There was a resolution on the table and five out of seven Councillors has voted for it, but Whitsunday Mayor Jennifer Whitney felt it was going to be “the nail in the coffin for the people of Airlie Beach” and made one last attempt to ensure it wouldn’t go ahead. At last week’s Council meeting in Proserpine, Deputy Mayor Andrew Willcox moved a motion that Council adopt version four of its contentious draft town planning scheme, amended to feature lower building heights along Shute Harbour Road, at Port of Airlie and in the area around Waterson Way, and open to further community consultation for 30 business days.
Within a matter of hours Cr Whitney had put in a repeal “which is quite lawful and legal because that motion’s not enacted,” she said. Council’s CEO Barry Omundson said the matter would now need to come back to the Council in the new year.”Essentially I’m not able to take any action (now) until that motion is debated again at the next Council meeting of January 27,” he said.
Mr Omundson explained that under the Local Government Act, “a decision of Council is able to be repealed or rescinded if it hasn’t been acted upon”. He said the mayor “came and saw me immediately”after last week;s meeting, so no action has been taken nor would be until the first Council meeting of January
Courtesy of ABC Tropical North Hannah Walsh and Tegan Philpott Whitsundays welcomes cruise ship passengers ashore for first time in more than two years. Key Points: Cruising was worth $10 million a year to the local economy before COVID-19. 40 to 50 ships will stop in Airlie Beach between now … Read more
The Whitsundays’ annual Great Barrier Reef Festival is renowned for being a family-friendly celebration of life in the Heart of Australia’s World-Heritage-Listed wonderland – and this year, there’s an added focus on reef experiences. Throughout its four days of mainland activities, the festival has typically brought the reef to the … Read more