By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council has debated the “pausing” of the Shaping Southern Downs Advisory Committee (SSDAC) at the 25 August meeting.
The motion recommended that SSDAC meetings be deferred until Council reviewed the purpose of the Shaping Southern Downs document and the Terms of Reference of the Advisory Committee.
SDRC stated that the current purpose of the Shaping Southern Downs Advisory Committee (SSDAC) is to “provide Council with strategic guidance and/or recommendations in relation to its Shaping Southern Downs strategy, the Urban Design Frameworks (UDF) for towns and villages, and the Granite Belt Strategic Plan, focusing on the future of the Southern Downs region”.
CEO Dave Burges opened the discussion by stating that “it’s evident that a lot of events have overtaken the immediate need for this committee to convene and take up a lot of resources”.
He stated that the UDF program is well on track, with plans such as Pratten’s being adopted by council and now being considered by staff.
He stated that a quarterly report would be presented to council on the implementation of the UDF program.
Councillor Marco Gliori stated that he sits on the SSDAC with Mayor Vic Pennisi, and “there are a lot of residents who think highly of the committee and what it’s achieved”.
“I understand the planning scheme, the UDF, they’re things that we really need to get involved with now and they probably cover a lot of the things we are talking about now on the Southern Downs.”
He raised that Council should ensure that committee members were contacted and aware of the process.
Councillor Sheryl Windle expressed concern over the UDFs currently waiting to be implemented, such as the plans for Dalveen and Pratten.
The CEO stated that Council has budgeted funds for those projects and would “continue to implement the prioritised strategies from the UDFs”.
Councillor Windle stated that “as long as we can continue with those UDFs, and that it doesn’t fall out of this, that’s all I’m concerned about.”
Councillor Jo McNally raised concerns over the reasoning that the staffing required for the SSDAC was a contributor to the “pause”.
She stated that she was worried the staffing needed for the Mayor’s since-cancelled advisory committee was impacting this decision, as it could be seen to be a new advisory committee replacing SSDAC.
She stated SSDAC is “a legitimate, transparent, meeting of council, committee of council”.
“With people nominated for these positions on this committee.
“I’m concerned that it’s just being closed off when something else had been opened up.”
The CEO stated that the committees are completely unrelated and he “thought that would be obvious”.
He stated SSDAC was not being “closed off”.
He referenced the saleyards advisory committee, stating that all committees take “an inordinate amount of time to coordinate”.
“We are really struggling with the resources to continue with it, so if they’re not providing the absolute value that they can, which I don’t believe this is at this point in time, then that committee will be paused”.
Councillor Windle inquired about a time frame for the “pause”, asking when exactly it would be reviewed, with Councillor McNally also stating that she would like a definite date.
“Because as you said it could be three months, it could be six months, it could be four years, who knows?”
“There should be a date when it actually comes back to council for further consideration as to whether it is still relevant.
“Whether that’s three months or six months, actually put a date please so it can be reviewed.”
The CEO stated he was happy for that to happen, and that the intention would be to take it to an information session first.
He stated this would not be possible until after October.
Councillor McNally stated that in her experience with council “you need to put a timeframe”.
“So if it’s November, December, or February, at least put a date on it.”
The Mayor suggested the day before Christmas, but the CEO stated they might not have an outcome by then. He stated Council could certainly bring it to an information session or a workshop session by then.
Councillor Windle stated she would be happy with that.
“Because I think this has been important for the community, to have this committee there so to date so far so I would not like to see it just paused and nothing happen in the future so I think it definitely needs to be reviewed again.”
Councillor McNally spoke to the motion, stating she would like to thank all involved.
“This is something that was implemented in the previous council, and I know Councillor McDonald was involved in Shaping Southern Downs.
“They had valuable input, they came, they had input into our signage strategy which I think looks fantastic across the region as well as many other issues.
She stated she wished to thank everybody that’s been involved in the previous council and in this term as well.
“Their input is valued and we thank you for your efforts that you have made in regards to this.”
