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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

The 4459 meeting of the Brisbane City Council,held at City Hall, Brisbaneon Tuesday 17 February 2015at 2pm

Prepared by: Council and Committee Liaison OfficeChief Executive’s OfficeOffice of the Lord Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer

Dedicated to a better Brisbane


THE 4459 MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,ON TUESDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2015

AT 2PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS_______________________________________________________________i

PRESENT:________________________________________________________________________1

OPENING OF MEETING:____________________________________________________________1

APOLOGY:_______________________________________________________________________1

MINUTES:_______________________________________________________________________1

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:____________________________________________________________2

QUESTION TIME:__________________________________________________________________4

CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS:___________________________________________16ESTABLISHMENT AND COORDINATION COMMITTEE____________________________________16

A CONTRACTS AND TENDERING – REPORT TO COUNCIL OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR DECEMBER 2014_____________________________________________________________37

B APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF COUNCIL________________________________43INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE_____________________________________________________44

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – LEGACY WAY, BRISBANE BOTANIC GARDENS, MT COOT-THA EXPANSION_____________________________________________________________________45

B PETITION – SPEED LIMIT SIGNAGE ON LITTLE CRIBB STREET, MILTON________________________46C PETITION – WATER STREET, RED HILL – RESIDENT PERMIT-EXEMPT PARKING_________________47

PUBLIC AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE_________________________________________48A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – BRISBANE TRANSPORT HIGHLIGHTS 2014____________________49

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE______________53A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION UNDER SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT 2009: MATERIAL CHANGE OF

USE FOR MULTI-UNIT DWELLING (247 UNITS), SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION (24 UNITS), HOTEL, OFFICE AND RESTAURANT/SHOP – 477 BOUNDARY STREET, SPRING HILL (96 FORTESCUE STREET, SPRING HILL) – GLENFERRIE ROAD TRUST CARE OF ASIA PACIFIC GROUP PTY LTD_______55ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE______________________________58

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – WATERWAYS ACTIVATION MAP____________________________60B PARK NAMING – PROPOSED NAMING OF THE SECTION OF PARKLAND, BORDERED BY BRINELY

PLACE, FURNESS CRESCENT AND SINNAMON ROAD, WITHIN THE PARKLAND CURRENTLY KNOWN AS ‘WINDERMERE AVENUE PARK’, D1823, SINNAMON PARK, AS ‘HUGH WHITE PLACE’_________61

C PARK NAMING – PROPOSED RE-NAMING OF THE PARKLAND CURRENTLY KNOWN AS ‘THOMAS MACLEOD AVENUE PARK’, D1824, GOGGS ROAD, SINNAMON PARK, AS ‘SIR HERCULES SINNAMON PARK’__________________________________________________________________________62

D PARK NAMING – PROPOSED RE-NAMING OF THE PARKLAND CURRENTLY KNOWN AS ‘WINDERMERE AVENUE PARK’, D1823, WINDERMERE AVENUE, SINNAMON PARK, AS ‘THOMAS MACLEOD PARK’_________________________________________________________________63

E PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL REMOVE TWO STREET TREES AT 11 MAPLELEAF STREET, EIGHT MILE PLAINS_______________________________________________________________65FIELD SERVICES COMMITTEE_______________________________________________________65

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – URBAN AMENITIES BRANCH, AFTER DARK: NIGHT SHIFT AND ITS VALUE TO BRISBANE______________________________________________________________66

B PETITION – OPPOSING THE INSTALLATION OF A CONCRETE FOOTPATH ON CLARINA STREET, CHAPEL HILL_____________________________________________________________________68

[4459 (Ordinary) Meeting – 17 February 2015]




AT 2PM

BRISBANE LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE___________________________________________________68A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – CODERDOJO____________________________________________74B PETITION – REQUESTING COUNCIL PROHIBIT THE KEEPING OF CHICKENS IN MULTI-UNIT

DWELLINGS_____________________________________________________________________75FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE_________________76

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – WYNNUM-MANLY TOURISM AND VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE78

B BANK AND INVESTMENT REPORT – PERIOD ENDED 26 DECEMBER 2014_____________________79

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS:_____________________________________________________80

GENERAL BUSINESS:______________________________________________________________81

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN:________________________89

[4459 (Ordinary) meeting – 17 February 2015]




AT 2PM

PRESENT:The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) – LNPThe Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT (Pullenvale Ward) – LNP

LNP Councillors (and Wards) ALP Councillors (and Wards)Krista ADAMS (Wishart)Matthew BOURKE (Jamboree)Amanda COOPER (Bracken Ridge)Vicki HOWARD (Central)Steven HUANG (Macgregor) Fiona KING (Marchant) Geraldine KNAPP (The Gap) Kim MARX (Karawatha)Peter MATIC (Toowong)Ian McKENZIE (Holland Park)David McLACHLAN (Hamilton)Ryan MURPHY (Doboy)Angela OWEN-TAYLOR (Parkinson) (Deputy Chairman of Council)Julian SIMMONDS (Walter Taylor) Andrew WINES (Enoggera)Norm WYNDHAM (McDowall)

Milton DICK (Richlands) (The Leader of the Opposition)Helen ABRAHAMS (The Gabba) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition)Peter CUMMING (Wynnum Manly)Kim FLESSER (Northgate)Steve GRIFFITHS (Moorooka)Victoria NEWTON (Deagon) Shayne SUTTON (Morningside)Independent Councillor (and Ward)Nicole JOHNSTON (Tennyson)

OPENING OF MEETING:The Chairman, Councillor Margaret de WIT, opened the meeting with prayer, and then proceeded with the business set out in the Agenda.

APOLOGY:417/2014-15

An apology was submitted on behalf of DEPUTY MAYOR Councillor Adrian Schrinner, and he was granted leave of absence from the meeting on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor Kim MARX.

MINUTES:418/2014-15

The Minutes of the 4458 meeting of Council held on 10 February 2015, copies of which had been forwarded to each councillor, were presented, taken as read and confirmed on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor Kim MARX.

[4459 (Ordinary) Meeting – 17 February 2015]

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:Ms Cathy Pegolo - Overdevelopment of a site next to a heritage place, using 128 to 132 Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill (A003893287), as an example.File number: 137/220/701/211

Chairman: I would like to call on Ms Cathy Pegolo who will address the Chamber on the over-development of a site next to a heritage place using 128 to 132 Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill as an example. Orderly, would you please show Ms Pegolo in.

Ms Pegolo, you have five minutes. Please proceed.

Ms Cathy Pegolo: Thank you very much. Madam Chairman, LORD MAYOR and Councillors: as you know, I am here to present a submission regarding the impact of over-development of a site on Dornoch Terrace next to a heritage place, and to use this as an example that demonstrates how over-development and over-shadowing will reduce the significance and the amenity of the heritage place, which is my home.

Sometimes developers will try to promote the over-development of a property because it is thought that the bigger their development, the bigger the return. However, over-development is not appropriate in some instances, and does not always result in the best type of development, especially where over-development adjoins a heritage place, which is where I live.

The development application next door seeks impact assessment and attempts a performance solution to develop a small 658 square metre site. The site is zoned residential medium density under the Brisbane City Plan 2000. Under this plan, the allowable gross floor area for this site is for something like, say, four small units—four average units. This proposed development is 2.6 times the size envisaged for the site, and is considered to be a significant over-development of the property; in fact, it is something like nine units of various sizes.

In addition, under the planning scheme, views of the heritage place should not be impaired, and the likely siting of buildings and other structures must not detract from the landscape values of a heritage place under your heritage place code. However, the proposal at 128 to 132 Dornoch Terrace is an example where over-development will result in over-shadowing, and consequently affect the heritage place, Glen View, where I live.

Glen View is an elegant, low set, 19th century house. It is an important heritage place because of its aesthetic significance, for its balanced proportions and ornate decorative detailing. These are the Council's own description of our house—of my home. Furthermore, the development applicant has recently responded to Council's information request with amended drawings in a report. But the height, size and bulk of the proposed building have not changed. The Council's information request for a reduction in floor area has not been addressed or considered at all in the applicant's report.

Admittedly, the applicant has provided a six-metre setback to the front boundary, but it is an indistinguishable change to the original layout. The issue is whether the Council, in assessing the development application, is prepared to grant bonus gross floor area and allow a five-storey building because the bonuses sought will increase the size and bulk of the proposed building and over-shadow our house—five storeys.

We have provided a shadow diagram to Council that shows that even an adjoining building of over three storeys high will over-shadow our house. Therefore, we request the following changes to the proposed development before it is approved. Firstly, that the building be reduced in size, height and bulk to reduce over-shadowing, and that secondly, the built-to-boundary wall on our common side boundary be removed or relocated to the northern side boundary.


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The development should be redesigned to a lower intensity and height where it does not over-shadow and diminish the heritage and the amenity value of my home. We are considering appealing to the court if the development is approved in its current form. We are also seeking the Council's view of the proposal, and whether planning staff consider it to be appropriate development for that site.

To conclude, I would like to leave you with some minor issues to ponder. What does owning a heritage place mean for me? Does it allow me to put a giant block of flats on my property? What does adjoining a heritage place really mean—adjoining a heritage place, i.e. for the developer? Does it protect me from my neighbour's greedy over-development which would, without a doubt, greatly reduce the value of my property, reduce my value, and more importantly, diminish my quality of life and that of my family?

Chairman: Thank you, Ms Pegolo.

Ms Pegolo: Thank you very much.

Chairman: Please, just resume your seat, and Councillor COOPER, would you care to respond please?

Response by Councillor Amanda COOPER, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee

Councillor COOPER: Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and I thank Ms Pegolo for coming in today. I hope I said that correctly. Thank you very much for coming in to talk about the application that was lodged next to your home at 128 Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill.

This was an application that was lodged with Council last year on 18 June, I understand, and as you pointed out, it is impact assessable. So that is the highest level of assessment under City Plan. It was actually lodged under the former planning scheme, City Plan 2000. The site is zoned medium density residential, and it proposes multi-unit dwellings, or more clearly, it proposes nine units across five storeys.

As you spoke before, your home is next to this development and you are certainly an advocate on behalf of your own home and the beautiful place that it is. So that is absolutely understandable. Glen View, as you pointed out, is on the Heritage Register. I have read the citation; it is a beautiful home, so you are very fortunate to live in it, indeed. I understand how passionate you are about what the implications are of anything adjacent to your property.

As you noted, the assessment team issued an information request on 30 July last year, so there were six months, of course, to respond to that. In particular, the issues raised by the officers were the overall bulk and scale of the proposal, the impact on neighbouring properties such as your own, justification for the gross floor area, and how the proposed land dedication along Dornoch Terrace would work.

The applicant then responded on 22 September 2014, and they made a number of changes and amended their plans, which they then resubmitted to Council. These changes included increasing the setback from the northern boundary to the upper roof level, so increasing that from 3.5 metres to 7 metres; the setback to Colton Street for the balcony was increased by half a metre to 4 metres, which is the acceptable solution; and for the wall that is now proposed to be 5 metres, I am advised.

I then understand that the applicant went out for public notification; so that started on 25 September through to 21 October, and there were a number of submissions, including your own. As a formal submitter, as you pointed out, you will be written to when Council makes its final decision, and you will be able to exercise your options if you do not agree with Council's decision. So you will have appeal rights to the Planning and Environment Court.


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Council reviewed those submissions. There was a further issues letter that was sent out to the applicant on 17 December last year. There were further issues outlined including the front setbacks; the floor to ceiling height of the top unit—that being unit 9; there was information sought to be provided to Council for the Virtual Brisbane Team to actually undertake 3D modelling of the proposal to understand how the impacts would present to anybody in that area. There were also questions about the refuse collection and the retaining wall. So again, gross floor area, bulk buildings and scale and heritage elements were all specifically sought further advice from the applicant as to how they were to respond to that.

I understand that there has been an amendment of their plans, and that has been again resubmitted to Council for Council to undertake that modelling. So this is currently being reviewed by the assessment team, and there has been no decision on the application made at this time. So I couldn’t tell you what the officers are recommending at this point in time, but certainly they are reviewing that information, and they will make a decision in due course. Thank you very much for coming in this afternoon.

Chairman: Thank you, Ms Pegolo.

QUESTION TIME:

Chairman: Are there any questions of the LORD MAYOR or a Chairman of any of the Standing Committees? Councillor MURPHY.

Question 1

Councillor MURPHY: Thanks very much, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. I see that works are progressing well at Anzac Square. Can you please update the Chamber on this important restoration project as we head towards the centenary of the Gallipoli landings?

LORD MAYOR: Thanks very much, Madam Chairman, and I thank Councillor MURPHY for the question. Yes, Councillor MURPHY, as you have correctly pointed out, on 25 April this year we will be commemorating that landing at Gallipoli, the 100th

anniversary of that historic event.

Today I had the opportunity with Assistant Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to inspect the progress of work around that particular facility. It is a project where we are spending some $13.4 million—$11.2 million of that was a State investment, and the remaining $2.2 million from this Council. It has been a significant project, and so similar to City Hall, it was riddled with the issues of the concrete of that era—issues where we saw deteriorating concrete did not have anywhere near the strength of concrete today.

So there was a lot of work that needed to be done in terms of the development of the membranes which were to prevent the leaking of water from the Shrine of Remembrance area down to offices that were located below. It has been a very significant project, but about 90 per cent complete now, and we will well and truly have it in place in readiness for the commemoration of the 100 th year of the landing at Gallipoli.

Part and parcel of that, you may recall in July last year we undertook a ceremony to remove the eternal flame from the Shrine of Remembrance and to place it down in Anzac Square itself. Last year's Remembrance Day ceremony, on the 11th day of November, was commemorated at that location. It has been respected in that location by the people of Brisbane, and I thank them for that. But there will be a time very soon, and probably at some stage next month, when that eternal flame will again be placed back within the Shrine of Remembrance itself.

There are a number of aspects which have been undertaken in major works since October last year, the refurbishment of the pedestrian tunnel being one of those. We have also had the replacing of the structural concrete slabs that support the memorial, and also the restoring of heritage items including paving, tiling and


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granite elements. The repaving, for example, in the area of the Shrine of Remembrance, some 20,000 individual pavers, that process has been commenced. It is like a massive jigsaw puzzle, putting it back together, but that work is being undertaken.

As part of that, you've got some 12,028 what they call Greek ring tiles; there is starburst tiling—around 10,288 of those, and granite tiles and other granite paving. The footpath area itself in Ann Street is yet to be completed. There's a lot of paving work happening around there at this time. Obviously we've got to go through the process of replacing the furniture also at that location.

Apart from that, we've got the restoration of some of the heritage items in these works. So we are reinstating some of those heritage items to their original location. They have been stored during the restoration works. Again, that includes a number of bronze elements, including the urn itself that houses the eternal flame, and a number of other components.

The pedestrian tunnel; what we have seen there is the installation of new wall panels that incorporate a commemorative Anzac design. That also provides for any future upgrades that might be needed. The installation of a new ceiling and lighting, repaired concrete slabs and refurbishment of the concrete flooring have all been parts of this project.

I do want to take the opportunity to thank Mr Nigel Chamier, Mr Andrew King, and also Major General Peter Arnison for their works as a committee that have worked on this project and overseen all of the good works. I thank the architects and all of those workmen and women who have been a part of this project. So, Madam Chairman, again it is very much on track, and I look forward to the day when we can again return it all to the people of this city and this state.

Chairman: Further questions; Councillor DICK.

Question 2

Councillor DICK: Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. Over the past 48 hours, these photos have been taken and they show grass 2 metres high along the edges of a bikeway causing a safety hazard for cyclists and walkers, waist-high grass in parks almost covering water fountains and barbeques, and long grass on median strips on Wynnum Road and in Salisbury. LORD MAYOR, bikeways, parks and median strips are still not being properly maintained, and as Questions on Notice today indicate, there are thousands now of Brisbane residents complaining to your Council. Will you today finally admit that you botched the recent Council grass cutting contract and, LORD MAYOR, why can't you fix it?

LORD MAYOR: Well, Madam Chairman, I thank Councillor DICK for the question. As I indicated in this Chamber last week, there were two issues that pertained to grass cutting: one of those was the weather conditions in January, and I will outline a bit more detail around that in a moment.

Councillor interjecting.

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON!

LORD MAYOR: The second issue was that there were some contractors that were under some performance management by this Council. I indicated that some of those contractors were not new contractors; not all of them were new contracts, but there were some existing previous contractors that were also being performance managed.

I indicated in this Chamber last week also that I was not going to stop until this matter was sorted. I indicated I took personal responsibility for it, as I do with all things that happen in this Council. Now, I would have to say this; I have been out and about in this city as well, and I am firmly of the view that there has been a significant improvement between last Tuesday and this Tuesday. It is still not perfect. It is far from perfect. But there has been a significant improvement.

I do remind the Chamber, as I have indicated previously, that there were 17 days in January where we had rainfall. Those dates were 1st, 4th, 16th—


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LORD MAYOR: Yes, thanks Councillor JOHNSTON, you're very clever. We all know that—8 th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 28th and 30th. Now, they were all days—17 of them—in the month of January where rainfall occurred in this city. As I said previously—

Councillors interjecting.

Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: —the Labor Opposition, Councillor SUTTON included who has small children, would have been the first ones up and right into me if we had gouged those parks out and caused holes and unsafe conditions in those parks by getting heavy machinery in. I get my Victa out at home every weekend in the current situation, and I know just with a light mower like that how it is sinking into the ground some weekends. I know how it sinks into the ground with that little machine. You can imagine what the big machinery required to cut the grass—


Chairman: Order! Councillor NEWTON!

LORD MAYOR: —in wet weather conditions would be like out there.

So, Councillor DICK, I am not going to stand here and say that things are perfect, because I know they're not. I know they are not. I absolutely know they are not. But I can stand here and confidently say that the city is much better this week than it was last week and we're going to continue to get this right. I am not going to rest until I get it right.

I just say this; if there are contractors—and I don't want to hear when we sack contractors if we get to that point any skerrick of, oh, the poor contractors, from those opposite.


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: The Labor Opposition have had some pretty bad historic—

Chairman: Just a moment, LORD MAYOR, just a moment. You've asked a question; listen for the answer and stop interrupting. Thank you, LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: As I've indicated previously, Councillor DICK, the Labor Party, some of your colleagues, have had some pretty bad experiences with grass cutting in the past, where they have brought in New Zealand contractors to cut the grass in this city.


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: So, you know, there's not a real good contract record from which to throw—


Chairman: Councillor SUTTON.

LORD MAYOR: Yes, well you couldn’t do it when you were there on this side of the Chamber, Councillor SUTTON; that is all I am saying. There's plenty—you laugh—there's plenty of documented evidence—


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: They don't like to hear the reality of the history, Madam Chairman. So, there are plenty of documented records and history to show what their performance was like. So they are not in a very strong position in that sense.

We are going to continue to work with these contractors initially. They need to get the job done. Councillor DICK, your area is probably one of the worst in the city, if I may say that. I am conscious of that, and I am going to fix it, because it


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is not good enough in your area or any other area. The contractors are on notice. We want it fixed, and we want it fixed fast.

That said, I re-state that there has been a significant improvement over the last week. We have had some fine weather. That has helped enormously. We are about, from the weather reports, to go into two more days of torrential rain. That is going to have an impact obviously on service delivery, because if that is very heavy rain—and I am out of time. I can talk more about that later.

Chairman: Thank you, LORD MAYOR. Further questions? Councillor HOWARD.

Question 3

Councillor HOWARD: Thank you, Madam Chairman; my question is to the Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee, Councillor COOPER. Could you please update the Chamber on how this Administration is ensuring community consultation occurs in planning and development while those opposite, in stark contrast, continue to have no plan?


Chairman: Order! Order!


Chairman: When you are ready. Councillor COOPER.

Councillor COOPER: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I thank Councillor HOWARD for her question. On 30 June of last year, Brisbane City Plan 2014 was adopted. In fact, at Committee today, we saw an application come that was presented under the new City Plan. This, of course, as all of those in the Chamber should recall, was the single largest piece of planning review undertaken by Council in over a decade. Council has continued to engage with the community and talk about planning and neighbourhood plans as we go across our city.

In six months alone last year, Council's planning and engagement teams went out to the community and held 12 Talk to a Planner sessions across the city, starting at Mount Gravatt. Councillor ADAMS came along. We had such interest out there at Mount Gravatt that we actually had people queuing up to come and talk to us about what is being proposed. So significant interest in planning for the future of our city.

We also have held since then Talk to a Planner sessions here at City Hall. We have also been out at The Gap; we have been at Wynnum; we have been at Chermside; and then back to City Hall in December of last year. The support for this community consultation program is very clear when you look at the records of attendance, with the afternoon sessions totalling over 600 residents, community groups and businesses, so an actual total of 638 people who came along to talk and learn more about new City Plan and about our planning across the city.

The evening sessions, which we start at 5pm and go on until 7pm, we know that people have very busy lives, and we want to provide information at a time that suits them, we had over 400 residents, community groups and businesses, so to be precise, that was 444 who came along.

We also, of course, undertake extensive community consultation through our neighbourhood planning program, with over 420 neighbourhood events held since the program commenced. As part of each and every Neighbourhood Plan, residents and absentee landowners receive at least two newsletters or direct letters during the course of that plan.

We also are looking to try and provide information in a way that people really seem to be interested in engaging with us, and that has been online. On 16 December last year, the LORD MAYOR launched a smarter, more user-friendly version of PD Online. I have certainly had great feedback from many Councillors who have really appreciated the new format.

This is making it even easier for residents to find out—


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Councillor COOPER: —Madam Chair, this is making it even easier for residents to find out about particular development applications, to keep track of its progress, and to make submissions online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When we look at what is being put forward by the Australian Labor Party, we see nothing—absolutely nothing. But when we actually look at what the evidence suggests to us, we've got all sorts of—


Councillor COOPER: Ah, Councillor FLESSER, you were the one—you were the one signing off on a development application in your ward that hadn’t even been assessed by officers. You were out there touting for this new supermarket saying it was fantastic. But no assessment required, apparently; thank you very much, Councillor FLESSER. Well done.

Now, when we look at what—


Chairman: Order!

Councillor COOPER: —when we look at what was going on from commentary, actually one of the Australian Labor Party Councillors' own residents said to us—and I have a quote here; the public meeting that was held at your office on 9 November was an exemplar of the unbalanced position that the community has had in this discussion. The community voice was not on the agenda. I find it deeply disturbing that our local Councillor would take action to put community benefit in jeopardy in favour of private profit for the property owner.


Chairman: Order!

Councillor COOPER: So there you go; we've got a local Councillor who apparently doesn’t even listen to her community. Then we had another Labor Party Councillor who, in this Chamber, says she just does not have the time in the day to respond to applications in her own ward. It is not in her job description; not in her job description, she said to us. She is way, way too busy.

Then when we look at the Leader of the Australian Labor Party in Council, he didn’t even bother to attend single one of the 34 Talk to a Planner sessions for the draft new City Plan—not a single one, despite them actually—


Chairman: Order!

Councillor COOPER: —being held in his own ward. No, he—


Councillor COOPER: Well, I would suggest to you real residents were in attendance. If you were so committed, you should have come along.

Chairman: Councillor COOPER, your time has expired.


Chairman: Order!

Chairman: Councillor NEWTON.

Question 4

Councillor NEWTON: Thanks very much, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. How much has it cost to temporarily re-employ the previous grass-cutting contractor to cut the grass in Bracken Ridge and Deagon wards after your new cut price contractor has been suspended because they cannot actually do the work?

LORD MAYOR: Thanks very much, Madam Chairman, and I thank Councillor NEWTON for the question. The reality is that I said last week we were going to get in and get this


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job done. Councillor, I would have thought that you would have been grateful for the fact that we were getting some additional resources in to get the job done. That is what it is going to be about. We will make sure that we do what we need to do within the constraints of the weather conditions—and I was about to say a little earlier that we are about to embark, it would seem, on two heavy days of rain, and that is again going to create conditions which will not be suitable for grass cutting, if that occurs. We hope the Weather Bureau is not correct, but it seems that everyone is gearing up for a couple of days of heavy rain later this week.

In terms of the contracts that you referred to, Councillor NEWTON, yes, we are getting in additional support to make sure that that grass is cut. Now, we've got two options here: we can just let the grass continue to grow, and the let the contractor that is there at the moment continue in its current form, and we can have you continue to whinge about long grass, which you would be entitled to do. So you've got a choice—

Councillor DICK: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Point of order against you, LORD MAYOR; yes, Councillor DICK.

Councillor DICK: Just bring the LORD MAYOR back to the question which was actually how much it was. It wasn’t going around the world. It was actually how much the new work to fix up his mess was going to cost the ratepayers of Brisbane.

Chairman: Councillor DICK, the LORD MAYOR has five minutes to answer, and he has barely spoken for probably one minute at this stage.

LORD MAYOR: Let's talk about money. Madam Chairman, let's talk about money. The Opposition two weeks ago stood here and was criticising me for bringing in mowing at a cheaper cost to ratepayers—at a cheaper cost. It was—


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: I said at the time, let's—

Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: Let's recount what I said at the time.


LORD MAYOR: Madam Chairman, he doesn’t want to run for LORD MAYOR, but he's got plenty to say all the time while I'm speaking. I know that Councillor SUTTON doesn’t have a citywide perspective. She's got her excuse; I'm waiting for his.


Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, if—

LORD MAYOR: Madam Chairman—

Chairman: Just a moment, LORD MAYOR. Councillor JOHNSTON, if you continue to interject, you will be warned.


Chairman: That goes for a few others as well.

LORD MAYOR: Madam Chairman, if the Opposition Leader wants to hear the answer, I am happy to give it, but I just ask that we give it a fair go in terms of interjection.

I said here two weeks ago that the position was that the contracts that were brought to this place by Stores Board, not opposed by the Labor Party at that time; they have their chance to speak and they didn’t—


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: They didn’t, Madam Chairman. They did not stand up and oppose those.


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Councillor SUTTON: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Point of order against you, LORD MAYOR. Yes, Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SUTTON: I think the record will show that there was a division called, and we voted against the contracts. And I think that the LORD MAYOR is deliberately trying to—

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, what is your point of order?

Councillor SUTTON: —the LORD MAYOR is misleading the Chamber. I ask that you direct him to not misinform the Chamber and to clarify whether or not he in fact knows that there was a division called and that the Labor Councillors voted against that.

Chairman: I do not uphold your point of order, Councillor SUTTON. LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: Madam Chairman, I said they did not stand up and speak—


LORD MAYOR: —go and read—

Chairman: Order!


LORD MAYOR: Go and read the Hansard of what I have just said.

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON—just a minute, LORD MAYOR. Councillor SUTTON, if you continue to interject, you will be officially warned. You asked a question; at least have the decency to allow the LORD MAYOR to provide an answer.

Councillor NEWTON: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Yes, Councillor NEWTON.

Councillor NEWTON: I am concerned the LORD MAYOR is going to run out of time before he tells me—

Chairman: Well, the way you are going, yes, he will.

Councillor NEWTON: So, if the LORD MAYOR can't answer it now, can he please take this on notice?

Chairman: LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: That's in your hands, Councillor NEWTON. Your side have continued to interject during this answer. If you want to waste your own side's time, you need to get in your party room and lecture your own Councillors—lecture your own Councillors.


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: So, Madam Chairman—

Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: —I was reminding Councillor NEWTON of what I said here a couple of weeks ago, and that was that the contracts came in at a much cheaper price than what we were paying previously. We did not accept—and when I say we, I refer to the Stores Board of this Council that makes a recommendation to the Cabinet, and then the Cabinet to this Council—they did not accept the cheapest quotes that came in. But they were considerably cheaper than what the previous cost of grass-cutting was. It was a very competitive tender. If you go back to the Hansard when this matter was voted upon, I made that very point. There was a very competitive tender, and that the prices were significantly cheaper.

That said, the question today is: how much extra is it costing? Well, it is costing a heck of a lot less than what it was under the previous contractual arrangements, a heck of a lot less. This is not a permanent—this is not going to be a permanent arrangement—



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Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: This is to catch up, based on the 17 wet days that we had in January. That is the reality. We've got to catch up—


Chairman: Councillor NEWTON!

LORD MAYOR: They're not interested. They only want the politics. They're not interested in the reality. They are not interested to hear about the 17 wet days that we had in January. They are not interested in having the grass cut; they simply want to play the politics. What I am saying is this; we have had 17 wet days in January. It is going to need some extra resources to get it up to speed, and we're going to deliver it.

Chairman: Thank you, LORD MAYOR. Further questions? Councillor WINES.

Question 5

Councillor WINES: Thank you, Madam Chairman. My question is to the Chairperson of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee, Councillor ADAMS. I believe our popular Brisbane Planetarium had a fantastic summer, and the statistics show that this important venue has gone from strength to strength, and is now one of the must visit sites in Brisbane. I also understand that it is in stark contrast to when Labor was in power and then Councillor Hinchliffe put the Brisbane Planetarium in the too-hard basket. Councillor ADAMS, can you please elaborate on this, including how the Planetarium has thrived under an LNP Administration?

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair, and—


Chairman: Order!

Councillor ADAMS: —and thank you, Councillor WINES—

Chairman: Just a minute, Councillor ADAMS. When we—

Councillor JOHNSTON: Point of order, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Yes, Councillor JOHNSTON.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Madam Chairman, there has been—

Chairman: What's the point of order?

