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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

The 4509 meeting of the Brisbane City Council,held at City Hall, Brisbaneon Tuesday 1 November 2016at 2.30pm

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

Dedicated to a better Brisbane


THE 4509 MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,ON TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016

AT 2.30PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS_______________________________________________________________i

PRESENT:________________________________________________________________________1

OPENING OF MEETING:____________________________________________________________1

MOTION OF CONDOLENCE – MANMEET SHARMA_______________________________________1

MINUTES:______________________________________________________________________10

QUESTION TIME:_________________________________________________________________10

CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS:___________________________________________20ESTABLISHMENT AND COORDINATION COMMITTEE__________________________________________20

A CONTRACTS AND TENDERING – REPORT TO COUNCIL OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016_____________________________________________________________26

B STORES BOARD SUBMISSION – LEASE AND OPERATION OF THE CAFÉ AND FUNCTION CENTRE AT THE BRISBANE BOTANIC GARDENS, MOUNT COOT-THA__________________________________30

C BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING AND RECESS CALENDAR 2017___35PUBLIC AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE_______________________________________________36

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – COUNCIL’S 10-POINT TRANSPORT PLAN AND BUS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS__________________________________________________________________40

B PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL REMOVE THE NO STANDING ZONES ALONG SYLVAN ROAD, TOOWONG________________________________________________________________41

INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE___________________________________________________________43A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES_________________________________46B PETITION – REQUESTING AN UPGRADE TO BEATTY ROAD, ARCHERFIELD/ACACIA RIDGE________48

CITY PLANNING COMMITTEE_____________________________________________________________49A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION UNDER SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT 2009: DEVELOPMENT PERMIT -

MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE FOR A WAREHOUSE AND PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO CARRY OUT BUILDING WORK ON LAND AT 14 SEEANA PLACE, HEATHWOOD – PERPETUAL CORPORATE TRUST LIMITED________________________________________________________________________53

ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE____________________________________55A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK____________56B PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL INSTALL A PLAYGROUND IN BALIS STREET PARK,

HOLLAND PARK WEST_____________________________________________________________57FIELD SERVICES COMMITTEE_____________________________________________________________59

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – COMMUNITY COMPOSTING TRIAL__________________________60LIFESTYLE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE__________________________________________61

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – NEW MOBILE LIBRARY____________________________________63FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE_______________________________________64

A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION AND REPORT – NET BORROWINGS – CASH INVESTMENTS AND FUNDING_______________________________________________________________________65

B COMMITTEE REPORT – BANK AND INVESTMENT REPORT – 29 JULY 2016____________________65C COMMITTEE REPORT – FINANCIAL REPORTS (ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, RATES, INVENTORY,

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, PROVISIONS AND MALLS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 2016_____________66

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS:_____________________________________________________66

GENERAL BUSINESS:______________________________________________________________67

[4509 (Ordinary) Meeting – 1 November 2016]




AT 2.30PM

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN:________________________76





AT 2.30PM

PRESENT:The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) – LNPThe Chairman of Council, Councillor Angela OWEN (Calamvale Ward) – LNP

LNP Councillors (and Wards) ALP Councillors (and Wards)Krista ADAMS (Holland Park)Adam ALLAN (Northgate)Matthew BOURKE (Jamboree)Amanda COOPER (Bracken Ridge)Vicki HOWARD (Central) (Deputy Chairman of Council)Steven HUANG (Macgregor)Fiona KING (Marchant) Kim MARX (Runcorn)Peter MATIC (Paddington)Ian McKENZIE (Coorparoo)David McLACHLAN (Hamilton)Ryan MURPHY (Doboy)Kate RICHARDS (Pullenvale)Adrian SCHRINNER (Chandler) (Deputy Mayor)Julian SIMMONDS (Walter Taylor) Steven TOOMEY (The Gap) Andrew WINES (Enoggera)Norm WYNDHAM (McDowall)

Peter CUMMING (Wynnum Manly) (The Leader of the Opposition)Jared CASSIDY (Deagon) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition)Steve GRIFFITHS (Moorooka)Charles STRUNK (Forest Lake)Shayne SUTTON (Morningside)

Queensland Greens Councillor (and Ward)Jonathan SRI (The Gabba)

Independent Councillor (and Ward)Nicole JOHNSTON (Tennyson)

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

MOTION OF CONDOLENCE – MANMEET SHARMA177/2016-17

Chairman: LORD MAYOR.

The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK, announced that before proceeding with the formal business of the day, he would like to pay tribute to Manmeet Sharma, the Council bus driver who was fatally attacked on 28 October 2016. The LORD MAYOR also acknowledged those who were injured during the incident.

Accordingly, in view of Manmeet Sharma’s service to the residents of Brisbane, the LORD MAYOR moved, seconded by the DEPUTY MAYOR that

“This Council extend its sincerest and deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the late Manmeet Sharma, and pay tribute to him for his dedicated service to the city and the people of Brisbane.”


Chairman: Before we commence on this motion of condolence, could I ask that all Councillors please show the utmost respect and remain silent while all Councillors are speaking. I do welcome to the public gallery the brother of Manmeet Sharma, Mr Amit Sharma, and his close family friends and residents of Brisbane.

LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Last Friday Manmeet Sharma left his home, went to work, and in the course of his duties, not long after 9am, making the turn into Beaudesert Road, pulling up at a bus stop, it was to be his last moments of life.

Manmeet Sharma, otherwise known as Manmeet Alisher, was also prominent within the Punjabi community here in Brisbane. It had just been a week earlier that he had been in Adelaide performing at Diwali Festival, bringing joy to many people. It was a performance which he had replicated here in Brisbane. Manmeet was a man of many talents, and we were very grateful to him for the services that he was also providing as a bus driver in our city.

I want to take this opportunity to again pay my respects to Amit, his brother, and to his family, many of whom are still of course in India. Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Amit and with some supporters and friends and others involved in the Punjabi community. We also, of course, met at the Sikh temple again last night to pay respects in relation to the life of Manmeet Sharma.

I want to say that, as a Council, we are certainly doing all that we can to make sure that we can provide support to Amit and to his family at this time. With that in mind, yesterday we took the decision to establish a public appeal to give assistance to the family. In that respect, that appeal account will rest with the Commonwealth Bank, and today I want to announce that, as a Council, we will contribute $10,000 to kick that appeal off, to give some early assistance to the family in terms of expenses that they will have at this time.

The outpouring of public support is something that ought to be noted. I want to take this opportunity to thank Councillor Steve GRIFFITHS for his part in organising a vigil on Saturday evening. It was an important part of the process to be able to bring people together, people from different cultures, many of Manmeet’s fellow bus drivers who were in attendance, the broader community from across cultures that had gathered. The Punjabi community of course were there in force as well.

I think it is fair to say that this whole organisation last Friday, as I moved around amongst Council officers, we were all just completely gutted by what had happened, with the tragic circumstances in which Manmeet has lost his life. So today, as a Council, I think it is very appropriate that we collectively and in a united way pay our respects to Manmeet and as one stand with his family and his friends to acknowledge a life that was cut far too short, a life that had much to offer, and a life where Manmeet was of course engaged to be married and to look at another new and exciting chapter in his life. Only to see that end in such tragic circumstances is something that leaves us all filled with great sorrow.

So, Madam Chairman, today I move this motion. There are other aspects of support that we have announced already that we will give to the family. There is obviously a condolence book that is set up at the front of City Hall. There is other assistance that we are providing. But today is really about paying a mark of respect, about extending our sincerest condolences. Thank you, Madam Chairman.

The Chairman called for any further speakers.

Chairman: Councillor CUMMING.

Councillor CUMMING: Thank you, Madam Chair. Friday’s terrible events have shocked the residents of Brisbane, but one thing it will not do is divide us. We have witnessed


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hundreds of people attending vigils for the victim, Manmeet Sharma, on Friday and Saturday night; social media has been awash with expressions of sorrow, sympathy and disbelief that something so terrible could happen in our city.

By all accounts, Mr Sharma, who was only 29 years old, was a prominent member of the Punjabi community, not only here in Brisbane but nationally. Friends have spoken of his talent as a singer, dancer and actor, who produced short films and stage plays. Mr Sharma was also a regular announcer on Brisbane’s 4EB ethnic radio station. Like all young people, he had big dreams for his future, a future which was cruelly cut short last Friday as he went about his duties as one of our Council bus drivers.

Mr Sharma’s death has undoubtedly hit his Council colleagues hard. Our bus drivers perform a vital community service through the work that they do; in fact, our city would grind to a halt without them. Everyone has the right to safety in their workplace, and Friday’s events have undoubtedly made many of them feel anxious and afraid. We as a Council must do everything in our power to ensure that driver safety is our number one priority, and I look forward to working with the LORD MAYOR to make this happen.

In the midst of Friday’s terrible events, we also witnessed an act of incredible bravery. Taxi driver Mr Nyok risked his own safety to kick in the door of the burning bus saving the lives of the terrified passengers. Mr Nyok’s actions embody everything good about our country, and he deserves our deepest gratitude and our highest praise for his quick and decisive actions.

Finally, I have read in the media that the Indian Government is concerned that this attack may have been racially motivated. There is no evidence of this. Indian migration to Australia has increased in recent years. My experience is that Indian migrants are well respected for their work ethic. In my ward, these new migrants are often hard-working, small business people or engineers. Their children often get academic awards at local schools. They are a credit to their home country and are welcome to our country as migrants.

Indians considering coming to live in Australia, or coming here for holidays, should not fear violent attacks. This was a dreadful event, but also an isolated incident. On behalf of the Labor team in Council, we wholeheartedly support the condolence motion.

Chairman: Further speakers?

DEPUTY MAYOR.

DEPUTY MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman. At times like this, words are never adequate to express how we all feel. The shock, the disbelief of the raw emotion are just too overwhelming to express. One of our own was taken from us last week, a member of the Council family and a member of the Brisbane family. This tragic loss has shaken us all to the core.

Manmeet was just 29, and that is a full decade younger than I am today, and that is a full decade that Manmeet will never get to live, a full decade and many more that he will never get to experience. That is a life that was only just beginning. So today we mourn a life only just beginning. We mourn the wife that he didn’t get to marry, and we mourn the children that he didn’t get to have. We mourn the career that he didn’t get to build; we mourn all of the people that he didn’t get to entertain with his singing. We mourn all of those things and so much more.

He was a man with so much promise taken so young. What makes this so impossible to comprehend is that the crime that was committed against Manmeet defies logic. When an innocent person is taken in such a way, one of the first questions that everyone naturally asks is why. Why is a question that remains unanswered, and ‘why?’ is a question that may never be answered.

When Manmeet got up on Friday morning and put on his City Council uniform, and looked in the mirror, he had no possible idea that that day would be his last day on earth. Just less than a week before, he had performed interstate in Adelaide at the Diwali Festival to thousands of people. His life was so


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promising in so many ways. He had a new job, driving buses for Brisbane City Council; his performing career was really going well. I am told he was engaged to be married. It is an absolute tragedy.

While we can’t change what’s happened, we can’t change the events of last week, we can ensure that Manmeet’s memory lives on in the people of Brisbane, in our city. There are certain events in this city that change the course of our history and bring us all together. The 2011 flood, an absolute tragedy for so many people, but the enduring memory is how the community united with the mud army helping each other, looking out for each other.

Let’s ensure that Manmeet’s memory lives on in our attitude towards violence, in our attitude towards how we treat others, and most importantly, how we appreciate the men and women that service out on the streets every day in Council’s bus fleets and in other bus fleets across South East Queensland. There is no excuse for violence against bus drivers, and there is no possible justification. Brisbane has this fantastic culture of saying thank you to our drivers. Every time you hop off a bus, people say thank you. Let’s ensure that Manmeet’s memory lives on. Let’s make Brisbane truly unique. Let’s have that culture of thank you and appreciation live on so that Manmeet leaves a lasting legacy for our city.


Councillor GRIFFITHS.

Councillor GRIFFITHS: Yes, thanks Madam Chair. I rise to express my sincere sorrow for the family and friends of Manmeet Sharma, those who are here and those who are far away today. I cannot imagine the pain that you must all be feeling now.

As a Councillor for the area of Moorooka, where this tragic event happened on Friday, I want to express our community’s shock and remorse. Our community is made up of many cultures. It is inclusive of newly arrived migrants and refugees, and is home to a broad and diverse range of people from all walks of life that have different incomes and different abilities. I found it incredible to be involved as the community has responded to this tragedy. From the actions of the Moorooka Police, the local ambulance and fire service, to locals assisting with the vigils that we had on Friday and Saturday night.

For those of you who weren’t there, on Friday night at Luxworth Place at Moorooka, which is just down from the bus stop, there was an impromptu gathering of hundreds of Indian and Punjabi taxi drivers, bus drivers and other locals. It was a surreal time, but it was also a beautiful, solemn and quiet time with people gathered at sunset and lit candles as they prayed for Manmeet. It was also the time that the bus was taken away. Many stayed for hours that evening, talking quietly, telling stories of him and how he built a new life in Australia.

On Saturday night we held a more formal vigil in Luxworth Place, Moorooka. There was over 1,000 people there. It was one of the most peaceful, gentle and respectful events that I have ever had the opportunity to attend in my time as the elected member. I will always remember it, and I am sure the LORD MAYOR and DEPUTY MAYOR and Chairman of Council will also remember it. It was attended by the Sikh and Indian communities, local Indigenous elders, hundreds of locals, and hundreds of Brisbane City Council bus drivers, as well as taxi drivers, religious representatives of the Sikh and Christian faiths, emergency and community service staff, and political representatives from local, State and Federal governments. The Rail, Bus and Tram Union (RBTU) were also represented by a gentleman called Tom Brown.

The service heard about Manmeet, his enthusiasm for life, his dreams and ambitions, and his upcoming marriage. The ceremony also included Sikh and Christian prayer, local musicians played violin and guitar, and a community choir that sang a Sikh chant and the hymn Amazing Grace. The lighting of candles and laying of flowers, and people taking short prayers was done in a very orderly manner, despite a huge crowd.


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At that time, 2.49pm, the Deputy Chairman, Councillor Vicki HOWARD, assumed the Chair.

Councillor GRIFFITHS: I brought a copy of the ceremony for Manmeet today for the family and friends and anyone else who might like to have a copy of it. Following the formal ceremony, local elders undertook a smoking ceremony at the bus stop, and many people participated in that as well. Moorooka is the site of this tragedy, and has been where the community has come together to recognise it. Many locals and people from the Indian community have called for Luxworth Place to be renamed, and I am happy to work in consultation with all involved, including the family, the Sikh and Indian communities, locals, the Bus Union and bus drivers, to see if we can come up with common agreement around the naming of this park.

I would also like to work with the LORD MAYOR to establish a monument close to the site, or certainly in Luxworth Place, that honours Manmeet. I think this is only appropriate. In relation to our bus drivers, I want to acknowledge the fine work that they undertake for us as a Council and for the citizens of Brisbane. They are the face of Council. They do a superb job, and need to be acknowledged and provided with the safest work environment that we as a Council can provide them. I call on Council and the Union to work together to find ways to ensure that their safety, and that of passengers travelling on our buses, is looked after.

Another issue that came up that was of concern was from taxi drivers. While this is not a Council issue, I will make representations to the State Government regarding the issues that were raised with me. As has been previously raised, there was a taxi driver who had migrated from Africa who was one of the heroes of the event. Police tell me today that the bus filled with smoke with 16 seconds, and that if it hadn’t been for the action of that taxi driver, many more would have perished.

We also need to take into account that there was a tow truck driver who was on the scene and who maybe hasn’t received the acknowledgement that he should to this point, who pulled up and tried to extinguish the flames on the bus. What happened to Manmeet is part of a broader story, and I believe that it will be borne out in investigations and the case that is being undertaken.

I raise this as an issue as the Councillor for Moorook and a representative in this Chamber, but also from my experience working as a social worker in mental health and my time working as a social worker in forensic mental health prior to entering Council. What I see that we need to do as a community is support people with a significant mental illness who are living in the community with on-site services to ensure that their wellbeing is continuing. This model is being undertaken by Common Ground in West End, and is a model that is followed in the United States of America, and it works effectively to prevent tragedies like we are talking about today. It has to happen, and I will be working for this to happen in relation to the accommodation and services in the local community in Moorooka.

As many will know in this Chamber, I support social and community housing, and with more people moving to Moorooka from the inner-city, I believe that the appropriate social services need to follow these people. This is a view shared by service providers, emergency services and the local police. Since the incident, I have heard stories regarding the 125 service from the public. They tell me of feeling unsafe on that service, and having to stop their children from catching that bus.

I would like to work with Council so that we can ensure that this service, which travels past the Princess Alexandra Hospital, is one that is the safest for passengers and staff. This is something that we should act on quickly, as a Council, by providing increased security on this service.

There are many people to thank. I would like to thank my staff, one of whom witnessed this tragic event. I would like to thank my other staff who made themselves available on the weekend to help me organise this ceremony and


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vigil. I would like to thank the Punjabi and Indian community for their warmth and their generosity. I would like to acknowledge two Council workers, and I would like to put them up for special recognition. Their names are Dion and Barry. They were Council workers who supported me in organising the park, organising the facilities, the road closures, sand for candles and all the other requirements that needed to be done on a practical basis. I met them at 9am in the morning on Saturday and they didn’t leave until 11pm Saturday night, and they were back the next morning.

I would like to thank the Sikh and Christian religious leaders who participated in the event. I would also like to thank our local community choir and local musicians. Interestingly, there was an assortment of people there, several of whom were from the Jewish faith. So we had a number of faiths participating in this event. I need to acknowledge the fine work of my parents and my sister-in-law who was able to put this together because my skills are very lacking in doing this, and my nephew Sam who assisted with printing, folding and distribution. I would also like to acknowledge the Moorooka Lions who provided tea and coffee on the night for the community.

Listening to the stories of Manmeet, I would love to have met him. He sounds such a generous and interesting person. You must be very proud of him. He was certainly loved and respected by his community. I want to say again that I will be working with this Council and with the other levels of government in any way possible so that we get the necessary changes so that this sort of situation never happens again. I hope I get to meet you before you leave Council today. Thank you.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor OWEN.

Councillor OWEN: Thank you, Madam Deputy Chairman. Today I rise to pay tribute to the service to our community and our city by Manmeet Sharma who was also known in our local community as Manmeet Alisher, and to extend sincere condolences on behalf of my community to his family, his friends and his colleagues.

Unfortunately, no words can truly express the depth of hurt that is currently being felt right across the City of Brisbane and across the world as a result of the tragic incident last Friday which took Manmeet from us. Over the past few days, many people from the Punjabi community and the Indian community here in Brisbane, as well as the wider community across our city, have all expressed their shock and disbelief that such an incident has taken place in our city. This type of incident has been devastating and has impacted many people.

I would like to reflect on Manmeet and how his beautiful soul touched the lives of so many. A few weeks ago I was at Diwali celebrations at the Rocklea Showgrounds with many of my friends from the Indian community, and I recall that when I arrived Manmeet was actually on stage performing with such vibrancy and happiness. This appeared to energise many, many young children who were flocking to the stage, singing and dancing along with Manmeet. He had this effect on people. He drew them to him, and they shared his enthusiasm for life and happiness.

There are other people who have also expressed that Manmeet’s smile had the power to transform a person’s day by bringing happiness to anyone who came across him. On Saturday night at the candlelight vigil, there was a lady who I came across—I had never met her before—and she told me that she travelled on the bus to the hospital to receive treatment, and some days when she was feeling down, going to the hospital for treatment, or feeling particularly not well, coming back home after treatment, if Manmeet was her bus driver, she said to me, ‘All it took was for him to smile at me, and he made my pain go away. He made me feel happy and better.’ That is an amazing, amazing gift.

One other person who has expressed his absolute disbelief at what has happened was Aguek Nyok, who was the taxi driver, as we all know, who risked himself to assist passengers to get off the bus. At the private meeting that we had in Jazbahl’s home on Sunday afternoon where Aguek met Amit, he actually conveyed that it wasn’t until he went to the vigil that he realised that it


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was Manmeet. He hadn’t seen any photos until that stage. He recalled at that private meeting that he had had conversations with Manmeet when they were cabbies, and they were stopped at the airport. He recalled how he was a lovely person and always very generous with his time, and very friendly and supportive. That has certainly made a big impact in that young man’s life as well.

Over the past few days, there have been many gatherings that I have attended, and I have seen a massive outpouring of grief. There are so many people who want to convey their absolute feeling for Manmeet’s family, and especially to Amit who is here on behalf of the family. On Friday night the Diwali celebration that was to be held by the Punjabi Welfare Association was cancelled out of respect for Manmeet, and there was then held a memorial service where people recalled how Manmeet had made a positive difference to the community.

On Saturday lunchtime, we had a service at the temple followed by the vigil at Moorooka that night. On Sunday there was a community meeting to talk about ways that the community could continue to support one another and to continue to support Manmeet’s family, and looking at ways to assist them. Yesterday afternoon, with the LORD MAYOR, we had Amit here in City Hall where we had the opportunity to further convey our condolences, and the LORD MAYOR explained about the condolence book and also the future memorial.

To all of my friends in the Indian community, and to Manmeet’s family, from the first point I have supported you through this grief, and I will continue to support all of the family, friends and colleagues of Manmeet as you require in the times ahead. I think we can take a very strong message when we reflect and celebrate on Manmeet’s life and his contribution to our city. He was so enthusiastic about serving others and being kind and being happy. We need to be grateful and cherish each and every day that we have, and we need to look out for each other and support each other as best we can.

Our bus driving community here in Brisbane City Council is reeling. I have a very special place in my heart for my bus drivers, particularly those on the southside. This bus route is also one that is personal to me, because it is a bus route that my own son has travelled on into City Hall on Tuesday afternoons. I must say thank you to all the drivers that have driven the 125 route because my son has always been safe with you. The Indian community right across Brisbane always shares its festivals and celebrations with the wider Brisbane community. As a result of that, because of your willingness to share your life, your experience, your traditions, your culture, and be a great part of our Brisbane multicultural community, the wider Brisbane community is now joining with the Indian community here to share your grief, and extends its support to you all.

I have worked with many different multicultural community groups across this city, and they have all conveyed to me their support for you all, and they want to do whatever they can as part of the Brisbane family. Brisbane is a welcoming city. We open our arms to our students; we have welcome ceremonies; we welcome new residents here. We welcomed Manmeet as a member of our Brisbane City Council family. At this time, as part of our extended family of the City of Brisbane, we symbolically wrap our arms around you and join you in your grief and say that we are here to support you.

I am very grateful to have had the privilege to have encountered Manmeet in the way I am sure he would like us all to remember him; as a vibrant, beautiful soul who was there as part of the wider community sharing his very special talents. As a special message to Amit and the family, I say, Rub tuhanu Es sadme to baar nikalan di shakti deve—May God give you strength and assist you in this very difficult time. Thank you.

Deputy Chairman: Further debate?

Councillor JOHNSTON.


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Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes, thank you, Madam Deputy Chairman. I rise to support this motion of condolence on behalf of Tennyson Ward residents. I did not know Manmeet personally, but he was a bus driver who worked in my ward. Our community has been knocked by what has happened. It does not make any sense to anybody who lives here. Our community is a very safe place. Bus drivers provide such an important public service to people who do not drive, who are elderly, and it is in the most awful way such a senseless and terrible thing that happened on Friday when Manmeet lost his life.

Our community is so proud of our bus drivers. They do serve our community with pride. We thank Manmeet for his service to our city. He was, by all accounts, from Councillor GRIFFITHS and from the media, an absolutely top bloke. He was entertaining and hardworking; he had a wonderful family and many friends, and was passionate about his community and his culture. These are things that we love in Brisbane.

At that time, 3.07pm, the Chairman, Councillor Angela OWEN, resumed the Chair.

Councillor JOHNSTON: He was well respected, well liked and well known in our community. As a city we will always remember Manmeet’s contribution and role in making our city, his adopted home, a better place. I am pleased that we are going to have a memorial. I think that is very fitting and very appropriate. I hope that our city works closely with Manmeet’s family and our bus drivers to find an appropriate place and memorial that recognises his contribution to our city.

No one expects to go to work and not come home. Certainly for someone whose family is a long way away, it must be so much harder to understand. I just would like to finish by saying that nothing will bring your brother, your son, your friend, or the great entertainer back. He is in our care now. We as a city will ensure that his memory lives on and that his service to our city is recognised. Our deepest condolences are with you.


Councillor SRI.

Councillor SRI: Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on behalf of the residents of the Gabba Ward and on behalf of all the Queensland Greens to extend my sincerest condolences to the family, the friends and the broader community who have been affected by this cruel tragedy. I feel that we have poured so many words on this now, it is like when a small river drowns in an ocean; you feel a sense of, what more is there to say? What can we do to ease your grief?

On behalf of us all, I am so, so sorry. To my brothers in the public gallery, I empathise so deeply with your pain. This touches us all. When I think of the great adventure that families embark on when they wrap their sons and daughters in their arms and they send them to the other side of the world, and they say, ‘Make us proud. Do well for our family. Bring us wealth and happiness.’

