Council adopts coastal hazard adaptation strategy

AT the May Local Government Meeting, Council adopted the 2023/24 Register of Fees and Charges which will take effect on 1 July 2023.

Council has the legislative capacity to develop and subsequently adopt a register of fees and charges as part of its annual budget process.

Mayor Nolan said that Council’s fees and charges were a significant part of Council’s revenue stream and were developed to support immediate community service outcomes as well as align with Council’s longterm financial sustainability plan.

“Fees and Charges are adopted in advance of the 2023/24 Annual Budget to allow community and businesses time to consider as part of their own budgeting process ahead of the new financial year.

“The majority of fees and charges have had a 6.8% increase applied with in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) weighted average across 8 capital cities and annual movement to February 2023 issued by the Australian

Bureau of Statistics.

“Significant changes to the 2023/24 Fees and Charges include a range of operational service delivery areas such as Domestic and Regulated Waste, Visitor Information Services, Animal Management and Public Campgrounds.

“Changes to Fees and Charges reflect the cost of community service provision and a user-pay approach. If you don’t use the service, you won’t be charged for it.

“Importantly, Council officers have worked hard to harmonize, streamline and even remove fees and charges to produce consistent outcomes where possible, for example Tully Caravan Park fees have been made consistent with River Drive, Cowley Beach and Kurrimine Beach camping grounds.

“Further, the adopted 2023/24 Fees and Charges clearly demonstrates that where Council is delivering services similar to the private sector providers, it is doing so transparently and free from anti-competitive conduct,” said Councillor Nolan.

AT the May Local Government Meeting

Council adopted the Cassowary Coast Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (the Strategy).

Since 2016, the State Government has funded the QCoast2100 program, assisting coastal Councils to advance coastal hazard adaptation planning and prepare coastal hazard adaptation strategies. Cassowary Coast Regional Council received funding to develop our Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy under the QCoast2100 Program.

The Strategy identifies locations where existing coastal facilities and assets are vulnerable across our region.

Cassowary Coast Regional Councillor Jeff Baines said that this had been a long journey and Council would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who had contributed to the Adaptation Strategy to see it adopted by Council at our May Local Government Meeting.

“Council will now develop an implementation plan and seek funding opportunities to progress the Strategy outcomes and Implementation Plan.” said Councillor Baines. The Implementation Plan will include coastal management actions that reduce exposure to coastal hazards and risks to preserve our beaches and foreshores, as well as sustainable recreational and tourist use of the coast by assisting in the maintenance of the recreational amenity and provision of public access to the coast. This will also contribute to building resilience and long-term sustainability and liveability in the Cassowary Coast region through adapting and responding to coastal hazard risks and climate change.

For further information about the Cassowary Coast Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy please go to yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/CHAS.