Thank you to all those who have provided a submission so far.

The community consultation period has been extended for a further three weeks. Check Council's website for details scenicrim.qld.gov.au.

COUNCIL LIBRARY DESIGN GETS A FAIL
Following on from my last mention of this, I have learned from a qualified resident that under the Building Code of Australia, a Library is classified as an Assembly Building class 9(b), and it stipulates that male and female toilets are required according to a formula in the Code. When I asked the question in the Council meeting of 22nd February, I was also advised that the new Library would be built according to the Code. 

So now, after I was advised of the Code requirements, I note the new Library is being referenced not as a new Library but as a "Refurbishment". Well, it's a completely new $2.1 million-dollar new, changed Library use, and it's not a supermarket being refurbished. 

It also came to light in the operational Plan Quarter 2 (September to December 2021) report that Council had received four concept plans from the architect and that they were going to be considered by Council in early February 2022. Well, we weren't told this, and these other concepts were never shown to us or even mentioned. 

I moved a motion that Councillors be shown these plans, and it was defeated in a 4/2 vote. The Mayor, Councillor Christensen, then moved an amendment to the motion that: 
Council acknowledges that the Mayor has directed the CEO to make all "Grammatical and Minor Amendments" consistent with the clarifications provided in the meeting...

The resolution went on to pinpoint the "inconvenient" words by calling them "the third dot point on page 86 of the draft operational plan quarter two progress report".

The actual words that were referred to were under the heading "Libraries" on Page 89 of the Ordinary meeting agenda and read:
"Four concept designs have been developed for the new Tamborine Mountain Library Space. These plans will be presented to the Councillors and Executive team to select the final design early in 2022."

Well, we never saw them, and it is apparent that they didn't want the elected Councillors interfering with their plans. Is Council acting in our best interest? Now the answer is to authorise the CEO to modify the inconvenient words! You be the judge. 

On another matter, I thank the person who wrote to me in appreciation for reiterating in my last column the extract from the Council's new Customer Charter: 
- We'll acknowledge you and listen to your needs.
- We'll follow through and act in the Community's interest always.
- We'll be open and honest always.
- We want to be loved by the Community. You're the ultimate reason we are here. It's important to us that you love the work we do and that you love dealing with us. 

JUDITH WRIGHT BOARDWALK IN DISREPAIR 
This is a major asset on Tamborine Mountain for locals and tourists. I recently did an inspection of this boardwalk on Eagle Heights Road, starting from the Anglican Church corner towards Gallery Walk. I was quite shocked it had fallen into such disrepair. Council prides itself and boasts about its asset management plans that are designed to see that our assets are renewed and maintenance is kept up to date. Somehow, they don't seem to be working for Tamborine Mountain in this instance and don't get me started on the state of our roads. I hear you loud and clear! I have requested that urgent work be done on this asset before it is beyond repair. 

(Photos of Boardwalk damage)

STAFFSMITH PARK NEW TOILET BLOCK, REGRETTABLY, IS ANOTHER FAILURE 
Councillors are constantly reminded we are not to be involved in operations, but when basic and simple operational tasks are carried out to the detriment rather than the benefit of ratepayers, I must question this philosophy that seems to suggest Councillors don't need to be consulted.
 
I was not consulted on any aspect of the new toilet block on Staffsmith Park. Now we are left with about 25% OF THE PARK PLAY AREA BEING unusable, simply because of the new transpiration areas reaching into the playing area and which have permanent bollards concreted into the ground about five steps from the cricket pitch. 

I had talked to old-timers who remembered when fixtures were played on these grounds going back 100 years, and others recall half a century ago to the present when visitors to the park enjoyed playing family cricket on this oval. Now, all that is gone because your elected representative wasn't consulted. Surely common sense would suggest a problem.

(Photos of Staffsmith Park block)

CEO CONTRACT RENEWAL SAGA FINALLY RESOLVED
The minutes of the Special Meeting of Council dated 3rd February 2022, which ended on the 17th of February, show that the CEO saga finally came to a conclusion with assistance at the re-adjourned meeting of 17th February from the Department of Local Government Senior Officers and the Managing Partner from King and Company Solicitors. Never in my career have I seen a process as poor as this, which altogether dragged on from September 2021 and was an attempt to reverse a majority decision of Council to not reappoint the present CEO when his contract finished. 

You can find these meeting minutes online or request help from me to access them, and you can be the judge of the behaviour of many of your elected leaders in our Community.

The CEO's last day with Scenic Rim Council is resolved as the 22nd of August 2022. 

Derek Swanborough
 Councillor. Division 1
 derek.s@scenicrim.qld.gov.au
 Ph 0436 351 567