The 4446 meeting of the Brisbane City Council, held at City Hall, Brisbane on Tuesday 26 August 2014 at 2pm

INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER, Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Ian McKENZIE, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 19August 2014, be adopted.

DEPUTY MAYOR: Yes, Madam Chairman. The first thing I wanted to mention, portfolio issue, is that Council has officially approved the application for the refurbishment of the historic engine room down at the Teneriffe area. This particular issue relates to a historic building that came across to Council ownership as part of the redevelopment of the area, and this building has essentially been sitting idle and vacant for a very long time.

Council, as part of our River's Edge strategy, got very clear feedback from the community that people love being close to the river, people love opportunities to interact with the river, people love opportunities to have a coffee or a meal close to the river. They wanted to see more of these opportunities provided across the city. So Council saw the opportunity here to achieve two outcomes: one was to restore and open up a heritage building so that the public can benefit from it. They could go inside, use it, and enjoy it. Secondly, to get another riverside café or restaurant facility by the side of the river.

So we see it as a positive project for the city, a positive project for local residents, and one that Council has now officially approved. So Council went through the process of engaging a consultant to apply for a Development Application (DA) on our behalf. That DA was assessed. It went out to public consultation in the normal way. Submissions were received from the public, and there was a lot of interest in this particular DA. As a result of that public submission period, a number of changes were proposed to the DA. I think those changes will help ensure we get a good outcome for the community.

What we will see in place down there is a potential for a café or restaurant in this heritage building. There will be a new deck put on the front of the building, which will allow for a riverside experience. The café or restaurant will seat up to 60 people, but that obviously depends on how the operator wants to structure it. They can't seat more than 60 people, but they can certainly have less than 60 people, depending on how they want to structure the setup.

As a result of the feedback we received, one of the concerns raised by some of the nearby residents was potential noise impacts from people out on the deck in the evening. So we have taken that on board. The original DA included a proposed operating time on the deck, until 10pm at night; we've listened to people's concerns, and reduced that by five hours back to 6pm. So, after 6pm at night, there won't be any activity on the deck, but certainly during the day, people can enjoy the great riverside environment. After 6pm, the only activity will be actually inside the building, which will help limit the noise impacts or any other impacts in terms of the nearby residents.

In addition, we have relocated the proposed staircase from the deck down to the pathway, and that relocation will help to minimise any impacts on surrounding residents as well. As I said, I think this will be a positive thing for the local area. It has generated a lot of interest. The next step in the process will be for Council to engage an operator for this facility.

This is where there's some very exciting opportunities for the community to be involved, so there's a number of community groups and organisations in the area who have expressed an interest in helping bring the heritage alive. So a lot of suggestions have been put forward, and we now are encouraging those community groups and residents to work with some of the potential operators to get a truly unique facility.

There may, for example, be an opportunity to incorporate some heritage aspects into the facility and café itself, such as artwork that reflects the history and heritage of the area; it might be certain heritage displays. That area really has a rich tapestry of history. It was a submarine base during the Second World War, and has undergone so much change and revitalisation as a very special part of the city. So we are looking forward to working with the community going forward and the local councillor to deliver a good outcome. We have listened to people's feedback, and I think the end result will be something that's very positive, not only for the local area but for Brisbane as a whole.

While we are on the river theme, I did want to mention the presentation that came to Committee last week on the City Reach Boardwalk. This section of boardwalk we are talking about essentially curves around from down near Howard Smith Wharves all the way down through in front of a lot of the riverside property down towards the Botanic Gardens. So it's that section of the river that we know as the City Reach.

Previously the boardwalk was under the control of various different agencies, including the Port of Brisbane and other State Government agencies. Several years ago, we arranged for that boardwalk to be transferred to Council. We had the challenge where everyone thought it was a Council asset, and they'd come to us asking for various things to be done there, but it wasn't actually our asset at the time. So now that it has come into Council control, we can get on with the job of ensuring we deliver an improved asset for the people of Brisbane.

Our river walks and boardwalks are very popular, and they help contribute to an active and healthy city as well. So what we are doing is progressively upgrading sections of this boardwalk. They have all been built at different times by different developers to different standards, so we need to make sure that all of those standards are appropriate for the heavy use that the facility gets. We're progressively closing sections to do some upgrade works. We've got one section that has just been completed in recent times, and there is more work to happen next year as well in terms of improving and repairing some of those sections of boardwalk.

So once again, linking in with the new Riverwalk which will open on 21 September. This section of boardwalk will also be upgraded for enhanced public use as well. We also have in the Committee report two petitions which Councillors can see at items B and C.

Chairman: Further debate; Councillor ABRAHAMS.

Councillor ABRAHAMS: Madam Chair, I'd like to talk on item B and item C, those two petitions that Councillor SCHRINNER thought weren't worth discussing. But never mind, thank you very much, Councillor SCHRINNER, I shall. May I start with the petition item C which is the residents in Dorchester Street, South Brisbane, who were looking for more on-street parking. They have in front of them what happens in some of the older areas, where the road has a division in the middle of it, with a pretty unformed embankment, and then access to properties below that. This has meant that they have had limited parking, and as the pressures with other spaces not being available in Dorchester Street, they really have had a major problem.

About five years ago I worked with them, and I think we got one space at that time. So, Councillor SCHRINNER, the recommendation that came from the officers as a result of this petition is in fact delivering for them additional car parking spaces for approximately eight vehicles. Can you congratulate the officers who were involved? I think it is an excellent outcome. I am delighted that it is a cheap, effective use of kerbside space rather than major construction works, and think that that the officers have been wise and judicious.

It does show that if we all work together we might find more solutions to kerbside parking difficulties in the traffic areas of which this is one. I hope that input would go into the parking review.

Petition B is from all the residents of Drake Street, West End, except one, and that was because they were overseas. It is seeking increased and alternative traffic measures so that Drake Street does not become the main access to Montague Road, does not become the main access to all of the development along Montague Road as part of the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan, and that actually means the Kurilpa Master Plan area as well.

Madam Chair, the peninsula of West End, like all peninsulas, has an extremely poor road network. The road network that exists for major traffic coming into construction sites and into what we've now learnt, 40-storey tower buildings, is in fact Merivale Street, Cordelia Street and Montague Road. They are two sides of a triangle and there is no existing road in the network to be the hypotenuse of that triangle But unfortunately, drivers are using Dornoch Terrace as this direct link with disasters and crashes between cars and bikes. They then travel westward, using Drake Street, which is the first turn into Montague Road.

I would wish to describe Drake Street. It has a few sites that have had some density on them which is absolutely quintessential what Labor did with keeping the traditional house and permitting units behind. So from the street front, it is some of the nicest and most protected workers' cottages of tin and timber in that part of West End. It is not made for major traffic. They weren't designed for the major traffic that is now going through this street. The street is traffic calmed, but some of the speed bumps have a considerable distance between them. It is signed, but wasn't adequately signed until those works were undertaken, that it is a 40 kilometres per hour area.

So, Madam Chair, they are concerned. They can see that, when there is no existing formal road network, drivers will find one, and theirs is the street they find it. This is inappropriate. It is bad planning; it is bad transport planning, and it is not what we should be doing to the residents in our city. So I totally support their endeavours.

Why I have given such a long description is because the petition is to find out what the volumes and speed are. I will believe that the speeds will probably be reasonable, but the number of vehicles will be excessive. Therefore, Councillor SCHRINNER, I am asking you to seriously look at, to be innovative, to make sure this does not become the route to your urban renewal along the river. It is not appropriate, and it needs attention.

Believe me, I know those residents in that street will get the support of other residents in West End because they are wise enough to know, if work isn't done appropriately on this street, every one of their streets will be subject to the same impact of traffic from the huge population that is predicted along the river, and they would also see that Council will ignore their needs. So, this is a very heartfelt request that we seriously look and take measures, once we've got the traffic count.

Chairman: Further debate; DEPUTY MAYOR.

DEPUTY MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman, and thank you, Councillor ABRAHAMS, for your comments on the two petitions. I have certainly noted those comments. Regarding the first petition you mentioned, I'll pass on your thanks to the officers regarding the additional parking spaces that have been proposed as part of this.

Secondly, the Drake Street petition, as well, something we'll be happy to continue monitoring going forward. As you are aware, there was speculation about the speed limit on this street, and I think getting the 40 kilometre speed limit confirmed was a good outcome, and certainly we want to try and make sure that the traffic through this street is driving safely, and that there's not a large number of non-local traffic going through there as well. Look, I am happy to take on board feedback going forward relating to how this street operates in the future.