We send them away with the best of intentions, and so much love in our hearts, and it is a great pain to send your son or daughter to the other side of the world not knowing when you will see them again, not knowing what will happen to them, but feeling that pride that they have made it, they have gone to the West, they have gone to Australia. What a joy. We talk to our friends in the villages and we say how wonderful it is that he is over there, that she is over there.

For this to happen makes me so, so sad. I wish there was more I could say or could do to ease your pain, and there is nothing. I think for all of us, that is what we feel most deeply, that there is nothing we can say to make this better. It fills me with deep grief, and I have a very heavy heart today.

To the bus drivers of Brisbane, I can’t imagine what you must be feeling, this sense of loss and grief and fear, but I hope you all know that we are all here


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with you, and for what it is worth, we share your pain, and we share your grief. I am mindful of my fellow Councillors’ comments that there is no evidence that this act was in any way racially motivated, but at the same time I can’t help but remark that still in this city today many taxi drivers, many bus drivers of sub-Continental descent continue to experience racism. They face it on a daily basis. They are abused, they are cursed, they are criticised, and I think in this context and at this time it is important to remember that.

We can always do more. We don’t always make it easy for our brothers and sisters who come here from other countries. At times like this I think it is important that we recognise that, that we don’t pass this off as a single incident, that we don’t consider this in isolation but we recognise the broader context of what is happening here and we recognise that, even if there was no racist intentions in this act, an attack against a member of a migrant community that has suffered so many attacks in the past must be acknowledged in that context and with that gravity.

I thank you for coming here today, for taking the time to listen to us. To the various respected community leaders in the public gallery, thank you for showing your support and for coming together at this time. I am so, so sorry; I am so sorry.

Chairman: LORD MAYOR, right of reply.

LORD MAYOR: Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I thank all Councillors who have spoken today for their contribution and their outpouring of sympathy. I know that the comments that have been spoken today by the speakers also reflect the feeling of those in the Chamber who have not spoken in this debate. It is something of which we are as one.

We cannot bring Manmeet back, as much as we want to. What we now need to do is to work together to make sure that this occurrence, the loss of Manmeet, is not in vain, but is remembered, and I have indicated and committed to the family yesterday that his memory will be living on in a permanent way through a memorial of some sort. We will certainly be working with Councillor GRIFFITHS in that regard, as the local Councillors, in most probability that it be located in that area. We are certainly working with the family in terms of their wishes in that respect.

To the people of Brisbane, you need to know that Manmeet, although not overly paid as a bus driver, we know that the driving of buses is not a highly paid profession or occupation in our city, but in spite of that he was supporting his family back home. So the best way that we can assist the family at this time is not only through our words of condolence and sympathy, but also in a practical way. I would just today ask the people of Brisbane to seriously consider making a contribution to the fund set up to support Manmeet’s family. There will be, as a matter of the course of justice taking its course, expenses that the family will need to incur. We are hoping that, through this fund, those expenses can be met, that they can be relief for the family in that regard.

There are other things that we as a Council will do in terms of assisting the family. Some will require the cooperation and assistance of other levels of government. I have also in the last 24 hours been in touch with the Australian High Commissioner in New Delhi, Ms Harinder Sidhu. Today, at the heart of what we are doing in this motion, is first and foremost to express our condolence to the family and to express our sincere gratitude for the life of Manmeet Sharma.

Chairman: Thank you, LORD MAYOR;

As there were no further speakers, the Chairman restated the motion of condolence, which resulted in its being declared carried unanimously.

Chairman Mr Amit Sharma, please take our condolences back to your family.

To the members of the Indian community who are here today to support Mr Sharma, thank you for your presence and for your respect during the


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proceedings of the motion of condolence, and to all Councillors, thank you for your silence during the speakers that we have had here today.

We will now proceed with the rest of the meeting. Confirmation of Minutes, please.

MINUTES:178/2016-17

The Minutes of the 4508 meeting of Council held on 25 October 2016, copies of which had been forwarded to each Councillor, were presented, taken as read and confirmed on the motion of Councillor Kim MARX, seconded by Councillor Andrew WINES.

QUESTION TIME:

Chairman: Councillors, there was a public speaker scheduled to come in today. Unfortunately he has not arrived despite previously confirming he would be in attendance, so we will proceed now to Question Time.

Are there any questions of the LORD MAYOR or a chairman of any of the standing committees?

Councillor McKENZIE.

Question 1

Councillor McKENZIE: Thanks, Madam Chairman; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. The 2016 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards were held last Friday evening, an event that recognises the outstanding achievements of Brisbane businesses. Can you update the Chamber on the contributions these businesses made to creating jobs for all Brisbane’s residents and assisting to build on our New World City reputation?


LORD MAYOR: Thanks very much, Madam Chairman, and I thank Councillor McKENZIE for the question. The Business Awards are a very, very important opportunity in our city to acknowledge and to recognise the success of many of our businesses in our city. Last Friday night we had what was the 11 th anniversary of the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.

These awards again are in a number of categories. They are ones which not only give acknowledgement and recognition to businesses in the broad categories, in export, in innovation; they also look towards new technologies, the digital space, and we look towards business awards that are also in the youth category—in other words, the emerging businesses.

So it was that last Friday night we had that opportunity, through a significant process of nomination and a judging panel. I also want to acknowledge that there are a number of sponsors in relation to these awards. Those sponsors, some of whom have been with us now for many years, include groups like Optus. I want to thank them. The Seven Network has been involved in the awards heavily for many, many years as well; in fact, from the outset. These have provided the basis on which the awards have been able to continue.

Some of the award winners this year include a company called FivePointFour. This is one of Australia’s leading wellness businesses. They are providing results-focused, home delivered meal plans targeted at millennials. The company is headquartered in Brisbane and delivers its products across Queensland, Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne. That is one simple company that is again providing a terrific service for our city.


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RedEye was another winner. This was a start-up just a few years ago, and is now scaled up to the point of having significant numbers of employees, not only here in Brisbane but have now also started to engage internationally. EM Solutions was another of the award winners. They are involved in the design and manufacturing of very high speed communications terminals, used by both defence forces and corporations across the globe.

The area of new investment was won by Tritium. This is a specialist designer and manufacturer of the Veefil electric vehicle fast charger. Once again, they are doing very, very well, not only domestically but also on the international front.

The Corporate Citizenship Award, one which would be of interest to this Chamber and Councillors, given the type of work that we do in our day-to-day lives, went to Stephen Dibb Jewellery. You might say, what place does a jeweller have in terms of community awards? This company, apart from being very highly acclaimed in terms of its design of jewellery and its workmanship, also has a team of 10 making world-class jewellery in Brisbane for the people of Brisbane. But beyond that, they have a passion which sees their business having a significant impact particularly in Ethiopia. They have four adopted children from Ethiopia, but the charity works that they undertake there are very significant.

The Doing Business in Asia Award on this occasion went to Australian Country Choice. They are an expanding company—

Chairman: LORD MAYOR, your time has unfortunately expired.

LORD MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Further questions?

Councillor CUMMING.

Question 2

Councillor CUMMING: Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. Can you tell the Chamber what the Administration is doing to assist Brisbane City Council bus drivers and other employees to deal with the tragic death of one of their colleagues?


LORD MAYOR: I thank Councillor CUMMING for the question. It is a timely question. We have already started a process of review in relation to the circumstances of Brisbane bus drivers, and we will be continuing to do that. We will obviously be wanting to do that with TransLink. They are a key player, obviously, in the work that we do.

I want to say that that works on a couple of different fronts. There is first the circumstances of driver protection. The one thing I can advise the Chamber is that the assaults on bus drivers have dropped by 40% in the last year. Any assault on a bus driver is like an assault on all of us. There is no excuse under any circumstances for assaulting a bus driver as they go about their business in serving the people of this city. They are out there, doing a job, and doing it to the best of their ability, and no one deserves in the workplace to be assaulted.

The second thing I would say in relation to that is there have been, of course, a number of initiatives that have been undertaken over the years. Some of these have been accepted by the RBTU; others have been a bit of a journey in terms of getting acceptance of them. For example, within the materials of the buses themselves, they are a fire retardant material that we have within the buses. We have introduced, obviously, duress buttons. We have a two-way connector for drivers for immediate contact with the depots. We have introduced—which was a conversation for a while—the CCTV cameras. Obviously those CCTV cameras will be critical in terms of the evidence necessary in what occurred last Friday.


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There are other aspects. We have been approached by the drivers with a whole range of different suggestions, and this is always, I suppose, the reason why you have to have a good hard look at things. There have been all sorts of ideas thrown at me since last Friday as to ways in which better driver protection can be put in place. Often those ideas are contradictory with one another. That is why we have to have a proper and a reasoned look at what other improvements can be made.

One thing that I think drivers collectively are keen to see happen is—not only bus drivers but also taxi drivers, and for that matter, public transport personnel in general—be brought under the legislation which provides the same criminal impact as if those persons were members of the emergency services. In other words, if there was an act against a police officer, a fire officer or an ambulance officer, there is a certain legal apparatus relating to that. Bus drivers and many taxi drivers that I’ve spoken to since are also calling for that same provision to be applied to them.

That is something that I have indicated that I will be writing urgently to the Attorney-General around that to see whether the State may consider the inclusion of officers—and this will involve State officers as well; it wouldn’t just be relating to bus operators but it would be relating to some of those Federal-based transportation services. Any attack on somebody involved in the provision of a public transport service also be included within that legislation.

There are a number of things happening on a number of fronts, and we will continue to pursue those, as and when information is available. We will certainly be providing that back through the Committee system or through the full Council, but we are committed to certainly working with drivers with TransLink to see what other improvements might be able to be made. Again I say this: regardless of what measures are put in place, there is never ever an excuse for assaulting a driver, and it should be met with the full force of the law.


Councillor WYNDHAM.

Question 3

Councillor WYNDHAM: Thank you, Madam Chair; my question is to the Chair of Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee, Councillor McLACHLAN. I note that Council was recently awarded the 2016 Clean Air Achievement Award by the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand. Can you please outline what this award means for Council, and how this recognises Brisbane as a clean, green and sustainable city where people want to live, work and play?

Chairman: Councillor McLACHLAN.

Councillor McLACHLAN: Thank you, Madam Chairman, and thank you to Councillor WYNDHAM for the question and for minding the portfolio shop last week. I appreciate that indeed. Councillor WYNDHAM is right; I am proud to inform the Chamber that last week Council was awarded the 2016 Clean Air Achievement Award by the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand, and here is the award—another handsome trophy.

It is awarded for, ‘recognition of 20 years of Council’s clean air strategy for Brisbane which shows strong commitment to the health and wellbeing of residents and helps to deliver a clean and green city where people want to live, work and play.’ So it is a very timely award. As has been said, it is the 20 th year of Brisbane’s clean air strategy, first released in 1996. Brisbane was the first government in Australia to implement a strategy to protect air quality on a citywide basis.

What have been some of those achievements over 20 years? Well, since 1996, Council’s leadership has contributed to a steady decline in carbon monoxide measures, lead and nitrogen dioxide air pollutants in our city, which means better air quality for Brisbane’s residents. As a Council, we have worked hard over time to secure better technologies for our transport fleet. Since 2000, for


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example, the emissions performance of our bus fleet has improved by over 85%, which has been achieved through ensuring Brisbane has the most modern bus fleet in Australia. Over 78% of the bus fleet is now made up of state-of-the-art low emission enhanced, environmentally friendly vehicles.

Every bus on the road is 40 fewer cars on our roads. With the commitment to a fast, reliable, high-frequency Brisbane Metro to reduce congestion and move up to 30,000 passengers an hour, this will be a great win, not just for the commuters of our city but also will aid the clean air outcomes in our city.

Council has a long history of trialling new lower polluting technologies for its vehicle fleet, including new bus transmission technologies. Today, hybrid and electric vehicles now comprise over 25% of Council’s passenger vehicle fleet. Since 2005, Council has operated Queensland’s only publicly available vehicle emissions testing facility for diesel heavy vehicles to ensure the emission performance of Council vehicles does not deteriorate. The average improvement in emissions of vehicles serviced post-test is around 30%.

Council has shown leadership in identifying early market and environmentally friendly opportunities to deliver clean air. In 2003, for example, some in the Chamber may recall that Council partnered with the fuel industry to broker the early introduction of ultra low sulphur diesel to South East Queensland, becoming the first Australian bus operator to use this cleaner fuel. This reduced tailpipe emissions by approximately 20% for fine particulates, and 80% for volatile organic compounds. Again, this means better air quality for Brisbane residents.

The air quality we enjoy in our city has also a great deal to do with not just public but also active transport. In this respect, we have implemented many initiatives that reduce air pollution, including the great CityCycle initiative providing over 385,000 trips in the last financial year with 2,000 bikes now available at 150 stations across Brisbane, investing $100 million between 2008 and 2012 to provide the largest local government bikeway program in Australia, with currently over 1,100 kilometres of bikeways and shared pathways in Brisbane.

We have seen Council’s Active School Travel program achieve up to a 35% decrease in car trips to participating schools, representing a significant reduction in congestion and toxic air emissions around the school environment, helping to keep our kids healthy and safe. The provision of free electric vehicle recharge facilities at Council’s King George Square public car park has been key in promoting the use of non-polluting electric vehicles.

It is not just transport we have seen some of the big wins. Since 2000, Council’s City Plan has ensured new industrial developments achieve national air quality standards which continue to protect the health and wellbeing of residents by ensuring appropriate separation of industrial and residential areas.

We know that Brisbane’s clean air is one of our city’s key attributes. It sets us apart from other large cities in the Asia Pacific region. Awards like this are clear recognition of our standing as a clean and green New World City, and it does stand as a great achievement for the people of Brisbane and for the commitment of this Council to clean air in our city. Thank you, Madam Chair.


Councillor CUMMING.

Question 4

Councillor CUMMING: Thanks, Madam Chair. LORD MAYOR, less than two weeks ago, your Public Transport Chair committed to an alliance with the State Government in the interests of better public transport outcomes in Brisbane. But today it has been reported in the press that your Chief Executive Officer, Colin Jensen, has criticised the creation of the Cross River Rail Authority to deliver Queensland’s number one infrastructure project. Doesn’t this show that this Administration’s feeble attempt at cooperation with the State Government was a publicity stunt and nothing more?


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LORD MAYOR: I thank Councillor CUMMING for the question. I would have to correct him, though. The setting up an authority is not something of which we are critical for a moment. It is not having an authority that is the issue; it is the content of powers contained within that authority that is of concern to Council.

I would just say that this is something that, regardless of whether I am standing here or even in the event of you standing—

Councillors interjecting.

Chairman: Order!

LORD MAYOR: —in the event of you standing here, Councillor CUMMING, or somebody from your party or any other party for that matter, the comments that were contained in that submission were to do with the concern about the undermining of the resources available to this Council, and I refer specifically to financial resources, that could emerge from the detail contained with the workings of the authority.

Having an authority is fine; there is no problem with that at all. But there were some areas contained within the powers of that authority that did raise concerns. I might say the first concern was we only had I think about eight or 10 days to respond, if that.

A Councillor: Eight.

LORD MAYOR: Eight days to respond to what was a fairly detailed set of parameters for this authority.

Councillor interjecting.

LORD MAYOR: The issue is—no, at that stage, Councillor, I don’t think we were across all of the detail at the time when the Prime Minister came to town. That was about a week ago, as I recall. In fact, it was seven days ago, and we had had limited time in which to get our information together in relation to this authority.

I would express the concern that the priority development areas that is contained within the Cross River Rail corridor can make a significant difference to the revenues that this Council will have in the future. The ratepayers would not thank me for one moment if I did not stand up and express a concern about it. So, if, Councillor CUMMING, you are of the view that Council ought to just roll over and have the revenues and the potential levies that could be put on to rate notices, and then of course have all of those levies go to the State Government, if you are happy to do that, you ought to stand up and say so. Today in General Business you will have that opportunity.


LORD MAYOR: No, no need to interject now. Just stand up in General Business and say that you are happy for that to occur under the powers of the authority. Then that will be clear. We will know exactly where you stand. But while I am in this particular role and seat, when matters come up like this, I will raise those concerns. That has been done; that has been reflected through the return of that submission to the Director-General involved via a signed letter from the CEO of Council, Mr Colin Jensen.

So directly to your question, no problem with an authority. It is the terms under which that authority will operate that we have expressed our concerns. So, Madam Chairman, where we think it’s appropriate, we will continue to do that.


Councillor MURPHY.

Question 5

Councillor MURPHY: Thank you very much, Madam Chairman; my question is to the Chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, Councillor ADAMS. Council recently launched the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival (BAPFF), and event


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which showcases the amazing talent and creativity of Asia Pacific’s film industry. Industry figures are saying that hosting this event is a major win for Brisbane. Can you please outline for the Chamber just how this film festival will create jobs and create growth in our city?

Chairman: Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you Councillor MURPHY for the question. Yes, I enjoyed the pleasure of launching the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival at the Palace Barracks Cinema last week, and Councillor ALLAN was there as well to enjoy the opening night. It is a very prestigious film festival in Australia, and is showcasing that creative and cultural breadth of cinematic works that we have right across our very vast Asia Pacific region.

This festival now celebrates cinematic excellence and champions, and more importantly, distinctive voices that we can hear from right across that region. It honours the films and reflects the best of their cultural origins. This is its third year for BAPFF, having the Asia Pacific Film Festival here. It’s got more than 80 feature films showing over the month from when it begins in early November—documentaries, shorts, cinema classics. It’s going to be a bit of film for everyone, from children to the seniors and everything in between. Very excited to see it having its new home now in Palace Cinemas, which is the perfect destination for people all over Brisbane to come somewhere central. It is for locals, it is for cinephiles; it is beautiful cinemas to really show these premium movie events as well.

The festival is officially associated with the Asia Pacific Screen Awards which we will see at the end of November, and it has a very unique collaboration between UNESCO and the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. As I said before, that collaboration allows us to see the best of cinema in the Asia Pacific region.

We are expecting more than 500 film practitioners—that is everything from actors to directors to people from behind the scenes, screen writers, cameramen, for the awards night at the end of November, and also gathering with those cinephiles over the month of November to have workshops through the film festival as well, to enjoy that experience. It really is a rare experience to get that great selection of nominated films for APSA. Many of the nominated films are showing in the film festival as well, which makes APSA even that little bit more special, because we have had that opportunity leading into it as well.

This actually represents 50% of new cinema worldwide at the moment from the Asia Pacific region, home to 4.5 billion people across 70 countries—everything from Egypt to the Cook Islands, from Russia to New Zealand, and this year even some more movies from the USA and Europe. So there are some sneaking in that aren’t even Asia Pacific because of the prestige of this film festival as well.

It is not simply about entertainment. It is a fascinating window into the lives and culture of the region, and it is a great way to get the Brisbane name onto the international scene as well. As you will have heard the LORD MAYOR say, if they don’t know our name, they will not visit, and if they don’t visit, they won’t invest. This is a great opportunity to show that Asia Pacific region that we are one of the very important new world cities in that region as well.

This is going to create new export markets for local businesses. It highlights Brisbane as a destination for inbound tourism and investment. Up to the 12 months of June 2016, our international visitation was up 9.7% to 1.17 million visitors, spending over just 24 million nights. So we are now the second highest number of international holiday visitors, higher than Victoria, and second only to New South Wales in Australia. That is a 13.7% increase.

Six out of our 10 top source markets are in Asia at this point of time. So this is real people spending new money on accommodation, dining, retail, entertainment, supporting large businesses, supporting small businesses on the ground, and the benefit is the fact that this money is coming in from outside of our local economy. It just simply does not exist in the local residents to be


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redistributed. We need to make sure we can get those tourists in as well to spend locally.

So we are supporting our local businesses. Obviously the LORD MAYOR is committed to our business missions that have seen millions of dollars in business brought back to Brisbane over the last four years, from mining technology services, clean and renewable technology, food and agribusinesses, professional services and property development. The last three missions led by the LORD MAYOR have generated more than $346 million worth of business growth and jobs. When you add this all together with the Asia Pacific Cities Summit, with the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, we are looking forward to Daejeon’s hosting of us in 2017 for the Asia Pacific Cities Summit. There is no doubt the addition of the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival will continue to create jobs and have that great result of boosting tourism to Australia’s New World City.


Councillor SRI.

Question 6

Councillor SRI: Thanks, Madam Chair; my question is to the LORD MAYOR. Every homeless support service, every mental health agency, every affordable housing provider I have talked to says that not enough is currently being done by councils and governments to address homelessness. They say a key problem is the significant shortage of affordable community housing, and that we need to increase the supply of affordable community housing as opposed to private market housing in inner-city Brisbane.

In the past, Brisbane City Council led the way in this field by providing approximately $10 million in funding plus several million dollars worth of inner-city land to help Brisbane Housing Company offer new affordable housing to people in need. Currently many community housing providers don’t have the money to build or acquire more affordable housing in close proximity to key services and job opportunities. I would like to know what new initiatives do you have in the pipeline and what more could Brisbane City Council be doing to take the initiative, lead from the front and partner with the State Government to increase the supply of affordable community housing, and help reduce homelessness?


LORD MAYOR: Madam Chairman, I thank Councillor SRI for the question. Can I say that this Council has always played a role in the provision of housing for those most in need, but it has been a small role as a minor partner. I am not going, to be frank, to propose that this Council becomes a major player in this space. Already people are concerned about the cross-over of responsibilities of government. We will continue to provide assistance to those organisations that are community home providers.

The major responsibility for social housing within our governmental structure rests with the State and with the Federal governments. I would just say that we will continue to do what we have done in terms of the Brisbane Housing Company. We have been a player in that space to be able to provide the supply at reduced rentals to ensure that there are some housing supplies out there that are meeting a market of people that can’t afford a normal market rental. There will be always a section of that community.

Obviously we provide rate relief in terms of the providers of community-based housing. We give support in that regard. I have also, in the last budget, indicated that we would be commencing a program of medical services to assist the homeless. That would be by way of a one-off grant. That will be up and running during the course of this financial year. So we are doing things in this space, but we are not about to become the major player within this sphere.

Obviously we have other programs, and I am not going to suggest that these programs are directly in line with the question that Councillor SRI is asking me


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today, because they are not related to housing. We have other things like Homeless Connect, the Red Cross Night Cap—

Councillor SRI: Point of order, Madam Chair. On relevance—

Chairman: Councillor SRI, my voice might not be at its normal level tonight, but you don’t just jump in. What was your point of order?

Councillor SRI: On relevance. The LORD MAYOR has explicitly acknowledged that what he is talking about is not relevant to the question of housing.

Chairman: Yes, and Councillor SRI, your question was very, very long-winded, and I was being quite flexible in allowing it to go ahead. You need to revisit your question sometimes. There was a lot contained in the lead-up to the actual question that you asked, and I believe that the LORD MAYOR was providing context.

LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: Madam Chairman, we obviously work with community housing providers as well. Where, for example, if we have road works, if we have resumptions of properties involved in that, if those houses are not required for periods of time, they also provide opportunities for community housing—sometimes short-term, sometimes medium-term housing opportunities.

We will continue where we can to our capability provide the support for those particular types of housing needs. But again I just want to reiterate that there are other levels of government whose major responsibility it is in this field. We will always be a support agency in that respect.


Councillor MARX.

Question 7

Councillor MARX: Yes, my question is to the Chairman of the Field Services Committee, Councillor MATIC. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a wet summer for South East Queensland this year. Can you please detail the effects that this will have on the mosquito control program?

Chairman: Councillor MATIC.

Councillor MATIC: Thank you, Madam Chairman, and I thank Councillor MARX for the question. It is a very pertinent one, given the time of year. Yes, as Councillors would know in this Chamber, the rainfall does have an effect on the mosquito life cycle. Council is very serious in its program of management around this space.

We have a dedicated team of officers out there constantly reviewing the different hotspots as required, particularly during those rain periods. But importantly, also, we have two expert entomologists that Council employs for that specific purpose of providing that advice, looking at those hotspots, assessing the weather conditions in advance of those rain events, and then undertaking the necessary investigation and, importantly also, the actions after that rainfall event.

That is one of the important things about this program that we need to keep in front of mind. Our management program of mosquitoes is around managing the larvae. The rainfall actually activates the eggs, which then activates the larvae, and then we have a short period after that in which to undertake the spraying process. There are hotspots across our entire city that officers are constantly watching and monitoring and acting on. We have up to about 2,700 potential sites which they review on a weekly basis to check those different populations and levels of larvae. They are constantly taking water samples, for example, and relaying it to the entomologists for their review as well, and looking at the different species and the appropriate type of chemicals that are needed to effectively manage that.

All of these things are an important part of this Administration’s commitment to managing our mosquito population and providing the necessary funds in order to undertake that task. When you are looking at 2,700 potential sites


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across our city each week, you are looking at a large group of people constantly out there, but that is the kind of thing that we need to make sure that we are doing. By looking at those sites and dealing with those issues, we are staying on top of that problem as well.