Councillor JOHNSTON: Madam Chairman, my criticism is—

Chairman: No.

Councillor JOHNSTON: —sorry, my point of order is—I am sorry—my point of order is there has been criticism of politics in this Chamber, but that question is loaded with them, and I would ask you to rule that out of order as argumentative under the Standing Procedures in line with your ruling last week.

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, I do not uphold your point of order. I do not agree with your interpretation of that. I would ask that you stop raising interjections that are simply disrupting this meeting. Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair, and I can understand why the Leader of the Opposition—oh, sorry, the independent Councillor—doesn’t want to hear the history on the Planetarium, because it is a wonderful history for the Planetarium, particularly over the last seven years, where the Planetarium has gone from strength-to-strength to become one of Australia's premier astronomical education and entertainment facilities.

We have seen more than 100,000 people visit this standalone Planetarium now, with 60,000 patrons paying to attend shows in our beautiful Cosmic Sky Dome. Over summer alone, the Planetarium welcomed 21,000 visitors plus, to the various programs that we held. Some of the most popular shows are Cosmic Collisions and The Search For Life: Are We Alone? Both of those are from the American Museum of Natural History in New York—very, very popular, and,


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of course, the Black Hole's Journey into the Unknown, narrated by Geoffrey Rush.

This, unfortunately, is a stark contrast for the Planetarium under the Labor Administration that we saw an iconic and much-loved Planetarium being put in the too-hard basket for many, many years. Only $750,000 spent on the Planetarium in contrast to the $2.25 million we have spent since 2008. There was a serious suggestion as well that the Planetarium should be closed down. It should be closed down was the suggestion by Councillor Hinchliffe at the time.

At the moment we have an LNP Administration that has delivered a total number—


Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor ADAMS; yes, Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SUTTON: Councillor ADAMS has just made an allegation that Councillor Hinchliffe wanted the Planetarium closed down. Has she got an official Council record that proves that, that she could table for us here today, or is this argument—

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, you weren’t—

Councillor SUTTON: —a hearsay?

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON—I do not uphold your point of order. Councillor ADAMS is answering a question, and you weren’t there at the time. I certainly was. Councillor ADAMS.


Chairman: As was Councillor FLESSER.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair. I am happy to direct—


Chairman: Order!


Chairman: Point of order.

Councillor SUTTON: So you are overruling my point of order—

Chairman: I did not uphold your point of order.

Councillor SUTTON: Okay, because you were here and you know better.

Chairman: Resume your seat. Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair. I will direct Councillor SUTTON to the Sunday Mail—


Chairman: When you're ready, Question Time can continue.

Councillor ADAMS: The media seems a great reference for them when they need it, Madam Chair, but it is just not suitable for this side of the Chamber to quote our journalists.


Chairman: Order!

Councillor ADAMS: The Sunday Mail article—

Chairman: Order!

Councillor ADAMS: —which highlighted the protestors rallying against the closure of the Planetarium under the ALP Administration.

Chairman: Order!

Councillor ADAMS: Headlines of dozens of school children being turned away because they did not have the staff to be able to present the programs and the sessions that we see today in the Planetarium.


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We had technical staff numbers reduced from three to one, with the last full-time technical officer actually being totally cut before 2008. Now we have four full-time along with casual administration officers and ushers which have led us to see an increase of 40 per cent on the patronage in the last several years as people come through this State. We had 68,000 visitors per year under Labor's Administration—127,000 people come to visit our Planetarium now.

What we see at the Planetarium now is a modern versatile Planetarium that includes the installation of an optical star projector and a digital systems project, and a replacement of the entire projection dome. We have upgraded all the display areas and the furnishings where the shop has been improved to create a greater experience for visitors. Under this Administration, the dedicated Planetarium team have overseen an upgrade and a refurbishment project which was delivered on time and on budget, on a budget a lot bigger than we saw in the too-hard basket by the previous Labor Administration.

Two-thirds of the paying visitors are general public; the rest are school groups. We have over 20,000 students and over 2,000 school teachers that attend our live shows each week. The Planetarium is going from strength to strength. We are committed in this team to get the job done. It is the attitude and dedication that has seen our Planetarium thrive. Under Labor's lazy attitude we saw with the closures and the cuts and the non-interest of the Planetarium, they weren't given money for staff; they weren’t given capital investment. It was the typical attitude of cost too much, too hard, into the too-hard basket; therefore we won't do it. I am pleased to say that we will do it and we did do it, and we continue this fantastic experience.

Question 6

Chairman: Further questions; Councillor DICK.

Councillor DICK: Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. Enough of the weasel words; other than in Deagon and Bracken Ridge wards, where else have your new contractors been suspended from grass cutting? Who is cutting that grass now, and how much is it costing?

LORD MAYOR: Well, Madam Chairman, the big aaah once again from Councillor DICK. The fact of the matter is that the Labor Party are coming from this presumption that all contractors are going to be paid, and I wouldn’t be presuming that for a minute. It is a bit like Councillor NEWTON, if I can go back to your question—


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: —if I go back to your question, you have somebody you've engaged to come and cut the grass at your place, and they've maybe done half of it or something and they've gone home.


LORD MAYOR: I am glad to hear it. I'm sure you have, and I'm sure you pay them appropriately.

Chairman: Order! Councillor NEWTON!

LORD MAYOR: But that person has retired and you've got a new one, and it hasn’t worked out. Now, what would you do? Would you pay them in terms of the non-performance if they didn’t do the job? You'd still pay them, would you? You'd still pay them?


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: Well, that's a bit of Labor economics again, if that is the case. They'd still pay them; they haven’t done the job. Now, I want to get this clear, Madam Chairman. They haven’t done the job, but Labor would still pay them on that basis.


Chairman: Order!


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LORD MAYOR: Well, that's an interesting concept. I have to say to you, Madam Chairman, that I have a bit more regard for the ratepayers of Brisbane than to do that.


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: If contractors are not doing the job, if they're not doing the job, they're not getting paid. It's as simple as that; as simple as that.


Chairman: Order! Councillor FLESSER!

LORD MAYOR: So, Madam Chairman, I just say this: there is a contract out there. Those contractors, as I said last week, are required to perform to their contract. If they don't perform to their contract, we will give them reasonable time to perform—



Councillor DICK: Madam Chair, you heard the question; it was very specific. This waffling, deflective nonsense—the LORD MAYOR needs to be pulled back into line about which contractors have been suspended. I don't want a lecture about Labor and a history lesson from 20 years ago; I want the answer to these questions.

Chairman: And it's supposed to be one question, Councillor DICK, not three, which is what you put forward to the LORD MAYOR. Thank you, LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: Yes, Madam Chairman. The reality is that we are going to get the grass cut, as I have said. That is the purpose of what we are on about. We are not going to be paying contractors if they do not perform to their contract. They are given time to gear up, but there is an issue, and again, this is where the Labor Party just simply won't accept it. They just pretend that there was no rain in January. That is the premise that they come from: no rain, no rain. The rain just didn’t happen. Therefore, you just go out, through the rain, with the soaked parks, and you just run the big machinery through it. That's what Labor are suggesting should have happened.


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: So, there is no problem doing that, Councillor DICK says, for the record. Councillor DICK says there was no problem running heavy mowers—



Councillor DICK: The LORD MAYOR is misleading the Chamber. I said the LORD MAYOR is claiming there is now no problems with the contracts.

Chairman: Councillor DICK, you shouldn’t have been saying anything. You asked a question and you should be quiet while the answer is given. LORD MAYOR.


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: So, Madam Chairman, the reality is that where contractors are not fulfilling their contractual obligations, they will simply not be paid for those works, if they are not performed. That means that we bring in additional resources that are on the list of approved contracts, and that is what we are doing. These are contractors that have been approved.

I will bring in those extra resources to do the catch-up that is necessary following the January rain. So, in some cases it is non-performance, but in most cases it is simply the fact that we need to catch up and to get this grass under control following the rainfall in January. So that is where we are. As I said, it has been a massive improvement in the last week; still a way to go. Hoping that rain doesn’t come and I am hoping that we will be able to get the grass in the parks


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back to where it has traditionally been. I remind the Chamber again—I remind the Chamber again that we cut the grass many, many more times than what Labor did during the FLESSER, during the ABRAHAMS, during the—


Chairman: Councillor SUTTON!

LORD MAYOR: —NEWTON Administration—many, many times more. That will continue to be the case when we get this grass back to where it traditionally has been.

Chairman: Further questions? Councillor KING.

Question 7

Councillor KING: Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the Chairman of Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee, Councillor BOURKE. With the completion of Frew Park, which is fabulous, I might add, I notice that the all-ability playground there is very different to any other park across our city. Can you please advise the Chamber an insight into how Council makes all our parks accessible and more inclusive?

Councillor BOURKE: Thanks very much, Madam Chairman, and I would like to thank Councillor KING for that question, because it's a very important question that Councillor KING asked. One of the first things the LORD MAYOR did when he was elected to this place as LORD MAYOR was to launch an Access and Inclusion Plan for our city. One of the key tenets, one of the first implementations out of that Access and Inclusion Plan was, of course, our commitment for $2 million to build an all-abilities playground in each ward.

So the 26 wards across this City of Brisbane now all have an all-abilities playground in each ward, something that was never done before. So Orleigh Park, Seventh Brigade Park, DM Henderson Park, just to name a few, now have all-ability playgrounds. Out of that, Council has continued its commitment to providing access to all sorts of different play features in our parks and in our open spaces, continuing the work of the Access and Inclusion Plan that Councillor ADAMS did, and the commitment of the LORD MAYOR.

So Frew Park, the $12.6 million 3½ hectare new park in Milton, is the latest and probably the most impressive display of our commitment, and this Administration's commitment to access and inclusion for the residents of Brisbane and, indeed, our commitment to making sure that we provide a range of play experiences and a range of opportunities for everyone.

It is deliberately targeted, though, Councillor KING, to an older age group, so it is targeted to the 10 - 15-year-olds, so that we can provide some more challenging play experiences. Just because we have targeted it to a particular demographic, or a particular age group, it does not mean that it is not all-inclusive for children to play on. There are some elements that are a little bit more challenging—the climbing net, the seven-metre high commentators' box and slide, as well as some of the other elements—but there is a whole range of engaging facilities there for all abilities.

There is access up through sections of it providing ramps instead of traditional stairs or climbing ladders; there are play facilities located at ground level that are accessible by people in wheelchairs, as well as a range of other opportunities for kids to have their senses as well as their physical attributes challenged.

Of course, that particular playground is on the back of the Central Business District (CBD) all-abilities playground, which was another $2 million commitment that the LORD MAYOR made, which was opened in the middle of last year in Central Ward, where we see once again a state of the art purpose-built all-abilities playground—and not just a playground, but the whole space—the whole space has been designed with access and inclusion in mind. So the pathways, the seating, all of the play elements—so not just the centrepiece playground itself, but all of the play elements are there for everyone to engage, right from older people in our community down to some of the youngest people in our community.


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I thought to myself; this is great that Council is doing all of this. So I went back and had a look at budget books, back to previous Administrations. I went back to the last four years of the Australian Labor Party, thinking, the champions of social inclusion would surely have been doing some of these projects. Sadly, much to my horror, when I added up the 2000-01 to 2003-04 budgets of the Australian Labor Party, their total spend—and their budgets were a bit light on—their total spend on park improvements was only $17 million.

Councillor FLESSER: Point of order, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor BOURKE; yes, Councillor FLESSER.

Councillor FLESSER: Madam Chair, I just wonder if Councillor BOURKE can clarify: he said the 2004 Labor Party budget. The 2004 budget was written by Campbell Newman.

Chairman: Thank you, Councillor FLESSER; Councillor BOURKE.

Councillor BOURKE: So they’re hearing over that side of the Chamber; I will say it clearly: the 2003-04 budget—you were there, Councillor FLESSER, so $17 million across four years—


Chairman: Order!

Councillor BOURKE: —they spent on upgrading our parks. This year alone, in the 2014-15 financial year budget, we have got $16.3 million for upgrading our suburban parks for delivering inclusive outcomes, accessible outcomes in our parks and open spaces across the city. So, when you hear the Labor Party talking about parks, don't listen to what they say; look at what they did in Administration. Some $17 million over four years, versus the investment of nearly $16 million in one year alone.

Guess what, Madam Chairman; that is not even including Frew Park; it doesn’t include Karawatha; it doesn’t include our work at Anzac Square. That is just the money that we're spending in suburban parks to upgrade the play facilities for the residents of Brisbane.

The commitment of this Administration and the LORD MAYOR to making sure that playgrounds and parks for residents right across our city are of the highest standard is there; it is proven in the numbers, it is proven out on the ground, and it is proven in this place week in, week out.

Chairman: That ends Question Time.

CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS:

ESTABLISHMENT AND COORDINATION COMMITTEE

The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK), Chairman of the Establishment and Coordination Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Krista ADAMS, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 9 February 2015, be adopted.

Chairman: Is there any debate?

LORD MAYOR: Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Just before coming to the report itself, I just want to make a few broader comments with respect to the city. Firstly, of course, this week we celebrate the Chinese New Year. It is always a very colourful time in the city's calendar. We will have not only of course the Chinese themselves but many other nationalities that celebrate the Lunar Festival—the Vietnamese community and many others around this city that will be celebrating over the coming week. So, Gong Xi Fa Cai, and to all of the Chinese communities, we wish them a Happy New Year, and Chuc Mung Nam Moi for the Vietnamese communities and other communities.


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I just want to also announce of course that today the tickets go on sale for Liverpool versus Brisbane Roar. This is going to be a very significant event in our city in July. Obviously to have Liverpool coming to Brisbane and not going to Sydney or Melbourne is another feather in the cap of this city. We will see, I think, some terrific tourism opportunities, both intrastate and interstate particularly, but also some international we are hoping for as well, to see this game. I have no doubt it will be a sell-out, and it is a great opportunity for those who follow that code of football to get out there and really enjoy it. I'm sure Councillor CUMMING—oh, he is not here today. But I am sure Councillor CUMMING will be on the phone as will many others in this room.


LORD MAYOR: He's probably on the phone right now; that is probably right.

I just acknowledge also that 26 to 28 February is Flickerfest, the international short film festival, which will be held at the Judith Wright Centre and features many of Australia's best short films and a range of international films as well—that is, for those interested in that. The 14 th February saw the international One Billion Rising, which of course aims to mobilise, engage and awaken people worldwide to end violence against women. That was acknowledged on 14 February, just gone.

Also last week we saw the launch of Wicked in Brisbane for the second time. It was aborted when its season commenced last time because of the floods and the impact over at Southbank. So it is good to have Wicked back. I noticed that Bert Newton is not back, but Simon Gallagher, the former Brisbane boy—he used to play the piano at the old Crest when he was a teenager—he is back as the Wizard. So we welcome that to the city.

There are a few other matters I wanted to raise. I do want to acknowledge—I don’t normally do this—but Rob Merker has retired from Council after 50 years of service. What an amazing run, to come to an organisation and to work for 50 years in that organisation. So I just wish Rob well for his future.

The Brisbane Greeters—this is a program that was established in February 2012—has now grown to more than 200 in number. We were, as a city, the 27 th city to join the global network of greeters. There are now some 91 cities that are a part of that program. Our Brisbane Greeters, a group of volunteers, do a terrific job in welcoming people to our city, and they have now seen over 25,000 people, and made those people feel welcome in Brisbane by showing them around some of the highlights of our city.

With this predicted rain that is upon us, I again want to encourage all Councillors to encourage your constituents to sign up for the early warning alert service. About a year ago we had 60,000 people signed up for the service. It grew to about 80,000 just before the storm in November last year, and now it has grown to 100,000. With nearly 400,000 properties in the city, I would like to see that number grow substantially higher. It is a free service, as we all know. It is easy for people to either get online and sign up or to phone 3403 8888, and we can do it for people over the phone through the Contact Centre. I certainly encourage people to do that, to get that early warning alert, be it a thunderstorm, potential flooding, it could be a bushfire, whatever it might be.

I will go to the report itself. There are two items on the report today. The first of those is the contracts and tendering report. Item 1, there is the removal, design and replacement of the footbridge at Josling Street at Toowong. This has gone to BAC Technologies Pty Limited. They have been seen to have the best value for money. They were the lowest tendered price also.

The second one there has not gone to the cheapest tenderer. There has been an assessment undertaken, and Probuild Industries have been recommended as the best value for money in terms of this particular contract. They provide, we believe, the depth of knowledge that they need, and capacity to undertake that job restoring the Bowen Park Bandstand.


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The next one is the provision of asphalt maintenance truck bodies. That has gone to Ausroad Systems Pty Limited. They have achieved the highest value for money score also. Again, there was another tenderer that was a little bit cheaper—not very much—a little bit cheaper, but Ausroad's price is fixed for two years; the other one was only a fixed price for one year, the cheaper one. There were some other benefits that will accrue to the city out of the Ausroad offer as well, including a three-year warranty and 16-week delivery timeframe as opposed to a 42-week delivery timeframe, so significant difference there, and grounds for accepting the Ausroad contract as recommended by the Stores Board.

The next one is Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited have been recommended for the provision of managed print services. They achieved the highest value for money index, and they are also the lowest price in that category. The Human Resources Services - Projects and Development—that is a tender that is; About Your Transition, Adept Consulting Pty Limited, Australian Institute of Management, Bendelta, Bennett Consulting, Burst Development, CAMRYD Management Consulting, as well as Career Spa and Cause Effect Psychology—I will not read them all out. There is a whole list of them there that is in your report, and they all make up an acceptable panel arrangement in relation to that.

Number 6 is the Council Cabs and Personalised Public Transport (PPT). Black and White Cab Service has been successful to get the Council Cabs as the preferred supplier, and Yellow Cabs have won the Personalised Public Transport service. So the details are there for Councillors. I don't think there are any other specifics around that that need to be reported upon.

Number 7 is the supply and delivery of herbicides. Nuturf have been awarded a $57,000 contract there in this category. They tendered the lowest price and they have also achieved the highest value for money index. The National Heart Foundation of Australia have been awarded a contract for the provision within the community walking program. Again, that is a social enterprise; it is awarded under the Council's annual procurement policy and contracting plan. There is not much more I can tell you about that, other than the fact that the National Heart Foundation have been evaluated from past performances, and they have been again a good deliverer of that service, a specialised area.

The provision of services for the upgrade of VMware Infrastructure—

Chairman: LORD MAYOR, before you continue, your time has expired.

419/2014-15At that point, the LORD MAYOR was granted an extension of time on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor Krista ADAMS.

LORD MAYOR: Yes, thanks, Madam Chairman. So VM—sorry, Dimension Data Pty Limited I should say, Madam Chairman, are the awardee of the contract, $107,000. They achieved the best value for money, index score and also they were the lowest tenderer as well in that area. Data Three missed out. They were a much lower value for money index.

Technology One Limited received the next contract, number 10, and this was for stage 1, provision of the consultancy services to deliver a proof of capability, high level design and business case for local government systems. They achieved the highest non-price score in the evaluations. One tenderer was lower in price, but overall because of the non-price score, Technology One became the recommendation from the Stores Board in this case.

Contract number 11 was one that went to AGL Sales (Queensland) Pty Limited. This is for Council's future requirements of natural gas and CNG refuelling facilities maintenance services, but the AGL Sales contract will provide the ongoing fuel requirements that Council does need. So that's a $13.9 million contract there for the natural gas supplies to our bus services.

Number 12 is the supply and delivery of Sakai GW750-2—it's a vibratory multi-tyre roller. That is Clark Equipment Sales Pty Limited. That contract has been


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entered into without competitive tendering from industry in accordance with section 2.4 as stated in the report. So, to give a little bit more detail in relation to this one, they are able to achieve the same road compaction as much larger water ballasted machines which result in significant operational benefits. So the engineers advise that, for example, the vibratory multi-tyred rollers do not need mobile water tankers to support their operation.

Council conducted a competitive tendering process back in 2014 which included a category for vibratory multi-tyred rollers, and there were no tenders received in this category. Clark Equipment Sales Pty Limited was identified as the only supplier of vibratory multi-tyred rollers in Australia.

The final contract, number 13, is for Accommodation Space Management System, Annual Support and Maintenance. ICAD Consultants Pty Limited received that contract for $120,000. Again, there is a bit of detail there. I won't re-read it, but it is in the report which tells why ICAD were the successful proponent in that particular area.

The other item on the agenda is a requirement that has come about from a change to the City of Brisbane Act in 2010. This is the first time in my 30 years this year, of time in this place as an elected representative on the Brisbane City Council where the requirement is for the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the full Council. It has never been the case before, but the Act in 2010 now makes this a requirement. As you can see from the report, Mr Jensen's contract will conclude at the end of this year—or getting towards the end of this year. The date is stated there in the report; it is 8 August 2015 when the contract is completed.

There is a requirement that we provide six months prior notice to the end of the contract in regards to our intention to extend that employee's contract. So this matter is in this Council today to be dealt with. I would just report this to the Council; Mr Jensen I believe has been an excellent CEO. He has particularly shone during times where we have been required to undertake disaster recovery, and we have done quite a bit of that in the last few years—quite a bit, with significant storms, flood events and the like. The experience that he has brought to the table, the dedication that he has brought also by way of many nights actually sleeping on the job here, and during the flood event it was over a considerable period of days before he returned home, where he actually slept at the premises.


LORD MAYOR: Yes, it is funny, Councillor JOHNSTON. The G20 was another incident where again the CEO, certainly with the able assistance of Mr Peter Rule, who has now retired from Council, but again the attention to detail around that, and the inter-governmental workings were extremely strong.

I believe that he has had a very good record within the organisation itself. He has been able to identify and achieve efficiencies to drive value for money for the ratepayers of this city. His background, of course, when he came to this place was as the Coordinator-General for the Queensland Government. He held that position primarily under the Bligh Government. I regard him as a professional public servant. He is the sort of person that could work easily, and has worked easily, with no matter what political colour might be in place. He has worked for governments across the board.

He has been acknowledged as the QUT Alumni of the Year. He has the confidence of the Civic Cabinet. I think, also importantly, he has the respect of staff within this organisation. He has a good rapport with the staff, and I make sure that I observe these things just in terms of the ease in which people feel that they can come and speak with the CEO. This is a big organisation. This organisation, of course, is the largest local authority in Australia. It has a resident constituency of 1,089,000 people. That compares with the City of Melbourne at 100,600; it compares with the City of Sydney which is 180,400.

We have a budget of just under $3 billion, compared to the City of Melbourne which has a budget of $469 million, and the City of Sydney with a budget of


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$612 million. We have 7,500 employees within the organisation, compared to Melbourne with 1,309 and compared to Sydney's 1,895. We cover an area of 1367 kilometres compared to Melbourne's 36 and Sydney's 25 kilometres. So, on every measure, this job, in terms of local government, is a standout job. There is nothing that compares with it around Australia.

Local authorities around this country also look to our Council in terms of what we do. That carries another burden, I suppose, in terms of the role of CEO. Many other local authorities look to the leadership of this Council as part and parcel of those responsibilities as well. Again, Madam Chairman, this is, as I say, the first time that we have had to bring this matter to the Chamber. But we do so today, and it is here for recommendation to all Councillors.

Chairman: Further debate; Councillor JOHNSTON.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes, Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on item B. Madam Chairman, I do not share the LORD MAYOR's confidence in the CEO of our city. I have made that very clear on a number of occasions. Ah, yes, and he is telling you all to be quiet. Well, that's good, so you can hear what I've got to say.

I do not share the confidence the LORD MAYOR has in the CEO of this city. I note today that the LORD MAYOR spent 15 minutes dissembling about contracts approved by Council officers, avoiding discussion of this matter before us today. It is the most significant matter this Council will consider, and we are being short-changed by the LORD MAYOR's failure to include critical information about this new contract in the Council papers today.

I am concerned firstly that there is secrecy around the appointment of the CEO and the renewal of this contract. There is no disclosure about his salary; there is no—

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, can I just refer you to the item, particularly paragraph 11 and also under the draft resolution, the second section, paragraph 2 which explains exactly what the process is under the City of Brisbane Act? This is purely the appointment of the person. The terms and conditions under the Act on the very last paragraph, on page six, explains the rest of it. So this is purely the appointment of Mr Jensen.

Councillor JOHNSTON: And is he doing the job for free, Madam Chairman, is he? Because that's the question—

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON!

Councillor JOHNSTON: —I need to ask in this place. I am speaking about that very matter which is the contract. I would like to use my 10 minutes to have a serious and professional debate about this matter, and that is what I am doing under the provisions of the material—

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON—

Councillor JOHNSTON: —put forward to us today.

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, you will speak to the item in accordance with the rules of this Chamber, and that is what the content of this item is, which is purely the appointment of Mr Jensen. It is the appointment of a person to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Again I refer you to those two paragraphs, 11 and then the second section, paragraph two on page six.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Madam Chairman, this is about his contract. It is very clear in every paragraph we are doing here that this is about appointing him to his role as Chief Executive Officer and offering him a new five-year contract. Madam Chairman, I can see you do not want me to speak about this, but I am extremely concerned that the LORD MAYOR has not been upfront about the conditions and the terms of this contract. It is not reasonable that these matters are kept secret. The idea of the change to the City of Brisbane Act was to ensure that there was transparency in this process, and the spirit and intent of the City of Brisbane Act is being circumvented here today.


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I am extremely concerned that there is no file available to any Councillor who is not in Civic Cabinet before us today to find out what the conditions of this contract are. They have not been made available to me; they are not available on the files, and we are being asked to endorse a—who knows, it could even be a multi-million dollar contract; I don't know, because the LORD MAYOR didn’t say in his very brief comments today, and it is not available on the files.

Let me say; the first concern I have relates to the secrecy and the lack of transparency and accountability by this LORD MAYOR and this Civic Cabinet when it comes to the expenditure of ratepayers' money. That is my first concern. If the LORD MAYOR wants to stand up and tell me that the CEO is doing this for free, Madam Chairman, I will withdraw it all and I'll resign on the spot. I will resign on the spot if he is going to tell me this is a contract the CEO is doing for free.

Now, that is an obvious shortcoming in this process, and that is not good enough. That rests squarely with the LORD MAYOR of this city and his failure to honour the intent of the City of Brisbane Act which was to make this a transparent process. For all of the reasons the LORD MAYOR has said here today about the size of this city, its significance in our country, in our state, to our city, with all of the people we employ, everybody—all of the ratepayers that contribute—they deserve scrutiny of this decision, and they deserve some transparency. That is not an unreasonable request to make. That was the intent of the City of Brisbane Act.

We can see that, as they have done year after year, this LNP Administration wants to hide this information from the ratepayers of the city. They want to dissemble and avoid and deflect dealing with the serious issues of this city. When a simple question is asked about the terms of the contract and the appointment we are making today, I am criticised. That is not acceptable, Madam Chairman. I am here to stand up for the residents of this city that voted for me and to undertake a proper process of scrutiny before I vote on a matter. That is not possible because of the secrecy by this Administration. That is my first concern.

My second concern relates to the statement in the matter before us today that Mr Jensen is both a suitably qualified person and—glowing endorsement—has performed his work to a more than satisfactory standard. I strongly dispute those matters. I believe this has been one of the most divisive and incompetent periods of administration in this city's history under this LORD MAYOR and the former Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman.

We have seen the following; in 2012, the Queensland Ombudsman made a seriously adverse finding about the CEO of this Council and his Chief Legal Officer relating to the Code of Conduct Review process. He stated that they had lied to him and that they were wrong in law in the way they were administering the City of Brisbane Act. This LORD MAYOR stood up and waved that off with no checks and balances, with no oversight, and he ignored the Queensland Ombudsman.

In 2014, the Queensland Ombudsman again made an adverse finding about the CEO of Council who had been acting contrary to law by refusing to release files about local ward matters which he is required to do under the City of Brisbane Act to me. Again, the LORD MAYOR of this city waved off the CEO's responsibilities under the City of Brisbane Act. To me, this does not amount to a satisfactory standard. This is the person who sits in judgment of others under the City of Brisbane Act. When the State's oversight body suggests there is a problem with the way he is administering the Act, there is no action taken—none. That is not good enough, Madam Chairman. That is not the action of a suitably qualified person.

I am also concerned about the following; the budget blowout under the Administration of this CEO. The poor delegation procedures that have—

Chairman: Councillor—

Councillor JOHNSTON: —been put in place, Madam Chairman.


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Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, you are straying well and truly away from the item.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Madam Chairman, I am outlining my reasons as to why he is not a suitably qualified person and has not performed to a satisfactory standard, which are the two criteria that we are given for this contract.

I am concerned, as I have been on every occasion when new delegation powers have come to this place, that they are being inappropriately given, and we are losing oversight in this Chamber for the management of this Council and its significant financial and operational responsibilities. That is a concern to me, and for the last three weeks we have debated those failings at a very grass roots level. That is not good enough.

I am extremely concerned about the failure of maintenance and service delivery in our suburbs. I am stunned—stunned—that this LORD MAYOR is pointing to disaster recovery at a time when he and his CEO, as the Council papers before us today are showing, has not put a single cent into the rehabilitation and recovery of our suburbs after the super cell storm in November last year. Read the answers to the Questions on Notice if you are unclear, LORD MAYOR. Let me be clear: I will read from the Questions on Notice. This is what Councillor McLACHLAN told us today in Committee as well. The funding for recovery works is being primarily funded from operational budget. If this is something that this LORD MAYOR is proud of, that is fine, but I am not. The CEO of this Council has an obligation to be suggesting where we need to put resources to ensure recovery after natural disasters and events.

