Scenic Living SCEN IC R
As this newsletter is going to print, we have just adopted the Scenic Rim Regional Council 2020-21 Budget, which is the first budget of this new term of Council. The budget was formulated against a challenging background of sequential disaster events culminating with the current COVID-19 pandemic, and is a budget that is for the whole of the Scenic Rim. The leaflet contained inside provides more information about the budget, and what it means for our community. Back in January, I shared my excitement about what 2020 could hold for the region after the challenges we faced during 2019 with drought and unprecedented bushfires. It’s hard to believe that, six months on, we are emerging from one of the most complex and challenging periods of the past century. COVID-19 has meant that we have all had to change to new ways of doing things. I am proud of the way Council employees quickly adapted the way they work and continued to provide a high level of services to our communities. In particular, compared to some other Councils, we managed to keep all our essential services operating and offered innovative solutions to our community, cultural and library programs. Our Council team – including new Councillors Cr Derek Swanborough, Cr Jeff McConnell and Cr Marshall Chalk – were sworn in by telephone confirming their commitment to working for the best of the whole of the Scenic Rim. I thank former Councillors Nadia O’Carroll, Nigel Waistell and Rick Stanfield for their valuable contributions during the 2016-2020 Council term. Since the start of this Council term, we adapted to COVID-19 requirements by using our website to provide live audio streams of Council’s Ordinary Meetings, and made subsequent recordings publicly available. I am proud of the way our communities have also responded to COVID-19. While it may seem as though disasters are the new normal for our region, we have shown that working together has made us stronger and more resilient as we build a brighter future.
IM REG 2020 Y L U IONAL COUN J CIL NEWSLET TER -
Council’s continued focus will be pushing on with our job creation program, which is the key goal of our Regional Prosperity Strategy. We will also be prioritising promoting our region to bring visitors back to support our heavily impacted tourism industry. Since the Queensland Government’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we have seen visitors flocking to the region, which confirms we live in the richest place on earth, and there is a strong desire to visit by those who want to share in the magic.
Our region has been tested but has shown exceptional resilience to stand together
We appreciate the Australian and Queensland Government’s bushfire and COVID-19 recovery funding will enable us to deliver projects we may not have previously been able to afford. These projects are critical to rebuilding our economy, providing community infrastructure and supporting community recovery, as well as creating and sustaining jobs for our local people. Liveability is key for our communities and in our new Scenic Rim Planning Scheme adopted earlier this year, we were able to keep future residential block sizes larger than those proposed in the South East Queensland Regional Plan, unlike many of our neighbouring councils. Our lobbying efforts with the Queensland Government were successful, and demonstrate Council’s commitment to maintaining our relaxed living and rural lifestyle.
Australian and Queensland Government funding for the Beaudesert Town Centre Revitalisation means that this significant project, which will take a couple of years to complete, will be almost fully funded. Upgrading our roads and bridges to make the region more accessible continues to be a key deliverable. Through generous funding from the Australian Government, we have been able to bring more of our bridges up to modern standards, improve flood protection, increase safety and reduce ongoing maintenance costs for Council in the long term. As mentioned earlier, in the months ahead, the major focus for Council will be on working with local people and businesses affected by bushfires and COVID-19 to help them get back on their feet. Recovery is not an easy process, nor is it quick. The emotional and financial impacts will take some time to ease, and the best thing we can all do as a community is to continue to support each other and our local businesses by shopping locally. While there may be dark clouds hovering, I believe our region has many opportunities to shine and I have confidence that our resilience, ingenuity and character will serve us well to move forward strongly through these challenging times. Let us move forward as One Scenic Rim and stand proud to support our region.
Mayor Greg Christensen
We are continuing our program to reinvigorate our communities through our Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages program with Boonah Town Centre expected to be completed by end of this year.
BE PREPARED FOR BUSHFIRE SEASON The approach of Queensland’s bushfire season in late July provides a timely reminder to Scenic Rim residents to prepare their properties and their families’ bushfire survival plans. Council’s disaster preparedness publication, Would You Be Ready?, available on Council’s website www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/councilservices/disaster-management/disasterpreparedness and at Scenic Rim Libraries and Customer Service Centres, has been developed
specifically for the Scenic Rim community to understand the potential natural disasters faced by the region and how being prepared could minimise the impact of a bushfire, flood or cyclone. The brochure provides a bushfire season checklist for Scenic Rim residents to: • prepare a household emergency kit • c lear the yard of loose materials that may become wind-blown hazards
• c lear the roof and gutters of leaves and twigs etc. • if possible, make a firebreak around the home using a mower, rake or spade • remove all rubbish, leaf litter and native shrubs and branches growing too close to the house • keep grass short and green when possible • fit wire screens to doors, windows and vents and enclose all gaps, including roof eaves and the area under the house, and • e nsure garden hoses are able to reach all parts of the house and garden.