But the journey is not only just about Council’s actions in this space, but also what Brisbane residents can do as well. We have an education program in place that we are able to communicate with residents around those key areas. For example, because of the large number of sites from Tinchi Tamba, the Boondall Wetlands, going out to some of our forest areas, there are things that local residents within those areas can do as well about making sure that they remove all of those pots and other garden items, for example, that they might have that collect water, by making sure that they are emptying out those containers on a regular basis; with their rainwater tanks, making sure they are sealed; trimming the trees around their homes. All of these simple tasks are what we can all collectively do to manage the mosquito population in our city.

Importantly also, what we are doing as part of that ongoing process and having those entomologists as part of Council’s program, and us being the only council to employ entomologists on a full-time basis, we are constantly staying on top of the technology and also the various advice across the industry about how to be able to better manage these. All of these things collectively make a difference.

By making sure that we have that strong commitment as an Administration, the LORD MAYOR, as always, providing the funding, and as required in those heavier rain periods, if we need to get more teams out, if we need to do more spraying, then the support is there to be able to provide that. All of these things play a factor. When you are looking at a collective program across the city, we are talking about on-ground and in the air, throughout the year treating these mosquito breeds, and officers are using trucks, quad bikes, helicopters and hand-held techniques as well.

There is a lot of work that goes into this. There is a dedicated team of people with a lot of experience making sure that they bring their vast knowledge when we are dealing with these mosquito issues. Importantly also, as we go through the year, and we look at these rain seasons, we will see when those rainfalls are.


Councillor MATIC: As I said at the beginning, the important factor in this is that we act quickly after the rain event, because it is that rain event that then activates that larvae and it’s about getting to them at that early stage that makes the most difference. Rather than looking at a reactive program of spraying adult mosquitoes, we are looking at a proactive program of being able to treat them and get rid of them in those early stages as well. Thank you.

Deputy Chairman: Further questions?


Question 8

Councillor GRIFFITHS: Thank you, Madam Chair. LORD MAYOR, Councillor Krista ADAMS, who represents the residents of Tarragindi, and who has a contentious proposed DA on the site of the Tarragindi Bowls Club, has supposedly stated that she does not support the development in its current form as a seven-storey high rise with 95 units on land zoned sport and recreation. This high rise development sits in the middle of a low density and character housing area. Do you think with the new proposal that has been amended from 95 units to 100 units and is still seven storeys high that Councillor ADAMS is now happy with the development, or do you think that she is just looking after the developer as Tarragindi residents say?

Deputy Chairman: LORD MAYOR.


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LORD MAYOR: Well, Madam Chairman, I think the question contains elements of motive in it. I would just say this: we have a process here, Councillor GRIFFITHS; that process has always applied. Councillors across this Chamber express their views on different development proposals at different times, and at the end of the day we have a Development Assessment team that will make a judgment on each and every proposal that comes before the Council. That is the reality.

You are making claims of what residents have said, I assume. They are not statements that you yourself are making. It would be imputing motive if you were to make those statements yourself.


LORD MAYOR: Yes, I understood that to be what you were asking in the question. I would just say this: residents of course say lots of things. They say lots of things about me every day out there. If we stopped doing things every time residents had something to say, there wouldn’t be much happening all around the city.

I would just say this to you: it is not Councillor ADAMS; it is not me; it is not you that is going to make the decision around this. It will be the assessment team, and that assessment will be based upon all of the parameters laid down in State legislation that they have to assess when they make their decision. Two layers—the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and the Brisbane City Plan 2014, if that is what the application is made under—that would be the basis under which the Council office would need to make an assessment.

As I say, Councillors will always say things. I noticed in the last week there is a State Minister that is already condemning the Regional Plan out there, just days after he signed off on it in Cabinet, something I have been talking about in this place for a while.


LORD MAYOR: No. People will give a view at a local level about things, but at the end of the day, there are clear guidelines for which applications need to be assessed. Applicants can put in what they like, but at the end of the day, it is the assessment team that will make that decision, not an applicant in terms of what they put in.

So, Madam Chairman, that is the state of play. I am acutely aware of the concerns that local residents have out there. I absolutely understand that it is a low density residential area around there. But again I would just say that the officers will make the proper assessment; they will do that when they have considered all of the facts of the matter. This application now has been going on for some time. You can’t say that this is something that is being rushed or determined without proper consideration. So that is where it is.

Again, the question is one which really is just relaying some things that residents might have said, and they are entitled to say what they will. Councillor ADAMS is entitled to express a view, but again, at the end of the day, it is the proper assessment that will count, the lawful assessment based around the State Planning Act and that of the Brisbane City Plan 2014 that will prevail.

Deputy Chairman: Thank you, LORD MAYOR. 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 the DEPUTY MAYOR (Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER), that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 24 October 2016, be adopted.



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LORD MAYOR: Thanks, Madam Deputy Chairman—

Councillor JOHNSTON: Point of order, Madam Deputy Chairman.

Deputy Chairman: Point of order against you, LORD MAYOR.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes, thank you, Madam Deputy Chairman; I just rise on a procedural matter. Whilst I do not have a material conflict of interest with respect to this matter, I would just like to disclose that I am a shareholder in CIMIC who are the owners of Broad who are being put on the Council tendering shortlist for services in the Establishment and Coordination Committee report today.

Deputy Chairman: Thank you, Councillor JOHNSTON.

LORD MAYOR.

LORD MAYOR: Thanks very much, Madam Deputy Chairman. Speaking of Councillor JOHNSTON, I just wanted to respond to a question that I received from Councillor JOHNSTON last week in relation to the planting of trees in parks in her ward. The question basically was that there were only going to be something like five or six trees that would be replanted.


Deputy Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, shall we just let the LORD MAYOR answer, thank you.

LORD MAYOR: Can I just say that the five or six trees that were referred to relate to one park which Council—


Deputy Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, could we just let the LORD MAYOR answer, thank you.

LORD MAYOR: Yes, that wasn’t stated in the question last week, Councillor JOHNSTON. So the five or six trees referred to is for one park which Council is planning on having some work done on at this time. It is not the entire financial year’s plantings. There will be other parks that will receive trees as well as streets in that ward this year in the relevant storm-affected area, not only in that ward but also in other wards.

Now the specific question as to why I had failed to provide funding for the replacement trees. The reality is that no matter how much money is allocated, you can’t grow hundreds and hundreds of trees like the ones that were lost in the parks and on the streets in that short period of time. It is a matter of sourcing the right trees and the right size trees for the park. Most of the trees lost were obviously fairly mature trees; that is the fact of the matter. We will continue to be replacing trees. We are sourcing those trees from a plantation. This financial year, and certainly next financial year, will see us continue to source those plants and continue to roll out a replanting program.

Prior to coming to the items in the report today, I just wanted to comment briefly on a few other items. Last week we had another citizenship ceremony at City Hall when just under 600 new citizens were welcomed into the Brisbane family.

The Lord Mayor’s 2016 Apprentice of the Year Awards were also conducted last week. I just want to congratulate all of our apprentices. We have a very significant retention rate. It is something like 85% retention rate in Council for apprenticeships. It is around 25 to 30% higher than the industry standard in terms of retention. I just want to thank all of those mentors and trainers that we also have within Council as part of the apprenticeship scheme. I congratulate all of our apprentices for sticking it out, for making sure that they get to that point of completion of their apprenticeship. Later, if they do decide to leave Council anywhere along the way, we know that we are providing the broader community with some very good and well trained apprentices along the way.

The Active School Travel Awards ceremony was also conducted last week, and we saw a range of schools that were acknowledged for their hard work.


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Mayfield State School, Junction Park State School, Buranda State School, St Dympna Primary School, Geebung State School and Holland Park State School were among those award winners, and we congratulate all of them on it.

We also saw presentation of the Muir Shield. This is a shield that is presented for Children’s Book Week. It is in honour of Roy William Muir who was the city’s first Librarian. Roy Muir was a Librarian from 1957. He passed away in 1972. He had commenced children’s literacy and reading programs within our library system. So this award is there to honour him and to thank him for his services. Fourteen libraries participated in that shield event this year, and it was taken out by Mitchelton Library, so a big congratulations to the team at Mitchelton. There were some 280,000 participants this year, and the theme this year was Australia Story Country.

The city also provided Freedom of Entry to the City to the 8th/9th Battalion on Saturday in a ceremony in the city streets. There was a great turnout of support for that battalion, and we thank them for the work that they do. They are Brisbane based, obviously, and we thank them for their service to nation.

The Valley Fiesta was staged on the weekend, with another big turnout. I haven’t seen final numbers yet. I know we were expecting something in the order of 69,000. There were certainly big crowds in attendance. It was great weather for it.

We move now to item A which is Contracts and Tendering. There are a number of contracts here. The first one is to provide structural repairs to foundations, columns, walls, roof trusses and bracing members of the garage building at the Toowong Bus Depot. This has done to Dart Holdings Pty Ltd, and that is for $272,000. They achieved the highest value for money, and they were also the cheapest.

Probuild Industries Australia Pty Ltd got a tender for $200,000, and this is a package to provide roof repairs to community facilities at Zillmere Community Centre, the Queensland African Council—that is the former Balmoral Bowls Club site—Africa House as it is otherwise known—the Sandgate Hawks Club, and the Men’s Shed at The Gap.

The next item, contract to Probuild Industries Australia Pty Ltd for $269,000. This is again structural repair program works at Arana Bridge Club, Scouts at Bald Hills, Aspley East Kindergarten and YMCA at Acacia Ridge are the beneficiaries of that.

The next one is Naturform Pty Ltd, Simpson’s Falls upgrade, stage 3. This is the upgrade of facilities at the Simpson’s Falls area at Mt Coot-tha in line with the parks improvement program. It involves shelters, barbeques, equipment west of the creek which does not require development assessment approval, and a bridge pathway and car park are part of stage B.

The next one is a contract for HDR Pty Ltd trading as HDR DKS, for $327,800, and it is for road pavement rehabilitation design and services for major roads to ensure timely completion of designs as required under the Smoother Suburban Streets program.

The next one, Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems; Council’s RFID solution for libraries includes all self-checkout, check-in machines and equipment, security gates, stock wands and RFID collection stock pads. That is associated with that.

The next item is construction, restoration, maintenance and demolition of buildings and associated infrastructure, and there is a list of companies there that have been named as tier 1 suppliers. There is also a segment 2 which is maintenance, refitting, restoration, minor construction works; segment 3, demolition and removal of buildings; segment 4, asbestos and other contamination removals.

Then we go to item 8 which has category 1 and category 2. Category 1 and 2 both go to Specialised Pavement Services Pty Ltd, $3.2 million, and that is the provision of mechanical sweeping services and the short-term dry hire of


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replacement sweeper machines to service major roads, residential and CBD streets and bikeways.

Deputy Chairman: LORD MAYOR, your time has expired.

179/2016-17At that point, the LORD MAYOR was granted an extension of time on the motion of the DEPUTY MAYOR, seconded by Councillor Andrew WINES.


LORD MAYOR: Thanks, Madam Deputy Chairman; and I thank the Council. The last one there is Transport Simulation Systems Pty Ltd. That was an amount of $126,200. So, Aimsun is a network modelling package for the detailed analysis of complex intersections and road networks for planning corridor upgrades and intersections. It is a concepts and designs piece. It has been used by Council for the past three years. The software is currently being utilised to develop a model for the Ferny Grove /Upper Kedron area to identify future network upgrades to support the anticipated changes in land use.

That, I think, is the contracts and tenders. The next one, item B, is for the lease and operation of the cafe and function centre at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens obviously is recognised as the State’s premier subtropical garden, over 56 hectares in total. It has a Botanic Gardens cafe and function centre.

There has been a previous lease in place which expired in May of this year, and through an expression of interest process, it was publicly advertised and we had a formal request for proposal, and we got a temporary operator as a result of that. That temporary operator was Zen Catering. They have been operating there and operating well. Zen Catering is well known. They operate the Kangaroo Point Cliffs cafe. They have in the past been awarded three times the title of being the State’s best corporate caterer.

So Council undertook some works at the cafe, including, as the submission notes, the construction of a new storage shed and roof repair. We have gone to tender. There have been two bids there which are set out in the report. Both submissions were reviewed—that of Zen Catering and Gambaro. The summary of the offers clearly shows that the value for money proposition rests with a clear win for Zen Morris. The rent offer was higher per year; it didn’t require any capital contribution from Council. Council officers have recommended that Zen Catering be awarded the lease for operation of the cafe and function centre for nine years and 10 months.

The third item, item C, is a schedule of Council meeting dates and Committee meetings for the coming 2017 year. Thank you.

Deputy Chairman: Thank you. Further debate?

Councillor CUMMING.

Councillor CUMMING: Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair.

Seriatim - Clause ACouncillor Peter CUMMING requested that Clause A, CONTRACTS AND TENDERING – REPORT TO COUNCIL OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016, be taken seriatim for voting purposes.

Councillor CUMMING: I turn now to item A, and just a few brief comments. I do note that I guess it is part of the tendering process, but in relation to item 3, Probuild, the amount they have tendered for that job is, on my rough calculation, about 40% less than the other three tenderers, including one group I know, Box & Co, who have done work like that for Council before. Good on Probuild for giving us such a


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cheap tender, I guess, but I hope they can do a good job with that small amount compared to the other tenderers.

Also in relation to item 5, HDR at $327,800 is a long way below the nearest tenderer which I think was $438,000, about 25% below. So the same comments there. The other thing in relation to item 7, I did ask a question about this at Finance Committee today, just briefly. It was just how the non-price score was calculated. We are used to seeing VFM here, which I understand there is a formula to calculate value for money from particular tenderers.

For example, that is shown in items 1, 2, 3 and 4, but we are obviously trying to establish a list of companies that can be dealt with to ask for tenders in future, to establish a panel, but there are five companies listed as suppliers who have all achieved a non-price score of 90, and then there’s another six that have achieved a non-price score of 80 in relation to segment 1. In relation to segment 2, there are 10 companies that have all achieved a non-price score of 80. So that is just a question about that as well.

In relation to item B, again there is a big difference between the two tenderers, and we trust that Zen Catering will do well. It is a really important function and catering area, and it is an important Council facility in terms of Brisbane as a whole. I think it is really important that we get someone professional in there who does a good job and that will enhance the reputation of the whole facility. Also, it will save Council money, which is good to see. So best of luck to Zen Catering. The net present value for their bid was $1,485,815 compared to that of Gambaro at $831,448, so it is a big difference. But best of luck to Zen.

In relation item C, the meeting and recess calendar, there is just one little comment I would like to make. When people ask me when does Council meet, I say that we don’t meet during school holidays or a week or two either side, and I’ve got to say that this session we’ve had recently, starting on 25 October, I have to say that I was missing Council meetings. It had been about four weeks since the school holidays had finished before we actually had our first meeting.


Councillor CUMMING: I was about to say that I missed the company of Councillors on both sides of the Chamber, and the Independent and the Green, and I was pining for a fresh meeting, and for the DEPUTY MAYOR to say that is very cruel and very unfair. Dear oh dear! But I am very pleased to say that, whereas we started again on 25 October this year, next year we are going to start on 17 October, so well done whoever worked out the recess. I think we are having one more meeting and one less week of that very long recess there. So good work, and I look forward to enjoying your company one more week next year than I have this year, Councillor SCHRINNER.


Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair, and I apologise to Councillor CUMMING for not giving him this answer before his speech today, but I am happy to just explain the non-price assessment factors that are included in the process, and there are quite a few. I will go through them for the benefit of the whole Chamber.

First of all there is the quality of the goods obviously that are on offer. There is the experience and the expertise when we look at the track record and the references of those that are tendering. There is the capacity to deliver, so the financial stability or the ability to deliver on the scale that is actually needed by Council, depending on the project. There is a methodology on how they propose to provide a service or complete the construction work. That allows Stores Board to examine and consider high risk versus low risk methods as well, if there are a few different variations.

There is value add. We’ve got to admit that sometimes there are even things that we hadn’t planned for or hadn’t expected to come out in the tender process, so this can address those initiatives or elements that tenderers might put forward that we hadn’t planned for. There is a commercial non-price


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assessment where the commercial would usually address any tenderer-proposed non-compliances with Council’s conditions of contract. Safety obviously is very important, particularly for some of those construction works. Environmental sustainability is a non-price assessment, and accessibility as well. All of these different factors of course are given different weightings depending on the nature of the goods or the services they are delivering within the tender.

So there is no actual uniform formula that actually gives you the non-price assessment value, but all of those nine different aspects are taken into account depending on the tenderer, and they are now in Hansard for Councillor CUMMING to review. Thank you.


Councillor TOOMEY.

Councillor TOOMEY: Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair; I rise to speak on item A, Contracts and Tendering. A number of items in this work package will extend the life of a number of community facilities within my ward. In particular, the Yoorala Street Shed, used by a number of groups, will receive a new roof, new downpipes, and increase the ability of the adjoining community garden to harvest rainwater. In addition, the installation of sarking in the roof will improve the facility’s insulation and the comfort of Shed users.

Arana Hills Bridge Club and the AFL club which share a common building at the Ferny Grove Recreational Reserve, also located in my ward, will have improvements to their structure as well. This will address drainage underneath the building, repair the façade and some of the doors and windows. Finally, I would like to thank the LORD MAYOR and the Council for the provision of funds to undertake these works packages that will benefit the members of my community. Thank you.

Deputy Chairman: Thank you. Councillor MARX.

ADJOURNMENT:180/2016-17

At that time, 4.25pm, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Kim MARX, seconded by Councillor Andrew WINES, 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 4.27pm.

UPON RESUMPTION:

At that time, 4.45pm, the Chairman, Councillor Angela OWEN, resumed the Chair.


Councillor COOPER.

Councillor COOPER: Thank you very much, Madam Chair; I rise to speak to a couple of items. There was a question from Councillor CUMMING in relation to Contracts and Tendering. He was asking about item 3 and basically why there is a big difference between the two tenderings. I think that was his question. Basically it was a case of the highest value for money score due to strong methodology and program. It also went down to previous experience. So these particular projects have been projects that require knowledge of what Council’s expectations are, so they’ve had previous experience working with Council and, of course, a lower tendered price. So those are key considerations, and that is why in that case the decision was made with respect to item 3.

Briefly in response to item B, I just wanted to say that I am happy to see that Councillor CUMMING is supportive of the awarding of this tender. I think this will be a fantastic outcome. I note this is a very important space in our city, and


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that it certainly has been closely scrutinised by Council officers. Zen Catering has been doing a fantastic job in the interim operation of the temporary cafe, and particularly that they are so keen to actually contribute to the further investment in the facility. They have a lot of ambitions to continue to support and nurture this business going forward. So we look forward to their taking over of the lease for that nine years and 10 months, and I hope every single Councillor in this Chamber will certainly be encouraging people to utilise this facility for events in future. Thank you.



Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman. Just very briefly, I wanted to talk about item B, the Stores Board submission regarding the Brisbane Botanic Gardens lease at Mt Coot-tha. I certainly understand why this offer has been recommended to Council, and I will be voting for it. My concerns relate to Zen Catering who have their premises at Palmerston Street in Annerley. My concern relates to the intensification of their business, or possibly the intensification of their business at those premises. Palmerston Street is essentially a residential street, but it connects Ipswich Road to Annerley Road, and they are down the Ipswich Road end. But their immediately adjoining neighbours are residential, so low density, character residential.

At the moment, the interface between a very large commercial kitchen operation and low residential is not working well. We have issues with rubbish bins, maggots, lots of things that we are regularly talking to Council about. Whilst I can understand that we are entering into a new arrangement with Zen Catering, I will be monitoring very closely the impact of this contract on residents in Tennyson Ward, and my aim will be to ensure that they are not further disadvantaged by any intensification of catering purposes at the Palmerston Street, Annerley, business.

The adjoining low residential deserve to be able to live quietly without adverse impact on their amenity and the cleanliness of their street. So I certainly will be bringing this to Council’s attention if there are any adverse impacts that flow from this contract today.


DEPUTY MAYOR, in the LORD MAYOR’s absence?

I will now put item A.

Clause A put

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

Thereupon, Councillors Peter CUMMING and Jared CASSIDY immediately rose and called for a division, which resulted in the motion being declared carried.

The voting was as follows:

AYES: 20 - The DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER, and Councillors Krista ADAMS, Adam ALLAN, Matthew BOURKE, Amanda COOPER, Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Kim MARX, Peter MATIC, Ian McKENZIE, David McLACHLAN, Ryan MURPHY, Angela OWEN, Kate RICHARDS, Julian SIMMONDS, Steven TOOMEY, Andrew WINES, Norm WYNDHAM and Nicole JOHNSTON.

NOES: 4 - The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Peter CUMMING, and Councillors Jared CASSIDY, Steve GRIFFITHS, and Shayne SUTTON.

ABSTENTIONS: 1 - Councillor Jonathan SRI.


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Chairman: I will now put items B and C.

Clauses B and C put

Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of Clauses B and C of the report was declared carried on the voices.

The report read as follows

A CONTRACTS AND TENDERING – REPORT TO COUNCIL OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016109/695/586/2-03

181/2016-171. 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. Chapter 6, Part 4, section 227 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 details of a contract, Council must allow the person to inspect the relevant details at Council’s public office. ‘Relevant details’ is defined in Chapter 6, Part 4, section 227 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 NOTES THE REPORT OF CONTRACTS ACCEPTED BY DELEGATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016, AS SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, hereunder.

Attachment ACity of Brisbane Regulation 2012 – Chapter 6 – Contracting

Details of Contracts Accepted by Delegates of Council for September 2016Contract/Quote No. and Successful Contractor/s including Comparative

Tender Prices and Value for Money (VFM) Index achieved

Delegate Nature of Arrangement and

Estimated Maximum

Expenditure

Contract/Quote Purpose Unsuccessful Tenders and Quotes including VFM achieved

Comparative Tender Prices

Approval, Start/End Dates and

Term

BRISBANE INFRASTRUCTURE1. Contract No: 530862

Dart Holdings Pty Ltd trading as A Dart & Co – $272,000Achieved highest VFM of 33.09

CPO Lump sum

$272,000

Toowong Bus Depot Garage Structural Repairs

Building Solutions Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 15.01

Probuild Industries Australia Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 17.96

Box and Co Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 9.15

$359,830

$456,615

$896,288

Approved:15.09.16Start:04.10.16Term:12 weeks

2. Contract No: 530875

Probuild Industries Australia Pty Ltd – $200,186Achieved highest VFM of 41.46

CPO Lump sum

$200,186

Community Facilities Improvement Program Package 5- Zillmere Community Centre- QLD African Council (former

Balmoral Bowls Club)- Sandgate Hawks Club- Men’s Shed, The Gap

Dart Holdings Pty Ltd trading as A Dart & CoAchieved VFM of 32.00

Hawley Constructions Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 29.94

$223,430

$252,200


3. Contract No: 530876 CPO Lump sum Structural Repairs Program – Package 19

Hawley Constructions Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 19.81

$449,314 Approved:22.09.16


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Contract/Quote No. and Successful Contractor/s including Comparative



Estimated Maximum

Expenditure




Term

Probuild Industries Australia Pty Ltd – $269,949Achieved highest VFM of 33.34

$269,949 - Arana Bridge Club- Scouts Bald Hills- Aspley East Kindergarten- YMCA Acacia Ridge (child

care)

Building Solutions Brisbane Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 19.13

Box & Co Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 16.39

$430,300

$475,939

Start:28.09.16Term:19 weeks


Naturform Pty Ltd – $950,835Achieved highest VFM of 91.50

CPO Lump sum

$950,835

Simpson Falls Upgrade Stage 3 The Landscape Construction Company Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 60.41

Dig It Landscapes Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 39.59

$1,042,837

$1,187,161



HDR Pty Ltd trading as HDR DKS – $327,800Achieved highest VFM of 22.3

CPO Lump sum and fixed unit price

$327,800

Pavement Rehabilitation Designs – Major Roads Package 2

Shortlisted offers not recommended

Arup Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 16.6

Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 16.4

Offers not recommended

GHD Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 15.3

Arcadis Australia Pacific Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 15.2

Calibre Consulting (Aust) Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 14.2

Cardno (Qld) Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 13.6

Harrison Infrastructure Group Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 12.5

SMEC Australia Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 11.1

Aurecon Australasia Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 10.1

$438,779

$440,000

$531,982

$481,250

$478,170

$472,500

$555,390

$699,602

$657,600

Approved:29.09.16Start:29.09.16Term:Two years

BRISBANE LIFESTYLE6. Contract No: 510441

Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems Australia Pty Ltd – $3,616,919Achieved highest VFM of 23.72

CEO Corporate Procurement Arrangement (CPA) (Preferred Supplier Arrangement)Schedule of rates

$3,616,919

Provision of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Solution for Libraries

Shortlisted offers not recommended

FE Technologies Pty LtdAchieved VFM of 18.18

Offers not recommended

Queensland Library Supplies Pty Ltd trading as Quantum LibrariesAchieved VFM of 13.48

Adilam Technologies Pty Ltd(price and VFM not applicable as tenderer did not meet minimum non˗price quality requirements)

$3,707,425

$4,230,926

N/A

Approved:20.09.16Start:26.09.16Term:Three years with option to extend for two additional years