The LORD MAYOR might praise his work during the floods—and I can tell you it was not that crash hot out my way—and it seems we have not learnt the lessons after the super cell storm in November. This Administration is not putting one extra cent beyond the existing resources that our local officers have—

Councillor ADAMS: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor JOHNSTON; yes, Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Local services, front line services, all that Councillor JOHNSTON continues to scream at us about, is not in this report.

Chairman: No, that's right, Councillor ADAMS. I don't understand how Councillor JOHNSTON can be referring a lot of what she is saying to the appointment of the CEO. Councillor JOHNSTON, get back to the item.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Well, Madam Chairman, the LORD MAYOR claimed it was one of the reasons that he had performed excellently, and I presume satisfactorily as per the contract. But I can understand you do not want me to have a different view, but I do.

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, I ask you to withdraw that comment.

Councillor JOHNSTON: What?

Chairman: Withdraw the comment.

Councillor JOHNSTON: I don't know what you want me to withdraw.

Chairman: You're claiming that I don't want you to have a different opinion. That's not what this Chamber is about. There are rules in this Chamber as to how you speak to items and what you speak to. What I am asking you to do is to get back to the content of this item that we are discussing.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman, and as I was saying, I do not believe that the CEO of Council has performed his duties to a satisfactory standard. I am pointing to the recent super cell storm recovery event as an example of that.

Any competent CEO and Administration in my view would ensure that there is the funding and the resources, as we have heard from Councillor ADAMS herself here today, invested into the needs of this city. We can see on the ground that is not happening. That does this Council no credit in the community that I


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represent, and I am extremely concerned that we will not see recovery in our suburban areas for years. To me, that does not arise to a satisfactory standard.

For both reasons that I have outlined here today, I do not support this contract. I note that the contract itself has been referred to us today by the CEO's subordinate. I would have thought a proper process might involve the Public Service Commission and perhaps some independent scrutiny of this role, but that has not happened. It is a significant appointment. It is an important appointment. We have fast-tracked it at the first available opportunity. We have failed as a Council to disclose the significant conditions around it, and we are not even allowed to have a proper debate in this place about whether the merits of the matter before us are significant or not.

I am extremely concerned that this decision is short-sighted; it is rushed, and I am extremely disappointed that, when the serious issues around the governance of this Council have been raised, particularly where they are within the direct responsibility of the CEO, and independent oversight agency has—

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, your time has expired. Further debate; Councillor HOWARD.

Councillor HOWARD: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I would like the opportunity to comment on item A in the E&C Report in regard to the Bowen Park Bandstand upgrade. We on this side of the Chamber are committed to ensuring that much of our vibrant and colourful past is preserved for our children and our grandchildren to appreciate. So we are very pleased that work has started on the 100-year-old heritage-listed bandstand in Bowen Park, Herston.

Bowen Park is important as one of Brisbane's first public gardens and has been in continuous use as a cultural and recreational destination since 1863. The park occupies an extraordinarily prominent gateway location to the inner city, and with its ornamental planting beds, stone walls—


Chairman: Point of order against you; yes, Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SUTTON: It's not that I have any problem with what Councillor HOWARD is saying. However, my clear recollection when contracts to do with things like the Bulimba Ferry Terminal or the Shorncliffe Pier or any other such project style of contracts that come to this Council for approval, you have taken a very strong position on that, that we were not able to talk about the project in general terms, only to talk about the awarding of the project. That has been my very clear recollection of your very consistent ruling when it comes to debate on contracts.

I ask if you are changing that position to allow Councillor HOWARD to speak on this subject today. As I said, I have no problem with the content, other than perhaps it's better placed in General Business. I just seek guidance in terms of your position for this meeting and in future meetings.

Chairman: That was more a speech than a point of order, Councillor SUTTON—

Councillor SUTTON: Well, I just—

Chairman: —and I don't appreciate the manner in which you raise these issues. You could have simply asked if it was relevant, to which point I would say this report is about the actual allocation of a contract and the companies that have tendered for the work. My rulings have not changed. Councillor HOWARD—to the actual contract, please.

Councillor HOWARD: Thank you, Madam Chairman.


Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor HOWARD; yes, Councillor SUTTON.

Dissent motion


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420/2014-15Councillor Shayne SUTTON moved, seconded by Councillor Victoria NEWTON, that the Chairman’s ruling be dissented from. Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion of dissent was declared lost on the voices.

Chairman: I would just repeat, Councillor SUTTON, if you bothered to listen, that I called Councillor HOWARD back to the contract. Councillor HOWARD, to the contract.

Councillor HOWARD: Thank you, Madam Chairman, and I will certainly speak to the contract because I am delighted to see that this contract has been approved so that the work can happen, as I said, in one of our much-loved parks.

I was very nearly to the end of my speech when I was interrupted. So, can I just thank Councillor BOURKE and the LORD MAYOR, for prioritising this important work on the band stand. I know that it will be very much looked forward to by my residents. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate; Councillor DICK.

Seriatim—Clauses A and BCouncillor Milton DICK requested that Clause A, CONTRACTS AND TENDERING – REPORT TO COUNCIL OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR DECEMBER 2014; and Clause B, APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF COUNCIL, be taken seriatim for voting purposes.

Chairman: Yes.

Councillor DICK: Look, I just want to start on item A, and I need to be very clear, because what I found in Question Time today, unless I get on my feet and say we will not be supporting something, that somehow doesn’t count. Or by voting against an item, and when we call a Division, and I stand and say no when you call ayes and I say no, that apparently isn’t strong enough. So, today, Madam Chair—that's what the LORD MAYOR was saying when he sort of used those weasel words about the grass contract.

Well, today, Madam Chair, I want to be very clear on behalf of Labor Councillors: I will not be supporting the contractors. I will not be supporting the awarding of these contracts, and I will outline why I won't be supporting these contracts today. The first point is: what we've learnt is—and we learnt this lesson very clearly last week; it's been a pattern for the last, I guess, couple of years when these contracts come in—the LORD MAYOR will get up and he will read about two or three sentences of the contracts in front of him, and then say, that's enough. Then today he said, I don't even know what that one is, whatever that is. That is fair enough; he's not across all those details, I get that.

But we also heard the LORD MAYOR say today, regarding a previous contract which I won't talk about, well, some contractors will be paid, some won't be. Well, Madam Chair, why on earth are we awarding contracts that may be paid or may not be paid? Let's get serious. Before Councillor SIMMONDS gets us and says, you haven’t asked for any information—well, you don't provide any information anyway, Councillor SIMMONDS, when you’re asked—Madam Chair, I did ask for information. I want to be very, very clear about this.

This is how Orwellian this Council has become. So I did the right thing and requested the detailed information for the following contracts. Contract no. 510018, the provision of managed print services, Council Cabs, upgrade of VM Infrastructure, provision of consultancy services, high level design and business case for local government services, supply of compressed natural gas—because we know that this Council does not have a good track record with facilities exploding on buses—a contract of the maintenance and supply, and accommodation space for management system, annual support and maintenance.

I don't trust the advice that I get from this LNP Council, and neither do the ratepayers. They award contracts to cut grass to companies that don’t have mowers; they award contracts to CityCycle which don't work. I wanted that


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information. True to form, you couldn’t make this stuff up. So, did the right thing. Like last week, when we got the grass cutting contract and we got it at 10 minutes to 2pm, this week was a little better. I wanted this information to make, as the LORD MAYOR says, an informed decision—choices have to be made in this Chamber.

Madam Chair, I bring your attention to the email I received. Dear Councillor Dick, on 13 February you lodged a request to view files relating to clause A, contracts and tendering report to the Council of contracts accepted to delegates for December 2014. Wait for it—I am pleased to advise that the records have been located and will be available for viewing of the information. This is for an item we are voting on now. That is situated at level 17, Brisbane Square. Do you know what time I got that email? 2.01pm.


Councillor DICK: 2.01pm.


Councillor DICK: They are laughing on that side of the Chamber, because they think it's cute. They think it's funny. They think it's hilarious that, when the Opposition want to do their job, when we call for the files to make the decision, it's all a big joke, it's all a big laugh. We'll trick Councillor DICK; we'll trick the Labor Opposition so they can't ask the questions. Well, it's pathetic. It is absolutely pathetic how you run, through you, Madam Chair, this process.

Afraid of scrutiny and so arrogant, drunk on power after 12 long years and someone who's sat in this Chamber for the last 30 years, completely arrogant.

Chairman: Councillor DICK, I'm just wondering if you're intending to speak on any of the actual issues here, given one of your—


Chairman: Councillor SUTTON! Given the interjections that I had earlier in relation to Councillor HOWARD's speech, I haven’t heard you address anything in this report as yet.

Councillor DICK: Okay, Madam Chair; I take your direction and simply say, yes, we would like more information about these contracts. Through you to the LORD MAYOR and the arrogant LNP Civic Cabinet, do your job; provide us with the information so we can do our job. That's very simple. Because until they start doing that, we won't be supporting the contracts, because we have no confidence or faith in this Administration to deliver contracts on time or within budget.

I turn to item B. I will take a slightly different approach to the awarding of this decision today. I will be very, very clear on this of what Labor's position is. We have no problem with the LNP Council or the Administration of the day to determine who fills this important role within the Brisbane City Council. We are being asked to make a significant decision today on who will head our city—who will head our public service who provide a fantastic service for the people of Brisbane. That is the decision we are asking today. We are also being asked to delegate, as you pointed out earlier today—we are voting on a resolution to delegate the negotiation of terms and conditions of the contract to the E&C Committee. So two decisions that we've got to make today.

We don't have a problem with the LNP Administration or the Administration of the day determining who fills this important role. As a result of the City of Brisbane Act changes in 2010, this was a requirement. So this has never happened before. This is not something the LNP Council wanted or, as I understand, requested. I think at the time, it would be interesting to go back and I am pretty sure that the then Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman, didn’t want this either. But that's another story for another day, Madam Chair. Nonetheless, that is the law that we are dealing with, and we have to make that decision today.

This side of the Chamber—and I am speaking solely on behalf of Labor Councillors—don't have a problem with the LNP using their powers to appoint a suitable person, and we do believe that Mr Jensen brings extensive experience to


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the role. But I want to say that this important position today we are asked to vote on, we need to make sure that there is integrity in the appointment process.

I said to Fairfax media last night that I believe we should have more bipartisan input into these sorts of significant appointments. That may be something that we can discuss further with the LORD MAYOR. I would be very keen to discuss with him about some sort of panel arrangement or some sort of involvement, rather than a pure political decision. I think it would be wise for us to go down that path, because at the end of the day, this side of the Chamber wants to play a constructive role in working alongside our Council officers.

But I do have a very different view that any executive bonuses or allowances should be made public to the ratepayers of our city. We are talking millions of dollars, and I believe that they should be regularly reported—not made behind closed doors and kept locked up by the Civic Cabinet, but a full and open process. Because, at the end of the day, it's not our money; it's ratepayers' money. We are privileged to serve in this place, and privileged to represent the ratepayers of Brisbane. I certainly believe we should have an open and transparent when it comes to conditions and all of those extra bonuses.

The only way we find out about is when I place Questions on Notice. It is not anything that the LNP fess up or come forward on or want to release; they are forced to release by me putting Questions on Notice. That's their choice; they choose not to do that. But when we are talking significant appointments, the CEO needs to be above party politics. That's what Labor Councillors see on this side of the Chamber. We want to make sure that they have the full force of that office to do their job in an impartial way. The best way to do that is to involve both sides of the Chamber, that we involve in a bipartisan approach, so that we not only continue to get the best people for the job, but whether it be the Code of Conduct panel or whatever the CEOs have to—those difficult positions to be put in, under no circumstances of their own doing—that they have the confidence and full support of this Council Chamber.

So, whilst the Labor Councillors acknowledge that it is the LNP's right to choose who they wish, we will be abstaining on this item today. We will not be opposing Mr Jensen's appointment.


Councillor DICK: Well, it is up for others to determine how they want to vote, but we will not be opposing Mr Jensen's appointment today. But simply, two or three pages of information and delegating those conditions off to the E&C means we cannot support that item in the report today.

Chairman: Councillor DICK, your time has expired. Further debate; Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair, and I rise to speak on item A, the contracts and tendering. I love hearing the bluster and the pomp and the ceremony we hear every time we hear contracts and tendering, that how dare all the research and the work not be delivered in a beautiful form for Councillor DICK to peruse at his own time and when he's ready for it. I am sure, Madam Chair, you and many other Councillors on this side have been in Opposition—


Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor ADAMS; yes, Councillor DICK.

Councillor DICK: I was pulled up for not being specific—

Chairman: Yes, after about five minutes, Councillor DICK, thank you.

Councillor DICK: No one pulled me up, but I'm pulling her up now.

Chairman: Thank you, Councillor DICK. I don't uphold your point of order.

Chairman: Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair; I am sure there are some Councillors—

Chairman: And welcome, Councillor CUMMING.


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Councillor ADAMS: —on this side of the Chamber who have spent many hours poring over files that they had to sift through up on that level as well, not wait for it to be delivered as well. But no Hansard, no records, no nothing.

Chairman: Okay, Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: I take offence personally to the attack of the secrecy and the personal—

Councillor NEWTON: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor ADAMS; yes, Councillor NEWTON.

Councillor NEWTON: I just believe Councillor ADAMS is misleading the Chamber. At no time did Councillor DICK ask for the files to be delivered. He asked access to peruse the files, as has been the—

Chairman: Thank you, Councillor NEWTON.

Councillor NEWTON: —that was what he asked for, not to receive them delivered to him in any way, shape or form.

Chairman: It's a spurious point of order. Councillor ADAMS, please, to the item.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair. We were called every name under the sun, as this Administration, as we are every week, and I would just like to put on the record—


Councillor ADAMS: —that those Councillors opposite sitting there saying—

Chairman: Just a minute, Councillor ADAMS. Councillor CUMMING, withdraw that comment.


Chairman: No, do it properly, please.

Councillor CUMMING: I withdraw that comment, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Thank you.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Point of order, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Yes, Councillor JOHNSTON, point of order.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Madam Chairman, I believe Councillor ADAMS is misleading the Chamber. In 2014, the Queensland Ombudsman specifically criticised the CEO—

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, resume your seat.

Councillor JOHNSTON: —as acting contrary to your—

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON—

Councillor JOHNSTON: —by refusing to release local files to me—

Chairman: —that is not a valid point of order.

Councillor JOHNSTON: —about a road upgrade in Tennyson Ward.

Chairman: Resume your seat.

Warning – Councillor Nicole JohnstonThe Chairman then formally warned Councillor JOHNSTON that unless she desisted from interjecting and defying her rulings she would be suspended from the service of the Council for a period of up to eight days. Furthermore, Councillor JOHNSTON was warned that, if she were suspended, she must immediately leave the meeting place and must remain away from all meeting places for the period of the suspension.

Chairman: It's high time you learnt how to obey the rules of this Chamber, because that's what this place is all about. It's about doing the business of this city, but doing it in an orderly manner, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, and the rules that have existed in this place for many years. That goes for all of you. I will not


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tolerate the sort of behaviour that we have seen today. Thank you, Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair. What I wanted to draw to the attention of Councillor DICK is that he didn’t need to call the files to sift through; he could have spoken to somebody else on his side of the Chamber. Maybe the two Councillors that sit every week in my Committee who had a full presentation in Committee on the review and the procurement of the Council Cabs. It is no secret. It was very, very clearly explained, and followed with a letter in December to Councillor DICK personally explaining the new contracts and Council Cabs in his ward. I am very disappointed to hear—


Chairman: Order!

Councillor ADAMS: —that he is not going to support three new changes to Council Cabs in his ward under this contract, but that is what we come to expect: politics over community, week in, week out.


Chairman: Order!

Councillor ADAMS: What did we see in Committee? I want to make it very clear for those opposite who believe there are secrecies and that secret deals are happening behind the background. We went through this. I will read through the notes. The purpose of this presentation is to provide you with the outcomes of a review undertaken by Council Cabs and PPT and to inform—


Chairman: Order!

Councillor ADAMS: —the procurement process as the contracts for these services expire in 2014. It was very clear—and Councillor NEWTON and Councillor GRIFFITHS have a copy of this presentation. They get one every week after the presentation.


Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor ADAMS; yes, Councillor DICK.

Councillor DICK: Look, Madam Chair, a Committee presentation from late last year is not relevant to this contract we are dealing with today.

Chairman: Councillor DICK, I am sorry, but I can't uphold that point of order. After what you have said, after what is in this particular issue with a contract, it is a bit hard to say that what Councillor ADAMS has said is not relevant. I cannot accept that point of order. Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair. The tender was advertised in October; the tenders closed at the end of October. They were evaluated in October-November. Approvals were received by early December. We had a Committee presentation late last year—2 December. The last Committee presentation of the year made it very clear what was happening with the contracts, tendering and delivery of Council Cabs and PPT.

We went through the review outcomes. We talked about the 14 new suburbs that we were getting in Council Cabs, including Carol Park, Inala and Richlands. I am sure Councillor CUMMING would also be upset that he has obviously been told not to support Wynnum, Wynnum West, Wynnum North, Lota, Manly, and Manly West, but then again, he lost the letter I sent and had to ask for it again last week, and then had to speak to the Council officers to say, what's Council Cabs? Have I got that now, and how does that work? How do you make a booking for that?

I am absolutely gobsmacked at Councillor CUMMING's lack of knowledge on Council Cabs, and the lack of work on this side for the teams who come and sit in Committee presentations, ask for the Committee presentations, and then say that they know nothing about what is coming to this Council Chamber. I continue on the presentation: new suburbs, new services, review outcomes. No


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changes to current fare. Community transport encouraged to tender for Council Cabs. Communication plan will be delivered. No changes to the current services and routes for PPT and Cabs.

The procurement process on a slide—date and how it operates. I don't know how more clear I can be without spoon-feeding it to them week in and week out. We are not secretive. We are getting on with the job and delivering for Brisbane.

Chairman: Further debate; Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SUTTON: Thank you, Madam Chair; I rise to speak on item A, the contracts and tendering. It appears after that speech there are two people in this Council Chamber that are gobsmacked this afternoon—Councillor ADAMS being one, and me following her speech being the second. I am absolutely gobsmacked at the fact that a Councillor in this place who has never actually spent any time on the Opposition benches, who has never actually had the opportunity—

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, are you speaking to the item?

Councillor SUTTON: Yes, Madam Chair, I am.

Chairman: Well, please get to it.

Councillor SUTTON: But I am also entering the debate and to debate some of the points that have been put forward as part of this debate in the Council Chamber this afternoon. So I do want to refute a couple of items that have been said in this debate. Committee presentations, which were just spoken about at length, are obviously a subject of debate when we are talking about our contracts, based on Councillor ADAMS' speech that she has just given.

Last week I was absent from this Chamber because I was reviewing a contract—

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, I don't care what you were doing last week. You can speak to this report or you can sit down.

Councillor SUTTON: Well, Madam Chair, my point being is, when I was absent, I was reprimanded. Now, if a Labor Councillor had wanted to review the files on these contracts to be debated this afternoon, they would have had to be absent from this Chamber in order to get the information. Anyone out there concerned about the quality of debate that is happening on the contracts and tendering needs to look fairly and squarely at this LNP Administration's handling of the access to information about these contracts, because there has been no access to information. Despite the fact what Councillor ADAMS says, that presentation from my understanding of it did not contain any comments by the panellists assessing the tendering. It did not include any detailed information about the tendered rates of the Council Cabs. It did not include any detailed information about the performance of the current tenderers.

These are all issues and information that is only found in the file specifically related to those tender documents. That is one contract Councillor ADAMS could identify—one out of the 15 that are coming to Council today; one out of 15. We have said, for a long time, the level of information and the access to information that this Opposition is able to gain access to in a timely manner is not appropriate.

It is even worse when a Councillor who finally does get access to that information, 10 minutes before the start of the meeting, is reprimanded for being absent so she can debate an item of business before this Chamber in an informed way, and then, to add insult to injury, one week later we get access to these files after the Council meeting commences. If anybody over that side of the Chamber can stand up and hand on their heart say that this is truly an open and accountable Administration, when access to requested information is only provided after the meeting opens—there are serious contracts that we wanted answers on before this debate commenced.

This Administration has had in the past issues with its maintenance of our compressed natural gas refuelling facilities. We have had exploding gas cylinders. So, in order to do my job for the ratepayers of Brisbane, I would have loved to be able to get in to have a look at those tender documents—and


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Councillor SIMMONDS, I will take the interjection. He's ready to jump in his DeLorean too and turn on the flux capacitor and start saying: Chariots of Fire, because we all know how much he loved the movie and how much he loves his predecessor, Councillor Prentice—

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, I don't know what you're talking about, but please get back to the item.

Councillor SUTTON: Yes, Madam Chair, I am sure that you will hear in a minute from Councillor SIMMONDS exactly what I am talking about, because he wants to take us back to the future as well. Well, I am not interested in Brisbane's past; I am interested in Brisbane's future. I am interested in—

LORD MAYOR: Point of order, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SUTTON: —what this Administration—

LORD MAYOR: Point of order.

Chairman: Just a minute. Order! Yes, LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: If Councillor SUTTON is interested in Brisbane's future, how does that then relate to her lack of citywide perspective—

Chairman: Thank you, LORD MAYOR, thank you.


Chairman: Order! Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SUTTON: Madam Chair, how are you going to rule on that point of order?

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, I am sick and tired of the constant questioning of my rulings. This is the LORD MAYOR of this city. The LORD MAYOR got up and asked a question, and I am allowing his point of order. Now, get on with your debate and stop questioning my rulings.


Chairman: Yes, Councillor DICK.

Councillor DICK: Just so that we're clear for future—

Chairman: Oh, here we go again.

Councillor DICK: Yes, we do, Madam Chair. Just so that we're clear, so when the LORD MAYOR of this city wants to ask a question at any time, you will permit it?

Chairman: I will determine what can be asked, depending on the circumstances and the issue at the time. I will follow the rules as I always have, and I will not tolerate this ongoing questioning of every decision I make in this Chair.


Chairman: Get your book out; start learning not only about the Rules of Procedure in this place but a little bit about common courtesy and decency as well. It would do you a lot of good.

Councillor FLESSER: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Yes, Councillor FLESSER.

Councillor FLESSER: Madam Chair, I wonder if you could direct the Chamber to where in the rules it says the LORD MAYOR can just get up and ask a question whenever he likes? Where is that in the rules?

Chairman: If it is not in the rules—


Chairman: You're on a warning. If it is not in the rules, the Chairman has the say.



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Chairman: They do, and Councillor JOHNSTON—Councillor JOHNSTON, you have already been warned that you may be suspended for a period of up to eight days.

Chairman: LORD MAYOR, can I please call on you to move that Councillor JOHNSTON be suspended for a period of eight days.

Motion for suspension of Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON:

421/2014-15The LORD MAYOR moved, seconded by Councillor Krista ADAMS, that Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON be suspended from the service of Council for a period of 8 days.

Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion was declared carried on the voices.

Thereupon, Councillors Shayne SUTTON and Victoria NEWTON immediately rose and called for a division, which resulted in the motion being declared carried.

The voting was as follows:

AYES: 18 - The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK and Councillors Krista ADAMS, Matthew BOURKE, Amanda COOPER, Margaret de WIT, Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX, Peter MATIC, Ian McKENZIE, David McLACHLAN, Ryan MURPHY, Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, Julian SIMMONDS, Andrew WINES and Norm WYNDHAM.

NOES: 8 - The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON, Shayne SUTTON and Nicole JOHNSTON.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Just to be clear, Madam Chairman, you have made that rule up. It is not in the procedure. I want it recorded on the record. You haven’t followed any of the Rules of Procedure with respect to that question today.

Chairman: Please leave the Chamber, Councillor JOHNSTON.

Councillor JOHNSTON: And that, Madam Chairman, is very disappointing.

Chairman: You are suspended; leave the Chamber—and all meeting places for a period of eight days.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes, I got it. I'll let you make up the rules—

Chairman: Leave the Chamber, Councillor JOHNSTON.

Councillor JOHNSTON: —I'm disgusted, everyone can see, it's going to take me a minute.

Councillor SUTTON: Madam Chair, can I ask how much time I have left?

LORD MAYOR: We’ll give you an extension.

Chairman: Okay, Councillor SUTTON.

LORD MAYOR: Point of order, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Yes, LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: Madam Chairman, just to the point that was occurring. I can ask a question, but Councillor SUTTON doesn’t need to take that question. That is the point. But I am entitled to ask a question.


Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: I apologise. I may have jumped the gun there, Madam Chairman. I apologise for that, for seeking whether you would want to take the question.


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Chairman: Thank you, LORD MAYOR. Thank you—Councillor SUTTON. Are you still speaking?

Councillor SUTTON: I would like to continue my speech. Can I just get an indication of how much time I have left?

Chairman: Four minutes.

Councillor SUTTON: Okay, thank you, Madam Chair. I guess the last few minutes have been a bit dramatic, and I guess in terms of getting back to this item, because no amount of drama I guess can hide the fact that there are contracts before this Chamber today worth tens of millions of dollars. The Labor Councillors have requested access to the files so that we can get further information about the detail of a number of these contracts. That is important, particularly in the context where we have seen in recent times, problems with other contracts that have been entered into by this LNP Administration.

We believe it is important in the interests of open and accountable government that we be given access to these files in a timely manner that allows us to scrutinise their details. If this Administration has nothing to hide, they should have nothing to fear. But what we found last week is when the details of these contracts are exposed—

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, we are not talking about the contracts of last week. We are talking about contracts that were delegated to officers in December last year. We are not talking about last week. Please stick to this report.

Councillor SUTTON: Yes, Madam Chair. What I am talking about is a pattern of behaviour, a standard operating procedure when it comes to allowing access to this information.

Chairman: If you want to do General Business on that matter, you are quite welcome to, but please either talk to the delegated contracts of last December or resume your seat.

Councillor SUTTON: Well, Madam Chair, with respect, I actually asked about Councillor HOWARD and the extent to which she was allowed to talk about—

Chairman: Yes, and I brought her back to order, and once again you are questioning my rulings.

Councillor SUTTON: Well, Madam Chair, I understand that these contracts are of reasonable political sensitivity to this Administration, but that should not prohibit a debate. What is prohibiting the debate and me talking further about the detail of these contracts is the fact that I have not been given access to the information about it. So when I enter the debate to talk about the secrecy, to talk about the lack of openness and accountability when it comes to these contracts that are here before us today, I think that is a relevant point of debate. I would like to be able to talk in detail about each of these contracts.

I have done everything within the current process to try to have access to that information so we can participate in that level of debate, but unfortunately the actions of this LNP Administration have prevented that. That is a matter that I believe should be placed on the public record when it comes to debating these contracts.

We have had serious issues with a number of our contracts, and if the public is to have confidence in what this Council is approving today, they deserve to be able to have their representatives scrutinise it. It is not good enough for those records to only become available at one minute past 2pm, after this Council meeting has commenced, and particularly with the view that you, yourself, as Chairman, reprimanded me for being absent from the Chamber last week when I was in fact checking the file of a contract that had only become available at 10 minutes to 2pm.

Something has to change in this process. It will be a measure of the LORD MAYOR and his determination to achieve open and accountable government and to allow the public to fully scrutinise his decisions if he is going to make that change today for the future, going from hereon in. That is my challenge to LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK today: change the process; make


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all of these contracts and the files associated with them, have the files available for viewing for all Councillors as of 9 am the Friday before the Council meeting. We only get these Council documents letting us know what is on the agenda late, very late on the Thursday afternoon, sometimes after 5pm. So from 9am Friday, my challenge to the LORD MAYOR is to make those files available to improve scrutiny.

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, your time has expired. Before we continue, I feel it is necessary from what I am hearing in this debate, there is a need to offer some guidance to the Chamber on exactly what the item is. I refer you to paragraph 6 on the first page, under item A. The recommendation is that the Council note the report of contracts. It is not an item to be voted on in terms of approving contracts today. It just seems to me that there is some misunderstanding as to what this item is. So I just draw your attention to that paragraph.

Chairman: Councillor MURPHY.

ADJOURNMENT:422/2014-15

At that time, 4.02pm, 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 4.05pm.

UPON RESUMPTION:

Chairman: Further debate on the E&C Report? Councillor SIMMONDS.

Councillor SIMMONDS: Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak about Items A and B. Perhaps the first thing that I will do is take up Councillor SUTTON's challenge, put my hand on my heart if you believe that a Finance Chairman has one. I will say that this is the most open and transparent Administration that has ever been in this place, Madam Chairman, it's as simple as that.


Chairman: Order.

Councillor SIMMONDS: The most open and transparent and we know that. We know that.


Chairman: Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SIMMONDS: Well I do have a lot to compare with, Councillor ABRAHAMS. I'll take your interjection. I have it to compare with what you did when you were in Administration. I'll tell you what you didn't do, you didn't—what you didn't do is you didn't have a Hansard, you didn't bring CEO's contracts into this place, Madam Chairman, and you didn't make files nearly as available as this Administration and this Council currently does—


Chairman: Order.

