MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL HELD AT THE SHIRE OFFICES, DOUGLAS STREET, THURSDAY ISLAND ON TUESDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2018 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRESENT Mayor Vonda Malone (Chair), Cr. John Abednego, Cr. Gabriel Bani, Cr. Thomas Loban, Dalassa Yorkston (Chief Executive Officer), Richard McKeown (Director Engineering and Infrastructure Services), Colin Duffy (Director Corporate and Community Services) and Karyn Robertson (Minute Secretary) The meeting opened with a prayer by Cr. Bani at 9:07am. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Mayor Malone acknowledged the traditional owners of the Kaurareg people and all Torres Strait island elders both past and present. APOLOGY An apology was received from Deputy Mayor Cr. Yen Loban as he will be absent from the Shire. Min. 18/11/1 Moved Cr. Bani, Seconded Cr. Abednego “That Council receive the apology from Deputy Mayor Cr. Yen Loban in not being able to attend this meeting.” Carried CONDOLENCE A minute silence was held for those who have recently passed away. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Min. 18/11/2 Moved Cr. Bani, Seconded Cr. Loban “That Council receive the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting 23 October 2018 and confirm as a true and correct records of the proceedings.” Carried BUSINESS ARISING AND MATTERS FOR ACTION FROM PREVIOUS MEETING CEO referred to the ‘Matters for Action following a Council Meeting’ document for the month of October 2018 provided to Councillors with updated information. MAYOR’S REPORT Acknowledgement to the traditional owners of Kaiwalagal and of the Torres Strait & elders past and present PURPOSE To provide an update on representations undertaken by Mayor Vonda Malone for the period 24 October – 21 November, 2018. COUNCIL MINUTES ORDINARY MEETING 20 NOVEMBER 2018 1 MAYOR’S REPORT (cont’d) SUMMARY Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) – 24 October, 2018 Torres Shire Council (TSC), Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) held joint discussions with DTMR Deputy Director-General Matt Longman and representatives. Key issues tabled included: The extension of the Local Fare Scheme (LFS) past 30 June 2019. Inclusion of ferry travel within the LFS. Scheduled maintenance of the Thursday Island ring road. Inclusion of the Horn Island Airport Road as a gazetted road maintained by DTMR. Proposed development of Quarantine Wharf with boat ramp facility. Technical Working Group – 27 October, 2018 TSIRC Mayor facilitated the joint TSIRC/TSC Technical Working Group. Robust discussions were held around planned infrastructure works for the region. The Whole of Government (WOG) Integrated Capital Works and Infrastructure Program indicates that planned investment for the next 3 years for TSC is $42.9m with a need for all State Departments to provide future planned infrastructure to ensure continuity of works to sustain our local building industry. TSC has been very successful through the Indigenous Employment Opportunity Plan (IEOP) process to achieve well above requirements in the Training Policy. Most of this stems from the federally funded Quetta Close project where through David Ahboo local contractors are cooperating in achieving local employment as well as increasing spend on local goods and services. This is a huge improvement from previous years and Council was showcased as a positive example and this now used as a benchmark to attaining greater economic benefits locally. LGAQ Annual Conference, Brisbane – 29-31 October, 2018 TSC was represented at the 122nd LGAQ Annual Conference to contribute to the debate and vote on new policy affecting councils across Queensland. As part of the 3 day event the Indigenous Leaders Forum held discussions on Remote Indigenous Housing, Housing in Discrete Indigenous Communities, Service Delivery Reform into Discrete Indigenous Communities, Qld Productivity Commission Inquiry in Imprisonment and Recidivism. The Hon. Jackie Trad, Acting Premier – 6 November, 2018 TSC hosted joint deputations with TSIRC and NPARC with the Hon. Jackie Trad, Acting Premier. Strong emphasis was relayed on the need for long term commitment by the Labour Government on the Local Fare Scheme as well as roads, Torres Shire Tourism Information Centre, Waste Strategy Funds and the Works for Queensland Funding. During her visit Acting Premier Trad official launched the final consultation stage of the Traditional Island Adoption (Akuar Thoeridhay Kazi ‘for our children’s children) process with public consultations held at the TRAWQ Hall accompanied by the Hon. Minister Shannon Fentiman, Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui and the Kupai Omasker Working Party. 