CEO resigns, building problems and other matters: ...
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Continuing our series at looking at council meeting minutes from across the region we look at some of the decisions that were made in December. Cloncurry Shire Council Cloncurry accepted the resignation of its CEO David Bezuidenhout. Mr Bezuidenhout was appointed Council CEO in August 2018 coming from the Gladstone region. Fred Pinxteren has been appointed acting CEO, having previously been Director of Projects, Assets & Safety since April. Meanwhile mayor Greg Campbell said he had been promoting the Cloncurry Prize 'Spirit of the Outback' poetry competition with a phone call with Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters and another with Australia All Over presenter, Macca (Ian McNamara). The prize is open until February 1 and commemorates the 155th Birthday of Dame Mary Gilmore. It is is expected to become an annual event with a generous cash prize of $10,000 Boulia Shire Council Cr Sam Beauchamp will continue as deputy mayor in 2021. Cr Jack Neilson was due to take the rotating position this year but told the council that due to other commitments it would be in the best interest of the Council if Cr Beauchamp continued with the role in 2021. The suggestion was agreed unanimously. Burke Shire Council There was an E Coli failure in a Water Sample for Gregory causing a boil water notice to residents and a report to the Department of Natural Resources. Tests proved the chlorine levels were adequate to eliminate E coli and the cause of the issue was most likely a contaminated sample. Operators were retrained in sampling. Gregory also has had issues with Raw Water pumps tripping. The Raw Water intake well at the river site will need to be cleaned and flushed before wet season starts. The CEO also noted she attended a first meeting with Carpentaria Shire and McKinlay Shire in the formation of regional collaboration on water and sewerage services. Carpentaria Shire Council Council turned down a proposal from Gulf District Enterprises Pty Ltd seeking access to the middle office located at the Normanton Airport to expand the current kiosk at the facility. Council advised them the room is required for their purposes. They also turned down a request from Just Lord's / Normanton Refuelers to erect advertising signage at the airport. Sketches are being drawn to replace the existing playground on the John Henry Oval. The budget is $275000 which includes removing and reinstalling a new playground. Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council There was an impromptu housing meeting with the Department of Housing. The main topic of discussion was the allocation of four properties within the Community and Housing were seeking Council's input prior to the final allocations. After discussions with the Department of Environment and Science, Council is looking to upgrade existing infrastructure for the proposed container collection facility. The CEO said they were looking at two possible sites - the "Plumber's Shed" in Knott opposite the Post Office which will be vacated when the new store is operational; and the Vet Clinic site on the corner Potter and Sharpe Streets, which is quite a large site with an existing shed that could be upgraded. Council will conduct community consultation on the options. Flinders Shire Council Council wants to establish a workers camp for the Torrens Creek to Aramac Road 26km Sealing Project on the property of Eastwood, Torrens Creek. Council will need to purchase second hand dongas, laundry and toilet block which will house the construction crew for the duration of the project. Council delegated authority to the CEO to progress the project and enter into a Licence Agreement with the property owner. The tender for the Screening and Delivery of Gravel for the sealing project was awarded to XtraCo for $999,900. Council also agreed to name the Prairie Creek Crossing on the Torrens Creek to Aramac Road after Cr Arthur Bode in recognition of his years of lobbying for the sealing of the road. Council also approved the installation of CCTV cameras at the Recreational Lake and Winton Road for $115,413. Council approved the upgrade of one player's area at the Flinders Sports Ground valued at $177,828. It will be financed out of savings from $1 million funding from the Drought Communities Program. McKinlay Shire Council At a special meeting December 1 Council approved an application from Epic Environmental on behalf of Etta Plains Holdings for a Code Assessable Operational Works Development Permit for earthworks associated with the construction of an irrigation supply channel system. At its regular meeting December 15 council approved RADF funding of $2500 for the McKinlay Shire Cultural Association 'Finding the Beauty' Workshop. The location of the two proposed Doppler weather radars was discussed to fill in blackspots in coverage and provide greater detail on rainfall and weather forecasting of catchment wide impacts. The mooted sites were initially near Julia Creek and Hughenden. However at the NWQROC meeting Friday December 4 Peter Stone, Group Executive - Business Solutions from the Australian BOM presented the case for BOM's favoured sites being near Richmond and Greenvale in the Charters Towers Regional Council area. Ross Thinee, A/CEO of MITEZ spoke to the meeting about a feasibility study into the