BRISBANE TRANSPORTNilCITY PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITYNilOFFICE OF THE LORD MAYOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERNilORGANISATIONAL SERVICES7. Contract No: 510538

Segment 1 – Construction and Major Restoration (project value $500,000 – $10 million)

Tier 1 Suppliers

Badge Constructions (Qld) Pty Ltd

CEO CPA (Panel Arrangement)Quotes to be sought for each project or package of works

$100,000,000

Construction, Restoration, Maintenance and Demolition of Buildings and Associated Infrastructure

Segment 1 – Construction and Major Restoration (project value $500,000 – $10 million)

Tenderers not recommended for segment

Prices not applicable for this tender

Approved:13.09.16Start:01.10.16Term:Three years with option to extend for two additional


- 27 -




Estimated Maximum

Expenditure




Term

Achieved non-price score of 90

Broad Construction Services (Qld) Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 90

Cockram Construction LimitedAchieved non-price score of 90

Kane Constructions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 90

McNab Developments (Qld) Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 90

Tier 2 Suppliers

Box and Co Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

Dart Holdings Pty Ltd trading as A Dart & CoAchieved non-price score of 80

De Luca Corporation Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

Premis Solutions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

JMac Constructions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

Probuild Industries Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

J M Kelly Builders Pty LimitedAchieved non-price score of 70

SEGMENT 2 – Maintenance, Refitting, Restoration and Minor Construction (project value $25,000 – $500,000)

Probuild Industries Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 90

Blackwood Projects Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80


Dart Holdings Pty Ltd trading as A Dart & CoAchieved non-price score of 80

Hawley Constructions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

Intrec Management Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

Premis Solutions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

Signature Projects Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

JMac Constructions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

Kane Constructions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

SEGMENT 3 – Demolition and Removal of Buildings (project value up to $500,000)

Caylamax Demolitions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 90

Intrec Management Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 60

Apollo Property Group Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 50

Pensar Building Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 50

Schiavello Construction (Qld) Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 50

Signature Projects Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 48


Northside Demolitions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 16

Tenderers who did not meet mandatory criterion

Marshall Renovations Pty Ltd (Do not have relevant prequalification with the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works)

SEGMENT 2 – Maintenance, Refitting, Restoration and Minor Construction (project value $25,000 – $500,000)

Building Solutions Brisbane Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 70

Schiavello Construction (Qld) Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 70

Priority Building Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 70


Pensar Building Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 60

Supernova Building ServicesAchieved non-price score of 34

Ben J Constructions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 6


Marshall Renovations Pty Ltd(do not have relevant prequalification with the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works)

SEGMENT 3 – Demolition and Removal of Buildings (project value up to $500,000)

Northside Demolitions Pty Ltd

years


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Estimated Maximum

Expenditure




Term

Enviro Site Demolition Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

Roelandts Group Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

WJ & M Allendorf trading as WMA DemolitionAchieved non-price score of 76


Paterson Demolition & Recycling (Brisbane) Pty Ltd as trustee for Paterson Demolition & Recycling Trust trading as Paterson Demolition & RecyclingAchieved non-price score of 70

J M Kelly Builders Pty LimitedAchieved non-price score of 68

SEGMENT 4 – Asbestos and Other Contamination (including soil) Removal (project value up to $500,000)

Caylamax Demolitions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 82

Redjak Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 82

Enviro Site Demolition Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80

GBAR Australia Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 80


WJ & M Allendorf trading as WMA DemolitionAchieved non-price score of 78

Paterson Demolition & Recycling Pty Ltd as trustee for Paterson Demolition & Recycling Trust trading as Paterson Demolition & RecyclingAchieved non-price score of 70

Achieved non-price score of 52


Marshall Renovations Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 30

Priority Building Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 18


Probuild Industries Australia Pty Ltd(do not have Demolition Licence)

SEGMENT 4 – Asbestos and Other Contamination (including soil) Removal (project value up to $500,000)

Northside Demolitions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 60

Building Solutions Brisbane Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 48


Probuild Industries Australia Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 10

Ben J Constructions Pty LtdAchieved non-price score of 6


Roelandts Group Pty Ltd(do not have an ‘A’ Class Asbestos Removal License)


Category 1 – Mechanical Road Sweeping Services and Equipment Hire for Roads

Specialised Pavement Services Pty Ltd – $545,147Achieved highest VFM of 14.43

Category 2 – Mechanical Bike Pathway Sweeping Services

Specialised Pavement Services Pty Ltd – $132,325Achieved highest VFM of 59.47

CEO CPA (Preferred Supplier Arrangement)Schedule of rates

$3,200,000

Mechanical Sweeping Services and Equipment Hire

Category 1 – Mechanical Road Sweeping Services and Equipment Hire for Roads

Metro Urban Management Pty Ltd Achieved VFM of 13.40

Environmental Wastewater Catchment Services Pty Ltd as trustee for the E.W.C.S. Unit Trust trading as Enviro SweepAchieved VFM of 12.26

Category 2 – Mechanical Bike Pathway Sweeping Services

Environmental Wastewater Catchment Services Pty Ltd as trustee for the E.W.C.S. Unit Trust trading as Enviro SweepAchieved VFM of 45.26

$594,335

$632,953

$171,400

Approved:27.09.16Start:14.10.16Term:21 months with option to extend for three additional years


Transport Simulation Systems Pty Ltd (TSS) – $126,200

CPO CPA (Preferred Supplier Arrangement)Schedule of rates

Provision of Aimsun Traffic Modelling Software including Support and Maintenance

Contract was entered into without seeking competitive tenders from industry in accordance with section 2.4 (Sole or Select Sourcing) of the

N/A Approved:13.09.16Start:19.09.16


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Estimated Maximum

Expenditure




Term

$126,200Contract Manual pursuant to the City of Brisbane Act 2010.

TSS is the software developer, sole proprietor of the software and sole provider of software maintenance in Australia.

Term:Up to five years

B STORES BOARD SUBMISSION – LEASE AND OPERATION OF THE CAFÉ AND FUNCTION CENTRE AT THE BRISBANE BOTANIC GARDENS, MOUNT COOT-THA165/210/179/2084

182/2016-177. The Chief Executive Officer provided the information below.

8. The Chief Executive Officer and the Stores Board considered the submission, as set out in Attachment A, submitted on file, on 11 October 2016.

9. The submission is recommended to Council as it is considered the most advantageous leasing outcome.

Purpose

10 That the Chief Executive Officer (through the Stores Board) recommends to Council that it approves entering into a lease with Zen Morris Pty Ltd trading as Zen Catering in relation to the Lease and Operation of the Café and Function Centre at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha.

Background/operational impact

11. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha (Botanic Gardens) is recognised as Queensland’s premier subtropical botanic gardens, displaying distinctly different gardens arranged in thematic and geographical displays. Founded in 1970 and officially opened in 1978, the 56 hectare Botanic Gardens are open every day of the year.

12. On the eastern side of the Botanic Gardens, Council had previously leased the building which is currently being used as a café, restaurant and function centre.

13. The previous lease for the café and function centre at the Botanic Gardens expired on 31 May 2016. For continuity of business, a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) process was carried out to seek a temporary operator to provide a restricted food/drink menu offering until an ongoing arrangement could be established via a publicly advertised formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Zen Morris Pty Ltd trading as Zen Catering were appointed as the successful EOI respondent and are currently operating the temporary café.

14. Council has recently invested in the construction of a new storage shed and has replaced the roof of the existing building.

Summary of responses

15.

Name Address and ABN/ACN Final Offer (ex GST) [after any negotiations]

Value for Money (VFM) Score

Recommended OfferZen Morris Pty Ltd trading as Zen

36 Palmerston StreetAnnerley QLD 4103

Base rent $60,000 per annum, plus percentage rent of 10% of

90%


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Catering(Zen Catering)

ACN: 601 596 918ABN: 45 712 746 718

gross turnover in excess of $1 million per annum and no capital contribution required by Council.

Offer Not RecommendedGambaro Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as Botanical by Gambaro (Gambaro)

33 Caxton StreetPetrie Terrace QLD 4000ACN: 157 760 775ABN: 19 157 760 775

Base rent $46,250 per annum in the first year and $92,500 thereafter, plus an amount equal to 5% of gross turnover in excess of $1.5 million per annum and an amount equal to 3% of gross turnover in excess of $3 million per annum and requiring a capital contribution by Council of $265,500.

75%

Evaluation of responses

16. Essential criteria- Provide required RFP tender deliverable attachments.- Meets essential requirements stated in the specification and draft lease, including:

(i) terms of lease(ii) operational hours and duration(iii) minimum maintenance expectations(iv) accessibility for general public and key user groups(v) insurance requirements(vi) rental, percentage rental and direct charges.

- Comparative criteria: Weighted Evaluation Criteria Total 100%

Criteria Group Zen Catering GambaroTenderer’s competency (commercial terms offered)Total 40%

- Base rent $60,000 per annum plus percentage rent of 10% of gross turnover in excess of $1 million per annum.

- Term of nine years and ten months.

- Annual review to 5% of base rent with market review in the fifth year.

- Net Present Value (NPV) of income to Council based on example scenario of turnover of $2 million per annum for the term of the lease – $1,485,815.

- Base rent – $46,250 per annum in the first year (equating to six months rent-free) and $92,500 per annum thereafter plus 5% of gross turnover in excess of $1.5 million per annum and three percent over $3 million per annum.

- Term of nine years and ten months.- Annual review to CPI (currently

1.5%).- NPV of income to Council based

on example scenario of turnover of $2 million per annum over the term of lease – $813,448.

Experience and expertiseTotal 30%

- Proven previous experience in the restaurant industry (incorporating a café and takeaway food/drink outlet) and experience in business management in line with the restaurant (incorporating a café and takeaway food/drink outlet and function operations).

- Offer clearly demonstrates information in regards to a professional marketing or business position that would effectively target existing customers of the Botanic Gardens and offer value for money.

- Has good experience with a similar style business (owned or operated).

- Offer demonstrates quality goods/service.

- Offer focused on function centre operation with little emphasis on the café and takeaway food/drink requirement.


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Criteria Group Zen Catering GambaroValue-adding opportunities/ improvementsTotal 10%

- Fit-out by tenant to include enclosing the deck space, air conditioning and relocation of the bar for an estimated value of $643,000. No Council capital contribution required.

- Fit-out period 21 days.- Initiatives proposed aimed

directly at the target market e.g. child-friendly space within café, mobile vendor carts, picnic clubs and special offers/menus to compliment forthcoming Botanic Gardens initiatives.

- Offer subject to capital expenditure of $265,500 by Council. Risk that this is only an estimate and actual expenditure is likely to be higher. Capital expenditure to be paid by Council upfront with tenant reimbursing 50% ($132,750), paid back monthly ($1,125 per month) over the term of the lease (nine years and ten months).

- Fit-out by tenant to include the re-design of the internal layout over the duration of the lease for an estimated value of $410,500.

- Fit-out period three months.- Value-adding suggestions focused

on use of the property for functions only.

- Requested Council consider commitment to additional work costs of installing up-lighting in the gardens surrounding the building.

Quality and nature of offer Total 10%

- Provides offer of intended trading hours that meets DA (development approval) requirements.

- Clear marketing position that effectively targets customers and presents the premises as a diverse, imaginative and interesting site while continuing to provide value for money.

- Appeal of the product, experience and differentiation from the competition add value to the customer’s experience.

- Mentions a pricing policy that reflects intended customers and existing target market of the Botanic Gardens.

- Minimum trading hours requested are outside the permitted trading hours for the site (proposed trading to 1am).

- Offer demonstrates how the business will create atmosphere, ambiance and has high quality furnishings as a function centre.

Differentiation and appealTotal 10%

- Provided sample menu for both café and functions.

- Suggestions for initiatives aimed directly at the target market e.g. child-friendly space within café, mobile vendor carts, picnic clubs and special offers/menus to compliment forthcoming Botanic Gardens initiatives.

- Acquired services of a hospitality consultant to specifically target growth of sales of functions and events that suit the Botanic Gardens.

- Sample menu specifically for site not provided. Sample provided of function menus from their existing Caxton Street business.

- Suggestions for marketing aimed specifically at the functions market only.

Total 100% 90% 75%- Summarise any modification/clarification of tenders undertaken:

The Evaluation Team sought clarification from both tenderers on the following items contained within their tender submissions.


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Zen Catering were asked to clarify:- the value of capital expenditure investment (in dollar terms) Zen Catering were

proposing- an itemised breakdown of approximate costs of each of the items of capital

expenditure Zen Catering were proposing i.e. bi-fold doors, windows, bar relocation etc.

- that fit-out work would be completed within the timeframes in their offer.Gambaro were asked to clarify:- that their offer was not subject to removing the café and takeaway component - that they were prepared to enter into a lease for the term specified by Council- how they intended reimbursing their proposed 50% share of the requested capital

expenditure by Council and at what frequency it would be paid over the term of the lease.

- Initial evaluationTenderers were assessed to establish if they met the Council’s essential requirements.

Recommended tenderer

17. Most advantageousThe recommended tenderer is Zen Catering. The reasons being the tenderer:- achieved the highest VFM score- rental offer is of the highest return over the term of the lease- fit-out by tenant to include enclosing the deck space, air conditioning and relocation of the bar

for an estimated value of $643,000 with no Council capital contribution required- provided sample menu for both café and function operations- offer is aimed at the existing target market of the Botanic Gardens.

18. Tenderer not recommendedThe tenderer not recommended is Gambaro Pty Ltd. The reasons being the tenderer:- achieved a lower VFM score- fit-out by tenant to include the re-design of the internal layout over the duration of the lease

for an estimated value of $410,500 but offer is subject to an upfront capital expenditure contribution by Council of $265,500

- rental offer is of a lower return over the term of the lease - sample menu specifically for site not provided- offer focused on the functions operation only- minimum trading hours proposed exceed those permitted within the DA.

19. Risks associated with this lease (including mitigation strategies):Risk was assessed to the satisfaction of the panel by way of a sensitivity analysis taking into account the NPV of both offers across multiple scenarios.

Arrangement proposed

20.

Lease type: Lease and Operation of the Café and Function Centre, located at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, 152 Mount Coot-tha Road, Mount Coot-tha.

All non-compliances with lease conditions and specifications resolved?

Yes

Term of lease: Nine years and ten months

Price basis: Base rental of $60,000 per annum, plus percentage rent of 10% of gross turnover in excess of $1 million per annum.

Price variation: The revenue is not subject to variation other than annual rent reviews adjusted by 5% on each anniversary of the commencement date and a market review at the fifth anniversary of the commencement date of the lease.

Commencement date of Arrangement: Estimated 1 November 2016


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Lease preparation: Prepared by Brisbane City Legal Practice

TRIM reference number(s) for the finalised arrangement:

165/210/179/2084

Revenue

21. Estimated revenue to be a base rent of $60,000 per annum, plus percentage rent of 10% of gross turnover in excess of $1 million per annum.

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

23. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT COUNCIL APPROVES:

(1) ENTERING INTO A LEASE WITH ZEN MORRIS PTY LTD TRADING AS ZEN CATERING, IN RELATION TO THE OPERATION OF A CAFÉ AND FUNCTION CENTRE AT THE BRISBANE BOTANIC GARDENS, MOUNT COOT-THA.

(2) THE REVENUE BASE RENT OF $60,000 PER ANNUM, PLUS PERCENTAGE RENT OF 10% OF GROSS TURNOVER IN EXCESS OF $1 MILLION PER ANNUM.

(3) FIT-OUT BY TENANT TO INCLUDE ENCLOSING THE DECK SPACE, AIR CONDITIONING AND RELOCATION OF THE BAR FOR AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $643,000.

(4) A LEASE TERM OF NINE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS.

(5) THE ASSET PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT MANAGER, ASSET MANAGEMENT BRANCH, BRISBANE INFRASTRUCTURE, BE AUTHORISED TO BE COUNCIL’S REPRESENTATIVE AND EMPOWERED TO EXECUTE AND MANAGE THE LEASE ON COUNCIL’S BEHALF.

C BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING AND RECESS CALENDAR 2017137/220/14/9 and 137/220/14/1

183/2016-1724. The Executive Manager, Office of the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer, provided the

information below.

25. Council determines its ordinary meeting dates and the meeting dates of the Standing Committees and recess periods as soon as practicable in order to allow for forward planning by both Councillors and Council officers.

26. The proposed Brisbane City Council and Standing Committee Meeting and Recess Calendar 2017 is set out in Attachment B, submitted on file. The recess periods are in excess of 20 days to allow the Establishment and Coordination Committee and the City Planning Committee to carry out their delegated powers and functions during Council recesses.

27. The Executive Manager provided the following recommendation and the Committee agreed.

28. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT COUNCIL RESOLVE AS PER THE DRAFT RESOLUTION SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, hereunder.


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Attachment ADraft Resolution

DRAFT RESOLUTION TO SET THE ORDINARY MEETING DATES AND THE MEETING DATES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES AND THE RECESS PERIODS

As:

(i) Council sets its ordinary meeting dates and the meeting dates of the Standing Committees as follows:

COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES7 February to 28 March 2017 7 February to 21 March 20172 May to 13 June 2017 2 May to 6 June 2017Budget: 14, 16, 21 and 22 June 2017

-

1 August to 5 September 2017 1 August to 29 August 201717 October to 5 December 2017 17 October to 28 November 2017Resume on 6 February 2018 Resume on 6 February 2018

(ii) Council meets at 2pm on Tuesdays in the Council Chamber, Level 1, City Hall, 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, unless otherwise advised

(iii) Standing Committees meet at various times on Level 2, City Hall, 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, on Tuesday mornings unless otherwise advised,

then:

(i) Council resolves that the recess periods for 2017 be as follows:

(a) Autumn Recess: from the rising of Council on 28 March 2017, resuming on 2 May 2017

(School Holidays 1 April 2017 to 16 April 2017; Good Friday 14 April 2017, Easter Monday 17 April 2017; and Anzac Day 25 April 2015)

(b) Winter Recess: from the rising of Council from its Budget meeting to be held on 14, 16, 21 and 22 June 2017, resuming on 1 August 2017

(School Holidays 24 June 2017 to 9 July 2017)

(c) Spring Recess: from the rising of Council on 5 September 2017, resuming on 17 October 2017

(School Holidays 16 September 2017 to 1 October 2017; Labour Day 2 October 2017)

(d) Summer Recess: from the rising of Council on 5 December 2017, resuming on 6 February 2018.

(School Holidays 9 December 2017 to 21 January 2018; Australia Day 26 January 2018)

PUBLIC AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE

DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER, Chairman of the Public and Active Transport Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Andrew WINES that the report of that Committee held on 25 October 2016, be adopted.


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Chairman: DEPUTY MAYOR.

DEPUTY MAYOR: Yes, Madam Chairman. Last week we had a presentation on Council’s 10 Point Plan to create a transport alliance for Brisbane and associated improvements. This is something that we are working on with the State Government. As I reported in the past, I am confident about the prospects of getting some very good outcomes.

I did want to make some comments on the question that was asked by the Leader of the Opposition today where he sought to try to link two issues that are actually unrelated. He talked about the transport alliance for Brisbane, which is about running bus services and ferry services more cooperatively with the State Government, and then he talked about the Cross River Rail Development Authority. Those two issues are not linked.

But he tried to make a political point and he missed the mark entirely, because what he is not aware of is what this Cross River Rail Delivery Authority means for Brisbane residents, Brisbane ratepayers in particular, and the way our city grows going forward. To be very clear, the Cross River Rail Development Authority—or the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority—that was a Freudian slip, because it will be the Cross River Rail Development Authority which will be very much focused on building lots of highrise buildings to try to offset the cost of the Cross River Rail project. What this authority is proposing is that it takes on a whole heap of planning powers that Council would otherwise have.

We have seen this creep happening with the planning areas such as Hamilton Northshore, around the RNA area, Fitzgibbon, and we know what that means. That means that the State Government will whack in massive amounts of development, often high-density development, and nobody will have any say in it whatsoever. More importantly, no infrastructure contributions will come to Council whatsoever. So, this is the State Government’s way of essentially taking control of the planning powers in inner-Brisbane and denying residents a say on how our city grows, because that is exactly what will happen.

In an effort to fund their project, which we know the State Government cannot fund, they will try every trick in the book to get money, and that means development is coming to a lot of areas where there is currently Council plans in place. You can be sure that the State Government will reach in, up-zone large areas of land, and no one will have a say in it. What is more, we have heard talk about the State Government wanting Council to contribute to their own responsibility, which is rail infrastructure. This is just an absolute farce.

Next we will be contributing to public hospitals; we will be running the Police Service. The question I’ve got to ask is; what does the State Government actually do? If they want us to do more and more of their responsibility, what do they do? I would like to see a situation where the State Government is abolished entirely. Let’s go to the situation where there’s only two levels of government; rule out the incompetent State level all together, and we will take on that appropriate responsibility, because we actually deliver infrastructure. We build it, unlike the State Government—

Councillor SRI: Point of order, Madam Chair.

DEPUTY MAYOR: —who find someone else to blame for their lack of ability to deliver.


Chairman: Order! Order!

Councillor SRI, you have a point of order.

Councillor SRI: Will Councillor SCHRINNER take a question?

Chairman: DEPUTY MAYOR?

DEPUTY MAYOR: No.

Chairman: No; DEPUTY MAYOR, continue.


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DEPUTY MAYOR: Madam Chairman, I feel very passionate about this issue. The other thing that I suspect will happen—and look, I’d be happy to be proven wrong on this, I really would—but I have a bit of a suspicious mind when it comes to the State Government. What I expect they will do is they will say, ‘you know what, you guys don’t want to put any money into Cross River Rail; we’re going to reach into your ratings system and we’re going to put a compulsory levy on all of the property owners’, and guess what, these people will think they’re paying money to the Council, but instead it will go straight into Jackie Trad’s pocket. Guess what, that is the type of mischievous and devious plan that we should expect from this State Government, because we know—

Councillor CUMMING: Madam Chair, point of order.

Chairman: Point of order against you, DEPUTY MAYOR.

Councillor CUMMING.

Councillor CUMMING: The DEPUTY MAYOR just said that there would be a levy placed by the State Government which will go into the Deputy Premier’s pocket. I think that is an inappropriate reflection on the Deputy Premier. I could say that it alleges corruption, but I am sure that the DEPUTY MAYOR would like to rephrase it so it doesn’t—

Chairman: Councillor CUMMING, there is no debate on a point of order.

DEPUTY MAYOR, would you care to rephrase it?

DEPUTY MAYOR: Yes, I am happy to clarify. I don’t think Jackie Trad actually has any pockets, so I will restate this. It will go straight into the Labor State Government’s pocket to help fund Cross River Rail. Essentially what they will be doing is, ‘sorry, Council, we don’t care if you want to contribute or not; we’re going to force the ratepayers of Brisbane to contribute.’ That is what we were concerned will happen. It is right that we raise these concerns.

Obviously the CEO expressed those concerns in a slightly different way. I am a little bit more blunt. But that is the reality. The two big concerns for Council are that, number one, the residents of Brisbane will lose a say in how this city develops, and particularly that inner-city area, and that the State Government will run roughshod over the people of Brisbane when it comes to development. Secondly, the ratepayers of Brisbane will be hit up with a new State levy on their rates bill to pay for Cross River Rail.

So we say, no, that is not appropriate. Yes, Cross River Rail is important, but find another way to fund it other than taxing Brisbane ratepayers. There are so many other mechanisms that they can use to fund this project. Maybe reassessing the size of their ever-growing Public Service might help, because that is a recurring expense, year after year after year after year, and it is growing.


Chairman: Order!

DEPUTY MAYOR: It is growing every year.

Chairman: Order!

DEPUTY MAYOR: It is interesting to hear the Labor line—

Chairman: DEPUTY MAYOR, the microphone is off.


Chairman: When the Chamber is silent, we will continue.

DEPUTY MAYOR.

DEPUTY MAYOR: The Labor Party interjects about train drivers, and aren’t they so quick to blame previous governments for their own incompetence. I distinctly remember that, when the Newman Government was in Office, they actually opened a new train line and they had trains running on it, and they had drivers for those trains. It


- 37 -

was called the Springfield Line. Did we have the chaos that is existing now? No, we didn’t. No, we didn’t, because we had a government that took the time to employ train drivers and to plan ahead.

You can make all the political points you like on what the Newman Government did and didn’t do, but they certainly knew how to open a new train line and put trains on it, and put drivers on it. This is pretty basic stuff.

So, Madam Chairman, we do have concerns about the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, and in particular the way that it was rushed through in such a short period of time. I am told that it was so quick that there were only four submissions made on this legislation—four submissions. Do you think there are only four groups interested in this project? Do you think there are only four people that wanted to make a submission? No. I think there’s a whole lot more than that, but because the Labor Party rushed it through so quickly, there’s only four submissions with the opportunity to get in.

I am pleased that Council provided one of those submissions. It was a rush. We had to put in a lot of effort in a short period of time to get that submission together. Most of that effort is trying to work out how this Delivery Authority might actually work in practice. There are a lot of unanswered questions. We want to see Cross River Rail delivered, we certainly do, and we have always been consistent on that point, but we don’t want to see it delivered if it comes at the expense of Brisbane ratepayers, on their rates bills, or if it comes at the expense of Brisbane residents having a say in development. So we will consistently make that position very clearly, and we don’t apologise for that.

