Item No.	Item Title	Page No.
26	Submission on proposed amendments to the Development Assessment Rules, Minister's Guidelines and Rules and Planning Regulation 2017 - Economic recovery initiatives.	4
27	Adoption of Policy - Councillor Briefings and Workshops	15
28	Scenic Valleys Regional Roads and Transport Group - Ipswich Representative	23

General Purposes Committee

Meeting Agenda

21 July

2020

Doc ID No: A6352630

The Chairperson has determined this matter is of real urgency and approval has been given to refer this report to the General Purposes Committee as a late item.

ITEM: 26

SUBJECT: Submission on proposed amendments to the Development Assessment Rules, Minister's Guidelines and Rules and Planning Regulation 2017 - Economic recovery initiatives.

AUTHOR: Principal Planner

DATE: 10 July 2020

Executive Summary

This is a report concerning a submission on the proposed changes to the Development Assessment Rules (DA Rules), Minister’s Guidelines and Rules (MGR) and the Planning Regulation 2017.

Recommendation/s

That Council make a submission to the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning on the proposed changes to the Development Assessment Rules (DA Rules), Minister’s Guidelines and Rules (MGR) and the Planning Regulation 2017 as outlined in Attachment 1.

RELATED PARTIES

None.

Advance Ipswich Theme

Managing growth and delivering key infrastructure

Purpose of Report/Background

The purpose of this report is to summarise the proposed amendments to the Development Assessment Rules (DA Rules), Minister’s Guidelines and Rules (MGR) and the Planning Regulation 2017. This report also summarises the recommended submission about the proposed amendments to be made by Council to the Minster for Infrastructure and Planning.

On 8 July 2020, the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning announced proposed planning initiatives to support economic recovery. The intended effect of the initiatives is to help business and industry by reducing red tape and simplifying planning processes to assist in economic recovery in response to impacts of COVID-19. The initiatives consist of amendments to the Development Assessment Rules (DA Rules), Minister’s Guidelines and Rules (MGR) and the Planning Regulation 2017 as summarised below with excerpts from the public consultation material.

Development Assessment Rules

The Development Assessment Rules (DA Rules) is an instrument that sets the rules for how development applications are assessed in Queensland. It outlines the process for lodging, assessing and deciding an application and importantly how public notification should be conducted.

In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Queensland government implemented temporary changes to the newspaper requirements for the public notification of development applications.

It is now proposed to amend the DA Rules to make these temporary changes into more permanent arrangements – recognising that even after the COVID-19 emergency, many local newspapers will not return to hard copy production.

In addition, the proposed DA Rules amendments look to improve other aspects of public notification for development applications including:

· amending the requirements for notices that must be placed on the land during public notification of a development application, to simplify and standardise the look and feel of these signs with other development assessment processes.

· expanding the existing arrangements for giving notice to adjoining landowners about a proposed development to now include occupiers of adjoining premises, to ensure renters are also made aware of proposed development.

The proposed DA Rules amendments also include a change to ensure that the DA process can effectively respond to the Planning Act 2016 new applicable event arrangements.

This change will ensure, that should in the future the applicable event extension notice be used by the Minister to extend timeframes on a development application, that the extended time won’t unintentionally take away time from the assessment managers decision period.

Ministers Guidelines and Rules

The Minister’s Guidelines and Rules (MGR) sets out rules and processes for a range of activities, including local government plan-making, local government infrastructure plans (LGIPs) and Ministerial and local government designations.

The Queensland Government is proposing changes to:

· the process for Ministerial and Local Government infrastructure designations

· clarify the process for local governments to make interim amendments to their LGIPs.

Planning Regulation 2017

The Queensland Government is proposing temporary amendments to the Planning Regulation 2017.

The changes aim to:

· facilitate the removal of unnecessary barriers for low risk uses

· provide incentives and certainty to ensure economic value-adding uses can recommence or be established across the state where appropriate

· encourage investment as soon as possible and in-line with community expectations.

The proposed changes will not be mandatory but will be an “opt in” choice for each local government, recognising that some local government planning schemes already achieve some or all of the five proposals to a degree.

The amendments are proposed to have effect for 12 months, with the possibility of extension or local governments choosing to amend planning schemes to achieve similar outcomes, following a subsequent review of the outcomes delivered by the provisions.

Impact to Council and proposed submission to the Minister, Infrastructure and Planning

Development Assessment Rules

The proposed changes to the Development Assessment Rules will allow an applicant to publish public notices in a national or state-wide newspaper where a local newspaper is not currently in circulation. Alternatively, public notices can be published in an online version of a newspaper. Additionally, Council may ‘opt-in’ to have a public notices published on the Council website. These provisions are currently in effect on a temporary basis, it is proposed to make these provisions permanent.

