MAYOR DEIRDRE

COMERFORD

U D I A M A Y O R A L C A N D I D A T E S D E B A T E – 2 5 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6

UDIA AND COUNCIL RELATIONSHIP IN 2012

Lack of trust and conflict between UDIA and MRC elected members and staff

Lack of willingness to discuss draft conditions

Escalating legal costs and matters before the Planning & Environment Court

Lack of consultation with UDIA prior to policies being adopted by Council

Conflicts with Water & Sewerage department

Them and Us mentality

Developers filling the Mayor’s diary

Established Monthly Developer Forums

Allocated from 9am to 5pm on a Monday, once a month

Attendance – Mayor, CEO, Portfolio Councillor, Director Development Services, Director Engineering and Commercial Infrastructure, Manager Development Assessment, Manager Development Engineering and minute taker

UDIA 1½ hours, individual developers ½ hour and the whole day was filled

2016 – we now meet bi-monthly with UDIA

We now have an open, transparent, consultative relationship where UDIA is treated with respect as a partner with MRC

Client Service Charter

Sets out expectations for both parties

Now used by UDIA as a benchmark model for Queensland

Established the Focus on Development Reference Group

More than 30 projects have been worked on to improve outcomes for the Development Industry. Some examples of achievements:-

First point of contact – Economic Development Program

Fast track and streamline development applications – 5 or 10 business days

Subdivision plan endorsement – 10 business days

Application Guides – for mum and dad developers

Checklists to reduce number of information requests sent by Council

Pre lodgement meetings

Discussion on draft conditions before they are issued

Lowest number of appeals before the Court

No Policy comes before Council without input from UDIA, their feedback is recorded, Council officers response, Councillors decide

UDIA is well aware of the final position on any policy

Highlights:-

Stormwater Offsets Policy

Tradeable Development Rights Policy (engagement with Mackay Sugar, Canegrowers, UDIA and other stakeholders)

Facilitating Development in the Mackay Region Policy

Established Water & Waste Advisory Board

3 External members sit on the Board with the Mayor, CEO and Portfolio Councillor

External member is the Chair of the Advisory Board – first for Mackay Regional Council

Scrutinise the proposed capital expenditure to ensure right spend, best technology, right timing, best value for money

A benchmark for Councils and some Councils have now established similar advisory boards

Council won 2015 IPWEAQ State Awards

Opportunities to partner with UDIA, eg. valuations and lending practices of banks

Staff manage day to day discussions with developers and now rarely needs escalation to the Mayor

We now have an effective working relationship that we both continually work at

I thank UDIA for their efforts over the past 4 years in what can only be described as challenging economic times

I acknowledge the work of Cr Dave Perkins & Council Officers and I thank them for embracing change

We can’t make everyone happy but we try. We are all in this together

UDIA and Council Relationship in 2016

Culture – the culture amongst our staff has changed

Can do attitude – we are an approachable Council

Communication – we communicate more than ever with our developers and the UDIA

Confidence – we all have a part to play in building confidence in our community

I am all about “Getting the job done for you”

In Closing – Going Forward the 4 C’s