7 September 2021
Published 07 August 2020
Today marks 100 days since Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Post-Election Meeting, a milestone mark since Mayor Peter Flannery outlined a 10-Point Action Plan in the Chamber.
Despite the challenges COVID-19 has presented economically and health-wise, Mayor Flannery said he was proud to confirm all 10 priorities have been delivered on time.
“Our first action item was to vote to reject the 2% pay increase recommended for myself and councillors,” he said.
“This has set the tone for a Council focussed on delivery and always ensuring our community is at the heart of all our decisions, which I’m very proud of.
“Secondly, we immediately activated the Moreton Bay Recovery Group in response to the coronavirus pandemic and even went a step further, engaging expert recovery consultants to provide us with a strategic response plan to the health and economic impacts ahead. I look forward to receiving that report.
“The third point was to provide much needed financial support to businesses and people impacted by COVID-19 closures and job losses.
“I’m proud to report that we’ve rolled out nearly $33 million in direct assistance, that’s more than most councils in the country.
“Our fourth action item was a commitment to develop a new Economic Development Strategy within the first 100 days.
“That report went to Council on Wednesday and is now available for your review online, so let us know your feedback on our plans to make Moreton Bay Bigger, Bolder and Brighter in our ambitions to grow investment and job opportunities in our region.
“Additionally, I’m excited to announce that not only will we have a new economic development strategy, but we’ve also recruited a Chief Economic Development Officer whose sole focus will be on driving exciting new initiatives to get Moreton Bay back on track. He will start work with Council later this month.
“We’ve delivered on our fifth commitment, which was to appoint independent directors to the MILLovate Board and we’re currently going through the process of appointing a CEO with relevant experience.
“I can confirm that master planning of this massive 460-hectare site is underway. This will be a knowledge and innovation hub 50% larger than the Brisbane CBD, so if you haven’t driven past Petrie recently definitely get in the car to do that.
“Point number six came in response to overwhelming calls from locals about the need to rework Council’s planning scheme to meet your expectations. We’ve started working on our new Neighbourhood Planning Program and we’ve also commenced the Planning Scheme Reset Program.
“I look forward to keeping you updated as this important work progresses.
“Our seventh priority also related to planning, I promised to protect our communities from unplanned development by enacting a Regional Growth Management Strategy.
“Council has endorsed this plan and a project team has been appointed. We’ve identified 12 future growth areas where the sequencing of development will need to be managed properly to ensure we responsibly manage population increases without broader impacts. And we will soon begin stakeholder consultations on the sequencing of approvals within those 12 identified areas.
“Item number eight was to grow our tourism industry, which is doubly important in the face of the challenges COVID-19 has presented for this industry.
“I’m very proud of our efforts to deliver on our ninth point of action, which was a commitment to do better for koalas and our native wildlife in Moreton Bay.
“We announced a new $1.8 million environmental land buyback program in this year’s Budget, so that Council can buy strategic land parcels and prevent them being developed.
“We’ve also renewed our contract with the koala team who’ve successfully increased the koala population in Petrie by over 22% per annum over the past three years.
“In the wake of Australia’s droughts and fires, I honestly hope other Councils are watching our success and start doing the same thing. Because it’s going to take action by all of us to save this species.
“Finally, last but by no means least, I said we must continue reforming Council’s operations to make us this region’s employer of choice and also make us more transparent and accountable to you – our residents and ratepayers.
“We’ve identified 42 priority actions to achieve this and we’re about half way through the delivery of these already. That’s included increasing our staffing to provide you with a better level of service, as well as improving our governance and grievance processes.
“I’m hopeful that over the next 12 months we’ll fully implement all 42 actions to improve Council.
“My mission as your Mayor is to make Moreton Bay Regional Council a more modern, outcomes-focussed place. And if our first 100 days are anything to go by, we’re well on track to doing that.
“As always, my door remains open to anyone with great ideas, so keep your suggestions coming in.”