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Community Consultation / Comment

Botanic Gardens - Cannonvale Foreshore

The proposal for part of the Cannonvale Foreshore to become Botanic Gardens is gaining momentum.

A Whitsunday Regional Botanic Gardens Working Group has been formed with representatives from various sections of Whitsunday Regional Council, QueenslandParks and Wildlife, Tourism Whitsunday, Whitsunday Catchment Landcare, local landscape architects John Harper and U Plan, Whitsunday Garden Club and CannonvaleStateSchool. The group has been meeting regularly with Mr Lawrie Smith (Landscape Architect for projects such as Roma Street Parklands and MackayBotanic Gardens) to workshop ideas and facilitate the development of a Concept Master Plan for the project. The group is also consulting other relevant groups within the community.

The Concept Master Plan aims to utilise current features of the Cannonvale foreshore and enhance these in a staged progression to create Botanic Gardens. The gardens will consist of linked zones that showcase endemic, native and some exotic species of plants in various settings. These zones will include mangroves, freshwater wetlands, rainforest, grasslands, creek flats, beach scrub and tidal flats. A mangrove boardwalk and seagrass viewing area are also proposed. Traditional indigenous food sources will be featured as a bush tucker garden and a potential model fish trap. Theme gardens such as a butterfly garden, children’s play garden, perfume garden, etc are also included in the plan.

Recreational and sporting facilities that currently exist at the foreshore will remain and be incorporated into the gardens. Additional recreational areas and facilities, such as events lawns, seating and shelters will also be included. Throughout the gardens, a network of paths will allow access for pedestrians (including disabled access) while maintaining through passage for bicycles and pedestrians along the foreshore precinct and Bicentennial Walkway.

A visitors centre and associated amenities, will be located centrally within the Botanic Gardens. This centre will provide the distribution of information and an educational space for schools, community groups and visitors to learn more about the gardens and the natural environments within the Shire. Information displays will be located throughout the gardens to further enhance this educational aspect.

This project aims to include the interests of many residents and visitors in the Whitsunday region. It is anticipated that local businesses will also wish to be involved. A Friend’s of the Botanic Garden Group will be created for members of the community to become personally involved and participate in the project. Associated future projects, such as a community garden plot, are also planned within the Cannonvale foreshore precinct.

The Whitsunday Regional Botanic Gardens Working Group and Lawrie Smith have completed a draft Master Plan which can be downloaded below. Funding of the project Master Plan has been made possible through the Biodiversity Levy. Further information regarding the Whitsunday Regional Botanic Gardens can be obtained from Whitsunday Regional Council – Catchment Services (07) 4945 0237.

Survey and Draft Master Plan

The proposal for part of the Cannonvale Foreshore to become Botanic Gardens is gaining momentum.

Survey and Draft Master Plan

Community Groups Survey

Survey of Community Groups

Community groups and the volunteers that run them play an important role in our community. Whitsunday Regional Council Community Development is undertaking a survey to find out about the needs of the region’s not-for-profit organisations and clubs, and how it can assist in strengthening this sector.

Please download and complete the Community Groups Survey to provide valuable feedback for Council's Community Development Team.

Community Groups Survey PDF (50Kb)

DMR Consultation - Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road

Main Roads would like to thank the Whitsunday community for their participation in the first stage of the Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road consultation process.

The response from the community has been overwhelming positive, with more than 300 responses received from residents, business, organisations and tourists.

A variety of issues were raised during the first stage of consultation the process, including traffic flow, pedestrian and cyclists facilities, maintaining the views from the road and accessibility. These issues will be used to shape the options developed in the next stage of the consultation process.

Environment and Behaviour Consultants (EBC) has since collated this information and provided it to the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) for consideration.

Where to from here?
The next step of the consultation process – the negotiation sessions - involves Main Roads working closely with key stakeholders to develop options for the road that integrate community input with traffic and safety needs. Initially, the negotiation sessions will focus on the Beach to Tropic Road section, which requires the most immediate attention. The focus will then move to other sections of Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road.

The community will be able to view and provide feedback about these options at public displays to be held in 2008. To ensure that the best options for the road are developed, the negotiation sessions will use the most up-to-date information about future traffic volumes and movements. This data should be available from the Whitsunday Growth Management Initiative (WGMI) in February 2008.

Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road/Pandanus Drive U-turn facility
An interim u-turn facility was recently installed near Pandanus Drive on Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road to provide for motorists exiting the new child care development, adjacent to Adina Street.

While no major changes will occur to the road until the outcomes of the consultation process are known, it was necessary to provide for motorists wishing to travel towards Proserpine with a safe u-turn facility in the interim.

How do I find out more?
To find out more about the consultation process visit www.ebc.net.au/shute or call 1300 360 657 (recorded message service).

Dog Off Leash Survey

The Whitsunday Regional Council is reviewing the community need for dog off leash areas.