Chairman: I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Infrastructure Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adrian Schrinner (Chairman), Councillor Ian McKenzie (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Margaret de Wit, Milton Dick, Victoria Newton and Norm Wyndham.

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – CITY REACH BOARDWALK

1. Karl Hain, Business Delivery Manager - Structures, Asset Services, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, attended the meeting to provide an update on the City Reach Boardwalk. Mr Hain provided the information below.

- the 15 sections were built by different developers, at different times and to varying standards

- it is a combination of new and used infrastructure and being a tidal zone structure, is susceptible to high-level corrosion and has limited accessibility

- the area is very busy as it is a key link for pedestrians, bike riders and tourists, supporting commercial and public transport operations.

B PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OR ALTERNATIVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO REDUCE TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND THE ASSOCIATED TRAFFIC NOISE, AND IMPROVE SAFETY ON DRAKE STREET, WEST END

11. A petition from residents of West End, requesting that Council provide additional or alternative traffic management measures on Drake Street, West End, was presented to the meeting Council held on 4 March 2014, by Councillor Helen Abrahams, and received.

- install 40km/h signs along Drake Street

- undertake a traffic survey on Drake Street and assess the need for additional or modified traffic management measures

- list and consider for funding (in line with citywide priorities of this type) any additional or modified traffic management measures that are needed as a result of the traffic survey results

- continue to only issue exemptions to the 14.5 tonne vehicle limit on Drake and Ganges Streets if the applicant is accessing the immediate local area, and no other alternative routes or options are available.

24. The Branch Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.

C PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES FOR RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE OFF-STREET PARKING LIVING NEAR DORCHESTER STREET, SOUTH BRISBANE

CA14/497659

101/2014-15

26. A petition from residents of South Brisbane, requesting that additional parking spaces for residents who do not have off-street parking living near Dorchester Street, South Brisbane was presented to the meeting of Council held on 17 June 2014, by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adrian Schrinner, on behalf of the Lord Mayor and received.

27. The Branch Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, supplied the following information.
28. The petition contains 10 signatures from seven residences that do not have off street parking and reside along the service road on Dorchester Street, near Gladstone Road, South Brisbane. The petitioners have requested that Council create parking spaces for long term residents by modifying the sloping bank opposite their properties.
29. An investigation has been carried out that identified that extensive construction works would be required to provide these parking spaces; including, but not limited to, cutting of the sloping bank, construction of a retaining wall and widening the road surface. Given the cost and nature of these works, it is expected that this project would rank low against similar projects on a citywide basis. Performing these works to provide the parking spaces would not guarantee exclusive use by residents.
30. Along Dorchester Street, the pavement width varies from seven metres wide to approximately 12 metres wide. The service road runs north of the section of Dorchester Street which is seven-metres wide.
31. The extent of works required to provide additional parking opportunities include the removal of two ‘No Stopping’ signs. This will enable nearby residents and their guests an additional 50 metres of parking space (approximately eight to 10 parked cars).
32. With vehicles parked on either side of the road, it will provide passive traffic calming measures by only allowing one vehicle to pass at a time. The location of driveways on the southern side of Dorchester Street provides space for vehicles to pull over to allow oncoming vehicles to pass.
Funding
33. Funding is available in Council’s Schedule 209, Program 2 – Moving Brisbane.
Consultation
34. The Councillor for The Gabba Ward, Councillor Helen Abrahams, has been consulted and supports the recommendation below.
Preferred option
35. It is the preferred option that Council remove the existing ‘No Stopping’ signs to provide parking opportunities along Dorchester Street.
36. The Branch Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.
37. RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE HEAD PETITIONER BE ADVISED OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT, AND THAT COUNCIL ENDORSE THE PREFERRED OPTION ABOVE.

ADOPTED

ADJOURNMENT:

102/2014-15 At that time, 3.57pm, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor Kim MARX, that the meeting adjourn for a period of 15 minutes, to commence only when all councillors had vacated the Chamber and the doors locked. Council stood adjourned at 3.59pm.

UPON RESUMPTION:

PUBLIC AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE

Councillor Peter MATIC, Chairman of the Public and Active Transport Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Steven HUANG that the report of that Committee held on 19 August 2014, be adopted.

Chairman: Is there any debate?

Councillor MATIC: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Before I get to the committee presentation I just wanted to give the Chamber a bit of an update on our continual commitment to improving the facilities of our CityCat and ferry services. I can advise the Chamber that now that we're nearing the completion of Riverwalk as the Lord Mayor spoke earlier in the Chamber today, now that we're nearing the completion of Riverwalk I can advise the Chamber that starting from Monday 8 September, Council will deliver increased and faster services to and from the city, particularly for New Farm Park, Riverside, Teneriffe, Northshore Hamilton and Bulimba.

As councillors would be aware because of the significant amount of construction at Riverwalk was required, go-slows were part of the conditions set down by the Maritime Authority, but now that those are lifted we can return to a normal timetable. On top of that we're also enhancing the services and increasing actually the number of services, particularly around Northshore Hamilton and Bulimba for the benefit of all residents on both sides of the river. I can inform the Chamber that the updated timetable will also include Milton terminal, and take into account Council's current and upcoming ferry terminal upgrades to ensure that customers can plan their journeys accordingly.

So we want to make sure that all of those works are also factored into the timetable so that we're not required later on, Madam Chairman, to further update the timetable, we're doing it from the beginning. Residents and users will also be aware of those particular upgrades that the closures of those terminals as that work is progressing, and then be of course updated once those terminals are up and running again. So what does this mean, Madam Chairman, incorporation with those increased services?

So what we're going to see is two new afternoon peak services which will operate from Riverside to Teneriffe, extending the seven to eight minute service frequency from 4.49pm through to 6.34pm to meet those customer demands. We will also see, with the added capacity for the new dual berth terminals at Bulimba, we will see extra crossings between Bulimba and Teneriffe with a CityCat heading to Teneriffe every 10 minutes between 7am and 8am on week days and three new afternoon peak services—

Chairman: Order.

Councillor MATIC: —departing from Teneriffe when the terminal reopens. Northshore Hamilton terminal will also benefit from increased ferry arrivals and departures, Madam Chairman. So the services that—

Councillor interjecting.

Councillor MATIC: Thank you Councillor SIMMONDS. So we'll see increased services down near Northshore Hamilton, the Brett's Wharf area, Madam Chairman, where previously there were only a couple of services. Now they will incorporate into the regular run. So all of the residents that are currently there will now be incorporated into the fulltime running of those CityCat services providing a regular service for all of those residents and all of the residents to come. So this enhanced timetable, Madam Chairman, will ensure that local residents, the growing Northshore Hamilton area can access regular, efficient river travel options day and night seven days a week.

Madam Chairman, so I hope that comes as positive news to all councillors in the Chamber. It clearly indicates that as we find new opportunities, continue to enhance and improve our CityCat and ferry services we will do so, Madam Chairman, providing what is obviously a popular service already to residents across our city but extending that service wherever possible to meet those ever increasing demands.

Talking about important and innovative services, Madam Chairman, I'd like to turn to the committee presentation, which was an update on the Maroon CityGlider. That service, Madam Chairman, was introduced on 18 February 2013. As councillors would know it was a commitment by the LORD MAYOR at the last election to look at providing a new type of CityGlider service between Ashgrove and incorporating the attractions within the Paddington, Milton area of Suncorp, the café, retail precincts on Latrobe and Given Terrace, being able to cross the river and heading over to Stones Corner, and making sure that we meet the needs of those users over there who are around the Gabba with the cricket. Also going down to Stones Corner precinct, Madam Chairman, to all of the retail and food and fashion precincts there as well.

So all of these factors have been put into a plan that, Madam Chairman, has seen significant wins for both sides of the river as far as residents being able to get from one side to the other, to minimise the amount of vehicles that people use to reduce traffic congestion and provide connectivity to all our key nodes as well. Madam Chairman, the success of the program speaks for itself. We were looking initially at about half a million passengers a year utilising that service. We can quite clearly see now that there is almost a million people so double what we were expecting as far as use.

So it clearly shows that this Administration is really getting on with the job of providing better and more efficient transport options for Brisbane residents, providing regular services, fast efficient services, making sure that as a city we're providing those connections. Equally so, Madam Chairman, providing support to our sporting precincts and importantly also, supporting all the local businesses within those key nodes with accessibility for their patrons. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor McKENZIE.

Councillor McKENZIE: Thanks, Madam Chairman. I'd like to also speak on item A of the Public and Active Transport Committee report and to reiterate considering the Maroon Flyer, what Councillor MATIC says. My ward is adjacent to the terminus of this service. I'm so pleased to say that this has been a wonderful success for convenience of the residents in my ward and in adjoining wards. This service operates as was stated from Ashgrove to Stones Corner terminating adjacent to the Eastern Suburbs Football Club which is in the Gabba ward, and commencing February 2013 has averaged nearly a million passengers a year since then.

