Fraser Coast council to decide on future of planned new admin centre in CBD
The first meeting of the council this financial year will take place in Toogoom and be chaired by Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott while Mayor George Seymour isolates with Covid - and there is a multimillion-dollar decision to be made that will impact Maryborough for decades.
Fraser Coast
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Seven high profile motions will be put to Fraser Coast Regional Council on Wednesday at its first general meeting of the new financial year.
The meeting will be held at Toogoom Community Hall, with Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott in charge while Mayor George Seymour isolates after testing positive to Covid.
Among the matters to be debated and voted on is a review the council’s decision on where to build the Maryborough council administration building, a motion regarding Burrum Heads Beachfront Tourist Park Master Plan, a report on providing emergency short-term housing, the presentation of the Glenwood Community Plan and the final concept design for the council’s new administration building in Hervey Bay.
Debate has raged for months on where Maryborough’s new council administration centre should be built.
Some want to keep the new green space opened up by the demolition of the old building on Kent St, while others are content to see the council admin centre go right back where it was.
When the demolition of Maryborough’s council administration opened up a new vista and green space on the periphery of the CBD, an almost inevitable debate ignited.
Should Fraser Coast Regional Council rebuild on the flood-prone site, with appropriate mitigation in the new design? Or should the new green space be allowed to remain.
The council vote stands in favour of building at the original location, but a report to be delivered at Wednesday’s meeting could change that.
A progress update will be provided to the councillors on the current status of the Hervey Bay Esplanade Master Plan project.
The project started in July 2021, with studies completed along with consultation to inform the draft Master Plan.
An analysis of the active travel corridor proposed in the draft plan was completed in May, which included a review of existing and future car parking demand on and near the Esplanade, and managing that to provide a safe travel route to accommodate increasing demand and conflicts between walking, cycling, e-scooters and mobility scooters.
The recommendation before the council on Wednesday is to note the update on the current status of the plan.
As the council prepares to demolish the existing toilet block at Boonooroo, a report will be presented on Wednesday advising of alternate locations.
The decision to demolish the existing block has caused controversy among the Boonooroo community.
The toilets have been closed since Friday, July 15.
According to a statement from the Fraser Coast Regional Council in early 2022, an assessment of the toilet block revealed the septic tank could not be repaired, and should be removed due to environmental and public health risks.
As the system had overflown on king tides in the past, and the soil was not suitable for the drainage trenches, it increased the chances of effluent entering the environment and ocean, according to the statement.
Two suggestions for the new amenities have been made, with the possibility of using the existing the existing public amenities at the Boonooroo Sport and Recreation Grounds, located about two kilometres from the existing amenities at the boat ramp.
The second option was the construction of a single unisex cubicle that was accessible to all at Davies Rd in Boonooroo with an estimated cost of $120,000.
The recommendation made to the councillors was to note the two possible public toilet options in Boonooroo as well as the estimated costs and potential risks and to agree to monitor and reassess demand for the provision of a toilet within a 12 month period of the demolition of the existing toilet block.
Presentation of Glenwood Community Plan
A report will be presented to the council on Wednesday regarding the Glenwood Community Plan.
The plan was developed in conjunction with the Glenwood Community Plan Development Group and the wider community for council consideration.
It has been recommended that the council receive and endorse the plan as a guiding document that provides a vision and direction for the future of the Glenwood community and priorities for its future development.
Report on emergency short-term housing relief
As homelessness and housing shortages continue to plague the region, a report has been prepared for the council exploring the advantages and disadvantages of adopting an interim local law that would allow residents to provide temporary free caravan accommodation to people in need to relief accommodation for six months or more.
The report also discusses an alternate option available to enable Fraser Coast residents to live on their own land in a building or structure apart from a Class 1a dwelling for a limited time.
It was recommended that the council develop a Hardship Policy for the establishment or occupation of temporary homes within the Fraser Coast region.
Burrum Heads Beachfront Tourist Park Master Plan
The Burrum Heads Beachfront Tourist Park Master Plan was adopted by the council in March 2021 following stakeholder and community consultation.
After that, consideration was given to a number of alternate entrance options for the park, and, at the council’s meeting in April it was resolved that further consultation should be undertaken on two entrance options.
Following advertisements, on-site signage, posters displayed in businesses and direct mail deliveries, 52 responses were received for the entrance consultation survey in addition to the 634 responses received for the original master plan consultation that also detailed the entrance location.
The concerns and comments in addition to the survey response metrics have been considered for both options.
In addition to the community feedback, the risks of each option have been considered.
The risks considered include traffic congestion, vehicle conflicts, pedestrian safety and impacts on permanent residents.
On Wednesday the council will vote on adopting the amendments.
Library and Admin Centre concept design
A report seeking the council’s approval of the recommended final Concept Design of the new Hervey Bay Library and Administration Centre, labelled the “Taj Mahal” by Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders, will be presented at the meeting.
The $93m project, the cost of which Mr Saunders has predicted will blow out, has been controversial.
The project received $40 million in funding from the Hinkler Regional Deal.
The latest report provides a recommendation to endorse the final concept design which will in turn allow Cottee Parker Architects/Bloc Design and Savills to progress design development.
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