viability and best location for a potential Cotton Gin and other potential economic development opportunities in the north west region. Robbie Katter MP, Member for Traeger also spoke to the meeting regarding the downgrade of the Julia Creek MPHS and he recommends Council continue to apply pressure on the State Government. Mornington Shire Council Minutes not yet available. Richmond Shire Council Cr Scott Geary asked if the sheets of iron that blew off the tank at the Water Treatment Plant could be removed before wet season. Director of Works said the sheets had been removed. The loose iron still there had been removed from the side of the shed so works could be carried out inside the shed and the iron would be put back up soon. Mayor John Wharton said LDMG Airport Exercise took place in December and the airport water tanks have roughly 50-60 minutes of water in case of a fire. In an emergency Council are to turn off the garden watering system at the Racecourse. Winton Shire Council There was an update on the defects of the new Waltzing Matilda Centre for which Council reached settlement with the builder. The defects including leaky roofs, drains and concrete, wall and ceiling cracks . concrete jointing defects and concrete slab cracks. So far there have been benchmark and comparison levels for floor slabs throughout the foyer and cafe as well as concrete grinding to remove trip hazards outside the cafe and construction joint sealing throughout the front and courtyard areas. Next to do including concrete coring and borescope investigation, assessment of remedial options, roof sealing and additional crack sealing. The ablution block at the showgrounds was expected to be finished by mid December. The contractor recently ceased work due to personal reasons, however as of November 30, the contractor was putting the finishing touches on the fit out. One Laminex door arrived warped and will need to be replaced and the contractor has advised they are waiting on the last 'bits and pieces'. As an incentive for rate payers to pay their rates by the due date, Council introduced a "rates payment incentive scheme" whereby people who paid their rates on time were automatically entered into a draw to win a cash prize of $1000. Council drew the winner which was Michael and Noeleen McCoy. Council awarded the repainting of the Lark Quarry Trackways Building to Higgins for $228,351 after several painted steel surfaces of the building deteriorated over time and now require repainting. Council also increased Lark Quarry maintenance budget by $32,000 a year. Council received a Business Case undertaken for the Western Town Film Set and Film Studio Project by Rural and Remote Development Consultants. The report considers the matters of land tenure and Council contribution relating to this project. READ ALSO: Mount Isa City Council in good shape, says annual report While you are here, subscribe to our weekly email delivered to your inbox every Tuesday and Friday.
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January 15 2021 - 3:36PM
Continuing our series at looking at council meeting minutes from across the region we look at some of the decisions that were made in December.
Cloncurry accepted the resignation of its CEO David Bezuidenhout. Mr Bezuidenhout was appointed Council CEO in August 2018 coming from the Gladstone region. Fred Pinxteren has been appointed acting CEO, having previously been Director of Projects, Assets & Safety since April.
Meanwhile mayor Greg Campbell said he had been promoting the Cloncurry Prize 'Spirit of the Outback' poetry competition with a phone call with Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters and another with Australia All Over presenter, Macca (Ian McNamara). The prize is open until February 1 and commemorates the 155th Birthday of Dame Mary Gilmore. It is is expected to become an annual event with a generous cash prize of $10,000
Cr Sam Beauchamp will continue as deputy mayor in 2021. Cr Jack Neilson was due to take the rotating position this year but told the council that due to other commitments it would be in the best interest of the Council if Cr Beauchamp continued with the role in 2021. The suggestion was agreed unanimously.
There was an E Coli failure in a Water Sample for Gregory causing a boil water notice to residents and a report to the Department of Natural Resources. Tests proved the chlorine levels were adequate to eliminate E coli and the cause of the issue was most likely a contaminated sample. Operators were retrained in sampling. Gregory also has had issues with Raw Water pumps tripping. The Raw Water intake well at the river site will need to be cleaned and flushed before wet season starts.
The CEO also noted she attended a first meeting with Carpentaria Shire and McKinlay Shire in the formation of regional collaboration on water and sewerage services.
Carpentaria Shire Council
Council turned down a proposal from Gulf District Enterprises Pty Ltd seeking access to the middle office located at the Normanton Airport to expand the current kiosk at the facility. Council advised them the room is required for their purposes. They also turned down a request from Just Lord's / Normanton Refuelers to erect advertising signage at the airport.
Sketches are being drawn to replace the existing playground on the John Henry Oval. The budget is $275000 which includes removing and reinstalling a new playground.
Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council
There was an impromptu housing meeting with the Department of Housing. The main topic of discussion was the allocation of four properties within the Community and Housing were seeking Council's input prior to the final allocations.
After discussions with the Department of Environment and Science, Council is looking to upgrade existing infrastructure for the proposed container collection facility. The CEO said they were looking at two possible sites - the "Plumber's Shed" in Knott opposite the Post Office which will be vacated when the new store is operational; and the Vet Clinic site on the corner Potter and Sharpe Streets, which is quite a large site with an existing shed that could be upgraded. Council will conduct community consultation on the options.
Torrens Creek to Aramac Road is getting 26km of sealing.
Council wants to establish a workers camp for the Torrens Creek to Aramac Road 26km Sealing Project on the property of Eastwood, Torrens Creek. Council will need to purchase second hand dongas, laundry and toilet block which will house the construction crew for the duration of the project. Council delegated authority to the CEO to progress the project and enter into a Licence Agreement with the property owner.
The tender for the Screening and Delivery of Gravel for the sealing project was awarded to XtraCo for $999,900. Council also agreed to name the Prairie Creek Crossing on the Torrens Creek to Aramac Road after Cr Arthur Bode in recognition of his years of lobbying for the sealing of the road.
Council also approved the installation of CCTV cameras at the Recreational Lake and Winton Road for $115,413.
Council approved the upgrade of one player's area at the Flinders Sports Ground valued at $177,828. It will be financed out of savings from $1 million funding from the Drought Communities Program.
At a special meeting December 1 Council approved an application from Epic Environmental on behalf of Etta Plains Holdings for a Code Assessable Operational Works Development Permit for earthworks associated with the construction of an irrigation supply channel system.
At its regular meeting December 15 council approved RADF funding of $2500 for the McKinlay Shire Cultural Association 'Finding the Beauty' Workshop.
The location of the two proposed Doppler weather radars was discussed to fill in blackspots in coverage and provide greater detail on rainfall and weather forecasting of catchment wide impacts. The mooted sites were initially near Julia Creek and Hughenden. However at the NWQROC meeting Friday December 4 Peter Stone, Group Executive - Business Solutions from the Australian BOM presented the case for BOM's favoured sites being near Richmond and Greenvale in the Charters Towers Regional Council area.
Ross Thinee, A/CEO of MITEZ spoke to the meeting about a feasibility study into the viability and best location for a potential Cotton Gin and other potential economic development opportunities in the north west region.
Minutes not yet available.
Cr Scott Geary asked if the sheets of iron that blew off the tank at the Water Treatment Plant could be removed before wet season. Director of Works said the sheets had been removed. The loose iron still there had been removed from the side of the shed so works could be carried out inside the shed and the iron would be put back up soon.
Mayor John Wharton said LDMG Airport Exercise took place in December and the airport water tanks have roughly 50-60 minutes of water in case of a fire. In an emergency Council are to turn off the garden watering system at the Racecourse.
The new Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton is suffering several defects.
There was an update on the defects of the new Waltzing Matilda Centre for which Council reached settlement with the builder. The defects including leaky roofs, drains and concrete, wall and ceiling cracks . concrete jointing defects and concrete slab cracks. So far there have been benchmark and comparison levels for floor slabs throughout the foyer and cafe as well as concrete grinding to remove trip hazards outside the cafe and construction joint sealing throughout the front and courtyard areas. Next to do including concrete coring and borescope investigation, assessment of remedial options, roof sealing and additional crack sealing.
The ablution block at the showgrounds was expected to be finished by mid December. The contractor recently ceased work due to personal reasons, however as of November 30, the contractor was putting the finishing touches on the fit out. One Laminex door arrived warped and will need to be replaced and the contractor has advised they are waiting on the last 'bits and pieces'.
As an incentive for rate payers to pay their rates by the due date, Council introduced a "rates payment incentive scheme" whereby people who paid their rates on time were automatically entered into a draw to win a cash prize of $1000. Council drew the winner which was Michael and Noeleen McCoy.
Council awarded the repainting of the Lark Quarry Trackways Building to Higgins for $228,351 after several painted steel surfaces of the building deteriorated over time and now require repainting. Council also increased Lark Quarry maintenance budget by $32,000 a year.
Council received a Business Case undertaken for the Western Town Film Set and Film Studio Project by Rural and Remote Development Consultants. The report considers the matters of land tenure and Council contribution relating to this project.