FNQROC Update - April 2014

Review of the FNQROC Regional Development Manual

The regional working group is in the midst of making recommendations on the proposed changes to the FNQROC Regional Development Manual.  These reports should go to Councils in April.  From the time all Councils resolve to amend the manual we will then go out to public consultation where we have already set up three workshops with industry. It is hoped this process will be completed in July or August.

Advance Cairns MOU

I am currently working with Council staff on the renewal of the Advance Cairns contract.

Urban Stormwater Quality Improvement

FNQROC has been part of a cross regional project (Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg) to look at improving our urban stormwater quality.  Surprisingly, our erosion and sediment control is quite good when compared to SEQ and other regions.  Water by Design is the project manager and has been taking a look at the guidelines they have developed for SEQ and modifying them to the tropics.  We also will be undertaking some compliance training on the Tablelands (for the region).

This work will support the efforts of Terrain NRM in the development of the Wet Tropics Water Quality Improvement Plan for which it has received funding.  This plan will then support our efforts in the future (with hopefully some funding attached).

Australian Energy Regulator

While Daniela is FNQROC's street light guru, I have been supporting her efforts and recently met with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to try and get some further clarity on the framework and assessment for the distribution determination (reset).  In terms of our street lighting, there are a number of things which Ergon Energy has advised it either could or could not do.  Energy and for that matter, street lighting, is not a simple process to understand.  We are improving the clarity of objectives between the AER and Ergon Energy.  AER is in the process of setting up a meeting between interested Councils and Ergon Energy and Energex to help resolve some of these which is exciting news.

In spreading the love, I have also spoken to Banana Shire Council and Mackay Regional Council about their future direction on this as well – we will continue to keep each other informed as we progress.