April 12, 2019 - Council news briefs

Freight and logistics hub study for Cassowary Coast:

Cassowary Coast Regional Council has engaged consultants MacroPlan Dimasi and study partners SMEC Holdings to investigate an Integrated Freight and Logistics Hub Strategy for the Cassowary Coast region. Council’s Director of Planning and Regional Development Manfred Boldy told yesterday’s meeting of Council the consultants’ research and planning would be aided by input from an Industry Reference Group. Nominations for the group would be sought from transport, producer, tourism and other industry sectors, as well as government agencies. “The Cassowary Coast is unique,” Mr Boldy said. “We are a hub for the Bruce Highway, the Palmerston Highway, Mourilyan Harbour sea port, Mundoo and Tully airports, and rail.” He said the study proposed to consider the types of goods produced in the region, modes of transport and routes used by producers and service providers to domestic and international markets. The project would be undertaken in two phases and was expected to help refine the region’s land–use planning for production as well as transport network and logistics planning, and be of interest to the whole Far North Queensland region. The study is supported by a $150,000 grant from the Queensland Government through its Maturing the Infrastructure Pipeline Program 2 funds.     Approval for two residential developments:

Growing investor confidence in the Cassowary Coast region and a general downsizing in popular lifestyle acreage were part of discussions at yesterday’s Council meeting before approving the reconfiguring of residential lots in Innisfail and Feluga subject to various conditions. Council agreed to the reconfiguring of five lots into 49 lots at Flying Fish Point Road in the Innisfail suburb of Eaton by North Queensland Property Developments Pty Ltd. Mayor John Kremastos said he was proud to progress this application, which had been 14 years in the making. He congratulated Planning staff and engineers who had worked with the developer to resolve issues, including sewerage, which had delayed the development. “The developer is keen to invest in this area and it is good to see this development going ahead now that the sewerage issue has been sorted,” Cr Kremastos said. Cr Ben Heath said it was the first big development to go ahead in the area in years. “It is indicative of the confidence in the region,” Cr Heath said. “We are a proactive Council and this is working for us.” Part of the site has been designated as esplanade adjacent to the North Johnstone River to meet State Government conditions.

Clibro Developments Pty Ltd sought approval for reconfiguring two lots into 39 lots at Jack Drive, Feluga. An existing approval covered the site and some of the rural residential lots had previously been subdivided off in accordance with this approval. The applicant had constructed roads and water infrastructure and relevant services throughout the site as part of approval conditions, including registering covenants on lots to the west and south to limit the impact of existing agricultural operations on future dwellings. The applicant had lodged the new application of those lots which had not been subdivided off to reduce the lot size to better reflect market conditions and provide for a more efficient use of the site and existing infrastructure.

   Mission Beach boat ramp beach access:

Cassowary Coast Regional Council has approved the relocation of the beach access for vehicles from its current location in front of the Mission Beach Caravan Park to the Porter Promenade road reserve/esplanade area opposite Boyatt Road, a short distance to the north. This follows a new lease agreement over the Council-owned caravan park. It was agreed at Thursday’s (April 11) Council meeting that use of the beach access would be assessed and approved through a permit process under Council’s Local Laws and Council would consider a budget allocation in the 2019/20 financial year for the project. Discussion revolved around commercial and public access. Cr Wayne Kimberley argued for licensing commercial users but providing unrestricted access for the public. “We agree that the public should not have to get a permit but commercial operators should,” he said. Council officers will investigate providing unrestricted public access and report to Council at the next general meeting. Boat ramps and beach ladders are available at South Mission Beach off Kennedy Esplanade and the Hull River (Jacky Jacky Street), Carmoo and Kurrimine Beach. 

Work set to begin on Edith Street covered walkway:

The Chief Executive Officer of Cassowary Coast Regional Council has today awarded a $225,000 contract to local company Allan Sultana Constructions Qld Pty Ltd to build a cover over the main pedestrian crossing in Edith Street in the Innisfail CBD. The laminated timber structure will be built off-site and installed after hours to restrict any interruption to traffic flows. Timber was chosen as the preferred material as it is a natural product and its inclusion is seen a link to the region’s historic timber industry. The timber will be sourced from sustainable, Australian grown product. It will be painted with a clear sealant to highlight its natural beauty and will require repainting at 10 to 15 year intervals. The project is funded by the State Government’s W4Q2 program. 

Nominations sought for Community Engagement Group:

Cassowary Coast Regional Council is seeking nominations for a Community Engagement Group from interested community organisations and individuals who have a demonstrated history of positive social commitment and passion for the region. The voluntary advisory group will be a “sounding board” on community issues for the Council and will help provide a two-way conduit for dissemination of information, works and achievements of the Council to the broader community. It is proposed that the group will assist the Council to engage more fully with the community and provide grassroots feedback to inform decision making. Council will advertise for nominees in local media and on Council’s web and social media sites.    END