When it comes to the 10 Point Plan, which is a separate issue as I said, we want to work closely with the State Government. We believe that there is a lot that can be achieved by working together. This morning in Committee we had a presentation on Park ‘n’ Ride facilities and the strategy going forward. That is another area that I am sure we are all interested in. I know Councillor SUTTON is very interested in this area. We need a clear strategy for South East Queensland, and we want to work with the State on that strategy to make sure that people have a say and Council has a say so that we can get the best outcome. I will leave it at that for the time being, but welcome anyone’s contribution to this discussion.

Chairman: Further debate?

Councillor CASSIDY.

Councillor CASSIDY: Thanks very much, Madam Chair. It certainly looks like the DEPUTY MAYOR is rehearsing for a new position himself here in this Chamber. I think the LORD MAYOR had better look out. Last time I checked, it was the Prime Minister that was the one that is the biggest advocate for value capture in this country. I wonder whether the LORD MAYOR and the DEPUTY MAYOR will raise that issue with the Prime Minister when they have discussions—

Councillor COOPER: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor CASSIDY.

Councillor COOPER.

Councillor COOPER: Unfortunately Councillor CASSIDY cannot speak to any item under this portfolio. He must restrain himself and only speak to the report.

Chairman: Councillor CASSIDY, I do support Councillor COOPER’s point of order. It is only the Chairman that can sort of go around and speak on all portfolio matters. You do need to speak to the items within the report, please.

Councillor CASSIDY: Nearly got away with it, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on item B, the petition requesting that Council remove the no standing zones along Sylvan Road, Toowong. Councillor CUMMING and I supported this recommendation in Committee because, while there obviously is some concern out there in the community around the trial, we think it is very important that the trial does


- 38 -

continue, because what we know when bicycle users and user groups are consulted and talked to, safe cycling infrastructure is absolutely key and paramount to encouraging more people getting on their bikes and out of cars and travelling to and from work, and for recreation as well, which is very important. So we are supportive of this trial going forward, and look forward to seeing the results of that when they are complete.

I do just want to place on record as well, on behalf of Councillor CUMMING, that we would like to have seen a trial conducted along Wynnum Road, similar to this one, as well to see how those impacts will happen across a range of users, across obviously public transport users, across people who drive cars and want to park there, people who get on their bikes and ride, and local businesses as well. We are supporting this recommendation today.


Councillor MATIC.

Councillor MATIC: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise in respect of item B, which is the petition for the Sylvan Road bikeway. As the local Councillor, I did have a number of meetings with businesses along Sylvan Road regarding the bikeway trial and the peak hour clearways, and the impact that it continues to have on their businesses.

Certainly in my conversations with them, explaining the background to it and so forth, a lot of those traders along Sylvan Road have been there a particularly long time and see the cyclists every morning and every afternoon. In their opinion, the bikeway as it currently exists, with the improvements that we did in 2010, in their minds was sufficient and met the needs of cyclists.

I did explain to them the increasing number of cyclists along the bikeway, and that it is an important connector between the Western Freeway and the Bicentennial Bikeway. With the improvements that this Administration has made along the Bicentennial Bikeway, in partnership with the State Government, we have seen ever-increasing numbers of cyclists continue to use it.

One of the challenges that exists around that corridor is looking for those off-road opportunities. A number of officers and myself over a period of time have looked for those opportunities to find that balance for cyclists and businesses, and residents and parking, and it is a particularly challenging space. The trial is in place for a year. We need to make that assessment of its improvements for cyclists.

I have worked pretty closely with the officers in Transport and Traffic, and I want to thank Councillor COOPER for her assistance and support in getting the officers out there to look at what improvements we can make with better use of parking in side streets. All of this is in the mix of this bikeway trial, and needs to be constantly looked at. Officers are very good at meeting with the traders to go over these issues, to talk about the background and history, and talk about importantly also the outcomes, and to look for those improvements along that corridor.

I support the recommendation because I think it is important to continue to meet the needs of cyclists and also importantly, as part of this process of evaluation, to look at the needs of residents and businesses along Sylvan Road. When we get to the end of this trail, we can look at the whole process and what options are available or what recommendations need to come at that particular point.


DEPUTY MAYOR?

I will now put the report.

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.


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A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – COUNCIL’S 10-POINT TRANSPORT PLAN AND BUS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

184/2016-171. Geoffrey Beck, Divisional Manager, Brisbane Transport, attended the meeting to provide an update on

Council’s 10-point transport plan and bus contract negotiations. He provided the information below.

2. Under the 10-point plan, Council has proposed a public transport alliance with the Queensland Government in place of a standard commercial contracting model. The alliance will be based on a trusting, productive partnership with common core objectives to deliver quality public transport outcomes for Brisbane. The structure is similar to other successful alliances led by Council.

3. The plan will include staged and systematic localised reviews. Progressive service reviews in small geographic areas will allow quality engagement with local communities and within budgetary constraints. Positive working relationships are already resulting in encouraging outcomes.

4. Route simplification and rebranding is expected to improve customer experience due to increased legibility. Patronage growth will be achieved through attracting infrequent travellers or people that do not use public transport. There is a clear strategy for high-capacity vehicles which will accommodate growth of Brisbane’s transport network. Patronage growth through multimodal trips will be encouraged by allotting a share of fare box revenue to providers. A loyalty program for go card users will be created above and beyond the fare review structure.

5. Emphasis will be placed on retaining a committed, well-trained Brisbane Transport workforce in which valued and customer focused drivers are rewarded appropriately and above industry conditions. Council will also focus on providing security for the workforce.

6. The plan will also include private sector partnerships for demand-responsive transit, building on the success of Personalised Public Transport and Council Cabs. This presents an opportunity to provide more cost effective transport solutions in line with passenger demand.

7. Monthly industry forums will be held between TransLink, Queensland Rail, Council and other providers. The forums will focus on future planning, operational improvements and network coordination. A clear park and ride strategy will encourage a modal shift from private to public transport.

8. TransLink paused contract negotiations to conduct an internal review to assess the procurement process and concerns with the proposed contract framework. The review was scheduled to be completed on 7 October 2016. It is proposed that workshops will recommence and be facilitated by an independent representative to mediate concerns with industry. Completion of contract negotiations is due by 30 June 2017.

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

10. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT COUNCIL NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE REPORT.

B PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL REMOVE THE NO STANDING ZONES ALONG SYLVAN ROAD, TOOWONGCA16/487102

185/2016-1711. A petition from residents requesting that Council remove the No Standing zones along Sylvan Road,

Toowong, was presented to the meeting of Council held on 14 June 2016, by Councillor Peter Matic, and received.


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12. The Executive Manager, City Projects Office, Brisbane Infrastructure, provided the following information.

13. The petition contains 167 signatures.

14. In December 2015, Council announced a trial of peak period bike lanes along Sylvan Road, Toowong. Competing demand between on-street parking and cyclists was identified as an issue during the Brisbane Parking Taskforce’s consultation and research. The trial was one of the key recommendations of the Brisbane Parking Taskforce’s report that was handed down to Council in late 2014.

15. The 12-month trial started on 9 May 2016 along Sylvan Road, between Milton Road and Land Street, Toowong. The No Standing zones are in effect from 6am to 9am for inbound traffic, and 4pm to 7pm for outbound traffic, Monday to Friday. Motorists are able to park in existing dedicated parking areas outside of these times.

16. A total of 51 car spaces become No Standing spaces during the inbound morning peak period, while 19 car parking spaces are affected during the afternoon peak period. The on-street car parking spaces affected by the trial are located in front of 55 residential and 16 business properties. Seven parking spaces have been retained on the outbound side of Sylvan Road, between Bennetts Street and Earle Lane, as there is sufficient road width for the bike lane and parked cars.

17. Traffic counts on Sylvan Road showed that, on average, 1,613 cyclists used this route between 5am and 7pm including 620 during the morning inbound peak (6am to 9am) and 480 during the outbound peak (4pm to 7pm).

18. Sylvan Road is an important commuter route for cyclists travelling between the Centenary Highway Commuter Bikeway, the Bicentennial Commuter Bikeway and the central business district. It is also a key connection for local residents to Toowong Village, Wesley Hospital, Regatta CityCat terminal, and Auchenflower and Toowong train stations.

19. On 28 April 2016, a letter with a project plan was sent to 1,500 local residents and businesses announcing the start of the trial. The letter included contact details for the project team and invited feedback about the trial. Following this, the project team door-knocked 74 local residences and businesses within the extent of the trial area to provide further details on the trial, including parking changes.

20. The parking restrictions on Sylvan Road and surrounding streets were reviewed by Council for the period 25 May 2016 to 23 June 2016, which resulted in Council replacing the half-hour parking with two-hour time limits.

Consultation

21. Councillor Peter Matic, Councillor for Paddington Ward, has been consulted and supports the recommendation.

22. The Branch Manager recommended as follows and the Committee agreed unanimously.

23. RECOMMENDATION:

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE HEAD PETITIONER BE ADVISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DRAFT RESPONSE SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, hereunder.

Attachment ADraft Response

Petition Reference: CA16/487102

Thank you for your petition requesting that Council remove the No Standing zones along Sylvan Road, Toowong.


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In December 2015, Council announced a trial of peak period bike lanes along Sylvan Road, Toowong. Competing demand between on-street parking and cyclists was identified as an issue during the Brisbane Parking Taskforce’s consultation and research. The trial was one of the key recommendations of the Brisbane Parking Taskforce’s report that was handed down to Council in late 2014. The 12-month trial started on 9 May 2016 along Sylvan Road, between Milton Road and Land Street, Toowong. The No Standing zones are in effect from 6am to 9am for inbound traffic, and 4pm to 7pm for outbound traffic, Monday to Friday. Motorists are able to park in existing dedicated parking areas outside of these times.

A total of 51 car spaces become No Standing spaces during the inbound morning peak period, while 19 car parking spaces are affected during the afternoon peak period. The on-street car parking spaces affected by the trial are located in front of 55 residential and 16 business properties. Seven parking spaces have been retained on the outbound side of Sylvan Road, between Bennetts Street and Earle Lane, as there is sufficient road width for the bike lane and parked cars.

Traffic counts on Sylvan Road showed that, on average, 1,613 cyclists used this route between 5am and 7pm including 620 during the morning inbound peak (6am to 9am) and 480 during the outbound peak (4pm to 7pm).

Sylvan Road is an important commuter route for cyclists travelling between the Centenary Highway Commuter Bikeway, the Bicentennial Commuter Bikeway and the central business district. It is also a key connection for local residents to Toowong Village, Wesley Hospital, Regatta CityCat terminal, and Auchenflower and Toowong train stations.

On 28 April 2016, a letter with a project plan was sent to 1,500 local residents and businesses announcing the start of the trial. The letter included contact details for the project team and invited feedback about the trial. Following this, the project team door-knocked 74 local residents and businesses within the extent of the trial to provide further details on the trial including parking changes.

Please be advised that based on the investigations and the traffic counts, Council will not remove the No Standing zones along Sylvan Road, Toowong, and will continue the 12-month peak period bike lane trial on Sylvan Road, Toowong. Should you wish to discuss this matter further, please contact Ms Lisa Laney, Communications Officer, City Projects Office, on 3403 8888.

Thank you for raising this matter.

INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

Councillor Amanda COOPER, Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Fiona KING, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 25 October 2016, be adopted.

Chairman: Councillor COOPER.

Councillor COOPER: Thank you, Madam Chair. I hope you are feeling a little bit better. Your poor throat doesn’t sound too good. So thank you very much for being here this afternoon with us. We had an interesting presentation at Committee last week on autonomous vehicles. A Council officer, Brendan O’Keefe, Principal Engineer, Policy and Strategy, presented on what is the future of our city. I was very sceptical initially about autonomous vehicles (AV). I like to drive my own car. I like to feel that I am actually responsible for my own safety.

But I, and even Councillor SCHRINNER—and I know this is a shock for those of us who know Councillor SCHRINNER very well—but even he is coming to the realisation that one day a car might actually drive him home instead of him driving the car home. I know he is coming slowly to this conclusion, but I think those of us in Committee last week were certainly coming to the inescapable conclusion that autonomous vehicles are on their way.

It is certainly being driven by the industry, so car companies are working hard, and are already producing vehicles which in a very short period of time—estimates say about 2018—will actually be out there available for people to


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purchase. This presents a lot of opportunities for us as a city, but also provides a number of challenges.

Particularly, some of us have newer cars, and some of us are already seeing safety benefits because of the amount of computerised technology that is embedded in these vehicles. We’ve got a range of things, like acceleration, braking, steering, that are all contributed to in some of the newer vehicles by these sorts of technology. There is now going to be, in autonomous vehicles, onboard sensors, cameras, GPS and telecommunications. Not only will your phone know where you are at all times, but so will your vehicle. Think about that, everyone. Yes, it can be a bit of an interesting interpretation of what is going on.

At the moment the US National Highway Travel Safety Administration has actually deemed that there are four different levels of vehicle automation. Levels 1 and 2 are already in cars—so, cruise control fits within those parameters. Level 4 is when the vehicles actually operate without needing a driver to be in control, and might not even have a driver in that vehicle at all.

For those of you who are following it, we have seen Google’s self-driving cars. In March this year Google test drove their fleet of driverless cars in autonomous mode for a total of 2.41 million kilometres, so out there really doing a whole range of investigation. They’ve got custom built 100% autonomous pod cars, so there is no steering wheel, no gear shift, no pedals. You are sitting in basically a cabin that takes you to where you need to be.


Councillor COOPER: Yes, Councillor MARX, certainly The Jetsons spring to mind. There are a number of issues relating to liability as well as safety. If you look at what is currently on our roads, in the US statistics are pretty dire. Over 35,000 fatalities are recorded on their roads each and every year. That is something that is really motivating the US car industry to look at these sorts of vehicles being a safer option.

Of course, in Brisbane road safety is a key consideration of everything we do, and that is why you can see the investment we are putting in our roads, and the benefits we are already seeing with accident data showing a 27% reduction in injury crashes over a four-year period. This is something that we will be further investigating as a consequence of this new technology in autonomous vehicles.

When you look at opportunities, this presents greater mobility potential for younger and older members of our community. So people may never get a driver’s licence, or people as they get older may not be restricted by their physical limitations or people who have special needs certainly may no longer be reliant on other people to get them around, but they may have their own vehicle.

I note there was a fairly lively debate in Committee. I think there was a discussion between Councillor SUTTON and Councillor MURPHY who were suggesting that people will be playing Candy Crush while they are getting to and from where they need to go. Perhaps not Candy Crush; perhaps there might be something new. I make no comments, through you, Madam Chair, as to whether you play Candy Crush, Councillor SUTTON, but certainly some new opportunity for people in the future.

So in 2018 we will see the commercial release of level 4 autonomous vehicles by both Google and Tesla. There is work under way with the Australian Government. Their National Transport Commission have got a project to understand current regulations to support increased vehicle automation. There will be legal barriers that will have to be overcome, and certainly a lot of discussion in the legal sector about what this means. There will have to be the development of a national regulatory framework for automated vehicles.

There have been two papers released talking about what the barriers are in relation to these sorts of matters, and they are available on the commission’s


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website. So some very interesting reading for those who may be interested about these sorts of things. There will be recommendations made to state, Federal and territory transport ministers about the regulation of automated vehicles. This will see requirements for changed legislation. I understand that South Australia is the first state to pass legislation to allow driverless car trials. In November of last year, Adelaide hosted the International Driverless Cars Conference, and had the first on-road demonstration of automated vehicle technology on their Southern Expressway.

Council has been consulted by the Department of Transport and Main Roads on AV research and development, and we know that there is currently a pilot project under way in our region. This was a very thought-provoking Committee presentation. It certainly posed a number of ‘what if’ questions for us all to think about, and to think about what this means in future for our wonderful city. I thank the officers for their presentation. I think it is something that we will certainly be seeing more of in the next five to 10 years, if not earlier, and certainly it is an opportunity for us to think differently about transportation as we go forward.

There is also a petition requesting an upgrade to Beatty Road, Archerfield and Acacia Ridge, of 156 signatories. This requested Beatty Road be widened between Boundary Road and Mortimer Road to four lanes, and the intersections of Beatty Road and Boundary Road, Kerry Road and Mortimer Road be upgraded as well. This is one in Councillor GRIFFITHS’ ward. He was consulted, and he advised that he supported the recommendation, so I thank him for that support of the officers’ work to date, and I thank the Committee who unanimously supported it, and of course to those petitioners who signed these two particular petitions. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.



Councillor GRIFFITHS: Yes, thanks Madam Chair. I rise quickly just in support of the petition to upgrade Beatty Road, Archerfield. As was heard, I do support this petition. The road does need widening, particularly for the local residents of Archerfield and Acacia Ridge, but also for the significant proposed work that will be part of the Archerfield Airport, and the proposed business that will be part of Archerfield Airport as Brisbane’s second airport.

Similarly there have been local plans supported for more development of the areas of Willawong, Pallara and so forth in terms of the Lower and Upper Oxley Neighbourhood Plans. This will see a significant amount of land turned into residential area, but also a significant amount of land turned into future industry. This is a future economic hub for the city, and it is one in terms of our industrial growth that we need to be supporting. So yes, this road does need to be widened. We do need to be putting money into this infrastructure.

The other part of this proposal is that, by widening this road, we will be able to divert trucks away from the residential areas of Acacia Ridge, from Watson Road and Mortimer Road, a residential area that has significant large amounts of trucks going through there.

One other thing we are working on as a Council is the upgrade of Kerry and Beatty roads. This year the budget has I think put aside $650,000 for the design of that particular intersection which I totally support. By doing that intersection, once again we will be able to achieve these other goals as well. I am glad Council is doing this, and I hope that the work will get done sooner rather than later. Thank you, Madam Chair.


Councillor SRI.

Councillor SRI: Thanks, Madam Chair; just briefly on both items A and B. I applaud Councillor COOPER and the relevant Council officers for raising this issue of autonomous vehicles. I think it is a really important conversation to be having,


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and I am glad we are getting on to it now rather than waiting a few years, and then playing catch-up.

I would just like to stress—and I am particularly directing my comments to the Councillors who consider that they might still be here in 10 years’ time—cast your minds ahead to 2025, 2030—


Councillor SRI: I hear some scoffing and saying, ‘I’m definitely not going to be there’. That’s cool.


Councillor SRI: No, you’re fine; I’m used to being interrupted. That’s all right. What I am driving at, though, is that autonomous vehicles, particularly class 4 vehicles, have the potential to radically change and redefine everything about our road user network. This isn’t some minor disruptive technology that a few people will be engaging with. This is a small revolution in terms of traffic and transport planning, and we need to engage with it as such.

I am particularly mindful of the fact that autonomous vehicles can tend to be much more efficient in terms of how they use road space. Much of our planning at the moment still seems to revolve around widening roads and all the evidence coming out of the US and the trials with these cars is that they are much more efficient when it comes to traffic congestion. They flow more smoothly; they do not need as much road space for the same number of vehicles and the same number of passengers.

So that means actually we may well find that if we are widening all these roads now, in 2016 and 2017, 10 years from now we may well find that we have twice the number of motorists and twice the number of road users, but we still don’t need that kind of road space. So I am just putting that out there as a conversation to get people thinking that, sure, maybe under your analyses right now it makes sense to widen roads, but it certainly won’t once these autonomous vehicles become common place.

So please inform yourselves; read up about the impacts of this technology. Recognise that the whole transport system is likely to change as a result of these kinds of technological improvements, and that our current approach to congestion management, and particularly widening roads, needs to change significantly.

That brings me to item B. I guess I am a little bit surprised at Councillor GRIFFITHS’ support for widening this stretch of road. I tend to agree that the intersection—


Councillor SRI: Yes, I have.


Councillor SRI: I’ll ignore that interjection, Councillor GRIFFITHS, but I’ll have a conversation with you afterwards. I would just emphasise that, while I think the intersection itself needs to be upgraded, and I support allocating funding for the investigation of intersection improvements, I think a wholesale widening of this stretch of the corridor is inappropriate. It is a poor use of public funds, and I hope we don’t just go down this same old route of saying, let’s just widen this road, because that seems like a quick fix to traffic congestion, when there is no evidence to support that in the long-term.

I just throw that out there. Maybe we can do better. Maybe we can think about addressing congestion without spending millions of dollars on road widening projects when we know that, in the long-term, they simply encourage more motorists to drive, and tend to increase congestion over a 10-year horizon. Thank you.



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Councillor COOPER.

Councillor COOPER: Very briefly, Madam Chair, I thank all of the speakers in relation to the report. I am disappointed that Councillor SUTTON didn’t get up and offer her ringing endorsement for autonomous vehicles. She was a staunch advocate in Committee, so I will put that on the public record.

I would also like to say that I appreciate the commentary of Councillor SRI, but the jury is still out in relation to autonomous vehicles, because the potential is there may be even more vehicles on the road because this sort of technology allows more people to actually have these sorts of mobility opportunities. What Council is doing is preparing for a transformation, and it certainly understands what is going on out there. Council is absolutely determined that it will not be purely the automotive industry that determines what the public policy decisions are, that it is Council who informs itself and makes worthwhile investments in certain upgrades—and I'd have to disagree with you, there are certainly times that I think it's entirely appropriate to upgrade the existing—and I note this is something that Councillor GRIFFITHS is very passionate about, and I understand why he is very passionate about that.

He is being a very strong advocate for his community and he listens to what his residents say with respect to these issues. But I also say that new technology isn't automatically a good or a bad thing. New technology brings a range of challenges in and of itself. Every government should consider that very carefully and make decisions that it thinks are decisions that are in the best interests of all of our residents. I think that that is something Council is absolutely working its very best to do. Thank you.

Chairman: I will now put the report.

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


A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

186/2016-171. Brendan O’Keefe, Principal Engineer, Policy & Strategy, Transport Planning and Strategy,

Brisbane Infrastructure attended the meeting to present on Autonomous Vehicles. He provided the information below.

2. Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are vehicles where some aspects of a safety critical control function occurs without direct driver input. These functions can include steering, accelerating or braking. AVs use on-board sensors, cameras, GPS and telecommunications to obtain and analyse information using complex computer algorithms.

3. A slide was displayed that indicated how sensors and a central computer operate the AV technology.

4. Mr O’Keefe discussed the United States of America (US) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) defined levels of vehicle automation. These classifications include a zero to four levelled tier system which includes technology that offers warnings but no automation, function-specific automation, combined function automation, limited self-driving automation or full self-driving automation.

5. The highest profile AV development in the US has been Google’s ‘self-driving cars’. In March 2016, Google had test driven their fleet of driverless cars in autonomous mode a total of 2.41 million kilometres. Google has also developed a custom-built 100% autonomous pod car with emphasis on low speed urban driving, which does not have a steering wheel, gear shift or pedals.

6. Mr O’Keefe provided an overview of the transport and society impacts of AVs. These included impacts on vehicle ownership, transport infrastructure, freight transportation, public transport, surplus transport land and urban sprawl. Some of the benefits associated with the use of AVs were provided which


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included increased mobility options, safety benefits, potential to reduce congestion, productivity benefits and air quality and environmental benefits.

7. Emerging issues associated with the use of AVs still under consideration include electronic control system safety, human factors, liability and insurance, legislation, privacy, cybersecurity and vulnerability to hacking, public acceptance and vehicle positioning accuracy.

8. Google and Tesla have announced they expect to release commercially available Level 4 AVs as early as 2018. Timelines are highly dependent on technological advancement, associated legislative changes and public acceptance.

9. Mr O’Keefe discussed the legislative framework associated with AVs. The Australian Government’s National Transport Commission (NTC) has developed a project to- understand how current regulations can support increased vehicle automation- identify legal barriers to automated vehicles- support a nationally consistent regulatory framework for automated vehicles.

10. The NTC has released discussion issues papers such as ‘Regulatory barriers to more automated road and rail vehicle’s (February 2016) and ‘Regulatory options for automated vehicles’ (May 2016). NTC is preparing reform recommendations to transport ministers about the regulation of automated vehicles.

11. South Australia is the first Australian state to pass legislation to allow driverless car trials. In November 2015, Adelaide hosted the International Driverless Cars Conference. In collaboration with Volvo and as part of the ARRB’s Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI), Australia’s first on-road demonstration of automated vehicle technology was undertaken on Adelaide’s Southern Expressway.

12. Council is being consulted by the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on AV research and development. TMR modelling projects to determine the impact of AVs on the Brisbane Transport network will be assessed through pilot projects such as the Cooperative ITS Project (field development 2019) and automated vehicle test (2017-18).

13. Mr O’Keefe discussed potential implications for Council which included reduced demand for parking and increased demand for pick-up and drop-off zones, parking provisions in developments and changes in vehicle ownership. Impacts on public transport include park ‘n’ rides and opportunities for personalised public transport. Impacts to the road network include changes in peak versus off-peak travel, ability of vehicles and systems to interact and optimise demand, design of the road network, interaction between AVs and non-AVs, and particularly the introduction and transition to AVs.

