LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN REFINED AND RENEWED
Redland City Council has adopted an updated Disaster Management Plan for Redlands Coast.
City Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Karen Williams said the plan had been updated to incorporate the newly developed Australian Warning System (AWS), as well as including changes to better streamline the plan’s review process.
“The AWS is a new national approach to information and Calls to Actions for hazards like bushfire, flood, storm, cyclone, extreme heat and severe weather, and utilises a nationally consistent set of icons,” Cr Williams said.
“This system was designed to deliver a more consistent approach to these types of emergencies, no matter where you are in the country.”
Cr Williams said the plan now incorporated a planning cycle and planning map to assist its review and update process.
“This will ensure that the plan is reviewed and renewed in line with the annual review period set by the Inspector General of Emergency Management,” she said.
“Council’s local Disaster Management Plan is a critical strategic document that outlines how disaster management is coordinated throughout Redlands Coast.
“It ensures the city and the islands not only prepares for and responds to a disaster, but just as importantly recovers from an event.
“As we move closer to the summer bushfire season, it is an opportune time for the community to review the practical information in the plan to help you prepare yourself, your home and your business for a potential disaster.”
The updated Disaster Management Plan adopted at council’s most recent general meeting is available to read at: Redlands Disaster Plan | disaster plan information for Redland City
CITY PLAN AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT HOUSING AFFORDABILITY Redland City Council is introducing provisions around the size and scale for secondary dwellings in its City Plan to protect the enviable amenity of Redlands Coast while continuing to support their use as affordable housing options. City Mayor Karen Williams said small-scale secondary dwellings will continue to not require Council approval and will not be levied infrastructure charges under the changes. “They can be occupied by family members or rented out. This amendment is not about stopping genuine secondary dwellings,” she said. “It is designed to ensure property owners who are taking advantage of the secondary dwelling definition changes made recently by the State Government are paying appropriate infrastructure charges if they are building large dwellings. Amendments to the Amenity and Aesthetics Policy and Guideline that were adopted by Council at its most recent general meeting, propose limits on the gross floor area of secondary dwellings (85sqm where the lot size is less than 1000sqm, 112sqm where the lot size is 1000sqm or more, and 160sqm in a Rural Zone where the lot is 6000sqm or more) Cr Williams said, in some cases, secondary dwellings resembling a dual occupancy in size and operation were being established and they had an impact on residential amenity. “This goes beyond the original intent where secondary dwellings were more commonly built as granny flats for elderly parents, or teenager retreats for adult children,” Cr Williams said. The amendment follows State legislative changes that came into effect on 23 September last year. The changes to the Amenity and Aesthetics Policy and Guideline will take effect on 1 February 2024, along with changes to the Adopted Infrastructure Charges resolution.