A review of council’s road maintenance and construction practices has moved closer, with the appointment of the Australian Road Research Board to conduct the review.
Mayor Peter Besseling confirmed that work on the review would commence shortly, with a report anticipated back to council by November this year.
“The adopted terms of reference mean that this review will deliver a thorough and independent assessment of council’s prioritisation processes, the specifications currently being used for road design and construction as well as evaluation of industry best practice,” Mayor Besseling said.
“The report will play a critical role in not only evaluating our current road processes but also in ensuring ongoing community confidence in council’s road management operations.”
ROBERTS ELECTED DEPUTY MAYOR
Councillor Adam Roberts has been elected to the position of Deputy Mayor of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for a 12-month term, having run unopposed for the position.
In handing over the office of deputy mayor the councillors formally thanked Councillor Trevor Sargeant for his efforts over the previous year while in the role.The deputy mayor’s role is to conduct any of the functions of the mayor at the mayor’s request or if the mayor is unavailable through illness or absence.
COMMITMENT TO ROAD SAFETY
Council has reaffirmed its commitment to road safety by agreeing to continue funding for the position of Road Safety Officer (RSO).
Council has resolved to continue funding its 50 per cent share of the Roads and Maritime Services Road Safety Program. In doing so it acknowledged that the RSO’s position would become increasingly more important because of the region’s forecast population growth and associated traffic growth.
The RSO is responsible for road safety education but also has input into construction and management of infrastructure to improve the safety of road users and provides road safety advice on special events, bus routing and facilities.
Crash data presented at the council meeting showed speeding was a factor in at least 25 per cent of all crashes in the local government area between 2007 and 2011 compared to fatigue (11 per cent) and alcohol (four per cent). Provisional licence holders were involved in at least 18 per cent of all crashes.
HERITAGE PROJECTS FUNDED
Six projects will receive funding through Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Local Heritage Assistance Fund.
Council and the Local Heritage Office allocated a combined total of $15,100 to a range of projects across the local government area.
The Kendall Community Centre Reserve Trust will receive $3000 for restoration of the facility’s timber floor while the Port Macquarie Historical Museum will receive $5000 to conduct damp and salts works in the museum’s parlour display room.
The East Wing Corporation will receive $3000 for painting and restoration works on the heritage facade of Port Macquarie’s Ritz Theatre and the Mid North Coast Maritime Museum will receive $910 for new lighting and associated ceiling works.
Other successful applicants included Coolenberg HCOA Operations Pty Ltd, which will receive $1915 for the replacement of period exterior lighting and roof and gutter works and the Anglican Church of Port Macquarie, which will receive $1275 for external painting of the historic Colonial Chapel.
FLOODPLAIN PLAN ON EXHIBITION
Council has resolved to place its Hastings River Floodplain Risk Management Plan on exhibition for a period of six weeks.
The plan, more than 10 years in the making, outlines a range of flood management options including flood damage reduction measures (structural measures) and planning measures (non-structural measures).
It recognises there is potential for substantial damages and loss in the lower Hastings River floodplain should any major flooding of the area occur. Areas at greatest risk include North Shore, Settlement Point, Hibbard and parts of the Port Macquarie CBD.
Some of the options discussed in the plan include the construction of North Shore and Settlement Point flood protection levees and the raising of a number of local roads including sections of Settlement Point Road, Hastings River Drive, Fernbank Creek Road, Shoreline Drive and North Shore Drive.
The plan will be on public exhibition from September 23 with copies available at council offices or downloaded from the website www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au
AIRPORT FEEDBACK SOUGHT
Council has resolved to place an addendum to the Port Macquarie Airport Master Plan 2010 on exhibition in order to seek feedback from the community and key stakeholders on the airport’s future development.The draft addendum report has been made necessary by the current airport upgrade and changes to aerodrome standards proposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
In particular it looks at the need for council to undertake further works to comply with the CASA standards for aerodromes capable of dealing with 180-seat Code 4C (B737-800/A320) aircraft.
One of council’s primary objectives for the airport is the development of an airport precinct business park to provide opportunity for commercial property development to promote employment opportunities, facilitate economic development and support the long-term financial viability and sustainability of the airport business.
The draft addendum report identifies areas of the airport site available for this development. The Port Macquarie Airport Master Plan 2010 draft addendum report will be on public exhibition in early October.