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

15. RECOMMENDATION:


B PETITION – REQUESTING AN UPGRADE TO BEATTY ROAD, ARCHERFIELD/ACACIA RIDGECA16/67454 & CA16/84649

187/2016-1716. Two petitions requesting that Council upgrade Beatty Road in Archerfield/Acacia Ridge were

presented to the meeting of Council held on 2 February 2016, by Councillor Steve Griffiths, and received.

17. The Branch Manager, Transport Planning and Strategy provided the following information.

18. The petitions contain 156 signatures with the majority of residents residing within Archerfield and Acacia Ridge.


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19. The petitioners request Council upgrade Beatty Road including widening Beatty Road between Boundary Road and Mortimer Road to four lanes and upgrading the intersections of Beatty Road with Boundary Road, Kerry Road and Mortimer Road to better accommodate increasing heavy transport vehicle usage and to improve safety.

20. Beatty Road provides access to Archerfield Airport and is classified as a suburban route within the Road Hierarchy of Brisbane. Suburban routes form important links in the public transport and inter-suburban freight network. Their intended function is to provide key connections to district and citywide specialist centres, employment areas and suburbs. Beatty Road carries a mix of traffic to service the local industrial, airport and residential land uses. Recognising the importance of Beatty Road in carrying freight, the section of Beatty Road between Granard Road and Mortimer Road is also classified as a primary freight route. A Locality Map forms Attachment B to this submission.

21. The intersections of Boundary Road, Kerry Road and Mortimer Road with Beatty Road, currently provide two-way traffic flow on a two-lane road with additional turning lanes at all intersections to reduce traffic congestion. While the intersections of Beatty Road and Boundary Road and Beatty Road and Mortimer Road are signalised, the intersection of Beatty Road and Kerry Road does not have traffic signals.

22. Council’s Priority Infrastructure Plan within Brisbane City Plan 2014, identifies the upgrade of Beatty Road as a potential long-term project. The 2015-16 budget allocated $716,000 to investigate corridor improvements along Beatty Road/Sherbrooke Road. The findings of this study will be used to inform Council’s decisions on future corridor improvement options.

23. There is a high demand for road corridor improvements across the city. Each June, all listed projects are prioritised and assessed against the overall needs of the city. Approved works have the highest priority in terms of public safety, convenience and the number of people directly benefiting in relation to the cost.

24. Council’s 2016-17 budget allocates $660,000 for the detailed design of an upgrade to the intersection of Beatty Road and Kerry Road. The timing of any works will be considered against similar projects across the city as future funding becomes available.

25. It is noted that the petitioners are concerned that this road upgrade is urgently needed to facilitate the Archerfield Airport Corporation’s vision for the Archerfield Airport precinct. Council acknowledges that the 20-year Archerfield Airport Masterplan 2011-31 identifies anticipated growth of the Archerfield Airport precinct. With that in mind, Council is working in consultation with Archerfield Airport Corporation to consider the implications of this expected growth on the surrounding road network.

Funding

26. Council’s 2015-16 Budget, allocated $716,000 for the investigation of the Beatty Road/Sherbrooke Road corridor improvements. Council’s 2016-17 budget allocates $660,000 for the detailed design of an upgrade to the intersection of Beatty Road and Kerry Road. The timing of any future works along Beatty Road will be considered against similar projects across the city as future funding becomes available.

Consultation

27. Councillor for Steve Griffiths, Councillor for Moorooka Ward, has been consulted and supports the recommendation.

28. Accordingly, the Branch Manager therefore recommended as follows and the Committee agreed unanimously.

29. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE DRAFT RESPONSE, AS SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, hereunder, BE SENT TO THE HEAD PETITIONER ADVISING THAT COUNCIL HAS IDENTIFIED THE FUTURE UPGRADE TO BEATTY ROAD WITHIN THE PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN AS


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PART OF BRISBANE CITY PLAN 2014. COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THE TIMING OF THE UPGRADE TO BEATTY ROAD AS FUTURE FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE.


Thank you for your petition calling on Council to upgrade Beatty Road, Archerfield/Acacia Ridge.

Your petition has been investigated and it was considered by Council at its meeting held on (DATE). It was decided that the petitioners be advised of the information below.

Council’s Priority Infrastructure Plan within Brisbane City Plan 2014, identifies the upgrade of Beatty Road as a potential long-term project. The 2015/16 Budget allocated funding to investigate corridor improvements along Beatty Road-Sherbrooke Road. The findings of this study will be used to inform Council’s decisions on future corridor improvement options.

There is a high demand for road corridor improvements across the city. Each June, all listed projects are prioritised and assessed against the overall needs of the city. Approved works have the highest priority in terms of public safety, convenience and the number of people directly benefiting in relation to the cost.

Please let the other petitioners know of this information.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr Damian Burke from Council’s Transport Planning and Strategy branch on 3403 8888.

CITY PLANNING COMMITTEE

Councillor Julian SIMMONDS, Chairman of the City Planning Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Vicki HOWARD, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 25 October 2016, be adopted.

Chairman: Councillor SIMMONDS.

Councillor SIMMONDS: Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Just briefly to inform the Chamber that the Committee considered the development application for 14 Seeana Place, Heathwood, last week. It is of course very important to the planning of our city that we deal with population increase and residential development. But it is just as important for our city that our Committee considers the economic development and growth of our city from an industry perspective.

So it was with pleasure that the Committee considered an application from Schweppes for their new Brisbane distribution centre. They are the latest international brand to expand into Brisbane and this will be a $50 million investment for them, attracting a further $30 million in investment value and creating some 50 new jobs. A tremendous outcome for our city and a great vote—

Councillor JOHNSTON: Point of order, Madam Chairman.

Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor SIMMONDS.


Councillor JOHNSTON: Just checking, did we miss Public and Active Transport?


No, we didn't?

Chairman: Public and Active Transport Committee has been done.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Okay, sorry.

Chairman: Yes, Councillor SIMMONDS.


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Councillor SIMMONDS: Thanks, Madam Chairman. Let me just get my train of thought back. So Schweppes' investment will be $50 million into creating this purpose-built facility; will attract a further $30 million in investment and add 50 new jobs for our city. A great vote of confidence into Brisbane. The warehouse is located along the Logan Motorway, providing key freight access of course, which is very important for a distribution centre. It's located in close proximity to the newly-developed suburbs of Heathwood, Doolandella and Pallara and the facility will support and promote active travel with the provision of bicycle facilities for employees.

The application was submitted initially on 11 August 2016, it is for a warehouse and distribution centre with a gross floor area (GFA) of 18,778 square metres. The proposal includes 121 car parks, office space, construction of service road to accommodate heavy vehicle movements and alteration to Sienna Place to ease vehicles movements. It was a topic of discussion within the Committee, the fact that it had separate access for heavy vehicles, which was separate to the access for employees. This was seen as a great positive step by the proposal.

The DA was referred to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA), due to the location next to the Logan Motorway, and for the size of the warehouse, SARA is supportive of the plan and has issued a condition relating to the stormwater management. The committee agreed unanimously to approve the development application and I'm very much pleased that the committee saw the economic development potential for our city in seeing this proposal come to fruition. Thank you.



Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes, Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on this item in the City Planning report, the development application at 14 Sienna Place, Heathwood. My comments relate to why on earth this DA has come to Council. This is a code-assessable development in an industry zoning without any major adverse impacts on the community. No public notification is required, it's pretty straight forward. It's in a big industrial development, in an area zoned for industry.

So I do not understand for the life of me why this development application has been brought up for full Council, and I would like an explanation from the chairperson. Every day, this Council refuses to send controversial DAs up here that are outside the scope of the planning scheme of City Plan 2014, that double heights beyond what's allowed. Those matters do not come up here for debate. Now that's wrong.

Yet here we have a code-assessable DA that looks pretty straightforward to me, and yet it's being brought up here to full Council. So I think there should be some explanation about why we are not being given the opportunity as Councillors to set policy in this place for our officers when it comes to controversial and noncompliant DAs. This Administration obviously wants to endorse the projects it supports publicly in here but it will not have a robust public debate about controversial DAs that are causing adverse impacts in our suburbs. That's not on. I don't think it's reasonable, and this is just wrong to be doing this and not bringing controversial DAs up here for public debate.


Councillor SRI.

Councillor SRI: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Yes, just on that same report item, I would like to endorse Councillor JOHNSTON's comments there. Because every week in City Planning Committee, we run out of time, every week, we run—

Chairman: Councillor SRI, I gave Councillor JOHNSTON a little bit of leeway because she wasn't in on the City Planning Committee. The purpose of speaking to a report is to actually speak on the item before us. I can understand Councillor JOHNSTON's confusion because obviously this was—as it was explained in the Committee, it was in relation to the jobs and economic benefit


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for the city. So if you're going to speak to this report, Councillor SRI, I ask that you actually speak to the report.

Councillor SRI: Sure, Madam Chair. So I'm just making that very simple point that I don't think this development should have been brought before the City Planning Committee when we frequently run out of time and so many other developments are not brought before that Committee.

Chairman: Thank you.

Further debate?

Councillor SIMMONDS.

Councillor SIMMONDS: Well thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Isn't this exactly what's wrong with the left? The Independent Councillor over there, Nicole JOHNSTON and her apologists in the Labor Party, this is exactly what's wrong with them. That when it comes to jobs in this city, they couldn't give a damn, couldn't give a stuff. It's not controversial enough for them, Madam Chairman, it isn't enough to say. Well if you don't believe in jobs, if you don't believe in seeing economic development for this city, well then sit there quietly, avail yourselves of that right.

But you know what, this side of the Chamber, the Administration is going to take every opportunity to make sure that the business community of Australia and further afield see Brisbane as a good, solid place to invest. Part of this is making sure that we show an interest in projects that create jobs and deliver millions of dollars' worth of unique investment into our city. Now they can talk about controversial DAs but I'm sure—well—


Councillor SIMMONDS: Well they can talk about what they would like to come to Committee, but even they're not exactly sure what they want to come to Committee. Councillor JOHNSTON said, this shouldn't have come to Committee because it's code. Well I bet they've got plenty of code applications which they don't—


Chairman: Point of order against you, Councillor SIMMONDS.

Yes, Councillor JOHNSTON?

Councillor JOHNSTON: Claim to be misrepresented.

Councillor SIMMONDS: Councillor SRI claimed this shouldn't have come because there weren't enough objections. Yet today, he rang up and objected to a DA which had already been approved with no objections. So how am I meant to—

Councillor SRI: Point of order, Madam Chair.

Chairman: Point of order, Councillor SRI.

Councillor SRI: Claim to be misrepresented.

Chairman: Councillor SIMMONDS.

Councillor SIMMONDS: Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Well, as I said, even they are confused, and I tell you why. Because they, what they are really saying, what is the subtext, the reading between those lines is what they want to talk about is their own patch. Their own patch of the world—


Chairman: Point of order, Councillor JOHNSTON.

Councillor JOHNSTON: That's very clearly imputing motive.

Chairman: I don't uphold your point of order. I think Councillor SIMMONDS was actually being factual.

Councillor SIMMONDS: Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. My view—my view is that those two Councillors who spoke would only be happy if everything that came to the


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Committee, either related to The Gabba Ward or to Tennyson. That's the simple view, I think—


Chairman: Point of order, Councillor JOHNSTON?

Councillor JOHNSTON: Those statements are overtly imputing motive about my speech in this place and I would ask that they be withdrawn in line with the Meetings Local Law.

Chairman: Order. Councillor JOHNSTON, I don't uphold your point of order. I don't believe Councillor SIMMONDS was imputing motive, he was just referring to situations that occurred in Committee meetings.


Chairman: Councillor SIMMONDS, please continue.

Councillor SIMMONDS: Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I don't want to labour the point simply because of the interjections. So again, the simple fact of the matter is that this is a very important DA that this Chamber should be very interested in. For the simple reason it creates significant investment in our city, that it creates jobs. We've just seen the State Government come out with a draft Regional Plan which puts an extra 47% of dwellings on top of the target that we already had. Well it is fine for these people to come to Brisbane but this Chamber; this Council needs to make sure that these people have jobs as well. That's part of our role.

Not just to look at our own wards, but to take an overall city view. That's what I ask from members of the City Planning Committee. It's not the Gabba planning committee, it's not the Tennyson planning committee, it is the City Planning Committee. What I'd ask is for them to take a citywide approach and consider the 50 people who are now going to be employed because we have approved this application, and moreover, the significant investment that will flow to Brisbane because this chamber, as a whole, has sent a signal to the broader community that we support proposals that make this kind of investment in our city and create these kinds of jobs.

That is why it was very, very important for it to come to this Chamber and that is why, in the future, this Administration will continue to bring projects like this to the Chamber, because this side of the Chamber—and Councillor HOWARD—believes very strongly in its role in creating jobs and investment for the people of our city so that we can improve quality of life and liveability in Brisbane. Thank you.

Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON, your misrepresentation?

Councillor JOHNSTON: Yes, Madam Chairman. Councillor SIMMONDS stated that I said that this DA should not have come to Committee. Now, Madam Chairman, I did not say that, I didn't say it anywhere. Madam Chairman, what I said is I didn't understand why code-assessable DAs were bring brought to this Chamber yet controversial DAs with adverse impacts on our city are not being brought forward for public debate. It was a very clear point and Councillor SIMMONDS has deliberately misrepresented me for political purposes.

Chairman: Your next point? Councillor SRI, your misrepresentation.

Councillor SRI: Thanks, Madam Chair. Councillor SIMMONDS suggested that I objected to a development that was approved today, and I just wanted to assure Councillor SIMMONDS that I did not. I think he might perhaps, through you, Madam Chairman, be a bit confused. I called up with questions about a particular DA that had been approved today. But just because I call up with questions about a DA doesn't mean I object to that development. I'm sure Councillor SIMMONDS will be pleased to know that I'm generally quite supportive of high-density development in the inner-city.

So while I complain about a couple of the DAs—

Chairman: Thank you, Councillor SRI, you've stated your point of misrepresentation.


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Councillor SRI: Cool, thanks.

Upon being submitted to the Chamber by the Chairman, the motion for the adoption of the report of the City Planning Committee was declared carried on the voices.


A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION UNDER SUSTAINABLE PLANNING ACT 2009 : DEVELOPMENT PERMIT - MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE FOR A WAREHOUSE AND PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO CARRY OUT BUILDING WORK ON LAND AT 14 SEEANA PLACE, HEATHWOOD – PERPETUAL CORPORATE TRUST LIMITED

188/2016-171. The Team Manager, Development Assessment South reports that a development application was

submitted on 11 August 2016 by RPS Australia East Pty Ltd on behalf of Perpetual Corporate Trust as trustee for the LALV Heathwood Trust. The application was properly made on 29 August 2016.

Development aspects: Material change of use – development permitCarry out building work – preliminary approval

General description of proposal:

Warehouse (Schweppes) with a gross floor area (GFA) of 18,778m², building height 32.8m, on-site car parking for 121 car spaces. Hours of operation 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Land in the ownership of:

Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited

Address of the site: 14 Seeana Place Heathwood Described as: Part of Lot 1 on SP279936Containing an area of: 51,930 m2

2. This Code assessable application is over land currently included in the Industry (General Industry B) Zone under Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan). The site is located within the boundary of the Lower Oxley Creek South Neighbourhood Plan, but is not located within a precinct.

3. Details of the development are summarised below:- warehouse will comprise a gross floor area of 18,778m² including ancillary office areas- maximum building height - 32.8m - on-site car parking – 121 spaces- hours of operation – 24 hours, 7 days a week- construction of a private service road off Seeana Place to accommodate heavy vehicle

movements - alterations to the median strips along Seeana Place- a new access directly off Seeana Place for light vehicles accessing the staff car park.

4. The site has street frontages to Logan Motorway (off-ramp) (north), Seeana Place (south) and Stapylton Road (west). All vehicle access to the site will be from Seeana Place.

5. The land surrounding the site consists of vacant industrial land (east), established industrial buildings (west) within the Industry (General Industry B and C) Zone. The proposed development is designed to accommodate building height and scale centrally within the site by providing large setbacks to all street frontages. The building height also transitions to the Stapylton Road frontage of the site.

6. The development involves a highly automated site operation and on-site car parking spaces support the car parking demand generated by specific staffing numbers and shift times.

7. No access is proposed to the Logan Motorway (off-ramp) or Stapylton Road. Site access is provided via Seeana Place with associated alterations to the existing median strip to facilitate heavy vehicle access.

8. The use is consistent with the overall outcomes of the Industry zone code in that it “provides for low impact industry and medium impact industry throughout the General industry B zone precinct”.


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9. The proposal is subject to Code assessment and public notification is not required.

10. Councillor Angela Owen, Councillor for Calamvale Ward, has been consulted and supports the application.

11. The application was referred to the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DILGP - SARA) as a Concurrence Agency for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) for the following reasons - for a material change of use within 25 metres of a State controlled road (Logan Motorway)

(Schedule 7, Table 3, Item 1)- the GFA of the warehouse exceeds 16,000m2 (Schedule 7, Table 3, Item 2 for an aspect of

development that meets or exceeds the thresholds identified in Schedule 9 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009).

12. DILGP - SARA supports the proposal subject to conditions which include:- compliance with the submitted Site Based Stormwater Plan.

13. Continuing, the Team Manager, Development Assessment South advises that relevant reports have been obtained to address the assessment criteria and decision process prescribed by the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA) appropriately justifying the proposal and outlining reasonable and relevant conditions of the approval.

14. It is recommended that the application be recommend to Council for approval, subject to the approved plans and conditions included in the Development Approval Package submitted on file and marked Attachment A. The Committee agreed unanimously.

15. RECOMMENDATION:

(i) That it be and is hereby resolved that whereas –

(a) a properly made development application was made on 29 August 2016 to the Council pursuant to s260 of the SPA, as follows:

Development aspects: Material change of use – development permitCarry out building work – preliminary approval

General description of proposal:

Warehouse (Schweppes) with a gross floor area of 18,778m², building height 32.8m, on-site car parking for 121 car spaces. Hours of operation 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Land in the ownership of: Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited

Address of the site: 14 Seeana Place Heathwood

Described as: Part of Lot 1 on SP279936

Containing an area of: 51,930 m2

(b) The Council is required to assess the application pursuant to Chapter 6, Part 5, Division 3 and s313 of the SPA, and decide the application under s324 of the Act.

the Council -

(c) Upon consideration of the application and those matters set forth in s313 and s324 of the SPA 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 does not cause conflict with the State’s planning policies,

planning regulation provisions or regional plan (iii) the proposal is consistent with the general intentions of City Plan(iv) the proposal would not create an unreasonable traffic problem, increase a

traffic problem or detrimentally affect the efficiency of the road network


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(v) the proposal would not detrimentally affect the amenity of the surrounding area

(vi) the development can be accommodated within the existing essential infrastructure networks.

(d) Accordingly considers that where reasonable and relevant conditions imposed on the development, it would be appropriate that the proposed development be approved on the subject land.

(e) Considers that a Brisbane City Council Infrastructure Charges Notice should be issued for the development pursuant to the SPA and Brisbane Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No. 5) 2015, for the transport, community purposes and stormwater trunk infrastructure networks.

(ii) Whereas the Council determines as in 4(i) hereof, THE COUNCIL APPROVES THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION referred to above and subject to the conditions in the attached Development Approval Package and directs that: (a) the applicant be advised of the decision(b) Queensland Urban Utilities be advised of the decision (c) the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning be advised of the

decision(d) the Councillor for Calamvale Ward, Councillor Angela Owen, be advised of the

decision.

ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

Councillor David McLACHLAN, Chairman of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Norm WYNDHAM, that the report of the meeting of that Committee held on 25 October 2016, be adopted.

Chairman: Councillor McLACHLAN.

Councillor McLACHLAN: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Two items before us. Item A refers to the Committee presentation in the Committee last week about the Student Environmental Leadership Network; which is a program run through the Green Heart Schools' Student Environmental Leadership Network. So under the auspices of the Green Heart program. This provides students with a considerable number of skills, knowledge and confidence to develop and lead behaviour change projects in their schools and in their community.

So participants are supported to identify environmental issues and work together to plan and implement projects to help my Brisbane's school and communities cleaner and greener. So get them at the school and let them take that through their school community and into the wider community. So a great outcome being provided for here. There were a number of projects that were referred to in 2016 that were focused on recycling, on revegetation and creek rehabilitation, renewable energy and energy reduction, waste reduction, sustainable gardening and habitat restoration. So all great outcomes and all being contributed to by our youth at school and through the Green Heart network. So a great program and great to hear that presentation to the committee last week.

Madam Chairman, the other item before us was a petition requesting that Council install a playground in Balis Street Park in Holland Park West, relates to a petition that was received. The information relating to that petition is contained in the report. If there's anybody who'd like to speak to it, I'm sure they will.


Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Very briefly, I will speak to the petition on Balis Street, which I believe is item B. it is a park that was in need of an upgrade and door knocking the local area


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due to the election and with the school that's very close by; Marshall Road State School, it came up quite frequently in my discussions with my now new residents. I was very pleased to be able to get that design underway very soon after March this year. Those designs have been finalised and hopefully it'll be constructed through Ward Parks Trust Fund in the next couple of months. So very happy on that outcome, thank you to the Committee.


Councillor McLACHLAN?

I will now put the report.

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.


A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK

189/2016-171. Chloe Houlson, Senior Program Officer – Community Initiatives, Major Projects and Asset

Coordination, Natural Environment, Water and Sustainability, City Planning and Sustainability, attended the meeting to provide an update on the Student Environmental Leadership Network (SELN). She provided the information below.

2. Green Heart Schools’ Student Environmental Leadership Network, now in its fourth year, is an environment-specific leadership program for Brisbane year 10 students. It focuses on engaging young people to drive sustainability projects within their own communities. A promotional video highlighting some aspects of the operation of SELN and its advantages was played.

3. In 2016, Green Heart Schools have worked closely with 57 students, across 33 Brisbane schools, to build their skills in developing projects which they can drive in their schools. Since 2013, Green Heart Schools have worked directly with 200 students; helping them with formal meetings, providing ongoing support and visits from the SELN coordinator.

4. SELN provides students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop and lead behaviour-change projects in their school and local community. Participants are supported to identify environmental issues and work together to plan and implement projects to help make Brisbane's schools and communities cleaner and greener. A list of schools participating in SELN was displayed.

5. Student projects in 2016 are focused on:- recycling- revegetation and creek rehabilitation - renewable energy/energy reduction- waste reduction - sustainable gardening- habitat restoration.

6. Initiatives and environmental leadership projects introduced by the students of some Brisbane schools, including All Hallows, Loreto College, Lourdes Hill College and St James College, were highlighted.

7. SELN also encourages and enables students to explore opportunities to become involved in many other events such as Homeless Connect, Young Leaders Day and speaking opportunities.

8. SELN has a collaborative approach, engaging with 11 internal and external partners:- Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Pollution Control- Waste Services- WaterSmart Integration- Active School Travel- Seqwater- Energy and Carbon team


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- Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens- Water Management team - Environment Centres - Habitat Brisbane - School Grants.

9. Outcomes of SELN include:- environmental projects being delivered by students across Brisbane- sustainability on school agenda- enhanced confidence for students- leadership skills development- community pride- targeted messaging- collaboration- positive media.

10. Following a number of questions from the Committee, the Acting Chairman thanked Ms Houlson for her informative presentation.

11. RECOMMENDATION:


B PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL INSTALL A PLAYGROUND IN BALIS STREET PARK, HOLLAND PARK WESTCA16/637236

190/2016-1712. A petition from residents, requesting that Council install a playground in Balis Street Park,

Holland Park West, was presented to the meeting of Council held on 9 August 2016, by Councillor Krista Adams, and received.

13. The Acting Executive Manager, Field Services Group, Brisbane Infrastructure, provided the following information.

14. The petition contains 75 signatures.

15. Balis Street Park is a local park with paths and exercise equipment. The park is also subject to periodic flooding. A locality map is available on file.

16. Prior to receiving the petition, Councillor Krista Adams, Councillor for Holland Park Ward, approached Asset Services advising that she would like to install a playground in Balis Street Park. It was indicated this would be funded from her allocation of the Ward Footpath and Parks Trust Fund. To this end, an investigation and concept design has been commissioned and this will be completed by the end of October. Issues around access, safety and flooding are currently being assessed. Upon receipt of the conceptual design and approval from Councillor Krista Adams, a funding submission will be prepared by Asset Services.

Funding

17. Schedule 43 – Ward Footpath and Parks Trust Fund

Consultation

18. Councillor Krista Adams, Councillor for Holland Park Ward, has been consulted and supports the recommendation.

Customer impact


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19. The installation of a playground within this local parkland will provide improved amenity for residents and visitors.

20. The Acting Executive Manager recommended as follows and the Committee agreed.

21. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED THAT THEIR REQUEST IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY COUNCIL AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILLOR KRISTA ADAMS, COUNCILLOR FOR HOLLAND PARK WARD. FUNDS FROM THE HOLLAND PARK WARD PARKS TRUST FUND HAVE ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED FOR AN UPGRADE AND DESIGNS ARE CURRENTLY BEING FINALISED. ACCORDINGLY, A DRAFT RESPONSE IS SET OUT IN ATTACHMENT A, hereunder.


