DEVELOPERS CONCERN ON FRASER COAST COUNCIL LIFESTYLE PROJECT PROCESSING TIME DELAYS
“One of the shortcomings of the draft plan is the omission of the site for the proposed Hibiscus Gardens Community Lifestyle Village at St Helens,” he said.
The urban footprint allocation stopped 80 metres short of his site, despite the plan predicting Maryborough’s population to double by 2031 and the majority of development happening in the St Helen’s area.
“However because the application for Hibiscus Gardens was lodged in July 2007 the final assessment of the project is underway in the Fraser Coast council’s planning department after receipt of final approval from Main Roads for the road entrance design.”
He said the council’s approval for Hibiscus Gardens was still possible, however the project stood a greater chance of success if it was included in the regional plan, due for release next year.
Mr Sprake urged the council to give its “robust support” to his submission for the project’s inclusion in the final plan.
“The council now holds the fate of Hibiscus Gardens in its hands.”
Mr Sprake said the 300-lot project for the 27-hectare site on the corner of Hibiscus Street and the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road would bring to the Heritage City a style of residential living for over 55 year-olds, already available in Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Noosa regions.
“When developed the village will be a long-overdue residential lifestyle option which will be of significant community benefit to Maryborough and go some of the way to meeting the anticipated 12,000 homes needed in the city over the next two decades.”
Hibiscus Gardens will include recreation and community buildings, swimming pools, a tennis court, bowling green and golf practice areas as well as a pedestrian and bikeway network.
Meanwhile, property valuer Anne Maddern called all residents to review the State Government’s draft regional plan for Wide Bay and complete submissions before December 24.
For plan details and/or to make submissions online, log on to www.dip.qld.gov.au/widebayburnett
IS THE US DOLLAR ABOUT TO FREE FALL…WATCH THIS PRESENTATION >>
Have come across this presentation of what is about to happen to the US dollar
The info is startling to say the least but worthy of paying attention to.
View the presentation and make up your own mind
Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha
STAFF SPECIALIST POSITION AVAILABLE IN HERVEY BAY WITH HIGH VALUE PACKAGE
- Beautiful Coastal Location – Excellent Lifestyle Opportunity
- Fantastic Remuneration Package 375K+++
- Fantastic Leadership and Support – Post Starts Jan/Feb 2011
Staff Specialist (Intensivist)
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QLD SMART BUSINESS BULLETIN ON NEW COMMERCE REGULATIONS
December 2010
Message from the Minister
Welcome to a special ‘Australian Consumer Law’ edition of the Smart Business Bulletin.
The introduction of the Australian Consumer Law on 1 January 2011 will bring a number of important changes to the Queensland marketplace. For the first time businesses trading across state borders will be regulated by a single set of rules, and consumers will enjoy a broader range of protections covering a greater range of transactions.
This special edition is designed to give you an overview of the Australian Consumer Law and how it may affect your business.
For more information visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.
Peter Lawlor MP
Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading
Introduction to the Australian Consumer Law
On 1 January 2011, a single, national consumer protection and fair trading law will commence across Australia. It will mean that businesses only have to comply with one fair trading law, regardless of where they are located in Australia.
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) replaces the Commonwealth Trade Practices Act 1974 and large sections of Queensland’s Fair Trading Act 1989. The new Commonwealth Act will be called the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
The ACL is designed to:
- reduce costs to business, as they will only need to comply with one set of national laws
- enable the confident participation of consumers in markets in which both consumers and businesses trade fairly
- improve consumer wellbeing through consumer empowerment and protection
- foster competition.
It is essential that businesses and legal practitioners familiarise themselves with the new legislation to ensure compliance from 1 January 2011.
A series of guides are available, covering:
- consumer guarantees – an updated set of rights and remedies, similar to Queensland’s current refund and warranty laws
- sales practices – provisions relating to door-to-door trading, telemarketing, the unsolicited supply of goods and services, lay-by agreements and how goods and services are priced
- avoiding unfair business practices – advice on avoiding activities that constitute misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations
- product safety – a new national regime will commence as part of the ACL
- unfair contract terms – a court will be able to void unfair terms in standard form consumer contracts.
From 1 January 2011, you will be able to order hard copies of these resources from the Queensland Government bookshop.
What’s changing for Queensland businesses?
The provisions of the ACL are drawn from Australia’s existing fair trading laws, so most businesses will already be familiar with many parts of the ACL.
For Queensland businesses, there are a few significant changes:
- Lay-by agreements must now be in writing and clearly expressed in plain language. If a consumer terminates a lay-by agreement, the business may only charge a reasonable termination fee (one that covers its costs).
- A business cannot display a price that is only part of the total cost of an item, without also displaying the total cost as prominently as the part cost. For example, if a consumer must sign a two year contract to qualify for a particular deal, you must display the minimum cost over the two years of the contract, not just a monthly cost.
