By Dominique Tassell
A report noted at last week’s meeting shed light on the strain Southern Downs Regional Council’s planning department is currently under.
Council noted the operational details as outlined in the Planning & Environmental Services Monthly Status Report at last week’s meeting.
The report stated that the planning department continues to experience high volumes of planning application lodgements and enquiries.
While the report stated that negotiations were continuing to resolve a Development Tribunal matter, a staff member stated it has now been finalised and a decision made.
The matter is in relation to 22-24 Project Street and East Street, Warwick and concerns a low impact industry detailed as an extension to a self-storage facility in the report.
In the meeting, Cr Ross Bartley asked whether that matter had cost council “significantly” in legal costs.
A staff member stated that Council represented themselves so there was no additional cost to council at this time.
Cr Stephen Tancred asked whether council or the applicant won.
A staff member stated the tribunal ruled in line with the applicant.
The report stated that Ethos Urban, the planning scheme consultants, undertook a presentation at the Council Information Session on 2 February 2022 to start discussions in relation to some key policy surrounding the development of the new planning scheme.
A Request for Quote has also been released for an Industrial Land Strategy. This is a joint project between planning and economic development, to inform the preparation of a new planning scheme for the Southern Downs Regional Council and align to Council’s Economic Development Strategy. The RFQ closes on 11 February 2022.
The report noted a number of works being done to combat pests, and also outlined the high number of cats waiting to be adopted in the region.
In the month of December, 28 cats were impounded, with one being returned to their owner and 14 being rehomed.
In January, there was an increase in the number of cats impounded, a total of 63 for the month, with 10 returned to their owner and 30 rehomed.
In December, 22 dogs were impounded, with nine being returned to their owner and 13 being rehomed.
In January, there were 18 dogs impounded, with twelve returned to their owner and five rehomed.
The report gave further insight into the state of our waste system, stating that December and January were “very busy months at the waste facilities”, with a large increase in the number of transactions and volume of waste managed.
In December 2021, there were 8995 transactions across the weighbridge at the Warwick Waste Facility and 3,931 transactions at the Stanthorpe Waste Facility.
In January 2022, the transaction numbers were 9203 for the Warwick Waste Management Facility and 4,017 for the Stanthorpe Waste Management Facility.
This is over 4000 additional transactions for these two months compared to December 2020 and January 2021.
The motion was moved by Cr Bartley and seconded by Cr Andrew Gale.