Council requested interested members of the community to complete a survey to assist Council in its evaluation of appropriate sites, conditions of use and overall provision of service regarding dog off leash areas. Included as part of the survey were maps showing proposed sites for dog off leash areas, which you can download from below.

The areas proposed are:

Cannonvale
Cannonvale Foreshore
Conway
Dingo Beach
Jubilee Pocket
Proserpine Sports Field
Proserpine - Renwick Lane

Download Proposed Site Maps (6 Mb - PDF Version 6)

Survey closed Friday, 28th November 2008.

The Whitsunday Regional Council is reviewing the community need for dog off leash areas.

The areas proposed are:

Cannonvale
Cannonvale Foreshore
Conway
Dingo Beach
Jubilee Pocket
Proserpine Sports Field
Proserpine - Renwick Lane

Download Proposed Site Maps (6 Mb - PDF Version 6)

Survey closed Friday, 28th November 2008.

Draft Amendment to Planning Scheme Policy 6

Draft Amendment to Planning Scheme Policy 6 - Developer Contributions Car Parking Requirements

Whitsunday Regional Council resolved at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 11th March 2009 to commence the process of amending the Whitsunday Shire Planning Scheme 2009 Planning Scheme Policy 6 – Developer Contributions Car Parking Requirements in accordance with Schedule 3 (Process for making or amending planning scheme policies) of the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA).

Further information, please download this Explanatory Statement (PDF - 45Kb), which has been prepared and made available in accordance with section 1(2) and section 3 of Schedule 3 of the IPA.

Public Display

The draft amendment will be on public display from Wednesday 17th June to Wednesday 15th July 2009. During this time a copy of the proposed amended planning scheme policy 6 can be viewed at the following Whitsunday Regional Council office locations:

• Proserpine Office – 83 -85 Main Street, Proserpine;
• Bowen Office – 67 Herbert Street, Bowen;
• Collinsville Office – 37 Conway Street, Collinsville.

Copies of the proposed amended planning scheme policy are also available to view or download from the Town Planning page or may be purchased at a cost of $370.00 for hard copy or $10.00 for electronic copy (pdf) on CD from Whitsunday Regional Council (Proserpine Office), 83 – 85 Main Street, Proserpine Qld 4800.

Submissions

Any person can make a submission to Council regarding any aspect of the proposed amended planning scheme policy. Submissions are to:

(a) be addressed to the Whitsunday Regional Council marked attention Program Manager, Strategic and Social Planning; and
(b) be in writing and state the name and address of each person making the submission; and
(c) be signed by each person making the submission; and
(d) state the grounds of the submission and the facts and
(e) circumstances relied on in support of those grounds; and
(f) be received by Council no later than 4.30pm on Wednesday 15th July 2009.

Submissions can be made by:

(a) lodging in person at any of the Whitsunday Regional Council offices listed below:

Proserpine Office – 83 -85 Main Street, Proserpine;
Bowen Office – 67 Herbert Street, Bowen;
Collinsville Office – 37 Conway Street, Collinsville.

(b) mailing to:

The Program manager, Strategic and Social Planning
Whitsunday Regional Council
PO Box 104
Proserpine QLD 4800

Further information about the proposed amendment may be obtained from the Council’s Strategic and Social Planning Unit during normal office hours (8.00am to 5.00pm) on (07) 49450248.

Draft Master Plan for Proserpine Pool

The purpose of this project has been to develop a master plan for the Proserpine Memorial Swimming Pool that will guide the immediate to medium term upgrade of the venue. The master plan will therefore inform developments for a period of up to 10 years.

Specific project outcomes desired by Council were:

a plan that provides realistic and achievable designs that were developed in consultation with all user
groups and community members
a prioritised implementation plan including cost estimates of staged work.

To deliver these outcomes, the study focussed on the following areas:

the Proserpine Memorial Swimming Pool today (site analysis, current use, demographic profiles and
relevant sport and recreation trends)
consultation
aquatic facility trends and best practice benchmarking
development options
concept plans and cost estimates for the proposed developments.

The Proserpine Memorial Swimming Pool has undergone some recent improvements but it remains a facility that could be significantly improved with planned development. There is little available space for major new facilities but there are opportunities to improve existing, and develop some new, minor facilities.

The Draft plan below was made available for community comments, which closed on the 24th December 2008. Please download the Draft Master Plan for the Proserpine Memorial Swimming Pool (4.9 Mb PDF) for further information.

Specific project outcomes desired by Council were:

a plan that provides realistic and achievable designs that were developed in consultation with all user
groups and community members
a prioritised implementation plan including cost estimates of staged work.

To deliver these outcomes, the study focussed on the following areas:

the Proserpine Memorial Swimming Pool today (site analysis, current use, demographic profiles and
relevant sport and recreation trends)
consultation
aquatic facility trends and best practice benchmarking
development options
concept plans and cost estimates for the proposed developments.

