Eight things you missed at the Whitsunday council meeting
A major development got the green light and a hospital transport service was given a cash splash
Whitsunday
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HERE are eight things you may have missed at the Whitsunday Regional Council’s latest meeting.
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Resort revamp approved
One of Airlie Beach’s former signature backpackers will be revived under a new plan approved by the council.
The previous site of Reefo’s Backpackers behind Bunnings warehouse will be returned to its former glory with the addition of a bar and bistro that will be known as the Royal Cannonvale Hotel.
The application is made up of three different aspects; a temporary food and drink outlet in the form of a mobile food vehicle, a tourist park and a hotel.
Amendments to the planning scheme
Councillors approved a change to the planning scheme that would provide a new definition for landscaping works.
The current scheme has no definition for what ‘landscaping work’ is, causing issues to arise when work done by developers has not lined up with the infrastructure of the council.
The new definition allows the council to apply relevant landscaping standards without development approval.
Collinsville airstrip
Councillors voted to support a submission for funding to upgrade the lighting at the Collinsville Aerodrome.
The council has applied for $456,500 under the Queensland Government’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program and if successful, will commit to a co-contribution of $456,500 from the 2021-22 capital works budget or airport reserve.
There is lighting already installed at the Collinsville aerodrome, however the spacing of the lighting infrastructure does not conform to CASA’s Manual of Standards.
Hospital transport service
A new door-to-door service that will drive patients directly to their appointments at Mackay Base Hospital was given the cash splash needed to get the wheels in motion.
Whitsunday Regional Council approved a $20,000 donation to the Mackay Hospital Foundation during this week’s ordinary council meeting for the new hospital transport service.
The free service will provide door-to-door transport for 80 patients every week in a nine-seat people mover.
Financing and Funding Climate Change Adaptation
Councillors discussed a report, written by Griffith University’s Ian Edwards, that outlined the challenges and opportunities the council could face in funding climate change adaptation schemes.
The report revealed extreme weather events were expected to drive up maintenance and replacement costs of council assets and demand for council services.
It was also projected to take a big toll on insurance premiums, where “as risk increases, so does price”.
Mayor Andrew Willcox said it was important for the council to review the report and start planning for future impacts so residents would not be hit with even higher costs.
“(The report) raises awareness and gives us an opportunity for planning,” he said.
Cost of climate change
Councillors also discussed the costs of climate change and vulnerable properties from rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
A report found it could cost the council $300 million with seawalls, land buybacks and road raising all on the cards.
The report also made recommendations on how the council could prepare for the effects of rising sea levels.
Councillors voted to receive the report and post it on the council website.
Molongle Creek dredge
Workers have arrived to dredge Molongle Creek after years of waiting.
Residents have been pushing for dredging works at Molongle Creek, 15km from Gumlu, for several years.
During low tide, there is no access between the boat ramp and Cape Upstart, which means VMR cannot access the area during emergencies.
At the council meeting, council’s director of infrastructure services Matt Fanning said workers were set to arrive.
Mr Fanning confirmed this week that workers had arrived on the site and work would commence soon.
Tondara Rd concerns
Division 4 councillor Michelle Wright raised concerns about Tondara Rd and asked if resources could be allocated to help make the road safer.
Council’s director of infrastructure services Matt Fanning said he was aware of the problems and was looking at options for allocating resources to the site.
Why tourist pilot crashed in failed landing
An aviation safety report has ruled what caused an undertrained pilot to crash a Qld tourist plane carrying seven passengers.
‘Families want answers’: New mining coroner must ‘hit the ground running’
A new mine death watchdog based in Mackay will investigate all resource industry-related fatalities after the Queensland sector was plagued with the worst death toll in five years.