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PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE 9 13 FEBRUARY 2013

CAPE TRIBULATION ROAD LINK – ROAD MANAGEMENT PLAN

Samuel Wakeford: 17/9/5-06: #3863199V1

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council; a) Endorses the Cape Tribulation Road Link Road Management Plan. b) Notes the Consultation Report for the Cape Tribulation Road Link Planning Study

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s endorsement of the Cape Tribulation Road Link – Road Management Plan included as Executive Attachment 1.

The Cape Tribulation Road to Mulligan Highway provides for the coastal connection between Cairns and Cooktown and is recognised as a critical link for numerous communities reliant on its continued functionality.

Comprising five distinct road sections under the stewardship of three local governments and the State (CRC, WWASC, CSC and DTMR-FN), the Cape Tribulation Road to Mulligan Highway presents a broad range of operational complexities for its effective management. The development of a high level link strategy with regional agreement is seen as a critical requirement to ensure the effective and environmentally sustainable long term management of the network.

The Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield Road is recognised as a Local Road of Regional Significance (LRRS) by the Far North Region of Councils (FNQROC). Funding has been successfully secured to provide improvements to the Woobadda Crossing, the scope of which is to be defined by the proposed Road Management Plan. As a requirement, funding needs to be expended by end of June 2013, hence the requirement for Council to endorse the Road Management Plan.

The proposed Road Management Plan is to provide a framework for future development / improvement of the Cape Tribulation Road Link. No timeframe, nor budget, has been set for the delivery of the principles provided within the Plan.

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BACKGROUND:

The Cape Tribulation Road (Mossman/Daintree Road to Cape Tribulation township) was established by the State during the 1960s (although settlement in the area predates the 1930s) and provided vehicle access to the township of Cape Tribulation. Connection of the Cape Tribulation Road to the Bloomfield Road (WWASC) (Bloomfield Track) by the State in 1984 was a highly controversial issue with public protests marking the majority of 1983. In 1992, stewardship of the Bloomfield Track and the Cape Tribulation Road was conveyed to the former Douglas Shire Council (DSC), and subsequently to Cairns Regional Council (CRC) following the local government amalgamations of 2008.

The Wet Tropics (WT) Act was legislated in 1993 and was to be the vehicle by which the government could ensure effective and active measures are taken to meet ’s obligation under the World Heritage Convention for the protection, conservation, presentation, rehabilitation and transmission to future generations of declared areas. The Wet Tropics Management Authority was established under the WT Act and is responsible for administration of the WT Plan. The WT Plan regulates activities which have the potential to impact on the integrity of the World Heritage Area. Both road and drainage works are regulated under the WT Plan.

In 1999, as part of a condition of a Wet Tropics permit to allow an upgrade to sections of the Bloomfield Track along the Cowie Range, the DSC was informed of a requirement to prepare a management regime for the road link. Subsequent discussions between the DSC and WTMA resulted in the development of a Terms of Reference to undertake a planning study. The major objective of the planning study was to determine the future purpose and function of the road and to examine the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with various options to achieve this function. The Terms of Reference for the planning study as prepared by the DSC were endorsed by WTMA on 20 March 2001. However, the study was not undertaken by the DSC prior to council amalgamations in 2008.

Following council amalgamations in 2008, council officers undertook planning for the delivery of an improved crossing at Woobadda Creek, a natural creek crossing located approximately 6km south of the Cairns / Boundaries on the Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield Road. The crossing was identified as a priority for improvement and was included on their Capital Works program at the time of amalgamation. It was during the planning and design phases of the Woobadda Creek Crossing project that council officers became aware of the requirement to complete the planning study.

WTMA have reiterated the requirement to complete the planning study prior to assessing future capital improvements within the bounderies of the Daintree National Park.

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During 2011, the Regional Road Group (FNQRRG) facilitated the development and agreement of a Statement of Intent (SOI) for the Cape Tribulation to Cooktown link. Agreement was reached between the three affected local government agencies (CRC, WWASC, CSC) and DTMR-FN, with a signed copy provided to WTMA on 19 May 2011. The SOI was supported by two Link Studies commissioned by CRC which provided an assessment of concept structures, hydraulic characteristics and roadway needs between the Cape Tribulation Township and the Mulligan Highway, Cooktown.

The SOI included a vision to upgrade major stream crossings along the road link (commencing with Woobadda Creek) to achieve a potential Q5 flood immunity (maximum). WTMA subsequently reiterated its requirement for a planning study to provide an overall context in which to assess any further proposals to upgrade the road within the World Heritage Area under the Wet Tropics Management Plan.

On 10 October 2011, WTMA attended a FNQRRG-TC meeting to discuss the future purpose and management intent of the Bloomfield Road. As an outcome of the meeting, the objectives of the required planning study were developed.

The Planning Study and associated technical references were developed during 2012, with the community consultation process conducted by Cairns Regional Council from 27 October 2012 to 14 December 2012.

COMMENT:

A copy of the Planning Study and associated supporting reports have been provided to the Councillor’s Chambers for perusal prior to the meeting, documents include the following:

Primary Document: - Cape Tribulation Road Link Planning Study (#3660370)

Supporting Documentation: - Cape Tribulation – Bloomfield Road Link Study (#3758929) - Cape Tribulation Road Link Study Extension – Bloomfield to Shiptons Flat - Review of Environmental Factors (#3758930). - Road Safety Audit Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield Road (#3758927).

