COUNCILLOR’S COLUMN by Cr Bob MillarCOUNCILLOR’S COLUMN by Cr Bob Millar
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHALLENGE
The Local Government Managers of Australia „Local Government Challenge‟ has been won by our newly formed Moreton Bay Regional Council. The MBRC team competed against the top teams from other Australian states and one from New Zealand. The LGMA is the leading professional association representing managers in local government throughout the Asia-Pacific. The Acting CEO John Rauber said the win was a terrific accolade for the new council because it recognised the ability of staff to work together to produce results. Building a new council from the three former local authorities is a major task but our staff have proven, through winning this award, that they have what it takes.
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AWARDS
Moreton Bay Regional Council‟s E-Team Environmental Education program has been selected as a finalist in the 2008 United Nations Association of Australia‟s World Environment Day Awards. The E-Team program was initiated in June 2005 after council recognised a need to deliver a consistent sustainability message to school students. By using the five E-Team mascots (Busy Lizzy, Wormboy, Hosey, Solar Sally and Catchment Cath) the free program links important environmental topics such as water conservation, catchment care, energy conservation, climate change, wast minimisation and recycling.
DOG REGISTRATION FEES
The formation of the Moreton Bay Regional Council has brought with it the challenge of bringing into line more than 3,500 aspects of our business that differ between the three former Councils. Aligning the rating systems will be one of the most significant issues to be dealt with over the next few years as will addressing the differences in the hundreds of fees, charges and service levels such as free or paid tipping at transfer stations and landfill sites. One issue that has been addressed immediately due to the need to issue notices etc is that of dog registration fees. With over 50,000 dogs throughout the region contributing to significant operational costs to Council it was necessary to bring these into line across the three Councils.
Registration costs will be as follows:
Entire dogs $74 pa – (Concession rate $60)
Desexed dogs $24pa – (Concession rate $20)
A late fee of $20 applies when registrations are not paid by the due date.
Local Laws in Moreton Bay require dogs to be registered once they reach 3 months of age.
Dog owners in Caboolture and Redcliffe districts will continue to renew registration annually around the beginning of each financial year, while Pine Rivers District dog owners will renew registrations on an anniversary basis. A full schedule of charges and details of concessions are available on Council‟s website at http://moretonbay.qld.gov.au.
EAGLE BOYS PIZZA COMING TO DAYBORO
Council has recently received a development application for an Eagle Boys Pizza outlet in Williams Street adjacent to the butcher shop. Whilst people may have differing views on the arrival of such a facility (one was established in Samford a few years ago without any great concern), I have requested council officers to ensure that any advertising and lighting respects the character and amenity outcomes not only required by the town plan but expected by our community members. I understand that the applicants are agreeable to these conditions and no doubt see the benefit of complementing what we value in the village.
AUSTRALASIAN REPORTING AWARDS
At the recent Australasian Reporting awards, Council was successful in receiving Gold and Bronze Awards for the former Caboolture and Pine Rivers Shire 2006-07 annual reports respectively.
These awards in the „Overall Award‟ category follow similar successes over recent years and reflect the content, readability and overall quality of these reports. Whilst annual reports are not widely read, they contain a wealth of information about not only council‟s financial affairs but summarise many of the Councils vast range of activities and responsibilities.
For those residents who have an interest in perusing these reports they can be found on Council‟s website at the following address http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au – Council – Publications – General …Annual Reports are listed here for Pine Rivers, Caboolture and Redcliffe.
WATER REBATE SCHEME FINISHES
After spending approximate $2m over the last few years Council recently decided to discontinue its current water rebate scheme. Council‟s decision was made in line with the changes to the State Government funded program and the fact that Council‟s water assets are in the process of being transferred to State Government controlled organisations. Also in some cases Council‟s rebate scheme was duplicated by the State Government.
Council rebates will continue to apply on eligible appliances and tanks purchased or ordered by June 30 and ratepayers will then have until October 31, 2008 to install the devices and claim their rebate. The October 31 date will also apply to current outstanding applications.
OFF-ROAD MOTORBIKE NOISE
The Crime and Misconduct Commission has called for written submissions from individual and agencies on the issue of off-road motorbike noise.
In July 2006, new laws were introduced into the Police and Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 (Qld) to deal with excessively noisy off-road motorbikes. The new provisions require that the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) review the effectiveness of the laws and prepare a report.
Statements are sought from affected residents, off-road motorbike riders, and other interested individual to comment on such issues as: Have the new laws helped reduce or resolve problems of excessive noise? Could improvements be made to the way in which complaints are responded to? How have the laws affected riders‟ capacity to pursue their sport?
How are off-road motorbike issues managed in local communities?
Submissions are required by 15 August with further information available by calling the CMC on (07) 3360 6300 or visiting their website: www.cmc.qld.gov.au
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Council has recently approved a further $239,951 in grants to various organisations under the Pine Rivers District Community Assistance Scheme. This money will be distributed to many organisations within our area. These grants assist community groups with much needed funds for upgrades and repairs, and also includes funds for research, exhibitions and events. Organisations which have benefited in this latest round include: Zonta Club of Pine Rivers; Bunya Community Environmental Association; Lakeside Bowmen Inc; Samford & District Show Society; Samford District Historical Museum Inc; Samford Equestrian Group; 1st Samford Girls‟ Brigade & 4th Pine Boys Brigade; Dayboro District Historical Society; Samford District Bowls Club and Samford Riding for the Disabled.
MORETON BAY REGION WELCOMES 115 NEW AUSSIES
At the second Citizenship ceremony in a month 115 residents of the Moreton Bay Regional Council area received their Australian citizenship from Mayor Allan Sutherland at a ceremony held in Caboolture. Apart from receiving their citizenship certificates before an enthusiastic group of friends and relatives, the candidates were presented with a small tree by their respective Divisional councillors as a token of “something new”. In welcoming and congratulating the candidates on behalf of my fellow councillors, I remarked on the conflicts and other troubles that beset many places around the world and how our part of the world provided a refuge from these ravages of humanity. I spoke also of the strong community spirit that exists within our region and encouraged the “new Australians” to participate actively within their communities. It is expected that well over 1,000 more Moreton Bay Regional Council residents will take out Australian citizenship over the next 12 months.
DID YOU KNOW?
That the first budget for the Moreton Bay Regional Council will have been brought down by Council on Friday 27th June. The total budget, at around $700 million, in being developed has presented enormous challenges in balancing the needs of our rapidly growing region with the significant cost increases in delivering services and facilities, and yet minimising the impact on the pockets of our ratepayers.
For all your general council enquiries call 3480 6666
or email pinerivers@moretonbay.qld.gov.au
If I can assist further contact me.
Councillor Bob Millar
Independent – Division 11
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Ph. 3480 6455
Email: bob.millar@moretonbay.qld.gov.au
