Whitsunday Regional Councillors have delayed their decision on major amendments to the planning scheme, citing the need for “more time” to look over a whopping 999-page document.
The Whitsunday Planning Scheme Major Amendment was brought before Council after a public consultation period where 1331 submissions were made from locals.
A large portion of submissions made direct reference to Airlie Beach’s amenity and its building heights - a topic of fervid local discussion with Airlie Beach action group, Save our Foreshore Inc., began court proceedings against Whitsunday Council on Tuesday, April 18.
Council officers expected the amendments would be endorsed and move to the next stage in the adoption process - submitting the documents to the Minister of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Stephen Miles.
Despite urgings from Council’s Director of Planning and Development, Neil McGaffin, most Councillors voted to table the document.
Mayor Julie Hall said there was need for further consideration of the amendments, and said she felt uncomfortable passing anything without having a firm grasp of it, especially something with such a sweeping nature.
“I need time to look through documents like this and wrap my head around them,” Mayor Hall said.
A full public gallery attended the ordinary meeting when the decision was made, with Airlie Beach resident and Save our Foreshore member Faye Chapman presenting a question to council on one of the amendments more “startling” points.
“The words ‘maximum building heights’ is causing confusion to the general reader, as building heights stipulated in the Planning Scheme are only the Code or Council accepted assessable heights,” the amendment states.
“Under the Planning Act an applicant may apply for a greater building height. Delete ‘maximum’ and put in note to help general understanding.”
Ms Chapman asked Councillors “What is so confusing to the ‘general reader’ about the term ‘maximum’?”
“Maximum means just that: maximum,” she said.
“There's only one reason to remove these words and we all know what that means – high-rises.”
The Major Amendments are due to be voted on again at a later council meeting.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