To assist in funding the proposed Woobadda Creek Crossing improvements, Council officers successfully sourced funding via the Regional Safety and Development Program (RSDP), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fund (ATSI) and the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).

CONSULTATION:

The community consultation process was conducted by Cairns Regional Council from 27 October 2012 to 14 December 2012 and incorporated radio, newspaper, direct mail out and a series of public meetings.

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The consultation area for the community engagement process was the Cairns Regional Council, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and Cook Shire Council local government areas with targeted consultation of the communities in the immediate vicinity.

The objectives of this process were to:  Inform and educate the community and key stakeholders about the Cape Tribulation Road link planning study and related background studies;  Consult with and seek written submissions from the community and key stakeholders on the Cape Tribulation Road link planning study concerning road and creek crossing issues so that a final road management plan can be developed, endorsed and provided to WTMA.

Several public information sessions were held at various venues in the area of study, these sessions provided an informal way for stakeholders to view the public information material and to ask questions directly of the Council and Technical Representatives. A record of the notes taken during the public information sessions, are included as Appendix D of the Consultation Report.

Feedback was received during the consultation process from a broad cross section of the community, with majority of respondents identifying themselves as Residents/landowners, businesses or community associations directly associated with the link. A total of 76 written submissions were received, of them 63 were resident/landowners and or business / community associations, the remainder were from environmental organisations, other North Queensland, key stakeholder organisations, health/emergency organisations and indigenous organisations. Of the 76 respondents, 39 were from Cairns Regional Council, 22 from Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and 15 from Cook Shire Council. Full accounts of the submissions are provided within Appendix G of the Consultation Report.

A copy of the Consultation Report has been included at the Councillor’s Chambers.

The Divisional Councillor has been informed of this project from its inception.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Financial Risks:

Future Link Funding:

No funding is being sought in relation to the implementation of the proposed Road Management Plan. All future projects, which are guided by the proposed Road Management Plan, will be provided for Council consideration via the approved budget submission process.

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Currently Approved Funds:

Cairns Regional Council has been successful in sourcing approximately $1.8M in funds to improve the Woobadda Creek Crossing. However the previous twelve months have seen both the State and Federal governments tightening the requirements on expending approved funds within set timeframes. As a result Council is required to expend the approved funds by the end of the current financial year.

Corporate and Operational Plans:

The proposals support Council’s Corporate Plan in regards to the following:

Goal 1 – Caring for the environment in particular; 1.1 “Deliver improved management of the region’s natural resources and biological diversity for sustainability and ecosystem health.” 1.7 “Deliver more environmentally sustainable Council operations and facilities” 1.9 “Implement relevant legislation and local laws.”

Goal 2 – Building Vibrant Communities 2.1 “Implement a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to community health and safety.” 2.2 “Improve the quality and opportunities for use of public space across the region.” 2.6 “Improve the capacity and wellbeing of valued areas of the community that traditionally have difficulty being heard.”

Goal 3 – Delivering Integrated Planning 3.4 “Protect and manage the heritage and culture of the region.” 3.7 “Promote good urban design outcomes which are responsive to the regions tropical environment and unique character.”

Goal 4 – Delivering Services and Infrastructure in particular; 4.3 “Deliver a transport network, including footpaths and cycle ways, that better matches service level expectations and future growth” 4.4 “Deliver effective long-term maintenance and renewal of existing infrastructure and community assets” 4.6 “Ensure an efficient drainage network that minimises disruption and damage to infrastructure, the community and the environment.”

Goal 5 – Creating a Prosperous Region 5.1 “Support more diverse urban and rural economies.”

Statutory:

 Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993  Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998  Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.  Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009 - 2031

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Sustainability:

Resources: The sustainability scorecard relates to the road management plan as a whole, sustainability scorecards will be generated when individual projects are implemented.

Environment: The sustainability scorecard relates to the road management plan as a whole, sustainability scorecards will be generated when individual projects are implemented.

Community: The sustainability scorecard relates to the road management plan as a whole, the development of this plan is directly linked to the community engagement process as such this plan exceeds community expectations.

Governance and economic management: No funding is directly linked to endorsement of this plan.

Options:

Council may choose to; a) Endorse the Road Management Plan of the Cape Tribulation Road Link. b) Note the Consultation Report for the Cape Tribulation Road Link Planning Study

OR a) Not endorse the Road Management Plan of the Cape Tribulation Road Link. b) Note the Consultation Report for the Cape Tribulation Road Link Planning Study

Not endorsing the plan will result in delays which will endanger currently approved State and Federal funds associated with improvements to the Woobadda Creek Crossing.

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ATTACHMENTS:

Executive Attachment 1: Cape Tribulation Road Management Plan

Attachment 2: Following reports available in Councillor’s Chambers for viewing.

- Consultation Report – Cape Tribulation Road Link Planning Study (#3775317) - Cape Tribulation Road link Planning Study (#3660370) - Cape Tribulation – Bloomfield Road Link Study (#3758929) - Cape Tribulation Road Link Study Extension – Bloomfield To Shiptons Flat (#3758930) - Review of Environmental Factors (#3676860). - Road Safety Audit Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield Road (#3758927).

Samuel Wakeford Infrastructure Project Officer

Helius Visser Manager Infrastructure Management

Bruce Gardiner General Manager Infrastructure Services

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Executive Attachment 1: Cape Tribulation Road Management Pllan

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