Cr Terry Fleischfresser
July 21, 2016
More than eight years after the 2008 council amalgamations, the South Burnett is finally getting close to having a region-wide Planning Scheme.
The new scheme, once adopted, will simplify development approvals and ensure a region-wide approach to planning issues.
It will also make it easier for the Council to accommodate future changes to Queensland’s Planning Act, and plug loopholes that have existed since the turn of the century, such as “historical subdivisions”.
At Wednesday’s Council meeting, Planning portfolio chair Cr Terry Fleischfresser said the Council has received Ministerial approval to proceed with public consultation on the draft Planning Scheme.
The new scheme will replace the four pre-amalgamation planning schemes (for the former Murgon, Wondai, Kingaroy and Nanango Shires) currently in place.
Cr Fleischfresser said public consultations will be held over a 12 week period between August and October.
“The purpose of the public consultation is to create awareness with the general public that the proposed planning scheme is open for review and written submissions are invited.”
In May last year former Mayor Wayne Kratzmann expressed his frustration at having the region’s new planning scheme delayed by repeated State Government changes to planning laws.
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A proposed Local Heritage Register being developed by the South Burnett Regional Council is now on display, and submissions will be received until Friday, July 22.
Cr Fleischfresser said one-on-one meetings with owners of listed properties had been held in Murgon, Wondai, Kingaroy and Nanango on July 14-15, and they had gone well.
He said a number of submissions are expected to be received from property owners and the general public about places included – or omitted – from the draft list.
“All written submissions will be reviewed and a recommendation forwarded to Council on each submission prior to the adoption of the final Register,” Cr Fleischfresser said.
The final South Burnett Local Heritage Register is expected to be adopted at the Council’s September meeting.
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The South Burnett Regional Council has been working with the Lady Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital’s managers South Bank Day Surgery to ensure the facility meets new legal requirements for infection control and water quality standards to prevent Legionella.
Cr Fleischfresser said the hospital’s theatre doors had been replaced with flap doors to allow hospital staff to easily enter and exit.
Vinyl floor joins had been hot welded and extraction fans had been replaced.
Meanwhile, Council’s Property section is continuing to work with the hospital’s Foundation and South Bank Day Surgery to ensure information, plans and procedures are in place to meet new legislation, day surgery accreditation requirements and private hospital licence conditions.
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Asbestos ceiling sheeting over the kitchen at Durong Hall is being removed and replaced with new, asbestos-free sheeting.
The Hall’s windows and architraves have also been replaced to put an end to leaking windows and damage to interior walls.
This month the Council has also replaced the carpet, visitor chairs and meeting tables at the Blackbutt Library and council offices in Hart Street, as well as upgraded the building’s security system to bring it up to the same standard as other Council offices.
Cr Fleishfresser said the work involved removing all the books and library shelves from the building so the upgrades could be carried out over the weekend, then moving them back into place on Monday.
The work was carried out jointly by Council staff and volunteers.
