Fraser Coast Council decides on pet rules, flood mapping, Boonooroo loos and admin centre
The fate of the old Boonooroo loos will be decided once and for all on Wednesday, and there could be some serious implications for home owners and pet owners across the Fraser Coast as the council votes on a raft of significant decisions. Here is what is on the table:
Fraser Coast
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New rules for Fraser Coast pet owners is one of a number of significant decisions to be made by councillors at Wednesday’s council meeting.
The proposed rules to enforce responsible pet management across the region are part of the council’s Draft Animal Management Strategy.
Residents were given the opportunity to weigh in on the major changes proposed for pet owners in the new strategy, and now the council must decide whether to adopt it or not.
Enforcement of responsible pet ownership, dog attacks, barking complaints, off-leash areas and the possible return of cat registration were among the topics under review.
The draft strategy was originally tabled in April 2022, where councillors requested that improvements be made to the document.
The strategy then progressed to the second stage for community consultation on the council’s Engagement Hub.
According to the report before council, the sample size of the survey responses were “significant enough” to give council confidence that the strategy could be adopted “under the assumption that it has strong community support”.
A total of 140 surveys were successfully submitted and 89 per cent of those respondents (125) agreed with the priorities in the strategy for enforcement and responsible pet ownership.
Some common feedback from the survey included:
According to the report, the highest number of people who responded to the survey were aged between 55 and 74 years, and lived in either Point Vernon, Urangan or Maryborough.
Maryborough administration building
The future location of the new Fraser Coast Council Maryborough administration building remained up in the air after councillors voted to explore other options at the last council meeting on July 27, 2022.
Councillors backflipped on its original decision to rebuild the centre at the old location to explore other options in the CBD, particularly the space at 350 Kent St.
The matter was left to lie on the table to be discussed again in August.
Flood mapping and modelling for Maryborough
Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott will move on Wednesday that the council be provided with a report on how the flood level modelling maps for Maryborough can be improved, to more accurately reflect the observed flood levels in recent flood events.
It comes as insurance premiums skyrocket for some Fraser Coast residents, including Maryborough mother-of-two Emma-Lee Lawson whose home insurance soared to more than $16,000 a year to include flood coverage.
Queensland in general is preparing for a wet six months with La Nina bringing above average rainfall and flooding.
Boonooroo public toilet block petition
A petition in response to the closure of the Boonooroo public toilet block will also be briefly discussed by councillors in this week’s meeting.
Boonooroo residents were not happy when the toilets closed on July 15, raising concerns about what the loss of the facilities meant for their community, tourists and boaties.
On July 27, councillors voted to consult with residents and nearby property owners to determine the demand and support for new public toilets on Davies Rd.
Division 4 councillor Daniel Sanderson tabled a petition, spearheaded by Boonooroo resident Ann-Maree Macdonald, to keep and upgrade the existing toilet block.
Councillors are likely to vote on Wednesday to inform the petitioners that it cannot agree to keep or update the existing toilet block, but will continue to look for alternative sites for an “all-abilities public toilet”.
Another high profile item on the agenda is the disposal of land for social or affordable housing to be discussed behind closed doors at the meeting.
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