Improved clarity on development approval process

DEVELOPERS, organisations and individuals seeking to lodge a development application with Council will now have a clearer understanding of the process and outcomes following the endorsement of a new Standard Development Conditions Suite.

The Standard Development Conditions Suite will provide applicants a greater understanding of what they can expect when making an application and the likely conditions issued on a development approval.

Deputy Mayor and chair of the Planning and Environment Committee, Terry James, said the development of the suite followed robust consultation with the community and key stakeholders, including the development industry, which identified several strategic and operational opportunities for improvement.

“This initiative will provide consistency, transparency and confidence in conditions applied to development outcomes throughout the local government area,” Cr James said.

“It means that when someone is making a development application, they have a clearer picture of what is required and what they can expect as far as conditions to any potential approval.

Prepare for king tides

King tides are currenting being experienced in Cairns.

Motorists are advised to avoid parking cars in low-lying tidal areas and never drive through floodwaters.

King tide levels for Cairns are expected at the following times: n Friday 17 February: 3.16m at 7.32am n Saturday 18 February: 3.39m at 8.15am n Sunday 19 February: 3.54m at 8.55am n Monday 20 February: 3.57m at 9.33am n Tuesday 21 February: 3.47m at 10.09am n Wednesday 22 February: 3.36m at 10.44am n Thursday 23 February: 2.94m at 11.18am.

“This supports economic prosperity, diversification, and overall quality of life, establishing a clear line of site for particular development types and the necessary controls required to be in place.

“The suite covers most forms of development that Council routinely approves and looks to cover the key technical and constraint-based conditions which Council typically imposes on specific development.

“However, there will still be particular developments where the standard suite cannot be applied, and Council officers may have to adopt other principles and possibly even apply original (non-standard) conditions of approval,” he said.

The suite will remain a ‘live’ document, with proposed amendments reviewed quarterly (or sooner if required) in consultation with established industry reference groups to adapt and adjust to anticipated changes in legislation and policy.

“As a Council, we need to be nimble in our approach to development and planning, and likewise, it is important that the Standard Development Conditions Suite remains relevant to the needs of the community,” Cr James said.

Search for ‘purrfect’ homes

Council is working with local rehoming organisations to find the ‘purrfect’ new home for rescue cats and kittens.

Come down to the Animal Care and Education Centre at 55-57 Links Rd, Woree, on Saturday 25 February from 9am to midday to meet the pets available for adoption.

Thanks to Yaps, RSCPA, Adopt Me Kittens and Rags to Riches for taking part in this initiative.

Improvement works

Mulgrave Rd, Parramatta Park: Footpath renewal near Bunda St from Monday 20 February. Parking spaces temporarily out of service.

Mann St, Westcourt: Stormwater renewal at Jones St intersection. Temporary road closes.

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