Petition Reference: CA16/637236

Thank you for your petition requesting the installation of playground equipment in Balis Street Park, Holland Park West.

Your petition has been investigated and it was considered by Council at its meeting held on (DATE). I wish to advise Councillor Krista Adams, Councillor for Holland Park Ward, has requested Council to undertake further investigations to consider your proposal and this is currently in process. Funds from the Holland Park Ward Parks Trust Fund have already been allocated for an upgrade and designs are currently being finalised.

Should you wish to discuss this matter further, please contact Mr Brendon Whittaker, Acting Coordinator Parks, East Region, Asset Services, on (07) 3403 8888.

Thank you for raising this matter.

FIELD SERVICES COMMITTEE

Councillor Peter MATIC, Chairman of the Field Services Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Kim MARX, that the report of that Committee held on 25 October 2016, be adopted.

Chairman: Councillor MATIC.

Councillor MATIC: Thank you, Madam Chairman. There's one item and that is the presentation to Committee on the community composting trial. Madam Chairman, an important program within waste services to look at how we can better deal with food and green waste. Those two items make up almost 50% of general waste that goes into landfill. Any steps we can take to improve composting within our local communities, is an important part of reducing that landfill and also reducing our carbon footprint of the city.

I was able to attend the launch on 17 October at Yoorala Street Community Garden, with Councillor TOOMEY in The Gap Ward, to look at this program and also to engage with the community garden out there. I have to really acknowledge, it is an amazing community garden within Yoorala Street and the residents and the local Councillor have done great work out there. This community program, Madam Chairman, also saw the trial of this program within other inner-city suburbs as well, around local community gardens.

What we're aiming to achieve through this trial is in those high-rise local areas, and a community garden being close by, we're wanting to see that level of engagement. So effectively, residents can sign up online or they can ring the call centre to get the details, and then they can collect their billy from the ward officers or from the community garden. Then when they fill that plastic


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container up, they can then bring it down to the composting section of that community garden and be able to fill. So that compost gets to be recycled.

So it's an important program that we're running. We're just testing it at the moment, just to see what the needs of the local community are, getting their feedback as well. Once we get through that trial period in early next year then invite all Councillors to put their submissions in for the community gardens within their own wards, to come on board with this program and continue to advance that strong message of dealing with our food waste and green waste and making sure that we compost as much as possible. It is really an effective way of reducing our carbon footprint.


Councillor SRI.

Councillor SRI: Just really quickly on that point, I'd like to express my very strong support for this composting trial program.

Chairman: Through the Chair please, Councillor SRI.

Councillor SRI: Through you, Madam Chair, I'd like to express my very strong support for this community composting program. I think it's a great idea and my full congratulations to the Council officers who've worked to make this happen. Wholeheartedly supported and I look forward to seeing it rolled out in other suburbs soon. Thanks.


Councillor TOOMEY.

Councillor TOOMEY: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise also to comment on item A. Madam Chairman, as part of the presentation before the Committee, the officers did a small presentation on The Gap welcome day which was held on 16 October. Madam Chairman, during the Committee presentation, we learnt that the Yoorala Street community in The Gap wholeheartedly embraced the community composting program. Some 70 registrations had been done online at the time of the presentation and on the day which I attended, there was some 30 composting caddies distributed to members of the public.

They were also able to look at and learn about worm composting and also the young kids that came along were educated that morning on some small techniques on how to close the loop with respect to composting and the impacts of dumping food waste into the normal bin.

Madam Chairman, I can tell you the program is continuing to be quite successful and the caddies in the ward office are literally walking out the door.


Councillor MATIC?

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.


A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – COMMUNITY COMPOSTING TRIAL

191/2016-171. Arron Lee, Manager, Waste and Resource Recovery Services, Field Services Group, Brisbane

Infrastructure attended the meeting to present on the Community Composting Trial. He provided the information below.

2. Council is undertaking a trial of a new composting initiative to trial the development of community composting hubs in existing community gardens. The concept will allow residents who live nearby, to compost their kitchen food scraps rather than sending them to landfill. The trial will help monitor and


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research best delivery of community composting support and is proposed to run from October 2016 to 31 March 2017.

3. Mr Lee discussed the traditional linear approach to waste management often referred to as the ‘cradle to grave’ model. Due to the increasing levels of waste production and the decreasing availability of natural resources this approach is no longer considered to be viable.

4. The new ‘cradle to cradle’ cyclic model of waste management focuses on keeping materials in a loop of resource use. Rather than extracting more resources from the natural environment, the emphasis is on recovery through reuse and the recycling of materials. Council is now focused on avoiding waste generation and recovering resources. The cyclic model is a sustainable way of using and re-using our resources.

5. Organic waste makes up a large proportion of the waste stream which is sent to landfill every week. According to the March 2016 waste characterisation survey, the average Brisbane rubbish bin contains approximately 55% compostable material including food (36.5%) and garden waste (18.2%). This trial forms part of Council’s Towards Zero Waste strategy and helps Council work towards its vision of a clean, green and sustainable city. The trial will help test and research the best ways to encourage and support the community to compost their kitchen scraps, and contribute to less waste in landfill.

6. Organic waste has become a major issue for cities as they struggle to cope with increasing populations, land pressures and environmental degradation. Council already offers residents a green waste recycling bin service to divert organic waste from landfill and also encourages home composting by offering regular free compost and worm farm workshops throughout Brisbane. Community composting is another approach to organic waste management that has been successfully introduced in many cities around the world including New York, London and more recently Sydney and Melbourne.

7. Council’s proposed composting scheme will allow people to become involved in composting regardless of their housing or physical restrictions, while at the same time connecting with their local community and reducing waste landfill.

8. The trial and composting initiative provides opportunities for people who live in apartments without access to gardens, or those who do not have the physical capability or skill to become involved in composting. Four existing Community Gardens within Brisbane will be trial sites for the program and if the trial is successful it will be extended to other community gardens.

9. A public welcome and information day will be held at each site to allow local residents to see how the program will function. Registered participants will receive a free kitchen caddy to help them collect and transport scraps to the composting hub. Garden volunteers will help maintain the composting hub and use the compost to fertilise their garden. Signage will also assist residents with understanding the composting process and service as a reminder about what can and can’t go in the compost bins. The trial will commence at each site location with a ‘Welcome Day’ that will involve morning tea, children’s activities, community garden tours and compost and worm farm displays.

10. The Community Composting initiative is based on the closed loop model as garden and food waste becomes the material which enriches the soil in the local area. Residents who live close to the trial community gardens will be invited to register for the program. Registration can be undertaken at the Community Composting Welcome Days or online via Council’s website.

11. Mr Lee discussed the composting trial sites at the following locations:- Yoorala Street Community Garden, 93 Yoorala Street, The Gap, on 16 October 2016 at

9.30am to 11.30am- Nundah Neighbourhood Centre Community Garden, 14 Station Street, Nundah, on 23 October

2016 at 8.30am to 10.30am- Kelvin Grove Community Garden, Kundu Park, 9 Maidstone Street, Kelvin Grove, on

23 October 2016 at noon to 2pm- Jeays Street Community Garden, 12 Jeays Street, Bowen Hills on 30 October 2016 at 3pm to

5pm.

12. Mr Lee discussed the success of the first Community Composting Trial which commenced at the Yoorala Street Community Garden, 93 Yoorala Street, The Gap, on 16 October 2016 which


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approximately 70 residents attended with 23 registrations on the day and an additional 22 online registrations prior to the event.

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

14. RECOMMENDATION:


LIFESTYLE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

Councillor Matthew BOURKE, Chairman of the Lifestyle and Community Services Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Steven HUANG, that the report of that Committee held on 25 October 2016, be adopted.

Chairman: Councillor BOURKE.

Councillor BOURKE: Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I know that the Lifestyle and Community Services portfolio is the best portfolio and Committee in Council and that's why Councillor ADAMS is trying to get back into the chair. But, Madam Chairman, I just want to talk about a couple of items before I get to the report that we have before us today on the Committee presentation. I just want to touch on the reopening of the Nundah Library.

So the Nundah Library was reopened on 22 October by the LORD MAYOR and Councillor ALLAN. The refurbishment had been undertaken for some period of time but this facility, of course, was first opened for the people of Brisbane back in 1968. It had some minor work done to it since its official opening but obviously time was here for a major overhaul. So some $2 million was spent completely refurbing the library and providing new and upgraded facilities for the people of Nundah and surrounds, Madam Chairman.

It includes some of the latest and newest technology when it comes to our libraries. I just want to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the hardworking staff that we have in the library section of Brisbane City Council, ably led by Sharan Harvey, Madam Chairman, who continues to bring the cutting edge and the best practice in the world when it comes to library and library services, and the changes in our library service that we've seen over time, Madam Chairman, to make our libraries more of a hub and more of a focus, not just for books but also for learning, digital innovation, Madam Chairman, as well as a home for history and the story of Brisbane.

So Nundah Library continues to have a space for the Nundah and Districts Historical Society but it also has areas for robotics, 3D printing, computing as well, Madam Chairman. So really tying together the old and the new.

Madam Chairman, it was also my pleasure on Friday to attend the presentation of the Muir Shield. The Muir Shield is an award that is handed out to a Council library that participates as part of the Children's Book Week. Madam Chairman, there were 14 libraries that participated in the Muir Shield this year. Of course, the Muir Shield is an acknowledgement of the first Council librarian that we had, Madam Chairman. The winner this year was actually Mitchelton Library, in Councillor WINES' ward, following on, Madam Chairman, from Nundah Library who won last year.

So congratulations to all of the Council officers, they work with the various reading programs that they have, they work with members who come into the libraries. But the librarians do a significant amount of work to tie that into the themes that we have as part of children's book week. So I'd encourage you as Councillors to talk to your team leaders in your libraries and see if they want to put in an entry into next year's competition. I think they announce the theme in April next year, for next year's competition.


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Turning to this week's Committee presentation, Madam Chairman, it seems to be a library-themed session here. So the Committee presentation we had was on the new mobile library, Madam Chairman, and for some of us who are in the Council Chamber now we were lucky enough, we may have seen the new mobile library when it was parked in King George Square for the official launch by the LORD MAYOR.

Madam Chairman, this new mobile library is cutting edge; it has a range of additional facilities. It's the first mobile library that we've had that has a completely flat floor, which means it is fully accessible for people with disabilities or people in wheelchairs. It has a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) lift as well, Madam Chairman and it provides a range of different opportunities. So it has internet consoles, it has quite a significant collection; 6,000-odd items, Madam Chairman. It folds flat, so it's a little bit like a TARDIS. It's bigger on the inside. You're actually able to bring the deck section into the main part of the truck itself, Madam Chairman, because the floor actually folds up. That allows that extended section to move into the vehicle.


Councillor BOURKE: That means that there's more space, it makes it a better work environment for our librarians who provide this service to the community, Madam Chairman—Madam Deputy Chairman, I should say. But it also means that we're able to provide a better service to the suburbs that are serviced by the mobile library. It is, as I said, cutting edge, the best of its kind and once again, another example of how the Council officers in library services are continuing to lead the way for library services in the City of Brisbane.

We had a couple of interested parties at the launch with a couple of other local governments very keen to see how this is functioning, to see how it was built. It was actually built here in the southeast corner of Queensland. Which is great, to be able to support local businesses and local jobs. Most importantly, Madam Chairman, for Brisbane City Council to once again be leading the way when it comes to providing these services to our community.


Councillor HUANG.

Councillor HUANG: Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair. I rise to speak briefly and take this opportunity to commend the good work of our Council officers in delivering the world-class mobile library services to the residents of our city. Madam Deputy Chairman, at last week's Committee presentation, Sharan Harvey, whom we all know is extremely passionate about this city's library services, gave the Committee an informative and detailed presentation on our mobile library services which Councillor BOURKE has described in detail.

Madam Deputy Chair, after the presentation, I did some research on the mobile library services provided by governments, education institutions and private service providers in some cases, in Australia and around the world. I must say, judging by any standards, Brisbane is providing the world-class services and is the leader in mobile library.

Madam Deputy Chair, whether it is judged against our national and State guidelines stated by the professional bodies such as Australian Library and Information Association or the State Library of Queensland, or judging against international standards stated by organisations such as International Federation of Library Associations and institutions, Brisbane City Council mobile library is not only complying to the standards, but is far more advanced than what is required in these guidelines.

So, Madam Chair, once again, I would like to take this opportunity to commend and thank Sharan Harvey and her team for their good work in delivering our residents the best mobile library services in the world. I think this is something


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we should promote, not only to our local residents but internationally to promote Brisbane as Australia's New World City. Thank you.


Councillor BOURKE?

Upon being submitted to the Chamber by the Chairman, the motion for the adoption of the report of the Lifestyle and Community Services Committee was declared carried on the voices.


A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – NEW MOBILE LIBRARY

192/2016-171. Sharan Harvey, Branch Manager, Library Services, Brisbane Lifestyle, attended the meeting to provide

an update on the New Mobile Library. She provided the information below.

2. The purpose of mobile libraries is for the delivery of library services to communities with low population densities and not currently serviced by static branches. Mobile libraries allow targeting of services for specific groups in the community, e.g. aged care facilities and retirement villages. They help to increase awareness about and the use of library services via attendance and participation in community events and festivals and may provide complementary or additional services.

3. Provision of mobile library services is guided by both national and state level guidelines from professional bodies and organisations such as the Australian Library and Information Association and the State Library of Queensland.

4. Some of the guidelines and standards provided via these documents include vehicle life of 10 to 12 years; design, specifications and maintenance of the vehicle; the communications infrastructure that can be included; selection and scheduling of stop sites; and safety, including vehicle safety, driving and driver safety, and safe operation within the library.

5. There are a number of key considerations for selecting appropriate and safe sites for scheduled stops. These include:- flat/level site- positioning – safe access for pedestrians, customer car parking, clearance to the road to enable

safe traffic flow- good visibility of site for approaching traffic- clearance for safe approach, parking and departure- weight load of site- proximity to public facilities, e.g. shopping centre, school or park- availability of adjoining external space to facilitate use of Wi-Fi, reading, program delivery –

extending the mobile library footprint for ‘placemaking’.

6. A schedule of the mobile library was displayed, indicating the locations, addresses and frequency of the mobile library at those locations.

7. A history of Council’s mobile libraries was narrated with the help of images.

8. The new mobile library project replaced the existing vehicle, which had reached end-of-life. The vehicle, with its ‘next generation’ custom design, livery and fit out, was built by a local company, Varley Specialised Vehicles. It is a heavy rigid truck, driven and operated by two library staff. When on road, the mobile library’s local identity is strong, with graphics that include an outline of the Brisbane River and a large fantasy scene where the city’s skyline has been blended with classic stories. The mobile library was launched in King George Square on 20 September 2016.

9. The mobile library transforms into a multi-dimensional facility, including a side-pod extension, deck with awning, access via rear stairs and independent access via a wheelchair lift within the back pod. The design allows the vehicle to transform yet still maintain a flat floor throughout, which was a limitation of the previous vehicle. The side pods, deck, awning and rear stairs extend and retract with the aid of hydraulics. A control panel positioned at the rear of the vehicle aids with safe operation. A


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generator, solar panels and toilet facilities mean the library has the ability to operate independently of mains power if required.

10. More than 6,000 collection items are housed inside the mobile library. The library also features some sections of click-in click-out shelving units that enable parts of the collection to be exchanged to meet the needs of different communities. A Wi-Fi hot spot is available, with convenient access to the deck. Two public computers provide internet access for customers. Two flat screens, one interior and one exterior, can be used for presentations, training or information display.

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

12. RECOMMENDATION:


FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Councillor Krista ADAMS, Chairman of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Ryan MURPHY, that the report of that Committee held on 25 October 2016, be adopted.

Chairman: Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair. To the Committee report last week. Not so much the Committee report but those who were presenting the Committee report. We had our net borrowings, as we do at the start of each session, and I know Finance Chairs have been doing for at least 18 years in this place. Because I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jiri Arnost who has done that role in the last 18 years in this place and gave his last Committee presentation last Tuesday, because he's going onto much greener pastures of retirement, once he's finished of his leave et cetera early in the next year.

So I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Jiri and the work that he does—he did in Council and will do for the next couple of months. I'm sure anyone that's sat on the Finance Committee in their time, they will know Jiri and wish him the absolute best in his retirement and thank him for his service to City Council.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SUTTON: Madam Chair, with your indulgence, can I just echo Councillor ADAMS' comments and congratulations and best wishes to Jiri Arnost. As a very brief—my very brief stint as the Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee under Councillor FLESSER, and I know before Councillor FLESSER, Councillor Hayes, Councillor Humphreys, Councillor Campbell for the Labor side of politics. I know that if they were able to stand in this place today, they would each wish him all the very best. He has been a steadfast part of Brisbane City Council's organisation and finance division for a very, very long time. All of us on this side of the Chamber wish him well.

Deputy Chairman: Thank you, Councillor SUTTON. Are there any other speakers?

Anything further, Councillor ADAMS?

I'll now put the report.

Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion for the adoption of the Finance and Economic Development Committee was declared carried on the voices.



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A COMMITTEE PRESENTATION AND REPORT – NET BORROWINGS – CASH INVESTMENTS AND FUNDING109/800/148/1

193/2016-171. Jiri Arnost, Corporate Treasurer, Corporate Finance, Organisational Services Division attended the

meeting to present a report to the Committee on Council’s net borrowings for the quarter end June 2016. The report details the corporate cash holdings invested and the status of Council’s funding activities.

2. The presentation provided a market and economic review, and a summary of the following issues in relation to Council’s investments:- cash position- cash activity review- earnings on investments- funding capability- borrowings- facility performance- leasing exposure

3. The Chairman thanked the Corporate Treasurer for his informative presentation. The report is presented for noting by Council.

4. RECOMMENDATION:


B COMMITTEE REPORT – BANK AND INVESTMENT REPORT – 29 JULY 2016 134/695/317/3-04

194/2016-175. Paul Oberle, Chief Financial Officer, Organisational Services provided a monthly summary of

Council’s petty cash, bank account and cash investment position as at 29 July 2016.

6. During the July period, total Council funds held by banks and investment institutions (per general ledger) increased by $92.6 million to $463.5 million excluding trusts (Ref:1.4). The net increase is due to rates revenue collected during the period, borrowings from working capital facility for temporary investments and dividends received from City of Brisbane Investment Corporation, partially offset by payments for major projects.

7. Council funds as at 29 July 2016 held by banks and investment institutions (per statements) totalled $481.9 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.

8. Unreconciled bank receipts and payments relate to reconciliation variances at the end of the period. The majority of these transactions have since been reconciled.

9. Surplus funds are invested daily with approved counterparties.

10. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT BE NOTED, as submitted on file.

C COMMITTEE REPORT – FINANCIAL REPORTS (ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, RATES, INVENTORY, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, PROVISIONS AND MALLS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 2016134/695/317/573


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195/2016-1711. Greg Evans, Divisional Manager, Organisational Services provided a detailed report, submitted on file,

on Council’s position relating to accounts receivable, rates, inventory, accounts payable, provisions and malls for the year ended June 2016.

12. The Chairman and the Committee noted the report. The financial report on Council’s position relating to accounts receivable, rates, inventory, accounts payable, provisions and malls for the year ended June 2016 is now presented for noting by Council.

13. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT BE NOTED, as submitted on file.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS:

Deputy Chairman: Councillors, are there any petitions?

Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a petition concerning the pensioner water remission.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor McKENZIE.

Councillor McKENZIE: Yes, Madam Chairman, I have three paper petitions and one electronic petition regarding the Coorparoo and District Neighbourhood Plan.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor JOHNSTON.

Councillor JOHNSTON: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I'm tabling a petition on behalf of cyclists in my ward, calling for protected bike lanes in the CBD.

Deputy Chairman: DEPUTY MAYOR.

DEPUTY MAYOR: I've got a petition requesting the removal of some leopard trees.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor McLACHLAN.

Councillor McLACHLAN: I have a petition too from constituents supporting the installation of a grid of protected bike lanes in the Brisbane CBD.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor MARX, may I have a motion for the receipt of the petitions?

196/2016-17It was resolved on the motion of Councillor Kim MARX, seconded by Councillor Jared CASSIDY, 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 TopicCA16/897347 Krista Adams Requesting Council to reverse cuts to the pensioner water

remission in BrisbaneCA16/905638 Ian McKenzie Objecting to the provisions of the Coorparoo and Districts Draft

Neighbourhood Plan strategy which would allow the demolition of all character houses in Denman Street, Greenslopes

CA16/905735 Nicole Johnston Supporting the installation of a grid of protected bike lanes in the Brisbane CBD

CA16/803052 Adrian Schrinner Requesting that Council remove leopard trees in Bluegum Place, Taigum

CA16/905910 David McLachlan Supporting the installation of a grid of protected bike lanes in the Brisbane CBD.

GENERAL BUSINESS:


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Deputy Chairman: Now, Councillors, are there any statements required as a result of a Councillor Conduct Review Panel order?

There being no Councillors rising to their feet, are there any matters of general business?

Councillor ADAMS.

Councillor ADAMS: Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair. I just rise to speak on two issues. Mainly the trip to China that I had during the start of recess period and just on Holland Park State School and Active School Travel. I did have that opportunity to go to Yinchuan which is in central northern China in early September to represent Brisbane City Council at the TM forum on smart cities. It was quite an eye opener as my first trip to China. You would say definitely a city that is striving to be the regional smart city in China. Definitely a city focusing on conferences and the opportunities to get people from all over the world together and deliver those services as a central Asian city as well.

There were 66 countries that actually came to the forum for the four days. With about 10 to 15 cities that actually presented and shared their knowledge, their experience and where they're at, basically, when it comes to smart cities and information. We had great pleasure as Brisbane City Council to be one of the presenters that was on the forum in the three days of the conference. Our CIO (Chief Information Officer) did a fantastic job of actually presenting where Brisbane is at with our smart cities connected forum.

It was very, very interesting to see cities from diverse as South America to Spain to India, UK, America and of course a plethora of Asian cities as well, and where they're actually at in the integration of smart and connected ideas within that city. One thing we did find out was that Brisbane is really ahead of the game, surprisingly. What we see here in Brisbane as being a business-as-usual stance when it comes to automated traffic signals, is something which some cities are just starting to consider that they might put in automated traffic signals in their streets.

There was definitely a lot, taking on the comments before from Councillor COOPER, about automated vehicles, autonomous vehicles coming, what that meant for roadways and the infrastructure and how they're set up. A lot about autonomous vehicles. But most of the cities are only just starting to play in the space of being smart and connected. We really did find that our presentation was more of sharing our experiences, because we'd been there and done that for quite a few years, compared to many of the cities there.

So we made some fantastic connections with the other cities and the interactions they want to have with Brisbane. Particularly with the forum; they're very keen to get Brisbane involved because we are a bit further ahead on the journey to becoming a fully-integrated city. I also had the opportunity over there to be involved in the student education—because obviously as an Asian city, very, very keen to promote Brisbane as an international student opportunity. We got to visit a pre-school, a primary school and a high school. As an ex-teacher, that was absolutely so much fun. Particularly a class of 60 little Chinese pre-schoolers doing a fairy dance for us and presenting for us was just absolutely adorable.

The schools over there, again, as an old city but newly developed city, some spectacular facilities at their schools. But the same question came time and time again, do you have a koala in your backyard and do you have a pet kangaroo? So they were a common question being asked in their very stilted English. Many of them were trying to learn English and speak in English as well. But as much as things change, they stay very much the same. So they still think there's kangaroos hopping down the street. But I did have the pleasure of saying that my ward has many koalas in its trees as well. So they thought that was fantastic.

We went to a local international student agency and had the opportunity to present a pitch, really, is the best way to describe it, on the opportunities in


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Brisbane and what it would be like living in Brisbane and studying in Brisbane and talked about our universities. So the agency brought along parents and students that were in senior years or looking at post-graduates, and they came along and asked us a whole lot of very practical questions about the distance it is from Yinchuan to Brisbane, costs of housing here, affordability. Particularly in comparison to Sydney and Melbourne, which we were very happy to tell them it was much more affordable to live in Brisbane as well and that little bit closer to home.

They also liked the idea that it was close to the coast as well. So it was a fantastic four or five days in China. Can I say thanks to Sharma and Alex as my travel companions who did a fantastic job as the CIO presentation and also as the Brisbane Marketing presentation in their work that they did as well. I'd also like to give a shout out to the winners of the AST for the aggregate points to Holland Park State School on Thursday night. I was unable to be there but they sent me a fantastic big photo the next morning. They were very, very excited. So it was wonderful to see a large school that had worked very, very hard to get the numbers on the ground on their walking, wheeling Wednesday. Particularly on the May the 4th Be with You day when everybody turned up in their Star Wars costumes which was very, very fun.

Congratulations to Holland Park State School on their first year in AST and hopefully a legacy school for many years to come.

Deputy Chairman: Further general business?

Councillor SRI.

