2015-11-10 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                               10 NOVEMBER 2015


7.   OPW15/0142 20 Topaz St Cooroy. Pre Start this week.
8.   OPW15/0134 60 Hofmann Dr Noosaville. 30 Unit development. Pre start this week - 2
     November 2015.
During construction, officers undertake regular and targeted inspection of the construction sites
to ensure works proceed in accordance with the conditions of approval and meet required
standards. It also ensures that any infrastructure provided to Council as an asset is of an
acceptable standard by undertaking “On Maintenance” and “Off Maintenance” inspections.
Notably, footpath works completed for recent stages for Doonella failed during the ‘on
maintenance period’ and the developer has been directed and agreed to fully replace these
pathways.


3.    People

The Development Assessment area currently has 15.5 full-time equivalent persons in the team to
deliver the range of activities, including 3 Planners, 2 Engineering Officers and 1 Infrastructure
Plan and Charges Officer.

The activities undertaken by Development Assessment are currently delivered predominantly
internally with specialist consultants engaged dependent on the application assessment
requirements including hydrology, economic, environmental (odour) and noise.

Staff are currently fully engaged in DA activities with some lag time experienced during times of
leave and difficulties in completing new initiatives. In November 2015, 1 Planner will commence
long service leave for 3 months, with a second planner also taking extended leave from February
2016 to November 2016. A Development Planner’s position for 12 months has been advertised
to maintain service levels during this time and is expected to be filled shortly at the time of writing
this report. There have also been changes in administration staff due to one officer successfully
obtaining a position in another Department. Any changes in staff impact on the team’s ability to
maintain the same service levels due to the specialised nature of the work and time required to
train staff.

There are also a number of staff in the team, including 2 Engineering Officers and an
Administration Officer who may be considering retirement in the near future and succession
planning will be an important consideration going forward.

4.    Systems and Processes

Work is continuing on the recommendations included in the Service Review of the DA Planning
Team, with the following projects completed and/or underway:
   Review of Operational Works conditions completed
   Agreed process in place for involvement of Infrastructure Officers in assessment and pre
     on maintenance inspections, with process documented completed
   Establish set meeting times for pre-lodgement meetings underway
   Training for Administration Officers in tech One property (proforma development) underway
   Assist in updating current standard engineering drawings underway
   Review all bonds held by Council to determine if bond is still required or should be returned
     underway
    Develop a Standard Property Search underway




                                                                                     Page 117 of 201