Councillor SIMMONDS: —so there's plenty to compare it with. There mightn't be much that you want me to compare it with but—well it's not hearsay—those are the facts. You didn't have a Hansard. You didn't have one, Councillor ABRAHAMS. It's not hearsay. I didn't make it up. It's quite clear you didn't have one. Gee whizz, you know—

Chairman: Order.

Councillor SIMMONDS: —you know they're in trouble, Madam Chairman, when they can't even admit to some pretty basic facts that can be easily proved.


Chairman: Councillor SUTTON. Councillor SIMMONDS I would call you to the report please.


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Councillor SIMMONDS: Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman, I just wanted to firstly speak on Item A, the contracts report and I respect your ruling about being relevant. If you would indulge me, I just wanted to specifically deal with a point that Councillor DICK raised regarding the timing of the files. Madam Chairman, look, he played a bit of a game about what time in the Minutes and all the rest of it. I can certainly do that too, Madam Chairman, because when he says that he requested it on the Friday, he did so at 4.55pm on the Friday, 4.55pm.

We just had Councillor SUTTON say we only get the Council papers just before 5pm on the Thursday. Here he is doing exactly the same thing to Council officers and then coming into the chamber and verballing them as if they've had two and a half days to do it. Well they haven't. If you send a Council officer an email at 4.55pm, it is quite appropriate for them that they will then action that request on Monday. Now these are big complicated files, some of them were in use. They had to be brought in; you wouldn't want files to be made available that were incomplete.

So officers did their very best with great diligence to comply with that request, given that it was made—and they get the papers on Thursday night—there are two items. I would have thought that they could have read through them on the night. If they were really keen to get the files they could have requested them in a timely manner. So Council officers have done their best to comply with the request but it is not Council officers' job to spoon feed the Opposition. They need to do the work.

When they get the papers they need to read them that night and they need to request the files if that's what they'd like to do, or put questions on notice or questions without notice or questions of committee. There are a number of opportunities available for them to seek information.

In regards to Item B, Madam Chairman, I just wanted to add my support to the comments of the LORD MAYOR and say the respect with which myself—and I believe this Administration—the respect in which we hold Colin Jensen in very high regard. I think, other than the exception of the independent councillor, from what I understand from councillors on both sides of the chamber, he is held in great respect as a very capable, experienced and fair public servant and he does our Council very proud.

It is a vast and varied organisation, the Brisbane City Council. It is indeed the largest local government in Australia. It's a $3 billion budget; there is about 7500 staff. We do all sorts of things ranging from economic development to large infrastructure like Legacy Way, to filling potholes, Madam Chairman, and a CEO needs to be across all of those things. What Colin Jensen has demonstrated over the last five years is that he's able to do that very successfully. Not only that but when the need arises such as the 2011 flood, he's willing to go above and beyond the call of duty for our city, and we should expect no less frankly but we do appreciate his efforts in that regard.

All of us here in this chamber would not be here unless we're willing to go above and beyond for our city and we expect the same in the CEO. In this case we have a CEO with a proven track record to do that. In fact he was the awarded the National Emergency Medal following his efforts in the 2011 flood. He is of course well respected in his previous roles of Coordinator-General with the State government, worked there under an Administration of a different ilk. In fact when he came over to Council in 2010, I note in her media comments, then Premier Anna Bligh was quite gushing about Mr Jensen, and about how well she thought that his skills would transfer into local government.

Just dealing with some of the comments then that have been raised by those opposite, I noted the very interesting comments from Councillor DICK that the new policy of the ALP is to have a bipartisan approach to appointments. So I assume he's told Anastasia. So I assume Lawrence will surely be getting a call from the Premier to find out who she should appoint as the DG. I assume Lawrence is involved is he, in a bipartisan approach?


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I assume before the Premier appointed Dave Stewart that she had the courtesy to put together a committee which included the LNP members to discuss. Surely there's a committee. It's a Labor government; surely there's a committee in there somewhere, surely there's a committee in there somewhere—


Chairman: Order. Councillor ABRAHAMS.


Councillor SIMMONDS: They don't like us going into history but here is an opportunity in the here and now for Labor to show that they will do what they say and they don't do it, they don't do it. So how can you possibly believe what they say in this place? I have never known a situation in this place, and others can correct my history, but I'm quite sure that these appointments have never been conducted that way whether it's been an LNP or a Labor Administration. In fact I even noted the jibe, the off the cuff remark from Councillor DICK about how it was just two to three pages was presented to this Chamber regarding this particular item for this CEO reappointment, so I had a look at some of the things that they put up.

Well of course there was nothing that came to this Chamber prior to previous CEO appointments. But I went back to when the Labor Administration appointed their CEO in the form of Jude Munro and the first time they appointed her in 2000. So I pulled the cabinet submission. You think a lengthy document with all the terms and conditions in it, you think Cabinet would want to know all the terms and conditions, the Labor Cabinet would want to know all the terms and conditions since they're very interested in it now.

So I pulled the document that they used to approve the appointment of a new CEO in Jude Munro, not a re-extension but a new CEO and guess what, it’s one page long. One, single sided; it's not even doubled-sided, Madam Chairman. Not only that but they choose the candidate in this case—just let me make a point—in this case we're asking the Council Chamber to approve the reappointment and then to delegate the terms and conditions to Cabinet. Cabinet is interested. In this case, Cabinet approved the appointment of Jude Munro and then delegated the terms and conditions to officers. How's that? How's that?

They care so much they delegated it away. They delegated it away. So, Madam Chairman, and then the next one when Jude Munro was reappointed and this was a joint Cabinet with Campbell Newman. Certainly Kim FLESSER was here at the time. I can see his signature. Guess what, this one is a little better. This one is three pages but there were no objections then, there was no desire to bring it to the Chamber. They didn't say no, we won't sign this unless it's brought to the full Chamber with the terms and conditions. So once again when they have the opportunity to do it they don't. But when they're in Opposition they're very quick to set a higher standard to compare us with.

That's right, very true, very true. When as a joint Cabinet—thank you very much Councillor COOPER for pointing it out—in the reappointment of Jude Munro, during the joint Cabinet so Councillor FLESSER's signature is all over it, they delegated the conditions of employment to the LORD MAYOR; to the LORD MAYOR. So again they're happy to delegate responsibility when it suits them but when it doesn't, well then again they try and set a higher standard that even they can achieve right now just up the road in George Street.

There is transparency to this, Madam Chairman. We are the only Administration, again, the most open and transparent Administration. You're seeing a theme aren't you? The most open and transparent Administration because we're the first ones to put in the Annual Report and report on the Executive Management Team (EMT) salaries. So you can go the Annual Report. I've got a copy right here if anyone would like to see it. You can go into the Annual Report and you can see; you can see the wages that are presented to the EMT members and that only has occurred under our Administration.

So we will continue to be open and—

Chairman: Councillor SIMMONDS, sorry, your time has expired.


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Chairman: Further debate on the E&C Report? LORD MAYOR?

LORD MAYOR: Well, thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, just very, very quickly, firstly in relation to the contracts and tenders. I mean it really does interest me to hear some of the commentary, Madam Chairman, just to—it raises the question just how serious they are about it. They've talked today about the gas contract, Madam Chairman. They've talked about it in the context—natural gas contract—talked about it in the context of cylinders. There was a cylinder incident as we know out at Virginia. There was one out at Garden City some years before that.

Madam Chairman, that's cylinders; nothing to do with gas. The gas wasn't the cause of a cylinder issue but they're somehow tying the two together today saying that we've got to look at this file because this is natural gas that actually was in the cylinder. Well give me a break, Madam Chairman, nothing to do at all with what they're trying to suggest today. Madam Chairman, there has been a fair bit of tongue in cheek today in terms of what Labor have been talking about.

I'm not sure whether it's tongue in cheek or just cheek at the end of the day because as Councillor SIMMONDS has just been reporting, Madam Chairman, for years and certainly in, as I said at the outset, all the time that I've been in this place, there's been no appointment brought to this Chamber at any time. So if Councillor DICK has a view here today it's contrary to the view of most of his colleagues. It's certainly contrary to the view of Councillor FLESSER, Councillor NEWTON, Councillor CUMMING, when they undertook the reappointment of Jude Munro in 2000.

Contrary to the view of Councillor CUMMING when he made the appointment of Robert Carter back in 1994 and then the reappointment in 1997, which would have included, I think, Councillor CUMMING, Councillor ABRAHAMS and Councillor FLESSER. There was no song and dance then about the matters not having being brought to the Chamber. So, Madam Chairman, it's amazing how the views change when they get to Opposition on these things. So that's simply the point that I make, Madam Chairman.

To suggest there's some sort of a committee approach to the appointment of a CEO well clearly that is just ridiculous. There's no government in Australia that would undertake that type of approach. Madam Chairman, but having said that that is not to say, and I repeat what I said at the outset, that Mr Jensen has demonstrated a high level of professionalism. As a career public servant, he has demonstrated a capacity to work at the highest level and governments of all different persuasions. Madam Chairman, I am sure that that will be a continuing hallmark throughout his career into the future.

So we have today, Madam Chairman, confidence in recommending his reappointment to this role which will take it through to August of 2020, Madam Chairman, under what is proposed here today. Madam Chairman, I move the report before you.

Chairman: Thank you LORD MAYOR.

Clause A put

Chairman: I will put the motion for Item A. All those in favour say aye.

Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clause A of the report of the Establishment and Coordination Committee was declared carried on the voices.

Thereupon, Councillors Victoria NEWTON and Helen ABRAHAMS immediately rose and called for a division, which resulted in the motion being declared carried.


AYES: 18 - The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK, and Councillors Krista ADAMS, Matthew BOURKE, Amanda COOPER,


- 36 -

Margaret de WIT, Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX, Peter MATIC, Ian McKENZIE, David McLACHLAN, Ryan MURPHY, Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, Julian SIMMONDS, Andrew WINES and Norm WYNDHAM.

NOES: 7 - The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON and Shayne SUTTON.

Clause B put

Chairman: I will put the motion for Item B. All those in favour say aye.

Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clause B of the report of the Establishment and Coordination Committee was declared carried on the voices.

Thereupon, the LORD MAYOR and Councillor Ryan MURPHY immediately rose and called for a division, which resulted in the motion being declared carried.


AYES: 18 - The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK, and Councillors Krista ADAMS, Matthew BOURKE, Amanda COOPER, Margaret de WIT, Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX, Peter MATIC, Ian McKENZIE, David McLACHLAN, Ryan MURPHY, Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, Julian SIMMONDS, Andrew WINES and Norm WYNDHAM.

ABSTENTIONS: 7 - The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON and Shayne SUTTON.

The report read as follows

ATTENDANCE:

The Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham Quirk) (Chairman); Deputy Mayor (Councillor Adrian Schrinner) (Deputy Chairman); and Councillors Krista Adams, Matthew Bourke, Amanda Cooper, Peter Matic, David McLachlan and Julian Simmonds.

A CONTRACTS AND TENDERING – REPORT TO COUNCIL OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR DECEMBER 2014109/695/586/2

423/2014-151. The Chief Executive Officer provided the information below.

2. Sections 238 and 239 of the City of Brisbane Act 2010 (“the Act”) provide that Council may delegate some of its powers. Those powers include the power to enter into contracts under section 242 of the Act.

3. Council has previously delegated some powers to make, vary or discharge contracts for the procurement of goods, services or works. Council made these delegations to the Establishment and Coordination Committee and Chief Executive Officer.

4. The City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 (“the Regulation”) was made pursuant to the Act. Section 227 in Chapter 6 (Part 4) of the Regulation provides that: (1) Council must, as soon as practicable after entering into a Contract under this chapter worth $200,000 or more (exclusive of GST), publish relevant details of the Contract on Council’s website; (2) the relevant details must be published under subsection (1) for a period of at least 12 months; (3) also, if a person asks Council to give relevant


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details of a Contract, Council must allow the person to inspect the relevant details at Council’s public office. ‘Relevant details’ is defined in section 227 Chapter 6 (Part 4) (4) as including: (a) the person with whom Council has entered into the Contract; (b) the value of the Contract; and (c) the purpose of the Contract (e.g. the particular goods or services to be supplied under the Contract).

5. The Chief Executive Officer provided the following recommendation and the Committee agreed.

6. RECOMMENDATION

THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE REPORT OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR DECEMBER 2014, AS SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, hereunder.

City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 – Chapter 6 – ContractingDetails of Contracts Accepted by Delegates of Council for December 2014

Contract/Quote No. andSuccessful Contractor/s

including Tendered Price and Value for Money (VFM) Index

achieved

Delegate Nature of Arrangeme

nt and Estimated Maximum Expenditur

e

Contract/Quote Purpose

Unsuccessful Tendersand Quotes including VFM

achieved

Prices Tendered

Approval,Start/EndDates and

Term

BRISBANE INFRASTRUCTURE1. Contract No: 520062

BAC Technologies Pty Ltd t/a BAC Advanced Composites Technologies – $159,021Achieved highest VFM of 41.14

CPO Lump sum

$159,021

Removal, Design and Replacement of a Footbridge at Josling Street Toowong

Shortlisted tenderers not recommended

Doval Constructions (Qld) Pty Ltd Achieved VFM of 36.81

Epoca Constructions Pty Ltd Achieved VFM of 33.61

Tenderers not shortlisted

Batley Ole Keko Engineers Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 10.48

$233,656

$170,089

$196,400

Approved: 18.12.14Start: 01.02.15End: 17 weeks

2. Contract No: 530299

Probuild Industries Australia Pty Ltd – $122,630Achieved highest VFM of 63.88

CPO Lump sum

$122,630

Restoration of Bowen Park Bandstand, Bowen Hills

Hawley Constructions Pty Ltd Achieved VFM of 32.73

Chapman Builders Pty Ltd Achieved VFM of 24.74

LEAF Building Group Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 20.32

$125,768

$98,020

$227,553

Approved: 18.12.14Start: 30.01.15End: 16 weeks

BRISBANE LIFESTYLENilBRISBANE TRANSPORTNilCITY PLANNING & SUSTAINABILITYNilOFFICE OF THE LORD MAYOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERNil


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ORGANISATIONAL SERVICES3. Contract No: 50185

Ausroad Systems Pty Ltd – $149,800Achieved highest VFM of 52.46

CPO Preferred Supplier Arrangement – schedule of rates

$900,000

Provision of Asphalt Maintenance Truck Bodies

Flocon Engineering Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 35.81

First Choice EngineeringAchieved VFM of 22.88

$143,800

$167,825

Approved: 04.12.14Start: 12.12.14End: (initial term)11.12.17Max. term: Six years


Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited – $7,681,551Achieved highest VFM of 118.5

CEO Preferred Supplier Arrangement – schedule of rates

$7,680,000

Provision of Managed Print Services

Shortlisted offers not recommended

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 98.0

Offers not shortlisted

Advanced Business Technologies Pty Ltd trading as Sharp ABTAchieved VFM of 45.6

Non-conforming offers

Canon Australia Pty Ltd

$8,877,653

$14,464,264

Approved: 09.12.14Start: 01.03.15End: (initial term)28.02.19Max. term: Seven years


About your TransitionAdept Consulting Pty LtdAustralian Institute of ManagementBendeltaBennett ConsultingBurst DevelopmentCAMRYD Management ConsultingCareer SpaCause Effect PsychologyCerno AustraliaChristine Cox ConsultingCogitate ConsultingCreating BreakthroughsDavidson RecruitmentEclipse Management ConsultingInspHIGHERInspyrJWJ ConsultingLee Hecht HarrisonMargaret Harley Consulting ServicesMark Barnier Consulting Pty LtdMerit SolutionsMJSP Management ConsultingNeuresource GroupNGS Global (formally EWki)

CPO Pre-qualified Supplier Register – schedule of rates

$3,750,000

Human Resources Services – Projects and Development

ENCO Mining and ConstructionsFirst Grade RecruitmentIgnite Management ServicesKonnect LearningLine Management Institute of Training

All applicants who met all mandatory criteria and achieved an overall evaluation score of 7 or above (out of 10) have been included on the register. Price did not form part of the evaluation. Rates will be requested when a supplier is asked to quote for a piece of work. The register will be open to new applicants on a 3-6 month basis.

Not applicable

Approved: 11.12.14Start: 18.01.15Max. term: Five years


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Owen Consulting GroupPace LearningPeople and Performance ConsultingPerformance FrontiersPerformance Leap Pty LtdPockets of BrilliancePriceWaterhouseCoopersSage InsightsShape ConsultingStephenson MansellStockwell Bretton GroupThe Consultancy BureauTrevor RobertsWorkplace Edge Pty Ltd6. Contract No: 510193

Provision of Council Cabs

Black & White – $422,000*Achieved highest VFM of 22.9

Provision of Personalised Public Transport

Yellow Cabs – $495,961*Achieved highest VFM of 161.9

* Price is a basket of services supplied to Council over a period of 12 months.

CEO Preferred Supplier Arrangements – schedule of rates

Council Cabs and Personalised Public Transport Provision of Council Cabs


Yellow CabsAchieved VFM of 19.4

TransitLynxAchieved VFM of 15.5

St John Ambulance AustraliaAchieved VFM of 9.8


Deluxe Chauffeured Cars QLDAchieved VFM of 1.1

Provision of Personalised Public Transport


Black & White CabsAchieved VFM of 162.0

St John Ambulance AustraliaAchieved VFM of 96.1

TransitLynxAchieved VFM of 79.5


Deluxe Chauffeured Cars QLDAchieved VFM of 19.1

$472,000*

$456,000*

$851,000* (only 108 suburbs)

$3,008,706*

$553,000

$815,000 (only 7 of the 8 services)

$734,000

$1,248,515

Approved: 02.12.14Start: 01.01.15End: 30.06.17Max. term:Four years and six months

7. Contract No: 520040-000

Nuturf – A Division of Amgrow Pty Ltd – $57,168*

CPO Preferred Supplier Arrangement – schedule

Supply and Delivery of Herbicides


Globe Australia Pty Ltd$57,641*

Approved: 02.12.14Start: 01.01.15


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Achieved highest VFM of 15.33Discount off published pricelist for non-scheduled items – 25%-65%

* Price is a basket of goods.

of rates

$569,383

Achieved VFM of 14.70Offered 10% discount off stocked non-scheduled prices

Garrards Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 13.00Offered 12.5% discount off list price

Simplot Turf & Horticulture Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 11.30No discount provided

Macspred AustraliaAchieved VFM of 9.89 No discount provided

$58,309*

$67,139*

$77,808*

End: (initial term)31.12.18Max. term: Seven years

8. Contract No: 510211-000

National Heart Foundation of Australia (Qld Division) – $234,309

CPO Schedule of rates

$234,309

Provision of Community Walking Program

Contract entered into without seeking competitive tenders or quotations from the market in accordance with Exemption 2 (Microenterprises, Social Enterprises and Community Enterprises) from Contract Manual process under Schedule A of Council’s Annual Procurement Policy and Contracting Plan.

National Heart Foundation (Qld Division) is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise.

Not applicable

Approved: 18.12.14Start: 01.01.15End: 31.12.17

9. Contract No: 520061-000

Dimension Data Pty Ltd – $107,854Achieved highest VFM of 73.25

CPO Lump sum and schedule of rates

$107,854

Provision of services for the upgrade of VMware Infrastructure

Data #3 Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 26.04

$257,312 Approved: 02.12.14Start: 08.12.14End: 07.07.15


Technology One Limited – $492,300*Achieved highest non-price score of 73.2

* Price is the submitted price. After evaluation of capability and shortlisting, negotiations were undertaken with three respondents resulting in Technology One and Infor Global Solutions being requested to quote for this work. A VFM was not calculated. Shortlisting and selection was based on non-price score.

CEO Schedule of rates

$492,300

Stage 1 Provision of Consultancy Services to deliver a Proof of Capability, High Level Design and Business Case for Local Government Systems


Infor Global Solutions ANZ Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 73.0

Shortlisted offers (third round)

Northgate Public Services Pty Limited

Shortlisted offers (second round)

Dialog Information TechnologyCustomer Management Technologies Accenture

$686,000*

Approved: 18.12.14Start: 12.01.15End:11.04.15


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Australia Pty LtdSAP Australia Pty Ltd

Shortlisted offers (first round)

HCL Australia Services Pty LtdTata Consultancy ServicesAppian Software Australia Pty LtdOpen Office Pty LtdAptus International Services Pty Ltd ESRI Australia Cohga Pty Ltd Capgemini Australia Pty Ltd

Non-conforming offers

Light On Us Pty Ltd ATF LB Trust trading as EnhanswerCivicView Pty Ltd

11. Contract No: 570011-000

Supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Refuelling Facility Maintenance Services at Toowong, Virginia and Garden City Bus Depots

Contract No: 130216-001Supply of Natural Gas to Virginia Bus Depot, Toowong Bus Depot, Eagle Farm Asphalt Plant and Riverview Asphalt Plant

AGL Sales (Queensland) Pty Limited – $13,973,512

E&C Fixed monthly rate, schedule of rates and commodity price basis

$13,973,512

Supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Refuelling Facility Maintenance Services and the Supply of Natural Gas to Council’s Bus Depots and Asphalt Plants

Contract entered into without seeking competitive tenders from industry in accordance with section 2.4 (Sole or Select Sourcing) of the Contract Manual pursuant to the City of Brisbane Act 2010.

AGL are the only supplier capable of meeting Council’s operational requirement of “Take or Pay” across all Council refuelling facilities, enabling flexibility to move gas buses between depots.

Not applicable

Approved: 08.12.14Start: 01.02.15End: 31.01.17

12. Contract Ref: CA14/1008723

Clark Equipment Sales Pty Ltd – $175,000

CPO Lump sum

$175,000

Supply and Delivery of SAKAI GW750-2 a Vibratory Multi-tyre Roller

Contract entered into without seeking competitive tenders from industry in accordance with section 2.4 (Sole or Select Sourcing) of the Contract Manual pursuant to the City of Brisbane Act 2010.

Clark Equipment is the only Australian supplier of this equipment.

Not applicable

Approved: 11.12.14Start: 01.01.15End: Upon delivery


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13. Contract No: MA-00006-2014

ICAD Consultants Pty Ltd – $120,000

CPO Yearly lump sum payment

$120,000

ARCHIBUS Accommodation Space Management System – Annual Support and Maintenance

Contract entered into without seeking competitive tenders or quotations from the market in accordance with Exemption 6 (extension of ICT maintenance and support arrangements) from the Contract Manual process under Schedule A of Council’s Annual Procurement Policy and Contracting Plan.

While SAP has replaced most of the functionality of the ARCHIBUS Property Management System, ongoing support and maintenance is required for the remaining Space Management module which performs a niche function and will be required by Council for the foreseeable future.

Not applicable

Approved: 09.12.14Start: 09.01.15End: (initial term)08.01.16Max. term: Four years

ADOPTED

B APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF COUNCIL164/680/291/9

424/2014-157. The Executive Manager, Office of the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer provided the

information below.

8. Colin David Jensen is the currently appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Council under a senior executive service (SES) contract. That contract commenced on 9 August 2010 and expires 8 August 2015.

9. In accordance with all executive contracts, Council is required to begin discussions with the employee six months prior to the end date of the contract, with a view to written notice outlining Council’s intention being provided to the employee no later than three months prior to the expiration of the contract.

10. Mr Jensen is eligible to be considered for a renewal pursuant to clause 6 of his contract. He has indicated that he wishes to be considered for a further contract on this basis.

11. Under s190 of the City of Brisbane Act 2010, a suitably qualified person must be appointed by Council to the position of CEO, with a written contract entered into following this appointment.

12. As Mr Jensen remains suitably qualified to perform this role and his performance as CEO has been to a more than satisfactory standard, it is proposed that Mr Jensen be appointed to the position of CEO for a further term not exceeding 8 August 2020.

13. A Council Resolution will be made to appoint Mr Jensen and to delegate the negotiation of terms and conditions of the contract to the Establishment and Coordination Committee.

14. The Executive Manager, Office of the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer provided the following recommendation and the Committee agreed.


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15. RECOMMENDATION

THAT COUNCIL APPROVE THE FURTHER APPOINTMENT OF MR JENSEN AND RESOLVE AS PER THE DRAFT RESOLUTION AS SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, hereunder.

Attachment ADraft Resolution

TO APPOINT COLIN DAVID JENSEN TO THE ROLE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL

As:

1. Council is required under s190 of the City of Brisbane Act 2010 to have a suitably qualified person to be appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Council (CEO);

2. Colin David Jensen is the currently appointed CEO and is more than qualified to perform the functions of that position;

3. Mr Jensen’s current term as CEO expires 8 August 2015 and has advised that he is willing to be reappointed to the position of CEO;

Council:

1. appoints Colin David Jensen to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Council, for a further term not exceeding 8 August 2020 under s190 of the City of Brisbane Act 2010.

2. delegates to the Establishment and Coordination Committee under s238 of the City of Brisbane Act 2010, the power to negotiate and determine the terms and conditions of the senior executive service contract with Colin David Jensen.

ADOPTED

INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

Councillor Ian MCKENZIE, Deputy Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Norm WYNDHAM, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 10 February 2015, be adopted.


Councillor McKENZIE: Thank you, Madam Chairman. On Tuesday the tenth, there were three Items before the Infrastructure Committee; the overview of the Botanic Garden upgrade and two petitions. Madam Chairman, if I could just quickly reflect upon the Botanic Gardens upgrade. Jim Heffernan, the Deputy Project Director of Legacy Way, gave an address stating that the construction of Legacy Way is over 90 per cent complete and on track for mid-2015. Also the work is underway to transform the worksite into a four hectare expansion of the Botanic Garden which will be the largest upgrade since 1970.

Madam Chairman, the multiple benefits of the upgrade of the Botanic Garden are manifold. This is almost a jewel in our city. It will increase the tourism potential. The park is being converted to an international standard, not to mention the Planetarium which is an additional attraction to the area. The features that will be expanded are an amphitheatre and events lawn, Queensland Conservation Walk including a display of rare and threatened species from across Australia, a nature themed playground, picnic facilities and, very importantly, an 18 mega-litre lagoon to help drought-proof the gardens.

Over 31,000 individual plants exist there with approximately 8000 already planted to date. The lagoon has been completed and the works have begun. One


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of the great attractions, Madam Chairman, will be the planting or the transplant of a 250 year old Cycad tree called Captain Cook; and Captain Cook because it's been named because it was there since the first fleet arrived. The expansion will include more than 3000 cubic metres of concrete; half a kilometre of new footpaths; and it's down as one of the greatest modifications of the park as I said since 1970.

There were two other petitions lodged; one was concerning Little Cribb Street at Milton where it is recommended that additional markings on the pavement of 40 kilometres be implemented, and the other one was another petition concerning undertaking of parking areas in Toowong. Madam Chairman, these were both passed of course, and I recommend this report to the chamber.

Chairman: Further debate?

Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Infrastructure Committee was declared carried on the voices.


ATTENDANCE:

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adrian Schrinner (Chairman), Councillor Ian McKenzie (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Margaret de Wit, Milton Dick and Victoria Newton.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

Councillor Norm Wyndham.

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – LEGACY WAY, BRISBANE BOTANIC GARDENS, MT COOT-THA EXPANSION

425/2014-151. Jim Heffernan, Deputy Project Director, Legacy Way, Major Contracts, City Projects Office, Brisbane

Infrastructure Division, attended the meeting to provide an update on Legacy Way, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha expansion. He provided the information below.

2. The presenter provided background on Legacy Way. Construction on Legacy Way is over 90 per cent complete and on track to open mid-2015. Works are underway to transform the Toowong worksite into a four-hectare expansion of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. This will be the largest upgrade to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens since its opening in 1970.

3. The features of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens expansion will include: - amphitheatre and events lawn, - Queensland Conservation Walk, including a display of rare and threatened species from across

Queensland, interactive kitchen garden- nature-themed playground- picnic facilities- 18 mega-litre lagoon to help drought proof the gardens lagoon walk- orchard.

4. Slides showing the final landscape plan, the interactive kitchen garden plan and the nature-themed playground plan were displayed.

5. Over 31,000 individual plants will be planted as part of the expansion, with approximately 8,000 plants already planted to date. The lagoon has been completed and works have begun on the amenities building, the playground and the interactive kitchen garden.

6. In late January the Lord Mayor joined the team in planting ‘Captain Cook’, a 250 year-old cycad tree that will form a focal point of the new area. This cycad is extremely rare due to its age and size and will be the focus of a cycad garden with other plantings. Standing six and a half metres high and weighing


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over two tonnes, the cycad is nicknamed ‘Captain Cook’ because it has been in Australia since before the first fleet arrived.

7. The excavator which moved the tree to its final location weighs 13 tonnes and is four metres high. The cycad is the oldest plant known to human kind, dating back to the dinosaurs. This particular cycad originated north of Injune, a small town in south-west Queensland. Photos of the transplantation were displayed.

8. Images showing the current progress were displayed.

9. The expansion activates a previously unused area by providing another four hectares of community space and exciting new facilities. It adds to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens’ reputation as one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. The 18 mega-litre lagoon helps drought proof the Brisbane Botanic Gardens into the future. Cost and water savings from harvesting water from the lagoon are a benefit of the expansion.

10. Some of the facts and figures regarding the expansion include:- more than 3,000 cubic metres of concrete pavement has been removed to date- more than 8,000 square metres of grass is being laid- one and a half kilometres of new footpaths will be installed- approximately 30,000 cubic metres of spoil is being removed to construct the 18 mega-litre

lagoon- the Queensland Conservation Walk will contain more than 200 different plant species

currently listed as rare or threatened.