Councillor SRI: Thanks, Madam Deputy Chair. I rise to speak on the issue of bureaucratic risk-aversiveness and over-regulation. This isn't a party-political issue but it's a conversation I was hoping to open up that all Councillors will take on board and process. A lot of my comments are directed not just to Councillors but to senior departmental heads and branch managers in the various departments within Council.

I was reflecting the other day on the fact that compared to other councils around Australia, Brisbane City Council in many respects can be inflexible and slow to adapt, particularly when it comes to trialling new programs and ideas. I'm sure many Councillors in this place have encountered situations where a good idea or a straightforward proposal was stilted or impeded by what seemed like a pretty obscure or poorly-drafted policy. I don't think anyone here would argue that we have a problem with over-bureaucratisation and over-regulation in Brisbane City Council.

I know we're all trying to fix that, and it's a long process, but I guess my point is that—well, the question I seek for all of us to reflect on is, why is that the case and why have we not been able to address that more quickly? As a specific practical example, I'm mindful that in many cities around Australia, cities and towns around Australia, there have been attempts to trial barrier-separated bike lanes. Usually, in different councils, the approach is quite simple. It's like, all right, well here's a street, we think we might need a bike lane, we don't necessarily want to spend all the money on engineering reports and detailed road designs straight away. So what we're going to do is we're going to put out some big pot plants or barricades and we're going to temporarily put in a bike lane and we'll see what happens.

Then they see how it goes, they do some traffic flow studies and then they make their decision about permanent infrastructure. Similar approaches exist with a range of infrastructures. Things like public space improvements, the installation of seating et cetera. Trials and temporary stuff, see what happens. If it goes well, you put in permanent stuff.

But in Brisbane City Council, we seem to have a uniquely risk-averse bureaucracy which is very reluctant to trial anything that hasn't had all the necessary sign-offs by engineers and consultants et cetera, et cetera. I think we'd all agree that it's important to have those due diligence checks to ensure that what we're doing is safe and responsible, but at the same time, I've had a lot


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of conversations with Council officers who acknowledge that often common sense goes out the window and that simple, straightforward things become needlessly complex and expensive and take a long time to address.

I would suggest that part of the problem there is that we've become a very partisan council where if anything goes wrong under the Administration's watch, the opposition—whether it's Labor or the Liberals—will ruthlessly criticise the Administration for often a small—whether it's an oversight or it's an accident that maybe couldn't have been avoided. I guess what I'm saying is that when we get into that mindset of constantly criticising the other side for little things that happen, that means that over time the bureaucracy becomes even more risk averse. That gradually, that results in a more restrictive policy framework, to the point where everything is over-regulated and it costs $5,000 to install a public bench and $30,000 to install a public barbecue.

A lot of it—yes, exactly, if there's electricity. A lot of these cost blowouts are as a result of the need to consult widely and with multiple levels and multiple departments. I think we would all agree that it gets a bit silly. So why is that happening? I would submit to you all that part of the reason that's happening is that Council officers and the Council Administration, whoever it might be at the time, are so concerned about a significant negative backlash from the opposition that they have to cover all their bases and they—


Councillor SRI: No, it's true. I think in particular, it's this—how am I going for time? Yes, in particular this persistent need to outsource to consultants for relatively minor issues and policy decisions. Where we are elected representatives who've been entrusted to make decisions and weigh up competing interests of different sectors of society and different needs and different risks. But we no longer feel like we could make those decisions ourselves without outsourcing to some bloated consultancy.

Again, I think we do all this because we're worried about a backlash from the other side of the Chamber. So I implore all Councillors to reflect on this further and to, where possible, encourage bureaucrats and Council officers to have the courage to stand up and take a few risks and try innovative solutions and not be afraid about that really scary media story that might or might not happen. Because it's gotten a bit ridiculous now, hasn't it? We're at the point now where really sensible, straightforward, common-sense policy solutions can't be implemented because of the level of over-regulation and needless bureaucracy.

So I'll leave you with that thought.


Councillor SRI: No, it's not about party politics.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor SRI, it's the chair. If you've finished your comment?

Councillor SRI: Yes thank you.

Deputy Chairman: That's wonderful, thank you.

Further general business?

Councillor RICHARDS.

Councillor RICHARDS: Thank you. Thank you, Madam Deputy Chairman. I'm so proud to stand before you and highlight the longstanding community spirit of the people of the Pullenvale Ward. In particular, the collective of men from the Men's Shed ShedWest Kenmore and Bellbowrie who held a giant garage sale recently for the community of the Pullenvale Ward whereby handmade wooden toys were for sale, orders were taken for Santa, leatherwork of stock whips, stockman's belts, handbags, furniture, plus many other bric-a-brac.

A morning that saw many new faces, families and men visit the Kenmore site to rummage through the many treasures that were for sale. A fabulous sausage sizzle, even the resident, rather extremely large, carpet snake came out to visit and sun itself. So the ShedWest movements, it commenced in 2010 at


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98 Brookfield Road, Kenmore. Since that time, numbers have grown exponentially. They now have two locations being Kenmore and 55 Priors Pocket Road, Bellbowrie.

So these men in the west have come together to unite to create a healthy and alternative environment. As each and every man involved do all that they do as they are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and creative environment, which serves a wide range of needs for men. These spaces are where men of all ages, cultures and abilities come to improve their skills, interact with their fellow men. A place to create and share their ideas, assist the less fortunate, expand their personal skills, foster interest in the local community and contribute to its benefit.

These men also, one afternoon each week, gather together in the Kenmore Library meeting rooms to socialise, to listen to guest speakers on many varying topics about men's health issues, financial planning, community services, in particular mental health and other matters which they may have otherwise ignored. So, Madam Deputy Chairman, I applaud the tireless work of the men at ShedWest Kenmore and Bellbowrie for all that they do and contribute to the Pullenvale Ward community.

Thank you Men’s Shedders of the west. Thank you Deputy Madam Chairman.


Councillor SUTTON.

Councillor SUTTON: Thank you, Madam Deputy Chair. I just rise tonight to thank a whole heap of people for assisting with my Hocus Pocus Halloween event that was hosted yesterday in Bulimba Memorial Park and then after that to talk a little about the Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan.

So Hocus Pocus Halloween, which I host every year in Bulimba Memorial Park in Oxford Street, this event would not be possible without the support of local businesses. Just to give people a little bit of background about this event, it started about six, seven years ago. It was a Punch and Judy puppet show which I used to fund. After the puppet show, when the kids would come and get dressed up, the local coffee club and the local Baskin Robbins would make the kids ice cream spiders. That was it.

Over the course of the years, we've had so many more children come that we had to move it out of Oxford Street because they physically didn't fit on the footpaths, and down into the park. Then they would spread out while they were trick or treating. Then there were so many children that came that they couldn't spread out trick of treating and the businesses were saying, we love them, we love them being in the street, but they are physically cramming up our shops and our real customers can't get in. We need a different solution.

So Hocus Pocus was born, which is an activity that's entirely in Bulimba Memorial Park. It's a free event, and I'm trying my best to contain it to the local families and for the residents of Morningside Ward, but we are getting a broader crowd each year. So I do encourage other local Councillors to please start your other local Halloween events. Because there is a massive demand for it.

But this event would not be possible without the support of local businesses who each year sponsor the event. Those sponsors for 2016 are—the major sponsors were Harness Energy, Place Bulimba and Velocity Property Group. All three of those local businesses are actually local families that have local kids that go to the local primary schools. That's their primary motivation for being involved in this event. We also had several minor sponsors, Sustain on Oxford Street, which is a great new gym that residents can go to and overlook, of all things, Max Brenner. So I call it their penance exercise wheels that they have there. Hampton Swim School and Tumbletastics. Bulimba Studios which provide all the photography for the day. Mr Rubber Stamps, one of the largest independent stamp makers in Australia, believe it or not, based at Morningside


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—another local family. Flour and Chocolate, Feast on Fruit and Kick Dance Studio.

I also want to thank the scouts and the girl guides, the Morningside Scouts and the Bulimba Girl Guides for running—the scouts yesterday ran a bucket of slime, where you had to put your hand into the slime and work out what gooey thing was at the bottom of it. The Bulimba Girl Guides ran the annual apple bobbing stall. We also had little kickers, which is another little sport for little boys and girls who might be interested in playing rugby.

I also had a huge team of volunteers that helped out on the day. Balmoral Rotary, I want to thank for their contribution to my volunteer team. But then I have a number of individuals who are just great, passionate community members that seem to help out at everything and anything. Any time I need them, they're always there and they put up their hands straight away to help me. I really want to give a special shout out to Brian Daily, Angela Mollison, Troy Spence, Graham Spence, Margaret Spence—the entire Spence family almost—Ginelle Blachley-Reed. I also want to thank Deborah Hood and her husband Alex Hood who are also fabulous community volunteers and are always there to assist whenever I seem to be in need.

I want to thank them sincerely. I also want to thank Tia Bayer, my PA, but also event coordinator extraordinaire. This is Tia's second year in my office, being the lead host in coordinating this event. I know many Councillors know how difficult the job of our staff is, keeping all our local residents happy, but when you also then go and ask them to organise something that is effectively the size of a school fete—we had probably more than 3,500 people there yesterday in the park. We had almost 20 different stalls and activities, including a disco that went for the entire time.

When you ask someone to pull together and all the logistics that that takes, it's a massive workload. Tia really shone through and I really want to thank her in particular. I also want to thank Carla as well, who is a very able wingman in this circumstance for Tia. She also did a tremendous job. I've got two fabulous staff that work tirelessly for me and I'd be lost without them. I just want to formally record that here tonight.

Turning to the Coorparoo and District Neighbourhood Plan. Look, last Wednesday night, I attended a community forum that was organised by a local resident Matt Campbell, who people will know his name. He was the Labor candidate—I'm about to say it; he was the Labor candidate that ran for the Coorparoo Ward. Matt is someone who has been—for the Labor Party.

Matt is someone who has been interested in planning for a long time, which is what actually drew him into running for Council in the first place. He is genuinely affected by the local plan and by the proposed draft Neighbourhood Plan strategy. But I guess when I went down there, I was wondering how many people would go there. Because I had—would come to this forum because I had only just spent Tuesday in here with the LORD MAYOR and Councillor SIMMONDS basically indicating to me that it wasn't a problem and I had no idea what I was talking about in terms of the concerns these residents had.

Well can I tell you, I went there hoping we might get 30 or 40 people there. I was blown away when we got just over 200 people attend that. They were lined up and they were angry. I just—I saw somewhere that about 75 people visited the information kiosks that were held as part of the neighbourhood plan process, planning strategy process. A number of the people who went along to find out more information in those information sessions, attended this planning forum. They attended it because they left those information sessions angrier and more confused than what they had been when they went in there.

They do not feel that this Council is being upfront with them, they do not feel that their local Councillor is listening to them. I have to say, communication, through you, Madam Chair, they are watching what you do every step of the way. I had one gentleman stand up to the entire crowd and read your statements


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in the minutes from November last year, when you said planning and development wasn't an issue in Coorparoo Ward. The whole room erupted in outrage.

So if you don't think people are angry, Councillor McKENZIE and Councillor SIMMONDS and the LORD MAYOR through you, Madam Chair, I think I actively encourage you to rethink your position on this. Because they are furious. They are not Labor Party people. The first woman I walked in and said hello to, told me she was friends with June O'Connell. They are not—Councillor MARX doesn't know who June O'Connell is. There you go, that's a lasting testament to how long people remember our contribution in here.

So, Madam Chair, I just call on Councillor McKENZIE, person after person stood and they shared their stories about their interactions with you and they did not have a nice word to say. These were people that actively would stand up and say they are not political people, they are not Labor Party people, they are people that care about their local community and they do not feel Council has listened to their views in developing this neighbourhood plan.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor SUTTON, you time has expired.

Further general business?

Councillor TOOMEY.

Councillor TOOMEY: Thank you, Deputy Madam Chairman. I rise to acknowledge the good work The Gap Ward community is doing to keep Queensland beautiful. Deputy Madam Chairman, on 12 October, City Hall hosted Cleaner Community Awards hosted by Councillor MATIC and Keep Queensland Beautiful CEO David Curtin. Keep Queensland Beautiful has partnered with Brisbane City Council and Sewers Environment to build awareness of the correct disposal of litter and the effect of rubbish on the environment.

These awards acknowledge individual achievement, business waste management and recovery, catchment champions and cleaner schools. Deputy Madam Chairman, The Gap Ward was the recipient of over one third of the awards, a significant achievement. A resounding acknowledgment the residents of my ward take significant pride in their community. If I may, I'd like to acknowledge the achievement of Payne Road State School for their ongoing clean schools program and their extension into the rehabilitation of Enoggera Creek, planting over some 350 plants.

Also Ferny Grove State School was also rewarded for its litter-less environment, that aims to reduce litter in the cycle upstream as well as building an educational edible garden that is the centrepiece of the school. Can I also acknowledge Walton Bridge Bushland Group who also received an encouragement award. This group led by Anne Jones and Rob Whyte has diligently been working in the riparian zone at the junction of Enoggera Creek and Fish Creek to preserve and rehabilitate the area for all residents of The Gap to enjoy.

Finally, Deputy Madam Chairman, Saba Burns for her individual efforts. Saba, who resides close to Ithaca Creek, has worked for over 12 years removing evasive species and replanting native species. Saba's site has grown approximately in length 500 metres along the creek. Deputy Madam Chairman, if I may finish by saying the residents of The Gap Ward choose to live close to our natural environment. We treasure our surroundings, it's in our DNA.

I'm very proud of the award winners and thank them for their dedication to a cleaner community as well as those many other groups and individuals who quietly go about ensuring Brisbane is a clean, green, sustainable city. Thank you.

Deputy Chairman: Councillor CASSIDY.

Councillor CASSIDY: Thanks very much, Madam Deputy Chair. I rise to speak on three items; the recent LGAQ conference I attended as an observer, the Diwali Festival held at


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Everton Park a couple of weeks ago, and also speak about the passing of a significant local member of my community. I'll start with LGAQ conference and I would like to thank the Administration for their invitation for an Opposition Councillor to attend as an observer. Obviously not holding any votes there but was able to enjoy all the debate that was going on.

It was great to see Councillor BOURKE with his comrade Deputy Mayor Tully moving and seconding each other's motions. It was great to see that when we're out of this place, we can certainly be friends across party lines. So that was great to see Councillor BOURKE and his comrade in arms Deputy Mayor Tully there at Ipswich. But some of the interesting things, I suppose, that were talked about that related specifically to my ward, one of them particularly was an issue around bats, Madam Deputy Chair. There was a motion moved by the LGAQ and supported by almost all—there were a couple of councils or Councillors that were simply voting against everything there, which was interesting. You could do it in the privacy of your own electronic button there, in seeking to refer the move on powers for bats back to the State Government, which is something that affects my local community significantly around Deagon; a large bat colony there.

We also, as South East Queensland Council had a workshop with the Department of Planning at a State level to talk about the SEQ Regional Plan. It'll be very interesting to see how that debate in the community plays out and how we can all make a contribution to that. One of the speakers, Dr Jim Minifie spoke about the sharing economy and the significant strains it's placing on different levels of government, both through ride sharing apps like Uber and Lift and also Airbnb and also online platforms that you can rent out office space, which is I suppose skirting around what is normally the normal way of doing things and presenting challenges to governments.

We also heard from Rabia Siddique. Not necessarily on local government things but it was a very interesting story indeed, people may be familiar with her tale. She was a negotiator during the Iraq war and was taken prisoner and had a fairly harrowing time following that, seeking justice for her situation. So it was very interesting. I'd also like to put on record my congratulations to the new President, Mark Jamieson, I'm sure Councillor A Brown is a decent and upstanding fellow but it was great to see a South East Queensland councillor be the president of the LGAQ.

I will talk now briefly about the Diwali function that I attended at the Everton Park State High School. On 22 October, I was invited to be the chief guest by the Hindu Society of Queensland. That was a fantastic local event and I'd just like to thank the President of the Hindu Society of Queensland, Mr Daven Pathik, his management Committee and the members of the Hindu Society of Queensland for putting on that fantastic event there. It was very well attended. The school hall was entirely packed and there was just standing room only at the back there.

Also the honorary consulate for India here in Queensland, Mrs Archana Singh was there also and gave a speech as well. The message, I suppose, of the symbolic message of Diwali, the triumph of light over darkness and of good over evil is a pretty good message to have, I think at the moment. Not only here in Brisbane but also right across the world, Madam Chair. So it was a real honour to be there.

Lastly, I'd just like to inform the Chamber and put on record my condolences to the family of Graham Michael Cowen who was otherwise known to friends as Mick, Mick Cowen. Someone who was born and bred in Deagon, was born at his brother's house in Scott Street, just around the road from where I am. Also grew up in and around my dad and dad's family there in Deagon. They shared a similar last name. My grandmother's maiden name was Cowan also but it's spelt slightly differently. So there was always a lot of consternation around who was the good Cowans and who were the bad Cowans.

But Mick was a big part of the local community, was the founding member of the Sandgate Football Club in 1943, which is now known as the


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Sandgate Hawks AFL Club. Graham's brother Mirvin was the first club secretary there. A significant part of Mick's life was not only community service but also in politics as well. He was a continuous member of the Australian Labor Party for 51 years, joining in 1965. First as the branch secretary of the amalgamated Engineering Union, held lots of different positions within the party and he most significantly in my local area was Nev Warburton's campaign director for many, many years. He often told me about barnies he would have with the Labor Council, I suppose around different issues. One of those was the Sandgate Pool when Clem Jones sought to get rid of that rather than rebuild it in the 1960s. Mick locked horns with Clem and went over his head to the party secretary and they sorted it out at that level.

Clem came out and said, this looks like a great place for a new pool, Mick. So we can thank him in part for having the pool that we do there today. Also more recently, much later in life, he worked in lobbying then Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, along with a lot of his neighbours, he had a gravel laneway at the back of his place and they were able to, after much lobbying, get that sealed. I think his neighbours knew if they wanted something done and a campaign ran, they went to Mick for his guidance. His wife, sadly, passed away a couple of year ago and Mick was, I think everyone would agree, a much different person after that.

She was his life partner in everything, also in the Labor Party having a significant contribution as well. I know after much suffering over the last couple of years, that Mick is certainly in a better place. When he was in palliative care at Redcliffe a couple of weeks ago, the nurses came in and asked him if he would like to see a minister while he was drifting in and out of consciousness. He brightened up and said, if you can get me a cabinet minister at such short notice, it'd be very much appreciated. But he said, I'm sure they're busy.

So I will miss Mick greatly, I always loved my chats with him, hearing about local history and getting his advice on things. He was an avid reader and absorber of anything and everything media. You used to go over to his place and there was Australians and Courier-Mail and Fin Reviews and periodicals all over the place that he would read from cover to cover. So I'll certainly miss Mick very much and put on record my condolences to his three children whom I'm sure will miss him very much as well. Thank you.


Councillor MARX.

Councillor MARX: Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on the LGAQ convention. Five different events that I attended on the weekend, and just very briefly, Manmeet Sharma who was a resident. So the LGAQ convention that I attended as a delegate with Councillor BOURKE and with Councillor CASSIDY recently, I actually wasn't able to enjoy all of it because I was sick. I'd arrived back from China on the Sunday, was down there on the coast for the convention and between things that were happening, I was running back to the hotel room and trying to have a rest and get better again.

We did just pretty much all the motions on the Thursday, which there was more than 80 of them. They went very quickly, without too much drama, which was good to see. The theme of the motions basically was that unless there was any debate then it was just going to go straight through, which made life very easy for everyone. So that was really good to see. One thing that Councillor CASSIDY, if you were speaking to any of the other Councillors there, you'll notice there's always a big difference between us as a Brisbane City Council and all the other Councillors who come from country or small councils.

As you mentioned, the voting system, Councillor BOURKE and I were responsible for seven votes each, which does have some level of responsibility. Of course, we also had to use those votes when we were voting for the president. I want to echo Councillor BOURKE's and Councillor CASSIDY's congratulations on Mayor Jamieson on his appointment. He was very open and


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honest about how even though he'd be busy as a mayor of the Sunshine Coast, he had spoken to his staff and his team and they were all behind him on that. So that was good to hear.

Karawatha Forest Protection Society had their 25th anniversary on the Saturday. They very kindly invited me along to attend, which was lovely of them. I have been a part of them for only the five years I was a Councillor. So it was lovely to catch up with some old friends—and foes I might add there. We've always had some robust conversations between myself and some of them, but it was all very amicable at the end. Unfortunately I wasn't able to stay for the cake cutting. But that's okay, they did all that and I went onto the next event which was here at City Hall, which was the FashionAble fundraiser that Multicap do annually. They had the famous Georgia from Townsville coming down and voting, and she obviously stole the show.

She was just a delight to watch and seeing how she got involved and everything like that, was fabulous. Then went onto the annual concert for the Queensland Chinese Orchestra Association, it was out at the Taiwan Centre. They do things, lots of musical, and it was quite interesting to actually be able to see finally, for the first time, and understand the music and the instruments that I had just seen the previous week actually in China. So it was quite nice. Now I can finally, after all these years, know when people are talking about places and stuff, I can visualise it for myself and know what they're talking about. So it was very good.

That evening was the Eidfest, annual gala dinner, which this year was held at Gambaro's. Yasmin Khan who's the new President of the ECCQ, holds that as an annual event to fundraise for Eidfest. They do tremendous work for their community. You'll know that they were out there in the Moorooka Ward in the Acacia Ridge Hall there and they help many, many people in the community.

The following morning, the Sunday, was the official opening ceremony for Wisdom College. Now while that's not in my ward, I have been there a couple of times over the last five years. Was there in 2012 when they had the first opening, Campbell Newman was the newly-elected Premier at the time. They had just a few little relocatable buildings. Going back there on Sunday and seeing what they've achieved in just such a short time was magnificent. They certainly have plans to continue on with stage 3 and 4.

That evening was the third annual China Australia Industry Film Awards. Councillor HUANG and myself were both there for that event. It ran late, unfortunately, it was a very, very late night. But I have to say, I was very pleased I did end up going because I met Lincoln Lewis. So I was very excited. Last year was Michael Clayton and I was happy to sit next to him. But I was more than delighted to sit with Lincoln Lewis on Sunday night.


Councillor MARX: I know, there you go. I didn't FaceTime my children but I should have, but anyway.

The last thing, briefly, is that I know we've had a lot of discussion in the condolence motions about Manmeet Sharma, he was a resident of Sunnybank Hills and I had a phone call from our local Neighbourhood Watch coordinator because that Neighbourhood Watch in that area is extremely big and very active. She had been down there to speak to and to see what we could do to help his housemates. Because obviously his housemates are still living in that house and they're still dealing with their loss. So my suggestion is, with all of these kinds of tragedies, generally there's not so much support a week or two down the track. So I've suggested that we perhaps make some contact in a couple of weeks' time and go along and see them and make sure that they're travelling okay with everything that's happened.

That's it for me. Thank you very much.

Deputy Chairman: Is there any further business?

There being no further business, I declare the meeting closed.


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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 Steve Griffiths (from meeting on 25 October 2016)

Q1. In the 2015/16 financial year, how much did Brisbane City Council pay to SPER for the recovery of unpaid tolls and fines

A1. $2,384,808

Q2. In the 2014/15 financial year, how much did Brisbane City Council pay to SPER for the recovery of unpaid tolls and fines.

A2. $2,521,214

Q3. In the 2013/14 financial year, how much did Brisbane City Council pay to SPER for the recovery of unpaid tolls and fines.

A3. $2,954,958

Q4. Exactly how many properties does the current Draft Coorparoo & District Neighbourhood Plan Strategy propose to remove from the Traditional Building Character overlay?

Q5. Exactly how many properties does the current Draft Coorparoo & District Neighbourhood Plan Strategy propose to be added to the Traditional Building Character overlay?

A4 and A5.The Draft Coorparoo and District Neighbourhood Plan Strategy aims to increase protections to properties deemed to have character and heritage covered by the Traditional Building Character Overlay.

As part of the draft strategy it was identified that a significant number of properties were included in the traditional building character overlay (previously a demolition control precinct) which contained units built in previous decades (827) as well as houses built post 1946 (412) The draft strategy proposes to remove traditional building character overlay from all of these properties as well as some pre-1946 homes in areas identified for growth to occur which is already substantially fragmented with non-character homes, such as properties bounded by Juliette Street, Ridge Street, the South East Freeway and Thompson Estate Reserve (306).

The draft strategy proposes to change the zoning to reduce the development potential of 2,200 properties in the Low-medium density residential zone 2 (which currently allows development up to 3 storeys) within the plan area (including Greenslopes, Camp Hill and Coorparoo). This provides increased level of protection to these areas. It is also proposed to add 112 properties to the Traditional Building Character Overlay, including 60 masonry homes which have never been protected.

RISING OF COUNCIL: 6.39pm.

PRESENTED: and CONFIRMED

CHAIRMAN

Council officers in attendance:


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James Withers (Senior Council and Committee Officer)Robert Southwood (Council and Committee Officer)Billy Peers (Personal Support Officer to the Lord Mayor and Council Orderly)


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