FINAL MINUTES
18 March 2009
FINAL MINUTES WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2009
Table of Contents
Folio Date Particulars
4917 18.03.09 Ordinary Meeting
4948 28.02.09 Mackay Entertainment Centre Performance Management Report
4953 28.02.09 Aquatic Facilities Performance Management Report
4963 18.03.09 2009/14 Corporate Plan
4981 28.02.09 Commercial Services Performance Management Report
5012 19.02.09 Rural Affairs Advisory Committee Report
5021 02.03.09 Regional Arts Development Fund Committee Report
5025 16.02.09 Mobility Access and Advisory Committee Report
5029 04.02.09 Sarina Community Development Committee Report
5032 16.02.09 Mackay Matsuura Sister City Community Committee Report
5035 27.10.09 Sarina Sugar Shed Committee Report
5039 24.11.09 Sarina Sugar Shed Committee Report
Declaration of Potential Perceived Conflict of Interest
CR G CHRISTENSEN (Item 7.5 Ordinary Meeting)
CR D PERKINS (Item 7.5 Ordinary Meeting)
CR D HATFIELD (Item 7.5 Ordinary Meeting)
CR K CASEY (Item 7.5 Ordinary Meeting)
CR C MENG (Item 7.5 Ordinary Meeting)
CR K MAY(Item 7.5 Ordinary Meeting)
MIN/18.03.2009 FOLIO 4916 FINAL MINUTES WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2009
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES
1. ATTENDANCE:
His Worship the Mayor, Cr C Meng (Chairperson), Crs G R Christensen, P F Steindl, D J Perkins, D R Hatfield, D E Camilleri, W A Cameron, G R Thomsen, K J Casey and K L May were in attendance at the commencement of the meeting. Also present was Mr P Franks (Chief Executive Officer) and Ms D Jeffery (Minute Secretary).
The meeting commenced at 10:02am.
2. APOLOGIES:
THAT the apology on behalf of Cr D T Comerford be accepted.
Moved Cr Casey Seconded Cr Hatfield
CARRIED
3. CONDOLENCES:
Nil.
4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES:
4.1 ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES - 11 MARCH 2009
THAT the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 11 March 2009 be confirmed.
Moved Cr Hatfield Seconded Cr Casey
CARRIED
5. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
Nil.
MIN/18.03.2009 FOLIO 4917 FINAL MINUTES WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2009
6. MAYORAL MINUTES:
Nil.
7. CORRESPONDENCE AND OFFICERS’ REPORTS:
7.1 COMMUNITY SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES REPORT MONTH ENDED FEBRUARY 2009
Author Director Community Services
Purpose
To review Community Services Department highlights and significant issues for the month ended February 2009.
Background and Discussion
Highlights and Significant Issues for period are as follows:
Community Services Management
• Continuing involvement in Convention Centre project • Budget preparations commenced • Director Community Services resignation
Major Projects
Participated in Mackay Development Advisory Board meeting
Mackay Convention Precinct
• Weekly site inspections undertaken • Rough in of services continues in earnest • Commercial kitchen fit out commenced • Indicative landscaping concept prepared
Aquatic Facilities Development Project
• Consultants are in the process of finalising information for Council to develop a project scope and associated specifications for the “Minor Works project”.
Community Development
• Self Assessment process to determine Council’s level of compliance with the Department of Communities, Community Services Standards has been completed and forwarded to Department of Communities. Work now needs to start on the process to ensure compliance with the standards to ensure Council is able to continue to receive
MIN/18.03.2009 FOLIO 4918 FINAL MINUTES WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2009
funding from the Department for a number of positions within the Community Development Program. • Annual RADF Showcase event held at Artspace Mackay was well supported with those attending appreciating the wide range of activities funded through the RADF program. • Support provided to the regional Neighbourhood Watch meeting held in Rockhampton. • Two staff attended the Certificate course, in public participation with IAP2. • 37 applications received in the Community Grants and Sponsorship Programs • Planning day held for the Safe Communities Network and all working groups • Application made to Multicultural Affairs Queensland for funds to continue operation of the LAMP (Community Relations) program within Council. • Application made to Multicultural Affairs Queensland, in conjunction with MADASSIA, for funds to secure a full time Community Development Officer for the Australian South Sea Islander community.
Library Services
• Mackay Regional Council Libraries hosted the annual Library Lovers promotion during the month of February. One of the aims of the promotion is to introduce customers who normally read a particular genre or author to new authors and a wider variety of material offered by Mackay Regional Council Libraries. 1686 customers participated across the six library branches.
• The new Mobile Library stops at Koumala, Swayneville and Hay Point are proving to be popular. Approximately 132 new members joined the Library Service from the Mobile Library during February 2009.
• Mackay Regional Council Libraries had 728 new memberships during February over the 6 library branches. A total of 68713 items were borrowed in February.
Recreation Services
Management/Sport and Recreation
• Council’s very first Sports & Recreation Officer commenced duties on 10 February 2009.
• Nominees for the North Queensland Sports Foundation Commander Centre Sportstar Awards were invited to the presentation in Normanton scheduled for 14 April 2009.
