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In Focus, 18 December 2014
Dear reader, welcome to the latest edition of In Focus, full of news, events and opportunities from your council.
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Mayor's Message
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As we head into the Christmas period, we tend to reflect on the year that's been.
It's certainly been a big year for Council and the release of a community snapshot has given insight into just how much has been achieved in 2014.
The completion of the Lake Street redevelopment is a notable highlight but it's not all about the big ticket items. Our staff work hard day in and day out to make our city one of Australia's most liveable.
It's the people who truly make a community and this week we saw some of our finest in action. Eighty volunteers gave their time to pack and distribute 700 Christmas food hampers to local families in need.
I offer my heartfelt thanks these wonderful volunteers and to everyone who contributed to the Mayor's Christmas Cheer Appeal. You have helped to brighten someone's Christmas Day.
On that note, and on behalf of Cairns Regional Council, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy year ahead.
See you in 2015!
Mayor Bob Manning
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Christmas Greetings
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Cairns Regional Council would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
Our offices will be closed from 12 noon on Christmas Eve, reopening on Monday 5 January 2015.
A call centre will be operating throughout this period for urgent matters via the normal customer service number 4044 3044.
Cairns Libraries Branches will also be closed during this period but members are invited to borrow up to 30 items to see them through the festive break.
Waste transfer stations will be closed on Christmas Day only and kerbside waste collections will continue as normal regardless of public holidays.
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Nominate an unsung hero
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Nominations close tomorrow (Friday) in the 2015 Australia Day Awards. The Awards recognise the unsung heroes in our community who enrich the lives of others, and do so with no fanfare and little public recognition.
There are seven award categories:
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Citizen of the Year Award
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Young Citizen of the Year
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Cultural Award
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Junior Cultural Award
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Sportsperson of the Year
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Junior Sportsperson of the Year
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Volunteer of the Year
Download a nomination form and return to Australia Day Awards Sub Committee, Cairns Regional Council, PO Box 359, Cairns QLD 4870 or email to RSVP@cairns.qld.gov.au. Winners will be announced at a lunchtime function on 23 January.
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Seymour to rock NYE
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The start 2015 is just two weeks away!
Celebrate the end of 2014 with an Australian music icon on the Cairns Esplanade.
Renowned singer-songwriter Mark Seymour will headline the annual Cairns Esplanade New Year's Eve concert, presented by Cairns Regional Council. The former Hunters and Collectors frontman will be joined by his current band The Undertow on the Cairns Esplanade stage.
The Cairns Esplanade New Year's Eve program is a free, all-ages event from 6pm. The entertainment line-up includes Sam Clark, Frontear, Flavour and Amy Chase. Fireworks are at 9pm and midnight. Thanks to Rattle 'n' Hum for again coming on board to support the New Year's Eve event.
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Development incentives
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Cairns Regional Council has moved to energise the construction industry, today launching a new round of development incentives aimed at encouraging development in key growth areas.
The Infrastructure Charges Incentives Program is designed to stimulate the local economy through encouraging major construction projects to be completed within a specified time frame.
“This program is about getting construction moving. It’s time to see bricks and mortar on the ground – tools and equipment in people’s hands,” Mayor Bob Manning said.
“When the construction industry is thriving, the economic benefits flow through to nearly every other industry. Confidence in the building industry in turn brings confidence to other sectors.
The new round will focus on projects proposed for the CBD and areas like North Cairns, Smithfield, Edmonton, Earlville, Mt Peter and Babinda which are the subject of individual Local Plans in the draft Planning Scheme, recognising their importance to the city’s growth.
To be eligible for the discount, construction must start before 1 July 2015, with a completion date of no later than 30 June 2017. Projects must have a construction value in excess of $15 million, with at least 80 per cent of the workforce sourced from the local area.
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Australia Day live music
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Australia Day on the Cairns Esplanade will be a musical affair in 2015.
Featuring popular Aussie band Busby Marou and a quality line-up of local talent, a relaxed tropical vibe by the famous Esplanande lagoon will be the order of the day.
The Aussie tradition of a community barbecue will be on offer, with entertainment to get under way at 2pm.
Support acts are Chillaxed, Lucky Phil and Roz Pappalardo, with Busby Marou to take the stage at 5.30pm for a 90-minute set.
Check our What's On Calendar for more information on the Cairns Esplanade event and other Australia Day activities closer to the date.
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State election priorities
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Council has released its list of priorities ahead of next year's Queensland State election.
The 23-point document has been forwarded to the Premier and senior Ministers as well as sitting Members and candidates, who will be asked to respond to the listed priorities as part of their campaign pitch.
"This document clearly outlines Council's expectations of the State Government in its next term," Mayor Bob Manning said.
"There can be no uncertainty going into this election that Cairns Regional Council has shown its hand and articulated its position in relation to key projects for the region."
Among the priorities are upgrades to the Bruce and Captain Cook highways and the Western Arterial Road, as well as a funding contribution to the Shields Street Heart project and a range of sports and cultural infrastructure.
Council is also seeking a commitment to enter into discussions on funding arrangements for a future rectangular stadium in Cairns, a performing arts centre and expansion of the Cairns Regional Gallery and to infrastructure to support the growth in population expected as a result of the proposed Aquis integrated resort.
Rounding out the list is a commitment to development of local marine industries, aviation development and Naval presence; tourism industry reforms; and a review of land tenure policies that would allow local government to develop community infrastructure on State-owned, Council-managed land.
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