- The provisions for door-to-door sales have changed. A consumer is now entitled to a 10 business day cooling-off period. To assist businesses with the transition to these new rules, a business may comply with either the ACL or the pre-existing Queensland laws, up to 30 June 2011.
- A national regime for product safety will be introduced. Governments will have increased power to issue safety warning notices to the public, issue temporary or permanent bans on unsafe products and compel a business to recall an unsafe product. Anyone involved in the supply chain of a product who becomes aware that it has caused death or serious injury/illness must notify the ACCC.
Seminars
In early 2011, fair trading experts will be conducting seminars for businesses and consumers throughout Queensland.
Business’ new obligations under the law will be discussed, and fair trading experts will be available to answer your questions.
The seminars are free and open to anyone. Places are limited, so please RSVP by filling in the online form.
| Date | Town/Suburb | Location | Time |
| Mon 31 Jan | Brisbane | Ground Floor, Primary Industries Building 80 Ann St, Brisbane City |
Businesses: 5:15pm and 7:15pm |
| Wed 2 Feb | Cairns | Holiday Inn Cairns Cnr Esplanade and Florence Street |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Mon 7 Feb | Brisbane North | Kedron/Wavell RSL 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Wed 9 Feb | Mt Isa | All Seasons Verona Hotel Cnr Marian Street and Camooweal Street |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Thu 10 Feb | Townsville | The Shoredrive Motel 118 The Strand |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Mon 14 Feb | Brisbane South | Pacific Golf Club 430 Pine Mountain Road, Carindale |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Wed 16 Feb | Rockhampton | Rockhampton Leagues Club Cnr Cambridge Street and George Street |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Mon 21 Feb | Toowoomba | Shamrock Hotel Motel 4 Ruthven Street |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Tue 22 Feb | Gold Coast | Quality Hotel Sunshine Boulevard, Mermaid Waters |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Wed 23 Feb | Caboolture | Centenary Lakes Function Centre Riverview Street |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Mon 28 Feb | Sunshine Coast | Maroochydore Surf Club 34-36 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Tue 1 Mar | Hervey Bay | Hervey Bay RSL and Services Memorial Club 11 Torquay Road, Pialba |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Fri 4 Mar | Ipswich | Metro Hotel Ipswich International 43 South Street |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Mon 7 Mar | Mackay | Quest Mackay 38 Macalister Street |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Thu 10 Mar | Longreach | Longreach Civic Centre 96A Eagle Street |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
| Mon 14 Mar | Roma | Roma Explorers Inn Warrego Highway |
Consumers: 5:30pm Businesses: 7:00pm |
Video resources
A general introduction to the ACL, focusing on consumer guarantees and sales practices, was presented on 26 October. Click here to watch the video.
A product safety presentation, discussing mandatory reporting and recalls, was hosted on 12 November. Click here to watch the video.
A training module for businesses, focusing on consumer guarantees, has been produced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Watch or download the video here.
Received & published by Henry Sapiecha
HOME & BUSINESS LIGHTING SPECTACULAR AT THE FRASER COAST
Christmas Lights Competition
Light up The Fraser Coast
(includes a Section for Businesses)
It is that time of year again when the residents of The Fraser Coast know how to put on a light show. They have untangled the cords, replaced the light bulbs, and spent hours ensuring that their light display will put a smile on your face.
For the first time, in many years, the Light Up The Fraser Coast Christmas Lights Competition includes a section for businesses.
If you would like to nominate a business for the competition, CLICK HERE to download a nomination form.
ENTRIES CLOSE 10 DECEMBER, 2010
For more information, visit the Fraser Coast Regional Council website at www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au
Received & published by Henry Sapiecha
HERVEY BAY MARINA DEVELOPMENT SHELVED
| Neville Slams Shelving of Marina Development
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| Wednesday, 27 October 2010 |
Federal Member for Hinkler Paul Neville has slammed the State Government’s decision to shelve the Hervey Bay marina redevelopment, saying Labor’s incompetence had delivered a crippling blow to the entire region.
“I cannot believe the breathtaking cynicism of the Premier and then-State Member and Minister Andrew McNamara taking the political credit for the project at the time, and then have the Premier blithely walk away from it,” he said.
“The Fraser Coast is now reaping the bitter harvest sown by Labor, losing the jobs, growth and prosperity which would have flowed from the marina redevelopment, all because Anna Bligh and her colleagues have mangled Queensland’s economy.”
Mr Neville said the Hervey Bay area had a relatively constrained industry profile, with few medium and large industries to rely on.
“Surely the State Government realises that the Wide Bay’s unemployment levels are amongst the worst in Australia.
“In October 2007 the region’s unemployment rate was 3.4 per cent – now it is 9.3 per cent.
“The entire region would have benefited enormously from the marina redevelopment.
