Whitsunday council to make decision on basketball court, RV rest stop, motor inn
Whitsunday councillors face crucial decisions on major developments, including a controversial basketball court and changes to short-term accommodation rules.
From development applications to town masterplans, a range of local issues will be up for discussion when councillors gather next week.
Whitsunday Regional Council will meet in Proserpine on October 29 to consider a range of issues at their monthly council meeting.
Colonial Palms Motor Inn Expansion
Council is set to discuss the development application for new three-storey complex housing 31 accommodation units at 2 Hermitage Drive, Airlie Beach.
Since the last council meeting the proponent confirmed no further changes would be made to the proposal despite councillors concerns over the lack of parking.
The Le Jarden body corporate also wrote to Council to express concerns regarding the flood risk to the basement of Le Jarden, the northern corner of the proposed development and the open rooftop terrace.
The application has been amended since the consultation period to address privacy, noise, and building height concerns.
The project, which includes a commercial kitchen, laundry, rooftop terrace, and carparking and is linked to Colonial Palms Motor Inn.
Halpannel Basketball Court – Proserpine
Council will decide if they should relocate or defer the $250,000 basketball court project following community backlash.
Recent infrastructure works at the site to relocate a water main led adjoining residents to lodge a petition opposing the project because of concerns about noise and potential vandalism with many questioning the need for a basketball court.
Alternate options for the court include Keith Johns Park and Les Stagg Oval but council anticipated a similar opposition
from neighbouring residents and potentially a smaller court with less positive community impact.
The project is now on hold pending further review with council able to elect to discontinue the project all together if there is not community support or an ongoing need.
Bowen Foreshore Master Plan
Council will decide whether to adopt the Bowen Foreshore Master Plan which outlines public realm upgrades, harbour redevelopment and private investment opportunities.
The plan would split the foreshore into five precincts including leisure on the shore, an area filled with a mix of dining, retail, cultural attractions, and community spaces all anchored by the new Bowen Jetty and the potential Bowen Catalina Experience Centre.
This area would also contain an upgraded pool, skate park and splash pad areas as well as a brand new nature play park.
Other precincts include a relaxed coastal neighbourhood, boat harbour, marine hub and a new boardwalk.
Planning Scheme Amendment – Short-term Accommodation – Consultation Report
Also on the table for decision will be whether to endorse planning changes for short term rentals following a consultation period earlier this year.
Council received 84 submissions containing a wide variety of similar and contrary views.
If the amendment was endorsed council would identify 10 precincts where short-term accommodation would be supported in the low-density residential zone and remove short-term accommodation support in all other locations zoned low-density residential.
Proposal for the Reopening of Proserpine RV Rest Stop
Recent interest from Councillors and the community have led to a report seeking Council’s support to reopen the Proserpine RV Rest Stop located behind St Catherine’s Church.
The report proposes the site reopen for the dry season as a free, 48-hour stopover for fully self-contained vehicles, operating strictly as a rest stop, not as a caravan park.
Future Electoral Arrangements
Council will consider whether to prepare a submission supporting a change to its electoral structure where they would begin transitioning into an undivided model.
Council currently operates under a divided model with six single-member divisions and a mayor elected by the entire Region but.
Following mixed results from community consultation in 2022 as to whether they would retain the current six
divisions or change to the undivided model the decision was deferred, now a new report is being presented to council.
Of the 463 submissions received, 62% supported having an undivided area, while 38% supported retaining divisions, but council noted low participation numbers reduced the reliability of the results.
Also on the agenda:
- Updated Major Events and Conferences Sponsorship Policy
- Special Project Grant Applications
- Donations, Sponsorships and Grants Approved in September
- Office of the Mayor & CEO Quarterly Report
- Corporate Services Quarterly Report
- Monthly Finance Report