Draft Whitsunday Bridle Path Master Plan

Whitsunday Shire Council understands the importance of strategic planning for sport and recreation. Over the coming years the population of the Whitsunday Shire is predicted to increase significantly. The demand for sport and recreation facilities and services is expected to increase and Council has commenced planning in order to ensure quality services and facilities are provided to meet demand.

The concept of the Whitsunday Bridle Path was submitted to the Whitsunday Open Space and Advisory Committee by community members in the Riordonvale and Sugarloaf areas. The main concerns of these community representatives are unsafe areas on roadways for horse riders. In addressing safety for horse riding, the potential for a Bridle Path that could provide infrastructure for additional activities was identified.

The purpose of the Master Plan is to provide a strategy and recommendations for the development of a series of linked equestrian pathways/ tracks through the Riordonvale and Sugarloaf area. The Bridle Path will provide long-term benefits in terms of safer opportunities for horse riders.

The objectives of the master plan are to:
• provide safer riding opportunities and access along existing roads
• create a series of loops to provide recreational riding opportunities
• establish future road reserves in such a way as to facilitate recreation activities.

Please click here to download a copy of the Draft Whitsunday Bridle Path Master Plan (PDF - 1.6 Mb).

Equity and Access Action Plan - Social Development Plan

The Mackay Regional Council for Social Development, in conjunction with the Whitsunday Regional Council, has prepared an Equity and Access Action Plan (following public consultation) and a Draft Social and Community Development Plan for the Whitsundays.

The community was invited to comment on these plans before the final plan was presented to Council for formal adoption.

Comments were due by Friday, 29 August.

Queens Beach Foreshore Management Plan

The Whitsunday Regional Council is developing a Management Plan to guide the use and maintenance of the Queens Beach foreshore reserve over the next 5-10 years.

As part of the development of the foreshore plan, the council is keen to recieve comments from the community concerning social, environmental and economic issues and opportunities associated with the foreshore reserve. Once the comments on the foreshore have been collated, the council will consider all comments and then develop a draft foreshore plan. Once the draft foreshore plan is endorsed by council, it will then go out for community consultation. Once finalised the foreshore plan will be adopted by council as a blueprint for the maintenance, management and use of the reserve over the next 5-10 years.

This feedback form can be used to lodge comments from the 7th September to 2nd October 2009. For more information please contact the council on Ph. 4945 0237.

Rose Bay Foreshore Plan

The Whitsunday community were invited to comment on the Rose Bay Foreshore Plan. Council developed a draft Foreshore Plan with advice by Burdekin Dry Tropics Natural Resource Management (BDTNRM), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Rose Bay community.

Some of the issues addressed in the Plan include beach erosion mitigation, revegetation, weed control and access track upgrades. The Plan will be useful to set a future direction on how the foreshore will be managed by the Council and other organisations into the future.

Dr Rachel Allan, Coastal and Marine coordinator from Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM said coastal dune systems are a fragile part of our coastal landscape and must be managed in a sustainable manner.

Dr Allan also commended Council for engaging with the community, recognising that their support is integral to the successful implementation of the Plan.

The Final Rose Bay Foreshore Plan has now been adopted by the Council following the collation of public comments on the Draft, which were accepted up to Friday, 29 August.

View the Final Rose Bay Foreshore Plan here (PDF - 1.9 Mb)

Dr Rachel Allan, Coastal and Marine coordinator from Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM said coastal dune systems are a fragile part of our coastal landscape and must be managed in a sustainable manner.

Dr Allan also commended Council for engaging with the community, recognising that their support is integral to the successful implementation of the Plan.

The Final Rose Bay Foreshore Plan has now been adopted by the Council following the collation of public comments on the Draft, which were accepted up to Friday, 29 August.

View the Final Rose Bay Foreshore Plan here (PDF - 1.9 Mb)

Safety in Airlie Beach

The Whitsunday Building Safer Communities Action Team (BSCAT) is building on the results of its safety survey earlier in the year by releasing a detailed survey for patrons and workers in Airlie Beach.

The ‘Safety in Airlie Beach’ surveys have been developed as a follow-up to the online poll conducted on the Whitsunday Regional Council website which generated great interest amongst the community, and which revealed that 58% of people responding to the poll felt unsafe going out in Airlie Beach at night.

The latest surveys are designed to gather more information from both people working or providing services in Airlie Beach’s licensed premises precinct, and those who visit the town centre including tourists and residents.

Two different surveys have been developed to effectively gather information from these two target groups.

The information collected from the surveys will be analysed and used to develop strategies by the BSCAT to enhance safety or perceptions of safety in Airlie Beach.

All residents and visitors to the Whitsundays were urged to complete the survey to ensure information is gathered from a wide cross-section of the community.

The Workers’ Survey closed on September 3, while the Patrons’ Survey closed on September 17.

Two different surveys have been developed to effectively gather information from these two target groups.

The information collected from the surveys will be analysed and used to develop strategies by the BSCAT to enhance safety or perceptions of safety in Airlie Beach.