It connects major sporting events and venues, for dining precincts between these points running every 10 minutes during peak times and 15 minutes in the off-peak. The convenience of it, Madam Chairman, is that it operates 18 hours a day, Thursday to Sunday and 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturday. Throughout Friday and Saturday night it runs at 30 minute intervals after midnight. It passes through the following areas which we should note; the Ashgrove shopping village, Paddington boutiques—and I understand this was added about 12 months ago for the convenience of residents—Suncorp Stadium, Caxton Street food and cultural precinct, King George Square.

It’s also crossing the river, it then passes through the Cultural Centre, South Bank Parklands, the Gabba and it terminates as I said at the Eastern Suburbs Rugby League Club. The Maroon Glider has had an incredible 90,000 passenger trips in June 2014. Since its introduction residents have told me that they would be lost without this service. It is easy to identify because of the distinctive paint, it is prepaid only and rear door entry. It is the convenient and most effective way for ratepayers to travel across the city for work or pleasure at all hours of the week. The initiative is indicative of how this Administration provides convenient comfortable transport as an alternate to private car use. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor JOHNSTON.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes just briefly, Madam Chairman. I was just reminded of some of the issues raised by this presentation. I'll certainly put them again today so Councillor MATIC can perhaps answer them because he doesn't like answering questions in our committee, Madam Chairman. There were a couple of interesting points that were made on the slides about the Maroon CityGlider and they put up all the reasons for the Maroon CityGlider. A couple of those reasons were, that particularly stuck in my mind were number 1, tourist attractions.

Now certainly there are some significant sites on the route but my question to Councillor MATIC in the committee was well, I'm not really aware of too many tourist attractions at Ashgrove. So why is it that this bus was chosen to go to Ashgrove? There was no answer provided. So then another one of the reasons that was put up on the slide was the reason this Maroon Glider is going on the route it is because of population growth. I thought goodness me, I didn't realise that there'd been a change in zoning or massive population growth out in Ashgrove as well. I'm like well, is there a plan to increase the zoning out there or increase the density out there in Ashgrove and again Councillor MATIC couldn't answer.

So I guess the interesting part of this to me still seems unclear is why it goes to Ashgrove. I think we'd all love a service as frequent as this in our wards, particularly in the areas where we all rely on buses. But, Madam Chairman, I think that the reasons put up in the slideshow really I don't think quite covered perhaps the political nature of the reason the bus goes to Ashgrove.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor KNAPP.

Councillor KNAPP: Madam Chair, I can't believe that. Madam Chair, I'd like to speak on the Maroon CityGlider. Madam Chair, it was a decision on this side, this Administration to have another cross-city route. One of the reasons it starts at Ashgrove is that they could get the buses around and turn them—

Councillors interjecting.

Chairman: Order.

Councillor —around at that point. Now can I assure you, Madam Chair, that where it sits outside the Ashgrove shopping centre it has a lot of people using it from Ashgrove. The reason that they do, Madam Chair, is that it goes across up Jubilee Terrace, down Macgregor Terrace, down through Paddington into the city and it goes directly to the Mater Hospital. It is one of the direct links for my residents, particularly my elderly residents, to be able to get on a bus and actually go to the Mater.

Now, Madam Chair, I understand the envy of some councillors opposite about that I don't have great density in Ashgrove but can I assure you that my bus services are particularly well patronised. The fact that this as a route across through to Paddington is terrific. The other thing is on a Saturday night when there's a football game on at Suncorp, guess how many people hop on from Ashgrove to get through to the Suncorp Stadium whether it's soccer, rugby league, rugby union—well rugby union's not doing too great but we'll come again for the Reds, and to be able—

Chairman: Councillor ABRAHAMS.

Councillor KNAPP: —to get directly to the Gabba to either watch the football or to watch the AFL.

Councillors interjecting.

Chairman: Order.

Councillor KNAPP: Or, are my residents, Madam Chair, to be denied access, direct access simply because a councillor on the other side doesn't think that we deserve to be able to have a bus that terminates at Ashgrove—

Chairman: Order.

Councillor KNAPP: —and people actually do like, to be able to go across through Paddington, rather than taking their car because it's quite difficult to park along through the Paddington shopping area. They hop on a bus and they go and do their shopping at Paddington and wander down and have a look at all the wonderful shops and things like that, go to the cafes. Then can hop on the bus and come home.

Madam Chair, the people of Ashgrove think it's fabulous. I think it's fabulous and in fact the numbers show that it is going to be as good as the other Flyer which goes from West End down through to the gasworks, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor MATIC.

Councillor MATIC: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I'd like to thank Councillor's McKENZIE and KNAPP for their supportive comments in respect of the service and for their very clear understanding of how the service runs and its benefits, Madam Chairman. Quite clearly councillors on this side of the Chamber understand the importance of the network, the importance of providing new and efficient services and providing connectivity, Madam Chairman, in new areas across our city, across key nodes making sure that we continue to deliver benefit and added amenity for all our bus passengers, Madam Chairman, as Council has the reputation to do and as this Administration has made sure that we built on that reputation to the levels it is now. Thank you.

Chairman: I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Public and Active Transport Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Peter Matic (Chairman), Councillor Steven Huang (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Steve Griffiths, Nicole Johnston and Kim Marx.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Councillor Ryan Murphy

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – MAROON CITYGLIDER UPDATE

103/2014-15

1. Alan Geyer, Acting Divisional Manager, Brisbane Transport, attended the meeting to provide an update on the Maroon City Glider Service. He was assisted by Bernadette Murray, Major Projects Manager, Brisbane Transport. They provided the information below.

2. The Maroon CityGlider Service was launched based on the outstanding success of the West End to Newstead City Glider Service (Blue Glider) which was launched in 2010.
3. A slide showing the Maroon CityGlider route was displayed. The route runs from Ashgrove to Stones Corner.
4. The presenter then explained to the Committee the attractors for how this route was selected.
5. The presenter discussed details of the Maroon CityGlider operations including when service commenced (18 February 2013), where buses are based and the frequency of service. A passenger trips graph for the period from February 2013 to June 2014 was displayed.
6. Slides were shown displaying three images of the Maroon CityGlider bus that was decorated during the State of Origin match in Brisbane.
7. Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Geyer and Ms Murray for the informative presentation and acknowledged the hard work of the project teams in delivering this whole-of-Council project.
8. RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE REPORT.

ADOPTED

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

Councillor Amanda COOPER, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Vicki HOWARD, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 19 August 2014, be adopted.

Chairman: Is there any debate?

Councillor COOPER: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I rise to speak to the development application that was presented to committee last week. It was an application for 44 Bay Terrace, Wynnum. It was a preliminary approval to carry out building works for a material change of use and 15 MUDs, multi-unit dwellings, and a shop. The application was proposing what was technically a six-storey building with the sixth storey a partially covered roof terrace. It was proposing 11 two bedroom units and four three bedroom units including a very nice penthouse unit. I think all of us were in great admiration of this particular proposal.

So it was being developed by the owners as part of their retirement and is being designed to include a unit for them. The penthouse we understand that the owner is actually looking to ultimately live in it themselves so they certainly want to stay in the local area and age in place. It's a beautiful part of our city, Madam Chair. So the proposed six storey was a planning challenge for the officers and the applicant. There were a number of issues that had to be resolved with respect to that.

The site itself is zoned MP3 and sits in the Bay Terrace sub-precinct of the Wynnum Central precinct of the Wynnum Neighbourhood Plan. As we saw on one of the slides last week how through the neighbourhood plan, the precincts are stepping down from high density to MP3 and then to LMR. The site has currently got a single storey building on it which is being used for a number of things including a 24-hour seven day a week gym.

The application triggered the highest level of assessment under City Plan impact. Council issued the applicant with an information request on 17 March seeking further information about the number of storeys, in particular about the roof terrace, the extent of its coverage, the size of the retail space, stormwater management, parking, service access, acoustics and hours of operation. A response was received on 14 May and the application went out for formal public notification. It was notified for 15 business days and Council received during the statutory period 32 formal submissions.

All of the submissions were from parents or staff of the childcare centre next door. While they were proformas it certainly didn't discount in any way the concerns submitters raised about the proposed development. So officers looked at these issues very, very carefully and at committee we discussed how those concerns about height, bulk, scale, traffic and parking impact, potential overshadowing, construction impacts and noise had been carefully responded to. The local councillor was asked for his feedback and he was supportive of the application and I thank him for that.