11. The Chairman thanked Mr Heffernan for his informative presentation.

12. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE REPORT.ADOPTED

B PETITION – SPEED LIMIT SIGNAGE ON LITTLE CRIBB STREET, MILTONCA14/963094

426/2014-1513. A petition requesting Council improve speed limit signage and compliance with the speed limit on

Little Cribb Street, Milton, was presented to the meeting of Council held on 2 December 2014, by Councillor Peter Matic, and received.

14. The Branch Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, supplied the following information.

15. The petition contains nine signatures. The petitioners are requesting improvements to speed limit signage and driver compliance with the speed limit on Little Cribb Street, Milton. The petitioners allege that the ‘40’ pavement marking at the Inner City Bypass (ICB) end of Little Cribb Street, Milton, is faded and that the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit sign at the Cribb Street end of the street is hidden behind a tree.

16. A site inspection was conducted on 15 December 2014. It was noted that ‘40’ was marked on the pavement at both ends of Little Cribb Street however the pavement markings were in poor condition. It was also observed that there were two 40 kilometre per hour speed limit signs at the Cribb Street end of the street, which were clearly visible, while the speed limit sign was missing from the ICB (or Boomerang Street) end of Little Cribb Street.

17. It is recommended that the petitioners concerns about the speed limit signage on Little Cribb Street be addressed by having the ‘40’ pavement markings repainted and that a 40 kilometre per hour speed limit sign be reinstated at the ICB end of the street. This level of speed limit signage should be appropriate given that Little Cribb Street is approximately 300 metres in length and has no other connections to


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surrounding streets. As Council has no jurisdiction over the enforcement of speed limits, it is recommended that the petitioners be advised to contact the Queensland Police Service to request enforcement.

Funding

18. Funding to undertake this work is available in Program 2, Moving Brisbane – Schedule 209 – General Amenity.

Consultation

19. Councillor Peter Matic, Councillor for Toowong Ward, has been consulted and supports the recommendation.

Customer impact

20. The recommendation will address the petitioners’ concerns.

Preferred Option

21. It is the preferred option that the ‘40’ pavement markings be repainted and that a 40 kilometres per hour speed limit sign be reinstated at the Inner City Bypass end of the street. As Council has no jurisdiction over the enforcement of speed limits, it is recommended that the petitioners be advised to contact the Queensland Police Service to request enforcement.

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

23. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PREFERRED OPTION ABOVE AND OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE REPORT.

ADOPTED

C PETITION – WATER STREET, RED HILL – RESIDENT PERMIT-EXEMPT PARKINGCA14/994755

427/2014-1524. A petition requesting that a resident permit-exempt parking scheme be implemented for Water Street,

Red Hill, was presented to the meeting of Council held on 9 December 2014, by Councillor Peter Matic, and received.

25. The Branch Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy Branch, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, supplied the following information.

26. The petition contains 14 signatures representing all occupied residences of the street. The petitioners are requesting that Water Street, Red Hill have resident permit-exempt parking restrictions similar to those signed on surrounding streets.

27. Water Street is within the existing boundaries of the Lang Park Traffic Area but currently does not have any signed parking restrictions in place. Most of the surrounding residential streets have two hour parking restrictions between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday, with resident permit exemptions.

28. Prior to this survey, Councillor Peter Matic, Councillor for Toowong Ward, consulted with residents on implementing resident permit-exempt parking restrictions. The Councillor then undertook a survey and as a result of the majority support, the scheme was approved and steps taken to implement the restrictions. The current petition reflects the outcome of the survey.

29. It is recommended that two-hour parking restrictions be signed as per those in adjacent streets.


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Funding

30. Funding to undertake this work is available in the current budget from Program 2 – Moving Brisbane, Schedule 209 – General Amenity.

Consultation

31. Councillor Matic has been consulted and supports the recommendation below.

Customer impact

32. The recommendation will address the petitioners concerns.

Preferred Option

33. The preferred option is that two-hour parking restrictions, between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday, with resident permit exemptions, be applied to Water Street, Red Hill.

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

35. RECOMMENDATION:


ADOPTED.

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 10 February 2015, be adopted.


Councillor MATIC: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Just briefly there was a committee presentation on the highlights of Brisbane Transport (BT) for 2014, a number of important projects undertaken by BT, Madam Chairman, in the rolling out of this excellent service, one of the best across Australia.

There was in particular I'd like to highlight the tremendous amount of work that was undertaken by BT for G20, the enormous amount of planning and contribution by BT towards all levels of government to provide a seamless service, Madam Chairman, for the day, sorry, for the three-day period, in not only to the delegates, Madam Chairman, but in being able to continue to provide a service for Brisbane residents throughout this whole period. It was an exemplary effort and they should be acknowledged for it.

Madam Chairman, the second Item is a petition requesting Council extend the route 393 bus service from New Farm to Kelvin Grove State College. This petition was about providing a new service, Madam Chairman, for residents of New Farm for their children who do go to Kelvin Grove College, through the hard work and representations of Councillor HOWARD. In conjunction with the officers at BT, we've been able to come up with a solution to an existing service which will be trialling and being able to provide to those residents in order to get their kids to school, without having to hop off and then hop on back at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital (RBWH), Madam Chairman.

So it's a good outcome. I'd like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment by Councillor HOWARD to take up cudgel on this one, Madam Chairman. As we know, TransLink ultimately is the decider of new services and also the provider of the funding for new services as well, Madam Chairman. While we always do make representations to TransLink for new and improved services,


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where we can look for opportunities to improve existing services, Madam Chairman, we have done so.

This is an example of that and certainly the hard work and commitment by Councillor HOWARD to work with officers to look for a solution is certainly something that at the end of the day I hope will provide the necessary outcome that residents have been seeking.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor HOWARD?

Councillor HOWARD: Well thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise to briefly speak to item B, as Councillor MATIC just mentioned, the 393 re-route.

When I was first approached by the head petitioner for a re-route of the current 393 service, having had experience with re-routing the 196 and the CityGlider, I knew it would take quite an amount of effort from our team at Brisbane Transport and of course our funding partner, TransLink.

TransLink, when first approached by Brisbane Transport through our regular channels, certainly made it clear that they were not in a position to support the changes to New Farm buses to be re-routed directly to Kelvin Grove College. They were firmly of the opinion that the existing high frequency services from the New Farm and Teneriffe area to the city and then up to Kelvin Grove College was suitable, and provided the flexibility that high school children often need.

It is difficult when you're funding partners; they are not in a position to support any changes. So not to be deterred, Council came up with a proposal for an extended service to the college in the morning and afternoon, and gave the hundreds of current 393 users the opportunity to comment on the potential change.

The 393 is a valuable service as I'm sure Councillor SUTTON will agree. It runs from the Teneriffe ferry up through the Valley and Bowen Hills, past the Virgin headquarters and onto the hospital. These are two of the largest employers in the area, so I am happy that the users of the 393 were broadly supporters of the potential change.

This service will start as soon as possible, I'm told in March, and on a trial basis until the end of Term 2. I hope that the service is a success and I will be lobbying the State Government towards greater frequency through our school children to access the school which serves the New Farm peninsula. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor MATIC?

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.


ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Peter Matic (Chairman), Councillor Steven Huang (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Steve Griffiths, Nicole Johnston, Kim Marx and Ryan Murphy.

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – BRISBANE TRANSPORT HIGHLIGHTS 2014

428/2014-151. Geoffrey Beck, Divisional Manager, Brisbane Transport (BT), attended the meeting to provide

information about Brisbane Transport’s highlights of 2014. He provided the information below.

2. During the G20 event, BT provided services to Council’s G20 taskforce including 73 buses and 274 staff working out of the Bowen Hills Depot. Amendments to normal scheduled services and the


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creation of shuttle services from surrounding suburbs allowed for the implementation of security measures while minimising disruption to customers.

3. In addition, passenger liaison staff were made available to assist with informing members of the public about the disruptions to public transport. In some instances, commuters were unaware that G20 was the cause of the changes. Council received positive feedback from the public regarding the professionalism and customer service provided, despite disruptions to services.

4. The NightLink network was enhanced following a review undertaken in partnership with TransLink. Outcomes included:- significant improvements to service coverage through reduced duplication- two new NightLink routes from Fortitude valley to Aspley, and Fortitude Valley to Browns

Plains- all services now picking up on outbound trips beyond the CBD- detailed review of school/district services in preparation for the 2015 school year changes.

5. The lost time injury frequency rate for BT was at a record low in December 2014, sitting at 5.65 per cent. Fewer work related injuries is resulting in employees spending less time away from the workplace. A strong safety focus throughout the year has included activities such as:- the Safety Bus which involves BioAge assessments as well as FMA initiatives- Walking around Australia- healthy eating competition.

6. A Safety Strategy Group, which meets regularly, invites employees who have suffered a lost time injury with the purpose of discussing the incident to establish learnings and enhance safety. The group has been met with a positive response from employees. A graph was shown plotting the declining rate of lost time injuries between December 2013 and December 2014.

7. A major initiative was the successful design and manufacture of maintenance pit covers used in BT garages and workshops. The commercially available pit cover systems did not meet Council requirements so they were made in-house. The pit covers are lightweight, easily removable and maintenance free. They also provide ventilation, are adaptable to pits of different sizes and shapes, and are comparatively cost effective. A photograph was shown of a maintenance pit cover.

8. BT has worked to improve bus services for disabled travellers. White on black destination signs were introduced following a trial and consultation with community groups representing the vision impaired. All future buses will feature white on black destination signs. As of December 2014, 95 per cent of the bus fleet was also low floor wheelchair accessible.

9. Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicles (EEV) have the most environmentally friendly engines commercially available in Australia. In the 12 months prior to December 2014, the proportion of EEV vehicles in BT’s fleet increased from 66 per cent to 70 per cent.

10. Eagle Farm Bus Depot was nominated for and won the Queensland Bus Industry Council’s 2014 Environment/Innovation Award. This award recognises the wide range of energy and waste sustainability initiatives in place.

11. The Maroon CityGlider’s first year of operation was celebrated on 18 February 2014. Eagle Farm Depot also celebrated being open for a year. Photographs were shown of the Maroon CityGlider and a birthday cake for the Eagle Farm Depot.

12. Bus decorating competitions have been occurring for the past 20 years. They are popular with staff and the competition between depots is strong. Members of the public also appreciate the decorations and the tradition contributes to the positive relations between bus operators and commuters. Last year Carina Depot won the State of Origin decorating competition and Eagle Farm won the Christmas competition.

13. In 2014 BT provided services to 84 special events. Highlights include:- the successful operation of Christmas Lights tours in partnership with 4KQ- two BT employees were recognised for outstanding customer service by Suncorp and the

Queensland Reds.


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14. Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Beck for his informative presentation.

15. RECOMMENDATION:


B PETITION – REQUESTING COUNCIL EXTEND THE ROUTE 393 BUS SERVICE FROM NEW FARM TO KELVIN GROVE STATE COLLEGECA14/939406

429/2014-1516. A petition from residents of various Brisbane suburbs, and others from outside Brisbane, requesting

that Council extend the route 393 bus service from New Farm to Kelvin Grove State College, was presented to the meeting of Council held on 18 November 2014, by Councillor Vicki Howard.

17. The Divisional Manager, Brisbane Transport, supplied the following information.

18. Council has noted the petitioners request to modify route 393 by extending the service to New Farm and Herston for Kelvin Grove State College students. Of the 261 petitioners, 129 are from New Farm, 47 from Teneriffe, 11 from Kangaroo Point and the remaining petitioners are from South East Queensland.

19. TransLink is a division of the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads. This entity is responsible for the delivery of public transport services, fare collection and infrastructure for South East Queensland. Brisbane City Council operates bus services under a contract with TransLink. Changes to bus services, including modification to services, are subject to approval and funding by TransLink as part of the contract arrangements.

20. The route 393 Teneriffe Ferry to Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital (RBWH) loop is a low frequency weekday service. It is aimed at serving the residential areas along Commercial Road and Skyring Terrace, Newstead, across to employment areas at Breakfast Creek, Bowen Hills and the RBWH. A key design in the planning of this service is to provide a connection between the Teneriffe Ferry Terminal and the RBWH.

21. Extending route 393 to New Farm and Herston will involve increases in cost with an additional bus to provide the morning and afternoon bus trips, additional in-service kilometres, and additional in-service travel time.

22. There are already extensive options for customers travelling from New Farm, Newstead and Teneriffe to Kevin Grove College including:- 196 (New Farm to City to Fairfield Gardens) Bus Upgrade Zone (BUZ)

- 199 (New Farm, Teneriffe ferry, to City to West End) BUZ or CityGlider (Teneriffe ferry to West End) to Adelaide Street stop 43 (opposite City Hall), and transfer to either route 390 (Mitchelton to City, all stops) at Adelaide Street stop 42 (approaching Albert Street shared zone) or the 345 (Aspley to City) BUZ at King George Square, and then alight at Kelvin Grove Road approaching Prospect Terrace, opposite Kelvin Grove State College. (The transfer distance to interchange between buses is approximately 70 metres.)

23. Passengers can use the 199 BUZ to Teneriffe Ferry Terminal, transfer to route 393 at Skyring Terrace to RBWH, transfer to any inbound busway service to Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Kelvin Grove busway station, and then walk to Kelvin Grove State College.

24. Passengers can use the 196 BUZ or 199 BUZ to Adelaide Street stop 43 (opposite City Hall), transfer at King George Square busway station to any outbound busway service to QUT Kelvin Grove busway and walk to Kelvin Grove State College.

25. The 196, 199, 345 and CityGlider services operate at intervals of 10 minutes or better in peak periods and 15 minutes or better during off peak periods. The 390 service operates at 15 minute intervals throughout most of the day. Services operate every few minutes between RBWH and QUT Kelvin


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Grove busway station, and between King George Square station and QUT Kelvin Grove busway station. Therefore, the overall travel time from the Teneriffe Ferry to the school for these options, including transfers, is approximately 45 minutes. The journey time for students could be less depending where along the bus routes they reside.

26. Modifying the route 393 service as proposed in the petition would require TransLink funding. However, Council undertook public consultation on an option to meet the objective of the petitioners to obtain a direct service between Teneriffe and Kelvin Grove State College. Over a two week period in late January 2015, public consultation occurred on a proposal for the trial of one morning and afternoon trip to be changed on the 393 on school days. This will require other minor consequential timetable changes throughout the day to incorporate the additional running time without any funding requirements.

27. The proposal involved the trip departing Teneriffe Ferry terminal at approximately 8.15am being extended to Kelvin Grove State College and servicing the bus stop on L’Estrange Terrace. The return trip would depart Kelvin Grove State College at 3:12pm. The extension of the trips would involve changes to servicing of the RBWH on those trips. Only platform one at the busway station would be serviced and an on-street bus stop would have to be installed on O’Connell Terrace.

28. As an outcome of the public consultation, feedback from existing users of the 393 service was able to be addressed. The desired option is to conduct a trial, extending one morning and afternoon trip on the route 393 service on school days to travel to Kelvin Grove State College from the Teneriffe Ferry Terminal. The trial would last until the end of the second school term of 2015.

29. Council is able to fund these changes within the existing funding arrangements with TransLink, following TransLink's approval of the proposed changes. The instigation of additional school or general passenger bus services would be a consideration for TransLink. It is considered that by introducing the trial of this service to provide a direct school service before and after school times, TransLink will then be able to determine the success of such a service. This would assist in advocacy for TransLink considering additional services on this route in line with their priorities across South East Queensland.

30. Council continues to have a major role in operating bus services in Brisbane. However, TransLink oversees all public transport delivery in Queensland, has the authority to initiate changes to bus services, and makes the final decision on proposals.

Funding

31. The changes outlined in this petition are able to be funded within the existing funding arrangements with TransLink. The changes requested by the petitioners would require specific funding from TransLink.

Consultation

32. Councillor David McLachlan, Councillor for Hamilton Ward, and the Councillor Vicki Howard, Councillor for Central Ward, have been consulted and support the recommendation.

Customer impact

33. Consultation was undertaken with existing passengers of the 393 services and feedback received was either not opposed to the change or able to be incorporated into the proposal Council is now recommending. The provision of a direct service to Kelvin Grove State College would give parents and carers the option of not requiring a transfer on school days while retaining the numerous high frequency options of travel between Kelvin Grove and New Farm and Teneriffe.

Preferred Option

34. That Council submits a recommendation to TransLink that the route 393 service be modified on a trial basis until the end of school term two 2015, to provide a direct service between Teneriffe Ferry Terminal and Kelvin Grove State College for students with the extension of one morning and one afternoon trip to coincide with school times. The success or otherwise of the change would then allow TransLink to consider the changes the petitioners are requesting.


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35. The Divisional Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.

36. RECOMMENDATION:


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 10 February 2015, be adopted.


Councillor COOPER: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. At Committee last week we had an application for 477 Boundary Street, Spring Hill. This was an application—we had a few trips down memory lane and we had Councillor WINES who was telling us that he thought that was where he got his learner's licence, and he seemed to remember exactly what he got. I think he told us he got 18 out of 20 on the test, so clearly that's burnt—that's burnt in his brain and that certainly is a site of great significance to Councillor WINES.

Councillor KNAPP also said that she remembered that you could actually drive into the basement to get a car check, so it was a building that was actually occupied by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) from 1967 to 2012; so a long, long time was it the home of Transport and Main Roads.

So this was a building that is actually classified MP3, multipurpose centre. It's in the Petrie Terrace and Spring Hill local plan. Under the local plan it's in the high rise commercial precinct, HC4, with a maximum height of seven stories, but of course many of us would be well aware that the existing building on-site is 15 storeys, and as I said earlier, home to DTMR for many, many years; in fact I believe it was the head office for DTMR.

It was actually listed by the Queensland Heritage Council and one of the points of interest that it noted was that at the time it housed the largest computer in the State. So it must apparently have been a very significant thing that I can imagine how many square metres that would have taken up back then when those computers were first coming online to help us with traffic management types of issues.

So there was an application lodged with Council on 6 May last year and during Council's assessment of the application it was listed on the Queensland State Heritage Register, and I think that the applicants were initially worried about the impact of that, but certainly I think that there was quite a bit of negotiation to make sure that what they were trying to achieve on the site could still be delivered with a heritage listing being proposed.

So it actually was listed on 13 June and it was listed as the largest concrete office building in the State at the time and because it's reflecting the work that DTMR did, particularly with that rise of car ownership that began in 1950s.

It was designed by Dr Karl Langer. He was a modernist architect and particularly the State heritage listing focused on his contribution to the world of architecture in our city and specifically detailing the construction methods. So some of us might not think it's necessarily a beautiful building, but it certainly was felt to be a meritorious one.


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In particular, this application is repurposing the building for a hotel for the Art Series and I think it's great to see instead of old buildings being knocked down than being repurposed, so I think that's what I would think is a real contribution to environmental sustainability reuse of existing buildings.

The application includes 247 multi-unit dwellings. That includes 121 one-bedroom units and 121 two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units, 24 short term accommodation units with over 1400 square metres of office, restaurant and a pool.

There'll be a taxi and car drop-off area in basement level 1 accessed from Boundary Street. The officers asked the applicant for further information on 18 June about the amenity of the units' Gross Floor Area (GFA), setbacks, architecture and noise. That was responded to on 15 July and that of course then went out for formal notification. It was for 15 days from 16 July to 7 August and Council received five formal submissions.

Submitters raised issues primarily with traffic and how that would be managed, with the applicant then providing a written report detailing how they propose to respond to those specific submissions. Officers were satisfied that those issues were addressed and specifically conditioned the application with vehicle access to be from Wedd Street to basement 3 and a left-in-only access from Boundary Street to be able to access basements 1 and 2, and an exit from Fortescue Street from basement 1.

All of those existing access points were already in place, Madam Chair, so that is not a change in what was already existing. So as Councillor KNAPP obviously did, you could actually drive your car into the basement to get a check in. There are also I believe some underground offices which probably wouldn't have been a very attractive place to work, but nevertheless they were there.

We also discussed—I think Councillor SUTTON was worried about the clip-on balconies. She wanted to know more about those. We understand that's very much in response to the heritage listing, so that's allowing us to, as a subtropical city, have these outdoor spaces that people can use while also maintaining the integrity of the building's heritage.

Officers have specifically conditioned that the spandrels maintain their current finish and are not painted to ensure the DA's in accordance with the heritage agreement undertaken between the owners and the State government.

This is a site with exceptional public transport access as you would expect. Over 600 metres to the Central Train Station, walking distance to the Queen Street Mall and just over 100 metres to the Spring Hill Baths and St Andrew's Hospital so an ideal location.

The application has been conditioned for six motorcycle spaces and 28 bike spaces. Of course we'll make sure that the existing amenities continue without impact. The existing nearby bus stops will not be impacted by this development and there will be no loss of on-street parking.

The reports initially said that this building would be proposed to be called The Langer after the building's architect; however, we have been advised that the hotel will now be known as The Johnson as it will be showcasing the works of renowned contemporary Australian artist, Michael Johnson, whose work is particularly known for its raw use of colour. So we look forward to that contribution as a result of that building, and I note that Councillor SIMMONDS is particularly excited about that. He will love to go and visit The Johnson, he confirmed to me just now.

Okay, so I was particularly happy to see the local Councillor was in support of the development and provided feedback in writing. Thank you very much Councillor HOWARD and to Council officers.

This is a $65 million plus investment in our city. It will deliver hundreds of jobs as well as a five star hotel for the city. It will work in well with the existing hospital. It is a great opportunity to see Spring Hill revitalised and renewed and we thank the officers for their hard work on this application. We're delighted


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with the results, as it was unanimously supported in Committee last week. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor HOWARD?

Councillor HOWARD: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I'm delighted to rise to support item A. Over the past few years it saddened me to see Spring Hill businesses doing it tough following the Bligh State Labor Government's decision to instigate the relocation of thousands of public service jobs from the iconic Transport and Main Roads building in Boundary Street to the other suburbs.


Chairman: Order.

Councillor HOWARD: Their departure from—


Chairman: Order.

Councillor HOWARD: Their departure from such a large purpose-built building has left a void which has taken a lot of negotiation and effort to fill. That's why I'm over the moon that last week Committee approved the development application which will see the heritage-listed building transformed into a stunning new hotel and apartments.

The $65 million transformation by the Art Series Hotel Group will see the creation of hundreds of new jobs both pre- and post-construction, and will provide a much needed boost for the area.

I was even more delighted to be told that the redevelopment will pay homage to the building's role as the home of the Main Roads Department as well as to celebrate the career of its world renowned modernist architect, Dr Karl Langer.

This is a fantastic adaptive reuse of the existing heritage-listed office building to protect the character and heritage significance of the site, and is just one of the many local projects that I have been working closely with LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk and Councillor Amanda COOPER to ensure that Spring Hill remains a wonderful place of history, innovation and culture. Thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor COOPER?

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.


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 SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT 2009 : MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE FOR MULTI-UNIT DWELLING (247 UNITS), SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION (24 UNITS), HOTEL, OFFICE AND RESTAURANT/SHOP – 477 BOUNDARY STREET, SPRING HILL (96 FORTESCUE STREET, SPRING HILL) – GLENFERRIE ROAD TRUST CARE OF ASIA PACIFIC GROUP PTY LTDA003859073

430/2014-151. The Team Manager, Planning Services City West, Development and Assessment Branch, reports that a

development application has been submitted by Urbis Pty Ltd on behalf of Glenferrie Road Trust care of Asia Pacific Group Pty Ltd as trustee and was properly made on 6 May 2014, as follows:


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Development Aspects: Carry out building work (Preliminary approval)Material Change of Use (Development permit)

General description of proposal: Carrying out buildings works for centre activities (multi-unit dwelling (247 units), short-term accommodation (24 units), office, restaurant and hotel and a development permit for Material Change of Use for centre activities (Multi-unit dwelling (247 units), short-term accommodation (24 units), office, restaurant and hotel.

Land in the ownership of: Glenferrie Road Trust care of Asia Pacific Group Pty Ltd

Address of the site: 477 Boundary Street, Spring Hill (96 Fortescue Street, Spring Hill)

Described as: Lot 4 on Registered Plan 10474, Lot 5 and Lot 34 on Registered Plan 10457, Lot 6 Registered Plan 10472, Lot 1 and Lot 3 Registered Plan 10473, Lot1 and Lot 3 on Registered Plan 10474, Lot 1 and Lot 2 on Registered Plan 43449, Lot 1 and Lot 2 on Registered Plan 55661

Containing an area of: 7,140 square metres.

2. The application is over land currently included in the Multi-Purpose Centre MP3 – Suburban Centre under the Brisbane City Plan 2000 (City Plan) and is within the High-Rise Commercial Precinct (HC4) in the Petrie Terrace and Spring Hill Local Plan. The site contains a 15-storey vacant office building (formerly occupied by the Queensland Government’s Department of Main Roads) at 477 Boundary Street, Spring Hill, with road frontages to Boundary, Fortescue and Wedd Streets.

3. The proposed 15-storey development is comprised of 22,058 square metres and includes: - 247 multi-unit dwellings – 121 one bedroom; 124 two bedroom and two three bedroom units;- 24 short-term/hotel accommodation units;- 1,471 square metre office tenancies; and- ground level restaurant/retail uses (706 square metres) to cater for the proposal and the local

community.

4. A total of 272 car parking spaces have been provided over three basement levels, including 207 spaces for residents, 26 tandem car parks for hotel guests, 39 spaces for visitor parking, six motor cycle spaces and 16 bicycle spaces.

5. Vehicle access to the development will be from Wedd Street to the basement level 3 parking, a left-in only access from Boundary Street with access to basement 1 and 2 and an exit to Fortescue Street from basement level 1.

6. The proposal meets the development principles in the Petrie Terrace and Spring Hill Local Plan. The proposed mixed-use development on the corner of Boundary, Fortescue and Wedd Streets allows for adaptive uses of the existing heritage-listed office building to protect the character and heritage significance of the site. The proposal incorporates protected internal and external elements in the building design and is to be in accordance with the Heritage Agreement. Approved plans have been amended in red to ensure existing and retained spandrels are to maintain the quartz chip finish and remain unpainted. A condition has been imposed to ensure external building materials and treatments are in accordance with the approved drawing and as amended in red.

7. The proposal is to be located within the existing building on the site. The existing building has a gross floor area (GFA) of 25,100 square metres, or 3.4 times the site area, and a maximum height of 15 storeys at the lowest point of the site at Wedd Street. These dimensions mean that the building already encompasses a scale and bulk that exceeds the GFA and height provisions specified for the HC4 sub-precinct (being 2.5 times the site area and 10 storeys, respectively).

8. While extensions to the building are proposed, comprising tenancies towards the Boundary Street frontage and additional units, the GFA over the site is effectively being decreased (to 22,058 square metres) due to the conversion of the basement levels from office to car parking (car parking is not defined as GFA under the Brisbane City Plan 2000).


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9. The proposal has a maximum building height of 15 storeys, although it appears as 13 storeys from Boundary Street and 15 storeys from Wedd Street due to the topography of the site.

10. The performance solution for the height and gross floor area are considered acceptable based on the adaptive re-use of the site which will not impact upon the density and nature of the local precinct, by way of its utilisation of the existing building.

11. The proposal was subject to impact assessment and public notification was carried out for a period of 15 business days between 16 July 2014 and 7 August 2014. The Notice of Compliance was lodged and five properly made submissions were received.

12. The Councillor for Central Ward, Councillor Vicki Howard, was notified of the application by email on 9 May 2014. Councillor Howard provided written advice on 8 September 2014 in support of the application.

13. The application was referred to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP) as a concurrence agency for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) for ‘Development impacting on State transport infrastructure’ (Schedule 7, Table 3, Item 2 and 14). DSDIP supports the proposal with conditions which are included in the attached Development Approval Package, submitted on file and marked attachment A.

14. Council also sought third party advice under section 256 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 in relation to the sites potential listing in the Queensland Heritage Register and the site has been heritage-listed during the application process.

15. The former Main Roads Department building was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 13 June 2014 due its importance to Queensland’s history. The existing building at 15-storeys tall was the largest concrete office building in Queensland at the time of its completion. The building is itself an important metaphor of the work of the Main Roads Department, responsible for building the infrastructure to respond to the increase in private vehicle ownership which began in Queensland in the 1950s. Additionally, the building was designed by modernist architect, Doctor Karl Langer whose work was important with the evolution of Queensland architecture. The listing of the site allows the changes necessary for the adaptive reuse of the property while maintaining the design intent of the architect.

16. Queensland Urban Utilities has set conditions in the relation to the connection of water and sewerage services to the proposal.

17. The Team Manager, Services City West, 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 reasonable and relevant conditions of approval.

18. It is 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 agreed unanimously.

19. RECOMMENDATION:

(i) That it be and is hereby resolved that whereas—(a) A properly made development application was made on 6 May 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:

Carrying out buildings works for centre activities (multi-unit dwelling (247 units), short-term accommodation (24 units), office, restaurant and hotel and a development permit for Material Change of Use for centre activities (Multi-unit dwelling (247 units), short-term accommodation (24 units), office, restaurant and hotel.

