Hinterland Grapevine - Minister to ask Council to please explain Links vote

Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington has asked the Minister for Local Government and Environment Desley Boyle when she may be in a position, under her call-in powers, to decide whether to overturn Maroochy Shire Council's preliminary approval of the Links Development at Montville.    Council voted narrowly to approve the development last Wednesday.    Mr Wellington said the Minister could overturn the decision or ask for a resubmission to council for reconsideration or approve it.    Mr Wellington said that many petitions were being couriered to him for presentation to the Rockhampton parliamentary sitting by concerned residents opposing the decision.

Minister Boyle said that she was informed that council's decision was outside its planning scheme which called into question the validity of the decision.    "It is reported the councilors have supported and voted in favour of a development against the recommendation of their planners and against their own planning scheme," Minister Boyle said. However, potentially even more serious than that are the reports that to this point in time that this development is outside the SEQ Regional Plan.

"What we have done for the metropolitan region of south-east Queensland is put in place a statutory plan, and that means it must be obeyed.    I am aware that the Premier, as the minister for regional planning is also examining this.    We both have call-in powers."    Mr Wellington last week contacted the Premier and Minister Boyle on behalf of constituents opposed to the Links development, who contacted him immediately after the Council made their decision.

Mr Wellington said the Local Government Minister advised him that both she and the Premier had written to council and asked it to "please explain" their decision.    Minister Boyle said when they had responded she and the Premier would make a decision.

Links Montville's Garth Greenaway said he would welcome the opportunity to present the facts to the Minister and Premier at the earliest opportunity.    "We have been requesting a full and frank briefing with Minister Boyle for some time," he said.    It is only when people are fully briefed that they see that this is a good development, with significant benefits for the whole community.    The negative sentiment from some small sections of the community arises because they are not fully aware of the facts.    Once they are made aware, many opponents have come around to see that the environment will benefit, the community will benefit, tourism will benefit, the economic benefits to the region are significant and the Montville village or rural setting will not be compromised.   Mr Greenaway said the application was lodged before the SEQ Draft Plan was released and it was therefore a "prior application" which deems Maroochy Council to be the assessment manager.    The Office of Urban Management has previously advised Council that it is Council's decision, and they will go with it.

The Integrated Planning Act permits applications for a ?material change of use, provided that the application meets the Desired Environmental Outcomes of the Maroochy scheme and can demonstrate over riding community benefit.   I believe that our application does this in spades, and the Maroochy Council agrees with it being approved.

Last Updated ( Friday, 15 September 2006 )

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