INTRODUCING THE 2020-2024 COUNCIL TEAM
Your Scenic Rim Councillors MAYOR
DIV 1
DIV 2
Cr Greg Christensen Phone: 07 5540 5105
Cr Derek Swanborough
DIV 3
The start of Scenic Rim’s 2020-2024 Council term was marked by the swearing-in of the Mayor and Councillors via teleconference in response to COVID-19 social distancing requirements. Mayor Greg Christensen said he was proud of Council’s achievements during the past four years and recognised the challenges - including flood, drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 - faced by the Scenic Rim during this time. “My pledge to our communities is to continue to deliver real effective leadership for our region and to shape a future we can all share in and be proud of,” he said.
Cr Jeff McConnell Phone: 07 5540 5402
Phone: 07 5540 5401
DIV 4
Cr Virginia West Phone: 07 5540 5403 DIV 6
DIV 5
Council’s post-election meeting on 23 April saw the re-election of Division 6 Councillor Duncan McInnes as Deputy Mayor and Mayor Greg Christensen as Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, and newly elected Councillor Jeff McConnell as Deputy Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group. While the first meetings of the new Council have been conducted remotely in response to COVID-19, Council is bound and committed to ensuring the highest standards of local government and continuing to deliver strong outcomes for Scenic Rim communities. Until further notice and pending any legal directions issued by the Chief Health Officer or other relevant authority, Council’s meetings will be held at Boonah Council Chambers. While public access is not permitted to meetings during COVID-19, members of the community are able to listen to proceedings live via teleconference and audio recordings of meetings will be available on Council’s website www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/ourcouncil/meetings-and-agendas Council’s meeting dates for the remainder of 2020 are as follows: • • • • • •
20 July 3 and 17 August 7 and 21 September 12 and 26 October 9 and 23 November, and 14 December
ONE SCENIC RIM IS AT THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY Regional pride and support for local business and each other are at the heart of Council’s One Scenic Rim campaign launched in May. The campaign aims to bring together Scenic Rim communities which have rallied to support each other during floods, drought and bushfire in recent years, as the region faces one of its toughest economic and social challenges yet from COVID-19. Although the One Scenic Rim concept was created by Council, it is aimed as a long-term regional brand with ownership by the entire community - residents, businesses, Council employees and visitors to the Scenic Rim. The campaign builds on the characteristics of compassion and cohesion for which the region is known and promotes buying locally to support the Scenic Rim’s economic recovery.
m i R c i n e c #OneS
Cr Michael Enright Phone: 07 5540 5404 Mutdapilly
Rosevale
6
Kagaru
Munbilla Roadvale
Wyaralong
Tamborine
2
Wyaralong Allenview Dam Veresdale Scrub Gleneagle
Kalbar Fassifern Aratula
Bromelton
BOONAH
4
Dugandan
Lake Moogerah
Phone: 07 5540 5406
Harrisville
Silverdale
Tarome
Cr Duncan McInnes OAM
Peak Crossing
Mt Walker Warrill View
Cr Marshall Chalk Phone: 07 5540 5405
BEAUDESERT
Il-bogan
1
TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN
Canungra
Mt Alford Kooralbyn
Croftby
Laravale Kerry
5
3
Maroon Carneys Creek
Maroon Dam
Beechmont
Darlington
Rathdowney Hillview
Barney View Running Creek
Lamington
Be part of One Scenic Rim by: • supporting local businesses and tradespeople • s howing pride in the region and pledging your support to buy locally • s haring your story on social media and showing your regional pride by using #onescenicrim, and • a dding your business or community group to Council’s online directory to reach others in the Scenic Rim. For more information on how to show your Scenic Rim pride and support for buying locally visit www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/onescenicrim
ADAPTING TO A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT Like many other businesses across the region, due to the impacts of COVID-19 Council had to pivot its operations and apply a high-level of adaption and flexibility to both our workforce and to our service delivery for customers.
• p rovided rent relief to tenants of Council-owned commercial properties
Through ongoing and vigilant practice, many of the capital projects, minor works and ongoing maintenance were delivered for our community without interruption. Our libraries, cultural and community centres and Customer Service and Administration Centres have all now reopened, however under strict COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
• p rovided flexibility to development conditions (where health and safety was not affected)
To support our communities, and our local businesses to manage short-term cash flow and help keep people employed, Council launched an Economic Stimulus Package: COVID-19 in late March with the aim of minimising the long-term impact to the economy. To date, the Economic Stimulus Package has: • p rioritised procurement and expenditure in the Scenic Rim with $6 million paid to local suppliers or 41% of Council’s expenditure • s upported the launch of Scenic Rim Farm Box in lieu of Eat Local Week, which has delivered $300,000 economic contribution to the region to date • o ffered free and confidential counselling service to impacted businesses and employees • suspended debt recovery in relation to overdue rates • s uspended the application of interest on outstanding rates and charges
wellbeing ANS D suppor t SERVICE
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• s uspended the recovery of infrastructure charges in relation to development
• p rovided ongoing support to Scenic Rim businesses to navigate the challenges of COVID-19
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• provided flexibility in the assessment of community grants • p rovided ongoing support to community groups and organisations and offered a Club Crisis Support Program, and • p romoted local businesses who had adapted operations on Council’s social media channels www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/covid-19 provides all the latest information on Council’s response to COVID-19
Help is only a call away
im cenicR #OneS
ct Scenic Rim ation, please conta For more inform Prosperity team cil’s Regional Regional Coun 4285 t, Beaudeser t 82 Brisbane Stree crim.qld.gov.au prosperity@sceni email or 5111 Phone 5540
COVID-19 Business Support Program Free and confidential counselling available to eligible Scenic Rim businesses and employees impacted by COVID-19.