Additionally, Development Planning Branch will be required to ensure that both the property owner and the occupier of a property are notified when adjoining a site subject to a development application undergoing public consultation. Finally, Development Planning Branch will need to ensure that public notification signs are in accordance with the amended DA rules.

The draft submission does not raise an objection with the proposed amendments to the DA Rules.

Minister’s Guidelines and Rules

The proposed changes to the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules as they relate Ministerial Designations (MID) appear to streamline the processes and the level of information required to endorse an MID or a Local Government Infrastructure Designation.

The proposed changes to the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules as they relate to interim LGIP amendments are not expected to have an impact on the current LGIP.

The attached submission raises an issue regarding the information to be considered when endorsing an MID. Specifically, consideration of local government infrastructure requirements in line with the existing MGR requirements (section 9.3(h)).

The draft submission does not raise any issues with regard to the proposed interim LGIP amendments.

Planning Regulation 2017

The proposed changes to the Planning Regulation 2017, allows Council to ‘opt-in’ on several provisions which lower the level of assessment for several low-impact uses. The Ipswich Planning Scheme currently contains several of the provisions, albeit with minor differences or caveats which are important in ensuring impacts are appropriately managed and assessed.

The draft submission notes that the Ipswich Planning Scheme currently contains provisions which are generally in accordance with the proposed amendments. As Council is able to ‘opt-in’ on the proposal, there are no objections to the provisions. It is noted, for Council to ‘opt-in’ on any of the provisions, a separate Council resolution will be required.

Legal/Policy Basis

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

Planning Act 2016

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

The risk to Council should the recommendation not be adopted is that Council will not make a submission on the proposed initiatives. As many of the initiatives are already part of the Ipswich Planning Scheme, or otherwise not detrimental to Council’s current development assessment of plan making functions, the risk is considered low.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

Minimal. The Ipswich Planning website will require some changes to accommodate third-party public notices, however, these changes are already underway due to the Minister’s previous temporary amendments.

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

Development Planning Branch and City Design Branch have worked together to review the proposed amendments and to draft the recommended submission to the Minister. As the amendments relate to State Government legislation, public consultation is occurring until the 7 August 2020 on the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning website.

Conclusion

The proposed amendments to the Development Assessment Rules (DA Rules), Minister’s Guidelines and Rules (MGR) and the Planning Regulation 2017 are unlikely to have an impact on the Ipswich Planning Scheme due to the existing provisions of the scheme and the non-mandatory nature of the initiatives. The changes to the public notification requirements are likely to have a minimal impact on development assessment processes as they are currently in effect on a temporary basis. Nonetheless, Council should make a submission to advise the Minister of the expected impacts of the initiatives where relevant.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

1.	Ipswich City Council submission ⇩

Anthony Bowles

Principal Planner

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Brett Davey

Development Planning Manager

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Peter Tabulo

General Manager (Planning and Regulatory Services)

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”

General Purposes Committee

Meeting Agenda

21 July

2020

Doc ID No: A6253101

The Chairperson has determined this matter is of real urgency and approval has been given to refer this report to the General Purposes Committee as a late item.

ITEM: 27

SUBJECT: Adoption of Policy - Councillor Briefings and Workshops

AUTHOR: General Manager - Coordination and Performance

DATE: 14 July 2020

Executive Summary

This is a report concerning the adoption of a policy for the co-ordination of Councillor Briefing sessions and Workshops.

Recommendation/s

That the policy titled ‘Councillor Briefings and Workshops’ as detailed in Attachment 1 be adopted.

RELATED PARTIES

· Mayor and Councillors

· Chief Executive Officer

· Executive Leadership Team

· Committee Manager

Advance Ipswich Theme

Listening, leading and financial management

Purpose of Report/Background

The attached policy has been developed to ensure Council is committed to a structure around its Councillor briefing sessions and workshops to deliver increased transparency and accountability to its decision making process.

Legal/Policy Basis

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

Local Government Act 2009

Local Government Regulation 2012

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

Council holds meetings with Councillors in the form of briefings to better inform Councillors of matters of strategic importance. Council also holds workshops with Councillors to collaboratively develop strategic proposals with the organisation. To ensure that these meetings are held in a manner that is consistent with the principles of good governance, a policy has been prepared for these meetings.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial or resource implications associated with this report.

