Some Feedback and Information for the Community from Councillor Jennifer 
Downs.


 1.
Mission Beach needs a BUG!  A Bicycle Users Group!  This week, Director of 
Works, Mr. David Trotter and I drove from South Mission Beach to Bingil Bay 
to view the issues that need to be overcome to establish a bikeway for our 
region.  Initially, the focus will be on Cassowary Drive from Wongaling 
Shops (possibly through Mission Shores development and access Cassowary 
Drive from there - which eliminates some narrow road verges that ultimately 
will require widening to allow safe bikeway) to Marcs Park.  Anyone 
interested in becoming a member of the Mission Beach Bicycle Users Group 
should telephone me and express their interest.  I will subsequently call a 
meeting of all interested parties.  This will form just one part of the 
consultation proces as residents affected by bikeways will of course be 
given the opportunity to have their say.
 2.
Thank you to those Community Leaders who recently met with consultants to 
assist the Council's Corporate Planning Process.  Good quality information 
has been received from all sectors.  The Mission Beach public meeting that 
was unfortunately cancelled because of bad weather will be offered again 
when the consultants return in a couple of weeks with a draft plan.  At that 
stage, a Mission Beach public meeting will be re-advertised, and members of 
the public will still be able to offer their comments.
 3.
A question was asked at a recent MBCA meeting regarding Fluoridation of our 
water supply.  After checking with our Officers, I can advise that this is 
not required until 2012.  In the southern end of our region, as the water is 
treated differently (i.e. not a water treatment plant) it may never be added 
to the water supply.
 4.
Some residents may be aware that our Council was given an amount of $357,000 
in the recent round of ''Regional and Local Community Infrastructure 
Program''.  At a workshop yesterday to decide how best to allocate the funds 
the following criteria was used:

 *   The projects offered had to meet the Federal Government guidelines
 *   The project needed to be for an existing asset - not new
 *   Needed to  be previously identified but not funded
 *   Needed to be project-ready (tight time lines apply)
 *   Needed community recognition/visibility
 *   There needed to be capacity to manage/deliver
 *   There needed to be regional equity.

The projects proposed will need to be accepted at this week's Council 
meeting - and then pass through the criteria set by the Federal Government 
process so there is no absolute certainty that the list below will be 
accepted. The draft projects are:

 *   Replace the Igloo floor
 *   Close in the Conservatorium - including disabled access
 *   Covered Walkway in the IGA Carpark Innisfail - disabled access
 *   Cover and fence Rotary Park Playground
 *   Coronation Drive Walkway - lighting
 *   Canecutter Monument - Covered Viewing Platform
 *   Footbridge - part of Bikeway Project - Mission Beach
 *   Refurbish Mission Beach Visitor Centre.

Council staff have a big job ahead to prepare all quotes, designs etc to fit 
the tight timelines offered by the Federal Government to allocate this 
money.



If any member of our community has any questions or comments on any of the 
above information, kindly telephone me on 0400 330 870.

Regards and best wishes for the year ahead to all residents, Jennifer.


Jennifer Downs - Councillor
Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Mobile: 0400 330 870
Email: jdowns@ccrc.qld.gov.au