I've got a quote from him saying, I support this application. There is too much retail floor space in Wynnum Central and I support the building being purely residential. So I thank him for his clear advice in relation to this proposal. So overwhelming endorsement from the local councillor and I note he's also been out there in The Courier-Mail, I think it was in July, he was urging residents to take—and I quote, developers had started to take advantage of higher building limits in Wynnum Central, unquote. So clearly we've got a local councillor who is supportive of this particular proposal.

There were issues as I said earlier to be resolved so in response to issues raised Council sought to get the roof terrace area actually reduced by 12.5 square metres, while the retail component was increased to 52.8 square metres to improve the activation of the ground floor tenancy. The development looks to the bay. It certainly does allow that opportunity to capture bay breezes and views. So the units that face the childcare centre actually only overlook a roofed area of the centre so they won't actually be able to overlook the children while they're playing outside.

There were shadow diagrams that showed that as a result of the building's orientation, that no overshadowing would occur of the childcare centre. The balconies all have a minimum of 13 square metres per unit ensuring not just great design but certainly that ability to get cross flow ventilation. The reduction in the roof terrace was set behind the lift shaft, stairs and bathroom so it presented as a five story building. There's also nearly 13 per cent of the development proposed as deep planting include subtropical trees that will grow into large trees over time.

Parking was also an issue raised by submitters with 21 car spaces provided so there was a shortfall in those provisions of car spaces, as well as 15 bicycle spaces that have been provided as part of the application. So there was discussion about what might go into that retail space, it's a fairly small compact space. It might likely be a florist or a café, something to really support the balance of the residential component. The site is well located in terms of public transport access, in being 150 metres to the Wynnum Central rail station, 300 to 400 metres walking distance to buses in the Wynnum CBD.

The development also includes water sensitive urban design measures such as stormwater detention tank water efficiencies in the landscaping. In particular the submitters were concerned about how construction would be managed and particularly dust and noise mitigation. So there was specifically a requirement for a construction management plan to make sure that those issues were carefully addressed.

Madam Chair, this was an application which was carefully assessed by Council officers. I think the outcome, it is an outstanding one. I'd particularly like to thank the team. We had a first time presenter at committee and he did a fantastic job. I think Council calls then newbies for their first presentation. He did a great job and the whole of the team that has supported him. It's a great outcome and I thank all of those involved and the local councillor for his support. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor CUMMING.

Councillor CUMMING: Yes thank you, Madam Chair. I refer to item A and I congratulate the chair on her comprehensive report which dealt with all the issues raised by the objectors and they were very genuine issues raised. I've read the submissions that the people from the childcare centre put in and I believe that all those matters that they raised have been covered so I thank her very much for that. I also thank her for dealing with all of them as part of her report. It's great to see this development going ahead. This is actually the seventh to my count, seventh building approved in Wynnum Central of five storeys or more. There's only one problem. None of them have been built yet.

There's great hope that another one approved recently on the corner of, just up the road from this on the corner of Bay Terrace and Charlotte Street will go ahead. It's got a sign up saying they're going to start construction before the end of the year and finish before the end of next year. I hope it does. If not perhaps this one will be the first one to go ahead but it's really important to the area that some development occurs. The area is still struggling because of the poor situation rates of the retail sector in the area, a lot of empty shops, a lot of rundown shops and we need some development to get the area up and going.

I'm happy to support any of these applications that come in that comply with the neighbourhood plan. It's just a pity there wasn't a bit more density on the school site that was announced last week but anyhow. So I'd like to, I say again I support this and I wish the developers all the best with the project. I think if it goes ahead, any of these projects go ahead and they sell well, if the developer makes a good profit, then there's a real chance that there will be three or four buildings built every year for the next decade or so. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate. Councillor COOPER? I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber by the Chairman, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Amanda Cooper (Chairman), Councillor Vicki Howard (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Helen Abrahams, Geraldine Knapp, Shayne Sutton and Andrew Wines.

A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION UNDER THE SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT 2009: MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE FOR MULTI-UNIT DWELLING AND SHOP – 44 BAY TERRACE, WYNNUM – VINCENT PENNISI AND CARMELA PENNISI

A003806570

104/2014-15

1. The Acting Team Manager, Development Assessment Planning Services East, City Planning and Sustainability Division, reports that a development application has been submitted by Urban Strategies Pty Ltd, on behalf of Vincent Pennisi, and was properly made on 14 February 2014, as follows:

Development aspects:	Carry out building work (preliminary approval) Material change of use (development permit)
General description of proposal:	Building work for multi-unit dwelling and shop Material change of use for multi-unit dwelling (15 units) and shop (52.8 square metres)
Land in the ownership of:	Vincent Pennisi and Carmela Pennisi
Address of the site:	44 Bay Terrace, Wynnum
Described as:	Lot 4 on SP200872
Containing an area of:	800 square metres.

2. The application is over land currently included in the Multi-Purpose Centre MP3 – Suburban Centre designation under the Brisbane City Plan 2000 (City Plan) and is within the Wynnum Central Precinct (Bay Terrace Sub-Precinct) of the Wynnum Manly Neighbourhood Plan (WMNP). The site is currently occupied by a single-storey building that has contained various centre activity uses in the past.

3. This impact-assessable development application was properly made on 14 February 2014 for a five‑storey building with a partially covered roof top terrace (sixth storey). The proposed development consists of:

(a) 15 dwelling units located over four upper levels with a ground floor podium containing sleeved and screened parking, entry foyer, and ground floor retail (52.8 square metres)

(b) a total gross floor area of 1,687 square metres

(c) a total of 21 car parking spaces, one motorcycle space and 16 bicycle spaces have been provided, including 17 spaces for residential units, three spaces for resident visitors and one space (staff) for non-residential uses

(d) vehicle access from Bride Street.

4. The proposal meets the planning intent of the Wynnum Central Precinct (Bay Terrace Sub-Precinct) in the WMNP as follows:

(a) Achieves a compact and attractive urban centre and it supports the development of Wynnum Central to achieve its role as a Major Activity Centre as identified by the South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan 2009–2031.

(b) Provides employment opportunities and medium-density residential development within close proximity of the Wynnum Central Railway Station.

(c) Includes commercial and retail uses at street level to provide activation.

(d) Promotes a connection with Moreton Bay by reinforcing water views.

(e) Provides pedestrian shelter at ground level to promote pedestrian connectivity.
5. The building has been designed with an enclosed roof top terrace central on the site to ensure that it is not readily visible and does not unduly contribute to the bulk and scale of the development. The development will present to the street as a five-storey development, with a lift shaft and small enclosed area extending beyond this point.
6. The site is of an adequate size to accommodate the proposed development and the bulk and scale is consistent with the intent of the area. The proposal includes a shop at ground level that provides activation of the street, while awnings and landscaping along the frontage provide for a safe and comfortable pedestrian environment. The building façade is considered to be well articulated through recesses and projections, and the building incorporates expressive roof forms. The development is orientated on the site to achieve views over the water and includes large balconies to each unit that strengthen the development’s relationship with Moreton Bay.
7. The application provides a total of 102.46 square metres of deep planting (12.8 per cent of the subject site). The proposed deep planting areas are of sufficient size to enable large subtropical tree species to grow, that are complementary in scale and height to the built form. In addition, the areas of deep planting are evenly distributed around the site to maximise the effects of the vegetative buffer.
8. The application was subject to impact assessment and therefore required public notification. Public notification was carried out for a period of 15 business days from 14 May 2014 until 5 June 2014. During this period a total of 32 properly made submissions were received.
9. The submissions raised issues regarding height, bulk, and scale of the development; compliance with the acceptable solutions of the WMNP; potential impacts of the development on traffic and car parking availability; car parking provision; potential impacts on the amenity of adjoining properties from overlooking and overshadowing; potential construction impacts; and noise generation. All submissions received were from submitters associated with the neighbouring child care centre.
10. The local Councillor for Wynnum Manly Ward, Councillor Peter Cumming, supports the proposal.
11. Continuing, the Acting Team Manager advises that relevant reports have been obtained to address the assessment criteria and decision process prescribed by the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, appropriately justifying the proposal and outlining relevant conditions of approval.
12. The Acting Team Manager recommended that the application be approved, subject to the approved plans and conditions included in the Development Approval Package submitted on file and marked Attachment A. The Committee agrees unanimously.
13. RECOMMENDATION:
(i) That it be and is hereby resolved that whereas—
(a) a properly made development application was made on 14 February 2014 to the Council pursuant to section 260 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, as follows:

Development aspects:	Carry out building work (preliminary approval) Material change of use (development permit)
General description of proposal:	Building work for multi-unit dwelling and shop Material change of use for multi-unit dwelling (15 units) and shop (52.8 square metres)
Land in the ownership of:	Vincent Pennisi and Carmela Pennisi
Address of the site:	44 Bay Terrace, Wynnum
Described as:	Lot 4 on SP200872
Containing an area of:	800 square metres.