• Local media highlighted the availability of Sports and Recreation funding. The funding is a new incentive by Mackay Regional Council in partnership with the North Queensland Sports Foundation.
• The Manager Recreation Services and Sports and Recreation Officer met with a significant number of Council staff to gain historical information on the way sport and recreation was previously managed. The Sports and Recreation Officer reviewed sports and recreation plans/strategies of the three (pre-amalgamation) Councils.
MIN/18.03.2009 FOLIO 4919 FINAL MINUTES WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2009
• The Manager Recreation Services and Sports and Recreation Officer inspected sporting precincts and facilities in the region. Meetings were held with several representatives of sporting clubs/organisations.
• The Manager Recreation Services and Sports and Recreation Officer attended the Mackay Physical Activity Reference Group 2009 planning session. The group aims to work in partnerships to implement projects that will increase physical activity levels in the Mackay regional communities.
Aquatic Facilities
• The new "Adult Swim for Fitness" program was launched on 3 February 2009 at Memorial Swim Centre.
• Bluewater Lagoon lifeguards of Surf Lifesaving Queensland (SLSQ) and Council Aquatic Facilities lifeguards held the inaugural ‘Surf to Pool Olympics’ on 13 February, with the aim to share training/lifesaving techniques and to create synergies within Council’s Recreation Services program.
• The Bluewater Lagoon’s Milestone Report #5 (final total expenditure) was issued to the Federal Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
• The Bluewater Lagoon was nominated for the Australian Institute of Architects 2009 Architecture Awards. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Rockhampton on 13 March 2009.
• Total attendance Bluewater Lagoon: 17,600 (February 2009).
Property Services
Management
• Car parking within the Civic Precinct area is being assessed to identify options and solutions.
Property Services
• Condition audits of Community Halls and Youth Centres are being conducted to identify current conditions and future maintenance requirements. • Quotes have been obtained to repaint the Mackay Administration Building Wellington Street stairwell, with work expected to commence during March and being undertaken over a number of weekends. • Condition audit of Mackay Administration Building, Gordon White Library and City Library air conditioning systems have been undertaken. • All Community Housing Units are fully tenanted. • A Community Hall Managers meeting was held during February. Hall hire conditions were updated and communication improvements were provided for Hall Managers. • Property Services Staff have commenced site visits of relevant properties to improve awareness, working relationships and identify current issues.
MIN/18.03.2009 FOLIO 4920 FINAL MINUTES WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2009
• Mirani Community/Youth Hall kitchen upgrade has been completed.
Property Co-ordinations
• Instructions received for the acquisition of land for the road realignment for Connors Road Project. • Property visits to Council properties and halls to evaluate needs. • Review of outstanding land acquisitions undertaken.
Sarina Sugar Shed
• February traditionally known as the slowest month of the year has been more active than usual, with sales figures double that for February 2008. This builds on the very active January sales/visits.
• During February the Sugar Shed welcomed new volunteers Les and Lenore Klinger Kev and Maureen McGahey
• February also saw the release of a new gourmet Ginger Sauce into our Chefs Gusto sauce range. This sauce is already attracting positive reviews from visitors during taste testing.
• Staff and volunteer are very excited about the upcoming release of the new recipe book following a photo shoot with Dean Whitling Photographer. The book contains recipes made from sauces and alcohol produced and sold at the Sugar Shed and will retail for under $10.00. This publication comes after numerous requests from visitors for a recipe book.
• The Sugar Shed will be represented at the Mackay Tourism & Hospitality Expo to be held at the Entertainment Centre on Tuesday 10th March.
Mackay Convention Precinct & Events
Management
• Council was formally briefed on the 2009 calendar of Festivals & Events for the region, and work has commenced in earnest to program a suite of topical and innovate events and activities for the community to take part in. • Manager Convention Precinct & Events and Sales & Marketing Coordinator attended the 2009 AIME (Asia & Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo). The Mayor, Cr Col Meng, and Erica Nagle, Director Community Services also attended part of this Expo. MECC received excellent attention at the Expo, and some definite bookings were made such as Telstra. Mackay Tourism was partners in this event and promoted the Mackay Region from an adjoining booth. • Whitehorse City Council (Victoria), kindly supplied free of charge furniture and equipment for MECC to use at AIME. Whitehorse City Council also provided an afternoon tea for Mayor Cr Col Meng, and Mackay Regional Council officers who attended AIME. The Mayor of Whitehorse, Cr Helen Harris OAM greeted Cr Col Meng, and officers from the City of Whitehorse showed the Mackay Region team around their Civic Centre including the newly refurbished Council Chambers.
MIN/18.03.2009 FOLIO 4921 FINAL MINUTES WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2009
• A Sales & Marketing Assistant for the Convention Centre has been recruited and commenced work in February. • A Festivals & Events Officer has been recruited and commenced in February, allowing the newly formed Festivals and Events team to have a full complement of staff. • Manager Convention Precinct & Events has played an active role in organising the 2009 Mackay Tourism Expo, which will be held at MEC in March. • Convention Centre fit out continues
Mackay Entertainment Centre
• 17 performances and functions were held at MEC during February. These included: