ON THE AGENDA | Emergency shelter could become a reality

COUNCIL AGENDA

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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See what is on the agenda for this week's Council Meeting below. Image: Newsport.

Entering into a funding agreement with the Australian Government under the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Grant to construct emergency accommodation in the Douglas Shire will be a key item on Council’s agenda on Wednesday morning (10.00) in the first open session of the year.

The Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Grant from the Australian Government Department of Social Services awarded Douglas Shire Council $760,400.00 for capital works funding for a domestic violence facility.

Under the terms of the funding agreement Council is required to commit the property to operating as emergency or crisis accommodation for at least 15 years.

Douglas Shire has one of Queensland’s highest rates of reported domestic and family violence, but has no crisis or supported accommodation service.

The current practice of referring women to refuges in Cairns or further afield necessitates them leaving family, friends, jobs and schools in order to receive help, which is ineffective and hinders recovery.

Council has been working with Queensland Police Service and local community service providers to advocate for the establishment of a domestic violence accommodation facility in the region since 2017, according to Council papers.    

Wine bar proposed for Mossman 

Council has received a development application for a change of use of premises for the construction of a Wine bar at 5-7 Front Street, Mossman. Councillors will decide whether to approve this application.

The proposed wine bar will have an internal gross floor area of 173 square metres and a courtyard of 85 square metres with six on-site car parking spaces proposed for development at the rear of the site which is currently grassed and partly vegetated.

The applicant, who is the owner of the Mossman Hotel, will propose to extend the current liquor license of the neighbouring Mossman Hotel to the proposed wine bar.

Operating hours will be consistent with standard licensing operating hours of between 10:00am and 12:00am seven days per week. The proposed wine bar is expected to cater up to 100 people.

Storm tide study

Council will get the opportunity to adopt, in principle, the draft Storm Tide Inundation Methodologies Study prepared by JBA Pacific Scientists and Engineers Pty Ltd.

The purpose of the Douglas Shire Storm Tide Inundation Methodologies Study is to review and analyse different methodologies; identify a best practise model for the Shire’s coastal urban areas; run this preferred best practise model and calculate the minimum heights for the 1% AEP storm tide inundation for the year 2100 having regard to a 0.8m AHD sea level rise for urban coastal properties.

Council meetings open

Council Meetings are now open to the public. A maximum of 10 people will be allowed – due to the size of the room and to allow for social distancing – and will not need to pre-register.

In line with government regulations, council requires that all guests register (to assist with contract tracing) their details prior to entering the Meeting Room.

Council staff will rotate in and out of the room to ensure the COVID safe capacity is adhered to.

The meeting will be live-streamed online and can be accessed by clicking here.

Agenda 

  • 5.1 Material Change of Use for Hotel (Wine Bar) 5-7 Front Street, Mossman
  • 5.2 Storm Tide Inundation Methodology Study
  • 5.3 Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Funding Agreement
  • 5.4 Application for temporary road closure over part of unnamed road adjoining Lots 1 – 6 on C2254 Andreassen Road, Craiglie
  • 5.5 Application for permanent road closure adjoining Lot 204 on SP264765 Captain Cook Highway, Killaloe
  • 5.6 Contract WO5040-02 – Donovan Range Pavement Upgrade
  • 5.7 Financial Report December 2020
  • 5.8 Complaints about the Public Official Policy
  • 5.9 Provision of Superannuation for Councillors
  • 5.10 Water and Wastewater Quarterly Report for period ending 31 December 2020
  • 5.11 Operational Plan Progress Report for period October to December 2020
  • 5.12 CEO Report for period October to December 2020


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