“This is a lifestyle, seachange and tourist community and the project would have raised tourism to a whole new level of activity, with a flow on effect to other related businesses.
“What the State Government has offered in place of the redevelopment is piffling by comparison.
“Quite frankly, if the Bligh Government is only prepared to carry out relatively small upgrades to recreational boating facilities, it should look immediately to improving facilities at Burrum Heads.
“The existing small boat facilities are little short of dangerous. The relevant State Government department knows about this because it had officers sitting on a committee chaired by Chris Foley which was investigating the issue.
“If we can’t have progress, let’s at least have safety.”
Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha
FRASER COAST COMMUNITY CARE SERVICES FUNDING
| More Than $2 Million for Fraser Coast Home and Community Care Services |
| Tuesday, 16 November 2010 |
Almost $2.4 million has come into Home and Community Care services on the Fraser Coast, including $1.8 million to secure a site for a new respite service to be run by the Kalang Respite Care Centre Aboriginal Corporation.
Local Federal Member Paul Neville said the entire allocation of funding was a much-needed boost for local support agencies, and meant aged and frail people could stay in their own homes longer.
“We know the majority of people prefer to continue living in their own homes, and HACC services can provide people with that option while giving them greater independence.
“This funding will help these organisations provide services which maintain and improve the quality of life for older and disabled Australians.
“Without services such as domestic assistance, centre-based day care, meals, transport and home nursing, many local older residents and people with disabilities would have to move into residential care facilities, rather than stay in their own homes.”
Details of the local grants are:
• Kalang Respite Care Centre – $1.8 million to secure land and construction of a new building to provide centre-based day care and social support services
• Kalang Respite Care Centre – $139,838 for a new bus
• Kalang Respite Care Centre – $195,791for allied health care, centre-based day care, domestic help, meals, transport and social support
• Blue Care Fraser Coast – an extra $176,984 for domestic help, health and personal care and centre-based day care
• The Hervey Bay Day Care and Respite Centre – $8,576 for allied health care and centre-based day care in Hervey Bay
• The Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre TransComCare – $5,994 for transport of clients
• Burrum District Respite Association – $5,298 for centre-based day care
• Centacare Fraser Coast – $39,784 for domestic help, social support, personal and respite care
• Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Multicultural Respite Service – $5,955 for social support, centre-based day car and respite care
• Hervey Bay Home Assist Secure – $7,385 for domestic help and home maintenance services
• Wide Bay Respite Services Association – $4,618 for respite care services
• Hervey Bay Meals on Wheels – $15,510 for a new gas range and planetary mixer to help with meal preparation
Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha
WIDE BAY BURNETT UNEMPLOYMENT AVERAGES 6.8%
| Average Unemployment In Wide Bay Burnett 6.8 Per Cent | |
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REZONING OF LAND PARCELS BY COUNCIL TO FIT IN WITH PROPOSED EVELOPMENTS IN THE FRASER COAST REGION
Hervey Bay City Planning Scheme Draft Amendments
Council is proposing to amend the Hervey Bay City Planning Scheme in order to provide a sound planning tool to manage development within the former Hervey Bay City local government area until the completion of a consolidated scheme for the Fraser Coast Regional Council area.
You are invited to review the proposed amendments and lodge a submission during the public notification period, which extends from 29 November 2010 to 31 January 2011.
- Public Notice
- Mapping Schedule
- Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha
BUSINESS EXPO AT THE FRASER COAST QLD IN FEB 2011
DATE CLAIMER – 16TH FEBRUARY, 2011
VENUE: USQ HERVEY BAY
The inaugural Fraser Coast Biz Expo will be held on the 16th February 2011 at the University of Southern Queensland, Hervey Bay Campus. This exciting event will provide the business people and the community of the Fraser Coast with the answers to:
- Where the Fraser Coast is headed
- Where to get help for your business
- How to make your business more profitable
This event will provide the business community with valuable tools and advice to take back to their organisation. Anticipated topics include social media, marketing, banking and finance, industrial relations, tendering processes, customer service, employee skilling and retention, advertising, case studies of successful businesses and more.
The event is an initiative of the following:
- Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Maryborough Chamber of Commerce
- University of Southern Queensland
- Wide Bay Institute of TAFE
- Fraser Coast Regional Council
- Queensland Government – Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
Who should attend?
- Business people on the Fraser Coast
- People wanting to start a business
- Anyone interested in the future of the Fraser Coast
- Anyone looking for new ideas to improve their future.
For more information about this event please contact, Sharon Philp, Secretary of the Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce on 0404 192 600 OR e-mail
admin@herveybaychamber.asn.au
RESERVE THE 16th February 2011 in YOUR DIARY NOW
More information will be available after Christmas
*errors and omissions excluded, event specifics are subject to change
Received & published by Henry Sapiecha