Mrs Rosina Ward, Mrs Maria Roselyn Mabo, Mrs R Solomon, Mrs Katie Sebasio and Ms Sania Kris
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MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE SHIRE OFFICES, DOUGLAS STREET, THURSDAY ISLAND ON TUESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2008 PRESENT Mayor Cr. N. P. Stephen (Chairman), Cr. N. Bin Tahal, Cr. A. Ketchell, Cr. I. Shibasaki, Mr. B. McCarthy (Chief Executive Officer), Mrs. D. Yorkston (Director Corporate Services), Mr. C. Johnstone, (Director Engineering Services) and Mrs. N. Ward Page (Minute Secretary). Also present: Torres News (Journalist), Heidi Gibson The meeting opened with a prayer by Cr. B. Shibasaki at 9.15am. APOLOGIES Cr. J. Abednego and Mr P. Watton (Director Planning & Environment Services) Min. 08/11/01 Moved Cr. B. Shibasaki, Seconded Cr. N. Bin Tahal “That Council grant leave of absence to Cr. J. Abednego & Mr. P. Watton.” Carried CONDOLENCES As a mark of respect, Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of: Mrs Rosina Ward, Mrs Maria Roselyn Mabo, Mrs R Solomon, Mrs Katie Sebasio and Ms Sania Kris DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT…Nil CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Min. 08/11/02 Moved Cr. A. Ketchell, Seconded Cr. B. Shibasaki “That Council receive the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of 21 October 2008 and confirm as a true and correct record of the proceedings.” Carried Min. 08/11/03 Moved Cr. N. Bin Tahal, Seconded Cr. A. Ketchell “That Council receive the Minutes of a Special Meeting of 13 November 2008 and confirm as a true and correct record of the proceedings.” Carried BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES Amendment to Minutes of the Special Meeting on 13 November 2008 was opened at 2.10pm and not 9.20am. MAYOR'S REPORT Tamwoy Hall/ Playgrounds (File 5-18-7) This has been a lengthy process which has continued to frustrate the community regarding their access to these facilities. The Department of Community, via the local Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership, has extended the Expression of Interest period of another two weeks. I had tabled council’s request with the Minister Liddy Nelson-Carr and Paul Fitzpatrick, Regional Director Office of ATSI Partnership, who both, ensured that community will have access to these facilities by the end of the year. Council representatives met with Mr. Fitzpatrick on 24th October 2008 as part of their consultation with interested parties for Expression of Interest. The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership is liaising with the Liquidator, KPMG, Gerry Miers, to finalise community documents which will be held by the department as ‘Intellectual Property Rights’ of the community. The liquidator met with community members at the TI Bowls Club at 2pm, Friday 14th November 2008, to discuss outstanding employees’ payments and community debts. ________________________________________________________________________________ COUNCIL MINUTES ORDINARY MEETING 18 NOVEMBER 2008 1 MAYOR'S REPORT (cont’d) Tamwoy Hall/ Playgrounds (File 5-18-7) (cont’d) Min. 08/11/04 Moved Cr. B. Shibasaki, Seconded Cr. N. Bin Tahal “That Council confirm government response and process to date with the Minister of Communities, Lindy Nelson-Carr and copied to Jason O’Brien MP.” Carried Northern Australia Economic Development Forum (File 5-18-7) Deputy Mayor, Councillor Napcia Bin Tahal, and I attended the forum at Cairns 26th- 29th October 2008. Representatives from Torres/NPA Area Consultative Committee Inc. and Mayor Joseph Elu also attend the forum. I attended the State Parliamentary Sitting for the remainder of the days in Cairns. The Minister for Local Government, Warren Pitt, MP, tabled the Local Government Bill 2008. A copy of the Bill is available for councillors’ perusal. Additional matters regarding the Bill will be discussed in the Chief Executive Officer’s report. I visited two plant nurseries to explore the availability of appropriate mature trees for council’s tree planting day. For information. Local Government Constitutional Summit (File 1-39-16) A special National General Assembly will be hosted by Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) in Melbourne, Victoria on the 8-11 December 2008. The recent announcement by Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd of the new Australian Council of Local Government will advance the recognition of Local Government by the Commonwealth. While it is decision of the Federal Government to hold a referendum for constitutional recognition we, as the grassroots elected representatives, must ensure that the recognition reflects our community vision and goals. Summit vouchers will be distributed for councillors’ information and comments. Constitutional Summit details can be access from the online registration - http://www.alga.asn.au/constitutionalrecognition/summit.php Min. 08/11/05 Moved Cr. B. Shibasaki, Seconded Cr. A. Ketchell “That Council delegate the Mayor & CEO to discuss with other stakeholders of the region, TSRA & TSIRC & NPARC, in response as per the Integrated Service Delivery Process Plan.” Carried Presentation: At 10.15am the Mayor welcomed Department of Corrective Services representatives - Julia Yorkston and Julie Grace to present the organisation’s Guidelines and Role of monitoring released offenders into our communities. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned for Morning Tea at 10.35 a.m. and the Mayor extended an invitation to Ms Yorkston & Ms Grace to join Council at Morning Tea. The meeting resumed at 11.15 a.m. without the presence of DCS. LGAQ Response – Local Government Bill (File 1-39-7) LGAQ President Councillor Paul Bell AM has extended an invitation on behalf of the executive to council’s representatives to join other councils in Brisbane on the 12th December 2008, to discuss a collective response and finalise the association’s response to the Local Government Bill. The venue will be at Virginia Palms International Hotel, Sandgate from 9.30am–3pm. Bookings and registration via LGAQ’s website (Key Events). Min. 08/11/06 Moved Cr. B. Shibasaki, Seconded Cr. A. Ketchell That Council delegate the Mayor & CEO to liaise with the stakeholders regarding the Local Government Association response to the Local Government Bills.” Carried ________________________________________________________________________________ COUNCIL MINUTES ORDINARY MEETING 18 NOVEMBER 2008 2 MAYOR'S REPORT (cont’d) Elected Leaders Forum 6 & 7 November 2008 (File 1-1-4) I thank and acknowledge the participation of the Elected Representatives and the staff who were involved in the Community Consultation as part of the Regional Integrating Planning process. A joint press release on the forum was released on 12 November 2008. This process enables our region to move forward and lead in a positive and united direction especially in the present political and economic challenges. I was inspired by the participation of our young leaders and the vision which we collectively adopted, ‘Empowering our people, in our decision, in our culture, for our future’. The ownership and uniqueness of this vision is proudly promoted in the region’s traditional languages: Ngalpun Yangu Kaaba Woeydhay, A Ngalpun Muruygaw Mabaygal Kunakan Palayk, Bathayngaka – Kala Lagau Ya Buaigiz Kelar Obaiswerare, Merbi Mir Apuge Mena Obakedi, Muige Merbi Areribi Tonarge, Ko Merbi Keub Kerkerem - Meriam Mir Nagapan Moebaygal Thoepoeriwoeyamoeyn, Ngalpn Ya Kuduthoeraynu Igililmaypa, Sepa Setha Wara Goeygil Sey boey wagel – Kala Kawau Ya The final plan will engage regional partnership, making sure that all levels of government work together to build a strong future for our region. Copies of forum report will be made available for each Councilor. For information. Emergency Water Supply Requests were recently made from Prince of Wales residents for Council’s assistance in providing emergency water supply raises the importance for Council to explore and adopt an appropriate strategy which will allow our remote communities access to an emergency water supply during the dry season. This matter can be raised with other community stakeholders such as the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and Torres Strait Regional Authority to secure a partnership approach and address this issue at a regional basis. Attendance: The DCS joined the meeting at 11.45am. Min. 08/11/07 Moved Mayor Cr. N Stephen, Seconded Cr. B. Shibasaki “1 That Council adopt an Emergency Water Supply Strategy in partnership with Torres Strait Island Regional Council and Torres Strait Regional Authority. 2 That Council respond to a request tabled at the meeting received from Ms Amanda Pauling, a resident of POW, for the urgent supply of 7,000 litres of water to her family residence.” Carried Remembrance Day Celebration The community gathered at the Anzac Memorial Park on Tuesday, 11th November 2008, to celebrate the Remembrance Day 90th Anniversary. I thank the Council staff and RSL members for their support in hosting this event. The organizers are planning this event as an annual cerebration, with the involvement of the Defence Forces. For information. ________________________________________________________________________________ COUNCIL MINUTES ORDINARY MEETING 18 NOVEMBER 2008 3 MAYOR'S REPORT (cont’d) Other Functions/ Meeting • Year 6 Leadership – TI Tagai Primary Campus – 23/10/08 • Meeting with IBIS and Coca Cola representatives – 05/11/08 • Attended TI Community Health Management Committee – 07/11/08 • World Aids Day Family Night – 11/11/08 • TSC Disaster Management Group – 12/11/08 • Special Meeting – Waste Management Contract – 13/11/08 Min. 08/11/08 Moved Cr. N. Bin Tahal, Seconded Cr. A. Ketchell “That the Mayor’s Report be accepted.” Carried 1. CHIEF EXECUTIVE