(b) The Council is required to assess the application pursuant to Chapter 6, Part 5, Division 3 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, and decide the application under section 324 of the Act;

the Council—

(c) Upon consideration of the application and those matters set forth in sections 313 and 324 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 relevant to the application considers that:

(i) the site is within the Urban Footprint of the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031, and the use is consistent with an Urban Activity;

(ii) the proposal is consistent with Brisbane City Plan 2000;

(iii) the proposal advances the intent and development principles of the Wynnum Manly Neighbourhood Plan in particular the Wynnum Central Precinct (Bay Terrace Sub-Precinct);

(iv) the proposal will not create adverse amenity impacts on the surrounding area; and

(v) the development can be accommodated within the existing essential infrastructure networks.
(d) Accordingly considers that were reasonable and relevant conditions imposed on the development, it would be appropriate that the proposed development be approved on the subject land;
(e) Considers that a Brisbane City Council Infrastructure Charges Notice should be issued for the development pursuant to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and Brisbane Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No. 4) 2014, for the transport, community purposes and stormwater trunk infrastructure networks.
(ii) Whereas the Council determines as in (i) hereof, THE COUNCIL APPROVES THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION referred to above and subject to the conditions in the Development Approval Package submitted on file and marked Attachment A, and directs that:

(a) the applicant be advised of the decision;

(b) the applicant be given the Brisbane City Council’s Infrastructure Charges Notice for community purposes, stormwater and transport;

(c) the Central SEQ Distributor-Retailer Authority be advised of the decision;

(d) the Councillor for the Ward of Wynnum Manly, Councillor Cumming, be advised of the decision; and

(e) the submitters be advised of the decision.

ADOPTED

ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

Councillor Matthew BOURKE, Chairman of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Fiona KING, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 19 August 2014, be adopted.

Chairman: Is there any debate?

Councillor BOURKE: Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Just very quickly before I turn—

Chairman: Apologies. Sorry Councillor BOURKE I just read out the wrong date. On Tuesday 19.

Councillor BOURKE: Nineteenth.

Chairman: Sorry, thank you.

Councillor BOURKE: That's alright. Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Just very quickly before I turn to the committee presentation that we had last week, I just want to touch on two issues, one of them dovetails nicely though with the committee presentation. Firstly though we had Parks Alive on the weekend and Saturday was a little bit wet across the city, Madam Chairman, but there were some brave souls. It was cold too, Councillor COOPER, it was the coldest day in August, that's right.

So there were some brave souls that made their way to Roma Street Parklands, South Bank, the City Botanic Gardens and Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Madam Chairman, on Saturday to have a look at some of the floral displays, listen to some of the guest speakers and find out how they can be more sustainable in their homes and own gardens. Sunday, Madam Chairman, though was a different day completely. We had a number of more people attending the event. We estimated there was probably somewhere around 1,000 to 2,000 people at Roma Street Parklands alone, with other people of course taking advantage of the courses, the tours and other displays across the city.

So, Madam Chairman, that was our first hit out with Parks Alive. While the weather wasn't kind to us I think we'd all agree that the rain was much needed across the city not just for our parks but also, Madam Chairman, for all of the open spaces across the city. So it's great to see that Parks Alive, while it didn't go off quite as well as we thought with the weather, we still got some good crowds across the city.

Turning though, Madam Chairman, as I mentioned, South Bank was one of the sites for Parks Alive. Some of the recent surveys that we've been conducting in South Bank have led to some very interesting findings with the levels of satisfaction across the Parklands. So, Madam Chairman, it pleases me to inform the Chamber, having only been running South Bank for the last 18 months, it's great to see that we're getting some very high levels of satisfaction as well as some very high levels of support for the work that we're doing.

So 99 per cent of all the surveys that we did in South Bank rated South Bank as a must-do experience for people visiting Brisbane. It was 400 people that were surveyed, Madam Chairman, across the course of this particular survey. Eight-six per cent of those people surveyed, Madam Chairman, said that they would recommend to visitors and to other residents to visit South Bank Parklands as well as, Madam Chairman, 84 per cent of those surveyed were happy with the Parklands experience at South Bank. Some very high levels there, Madam Chairman, some encouraging levels for the good work that we're doing.

Of course we've spent nearly $1.7 million doing upgrades to the Streets Beach facility as well as other upgrades across the Parklands at South Bank, Madam Chairman, to improve the visitor experience. As well as, Madam Chairman, taking all of that into account there are some 10 million people who pour through South Bank Parklands in any one year. So some really positive results there, Madam Chairman, and we're going to continue to use the surveys and the feedback from the residents to inform our ongoing investment in South Bank.

Turning to the other point, Madam Chairman, before I get to my report, on Sunday morning when it was a little bit drier I had the pleasure of being joined by Councillor WYNDHAM and Councillor KNAPP out at The Gap at Uralla Street for the Community Conservation Partnerships annual thank you breakfast, Madam Chairman. This is the opportunity for us to say thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers who work in our Habitat Brisbane Program, in our Creek Catchment Program, Madam Chairman, as part of our Land for Wildlife, our conversation agreement partners, Madam Chairman, as well as other environmental programs across the city.

Madam Chairman, I was pleasantly surprised. There were a number of people who didn't RSVP—the tent was packed. There was nearly 200 people there on Sunday morning and it was great to see that sort of turnout given the weather and everything else that was happening across the city on the weekend, Madam Chairman, to come along to this free event. It's our small way of saying thank you to the volunteers who do so much in helping to protect and preserve our natural areas across the city.

There were a number of displays, a number of presenters on the morning, Madam Chairman, as well as the local Bushcare groups doing talks and tours through their restoration site there. So it was great to see that turnout. That turns us to the committee report which was actually on the value of community partnerships, Madam Chairman. It was a committee presentation, stepping the committee through all of the work that is actually done by, as I just alluded to, our community conservation partners, in the volunteers that we have in a range of programs across the city, Madam Chairman.

There were some interesting points that came out of that. So the 40,000 man hours that are contributed or person hours that are contributed across the city to a value of close to $1 million in terms of their volunteer time, Madam Chairman, as well as the countless projects and other funds that these groups are able to bring in to help facilitate restoration and rehabilitation across our open spaces and bushland. As well as the 700 landholders that currently engage with Council to protect some 2,000 hectares of bushland, Madam Chairman. Council has 8,000 hectares of bushland in our own portfolio and with those 700 partners we are able to protect another 2,000 hectares of bushland as well.

So it's a great program, Madam Chairman. All of the work that is done through our environmental centres, our Creek Catchment Program, the Wildlife Conservation Partnership Program, Habitat Brisbane, as well as the Community Conservation Assistance packages that Council has which was the initiative of LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK, go a long way to supporting and helping our goal and our vision of making Brisbane a clean, green and sustainable city.

Chairman: Further debate? I will put the motion.
Upon being submitted to the Chamber by the Chairman, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Matthew Bourke (Chairman), Councillor Fiona King (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Kim Flesser and Geraldine Knapp.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Councillors Peter Cumming and Ryan Murphy.

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

105/2014-15

1. Jenny Staples, Senior Program Coordinator Community Partner, Community Conservation Support Team, Parks and Natural Resources Team, Natural Environment, Water and Sustainability Branch, City Planning and Sustainability Division, provided a presentation to the Committee on the Community Conservation Partnerships program (CCPP) entitled: The Value of Community Partnerships. She provided the information below.

2. The CCPP was established in 2012 when Council brought together four key, long‑running programs and a new Community Conservation Assistance package to achieve a more coordinated and effective approach. Components of the program have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Brisbane Vision 2031 targets, corporate plan and budget.
3. The five components of the CCPP are:

- Environment Centres (at Boondall and Downfall Creek)

- Creek Catchment program (now in its 10^th year supporting 11 catchment groups across the city)

- Wildlife Conservation Partnership program (in its 18^th year and principally applying to larger private landholdings to support the Land for Wildlife, conservation agreements and SEQ Catchments program)

- Habitat Brisbane Program (in place for 25 years and supporting 126 groups in Brisbane to improve public lands)

- Community Conservation Assistance package (running since 2012-13 and supporting members with works that would previously have been of a scale that would make them difficult to undertake).

