FC at the top table

 Key points:

• Fraser Coast Planning Director in Brisbane for key inter-agency meeting led by UDIA
• Model Code and Koalas discussed with regard to the region
• Opportunity for better statewide coordinate between all levels of government and industry.

Koalas and the Model Code were among key issues raised by Fraser Coast Regional Council Director Development and Community Gerard Carlyon at a high-powered meeting of State Government Deputy Directors General and planning heads from Queensland’s biggest councils.

The Institute invited Gerard to join the high-level Industry Advisory Group, one of only two regional Queensland representatives on the group, after discussion with Fraser Coast Branch President Megan Kraft.

The group provides advice and thought leadership to senior industry and government players on the key state instruments designed to achieve inter-governmental coordination in planning, land supply, and infrastructure delivery.

The Institute’s CEO Kirsty Chessher-Brown said having Gerard at the table provides the Fraser Coast region with a unique opportunity to highlight what the implementation of Queensland-wide legislation and regulation means on the ground in this region.

Gerard’s comments on how the Model Code has implications for council budgets arising from the depreciation of mandatory assets was a key example of this opportunity at work.

“The Fraser Coast Branch has worked hard on a number of recent policy submissions and has established an excellent working relationship with council,” said Kirsty.

“Guided by a Memorandum of Understanding that makes the relationship between council and industry 100% transparent and accountable, the branch has been able to leverage the  Institute’s larger network to ensure the Fraser Coast region is represented in the discussions that matter,” she said.