Simplified regulation makes providing outdoor dining easier
Local buy policy undergoing further review
Business networking and workshop opportunities
Expression of interest closer for Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek
Freedom of Entry to the City
Council to engage with community on city planning
Simplified regulation makes providing outdoor dining easier
Local cafes and restaurants will benefit from a Council decision to make it easier to obtain an outdoor dining license.
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Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the decision supported Council’s ‘Open for Business’ objectives.
“This decision removes red tape for businesses, supports the local economy and makes it easier to do business in the Redlands,” she said.
The decision will remove the current duplication of outdoor dining regulation in both local law and the Redland planning scheme and the cost of outdoor dining applications.
When the changes take effect at the end of the financial year, outdoor dining applications by food businesses will no longer need development approval and annual fees for outdoor dining will be removed from the Local Law covering outdoor dining.
The changes could mean savings between $400 and nearly $1500 for local food businesses.
Council compliance and regulatory services spokesperson Cr Wendy Boglary said the decision would complement the city’s open spaces.
“The Redlands has fantastic open spaces and a great climate, so making it easier for businesses to take advantage of this fact makes perfect sense.”
“Over the years Council has made a significant investment in public places and this decision is terrific win for small business and the entire community.”
Local Buy Policy undergoing further review
Council is looking to further strengthen its procurement and purchasing commitment to enhance local businesses and social procurement opportunities.
Mayor Karen Williams said Council has supported her call for the further strengthening of the local buy policy through the development of the Strategic Procurement Framework and broader initiatives to enhance local businesses opportunities.
Last financial year, Council spent $43 million of its total budget expenditure on local businesses with a registered address in the Redlands, or roughly twenty five percent of all payments.
The figures to January show that Council has already increased this to twenty percent in the first six months of this financial year.
While Council’s procurement policy must consider ‘sound contracting principles’ under legislation, Council has committed to a further review to clearly identify how a local preference can be delivered in certain contracting arrangements.
This may may include a percentage preference or weightings for local business or those employing local residents.
Other initiatives include the option of sharing Council’s own local buy panel of suppliers with other Councils and promoting awareness of local supply opportunities.
The the legislated ‘sound contracting principles’ Councils must consider under s104 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 LGR and s198 (LGR) when purchasing goods and services, include:
(a) Value for money; and
(b) open and effective competition; and
(c) the development of competitive local business and industry; and
(d) environmental protection; and
(e) ethical behaviour and fair dealing.
Business networking and workshop opportunities
Redland Businesses wanting to showcase their products and services are reminded of Redlands Business Expo 2014 – 13/14 June 2014 at the Redlands Performing Arts Centre
Being run in partnership between Redland City Council and the Redland Chamber of Commerce, the website www.redlandsbusinessexpo.com has more information on the second Business Expo for the Redlands and on how to register.
Another business workshop in April will ask if growing your company so it is sustainable and able to meet future challenges is important to you and if your business is reliant on one customer, one product or service offering?
If so, the How to Create More Growth Workshop 2 April 2014 will be of interest to you.
The workshop will discuss the tools and techniques that will grow your business for sustainability, not only for your own success, but that of your staff. Key outcomes include:
- Measure your Customers Value
- Maximise Your Value
- Innovate your offer to create more valueExpression of interest closer for Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek
When : 7am – 9am, 2 April 2014
Where: Redlands IndigiScapes Centre, Runnymede Road, Capalaba
RSVP: [email protected] or phone 07 3829 8507
A light buffet and refreshments will be served (places are limited).
Expression of interest closer for Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek
Artist’s impression of what could be at Toondah Harbour
The redevelopment of Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek are a step closer after Council voted to accept officer recommendations for the two Priority Development Areas (PDAs).
The recommendations that have since gone to the State Government are part of the PDA planning process and reflect a range of community and commercial views expressed through the public engagement process conducted for the two areas.
After strong community debate and over 500 formal submissions to Economic Development Queensland, Council has recommended the following changes to the planninmg vision for the two areas.
Toondah Harbour
- Building height reduced by one-third, now capped to 10 storeys (down from up to 15 storeys in the original draft scheme and an increase of 3 storeys to the 7 storeys currently allowed at the site)
- No net loss of public open space (including GJ Walter Park which remains as public open space)
- Marina berths halved to 400 (down from possible 800 berth in the original draft scheme).
Weinam Creek
- No net loss of public open space, including Sel Outridge Park
- Passenger ferry and bus terminal and car-parking will be co-located
- Provision made for future growth in car-park requirements
- Access to car-parking for Southern Moreton Bay Island residents will be maintained during construction at the site.
Council and the State Government will now draw up criteria to assess Expressions of Interest from investors who will be invited to fund the key infrastructure needed in both areas in exchange for commercial returns on their investment.
Council has estimated that the funding of foreshore and transport infrastructure improvements at Toondah Harbour, including improved ferry ramps and passenger facilities, better transport interchange and parking, as well as enhancements to parkland and improved pedestrian and cycle links to the bay, could cost up to $80 million.
Freedom of Entry to the City
Saturday 12 April 2014, 11am will be a memorable day in the Redland City Calendar when the city bestows the age-old honour of Freedom of Entry to the City to No.95 Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
This event will include a formal parade with 150 marchers, representing all nine of No.95 Wing’s squadrons, accompanied by a band and air force cadets.
Redland residents are being invited to come and line the parade route on Middle Street, Cleveland (between Waterloo and Wynyard Streets) to watch this historic event.
The ceremony is also formal recognition from the RAAF of the important role our city played in the defence of our nation leading up to, and during, World War 2.
The Freedom of Entry ceremony will take on additional significance in the lead-up to Anzac Day this year and the centenary of the start of World War 1 at the end of July.
Freedom of Entry to the City’ dates back to the Middle Ages when cities were fortified by walls to protect residents from invaders. Right of entry to outside armed forces was a privilege rarely granted but came as a sign of respect for the protection and friendship offered.
Please note: there will be changed traffic conditions including temporary closures along Middle and Bloomfield streets, Cleveland during the parade.
Check our website for more details at (web symbol) www.redland.qld.gov.au/freedom
Council to engage with community on city planning
Redland City Council will embark on a public consultation process around key aspects of city planning in the lead up to the revised draft Redland Planning Scheme (RPS) becoming available for formal public comment later this year or early next year.
The current review of the Redland Planning Scheme is already being underpinned by community engagement on a range of policies and strategies in recent years.
In coming months Council will be encouraging the community to view and review key areas of policy that are supporting the drafting process, including community and stakeholder forums on important issues such as population and employment growth strategies and options for how to deal with this growth.
A key focus for this engagement activity across the city will be the study into Redlands land availability commissioned by Council and expected for release in May this year.
The proposed engagement strategy will also inform Council’s input into the draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2014-2041 expected for release in the second half of year.
Community and stakeholder forums will be held around Council’s upcoming Economic Development Strategy and the current community-wide engagement underway on disaster management planning.
Planned engagement activities include ‘neighbourhood kitchen table talks’ where residents and organisations can talk with planners about the current planning scheme and how to feed into the review.
Other planned activities include the establishment of an Interest Register so interested residents can receive updated information; a mail-out to all residents involved in previous community engagements around aspects of the planning scheme; availability of fact sheets, e-newsletters, magazine stories, website and display materials, social media and videos.
Over the coming months Council will be making information available through its websites, publications and community forums so that the community has the opportunity to understand and comment on future planning for our city.