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

The Manager, Executive Services, the Committee Manager and the Chief Executive Officer have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

Conclusion

Ipswich City Council is committed to maintaining transparent and effective processes and decision making in the public interest. The attached policy has been developed to align with the local government principles and to maintain the characteristics of good governance when holding briefing sessions and workshops.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

1.	Councillor Briefings and Workshops Policy ⇩

Sean Madigan

General Manager - Coordination and Performance

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

David Farmer

Chief Executive Officer

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”

General Purposes Committee

Meeting Agenda

21 July

2020

Doc ID No: A6358366

The Chairperson has determined this matter is of real urgency and approval has been given to refer this report to the General Purposes Committee as a late item.

ITEM: 28

SUBJECT: Scenic Valleys Regional Roads and Transport Group - Ipswich Representative

AUTHOR: Infrastructure Strategy and Planning Manager

DATE: 14 July 2020

Executive Summary

This is a report concerning the Scenic Valleys Regional Roads and Transport Group, and the consideration of an Ipswich elected representative to become a member of the group.

Recommendation

That Council nominate an elected representative to become a member of the Scenic Valleys Regional Roads and Transport Group.

RELATED PARTIES

There was no declaration of conflicts of interest.

Advance Ipswich Theme

Managing growth and delivering key infrastructure

Purpose of Report/Background

The Roads and Transport Alliance and the Regional Roads and Transport Groups

The Roads and Transport Alliance (RTA) is a cooperative governance arrangement between the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and Queensland Councils. Formed in 2002, the RTA was initiated to address shared road and transport challenges across Queensland and to deliver improved value from all available resources.

There are seventeen (17) Regional Roads and Transport Groups (RRTGs) across the State, with each group consisting of neighbouring local governments (LGs) and the respective TMR district office(s). Group members include LG elected representatives and TMR district directors. RRTGs are the primary decision making bodies of the RTA. RRTGs take into consideration the economic, social, environmental and geographic characteristics of the region and therefore determine regionally prioritised improvements to their communities transport infrastructure. Each RRTG has a respective Technical Committee that provides technical advice and recommendations to the RRTGs. The Technical Committee comprises LG and TMR officers only.

The SV RRTG members are Ipswich City Council (ICC), Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC), Scenic Rim Regional Council (SRRC) as well as TMR’s South Coast, Darling Downs and Metropolitan Districts. The current local government member representatives are Councillor Virginia West (SRRC), Councillor Janice Holstein (LVRC) and Charlie Dill, General Manager -Infrastructure and Environment (in the absence to date of an ICC elected representative). ICC is currently the host Council whereby the Manager, Infrastructure Strategy chairs the SV RRTG Technical Committee. However, the RRTG will, at its next meeting, consider whether ICC will continue being the host Council for the next four years.

Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme

The RTA provides annual funding for local government road and transport infrastructure through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS). Within TIDS there are various discrete funding categories each with different administrative arrangements and conditions for eligibility. TIDS projects and funding is administrated through the respective RRTG, and TIDS funds are to be matched by local governments. Eligible projects for consideration under TIDS need to be on a Local Road of Regional Significance (LRRS). The RTA, via the SV RRTG, requests Council submit projects for consideration under the TIDS, being an annual four year program of works.

Legal/Policy Basis

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

The principles and governance arrangements for the operation of the Roads and Transport Alliance are established in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between TMR and LGAQ on behalf of Queensland local governments.

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

If Council does not nominate an elected representative to form part of the RRTG, then Council will not meet the Memorandum of Agreement and operation guidelines for the RRTG.

There is also a risk that Council would not be eligible for funding under the TIDS program.

The next SV RRTG meeting is to be held soon and so it is important that an Ipswich elected representative be nominated as ICC’s delegate for the SV RRTG.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

The RRTG receives a single annual allocation of RTA TIDS funds determined by the RTA Board. The RRTG is required to allocate this funding in a regionally prioritised two-year fixed, two-year indicative continuous works program, consistent with the TMR Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) development cycle. Projects eligible for RTA TIDS funding include, but are not limited to:

• Road infrastructure

• Marine infrastructure

• Airport infrastructure

• Active transport infrastructure

• Safe school travel infrastructure

• Capability improvement initiatives

Although the funding amount may be subject to change annually, the annual ICC contribution received has been in the order of about $700,000 which needs to be matched by Council.

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

Consultation occurs through the members of the SV RRTG as required through the technical committee meetings that are held quarterly. In addition, the RRTG meetings are to be held at least four (4) times per year.

Given that the RRTG requires alignment with the RTA Memorandum of Agreement, community sentiment is limited.

Conclusion

Ipswich City Council is part of the Scenic Valleys Regional Roads and Transport Group. It is a requirement to nominate an elected representative to become a member of the group and attend the SV RRTG meetings for the next four years.

Mary Torres

Infrastructure Strategy and Planning Manager

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Tony Dileo

Manager Infrastructure Strategy

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Charlie Dill

General Manager - Infrastructure and Environment

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”