In the media
ALGA appointed to task force looking at bank branch
closures
The Australia Local Government Association
(ALGA) will work with a federal task force to
mitigate the impacts of bank branch closures on rural communities
(02 November 2021).
More...
Call for greater Cwth investment in regional
connectivity
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is urging the
Commonwealth to invest more to improve telco services in regional
and rural areas. In a submission to the Regional Telecommunications
Review 2021 (02 November 2021).
More...
Natural disaster costs to hit $73b by 2060: Best-case
scenario
Natural disasters will cost Australia $73 billion by 2060,
even under a low emissions scenario, a new business roundtable
report suggests. (02 November 2021).
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Cwth tips $150m into program to fix remote gravel
roads
Councils will be offered between 80 and 100 percent of
funding to upgrade unsealed roads in a new federal program unveiled
this week (02 November 2021).
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Queensland
Queensland islands funding boost to fight rising sea
levels
An additional $3 million will be provided to expand the
Coast2100 program, which will help 31 local councils implement
their Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategies and enable councils to
begin critical on ground works to safeguard coastal communities (05
November 2021). More...
'Absolutely eye-watering' cost of Brisbane App
slammed by councillors
Opposition councillors say there are plenty of better
things to spend $4.1 million on, but the Deputy Mayor says they
should explain why it's wrong to back local businesses (04
November 2021).
More...
Construction begins on $850 million Yeerongpilly Green
Riverside community
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven
Miles said projects such as Yeerongpilly Green Riverside help
address land supply challenges, catering for Queensland's
booming population whilst creating local jobs. Economic Development
Queensland, in partnership with the developer, invested over $30
million to deliver the parks and public infrastructure (03 November
2021). More...
Regional council's $200 corruption complaint fee
shut down
Mount Isa residents will not be charged for making
corruption and fraud related complaints against councillors (01
November 2021).
More...
'World's greenest residential building' cut
down to size
A planned 32-storey apartment tower with impeccable green
credentials is significantly scaled back after Brisbane City
Council expressed concerns about its size (27 October 2021).
More...
Logan City Council takes biochar product to market as
carbon-neutral program develops
A south-east Queensland council is set to sell biochar
manufactured from the city's own waste, direct to commercial
buyers, in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and put money back into
the city (26 October 2021).
More...
Palaszczuk government calls inquiry into fledgling
council watchdog
Questions have been raised about the Office of the
Independent Assessor's investigative methods and complaint
handling, amid a workload ten-times more than first anticipated in
2018 under Belcarra reforms (22 October 2021).
More...
In Practice and Courts
Queensland
Sunshine Coast mass transit passes council: Mass transit
options analysis
The options analysis will be sent to the State Government
to help form a $15 million business case.Included in the analysis
were all five options for the mode of transport including light
rail, wireless light rail, trackless trams, bus rapid transit and a
quality bus corridor from Maroochydore to Kawana. Read more about
the Mass Transit Project
here(27 October 2021).
Northshore Hamilton PDA
The Queensland Government is now seeking submissions on
the new draft plan for the
Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area
(PDA). This area has also been earmarked to be the
major Athlete's Village for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and
Paralympic Games. These amendments have been proposed to consider
the future needs of the local community. Consultation will be
opened until 3 December and more information can be found
here (27 October 2021).
Draft State Infrastructure Strategy
The Queensland Government has
releasedthe
Draft State Infrastructure Strategyand the
Queensland Government Infrastructure Pipeline.
The
draft visionanticipates the State's infrastructure needs
over the next two decades and will be supported by
seven regional infrastructure plans.
The
QGIP is a detailed program of the
Government's four-year $52.2 billion infrastructure
spendand also outlines the
potential future proposals currently under considerationby the
Queensland Government.
Consultation has been extended and will now close on 21 October
2021.
Works for Queensland projects across the region
The Works for Queensland program supports regional
councils to undertake job-creating maintenance and minor
infrastructure projects such as parks and playgrounds, community
and sports facilities, swimming pools and water play areas,
renewable energy initiatives, footpaths, roads and water
infrastructure. A further $200 million committed for 2024-27. For
more information visit
Works for Queensland.
Cases
QCoal Pty Ltd & Anor v Isaac Regional
Council [2021] QPEC
60
Appeal dismissed PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT – APPEAL
– appeal against refusal of a development application for a
Works Camp in the Rural zone
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT – ASSESSMENT – compliance with
regional plan and planning scheme – whether there is a need
for the proposed development – whether there are relevant
matters which justify the proposed development. Planning and
Environment Court Act 2016 (Qld) ss 43, 45 and 46; Planning Act
2016 (Qld) ss 45 and 60.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.