• r efunded all booking fees related to cancelled events in Council-owned and operated venues
Telephone: 07 5541 4411 Find out more: scenicrim.qld.gov.au/businesses/business-counselling-support
CUSTOMERS THE FOCUS OF CHARTER’S LONG-TERM VISION Council’s new Customer Charter will provide the long-term vision for the organisation’s interactions with the community. As the first local government in Australia to conduct a customer sentiment survey, Scenic Rim Regional Council has shown that it values its customers’ perceptions and is committed to driving the change desired by the community. The Customer Charter provides the high-level vision, intent and Council’s commitments to its customers and will be underpinned by Customer Strategy and Customer Improvement Plans now being developed. The development of the Customer Charter followed focus groups held with Councillors, employees, a range of customer groups from across the region and an online customer sentiment survey distributed to more than 8,000 Scenic Rim ratepayers. At 23 per cent, the survey response was exceptionally high by industry standards, indicating customers’ desire to be involved in influencing their experience with Council and shaping the future of the region. The Customer Charter project has already yielded some initial improvements in customers’ experiences with Council, including improved communication between staff and members of the public, which has been recognised with positive feedback from the community. Council is grateful to the many residents, businesses and community organisations who took the time to participate in the project to help inform and shape the new Customer Charter.
NEW PLANNING SCHEME A LANDMARK IN SCENIC RIM’S DEVELOPMENT Larger lot sizes for residential subdivisions than in other areas of South East Queensland and recognition of the importance of tourism in supporting rural areas feature in the Scenic Rim’s first ever unified planning scheme. The Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020, which commenced in March, represents a landmark moment in the life of the region and Council is grateful for the input of residents, business operators and community organisations whose submissions contributed to its development. The consultation process enabled Council to make significant changes to key policy areas that reflected the community’s aspirations for development in the Scenic Rim.
im e Schem 2020 n Pla ning
Scenic R
Replacing the planning schemes of the former Beaudesert Shire, Boonah Shire and Ipswich City Council areas within the Scenic Rim local government area, the new planning scheme reflects changes to the economic, social and environmental landscapes, as well as meeting State legislative requirements. It has been developed in the context of the Scenic Rim Community Plan which captures the vision shared by Council and the Scenic Rim community for the region’s relaxed living and rural lifestyle and sustainable and prosperous economy into the future.
GUIDING THE REGION’S The region’s first-ever five-year economic development strategy, Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy 2020-2025, which was adopted by Council in February, provides the framework to support the ultimate goal of creating valuable jobs for local people.
Celebrating the launch of the Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy 2020-2025 (from left) David Kassulke, of the Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Greg Christensen; General Manager Customer and Regional Prosperity, Debra Howe; and Manager Regional Prosperity and Communications, Brenda Walker.
Attracting business investment in the region aligns with our Community Plan and drives jobs growth, which is key to supporting the strategy. With the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020, and the new Investment Attraction Incentives Program, doing business in the Scenic Rim is now more streamlined than ever before. Businesses and investors will have the opportunity to work closely with Council officers from the conception of a business idea to help navigate processes to ensure the experience is efficient, transparent and positive.
prosperity
And, on a case-by-case basis, Council will look at opportunities to ease the pressure of infrastructure charges by potentially deferring payments. Education and workforce development is one of the key pillars of the Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy and supported by the Queensland Government’s Regional Skills Investment Strategy Project. The Scenic Rim Jobs portal was launched in May to connect local job seekers with local employers. The portal is a one-stop shop where Scenic Rim residents looking for local work can build resumes, upload them and apply online for local jobs, and local businesses can post vacancies directly to the portal and fill roles with skilled local people. This Regional Skills Investment Strategy project is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.
WORK LOCAL, HIRE LOCAL The Scenic Rim is the perfect place to live, work and play, and now local jobseekers can connect more easily with local employers on the Scenic Rim Jobs talent community.
Find out more: scenicrimjobs.com.au
PO Box 25 82 Brisbane Street, Beaudesert QLD 4285
Telephone 07 5540 5111
scenicrim.qld.gov.au