Council continue to push for domestic violence shelter
COUNCIL MEETING
THE Douglas Shire Council is expected to conclude the year by endorsing a Climate Change (Council Operations) General Policy that will provide the framework to manage its climate change responsibilities; and commit Council to eight objectives.
A report, which will be tabled at Tuesday’s meeting in Council Chambers, says the Douglas Shire has a unique natural environment in that it is the only place in the world with two adjoining World Heritage listed areas: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics.
“Climate change presents a significant threat to the Douglas Shire, threatening both the natural and built environments. While climate change is a global problem requiring global solutions, the policy recognises the important role that local governments play in driving effective mitigation and adaptation initiatives within their control.”
Council, operating within its local government functions and responsibilities, is committed to the following objectives:
1. To recognise and understand Council’s vulnerabilities associated with climate change based on the best available climate science at the time of this policy’s adoption.
2. To develop and implement climate change mitigation actions which aim to reduce the impact of Council’s operations on climate change.
3. To develop and implement climate change adaptation actions to strengthen Council’s resilience to climate change impacts.
4. To protect existing carbon sinks located within the Douglas Shire.
5. To consider the use of carbon offsets where appropriate.
6. To demonstrate climate change leadership to the Douglas Communities.
7. To participate in appropriate national, state and regional groups, which aim to share climate change knowledge, build capability and/or improve resiliency.
8. To comply with applicable legal requirements and implement any relevant State government policies, guidelines and/or directives related to climate change.
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE REFUGE
It will be proposed at the meeting that Council continue to advocate to State and Federal governments for support and funding for a Domestic and Family Violence Refuge, to be located in the Douglas Shire to assist women and their children escaping violence.
The Douglas Shire has one of Queensland’s highest rates of reported domestic and family violence with the region serviced by Mossman Police and is ranked ninth in 2016-17 for percentage of the population applying for DFV applications. The region also has a high proportion of the population vulnerable to barriers to accessing support services.
ADVANCE QUEENSLAND SCREEN INDUSTRY
Council will consider endorsing the formal submission to the Advance Queensland 10-Year Roadmap for the Screen Industry, supporting the Corporate Plan (2014 – 2019), which has a commitment to promoting the Douglas region for film and television opportunities.
PORT DOUGLAS RESERVOIR
Council will be advised that a change in the reservoir roof from steel to aluminium for increased design life has extended the anticipated completion date until the end of May 2018.
It has surplus of $890,607, although anticipated water network upgrades currently in the design phase is expected to utilise the surplus.
ORDINARY MEETING TUESDAY - 12 DECEMBER 2017, 9:00AM
Agenda: Open session
1. 2017-2018 fees and charges development assessment - sustainable communities
2. Negotiated decision request L47 Captain Cook Hwy Mowbray, mulch facility
3. Climate change (council operations) general policy
4. Domestic and family violence refuge six-month update
5. Advance Queensland screen industry - formal submission
6. Port Douglas reservoir project
7. Disaster management report 2017
8. Financial report for the period ended 30 November 2017
9. 2017-18 budget review
10. Organisational report card September 2017 - November 2017
11. Go Douglas! 2017
Agenda: Closed session
1. Prejudicial Matter S275 (1) (H) Local Government Regulation 2012 - Council Grants Programs
2. Prejudicial Matter S275 (1) (H) Local Government Regulation 2012 - Australia Day Awards 2018
3. Prejudicial matter S275 (1) (H) Local Government Regulation 2012 - Acquisition of land situated behind the Mossman Sewerage Treatment Plant
For more information go to Council's Website.
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