Land in the ownership of:

Glenferrie Road Trust care of Asia Pacific Group Pty Ltd


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Address of the site: 477 Boundary Street, Spring Hill (96 Fortescue Street, Spring Hill)

Described as: Lot 4 on Registered Plan 10474, Lot 5 and Lot 34 on Registered Plan 10457, Lot 6 Registered Plan 10472, Lot 1 and Lot 3 Registered Plan 10473, Lot1 and Lot 3 on Registered Plan 10474, Lot 1 and Lot 2 on Registered Plan 43449, Lot 1 and Lot 2 on Registered Plan 55661

Containing an area of: 7,140 square metres.

(b) The Council is required to assess the application pursuant to Chapter 6, Part 5, Division 2, section 314 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 314 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 Petrie

Terrace and Spring Hill Local Plan in particular the High-rise commercial precinct (HC4);

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; and

(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 attached 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 Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP) be

advised of the decision; ande) the Councillor for the Central Ward, Councillor Vicki Howard, 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 10 February 2015, be adopted.


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Councillor BOURKE: Look thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Just quickly, there were a number of items—five items on the Committee agenda from last week. The first item was a presentation by the officers around our new Waterways Activation Map. So this is a new tool that you can find on Council's website and Councillor KNAPP, I know has actively been perusing through this particular tool since last week's Committee presentation.

It is a one-stop shop for access to information about creek catchment groups, about Habitat Brisbane groups, about access to our rivers and waterways, our creeks, where you can find boat ramps, where you can find fishing pontoons, where you can find canoe access and all other useful information for members of the public, but also for our community groups.

So there's detailed work about other projects that Council is doing in the waterway space, so Waterway Health Enhancement projects, as well as a whole range of other projects like creek filtration projects, are all there for people to see this Council's commitment to improving not only the quality of life for Brisbane's residents, but also water quality and the investment that we make—the significant investment that we make—in protecting biodiversity right across the city, Madam Chairman.

So it's great to be able to put that all in one easy to use platform that residents and members of the public can go onto on Council's website. It is an interactive map. You can turn on and off different layers and different functions and you're able to access obviously information about particularly creek catchments, the 11 major creek catchments that we have across the city, the contact details and the groups that might be active or involved so that people can get involved.

We already know that there's over 2000 volunteers involved in our Habitat Brisbane groups and creek catchment groups, and this is just another way of promoting the great work that they do right across this city.

Turning to the rest of the agenda, Madam Chairman, there was a little bit of a my ward focus unfortunately. There's three park naming there for some spaces in my own ward. We did a survey at the end of last year for residents who live in the Windermere Estate. Many residents—many members in the Council chamber and residents of the western suburbs will remember with great fondness the area where Amazons used to be, Amazons Water Park, and the DFO and the large housing estate which is—


Councillor BOURKE: That's right—and the large housing estate which was built in there in the early 2000s, late 1990s, Madam Chairman.

There were three green spaces in that space that weren't named, and following some recommendations from local residents—I surveyed the residents who live in the Windermere Estate and we came up with three proposals for naming those spaces in conjunction with the local Historical Society.

So I just want to thank all the residents who were part of that process. I particularly want to thank the members of the Centenary Suburbs Historical Society. Their depth of knowledge and detail when it comes to researching founding fathers of our area out there in the western suburbs of Brisbane is without equal. They provided some detailed background and some great information for the particular park naming that we have before us.

So everyone would obviously know Hercules Sinnamon. He's the person that Sinnamon Park was named after. Oddly enough there is no park in the whole of Sinnamon Park, Madam Chairman, or anywhere in the Centenary Suburbs that acknowledges the Sinnamon contribution to our particular area and in particular Hercules Sinnamon.

So we're proposing a park naming after Hercules Sinnamon out on Goggs Road. Goggs Road's the main road in and out there when you come off on the Centenary Highway where the DFO is.


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We are also proposing a park naming after Thomas Macleod. Thomas Macleod was the first person to do a manned glider flight in Australia, and that actually took place very near—he landed his glider in the park that he will be named after—will be named after him, so a very strong link to local history.

Then the last park naming or the place naming is Hugh White Place. He was another local landowner, one of our forefathers, one of the pioneers out in the Centenary Suburbs, and it's only fitting that we acknowledge his contribution to our local area as well in the Centenary Suburbs.

So it was great to be able to get the feedback from the community and work with the local Historical Society to recognise these three individuals for the contributions they played in the early years of the Centenary Suburbs.

The last item on the agenda, Madam Chairman, item E is a petition requesting the Council to remove two street trees at 11 Maple Street at Eight Mile Plains. Council has gone out, as we do with all requests around tree trimming or tree removal, we've done an investigation, we've spoken to the officers out there, and we will be removing one of the trees, while we will also be trimming one of the other trees that is there to reduce the impact on the residents.

We shouldn't forget that this Administration is the Administration that has brought in the balanced fair tree rules when it comes to protecting the biodiversity, protecting vegetation in our city, but also working with residents to manage risk and concern that they may have around trees right across the city.

So it's great to see a common sense outcome coming through the Council again today. Another first hand demonstration of how this Administration is listening to residents of Brisbane, dealing with their issues in a considered way and getting on with the job of delivering for everyone.


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.


ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Matthew Bourke (Chairman), Councillor Fiona King (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Peter Cumming, Kim Flesser, Geraldine Knapp and Ryan Murphy.

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – WATERWAYS ACTIVATION MAP

431/2014-151. Kim Stone, Project Officer Community Engagement, Parks and Natural Resources Team, Natural

Environment and Sustainability Branch, City Planning and Sustainability Division, attended the meeting to provide an update on Council’s Waterways Activation Map. She provided the information below.

2. The need for an online interactive map to house a variety of location-based waterway information in an interesting and engaging way for residents, families and school students was first identified in 2013. This concept was tested by the community with a basic Google map at two Green Heart Fair community events in 2014.

3. A graph was displayed showing the community expectations for the map. At the fairs 60 people answered the online survey; of these 93 per cent said they would be likely to use the map.

4. The map was launched on Council’s corporate website on 9 December 2014 with lots of information and links to topics related to waterways in Brisbane.

5. This online interactive tool brings together a wealth of information already available on Council’s


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website to encourage residents, families and school students to connect with Brisbane’s waterways. The information is spatially relevant and interesting for the user to explore online.

6. Users can have a variety of experiences through this interactive online tool. It can be used to search for information relevant to their suburb or postcode. Users can pan around the map clicking on icons and shaded creek catchment areas for more information and click on links to take them to other information on Council’s website or external websites, such as environmental volunteer groups.

7. When a user clicks on a shaded area, information about the creek catchment will appear in a pop-up box. Users can the read a summary about the creek catchment, find out about flora and fauna in the creek catchment, find out more about the relevant creek catchment group or download a creek factsheet. Users can also find out about the location of canoe and boat launch points, fishing platforms, bike rides along waterways, environment centres, Council projects (creek filtration systems), bird hides and wetland viewing platforms, natural areas and Habitat Brisbane sites.

8. Council’s Natural Environment, Water and Sustainability branch (NEWS) intends to showcase this map on iPads at community events this year.

9. Council’s Corporate Communication branch will review the use of this map in March 2015 and provide recommendations on improvements for NEWS branch to consider. NEWS branch will also consider improvements based on user feedback via customer enquiries and social media.

10. In December and January alone, the Waterways Activation Map was viewed by over 337,000 people.

11. Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Ms Stone for her informative presentation.

12. RECOMMENDATION:


B PARK NAMING – PROPOSED NAMING OF THE SECTION OF PARKLAND, BORDERED BY BRINELY PLACE, FURNESS CRESCENT AND SINNAMON ROAD, WITHIN THE PARKLAND CURRENTLY KNOWN AS ‘WINDERMERE AVENUE PARK’, D1823, SINNAMON PARK, AS ‘HUGH WHITE PLACE’161/540/567/121

432/2014-1513. The Executive Manager, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, supplied the

following information.

14. A request has been received from Councillor Matthew Bourke, Councillor for Jamboree Ward, and the residents of Jamboree Ward to name a section of this parkland ‘Hugh White Place’.

15. Hugh Eston White emigrated from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1913 with his wife Sarah and five children. After spending some years in the Darling Downs area, Hugh acquired and worked a dairy farm of approximately 88 acres from 1920 to 1937 in the former Seventeen Mile Rocks farming district. The Sinnamon Park section of the White farm extended from Oldfield Road to the Brisbane River, including a significant section of the current park in Windermere Estate.

16. During the period that Hugh White’s family was in the district, all family members contributed to the social and cultural life of the local church and community. The White family is remembered warmly by neighbours of the period. A surviving grandchild remembers Hugh as a kind, generous man who was very much loved by all who knew him.

17. Some members of the subsequent generations of Hugh White’s family lived in Jindalee and participated actively in community organisations and voluntary services. Though no longer living in


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the area, they continue to take an interest in developments including preservation of the history of the area.

Consultation

18. Councillor Matthew Bourke has been consulted and supports the recommendation below.

Customer impact

19. The official naming of the park was generated through the local Councillor and submissions received from the residents of Jamboree Ward. The name is expected to receive a positive response from the community.

20. The Executive Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees.

21. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT APPROVAL BE GRANTED TO NAME THE SECTION OF PARKLAND WITHIN WINDERMERE AVENUE PARK (D1823), AS ‘HUGH WHITE PLACE’, in accordance with Council’s Policy OS03 Naming Parks, Facilities or Tracks and that name and explanation signs be erected in the park.

ADOPTED

C PARK NAMING – PROPOSED RE-NAMING OF THE PARKLAND CURRENTLY KNOWN AS ‘THOMAS MACLEOD AVENUE PARK’, D1824, GOGGS ROAD, SINNAMON PARK, AS ‘SIR HERCULES SINNAMON PARK’161/540/567/122



23. A request has been received from Councillor Matthew Bourke, Councillor for Jamboree Ward, and the residents of Jamboree Ward to re-name the parkland in Goggs Road, currently known as ‘Thomas MacLeod Park’, to ‘Sir Hercules Sinnamon Park’. Councillor Bourke wrote to over 350 of the surrounding residents and received an overwhelming response in regard to the re-naming of this parkland. The majority of the residents agree the parkland should be named ‘Sir Hercules Sinnamon Park’.

24. From the early 1940s Sir Hercules Sinnamon, grandson of 19th century pioneers James senior and Margaret Sinnamon, gradually acquired farmlands once owned by his grandparents, by his father James junior and by several uncles and aunts in the Seventeen Mile Rocks farming district. He also acquired a block between the Sinnamon farms that had not formerly been in Sinnamon hands but that had been the site of Thomas Macleod's pioneering flight. The Sinnamon properties included two working dairy farms, each with a farmhouse and farm buildings; and situated between them, the first Sinnamon home 'Beechwood', a timber cottage dating possibly to the late 1860s. In addition, Sir Hercules purchased the 19th century Seventeen Mile Rocks State School, originally in Goggs Road, after its closure and later moved it onto his land, as it was situated on Crown land and had to be moved.

25. Sir Hercules was also instrumental in ensuring that the historic Church (formerly Methodist, now Uniting) remained in the district. He donated land to the church which was originally located near the south-western corner of Goggs and Seventeen Mile Rocks Roads so that it could be moved. Construction of the Centenary Highway, with associated access ramp and overpass, necessitated that the church be moved or demolished. These properties provided the basis of what is now the State heritage-listed Sinnamon Farm precinct. The church has a separate listing. Sir Hercules initiated the heritage listing by nominating all of the buildings for the Register of the National Trust of Queensland in 1980. This was accepted and the properties were entered on the register on 24 November 1980. Subsequently, with State and Council heritage registers being created, the properties were entered on the Queensland Heritage Buildings Protection Act (1990) schedule, the Queensland State Heritage


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Register (October 1992) and the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register (2000).

26. Sir Hercules was also very interested in making part of the farm properties available in perpetuity for public educational purposes. He had a particular interest in facilities that would educate school children about rural farming practices and/or past farming lifestyles. From 1988 he made the school building, which he then owned, available to the Education Department for use by school groups as an interactive museum.

27. Also in the late 1980s, a series of meetings was held at his home for the purpose of planning future use of the buildings, as well as farm implements, for public purposes. He also welcomed groups of school children to his home where he gave them a talk and showed them farming implements. Sir Hercules's specific ideas about the arrangements of buildings and the amount of farmland to be left for public use varied over time, as reflected in a succession of wills made during the last 20 years of his life. He also wished that the farm should continue to be operated as a working farm under Sinnamon family management for as long as possible.

28. Tensions must have arisen as a result of the building being was left as a heritage precinct and Sir Hercules’ expectation that the farm be owned and operated by his relatives. At times his wills made provision for a precinct to be left for public purposes but with conditions attached. When Sir Hercules died in February 1994, he had already gifted the whole farm to his brother Ivan Sinnamon and his friend and carer Norm Henry the previous year.

29. This intention was later supported by the Supreme Court judgment on challenges to Sir Hercules's wills. It seems likely that Sir Hercules hoped that his aims would be achieved in the long-term by the protection afforded through heritage listing 'Glen Ross' Homestead, farm buildings, with orchard in background in the 1980s. The whole farm was sold in 1996 to a developer, Ronald William Baldwin, who used the lands to develop Windermere Estate through his company, Baldwin Riverlands Estate Pty Ltd.

Consultation

30. Councillor Matthew Bourke has been consulted and supports the recommendation below.

Customer impact

31. The official naming of the park was generated though the local Councillor and submissions received from local residents. The name is expected to receive a positive response from the wider community.


33. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT APPROVAL BE GRANTED TO RE-NAME THE PARK, CURRENTLY KNOWN AS ‘THOMAS MACLEOD AVENUE PARK’, D1824, GOGGS ROAD, SINNAMON PARK AS ‘SIR HERCULES SINNAMON PAR K’, in accordance with Council’s Policy OS03 Naming Parks, Facilities or Tracks, and that name and explanation signs be erected in the park.

ADOPTED

D PARK NAMING – PROPOSED RE-NAMING OF THE PARKLAND CURRENTLY KNOWN AS ‘WINDERMERE AVENUE PARK’, D1823, WINDERMERE AVENUE, SINNAMON PARK, AS ‘THOMAS MACLEOD PARK’161/540/567/123



35. In 1910, the Queensland Aero Club was formed, with its headquarters in Turbot Street, Brisbane. Thomas Macleod, a barrister, was prominent in the club activities. In that same year Thomas helped


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form the Queensland section of the Aerial League of Australia. The new science of flight came to Queensland with gliding experiments at Herston Heights, Mt Coot-tha and Oxley. The gentle slopes at the Belz property at Seventeen Mile Rocks, Oxley were ideal for the activity and an experimental flying area was developed on a hillside. The glider was stored in a shed on the adjoining Sinnamon property.

36. The first practical side of flying was in a bat’s wing bi-plane glider, the first heavier-than-air flying apparatus constructed in Queensland. It was built for and partly by Thomas Macleod at the Aero Club rooms in July 1910. To prepare himself for the serious experiments at Seventeen Mile Rocks, Thomas experimented and trained on a specially constructed machine in the back yard of his home at West End, and made some tentative flights. It was in a bat’s wing monoplane glider he constructed that Thomas carried out the first officially observed flight on 11 October 1910. Mr J Larsen-Smith, a member of the Aerial League of Australia, supervised the experiment and took the official photograph. The wind was blowing 23 miles per hour with gusts of 28 miles per hour and Thomas carried out experiments all afternoon (Flight, vol 102 no.5, Page, 1020, 1910).

37. Several short glides were made and then he rose to a height of 12 to 14 feet although, owing to a faulty launch, the glider came down rather heavily but was not damaged. This particular glider had a span of 32 feet and was built on the Wright Brothers’ pattern, with a few alternations, such as receding wing tips.

38. Fellow enthusiasts came to observe and assist and these experiments marked the birth of practical aviation in Queensland. In November 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War I, Thomas formed the Queensland Volunteer Flying Civilians (QVFC). With public support, members of the QVFC trained on a reconstructed Cauldron at Hemmant in the art of aerial warfare. This flying school is unique in the annals of military flying. Eight members of QVFC sailed with Thomas Macleod to England and were commissioned or enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps immediately. He was also one of the early directors of Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services (QANTAS) and one of his last acts as a director was to move the motion formally establishing the involvement of QANTAS in the original Royal Flying Doctor Service.

39. On Sunday 11 October 1970, the Aviation Historical Society and the Royal Queensland Aero Club erected a plaque to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the birth of flight in Queensland. In recognition of Thomas Macleod’s contribution to early aviation it was sited on the slopes below Seventeen Mile Rocks Road where he had carried out many of his pioneer flights.

40. The Thomas Macleod Aviation Archives, Queensland Museum, established in 1973, are named in his honour. In 1988 a brass plaque acknowledging Macleod’s contribution to aviation was placed on a concrete plinth erected in the front yard of the former Seventeen Mile Rocks School, adjacent to the site of his pioneer flights.

41. On 18 December 2010, a memorial was dedicated to Thomas Macleod to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his gliding experiments especially to mark the anniversary of his monoplane glider on the land where the 1910 flights took place. In a section of parkland allocated by the Brisbane City Council at Windermere Avenue, Sinnamon Park, a brass plate on a large plinth details Thomas Macleod’s achievements. A vintage aircraft fly-past took place during the unveiling by the Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman. Erection of this memorial was a project of the Centenary Suburbs Historical Society.

Consultation

42. Councillor Matthew Bourke, Councillor for Jamboree Ward, has been consulted and supports the recommendation below.

Customer impact

43. The official naming of the park was generated through the local Councillor and submissions received from local residents. The name is expected to receive a positive response from the wider community.


45. RECOMMENDATION:


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THAT APPROVAL BE GRANTED TO RE-NAME THE PARKLAND, CURRENTLY KNOWN AS ‘WINDERMERE AVENUE PARK’, D1823, AS ‘THOMAS MACLEOD PARK’, in accordance with Council’s Policy OS03 Naming Parks, Facilities or Tracks and that name and explanation signs be erected in the park.

ADOPTED

E PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL REMOVE TWO STREET TREES AT 11 MAPLELEAF STREET, EIGHT MILE PLAINSCA14/907909

435/2014-1546. A petition from four residents of Eight Mile Plains, requesting that Council remove two street trees at

11 Mapleleaf Street, Eight Mile Plains, was presented to the meeting of Council held on 18 November 2014, by Councillor Steven Huang, and was received.

47. The Executive Manager, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, supplied the following information.

48. It is recommended that one of these trees be removed due to having previously been trimmed in a way that does not conform to Australian Standards or Council Standards for pruning amenity street trees. Council has no record of trimming this tree to its current state of canopy loss, leading to structural faults.

49. Both trees have been trimmed in the past by Council officers who have lifted the lower canopy for safe pedestrian and vehicle clearance.

50. The second tree currently meets Council’s criteria to be retained and only requires a general trim.

51. Works programmed for both trees will be completed in the September ward rotation of the 2015/16 financial year.

Funding

52. Council’s Asset Services South can fund the recommendations from its recurrent budget for the 2015/16 financial year.

Consultation

53. Councillor Steven Huang, Councillor for MacGregor Ward, has been consulted and supports the recommendation below.

Customer impact

54. If the trees were removed the petitioners will be happy that their issues are resolved. Some residents in the street may not be happy if both were removed.


56. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE TWO STREET TREES WILL BE REMOVED DUE TO PREVIOUS CANOPY LOSS LEADING TO STRUCTURAL FAULTS. THE SECOND TREE CURRENTLY MEETS COUNCIL’S CRITERIA TO BE RETAINED AND ONLY REQUIRES A GENERAL TRIM TO LIFT THE LOWER CANOPY. All programmed works will take place towards the end of 2015.

ADOPTED


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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 10 February 2015, be adopted.


Councillor McLACHLAN: Thank you, Madam Chairman. The items before us, item A and item B, item A related to the presentation last week in committee which was about the small but crucial team that services our city and serves our city well working through the night to keep our city clean and ready for the next day's business.

Some 33 employees of Urban Amenities work through the night in our city and the Valley district in particular, but also more broadly on street-sweeping activities at night on major roads which are best done at night when the traffic is reduced.

These are crucial operations for the cleanliness of the city. A fairly staggering amount of rubbish is pulled out of the CBD and Valley during a night time shift. A 10pm to 6am shift typically sees over three tonnes of rubbish being removed and recycling waste of about 400 kilograms is being measured, so that's a lot of rubbish coming out during that nightshift.

It's also the opportunity to do pressure cleaning of those high pedestrian volume areas in the city and the Valley and that really can only be done at night when there aren't as many pedestrians around. Queen Street Mall, the Valley Mall Entertaining Precinct cleansing is undertaken by those who should be well rewarded workers on behalf of the Council. They have to put up a lot obviously working during the night. There are some issues that they have to contend with, with revellers coming out of the nightclubs and that does prove difficult at times. But they are, I'm sure, equal to the task and soldier on in the face of some concerns at times to deliver the services that are expected by the residents of Brisbane more broadly who only see the results in the morning light.

Madam Chairman, at item B was a petition opposing the installation of a concrete footpath on Clarina Street, Chapel Hill. This started as a request for a footpath in the street which initially received support from residents in the street, but subsequently a group of petitioners got together and overturned that initial support. As a consequence this footpath is not being proceeded with. The funds that were available for that footpath will be returned to the councillor's Ward Footpath and Park Trust fund for allocation to another project. Thank you, Madam Chair.


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.


ATTENDANCE:

Councillor David McLachlan (Chairman) and Councillors Peter Cumming, Nicole Johnston, Kim Marx and Ian McKenzie.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

Councillor Norm Wyndham (Deputy Chairman)

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – URBAN AMENITIES BRANCH, AFTER DARK: NIGHT SHIFT AND ITS VALUE TO BRISBANE

436/2014-15[4459 (Ordinary) meeting – 17 February 2015]

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1. Matt Anderson, Acting Branch Manager, Urban Amenities, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, attended the meeting to provide information on work undertaken on night shift by Urban Amenities. He provided the information below.

2. The operation of a night shift is becoming increasingly important to Council’s maintenance operations. Urban Amenities staff are rostered on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reduced vehicle and pedestrian traffic allows for safer and more productive operations. Conducting work at night allows servicing of areas that are inaccessible during the day. It also enables the employment of specialist equipment which would be impractical or unviable during normal business hours. A photograph was shown of pressure washing being conducted in King George Square.

3. Services delivered by the Urban Amenities night shift are:- road cleansing, which involves:

- ‘major road’ sweeping (district roads)- CBD and Fortitude Valley road sweeping- manual traffic island cleansing on major roads

- urban cleansing, including:- high pressure water blasting- mechanical footpath and bikeway sweeping- general waste and recycled waste bin collection- Queen Street Mall cleansing- Fortitude Valley and Queen Street Mall entertainment precinct cleansing

- sign maintenance- emergency response and/or rectification.

4. A total of 33 staff work on an average night, including six working on signs, 15 on road cleansing and 12 on urban cleansing. This increases on Friday and Saturday nights. The majority of effort is focused in the CBD and the Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct. Major events such as Riverfire can see up to 30 additional staff deployed.

5. Road cleansing staff clean 74 kilometres of road in the CBD and Fortitude Valley. 6,400 square metres is pressure washed. To put this in perspective, a rugby field measures 7,000 square metres. On average, 45 kilometres of footpath is swept. The average waste tipped by mechanical footpath sweepers is four and a half cubic metres. This increases on weekends to six cubic metres. During events, between five and a half and six and a half tonnes of general waste is removed.

6. Urban cleansing workers remove a large amount of rubbish from the same area between 10pm and 6am, including:- over three tonnes of general waste - approximately 400 kilograms of recycling waste.

7. Throughout the night, sign maintenance is undertaken including:- approximately 120 proactive maintenance activities - approximately 30 reactive sign maintenance activities.

8. Focus areas for sign maintenance include the CBD and Fortitude Valley entertainment precincts, major roads and industrial areas. Teams also conduct traffic management for events in the CBD and Fortitude Valley such as State of Origin and New Year’s Eve. Images were shown of a street sweeping truck at work.

9. The challenges faced during night work include fatigue management, workplace health and safety, illumination of the worksite and lower levels of supervision being available. Interactions with members of the public can be an issue, including antisocial behaviour resulting from alcohol and drug abuse. Staff are trained in conflict management which has resulted in fewer serious confrontations. They are also equipped with duress alarms.

10. Efforts are made to schedule night work to minimise noise impact on the public. For example, pressure washing near residential areas is done earlier in the night to avoid creating a noise nuisance.

11. The feasibility of introducing night shifts to assist horticulture and pest activities is currently being investigated.


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12. Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Anderson for his informative presentation.

13. RECOMMENDATION:


B PETITION – OPPOSING THE INSTALLATION OF A CONCRETE FOOTPATH ON CLARINA STREET, CHAPEL HILLCA14/972059

437/2014-1514. A petition from residents of Clarina Street, Chapel Hill, opposing the installation of a concrete footpath

on Clarina Street, was presented to the meeting of Council held on 25 November 2014, by Councillor Julian Simmonds.

15. The Executive Manager, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure Division, supplied the following information.

16. Clarina Street, Chapel Hill, is generally used for local access only. The section of Clarina Street in question rises from Kimba Street to the crest of the hill and slopes to Praeger Street. There are no footpaths on this street. However, there is an existing concrete footpath on Kimba Street.

17. On 12 November 2014 a site meeting was held between Councillor Julian Simmonds, Mr Greg Coomb, Regional Coordinator, Civil Engineering West, Mr Michael Lynch, Acting Regional Coordinator, Civil Engineering West, and concerned residents. At the meeting Councillor Simmonds advised that, based on Council’s investigation and subsequent opposition to the installation of the concrete footpath, this project has been cancelled.

Funding

18. The installation of the concrete footpath has been removed from the 2014/15 program.

Consultation

19. Councillor Julian Simmonds, Councillor for Walter Taylor Ward, has been consulted and supports the recommendation.


21. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED OF THE FOLLOWING:

THE PROPOSED CONCRETE FOOTPATH ON CLARINA STREET, CHAPEL HILL, HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

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 10 February 2015, be adopted.



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Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair. Last week's presentation was delivered by Sharan Harvey, our library specialist, I think Australia's library specialist, on our CoderDojo program that we're running in Brisbane. This is a fantastic initiative demonstrating this Administration's commitment to our Brisbane Vision 2031, but also aligns very closely with our Digital Brisbane strategy and our economic development to try and make Brisbane a leading digital city. We're underpinning this by teaching our young ones about digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

This was launched in July 2013 and it has gone on from strength to strength since that time. We have—it started with just the Brisbane Square Library but it's now at seven further libraries that we've been rolling out from Sunnybank Hills to Kenmore, from Carindale, Garden City and Indooroopilly. It is a volunteer-led free computer programming club, particularly for people aged seven to 17. It originated in 2011 in Ireland and then it was set up then by an 18-year old coder who got a bit of publicity after hacking the iPad Nano and has obviously now developed his special skill into a worldwide program trying to teach young ones about coding and how they can develop these platforms for the good rather than the evil of hacking iPad Nanos et cetera.

So it is fantastic to see it is now in 500 locations in 50 countries and we were the first CoderDojo in Australia which is fantastic to see. I have to say we have up to 55 participants each session, and I can tell you Term 1 this year at our four libraries were booked out within an hour and a half of opening the bookings at 9am. So it is extremely popular. I think we're going to have to look at how we can roll it out and get more kids involved in it, because obviously those who are involved keep coming back and they're sharing it with their friends and they're voting with their feet and making sure they get in.

So this is a great part of libraries commitment to literacy and learning and particularly digital literacy, and it's a great way of really promoting those hub of programs that we are doing in our libraries which is not just about reading, but is also about learning for life.

The CoderDojo philosophy provides future generations with skills that actually align with the digital technology. I would hesitate to say not many of us in this room would even know where to start with coding and hacking and all of that stuff that goes with the digital technology. But I'm glad to see that we are going to be creating digitally literate creative young people who have the ability to create digital products, identify and capture those opportunities, so we make sure that we can then maintain them staying in Brisbane and developing our expertise in this field for years to come.

There's also a petition before us today about the keeping of chickens within a townhouse complex. This one, as I explained through Committee last week, is actually out of Council's regulated area with regard to the Animals Local Law because it does come under a body corporate local law and regulations. As has been passed onto the head petitioner and was reflected in the letter in a petition response, it probably is best dealt with by QCAT at this point of time. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor DICK?

Seriatim - Clause BCouncillor Milton DICK requested that Clause B, PETITION – REQUESTING COUNCIL PROHIBIT THE KEEPING OF CHICKENS IN MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS, be taken seriatim for voting purposes.


Councillor DICK: Look thank you, Madam Chair. Look I am disappointed that once again we're seeing this Council not taking into consideration the views of ratepayers of this city, but Councillor ADAMS to simply wash her hands of this is not acceptable. It's not acceptable to me, it's not acceptable to the petitioners and I think we need to take a more activist role and a more proactive role when dealing with these sorts of issues.


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The first thing I want to do is acknowledge the head petitioner that has joined us and taken time to be with us today. He was in the gallery and I would ask the LORD MAYOR and Councillor ADAMS to, at the conclusion of today's debate, see if they would agree to meet with the head petitioner to hear firsthand the concerns.

I note the local—Councillor ADAMS is interjecting. I'm not sure what she's saying, but if it is yes to take me up on that offer I salute her for that, because what we're dealing with today, Madam Chair, is a situation which is completely unacceptable to the residents being impacted by this.

