Val Schier - The year in review

Sunday, 12 April 2009 00:00

In mid-March Council published a four-page insert in the Cairns Sun highlighting the achievements of our first year in office. Unfortunately, a lot of people missed this so here are some of the highlights of the first year:

• The Cleaner Seas Project is halfway to completion. This $188M sewerage treatment plant upgrade will improve effluent discharge to the Great Barrier Reef by 80% and will be commissioned by November 2009. Recycled water pipes have already been installed at Smithfield Village and Collins Avenue, ready to receive A-grade quality recycled water on completion of the Cleaner Seas Project.
• Focusing on economic development: Council is working in partnership with local traders to drive the Cairns CBD revitalisation agenda. A China-based tourism and business development consultant has been funded to help increase direct air links and grow the Chinese interest in our region.
• Douglas Water supply: The majority of membrane filters at the chemical-free Mossman water treatment plant were replaced and process improvements implemented to meet water demand in Port Douglas and Mossman. The 10 million litre reservoir in Port Douglas has been brought back into service providing water supply security. Water reservoirs in Douglas were cleaned, repaired and sealed to maintain drinking water quality.
• CBD Flood Mitigation Works: designs were finalised for the next stage of flood protection works, including the installation of underground pumps to move massive volumes of water out of low lying areas near Lake St.
• Aeroglen to CBD Cycleway: State Government funding secured to build Cairns first dedicated cycleway.
• Cairns Water Supply: extensive planning for potential future water supply from the Mulgrave River Aquifer; planning and design work completed for three new reservoirs in the southern area to improve supply quality and reliability.
• Corporate Sustainability Policy has been adopted to guide Council decisions and practices.
• Cultural Plan: more than 1000 community members shared their ideas to help shape a draft Cultural Plan which will develop an overarching vision for cultural life in the Council region over the next 17-20 years. The draft Cultural Plan was released for public feedback in February 2009 and has already led to new initiatives such as a public art trail and a review of festivals.
• ClimateSmart Project: grid-connected solar energy systems were installed at Gordonvale and Mossman libraries in August 2008.
• Cities for Climate Protection Program: as an active member, Council is working on ways to deal with climate change by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The first two "green" SmartCars were purchased for the Council fleet.
• Advisory boards have been formed to work with Council on key issues. These boards include the Urban Design Advisory Board, a Youth Council, an Indigenous Community Advisory Group, the Douglas Advisory Board, Douglas Water Reference Group and a Festivals Advisory Committee.
• The Cattana Wetlands Project due for completion in mid-2009, is regenerating degraded land into a passive recreation site which includes boardwalks, walking tracks and revegetation.
• Erosion and Sediment Control Unit: this new team has been established to monitor activity on building sites and new subdivisions. Educational workshops were held for industry to ensure they have a clear understanding of requirements and risks.
• Cairns Amateurs: financial support was secured to assist this 50 year old iconic horse racing carnival through a tough period.
• Rural Addressing: an extensive program of signposting rural properties across the Douglas area. Almost 600 of an estimated 1300 properties were marked during the first stage of the schedule.
• Port Douglas Waterfront Master Plan: Major progress has been achieved, with the draft plan released for public comment in February 2009.
• Edmonton and Smithfield Town Centres: Planning has been underway with design workshops between Council staff, State Government agencies and landowners being undertaken during the year.