Arts funding, community leases and developer dispute on council agenda

From sculptor residencies to water meter readings, Whitsunday Council faces decisions that will impact local artists, developers and residents.

Mayor Ry Collins and the rest of the Whitsunday councillors will meet in Bowen on November 26 to consider a range of issues at their monthly council meeting.

From changes to development applications to art development funds a range of local issues will be up for discussion when councillors gather next week.

Whitsunday Regional Council will meet in Bowen on November 26 to consider a range of issues at their monthly council meeting.

Regional Arts Development Fund Round 1

Council will be asked to consider approving a number of grants as recommended to Council by the RADF Advisory

Committee.

These grants include $5499 for Artists Run Initiative Whitsundays to support plans to host sculptor Peter Syndicas for a two-week artist residency with masterclasses and a community forum, $3060 for Artists Connect Inc. to create the Whitsunday Art Trail public directory, $3850 for artist Felicity Chapman to allow her to attend training in Brisbane, $4300 for emerging author Holly Daniel to enabling her to complete essential industry-standard publishing processes on her completed YA fantasy manuscript ‘The Light Unfound’, and $5500 for Annette Oosterhof to strengthen creative and social connections among local women in regional North Queensland through fibre arts workshops and gatherings.

Request for Negotiated Decision Notice – Development Application for Development Permit for Reconfiguring of a Lot – One Lot into Three Lots – 4 Leeder Road, Preston

After council approved a development permit for the reconfiguration of 4 Leeder Road, Preston developers are seeking to remove two conditions to the project.

They are seeking to remove to condition that they upgrade Leeder Road and widen the existing pavement for the full frontage of the development to provide an unsealed carriageway width of six meters from the centre line of the road reserve and the condition requiring construction of below ground or non-combustible water tanks.

The officer has recommended that the council refuses the request.

New Lease – Hidden Court Storage Shed

Council will discuss a peppercorn lease of a vacant shed in Cannonvale after being made aware that several not for profit and community organisations in the region have been looking for additional storage space.

A public tender was released seeking interest for the use of the shed for storage purposes.

After resolving to negotiate a five-year peppercorn lease agreement with Whitsunday Triathlon Club in September they will now consider entering a formal arrangement with Great Barrier Reef Festival Inc. for use of part of the shed.

Notification of Water Meter Reading Period

Council are asked to declare the date for the reading of water meters.

It is proposed that the date be set for December 19.

Also on the agenda:

• Q1 Operational Plan progress summary
  
• Development Application for Preliminary Approval (Variation Request) for Material Change of Use – Four Multiple Dwelling Units under the Boyle Family Development Scheme (BFDS) – 371 Strathdickie Road, Strathdickie
• Donations, Sponsorships and Grants Approved October 2025
  
• Prequalified Supplier Panel Arrangement for Trade Services (Refresh)
• Sole Source Supplier Listing
  
• Regional Strategy & Planning Quarterly Update
  
• Community Services and Facilitation – Quarterly Report
  
• Monthly Finance Report