No images? Click here Welcome!Welcome to the second newsletter from Council's Development, Planning and Property Branch. New Charges ResolutionAt the Planning and Environment Committee on 14 July 2021, Council adopted the new Cairns Regional Council Charges Resolution No. 1 of 2021, which has effect on and from 30 August 2021. A range of changes have been made:
This new charges resolution will apply for any levied charges after the commencement date – whether or not the development application was lodged before commencement. Appointment of Manager - Development, Planning and PropertyAfter a competitive recruitment process, we are pleased to announce that Kelly Barnes has been appointed to the role of Manager – Development, Planning and Property. Kelly has had a diverse career with Council, having started with the former Cairns City Council in 1994 where she spent 10 years in the Rates & Revenue areas of Finance. In 2005, she gained a full-time role as a Technical Officer within the Planning team and undertook some studies to support this new career path. Over the next 10 years, she completed several diplomas, a Planning Degree at James Cook University Cairns and invested in her personal leadership development. Most recently, Kelly has been in the role of Coordinator Compliance & Enforcement where she gained the leadership skills that have paved the way to her current position as the Manager - Development, Planning and Property Branch. Kelly has a diverse portfolio overseeing Development Assessment, Strategic Planning & Growth Management, Sustainability, Engineering Services, Property Services, Licensing & Approvals & Cemeteries. She is responsible for the delivery of Council’s planning and sustainability projects and is leading the teams to achieve the business improvement and operational initiatives recently adopted by Council. Kelly’s contact details are (07) 4044 3556 and k.barnes@cairns.qld.gov.au Designing for Density in the TropicsAt the Planning and Environment Committee on 14 July 2021, Council endorsed the Designing for Density in the Tropics Design Guide. The Design Guide provides practical guidance for four key housing types - apartments, townhouses and terraces, dual occupancy, and small lot houses and subdivisions. It is a non-statutory reference document that complements the CairnsPlan 2016 Planning Scheme. Diagrams and imagery illustrate design treatments, including shade and shelter, ventilation, streetscaping and landscaping, setbacks, communal open spaces, pedestrian and vehicle access, and building siting. The Design Guide is a joint initiative of Council and the Queensland Government to deliver contemporary design guidance for higher density residential development within a tropical climate. Cairns cemeteries in the spotlightCairns recently played host to the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association’s (ACCA) mid-year Seminar and Cemetery Safety Training course. On day two of the seminar, Council hosted a tour of the 105-year-old Martyn Street Cemetery. Nathan (Coordinator Licensing and Approvals) and Cemetery Ganger Ben took participants on an hour-long walk around the 15 hectare cemetery where over 20,000 people are buried. Council staff pointed out key features of the cemetery, including the locations of the first burials in 1916 to the final resting places of prominent members of the Cairns Community including former Mayors and the 116 servicemen and women buried in the Cairns War Cemetery. The tour was well received with many participants commenting on the significant efforts made by Council's staff to maintain the large historic cemetery to such a high standard. Our Cairns CoastAt the Planning and Environment Committee on 14 July 2021, Council endorsed the draft Our Cairns Coast Strategy for community engagement. The Strategy sets the direction and key priority actions for Council, stakeholders and our communities to proactively plan, prepare and respond to coastal hazard risks for the future resilience of the Cairns community. The draft Strategy will shortly be available on Council’s website, once the six-week consultation period commences. A range of community engagement activities will occur throughout the consultation period. Proposed CairnsPlan 2016 Major AmendmentCouncil continues to progress the Major Amendment to the CairnsPlan 2016 Planning Scheme. During public consultation (17 November 2020 to 31 January 2021), Council received 63 of submissions on a range of matters. At its Ordinary Meeting on 23 June 2021, Council considered all submissions and made changes to the proposed amendment in response to the submissions. Council has now formally requested approval from the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning to adopt the proposed Major Amendment. Covid-19 Response Investment Incentive updateCouncil's COVID-19 Response Investment Incentive Policy seeks to provide an economic stimulus for the development and construction industries and associated local employment across the region in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic. It aims to support small scale development, such as those being considered by “mum and dad” investors, where infrastructure charges may be a barrier. Council recently extended the Policy Period from 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023. Future updatesWe'll be sharing a range of relevant industry updates through future newsletters. Please feel free to share this with your industry colleagues - just click the Forward button below. To be included on our distribution list for future updates, please contact Sue Shearer via email on s.shearer@cairns.qld.gov.au. |