Redland City Council meeting on 20 October 2021

Improved planning controls for development at existing shopping centres, a misconduct free Annual Report and three confidential items including an embarrassing class action case will be on the agenda for the next Redland City Council meeting on Wednesday 20 October 2021.

Why no action on the Local Heritage Register?

One item ‘off’ the agenda for the October meeting is dealing with amendments to Redland City Council’s Local Heritage Register.

In August 2021, an officer’s report to the Council meeting proposed that that an extensive process of planning review (including consultation with the State Government and the community) be concluded with the addition of about 40 properties to Redland City’s Local Heritage.

Councillors decided that the matter should be deferred to a future meeting.

Additions to the Local Heritage Register were not listed on the agenda for Council’s September meeting and have not been listed for discussion at the October meeting.

In the meantime, an historic property at 509 Main Road Wellington Point has been demolished.

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Other properties which have local heritage significance are at risk of being demolished including an old house at 219 Middle Street in Cleveland.

Confidential items

Three confidential items are listed for discussion in the agenda for this meeting:

19.1 Class Action of Kozik

In September 2021 the Supreme Court of Queensland decided in a class action case (the class action of Kozik) that Redland City Council should refund all canal maintenance levy charges that it had imposed unlawfully on property owners in Raby Bay, Aquatic Paradise and Sovereign Waters during the period from 2011 to 2017.

The Redland City Bulletin reported that Redland City Council was looking at an appeal, as the class action would see canal owners benefit twice.

19.2 Disposal of Land – Russell Island

This item is about disposal of surplus Council-owned freehold land on Russell Island, via public auction or tender.

19.3 2021/22 Infrastructure and Operations Capital Portfolio Delivery Update

This item is to update Council on current issues and risks in delivering the Financial Year (FY) 2021/22 Capital Portfolio and to seek resolution for the mitigation plans to address these issues including a number of multi year projects.

The item is listed as confidential because it deals with the Council’s budget and Council negotiations relating to a commercial matter “for which a public discussion would be likely to prejudice the interests of the local government”.

Maccas at Birkdale prompts call for planning review

Following a Court decision to overturn the Council’s refusal of a McDonald’s fast food business in the car park at Birkdale Fair shopping centre, Cr Paul Bishop is proposing a motion that Council “investigate and consider the issues related to the new commercial development which is
located within existing district centres…”.

In his notice of motion (Item 17.1) Cr Bishop provides the following background:

This Notice of Motion seeks to clarify a range of issues and concerns raised by community
members and officers during the assessment, review and final court determination regarding a
recent development application at Birkdale Fair, which exists within the existing district centre
zone.

It is intended that further officer clarification and advice in relation to matters listed will assist
with potential changes to City Plan that can help to address a range of issues and potential impacts
in future development applications.

Considering these matters will help to clarify council intent, community expectation and
commercial opportunities within the zone in a common sense manner.

Redland City Council’s Annual Report 2020/21

Redland City Council will discuss and approve the Council’s 2020/21 Annual Report on Wednesday.

The report shows that no elected councillors were found guilty of misconduct in the 12 month period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021, despite more than 30 complaints being referred to the Office of the Independent Assessor.

It would be very interesting to find out how many of these complaints about councillor conduct are submitted by other councillors.

The Annual Report includes details of the grants made by Redland City to various community groups and other beneficiaries.

Elected councillors decided not accept a pay rise for the 2020/21 financial year, as shown in the extract below from page 42 of the soon to be approved Annual Report.

The proposed Annual Report is attached to the report for item 13.8 Adoption of Annual Report.

About this Redland City Council meeting

This Redland City Council meeting is closed to the public due to the Council’s interpretation of the State Government’s COVID public health directions and Local Government Regulations.

There may be an opportunity for public participation. Members of the public wishing to address the Council should complete and submit an Application to Address the Redland City Council Meeting no later than midday on the Monday before the meeting.

The ‘public’ version of the 20 October 2021 meeting agenda (including officers’ reports for non-confidential items) can be accessed on the Council website.

The meeting will be video recorded (except for confidential discussions) and this video recording will be posted to the meeting video recordings webpage on the Council website. Videos usually appear within 48 hours of the meeting.

The Council usually publishes the meeting minutes about one week after the meeting. Meeting minutes include the wording of all resolutions adopted and details of which councillors voted for or against every resolution – including the confidential items. When published, the minutes will appear on this Council webpage.

Here are the contents of the agenda for Redland City Council’s meeting on 20 October 2021:

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Redlands2030 – 17 October 2021