What we're seeing is a series of around 12 chickens being housed in a confined small spaced unacceptable area. Now I have a series of photographs here which demonstrate just how unacceptable this is, where you will see the boundary of the property in a narrow environment with chicken wire established right next to where people are living.

I note in this we've got a whole range of odour issues, we've got a whole range of amenity impacts, where this is more than just a simple well it's someone else's problem. This Council should be looking at every opportunity and every angle that we can to show some relief to these residents. This is actually a lifestyle issue. If there was ever an issue where the Chairman of Lifestyle needs to chomp in and show some leadership this is it.

While we've got to see, Madam Chair, is a better situation because as Brisbane grows where we see high density living, which is the mantra of this Council, where we will see high density living in and around particularly the inner-south, the inner-west and the inner-north suburbs of Brisbane, this cannot continue.

We cannot simply allow the size and narrowness of where these chickens are living, right on the doorstep I may add of a neighbouring complex—and you can see in the photographs that I'm holding up today—because there are serious health issues which can happen as a result of this practice.

Chairman: Councillor DICK sorry are you tabling—do you want to table those photos or just—

Councillor DICK: I will make them available to Councillor ADAMS—


Councillor DICK: —at a later date because I don't have yet permission to do that but I will seek permission, Madam Chair.

I'm just using that as a highlight and she maybe already have these as well. But the poultry dust, the respiratory hazards, can lead to serious, serious health issues, including diseases such as histoplasmosis which is an infection with fungus appearing in humans and other animals, and the disease is contracted—this is from Queensland Health advice—by the inhalation of dust containing spores of fungus. Chickens are often infected and pass enormous numbers of organisms in their droppings.

So this is a serious, serious issue that has been ongoing for coming up to 12 months. I also note with such a small backyard it's unsuitable but not only a health risk but the noise and the actual dust that happens for those existing residents.

I understand, Madam Chair, in looking at this petition one neighbour block is an RSL returned veteran and veterans respite home. So in any way that you look at this this is a clearly unacceptable position.

What I would like the Council to do is look at our policies for future situations where we will see residents in potentially a similar situation. Also looking at what legal framework that we can work under and how we can work with other body corporate to ensure that this situation doesn't occur.

Now I can only imagine what it is like to live under these circumstances. I understand that it is great to have in the great Queensland backyard chickens and healthy produce. Look I'm the first to say we should be supporting residents, but


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clearly, clearly not in such confined spaces where we need a common sense approach to dealing with these issues.

Look we just need to take a more proactive approach when dealing with this. I want to play a constructive role. I've been working alongside some of the residents impacted by this. We need to make sure that their views are heard and that we do everything that we can, Madam Chair, to ensure that in future when we see high density living, where we see unit development springing up right across the city, we don't have a similar situation.

So I am disappointed that we aren't taking a more proactive approach. There are other things that we could be doing and we should be doing, and for those reasons I'll continue to work with those residents, I'll continue to offer my support to ensure that we don't have a similar situation arise as Brisbane continues to grow.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor HUANG?

Councillor HUANG: Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak briefly on item A of the Lifestyle Committee report on CoderDojo.

CoderDojo, as Councillor ADAMS mentioned, is an open source volunteer led global movement of free coding clubs for young kids founded by James Whelton and Bill Liao in 2011 after James Whelton received some publicity after hacking the iPod Nano. As a result, some younger students expressed an interest in learning how to do that.

Dojo is a local independent volunteer led programming club that is a part of the global CoderDojo community. While each Dojo shares the ethos of CoderDojo there's no typical Dojo and the activities run vary from club to club.

However, they all show young people how to code and develop software as well as themselves, and explore technology by working with others and presenting their work.

CoderDojo Brisbane was launched by the LORD MAYOR on 3 July 2013. There are currently 500 Dojos in 50 countries and Brisbane is the first city in Australia to be running a CoderDojo.

CoderDojo activities expose children between seven to 17 years old to the fundamentals of coding and enables them to build websites, apps and games and other products. They also teach children creative problem-solving and practical skills and stimulate entrepreneurial thinking. It focuses on community, peer learning, youth mentoring and self-led learning, as well as a fun and sociable experience.

Madam Chair, the importance of digital literacy should not be underestimated in this digital age. Consider the importance of digital literacy in many career roles. It should be treated just like reading, writing and numeracy in the education curriculum.

According to a survey of HR professionals and employers by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, 90 per cent of employers rate operating a digital device as important to the majority of roles in their organisation, and 81 per cent regard digital skills to be an important requirement when they hire or employ staff.

Madam Chair, CoderDojo programs provided by this Council through our libraries give the kids in our city a better opportunity and competitive advantage in this digital age. I would like to commend the vision of the LORD MAYOR and this Administration in taking the lead in introducing this program, and Councillor ADAMS and her officers in our library services for delivering this visionary program that is preparing our kids for a better and brighter future.

I recommend this report to the chamber.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor MARX?

Councillor MARX: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Yes I also rise to speak on item A, the Committee presentation on CoderDojo.


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I often times come into this city at a reasonable early hour and sometimes depending on traffic I'm able to sit in other committees prior to my own starting and I was lucky enough to be there for this presentation and I was certainly very pleased to hear that Sunnybank Hills Library in my ward is hosting this fantastic project every term this year. I do note that, as Councillor ADAMS mentioned, Term 1 has already been booked out, so I look forward to welcoming a whole lot of people into my library in my ward. The digital hub at that library is certainly well utilised and lends itself to implement such great initiatives like the CoderDojo.

It's been mentioned previously here that this was something that an Irishman discovered back in 2011 and it's come from that. It stirred a memory for me when I was in high school more years ago than I care to admit here of the principal at the time at the school that I went to was a mathematical genius, and he talked then about teaching students at the time like myself coding for writing programs for computers. I'm talking about in the stage where we learnt to type on manual typewriters.

I actually attended this class and I have to say I walked out of there thinking he was talking a complete other language. Obviously at the time he was and it was completely over my head. So for me to hear about seven year olds going to our libraries nowadays and learning about coding computers just blows my mind.

I suppose I'm showing my age, but I just think it's just another great example of the LORD MAYOR and this Administration and Councillor ADAMS recognising an opportunity that exists out there and implementing it for our residents. Thank you very much.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor ADAMS?

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank you Councillor HUANG and Councillor MARX for your words of support. I know you love the fact that it's out in your local libraries and Sunnybank Hills Library in particular is doing fantastic work as digital hub.

Just in response to Councillor DICK's comments about me washing my hands of this petition, I just would like to go through the finer details. I was in the—looking at the time this evening, but I'm more than happy to explain really the amazing work that our Council officers have done in this space around this petition.

I am aware that the—I haven't met the petitioner myself but I do know that the petitioner has definitely discussed this issue with the LORD MAYOR herself.

I can advise that Council administers and enforces the regulations around the Animals Local Law and the Animals Subordinate Local Law, and these laws do stipulate that animals must be kept and controlled in ways consistent and with the right and expectations of the community to ensure that animals do not create a nuisance or a hazard to health and safety.

Now I do appreciate one of the challenges we do have in a growing city—is the communal spaces that can be difficult for body corporates and residents in complexes like townhouses that we're looking at here.

However, Council has no jurisdiction over private agreements made by body corporates unless those agreements operate outside the boundaries of State legislation and local laws administered by Council.

Councillor DICK waves around the working for the people, talking for the people; well it's also about democracy. There is a very clear majority motion in this body corporate to keep the chickens in the communal area. They want the chickens in their communal area. I understand the head petitioner is not supportive of that, but there is a motion supporting this through the body corporate.

It is in accordance with the subordinate local law that Brisbane residents are permitted to keep chickens in residential areas as long as they do look at the minimum standards for the keeping of poultry. There's no restrictions or animals


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permits relating to the keeping of chickens in high density or multiunit dwellings. Again, it's called democracy.

There are a few standards that we do adhere to, and without having to go through all of them, they do need to be located in positions that minimise adverse impacts on neighbouring properties; at least one metre away from dividing fences; food should be stored in vermin-proof containers; all manure, bedding, other waste needs to be disposed of in a manner that it will not cause environmental harm or a place for breeding flies or cause an odour nuisance.

So of course when the complaints came to us we were very proactive in going out there and making sure that we were following the guidelines on this particular property, and they were not operating outside Council's local law.

Council officers attended the property on 24 June, on 12 August, on 28 December and on 6 January. The chicken coops and surrounds were dry, clean and no odour was detected. On 28 December noted no hygiene concerns, the coop was placed one metre away from the fence line; however, some of the fencing could have been more secure, and as we passed this on to the body corporate it was fixed post-haste with that—6 January again the fencing had been rectified so we were back there within a week to check that it had been done. No further actions are required.

I think it is pretty clear, Madam Chair, that no hands were washed in this instance. We very, very clearly responded to every complaint and concern made by the head petitioner, but as mentioned before, it is not in our jurisdiction to do anything that is not breaking the local laws.

I do understand that this is not what the head petitioner wants to hear, but unfortunately sometimes the head petitioners don't get to hear what they want to hear. It is just not possible. We have spoken to the head petitioner; we have talked about the Dispute Resolution Centre. We have talked about the Queensland Government establishing these centres as an alternative to settling disputes through the court system. They have mediated, they can sit down and talk to the head petitioner, work through the body corporate and go through the issues in this stage, but as it stands, this is an issue that needs to be resolved with the body corporate not Council. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Clause A put

Chairman: I will put the motion for Item A. All those in favour say aye.

Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clause A of the report of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee was declared carried on the voices.

Clause B put

Chairman: I will put the motion for Item B. All those in favour say aye.

Upon being submitted to the meeting the motion for the adoption of Clause B of the report of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee was declared carried on the voices.

Thereupon, Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS and Victoria NEWTON immediately rose and called for a division, which resulted in the motion being declared carried.


AYES: 15 - Councillors Krista ADAMS, Amanda COOPER, Margaret de WIT, Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX, Ian McKENZIE, David McLACHLAN, Ryan MURPHY, Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, Julian SIMMONDS, Andrew WINES and Norm WYNDHAM.


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NOES: 7 - The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON and Shayne SUTTON.


ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Krista Adams (Chairman), Councillor Andrew Wines (Deputy Chairman), and Councillors Vicki Howard, Steven Huang and Victoria Newton.

APOLOGY:

Councillor Steve Griffiths.

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – CODERDOJO

438/2014-151. Sharan Harvey, Branch Manager, Library Services, Brisbane Lifestyle Division, attended the meeting

to provide an update on CoderDojo. She provided the information below.

2. CoderDojo originated in early 2011 as a computer club in a school in Ireland (PBC Cork), set up by the then 18 year old coder, James Whelton. Mr Whelton received some publicity after hacking the iPod Nano. As a result some younger students expressed an interest in learning how to code.

3. In June 2011, the first CoderDojo was held at the National Software Centre in Cork. It’s now a global volunteer movement providing free and open learning, especially in programming technology, to young people aged between seven and 17. CoderDojo is now in over 500 locations in 50 countries and growing.

4. CoderDojo Brisbane was launched by the Lord Mayor on 3 July 2013. It is the first CoderDojo in Australia.

5. CoderDojo activities expose children to the fundamentals of coding and enable them to build web sites, apps, games and other products. They also teach children creative problem solving and practical skills and stimulate entrepreneurial thinking. It focuses on community, peer learning, youth mentoring and self-led learning as well as a fun and sociable experience.

6. It is creating a new generation of digitally literate, creative young people who have the ability to:- create digital products - identify and capture opportunities to transform products into commercial success.

7. It aligns with the Digital Brisbane Strategy, Developing Brisbane as a leading digital city with an economy underpinned by digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

8. CoderDojo also aligns with Brisbane Vision 2031 – Our smart, prosperous city, as follows:- digital technology will better connect Brisbane businesses to local and international markets,

and connect residents to each other, to trades, services and leisure activities worldwide- Brisbane’s residents and workers are eager lifelong learners. People use many pathways to

learning, including libraries.

9. Brisbane Libraries are committed to literacy and learning, including digital literacies and skills to operate well in the knowledge economy.

10. Council libraries are trusted learning hubs, providing programs which facilitate learning in a variety of ways, including practical, hands-on learning and peer-to-peer learning. Council libraries offer:- low cost, child friendly venues- staff highly supportive of experiential learning- over six million visits per year, a newsletter subscriber base of 16,000


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- weekend access and staffing- high speed wireless internet access.

11. CoderDojo in Brisbane is a partnership between Council libraries and Brisbane Marketing. It commenced in July 2013 as a six week pilot program at Brisbane Square Library. Seven further libraries commenced programs between August 2013 and January 2014 including Kenmore (August 2013), Sunnybank Hills (September 2013), Carindale (November 2013), Chermside (January 2014), Mt Ommaney (January 2014), Garden City (January 2014) and Indooroopilly (January 2014).

12. The Chairman thanked Ms Harvey for her informative presentation.

13. RECOMMENDATION:


B PETITION – REQUESTING COUNCIL PROHIBIT THE KEEPING OF CHICKENS IN MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGSCA14/996471

439/2014-1514. A petition was presented to Council on 2 December 2014, requesting Council remove the

12 chickens being kept at 57 Bayliss Street, Auchenflower (the premises) and amend Council’s policies to prohibit the keeping of chickens in multi-unit dwellings.

15. The Divisional Manager, Brisbane Lifestyle provided the information below.

16. The petition contains 35 signatures.

17. Council received five complaints about chickens being kept at these premises during 2014. Officers from Compliance and Regulatory Services branch (CARS) investigated each complaint and found that the animals were being kept in accordance with the requirements of Council’s Animal Local Law 2003 (the Local Law). Enquiries revealed that a majority of residents within the body corporate membership for the premises gave permission for the chickens to be kept on the premises.

18. CARS sought legal advice from Brisbane City Legal Practice about keeping chickens in a multi-unit dwelling. The advice suggested that Council should confirm the consent of all unit owners. CARS officers spoke to representatives of the body corporate and they were advised that a lawful vote had been taken among members and a majority wanted to keep the chickens. The legal advice also suggested that the common area of a multi-unit dwelling may not be a ‘premise’ for the purpose of the Local Law. If accepted, this advice would change current practices about keeping chickens (and other animals) in Brisbane.

19. The petitioners state that keeping chickens on the premises reduces the amenity, health and safety of surrounding residents and may affect property values. There is no new information in the petition indicating there is a public health, safety, or amenity non-compliance issue present.

20. Currently, there are no grounds for Council to intervene in this matter.

Consultation

21. Councillor Peter Matic, Councillor for Toowong Ward, has been consulted on 6 February 2015 and supports the recommendation. Councillor Milton Dick, Councillor for Richlands Ward, has been consulted on 22 January 2015 and does not support the recommendation.

22. The Divisional Manager therefore recommends as follows and the Committee agrees, with Councillor Victoria Newton dissenting.

23. RECOMMENDATION:


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THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DRAFT RESPONSE SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, submitted hereunder.


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Attachment ADraft Response

Thank you for your petition requesting Council remove the 12 chickens being kept at 57 Bayliss Street, Auchenflower, and amend our policies to prohibit the keeping of chickens in multi-unit dwellings.

As you may be aware, the keeping of animals in Brisbane is regulated by Council’s Animals Local Law 2003 (the Local Law).

I am told Council received five complaints about chickens being kept at this address during 2014. When Council officers investigated each of these complaints, they were satisfied that the animals were being kept in accordance with the requirements of the Local Law. Their enquiries also revealed that the majority of the unit owners had given permission for the chickens to be kept on the premises through a vote of the Body Corporate.

There is no new information about the keeping of the chickens at the premises which indicates that a public health, safety, or amenity non-compliance issue is present, or would require a new investigation.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr Peter Jasper, Senior Project Officer, from Compliance and Regulatory Services branch, on 3403 8888.

Thank you for raising this matter.ADOPTED

FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Councillor Julian SIMMONDS, Chairman of the Finance, Economic Development and Administration Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Ryan MURPHY, that the report of that Committee held on 10 February 2015, be adopted.


Councillor SIMMONDS: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Just briefly to add to the LORD MAYOR's words earlier today, first of all, to celebrate the third birthday of the Brisbane Greeters. This is a fantastic program that the Committee heard a little bit more about the success of today. It was originally—its genesis was three years ago on Valentine's Day on 14 February which makes their red shirts very appropriate. They have gone onto great things. They started with just 12 greeters, volunteer greeters; they've now got over 200 of them. In the last three years they've done some 25,000 greets or have had 25,000 people on the greets, and these are not just visitors but they're interstate visitors, they're international visitors and importantly, they are also local Brisbane residents.

I have to say that even though I serve on the Administration of the city, there was stuff about Brisbane that I didn’t know that I learnt going on the greets, and so I really encourage any councillor who hasn't yet been on a greet to go. They are fantastic and it's really a great group of volunteers.

They've of course expanded beyond their original scope into some special events, like being the welcoming party for the G20 and also the reopening of City Hall where they acted as tour guides, but they've also taken on some special tours as well like the Walter Taylor Bridge Greet which has proved very popular. Now they are taking on other specialty tours as well.

They speak a variety of different languages and are happy to cater for visitors in that way. They're happy to take requests from visitors, but they're also happy to simply show the visitors around some of their favourite sites of Brisbane. There's nothing like being shown around a new city by an enthusiastic local.

So they're great ambassadors for our city. They are all volunteers and they work incredibly hard. They deserve the thanks of this Chamber and we congratulate them on three very successful years of this program.


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I also wanted to comment on Liverpool FC Queensland Roar clash, so tickets have gone on sale today. I had the great pleasure of attending and speaking at the media event with Robbie Fowler who is of course a legend of Liverpool FC, and of course Matt McKay who's the current captain of the Queensland Roar and very successful in his own right here in Brisbane as well.

So they were very friendly today but they'll be fierce rivals on the pitch come July. This is a great event. It is what being a new world city is all about. So Brisbane is really starting to or is on quite a roll. We've held the G20, the most successful G20 that's been held in terms of how friendly and safe the event was and how successful.

We've then gone into the Brisbane International. We had over 100,000 guests to that, beamed to over 174 countries, and that injected some $10 million into the Brisbane economy. Then we've gone onto of course the Asian Cup Fixtures. The Asian Cup Fixtures have been going to almost sell-out crowds at Suncorp in their own right, but because of the nature of who's playing in that sport, has been beamed to literally over a billion people throughout the world who are seeing our city in a very favourable light.

So these events are very important. It's a very great privilege for the city to help partner with Tourism and Events Queensland and with Liverpool FC and with Roar Queensland and with Suncorp Stadium to bring events like this to our city. They inject much needed funds into our economy; they keep jobs in our retail and hotel sectors alive, and at the end of the day that's what this Administration is all about, as well as providing some wonderful entertainment for Brisbane residents.

With that, Madam Chairman, I'll hand over the debate to the Chamber.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor CUMMING?

Councillor CUMMING: Yes, thanks, Madam Chair. I think the Chairman will find it's Brisbane Roar not Queensland Roar. It stopped being Queensland Roar some years ago and virtually all the entertainment and activities he referred to are taken into Council's subsidy and they're organised by other groups. But anyhow I digress—

Chairman: Councillor CUMMING yes you do. What are you talking about?

Councillor CUMMING: I'll get onto item A now, Madam Chairman, and I welcome the new Tourism Visitor Information Centre. This actually started when the—I actually organised a meeting with Councillor SIMMONDS and also with the Manly Chamber of Commerce President, Mr David Farley and their Treasurer, Mr Sandy McDonald. We went and saw Councillor SIMMONDS and he was good enough to agree to a grant for $75,000 which is great, and a $75,000 loan which is repayable over three years. I think the first repayment is in October.

It was very good to be able to do this, and the result has been that the Chamber of Commerce had the capital to put the new centre in place. There was a new cafe restaurant which had been established and basically the building was extended into the Information Centre next door.

The existing Information Centre was in a little pocket shop I guess you'd call it on Cambridge Parade in Manly and had been there for many years, and a shop that Mr Farley owned I believe and had allowed the Chamber to use all that time.

The new premises are far larger and far more extensive. I've got some little concerns about it in that the old shop was in Cambridge Parade which is the main street of Manly, and this location is out on the jetty which is a little bit out of the mainstream of Manly. However, the visitors' figures for the first couple of months at the new centre exceed those at the old centre, and so I guess the Chamber's proved right, I'm proved wrong, that it's a great centre.

The other thing that I'd like to say is that I've worked closely with this Chamber and Manly over the years. They've got other sources of revenue which come from Council which is referred to in the report. The Manly Harbour Village levy which raises $50,000 a year from a levy placed on commercial properties in the


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suburb of Manly, and that's the only levy left I think in the city now. I think the Caxton levy stopped a few years ago and I think that might be the only one left.

The Chamber have used that to run events like Halloween and they also paid for Movies in the Park once a month, so I don't have to worry about doing that, it's run by the Chamber. They also run a series of different markets so every Sunday they run markets, and once a month they have Jan Powers Markets in the area, though that's soon to change.

The Chamber gets a cut from the fees for the people coming to the markets as well, so they've got all these sources of income. It makes a very viable chamber, a very active chamber. Not to say the Wynnum Chamber which is run on different basis is not a very good chamber as well. I have two Chambers of Commerce in my area, but certainly this is to be welcomed, the new Centre. I've actually put out a newsletter late last year reporting on this and thanking Councillor SIMMONDS for his efforts and giving the money to the Chamber, so thank you for that again Councillor SIMMONDS. Well done to the Chamber and I hope that they go from strength to strength.

They have got a very big show coming up shortly, the Tinnie and Tackle Show coming up in early March which has been—used to be I understand at the Ekka. It's been down on the Bay for the first time and I think it'll be a very big event, and the organisers have impressed me as people who know what they're doing in organising a good event. I think there'll be a big crowd around Wynnum Manly that weekend and I'm looking forward to that event as well, so thank you.

Chairman: Further debate? Councillor SIMMONDS?

Councillor SIMMONDS: Oh thank you very much, Madam Chairman, and I thank Councillor CUMMING for his input into the debate. He has no reason to say thank you; it's a very good Chamber that he's got down there. They had a very ambitious plan but they deserve the chance to get it right, and from what I saw when I visited that Information Centre I think they've got every chance of doing right by the residents of Manly down there. I will chip him just a little bit because he chipped me at the beginning, and that is that indeed the programs I did speak about—both the Greeters, the Brisbane International and the Liverpool versus Brisbane Roar clash—are directly supported by Brisbane City Council. In fact, they are itemised, particularly the Greeters in the Economic Development Budget if you read his Budget book. I wanted to point that out because he votes against that funding every year and I feel like he should understand the programs that he's voting to abolish. Thank you.

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.


ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Julian Simmonds (Chairman), Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor (Deputy Chairman); and Councillors Kim Flesser, Fiona King, Ryan Murphy.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

Councillor Shayne Sutton

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – WYNNUM-MANLY TOURISM AND VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

440/2014-151. Shawn Day, Acting Manager, Economic Development, City Planning and Economic Development,

City Planning and Sustainability Division, attended the meeting to provide a presentation on the Wynnum-Manly Tourism and Visitor Information Centre. He provided the information below.


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2. The new premises for the Wynnum-Manly Tourism and Visitor Information Centre on the William Gunn Jetty at Manly Harbour was opened by the Lord Mayor on Saturday 7 February 2015.

3. Council has provided a loan and grant to the Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce to establish the new premises for the Wynnum Manly Tourism and Visitor Information Centre with a $75,000 grant and loan of $75,000 repayable over three years beginning October 2015. The site is also leased from the Queensland Government on a nominal lease for $1 per annum.

4. The Wynnum-Manly Tourism and Visitor Information Centre is organised and operated by the Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce, an accredited organisation that is open seven days a week and is staffed by over 10 volunteers

5. The role of the Visitor Information Centre is to enhance and activate local community events including:- Tinnie and Tackle show 7-8 March 2015- Creative markets and Jan Powers farmers markets- Movie nights, school band concerts and Halloween

6. Visitation at the Tourism and Visitor Information Centre is 3000 to 4000 people each year with 40 per cent of visitors from the greater Brisbane region, 40 per cent from overseas and 20 per cent from Australia.

7. Council has a well-established working relationship with the Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce involving the Manly Living Villages Development Levy and Contract for the activation of Little Bayside Park.

8. The Chairman thanked Mr Day for his informative presentation.

9. RECOMMENDATION:


B BANK AND INVESTMENT REPORT – PERIOD ENDED 26 DECEMBER 2014134/695/317/3-03

441/2014-1510. The Chief Financial Officer, Organisational Services Division, provided the Committee with the

monthly summary of Council’s petty cash, bank account and cash investment position as at 26 December 2014.

11. During the December period, total Council funds held by banks and investment institutions (per general ledger) decreased by $97.6 million to $271.3 million excluding trusts (Ref:1.4). The net decrease is mainly due to repayment of working capital borrowings from QTC.

12. Council funds as at 26 December 2014 held by banks and investment institutions (per statements) totalled $274 million (Ref: 2.4 + 3.1). The variance relates to timing differences between transactions recorded in the general ledger and those reflected in the bank statements.

13. Unreconciled bank receipts and payments relate to reconciliation variances at the end of the period. The majority of these transactions have since been reconciled.

14. Surplus funds are invested daily with approved counterparties.

15. The Chairman and the Committee noted the report.

16. The Bank and Investment Report for the period 26 December 2014 is presented for noting by Council.


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17. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT BE NOTED.ADOPTED

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS:

Chairman: Councillors are there any petitions? Councillor SIMMONDS?

Councillor SIMMONDS: Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I have a petition from residents of Fig Tree Pocket about parking in Cubberla Street.

Chairman: Further petitions? Councillor McKENZIE?

Councillor McKENZIE: Madam Chairman, I have a petition requesting improvement of a pedestrian crossing at Cleveland Street, Stones Corner.

Chairman: Councillor DICK?

Councillor NEWTON: Thanks, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Councillor DICK?

Councillor NEWTON: Did you say—

Chairman: I did say Councillor DICK actually.

Councillor NEWTON: Oh sorry, my fault.

Councillor DICK: Cooee. Madam Chair, I have a petition from 50 residents regarding chickens in townhouses.

Chairman: Councillor NEWTON?

Councillor NEWTON: Thank you, Madam Chair, and my apologies for jumping the gun. I present a petition on behalf of residents of Zillmere regarding some local vegetation matters.

Chairman: Further petitions? Councillor CUMMING?

Councillor CUMMING: Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a petition calling for a new skate park in Wynnum Manly signed by dozens of residents.

Chairman: Further petitions? Councillor MURPHY?

442/2014-15It was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor Victoria NEWTON, that the petitions as presented be received and referred to the Committee concerned for consideration and report.

The petitions were summarised as follows:

File No. Councillor TopicCA15/113198 Julian Simmonds Supporting Council’s proposed options for car parking in

Cubberla and Thiesfield Streets, Fig Tree Pocket.CA15/104427 Ian McKenzie Requesting improvement of pedestrian safety at

Cleveland Street, Stones Corner.CA15/113254 Milton Dick Requesting that Council ban chickens from townhouse

developments and multi-unit dwellings.CA15/105872 Victoria Newton Objecting to Council’s request for information regarding

interference with protected vegetation adjacent to 7 Keyatta Street, Zillmere.

CA15/104181 Peter Cumming Requesting the Lord Mayor to build a new skate, scooter and bike facility in the Wynnum Manly Ward.


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GENERAL BUSINESS:

Chairman: Councillors are there any statements required as a result of a Councillor Conduct Review Panel order? Are there any matters of general business? Councillor MURPHY?

Councillor MURPHY: Yes, Madam Chairman, I'd like to talk about the Murarrie boundary review.

The Murarrie boundary review is something that I started late last year and it came out of the results of something that I tackled when I first became a councillor during the River Gateway Neighbourhood Plan. I attended a very angry community meeting in the Parkhill Estate and everyone was talking about five storeys on Parkhill South and lots of yelling and lots of emotion, but out of that once we'd resolved those issues I got a feeling that the Parkhill community certainly didn't feel as if they were part of the suburb of Murarrie.

So I committed to them that some time in this term we would have a look at the boundaries of their suburb, and as you would know from Councillor SCHRINNER's review of the suburb by the name of Whites Hill, sometimes boundary reviews and naming of suburbs can be quite controversial things.

But I'm pleased to say on this occasion the review that was conducted found a staggering positive result, Madam Chairman, because late last year I put out a review to that Parkhill community and to another community, part of Tingalpa that is on the eastern side—sorry the western side I should say—of the Gateway Motorway and the results have come back in for that suburb boundary review.

The Parkhill Estate, 89.2 per cent of the estate decided that their suburb boundary ought to be shifted from its current boundary of Barrack Road over to Creek Road, and to join part of the suburb of Cannon Hill. Part of the justification for that is that they currently sit right beside the Cannon Hill Train Station before the suburb was actually subdivided when it used to be the Cannon Hill Saleyards. It was known as Cannon Hill and it was only once it was subdivided it actually became Murarrie.

So I certainly didn't expect results that would be quite as decisive as that. I know the then State member did not either, and neither did many of my colleagues who said mate you're crazy to be doing a suburb boundary review. But it is a staggering result and is a really good result for that community who feel that their voice has been heard.

