Media Responses (20 - 24 September 2021)

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Media Responses (20 - 24 September 2021)

CONTENT: Mary Street Trees, Private Hospital

 

Gympie Times: 20 September – Mary Street Trees

QUESTION:

the future of the remaining leopard trees on Mary St, can I please confirm the council intends to eventually remove and replace all of them? Is there a timeframe for this to happen (e.g. 5-10 years)?

ANSWER:

Yes. As discussed by Council the trees have been of concern and addressed by previous Councils and identified as an issue since about 2005.      

Council does intend to address the issues. We are developing a program to replace the trees in a considered manner. Plans were developed by council ten years ago and we are in the process of reviewing and developing plans that focus on the areas of greatest need.

The two trees outside 42-44 Mary Street were removed due to the impact to public safety and the damage to infrastructure namely the electrical lighting, pathway and underground infrastructure.

At this point in time there are no immediate plans for additional tree removal in Mary Street.

QUESTION:

Can I also please confirm exactly how many trees still need to be replaced? Is 34 the correct number, as is being claimed in some corners?

ANSWER:

At this point there is no agenda or timeframe on how many ‘need’ to be replaced.

The trees in Mary Street, like all of our trees in public spaces throughout the region will continue to be monitored for their impact on public safety and surrounding private/community infrastructure.

QUESTION:

What was the cost of removing and replacing the two trees at the end of August?

ANSWER:

The full cost of the recent works at 42-44 Mary Street including tree removal, tree replacement, electrical infrastructure repair/replacement, pathway and underground works and traffic and site control was $21,632.

QUESTION:

What does the council say to this continued criticism that no proof outside a decades-old report presented to council (and contained within minutes) has been presented as to why the trees have to go, and it should be a decision of the councillors and not operations?

ANSWER:

Nil

QUESTION:

Is there any other comment the council would like to make about this matter?

ANSWER:

Nil

 

Gympie Times: 22 September – Private Hospital

QUESTION:

Can I please confirm the cause of the delay? Is it the code?

If the code is the cause, why has it been an issue?

Is there any other comment the council would like to make about the matter?

ANSWER:

The ability to reclassify the existing hospital to the new residential care building is dependent on Council approval of a material change of use development approval.

Council have not received any official applications in respect of this or for other Planning or Building Code related matters to date, however Council is aware that the building is not compliant with the Queensland Development Code.

Noncompliance with this code will impact State Government’s decision as to whether they will issue the required operating licence for the new residential care facility.

Adrian Burns, Director of Community Sustainability