FNQROC Update - August 2014
By: Darlene Irvine, Executive Officer...
I hope everyone has survived the end of financial year hump in one piece. I know in our office there has been a flurry of work in preparation for our audit which we have now handed over to the auditors. We have also just finalised the 2013-2014 Annual Report, a copy of which can be found here.
This month has seen a vast array of activity for myself and the coordinators. For me:
• I met with the Productivity Commission on the NDRRA issues paper in Brisbane. It is hoped (and I and LGAQ have requested) that a round table meeting occur in Cairns when the draft report is released.
• I travelled out to Oak Park for the community meeting regarding the Hann Highway. While it was a long way to go and for my part involved camping (arghhh!) it was extremely beneficial to get the anecdotal information from the transport industry and producers to help build the case. This case will also be included in the larger Queensland Western Road Action Group, the Hann being one of its priorities.
• We also had the ROC assembly where all the ROC's come together to identify their priorities (it's supposed to be top three but many of them take liberties :) ). Not surprisingly, despite the varying locations many of our priorities align. From the Executive Officer side we are all overwhelmed by the number of submissions we have had to (or not been able to) develop. Where we believe we can, we will try and share this load and let one ROC take the lead with others supporting with information so we can all make an informed submission.
• Planning reform continues to haunt every corner for the Planners and the progression of their planning schemes:
o we have new Local Government Infrastructure Plans which need to be developed (more information in Steve's write up). This plan will cross a number of portfolios (Asset Managers, Engineers and Financial Managers) in Councils and will challenge all involved.
o a new Planning for Queensland Bill is being developed to replace the Sustainable Planning Act, and
o a draft Queensland Plan Bill which will come out shortly. This Bill will give statutory weight to the Queensland Plan and will require consideration in Councils' Planning Schemes and Corporate Plans.
• I am now having monthly catch ups with Greg Neilson from Ergon Energy to progress our priorities and understand the issues within Ergon Energy. Street lighting has a number of long term issues which I believe (and hope) they are ready to tackle with us. With the audit almost complete across the State there are a number of other little issues which have raised their head which we hope to resolve to the benefit of Councils.
• The FNQROC Regional Development Manual has been out for public consultation on the proposed changes and industry workshops have occurred. Numbers of registrations were down and the number who attended were significantly down. I believe this is for a number of reasons: (a) Cairns Regional Council has done a good job in working with industry throughout the year on proposed changes to the manual, so they were all aware, and (b) many of the changes were in favour for industry. Submissions have now closed and we will progress assessing those submissions we received formally and at the workshops.
August also holds a vast array of activity:
• Today I met with Senator Jan McLucas and the Shadow Attorney General on NDRRA and in particular the 'value for money component'.
• We have a Planners meeting on 5 August prior to the Local Government Infrastructure Plan workshop to identify implications and tactics.
• On 11 August I have an action packed day for the Mayors and CEOs with:
o FNQROC AGM
o FNQROC Ordinary Meeting
o FNQRRTG Meeting
o Ergon Energy Workshop, and finishing with ...
o a combined dinner with the FNQ&TS RDA Board.