Of course given that that strong result has come through, we'll now be referring that to the State Government. I don't know who the minister for the mega portfolio of whatever it is in the new Department of Natural Resources and Mines is, but I'll certainly be referring it to them. Perhaps my Labor colleagues on the other side of the chamber could put a good word in—put a good word in for me and see if we can't get that one up—


Councillor MURPHY: —again—but we also did have a result for the area of Tingalpa on the other side that we also reviewed and 63 per cent of people opposed that part of Tingalpa becoming Murarrie. So I've also heeded the message that they've sent and we've shelved any proposal to change the boundary there. So there you go.

The Strong Choices campaign, there were two choices they made. First of all for Parkhill Estate to shift to become Cannon Hill, and secondly, for part of Tingalpa to remain as it is and certainly I've heeded the results of this review and the results of that process, and we'll be referring the Parkhill one onto the State Government for further review. Thanks.

Chairman: Further general business? Councillor GRIFFITHS?

Councillor GRIFFITHS: Yes, thanks, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on three items impacting Moorooka Ward; one is the performance of Field Services, the second is to respond to the


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issues of the noxious odour raised by Councillor ADAMS last week, and the third is just to put my concerns regarding the BMI site at Acacia Ridge on the record.

First off can I just say how disappointment and how out of touch I think the LORD MAYOR and his team are at the moment regarding maintenance in the suburbs. In particular, I know I have an adjoining ward with the Tennyson councillor and I know both our wards are I feel being neglected severely in terms of maintenance.

We all know from the debate today and over the last few weeks that grass growing is a problem, but it's not the only problem. There are other issues in Moorooka Ward and I want to put these on the record so that there can be no accusation that the LNP, LORD MAYOR and councillors didn't hear of it.

First is poorly maintained streets and main roads, including gardens and verges on the south-side and these are in Rocklea, Moorooka, Salisbury and Coopers Plains, and I give as a prime example the intersection of Ipswich and Beaudesert Road which carries 100,000 vehicles a day. It is overgrown, covered in rubbish at the moment, and despite putting requests in before Christmas, through January and now into February nothing has happened.

I don't know what you're doing, whether you think you're serving the people of Brisbane. You're not, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Through the Chair thanks Councillor GRIFFITHS.

Councillor GRIFFITHS: For me it's an example, I and 100,000 cars a day, drive past and they see how this Council is ignoring them.

I am also concerned about the management and treatment of our major roads, including along Ipswich Road and Beaudesert Road and I raised this last week in the Chamber. You need to go no further than the intersection of Beaudesert and Granard Road which is our responsibility to see a garden that has weeds at least a metre high in it. I've got pictures if anyone wants to see that, but otherwise take a drive out this afternoon and you can see how well Council isn't managing the site. Madam Chair, it's embarrassing. Residents are complaining, residents are noticing and it's embarrassing.

We're also in an area and the southern suburbs is an area where there was an 18 per cent swing against the LNP. So why you would be ignoring that side of the city just confuses and bamboozles me, but it is a good point.

Madam Chair, when the areas do get mowed—when they do get mowed—litter is often shredded and sent everywhere, and despite Field Services making a commitment to me last year that they would continue maintaining high profile sites such as Ipswich Road and Beaudesert Road and that intersection I just spoke about, this has not happened.

There's also over grown playgrounds in Moorooka, Salisbury, Acacia Ridge and Archerfield. I visited one last night that had trees down from the November storm. That's just not good enough.

Madam Chair, I am very concerned about the way this Council is operating. There's a damaged footpath on Fairfield Road that's been reported numerous times and I drive past that on my way to Rocklea Markets. It's a large hole that's increasing that is part of where the concrete has fallen away on to the road. That hole has been there probably six months now. Numerous times they've at least put some form of safety barrier around it. Currently it has no safety barrier around it and still nothing has been done with it.

Madam Chair, there are four bus stops without lights along major roads. One is outside QEII Hospital on Kessels Road and despite being reported numerous times, no action has been taken with it. I'm not sure what's going on with the organisation of Local Asset Services (LAS) and Field Services let alone our bus stops.

The list goes on and I'll certainly keep residents informed. One of particular note that residents in Salisbury keep noticing and I keep driving past is a safety


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barrier that was damaged six months ago. Still has tape on it and no action has been undertaken. That's on Orange Grove Road. All these will be in the system, Madam Chair.

I suppose by big concern was the fact that LAS, or Field Services staff, had assured me that when we have events such as storms and flooding, there'd be extra resources put in so that it wouldn't take away from day to day service delivery. Yet today I get the questions on notice and I see that no extra services, no extra money, has been put in at all. It's all about using the current budget.

Well, it isn't working and if you want to, if the LORD MAYOR wants to, I'm happy to set up a meeting with residents so that they can tell him directly what they're experiencing and what they think of his Council. Madam Chair, I'm really concerned that the LNP Council is out of touch. It's fine to play games in here but out there in the suburbs it's really grating with residents. They're really tired of paying for services that they're not receiving.

I suppose next year they'll have the opportunity to pass judgment on the people sitting on that side of the Chamber and I certainly will keep them informed about how that side of the Chamber, the LNP side of the Chamber, is providing finances to service local communities.

The second point is the issue of noxious odour at Salisbury and Moorooka. I was a bit disappointed with the perspective provided by Councillor ADAMS last week. I don't agree with Councillor ADAMS' perspective at all. I've worked closely with local residents and attended public meetings. There's an action group out there, Salisbury Moorooka Noxious Odour Action Group (SMNOAG). The issue is concerning residents in terms of their health, in terms of the odour and residents are angry. I note that neither the LORD MAYOR nor Councillor ADAMS has attended any public meetings that have been organised.

This was the problem 10 years ago before I came into Council and obviously it's a problem now. What we're doing with it is masking the problem not fixing the problem. One of my big concerns with the company involved, EGR Group, is that potentially they've gone over their 100 tonne threshold limit with chemicals. That 100 tonne threshold of chemicals requires State involvement.

By Council not ensuring that they haven't gone over that 100 tonne limit, we're minimising the involvement of the State and the opportunity and trigger to get a better outcome for residents. By that I mean we can review their licence, or the State can review their licence to pollute and that's what it is, it's a licence to pollute, and then it can trigger a new DA so that we actually bring that factory in line with the current City Plan requirements.

Madam Chair, I'm very sceptical about the approach being undertaken by Council and the Administration and I don't believe it will result in a long term solution for residents. I believe that that decision should be reviewed.

Finally, Madam Chair, BMI. BMI is a resource recovery area on Watson Road at Acacia Ridge. It's next to Watson Road State School and it is certainly next to a very—and I'll say—a not wealthy area of the city. There are many Aboriginal families, many refugee families, many working class families in that area who are affected by the impact of that facility.

I'm concerned that this has been raised previously at a LORD MAYOR's Listens Cabinet and has been raised by me numerous times with the LORD MAYOR. In fact, this city had a huge role to play with that site during the 2011 floods when it sent—my understanding is 100,000 tonnes of waste over to that site.

Madam Chair, I believe that there is currently DA processes in place in regards to that site and I would request and have requested from the LORD MAYOR a briefing on that. We want to know how the large amount of rubble will be dealt with, how recycling and landfill on the site will be dealt with and the impact on local waterways and flooding.

Madam Chair, I'd like to see a resolution to this and I'm happy to work with Council to do so but to do that, I need to be kept informed so that I can feed residents' views into the process. I am hoping that the LORD MAYOR will be


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fair dinkum and provide me at the briefing on what is going on in Councillor COOPER's area so that we can get some resolution to this long term issue impacting the residents of Acacia Ridge. Thank you.

Chairman: Further general business? Councillor KNAPP.

Councillor KNAPP: Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, tonight I rise to speak on matters pertaining to the events regarding the State election, the State seat of Ashgrove and the achievements of Campbell Newman as Premier for Queensland and Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

Madam Chair, firstly I would like to say that as politicians we all put our hands up to represent our communities and try and make a few—we rarefied a few because there are really, when you look at it, not a lot of politicians or people who are prepared to put their hand up to actually go out into politics, put their lives on hold and actually work for the community.

So every four years, Madam Chair, we face a job re-election process. We put ourselves up and the State—every three years and it's up to the community to say yes or no. So, Madam Chair, as Councillor for The Gap Ward for the last 18 years, I've actually been involved in five Council elections, as you have, Madam Chair. In that time, the State seat of Ashgrove has been held from 1989 by Jim Fouras, my friend, who was my good friend, Jim Fouras, and we worked very well together until 2006 when he retired and Kate Jones put her hand up and became the State member for Ashgrove from 2006 until 2012.

Now, Madam Chair, you know, the rest of the time when there's not an election on, we all take away our political persona, in a lot of cases, and work proactively for the community. Indeed, Madam Chair, Kate Jones and I had a very good working relationship as well as I did with Jim Fouras. In 2012, the previous Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman, became Premier of Queensland and the State member of Ashgrove.

So for three years I had the privilege of working with Campbell again and after the elections, obviously his vision for Queensland was not held by the majority of Queenslanders although I will say, Madam Chair, that the primary vote for the LNP was greater than that for Labor and it's obviously that the Greens had the sort of the say in relation to it and they did not agree with his vision for Queensland.

So, Madam Chair, I would like to congratulate Kate on becoming the State member for Ashgrove again. She ran a very competent campaign and I congratulate her on being elevated to the Ministry which is a very important Ministry, that of education.

Now, Madam Chair, I am passionately involved in education. As an ex-teacher, I understand the importance of how the education system should be run by the state. Indeed, Madam Chair, the innovation shown by Campbell Newman's Government in respect to education has been amazing, particularly with independent state schools, all of the backlog of schools’ maintenance being done, not just in the State seat of Ashgrove but across the State, master teachers and all, of the innovations that have occurred. I hope the current Labor Government which, when you go and have a look at their policy had no policy for education. There is nowhere on their website that they talk about an education policy.


Chairman: Councillor DICK.

Councillor KNAPP: However, I trust, Madam Chair, that they will—

Chairman: Just a minute, Councillor KNAPP. Look, it's general business. At least have the courtesy to allow—your side was allowed to speak in silence so please. Thank you.

Councillor KNAPP: I hope, Madam Chair, that they will build on the success of what has occurred within education particularly.


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Madam Chair, you and I remember very well the day Campbell Newman walked into our party room with a small group of eight councillors in opposition. I was at the pre-selection where Campbell put up his hand to become the Lord Mayoral candidate for Brisbane in 2002.

Madam Chair, it was an interesting time because whether you like Campbell or not, and I happen to, is that he did have a vision. In fact, I found some of our documents that we actually sat as a very small team and sat with him and crafted documents about his vision for Brisbane. The Moving Brisbane document, the Managing Brisbane document, the documents that we all worked on towards refreshing Brisbane.

Now, the rest is history in some ways, Madam Chair, that in 2004, Campbell won the Lord Mayoralty but we didn't win the majority in Council. Having said that, it was an interesting time as we were still—Liberal councillors were in opposition and there was a controlled Labor party domination. No, to be fair, everyone worked with Campbell. No, I will grant that. There are members sitting here today, Councillor FLESSER, Councillor ABRAHAMS and Councillor NEWTON. There was a reasonable harmony in relation to the process in which they actually controlled the city.

Now, Madam Chair, a lot of was achieved—

Chairman: Order!

Councillor KNAPP: —a lot was achieved in that time. I'd like to list the achievements of the Newman time in Council or some of them. The Road Action Plan was one of the great achievements, Madam Chair, where in 2008 $1 billion worth of projects that had been not done and when he asked the officers what projects needed to be done, they produced this plan that said, “these have never been done, they're on the long term plan”. So across the city in Bracken Ridge and out through the city—enormous upgrades of road intersections occurred, Madam Chair.

The Taskforce Against Graffiti, the Retirement and Aged Care Taskforce, the Health and Safety Amenity Local Law, Madam Chair, the Senior Strategy, the Youth Strategy, the commencement of the Access and Inclusion Plan, I was Chair at the time, Homeless Connect, the Climate Change and Energy Taskforce Call to Action.

Now Madam Chair that was done when Labor was in control of the Council. However, it was the mark of the mayor who understood that we as a Council should lead by example. The targets set by that taskforce are being met today still. It is still a plan that is underpinned by this taskforce for climate change.

Madam Chair, it is the mark of a man that he understood it and went out and put solar panels on his roof long before any government offered any subsidies on it because he believes that you needed to lead by example. Madam Chair, he started Homeless Connect, he started water tanks during the drought. We managed the drought. City Hall was upgraded, three new swimming pools when there had been no new swimming pools built for a very long time. A new library for Pullenvale Ward, the upgrade to existing libraries, the upgrades to our swimming pools, very long neglected by the ALP.

Madam Chair, in 2006 there was City Shape which was part of a plan that we would connect with people, not only as part of the Southeast Queensland Regional Plan but also about our policy about how you did local plans or neighbourhood plans and they today still underpin the 2015 CityPlan.

Madam Chair, there was subsidy for sporting groups for water subsidy; the Men's Shed was an initiative of his Administration. There was $24 million spent in the first term in parklands of the foreshores, all, I might add, Madam Chair, in Labor held wards. The Lord Mayor Suburban Initiative Fund has allowed us to, as a community—


Chairman: Order! Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor KNAPP: The Lord Mayor Initiative Fund—


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Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, control yourself.

Councillor KNAPP: —that's okay. However, Madam Chair—

Chairman: Councillor SUTTON. Councillor KNAPP, just wait until they want to listen.

Councillor KNAPP: Do they want to say anything or is there anything worth they have to say, to be perfectly honest, Madam Chair?

So, Madam Chair, I suppose there is a stark contrast in the Annual Report of 2002-2003 and the Annual Report of 2010-2011, which was the last year of this Lord Mayor. Now, in that time, Madam Chair, there was accountability—our meetings were recorded. Online, PD Online, all of the initiatives that make up an accountable, open government, despite the fact that there is this mumbling continually that we're not, that you can read all of the things you need to online. Development applications—

Chairman: Councillor KNAPP, your time has expired.

Further general business? Councillor DICK.

Councillor DICK: Thanks, Madam Chair. I rise tonight to speak about the legacy of Campbell Newman.

Madam Chair, I wasn't going to enter the debate tonight but after listening to that fairy tale story from Councillor KNAPP, the rewriting of history about one of the worst Lord Mayors in our city's history to then only followed on with the worst Premier of our State.

Chairman: Councillor KNAPP.

Councillor DICK: Now, Councillor KNAPP started her commentary by talking about his work as a representative for the people of Ashgrove. Well, you know what, through you to Councillor KNAPP? Communities know us best and when they got to know Campbell Newman, they got rid of him as the member for Ashgrove. That's what the community thought because they saw him up close and personal. They saw what sort of man he really was. They saw him in his own community and they rejected him.

They rejected him, Madam Chair, with great reason and great values because once the mirror was shown to Campbell Newman, once the magnifying glass was shown on him, people were repulsed by him. The people of Queensland had to tolerate one of the most aggressive and vicious people who have ever held the high office of the Premier of Queensland. History was made for all the wrong reasons in 2012 but history was corrected in 2015.

History will judge Campbell Newman for his actions. Don't take my word for it, Madam Chair, just listen to the people of Queensland. You would think the LNP—I mean, those opposite, Madam Chair, are the only people you can describe as rats swimming towards the sinking ship. Madam Chair, we've seen time and time again how the LNP will not accept the verdict of the people of Queensland. We just heard a history lesson from Councillor KNAPP talking about the great things of Campbell Newman.

She is refusing to acknowledge the people's verdicts of what they thought of Campbell Newman. She is refusing, like the rest of the LNP. I'll tell you who didn't refuse, Madam Chair, was Jeff Seeney, the Deputy Premier. You know what Jeff Seeney described after the election about Campbell Newman's legacy?

Councillor WYNDHAM: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Yes. Point of order, Councillor DICK. Yes, Councillor WYNDHAM.

Councillor WYNDHAM: Madam Chair, I believe the Councillor should at least address others directly.

Chairman: I'm sorry, I've missed—

Councillor WYNDHAM: Sorry. I don't believe ‘she’ is the councillor's name.

Chairman: Thank you, Councillor WYNDHAM. Councillor DICK.


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Councillor DICK: Through you, Madam Chair, I'm talking about Councillor KNAPP. I'll correct the record.

What the former Deputy Premier—and I trust the people who work and know Campbell Newman the best. He said his fault was he brought the Council people with him. That's what he said. That's what he said because they didn't understand the issues and how true it was, Madam Chair, how this wasn't supposed to be, how it was all supposed to be a brand new dawn for Queensland.

It became a nightmare for the people of Queensland. A leader of this State who picked fights with the judiciary, with ambulance workers, frontline service officers, firies, the judiciary, Campbell Newman, and Councillor KNAPP has the gall to talk about accountability, the accountability, the person who unwound the Fitzgerald reforms, the person, Campbell Newman, Campbell Newman, who changed the laws to suit himself. We saw it here when he made the changes to the City of Brisbane Act. We saw ridiculous decisions after ridiculous decisions.

Stupid ministers, Madam Chair, like the Local Government Minister, David Crisafulli, who made decisions not in the best interests of local government time and time again. No wonder these people were thrown out of office and we're expected tonight to hear a lecture from Councillor KNAPP about the great things that Campbell Newman has done.

I would argue through you, Madam Chair, to Councillor KNAPP, I'd accept that if she would at least get on her feet some time before she retires from this Council and acknowledge that he wasn't perfect, that every politician makes mistakes. We never hear that from the LNP. They only want to believe what they want to believe, Madam Chair, because, Madam Chair, the people of Queensland and the voters are the judges of our decisions, not the people who sit in this Chamber, the community.

You only need to look at the flawed decisions that the Newman Government made time and time again, the bad economic mistakes which is sending Queensland backwards, the fact they gave their commitment to public servants who would be protected and one of the first acts they did was to sack thousands and thousands of public servants. Where is the accountability in that, Madam Chair?

To highlight his great legacy for our city, the number one thing that he delivered, neighbourhood planning. Did Councillor KNAPP actually live through the election, through you, Madam Chair? Did she listen, did she see those election results at Payne Road State School, at The Gap State School? Did she see those results?


Chairman: Order! Councillor KNAPP, I ask you to withdraw that comment.

Councillor KNAPP: Madam Chair, I'm happy—


Councillor KNAPP —that I withdraw the comment—

Chairman: Thank you. Councillor KNAPP.

Councillor DICK: Thank you, Madam Chair. I know this is difficult for Councillor KNAPP. She opened this can of worms tonight. I wasn't planning on speaking on this issue. She has decided to enter the debate tonight and I will correct her just as the people of Ashgrove corrected Campbell Newman and removed him out of their lives, just as the people of Queensland. They are still in denial. They still believe everything he did was correct and he did nothing wrong. He did plenty wrong, Madam Chair, he did plenty of destruction.

When you talk about financial management you talk about the state of affairs. This is the only Lord Mayor in Brisbane's history who received zero debt when they walked in the door and left us with $2 billion worth of debt. That is not good economic management, that is putting this city at financial risk.


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Madam Chair, time and time again when Councillor KNAPP talks about neighbourhood planning, she's refusing, refusing, to acknowledge the community backlash, the angst, the anger out in the community about what the LNP are doing in terms of guiding development. Read the local papers, talk to the local community groups. They are sick and tired of 12 long years of LNP.

I mean, they were sick and tired after three years of the LNP at a State level. You can only hear the anger when you move around in the community because the LNP, aided and abetted by their former Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman, were not interested in what the community had to say in terms of shaping communities. They were only interested in their own views and protecting their own jobs.

Well, Madam Chair, the Labor Party has a different point of view. You only need to walk around the community and hear what people think of Campbell Newman's legacy and they are horrified, horrified at the type of Brisbane that we've been left now to pick up the pieces for. It is bad enough the damage and destruction done here at a local government level, he then inflicted that to the people of Queensland.

Well, Madam Chair, I've got the utmost respect for voters out there. They always get the decision right, they always judge us on our record and when it comes to Campbell Newman, they judged his record in Ashgrove, he failed the people of Ashgrove and he failed the people of Brisbane and ultimately history will show he failed the people of Queensland.

Chairman: Further general business? Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.

Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Madam Chairman, I rise to speak tonight on some local ward matters and also some upcoming multicultural events across our city.

Madam Chairman, it's been great over these past couple of weeks to welcome back the new school year and in particular it was extremely pleasing to attend one of my local high schools, Forest Lake High School, for a celebratory assembly to acknowledge those students who had received an OP between one and 10. It was wonderful to see so many of these young people who'd actually come back to their high school to be recognised for their efforts and their dedication, not only to their school work but also across many areas of their school life.

It's also been a pleasure, Madam Chairman, over the past couple of weeks to be at the investiture ceremonies of many of these school leaders at my local primary schools and also my local high schools and there will be more coming up in the next few weeks as well, as all the schools bed them down and have their ceremonies at different times.

To those young people I say to them, congratulations on being appointed to your new role and I look forward to working with them for many years to come in the different roles. It's certainly great to see young people stepping up and accepting leadership responsibilities because that's very important for our future, for our communities and for our city.

Madam Chairman, I'd also like to say that thank you to Councillor MATIC because we have relaunched the Active School Travel program at Grand Avenue State School last week and I already have the dates locked in for Algester State School in my diary for their assemblies coming up. Certainly when I turn up at my local schools with my friends Red and Green and Road Star, the kids are quite excited about it and it really is a great positive way to engage with our local students to make sure that they're aware of actively travelling to school but also safely travelling to school. That is very important.

Madam Chairman, I'd just like to also acknowledge my thanks to the Vietnamese community for once again putting on their Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebrations which will be held this Friday night and it is my privilege to represent the LORD MAYOR this week at that event. The Vietnamese


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community is very strong out in the south western corridor and they always put on a fantastic event.

To the many different Chinese associations who are hosting new year functions over the upcoming weeks as well as part of BrisAsia Festival that we're celebrating here in the city. It's wonderful that these festivals continue to strengthen and enhance the cultural diversity and harmony of our city. I'd also like to acknowledge the World Multicultural Arts Association who are putting on the Harmony Day Festival in my ward on 8 March as well.

Just another point of reflection, Madam Chairman. The LORD MAYOR spoke of the passing of one of the city's elder statesman in the multicultural community, Nick Xynias, and it was an honour for me to attend his funeral to pay my respects. Nick and I had a lot to do with each other over a number of years and he certainly was a very important man in many different aspects in the multicultural community.

There was a reflection that was made at the Multicultural Round Table meeting and I think this is important to share with everyone that in the booklet that was distributed at his funeral, there wasn't anything in there about how he earned his money or anything like that. It was all about how he served the community in so many different ways and this was a true measure of the man.

He was dedicated to serving so many people in so many ways and I know, Madam Chairman, that you had quite a number of dealings with him in a number of areas as well. He certainly made a big impact in this city and I truly treasure the time and the opportunities that I had to spend with him because he was a very giving man and I do say to the Chamber that the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) will be naming their building in honour of Nick Xynias. It will be named as Nick Xynias House.

Nick was as very humble man. He didn't go out seeking accolades for himself personally but I think this is a true reflection of what he had invested of himself for the ethnic community of our city and our State and I think this is a wonderful tribute that ECCQ are making towards him.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Further general business? Councillor CUMMING.

Councillor CUMMING: Yes, thanks, Madam Chair. I'd just like to make a few comments on some remarks made earlier by Councillor ADAMS when she was discussing Council Cabs, said that I'd had to ring up the department to find out how Council Cabs operated, Madam Chair. I did ring up and get the full details because Council Cabs have never operated before in the Wynnum Manly Ward.

In the past, the Council money that would've otherwise gone to Council Cabs was added to—originally money from QCHS, Queensland Council's Host Services, and they ran a bus service which later became known as the FlexiRide bus and that used to go around and pick people up and like Council Cabs take them to the shopping centres. But there was never cabs operating in Wynnum Manly. So therefore my enquiry in that regard is perfectly understandable and Councillor ADAMS should've been aware of that.

Chairman: Further general business? I declare the meeting closed.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN:(Answers to questions of which due notice has been given are printed as supplied and are not edited)

Submitted by Councillor Nicole Johnston (from meeting on 10 February 2015)Q1. What is the total cost to date of the November 2014 super cell storm:

- damage to Council assets and facilities; and - Council’s recovery costs?

A1. While Council is still undertaking recovery works, the estimated cost to Council is $24 million.


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Q2. What is the estimated total cost to Council of the November 2014 super cell storm?

A2. See answer to question one above.

Q3. Under what 2014/15 Budget programmes, schedules and reserves are the super cell storm damage and recovery costs being funded? Please provide a list?

A3. The funding for recovery works is primarily from operational budgets. Council also estimates a saving of $715,000 from the mulching following the storm event.

Q4. Have any claims for recovery of super cell costs been made under the national disaster funding arrangements? If so how much has been:- claimed to date by Council;- paid to Council; and- estimated to be claimed in future by Council.

A4. Council is working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to prepare a submission on eligible costs.

Q5. Two new blue community facility name signs for the Sherwood Community Centre and Sherwood Kindergarten were recently installed on the corner of Thallon St and Sherwood Rd, Sherwood. Please provide the total cost and name of the entity that paid for each sign?

A5. This sign was funded under the recurrent maintenance budget.

Q6. How many bus stops are there in Brisbane?

A6. 6,279.

Q7. How many bus stops in Brisbane include a bin within the bus stop zone?

A7. This data is not readily available and cannot be reviewed in a timeframe for responses required by the Meetings Local Law 2001. This information is publicly available by visiting the bus stop relevant to the query. Bus stop locations appear on timetables issued by TransLink.

Q8. How many bus stops in Brisbane include a shelter?


Q9. How many bus stops in Brisbane include a seat?


Q10. How many insurance claims were made against Brisbane City Council or Council’s insurance company in: - 2013-14 and- 2014-15?

A10. The 2014-15 financial year is not yet completed so figures provided are year to date based on when the question was asked.

1) 6602) 364


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Q11. How many insurance claims have been resolved, settled or paid out by Council or Council’s insurance company in:- 2013-14 and- 2014-15?


1) 2832) 135

Q12. What is the total cost of insurance claims have been resolved, settled or paid out by Council or Council’s insurance company in: - 2013-14 and- 2014-15?


1) $1,341,667.482) $484,507.88

Q13. What are the top 10 types of insurance claims (by number and or cost) that that been lodged with Council or Council’s insurance company in: - 2013-14 and- 2014-15?


1) NumberTree Roots 233Tree Branch/Debris 89Uneven Surface 77Road Surface / Potholes 50Drain Lid / Grate / Pit 40Unreg Plant & Machinery 35Protruding Object 22Other 22Maintenance / Repair 21Slippery Surface 8

2) NumberTree Roots 133Tree Branch/Debris 51Road Surface / Potholes 31Uneven Surface 24Drain Lid / Grate / Pit 19Maintenance / Repair 17Protruding Object 12Unreg Plant & Machinery 7Golf Balls 6Slippery Surface 4

Q14. Who or what part of Council made the decision to ignore Council’s electoral signage laws and allow an unlimited number of candidate corflutes to be erected during the recent State Government election?

A14. The premise of the question is false.

Submitted by Councillor Victoria Newton (from meeting on 10 February 2015)Q1. Please advise the total cost of the preparation of the City Botanical Gardens Master Plan

including but not limited to consultants, staff resources, printing, map preparation.

A1. $144,000.


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The staff costs from various Council sections in delivering this project makes up almost the total amount, except for printing of consultation materials and a refresh of the City Botanic Gardens guide at a total cost of $3,525 and catering for community reference group meetings at $851.

Q2. Please advise how many complaints Brisbane City Council’s Contact Centre (via all forms of contact email, phone, online request form and SMS) were received in relation to mosquitos in January 2015.

A2. Mosquitos on Private Property – 84Mosquitos on Public Land – 71

Q3. Please advise how many complaints Brisbane City Council’s Contact Centre (via all forms of contact email, phone, online request form and SMS) were received in relation to grass cutting in Council parks and road verges in:-- November 2014- December 2015- January 2015

A3. The figures below are all requests in relation to grass cutting. Council does not collate information based solely on ‘grass cutting complaints in parks and road verges’. Requests for service in relation to grass include Council-owned land (such as referenced in the question) but also includes service requests for private property where a resident may want to complain about a neighbour not mowing their verge.

Note: These figures also include contact with Council over land not controlled by Council (i.e. controlled by another level of government or private company).

• November 2014 - 95• December 2014 - 346• January 2015 – 1306• February 2015– 459

Q4. Please advise the total number of customer requests were received by the Brisbane City Council’s Contact Centre (via all forms of contact email, phone, online request form and SMS) in:-- November 2014- December 2015- January 2015

A4.Year Month Requests

2014 November 114,604

2014 December 96,163

2015 January 115,759

Q4. Please provide a detailed breakdown of all the costs associated with the $20M allocation to the Shorncliffe Pier Renewal Project.

A4.Concept Design 145,000Site Investigations 171,000Detailed Design 620,000Project Management 1,050,000Communications 140,000Construction 13,110,000Timber decking supply (Awarded) 700,000Construction Administration 880,000Estimated Corporate Overheads 1,548,690Project Contingency 1,635,310


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RISING OF COUNCIL: 6.12pm.

PRESENTED: and CONFIRMED

CHAIRMAN

Council officers in attendance:

James Withers (Senior Council and Committee Officer)Shivaji Solao (Council and Committee Officer)Billy Peers (Personal Support Officer to the Lord Mayor and Council Orderly)


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