4. Detailed summaries of activities and achievements under each of the CCPP components, other than the Environment Centres, were provided. Some of the highlights included:

– Wildlife Conservation Partnership program

- plays a key role in assisting private landholders to contribute to the city’s 40 per cent natural habitat cover

- currently assists over 700 landholders in managing 2,000 hectares

- offers five different agreements ranging from Land for Wildlife up to conservation covenants (which are legally binding and recorded on title)

- contributes to the SEQ Regional Land for Wildlife program which conserves nearly 4,000 properties and 40,000 hectares in the region

– Creek Catchment program

- provides 11 community-based groups with access to a collaborative working relationship with Council and opportunities to benefit from technical information, general advice and networking, training, capacity building, catchment management planning and project funding

– Habitat Brisbane program

- consists of over 1,600 regular volunteers spending 40,000 hours per year on habitat restoration projects on public land

- provides training, materials, technical advice and liaison with other Council areas

– Community Conservation Assistance

- available to individuals and groups to deliver on-ground works within priority biodiversity areas

- in two years delivered 134 on-ground restoration projects.

5. Photographs showing specific projects undertaken under the above programs at Bowman Park, Bardon, and Yarrabee Road, The Gap, as well as maps outlining coverage of the programs across the city, were displayed.
6. Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Ms Staples for her informative presentation.
7. RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE REPORT.

ADOPTED

FIELD SERVICES COMMITTEE

Councillor David McLACHLAN, Chairman of the Field Services Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Norm WYNDHAM, that the report of that Committee held on 19 August 2014, be adopted.

Chairman: Is there any debate?

Councillor McLACHLAN: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Straight to the matter before us at item A the committee presentation on the Construction Branch achievements of 2013-14, another in the series of the committee presentations on the various branches of the Field Services Group which continue to excel in the provision of services for the ratepayers of Brisbane. The Construction Branch consists of five business units; the civil infrastructure services, civil north and civil south; drainage infrastructure services; stormwater structures and waterways; the traffic network services. They are responsible for quite a number of outcomes to the benefit of all of us; traffic signals, maintenance, CCTV, fibre networks, intelligent transport systems, signals construction, signals maintenance, controlled build, lighting, on-street city parking.

Trade services, another of the business units that covers electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, communications and technical services which is estimation, surveying, surface location, landfill remediation. None of these necessarily are the most glamorous roles in Council but certainly are providing the functional underpin for everything else that this Council does in providing services for our ratepayers and a number of achievements for the 2013-14 financial year were outlined.

They include some great outcomes like 11,000 square metres of concrete bikeways, the 95,000 square metres of concrete footpath, the 40 kilometres of kerb and channel work, suburban and centre improvement projects at St Lucia, the Story Bridge lighting upgrade, the installation of backflow prevention valves at Albion, West End and The Gap and a lot of other outcomes too numerous to mention. I'd just like to commend the work of the Construction Branch. As I say, one of the branches which I think are the unsung heroes of Council services and I commend the report to the Chamber.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor MARX.

Councillor MARX: Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes I rise to also enter the debate and I want to echo Councillor McLACHLAN's comments about the Field Services being the unsung heroes. They did a very large project in my ward on Hellawell Road, Sunnybank Hills. It's becoming more and more a busy thoroughfare for a lot of my residents. It was a fairly subgrade road. It's now got kerb and channelling; it's been widened. We put in a pedestrian refuge, there's a new footpath gone through there. Planting has taken place, new turf and everything like that so it's really looking like a really good roadway now for what we would like to see through our city.

I also wanted to commend the officers for the work that took place. There was a fairly lengthy pre-construction consultation period with all the local residents, as I like to do before we get into anything major in the way of construction. A lot of residents came back with various suggestions of what they would like to see happen in this particular area of works. A number of those suggestions were able to be implemented within this construction which was a very good outcome. Everyone is very happy with the outcome of the work and we're now looking forward to stage 2 starting soon. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor WINES.

Councillor WINES: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I just rise quickly in support of the items in this presentation. What a fantastic branch the Field Services branch is, providing so many construction opportunities to our city. I always love looking at numbers and one in particular on this list here under the Civil Infrastructure Services under item four, is in my opinion remarkable that the FSG was able to construct over 11,000 square metres of concrete bikeway as well as 95,000 square metres of concrete footpath and 40 kilometres of kerb and channel.

It just shows the focus of this Administration being on putting things out in the suburbs, actually constructing things in our wards and in the neighbourhoods of where the people of Brisbane live. It's about providing a tangible value for money for ratepayers in their own neighbourhoods. I know that I can barely keep up with the demand for footpaths but I always know that my Field Services Group team can deliver them when requested.

I did take the opportunity to have a look at the St Lucia suburban centre improvement project which sometimes is called Hawken Drive. It looks remarkable. I thought it was an excellent piece of work and the local traders seem very impressed with what has happened when I took a moment to speak with them. I wanted to also point out the new cricket field and drainage works at Oxford Park Reserve in Keperra which occurred last calendar year but this financial one. It is a fantastic upgrade. Before these works happened, we couldn't even have a movie in the park there because the company that ran movies in the park refused to enter the space such was the unevenness of the surface.

After these works we now have a cricket pitch and a cricket field where under-10s can play and one where under-12s can play, where we weren't even able to have the most basic park use of sitting around and watching a screen. This park will also have a new, large play equipment out of this financial year but that of course is not included in this item. I want to talk about Albert Bishop Park which I had the pleasure of representing the LORD MAYOR and Council at its launch at Norths there. Now they were talking about, we were talking about home ground advantages at certain sports fields, Norths had a secret advantage.

There was an unusual dip near the back left corner that only the home team knew about and they could bomb the ball into that point to seek an advantage over their rivals. But after a multimillion dollar upgrade by the Field Services Group and this Council, that advantage is no longer there and is one of the leading fields for QRL (Queensland Rugby League) in the State, not only the city. Also an item I want to talk about as well and it's listed here as the carrying out disability access work at the Cedar Creek Suburban Hall or it's sometimes called the Upper Kedron Hall.

It was an amendment to the toilet and to the access ramps to turn what is a hall in Upper Kedron into a disability accessible fully compliant structure. That hall has been there for more than 100 years and has been the site of everything from baptisms to weddings to funerals for what was a long time a rural district in this city but is now—when it was constructed concepts such as DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliance provisions weren't necessarily at front of mind but they are today. I am grateful that the Council and the Field Services Group took the opportunity to amend that building to allow all people of all abilities to be able to use it.

This is a fantastic program. I know that the Asset Services officers in west and in northwest are fantastic and they are a wonderful group of people, committed to advancing our city. I thank them for their work and I also recognise the chairman. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor McLACHLAN? I will put the motion.

Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Field Services Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor David McLachlan (Chairman), Councillor Norm Wyndham (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Nicole Johnston, Kim Marx and Ian McKenzie.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Councillor Peter Cumming.

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – CONSTRUCTION BRANCH ACHIEVEMENTS 2013-14

106/2014-15

1. Shane MacLeod, Branch Manager, Construction, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, attended the meeting to provide information on the achievements of the Construction Branch for the 2013-14 financial year. Mr MacLeod provided the information below.

2. The Construction Branch structure consists of five work units including: Civil Infrastructure Services, Drainage Infrastructure Services, Traffic Network Services, Trade Services and Technical Services.
3. The overall achievements of the Construction Branch in 2013-14 were outlined. The highlights included:

- St Lucia Suburban Centre Improvement Project (SCIP)

- backflow prevention devices

- disability access for halls ensuring wheelchair access

- landfill remediation program

- programmed works delivered for maintenance.

4. The presenter outlined the significant achievements for each of the work units. Some of the highlights included:

- Civil Infrastructure Services

- 11,000 square metres of concrete bikeways delivered

- 95,000 square metres of concrete footpath delivered

- 40 kilometres of kerb and channel works delivered

- St Lucia Suburban Centre Improvement Project

- widening and reconstruction of Hellawell Road, Sunnybank

- Drainage Infrastructure Services

- Story Bridge lighting upgrade involving the installation of 534 new colour changing lights

- installation of backflow prevention devices at Albion, West End and The Gap

- completion of the stormwater culvert crossing in two locations on the rail corridor at Sandgate

- Traffic Network Services

- installed approximately 10 kilometres of core fibre optic cable

- completed changes to 64 traffic signal controllers

- refurbished seven intersections

- completed 10 new CCTV sites

- Trade Services

- completed the Mount Coot-tha gardens caretaker cottage. This was completed by the apprentice workforce

- building a number of custom-made desks for disabled staff located in Brisbane Square

- carried out disability access work at Hamilton, Sunnybank and Cedar Creek suburban halls.