3rd Ministerial Forum on Northern Australia, Mt Isa – 8 November, 2018 The Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) presented to the 3rd Ministerial Forum on Northern Australia to progress commitment for Indigenous economic participation for Northern development. Further to the first 16 recommendations as agreed to in April 2018, the IRG sought Ministerial endorsement of the implementation plan including expanding the ability of rangers, research roadmap to support Indigenous business interest, scoping feasibility funding, hub system to support Indigenous enterprise, land, water, sea and cultural rights including legislative reforms and institutional arrangements. COUNCIL MINUTES ORDINARY MEETING 20 NOVEMBER 2018 2 MAYOR’S REPORT (cont’d) The Ministerial Forum continues to be very supportive of the IRG work and endorsed the recommendations as presented. Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance, Cainrs – 9 November , 2018 The 14 member councils `met in Cairns to progress strategic matters of regional and economic importance including: Torres and Cape Hospital Health Services Board Chair update on future planning for transition of services within the Cape and Torres region. State Government update from Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui. Telstra Country Wide – collaboration for digital expansion across the region Department of State Development potential projects through the Remote Area Boards (RAB). COEX on the Contrainer Exchange Refund Strategy. The TCICA Executive Officer role was advertised and 5 applicants were received. The shortlisting is now in finalisation. This position is integral to supporting the objectives of TCICA. The next TCICA meeting is planned for February 2019 in Cooktown. Other Representations Dinner with The Hon. Steven Miles, Minister for Health - 25 October, 2018 LGAQ Reception with His Excellency the Hon. Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Qld – 28 October, 2018 Traditional Island Adoption Public Consultation – 6 November, 2018 2018 Destination Q Forums, Gold Coast - 14-15 November, 2018 Bond University Gala Dinner – 16 November, 2018 RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1. Endorse the recommendation. 2. Notes this brief 2. Min. 18/11/3 Moved Cr. Abednego, Seconded Cr. Loban “That the Mayor’s Report be received.” Carried Australian Citizenship Ceremony 10.05 am Australian Citizenship Ceremony conducted by Mayor Malone for: Mr Parsilu Roshan Loku Vithana Pathirana Adjournment: The meeting adjourned for Morning Tea at 10.20 am and resumed at 10.40 am. Australian Citizenship Ceremony 10.40 am Australian Citizenship Ceremony conducted by Mayor Malone for: Mr Wanai Kairi Aki COUNCIL MINUTES ORDINARY MEETING 20 NOVEMBER 2018 3 Attendance: At 11.09am Ms Emma King and Ms Ashleigh Schock from Department of Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders Partnership and Mrs Ivy Trevallion, Mr Alastair Nicholson – Eminent Persons arrived at the meeting to present an update to Council on the progress of the consultation outcome and the next steps regarding legal recognition of traditional Torres Strait Islander child rearing practices (Ailan Adoption). The Ailan Adoption group departed the meeting at 12.03p.m and the meeting resumed. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT Whole-of-Government Review of Grants to Local Government The Queensland Government has initiated a Whole-of-Government Review of Grants to Local Government. The review is led by the Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs to action the Government’s Grants to Local Government Policy Position recently announced by the Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for Local Government, Minster for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs. The Department has now commenced preparation of an Implementation Plan. This plan will be an essential document to guide and outline the steps required to implement the policy position which seeks to move to a simpler, clearer, more customer-focused grants model, which supports the Queensland Government’s priorities while responding to Council needs. In this implementation planning phase the department will be engaging with Councils to inform the development of the new model for grants. Engagement activities will focus on how the following key elements of the policy position can be implemented: new model: . consolidated grants with a smaller number of lead agencies . alignment with State priorities and objectives as well as Council strategies and needs . funding certainty . budget cycles and timeframes . moving towards allocation-based funding, where suitable . simplified system . consistency of administration and reporting (including IT) • proposed groupings of outcome-focused program streams • ongoing assistance: . capability and capacity building . improved accountability