Media Responses (26 - 30 July 2021)

Gympie Times: 27 July - Council investigations

QUESTION:

The Services Union recently released the below press release re: an increase in the number of investigations within the council. They raise concerns some of the alleged incidents are more than five years old, and questions the fairness of how long some of these are taking.

Can I please get comment from CEO Shane Grey about the claims in this release? What is the council investigating?

ANSWER:

Council cannot comment on any investigation or legal proceedings.

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Gympie Times: 27 July - upgrade a council facility, disaster management coordination centre

QUESTION:

What is council using the $500,000 funding from the QLD Resilience & Risk Reduction fun for?

ANSWER:
Gympie Regional Council is delighted to have received a $500,000 share of the Commonwealth and Queensland Government’s $19 million Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund. 
The funding will be used by council to upgrade a council facility at 24 Mellor Street, Gympie as a dedicated disaster management coordination centre. 
While the project details are still being finalised, some of the works are expected to include structural improvements, such a reconfiguration of the internal walls to make the space more functional during a disaster, as well as technological improvements to support a variety of new technologies.
Moving the disaster management coordination centre to the Mellor Street location means that it will be closer to the Civic Centre, which is a disaster evacuation centre.

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Rainbow Beach Cooloola Coast News: 27 July – Follow up question: RV Strategy

QUESTION: 
What does this mean? It should have been endorsed already?
Keen to know what will be implemented first please? 
Where are we at with the Gympie Showgrounds camping area? 

ANSWER:
The draft RV Strategy was presented to and discussed with Council earlier this year. Work is ongoing. The RV Strategy will be ready for review by Council by October 2021.
The first stage of works will commence later this year. The works will focus on delivering consistency across all the region’s RV parks with improved basic infrastructure such as signage, rubbish bin facilities and dog bag dispensers.
Unfortunately, the funding allocated to Tozer Street for an RV site was not transferable to the Showgrounds. At this stage there is no funding for an RV site at the showgrounds, however Council is looking at all options.

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Gympie Times: 29 July - sale of land process for properties with overdue rates and charges. 

QUESTION:

Please advise to the outcome on item 11.1 from the Ordinary Meeting 28, July

ANSWER:

M14/07/21

Moved Cr J Milne                                             Seconded Cr DH Stewart 

That Council resolves:

1.         In accordance with Section 140 (2) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 to sell the properties identified in the following table for overdue rates and charges.

And further;

2.         In accordance with Section 140 (3) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 that a Notice of Intention to Sell be issued for each property.

Carried.

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Gympie Times: 29 July – FOLLOW UP QUESTION sale of land process for properties with overdue rates and charges. 

QUESTION:

please confirm the number of properties on the list adopted on the in committee item?

ANSWER:

Council has now endorsed the sale of land process for properties with overdue rates and charges.  This process, in some cases, may allow ratepayers to apply for the early release of superannuation or a State Government mortgage relief loan.  Both of these financial arrangements are not available until the ratepayer is in threat of losing their home, so these ratepayers have not yet been able to access this assistance. 

Shane Gray CEO Gympie Regional Council