- Technical Services

- delivering new surface, drainage and irrigation to Albert Bishop Park rugby league fields

- delivered a new cricket field and drainage at Oxford Park Reserve, Keperra

- performed 300 utility location services to customers across Council

- performed over 160 surveying services across Council

- practical completion of the John Goss Reserve landfill remediation Stage 3.

5. Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr MacLeod for his informative presentation.
6. RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE REPORT.

ADOPTED

BRISBANE LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE

Councillor Krista ADAMS, Chairman of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Andrew WINES, that the report of that Committee held on 19 August 2014, be adopted.

Chairman: Is there any debate?

Councillor ADAMS: Yes thank you, Madam Chair, before I go to committee there are a couple of things I'd like to remind people. I just want to mention about the wonderful opening celebration we had at Coopers Plains on Saturday morning. Yes it was wet and it was cold but we had over 2,500 people that came through the doors during our opening hours which was fantastic. I think Councillor GRIFFITHS will agree everybody was loving it. The Eritrean coffee went down a treat on a cold, wet Saturday morning. Bollywood dancing to get us warmed up, 3D printing demonstrations were very, very good, and of course the opportunity to enter Name the Gnome competition.

Now I have to say we got a lot of entries on the day, hoping to get some online but I had some very upsetting news. The gnome has lost his fruit already, the gnome has lost his fruit. So we're going to have to investigate—he's seven foot. He did have a big orange in his hands but he no longer has a big orange in his hands.

Councillor interjecting.

Councillor ADAMS: A vitamin C deficiency obviously somewhere in Coopers Plains so we will be investigating, the library is investigating. I won't say we're looking for a certain little man by the name of but hopefully we'll be able to get the fruit back. We'll see how we go. The other things that are happening this week, I remind people the Brisbane Festival starts on 6 September so don't forget to have a look online and see which events you would like to attend. It is going to be spectacular. Three weeks jam-packed. Circa are doing some special stuff, La Boite, the Symphony Orchestra, the opera, Expressions Dance Company.

Of course as part of that we've got—the American Ballet is out here for two performances, two different dances that they are doing as well; comedy, music, theatre, it's all there so Brisbanefestival.com.au for that one. The Brisbane Writer's Festival, 3 to 7 September. So if you've got an inner wordsmith that you'd like to let out, make sure you go on again and have a look, even it's—if you've got friends that are novices and want to become professional, it's there for everybody to be inspired. Learn about the books you love, share about the books you love and your writing. A great opportunity too to meet some very internationally acclaimed writers and very high profile Australian authors as well. So the full program is actually on the Brisbane City Council's libraries website as well.

I'd like to remind councillors that we have got the opening of three more Council grants in the coming weeks, so the Community Sport Clubs Grant Program is opening. We've got the Creative Sparks and the LORD MAYOR's Young and Emerging Artist Fellowship Programs. Another thing to note too particularly about the LORD MAYOR's Young and Emerging Artist Fellowships and Creative Sparks, we're having an information session in Brisbane Square Library on 15 September, from 12.30 to 6.30pm.

So if you know some people that may be interested in those grants or want to get involved or how they could get involved, we're having different sessions during that day for about an hour about the grant writing, what type of things. But also some sessions around creative enterprise and working with other creative young people and old people within Brisbane City Council. So have a look online for that, that will be going out in our September edition, too, of what's on, so everybody knows about that.

To our Committee remarks for last week. Suburban amenities and litter team. We had a fantastic presentation showing us all the hard work that our SALT (Safety, Amenity and Litter Team) do around our suburbs. Really about the importance that we place on this Administration about keeping our suburbs tidy and clean and free of litter. In particular, illegal dumping was one that we focused on in that presentation. SALT was actually formed in 2013-14 to respond to the increased complaints we had about safety and amenity, unsightly vegetation, overgrown yards, rubbish bins and containers that were being left on footways.

Of course, the concern that residents have that this may lead to vermin and infestations if yards are not looked after. So Council received over 10,500 amenity complaints in 2013-14 and 4,000 of those are ones that take quite a while to get through. So it is fantastic now to have a team dedicated to the suburbs on the amenity and the litter, so that they can attend to it and can follow through on those protracted investigations as well.

Some of the ones we see most are footway signs. So people that may have A-frames out blocking the pedestrian ways, advertising materials. We've all heard in our ward offices about community newspapers that may not quite hit the front yard and land on the footpath as well. So all of those type of things are what SALT looks after.

Unfortunately, we see more and more illegal dumping happening in suburban and bushland areas. We have about 150 illegal spots at the moment, Madam Chair, you know of one in your local area. We do like to get our CARS officers out there with our hidden cameras. I know there was one recently in your ward, Madam Chair, where we thought here might be a couple of cars. In this short period of time they were there, there was 44 cars that came through and did some illegal stuff in that area.

So it's good to be able to use those cameras and then have the team then because it also takes a bit of time to then sit down and go through the recorded information as well and make sure that they can process anything. More importantly, capture offenders that are damaging Council assets, particularly in our remote locations.

So we are—we did run a campaign through '13 and '14 around the illegal dumping and trying to raise awareness for residents that it's not the right thing to do. Do a bit of a push with the curb side collections, that's where you can put it out on the street and we'll come and collect it. Of course, we've got our free waste and green waste vouchers that come out with rates notices too.

So I think—I urge all councillors in this place to make sure they keep educating at neighbourhood watches and P&Cs (Parents and Citizens) about the right way to get rid of things that they no longer want. We also have—hoarding is a matter that SALT looks after and aims to achieve a sustainable resolution—

Chairman: Just a minute, Councillor ADAMS. Councillor JOHNSTON, if you want to talk to someone, either do it quietly or go outside. Your talk is interrupting Councillor ADAMS' speech. Thank you, Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair. We all know that hoarding and squalor are very complex issues and require a very holistic response. It has been dealt with at this stage with the SALT team and the first response to any issues, because it usually comes in as an overgrown vegetation in a yard or we can see things starting to stack up in a yard. But now, of course, we also have that person that's been put on in this budget—thank you very much Councillor SIMMONDS—we will have a dedicated public liaison officer to work in that hoarding and squalor with our compliance officers in the SALT team, to step it up and go through the protracted negotiations that are sometimes needed.

We've also seen an increase in officers observing and reporting shopping trolleys since November last year. We are working hard to crack down on that one as well. Madam Chair, I think since November 2013, SALT has achieved an 800 per cent increase in compliance notices issued per month. Which means we are seeing, since the introduction of the Health and Safety Amenity Local Laws in 2009 a huge improvement in our suburban amenity. I think this presentation went a long way to show what a wonderful job that this team is doing. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Further debate. I will put the motion.

Upon being submitted to the Chamber by the Chairman, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Krista Adams (Chairman), Councillor Andrew Wines (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Vicki Howard, Steven Huang and Victoria Newton.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Councillor Steve Griffiths.

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – COUNCIL’S SUBURBAN AMENITIES AND LITTER TEAM

107/2014-15

1. Ashley Booth, City Safety Manager, City Safety, Compliance and Regulatory Services, Brisbane Lifestyle Division, attended the meeting to specify to the Committee the work undertaken by Council’s Suburban Amenities and Litter Team (SALT). He provided the information below.

2. In Council’s Compliance and Regulatory Services Branch, SALT forms part of the City Safety work area. SALT is made up of three different areas: animal management, litter and suburban amenity. The Suburban Amenity Team deals with suburban amenity and illegal dumping issues.
3. In 2013-14, Council received over 10,500 amenity complaints. Of these, over 4,000 matters required protracted investigations. Complainants are often motivated, passionate and want strong enforcement action to be taken. On average each officer resolves 33.5 complaints per month.
4. SALT deals with: private property amenity, public space and accessible areas amenity; and illegal dumping. Examples of amenity issues, both private and public include:

- unsightly objects

- mosquitoes/vermin

- unmaintained pools/ponds

- road/footway signs

- illegal activities in parks

- vehicle maintenance on roads

- hazards/obstructions on footways

- advertising material

- community newspapers

- waste management (domestic/commercial).
5. There are approximately 150 illegal dumping hot spots. There are approximately 35 sites at which high levels of illegal dumping activity takes place. The majority of these hotspots are isolated and on either Council bushland, or undeveloped private land. For private land Council engages with owners and obtains consent to enforce breaches of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 on their property.
6. Cameras have also been deployed to capture offenders damaging Council assets at remote locations. When first implemented by Council the cameras were roughly the size of a suit case, needed remote battery supply and in some circumstances a cherry picker to install. For the 2013-14 financial year, Council had 32 cameras, the majority were the size of a small shoe box, light weight, discrete, and easier and quicker to install. While the technology has progressed so has the amount of time that it takes officers to process the images and identify offenders.
7. In the 2013-14 financial year the Illegal Dumping Team issued 92 infringements for illegal dumping activities (dumping over 200 litres of material) totalling over $170,000 in revenue to Council.
8. Hoarding is one of the challenges facing SALT. Although hoarding makes up less than 10 per cent of all complaints, the matters surrounding hoarding can lead to a protracted resolution time. Hoarding has recently been recognised as a mental illness and as such there are many and varied concerns to be dealt with. Council is working towards successful resolutions regarding hoarding that will see the problem dealt with long term.
9. The presenter displayed many images of successes achieved by SALT.
10. In the future SALT will:

- continue to refer and work with Council’s Connected Communities Branch on special needs cases (Connected Communities has been given funding through the Hoarding and Squalor Reduction Initiative to deal with hoarding and squalor)

- undertake targeted patrols of known properties to prevent reoccurrence

- use intelligence-based suburb patrols to identify emerging issues

- continue coverage of dumping locations

- began to monitor ‘urban’ dumping by looking at known locations where illegal dumping occurs in suburban areas and utilising cameras to detect offences.

11. Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Booth for his informative presentation.
12. RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE REPORT.

ADOPTED

FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Councillor Julian SIMMONDS, Chairman of the Finance, Economic Development and Administration Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, that the report of that Committee held on 19 August 2014, be adopted.

Chairman: Is there any debate?

Councillor SIMMONDS: Thank you, Madam Chairman. A couple of issues before I go to the report. First of all, an exciting initiative that's been implemented within the finance section and particular the rates area of this Council. That is the deployment of the Australia Post Digital Mailbox functionality to Brisbane residents in order to both receive and pay for their rates notice. So previously they've had access—Brisbane residents have had access to BPAY which is an ability to pay your bills electronically. The Australia Post Digital Mailbox goes one step further. That is, that it is what it says it is.

It acts as a digital mailbox so you can receive your bills electronically, rather than through the mail. Then you can go on to pay them. So we offered the functionality to receive your bills. We did that from June 2014 for the last quarter of rates notices. Already, 2,345 residents are receiving their rates notice via the Australia Post Digital Mailbox functionality. We are currently working on deploying the ability for them to pay their rates electronically through the same system. This will be in place for the October period rate notices. So we expect this service to grow significantly into the future.

It's something that Australia Post has signed up a number of key clients to and we're happy that—it's still very new, but we're happy that Council is leading the way. We're very pleased to be one of the foundation partners for this new initiative. Also pleased to report to the Chamber that the Brisbane City Council exhibition stand went very well again this year. As a final wrap-up for the Chamber, I can advise that the attendance figure of the Council stand over the 10 day period was in excess of 15,500 people.

The new pop-up park environment proved particularly popular with guests. The program of children's workshops was very well received by school groups, parents and children. We had a lot of interest from visitors about how they could get involved further with specific Council-run activities. We also gave away the Brisbane Passport, which was a very successful tool. We handed almost 5,000 of them out over the 10 days. The passport encouraged children and their families to visit some great Brisbane places and spaces and to partake in events as part of that.

The most popular activities were the active and healthy juggling workshop, the bus driver in the interactive bus and the children's story time with Council librarians. So as you can see, a very family-focused message from Council. Finally, just on the report. We had a presentation from Jason Cameron, our Disaster Management Office Coordinator, about the upcoming All Hazards—Brisbane Ready for Summer campaign.

This campaign has been launched a little bit earlier than normal this year because it's going to take in—before we move onto the summer storms, it is going to take in the bushfire risk that we see at the moment. It's a little bit dampened now with the recent rain that we've had but it's still, by all accounts, a potential for a significant bushfire season. We want Brisbane residents to be ready for that.

So I won't say much more than that other than we spoke at the Committee about how councils can get involved in educating their residents, particularly over the next couple of months on the bushfire risk. I would encourage all councillors to read the Committee report and think about how they might distribute that information to their wards. Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Further debate. Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.

Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, I just rise to speak briefly in respect of the All Hazards—Get Ready for Summer campaign. Madam Chairman, this is a very great initiative that the Disaster Management team have been working on. Can I commend the officers on the effort that they have put in over a significant period of time to get this to where it is today. These officers work extremely hard and certainly I know that in June this year, I had the benefit of them coming to do a stand at one of my local community festivals.

So interested were the community in the information that was provided that by the end of the day, the officers had run completely out of material. This is a very important project that we really do need to convey to our residents to ensure that where there are hazards or where there are disaster situations, that they have the information that's required to make an informed decision at the time and to keep their families safe.

Madam Chairman, the officers in this area of Council, they have really pulled together and they are so committed to the task of informing residents and also communicating the best options that are available to residents in these situations. They're doing a fantastic job. Certainly, this goes to complement our early warning alert system. I must say that residents in my ward are very good on the uptake of signing up to the early warning alert and certainly very keen to make themselves aware of the hazards campaigns.

I just also want to commend the fact that we do have these information methods translated into other languages. There's been a lot of information that's been put into YouTube videos as well. So for those of us with multi-cultural communities within our wards, it's really important that those links to those YouTube videos do get out. Because the more informed the residents are, the safer our communities are. Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Further debate, Councillor SIMMONDS? I will put the motion.

Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the Finance, Economic Development and Administration Committee was declared carried on the voices.
The report read as follows
ATTENDANCE:
Councillor Julian Simmonds (Chairman), Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor (Deputy Chairman); and Councillors Fiona King, Shayne Sutton and Kim Flesser.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Councillor Ryan Murphy.

A ALL HAZARDS – BRISBANE READY FOR SUMMER CAMPAIGN

108/2014-15

1. Jason Cameron, Manager, Disaster Management Office, Chief Executive’s Office attended the meeting to provide an update on the All Hazards – Brisbane Ready for Summer Campaign. Mr Cameron provided the information below.

2. The All Hazards - Brisbane Ready for Summer campaign ran from September 2013 to March 2014. The campaign focussed on raising awareness of Brisbane’s severe weather and the potential hazards, and educating the community on how to prepare for the impacts of severe weather. The campaign is undertaken in order to encourage greater preparation for severe weather events and to create a more resilient Brisbane.
3. For the campaign Council works collaboratively with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), The Australian Early Warning Alert Network ALERT, Energex, Australian Red Cross, State Emergency Services, Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology and Emergency Management Queensland.
4. The presenter highlighted the direct and targeted engagement for the 2013-14 campaign which included:

- letter and cobranded Council/QFES Bushfire Survival Plan

- brochure to all residents in high and medium risk flooding zones.

- letter to businesses in high risk flooding zones

- letter to residents in high risk king tide/storm surge zones

- activities with recognised high risk communities focus on multi-cultural and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) audiences.

5. Slides were shown that displayed examples of campaign awareness advertising used for the 2013-14 campaign.
6. Examples of a number of the community engagement activities from last year used to raise awareness such as the Parkinson Ward Dragon Boat Festival, Garden City Library Roadshow and the African Festival were discussed.
7. The campaign performed strongly on awareness, communication of the key messages, creative impact, and the call to action.
8. The seasonal outlook for August to October 2014 and shows that:

- warmer days are more likely for the northern tropics, eastern Australia, and the southwest

- QFES have advised that there is an increased bushfire risk due to the prevailing environmental conditions

- drier than normal season is likely for northern Queensland, and parts of southeast Australia

- A neutral season is predicted, although the chance of an El Nino developing in 2014 is at least 50 per cent with any occurrence unlikely to be a strong event.
9. The All Hazards – Brisbane Ready for Summer 2014-15 campaign launched by the Lord Mayor at J.C. Slaughter Falls, Mt Coot-tha was brought forward to 12 August 2014 due to QFES warnings of a potentially high-risk bushfire season.
10. The presenter provided a brief summary of the key components of the 2014-15 campaign will continue to raise awareness by:

- direct targeting high-risk residents

- direct targeting to businesses promoting preparation and continuity planning

- education of vulnerable and high risk communities

- promotion of resources and useful merchandise to promote and encourage preparation.
11. Promotional activities scheduled for the 2014-15 campaign include:

- promotions with 612ABC, Bunnings, Westfield Shopping Centres, Quest, 97.3 and Channel 7

- 97.3 street teams patrolling vulnerable community suburbs

- Council’s free green waste tipping weekend 11 and 12 October 2014

- multicultural festivals/educational presentations
12. The presenter provided approximate costs for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaign.
13. The Committee thanked Mr Cameron and the Disaster Management Office staff for their work on the 2013-14 campaign and commended the progress for the upcoming 2014-15 campaign.
14. The Chairman thanked Mr Cameron for his informative presentation.
15. RECOMMENDATION:
THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE REPORT.

ADOPTED

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