivering the roads resurfacing program advise that they are
on track to deliver the listed projects within the allocated budget.
Submitted by Councillor Victoria Newton (from meeting on 18 February 2014)
Q1.
Could the CEO please advise the expected total amount of interest that will be accrued on Council
loans from the QTC in the 2013/2014 year?
A1.
This figure is contained in the quarterly financial report which is being considered by Council today.
Q2.
Could the CEO please advise the expected total amount of debt repayments to be made by Council to
the QTC in the 2013/2014 year?
A2.
This figure is contained in the quarterly financial report which is being considered by Council today.
Submitted by Councillor Victoria Newton (from meeting on 11 March 2014)
Q6.
Can the CEO please advise how many days the Downfall Creek Envrironment Centre was closed to the
public in the following years:
2010
2011
2012
2013
A6.
Downfall Creek Environment Centre is open Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. The
numbers below exclude weekends, public holidays and the Christmas shutdown period between
Christmas and New Year, when the centre is closed.
2010 - 4 days
2011 - 12.5 days
2012 - 11.5 days
2013 - 11 days
Note: The above figures include closures due to staff illness (as more than one staff member is rostered
at all times). It also includes double school bookings, where the centre may be closed for ½ day while
staff are delivering the activities. The cumulative number of these latter instances result in the half day
figures shown above.
Q7.
Can the CEO please advise how many days the Boondall Wetlands Envrironment Centre was closed to
the public in the following years:
2010
2011
2012
2013
A7.
Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre is open Monday to Sunday, excluding public holidays. The
numbers below exclude weekends, public holidays and the Christmas shutdown period between
Christmas and New Year, when the centre is closed.
2010 - 15.5 days
2011 - 29.5 days
2012 - 4.5 days
2013 - 19 days
Note: The above figures include closures due to staff illness (as more than one staff rostered at all
times). It also includes double school bookings, where the centre may be closed for ½ day while staff
are delivering the activities. The cumulative number of these latter instances result in the half day
figures shown above.
Submitted by Councillor Nicole Johnston (from meeting on 25 March 2014)
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]
- 102 Q1.
What is the name and the number or designation of the policy referred to by The Lord Mayor on
Tuesday 18 March in the Chamber as not allowing equipment or facilities to be built in parks subject to
Q2 flooding and when was this policy approved by Council?
A1.
OS01, 9 December 2008.
Submitted by Councillor Victoria Newton (from meeting on 25 March 2014)
Q1.
Can the CEO please advise of the year-to-date amount of parking revenue for 2013/14 year?
Q2.
Can the CEO please advise of the year-to-date amount of revenue from parking infringements in
2013/14 financial year?
Q3.
-
Can the CEO please advise of the number of parking infringement officers in Full-Time Equivalent
numbers for each of the following financial years:
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
Q4.
Can the CEO provide a list of Council properties sold in 2013/14 financial year to date?
Q5.
Can the CEO provide a list of any Council properties sold to the City of Brisbane Investment
Corporation in 2013/14 financial year to date?
A1. to A5.
Information being compiled.
RISING OF COUNCIL:
7.08pm.
PRESENTED:
and CONFIRMED
CHAIRMAN
Council officers in attendance:
Angela Holmes (Team Leader, Council and Committees Support)
Jo Camamile (Council and Committee Liaison Officer)
Stephanie Thompson (Council and Committee Liaison Officer)
Billy Peers (Personal Support Officer to the Lord Mayor and Council Orderly)
[4433 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 April 2014]