Reports from Executive 5

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OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF TWEED RESERVES TRUST HELD WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2003

CHAIRMAN

Items for Consideration of the Trust

Reports from Executive 5

1. ORIGIN: Environment & Health Services Unit 5

Call for Expressions of Interest to Operate Markets - Kingscliff, Pottsville, Knox Park - Murwillumbah and Recreation Reserve - Tweed Heads 5

2. ORIGIN: Recreation Services Unit 9

Tweed Heads Pony Club - Draft Plan of Management 9

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Items for Consideration of the Trust Items for Consideration of the Trust Items for Consideration of the Trust Items for Consideration of the Trust

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CHAIRMAN

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Reports from Executive

1. ORIGIN: Environment & Health Services Unit FILE REF: Markets - General

REPORT TITLE:

Call for Expressions of Interest to Operate Markets - Kingscliff, Pottsville, Knox Park - Murwillumbah and Recreation Reserve - Tweed Heads

SUMMARY OF REPORT:

The current approvals to conduct the markets at Kingscliff, Tweed Heads Recreation Ground, Knox Park Murwillumbah and Pottsville expire on 30 June 2003.

Previously Council and the Reserves Trust has called for expressions of interest from the community to determine the most suitable applicant.

Given the impending expiry date it is appropriate that expressions of interest now be sought to allow the approval process to proceed.

A separate report will be put to Council regarding this matter.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Reserves Trust consents to the calling of expressions of interest from persons wishing to operate the Kingscliff, Tweed Heads - Recreation Ground, Knox Park - Murwillumbah and Pottsville markets from 1 July 2003 for a three year period.

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CHAIRMAN

REPORT:

The current approvals to conduct the markets at Kingscliff, Tweed Heads Recreation Ground, Knox Park Murwillumbah and Pottsville expire on 30 June 2003.

Previously Council and the Trust have called for expressions of interest to determine the most suitable applicant.

Given the impending expiry date of June 2003 it is appropriate that expressions of interest now be called.

Previously, approvals were granted for a 3 year period.

The markets have not been the subject of any major incidents or complaints to Council or the Trust.

They benefit the community, encourage visitors and tourists and provide income to stall holders and participants. Therefore it is considered appropriate that the Trust continue to consent to operation of the markets.

It is likely that the existing market managers of the Kingscliff, Pottsville, Knox Park Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads Recreation Ground Markets will seek to have their existing approvals to operate the markets extended.

However, it is appropriate that Council seek, through public expressions of interest, the most appropriate person or group to manage the markets, rather than simply continuing to renew approvals to the existing managers. It may well be that following this process the existing managers are the successful applicants.

This type of competitive process may result in improvements in terms of payments to Council for use of the respective area for markets, and also achieving the best possible management practices are in place.

The existing managers pay to Council 15% of total income from stall fees. In calling for expressions of interest a successful applicant may be willing to pay to Council a higher percentage.

The criteria on which expressions of interest are likely to be assessed are:

• Suitable experience in market operations or management of like or community activities

• Demonstrated business operation skills

• Willingness to comply with Council policies

• Financial return to Council

• Possible benefits to community based organisations

• Ability to establish and maintain an accountable record system for stall fees received

• Submissions which provide details of proposed improvements to Market operation

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CONCLUSION

It is appropriate that Council call for expressions of interest to operate the markets prior to making a determination about approvals. This will permit the most advantageous submission and resulting improvements to be identified. The outcome of this process will be reported to Council and the Reserves Trust.

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2. ORIGIN: Recreation Services Unit FILE REF: PF4140/9010

REPORT TITLE:

Tweed Heads Pony Club - Draft Plan of Management SUMMARY OF REPORT:

At its meeting held 10 July 2002 Council resolved to renew a licence over Lot 319 DP755740 for Public Recreation being the Tweed Heads Pony Club.

Condition 4 of this resolution states:

“A Plan of Management to be prepared by the Pony Club for the areas containing the rare ground orchids and the south west zone affected by salt incursion is to be submitted for Council approval and be submitted to the National Parks and Wildlife Service as well as the Department of Land and Water Conservation.”

A Plan of Management has been endorsed by the National Parks and Wildlife Services and Department of Land and Water Conservation and is presented to Council for approval.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Trust notifies the Minister for Land and Water Conservation of its approval of the Draft Plan of Management for Reserve 59360 for Public Recreation – Tweed Heads submitted 3 February 2003 subject to the following amendment:

The table on page 14 Environmental Protection Zone – management strategy. The last sentence of the eighth action states;

“Limit horse riding through the environmental protection zone”.

This sentence to be deleted and replaced with the following;

“No horse riding in the environmental protection zone”.

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CHAIRMAN

REPORT:

At its meeting held 10 July 2002 Council resolved to renew a licence over Lot 319 DP755740 for Public Recreation being the Tweed Heads Pony Club.

Condition 4 of this resolution states:

“A Plan of Management to be prepared by the Pony Club for the areas containing the rare ground orchids and the south west zone affected by salt incursion is to be submitted for Council approval and be submitted to the National Parks and Wildlife Service as well as the Department of Land and Water Conservation.”

The information requested of the management plan was submitted to the Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC). DLWC’s Land Access Unit subsequently expanded the submitted plan to include all the requirements of a Plan of Management under the Crown Lands Act 1989.

Correspondence received by DLWC accompanying the Draft Plan of Management outlining the process is reproduced below:

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Subsequent discussion with Pony Club representatives have noted that a minor amendment agreed with DLWC was not changed for the Draft Plan.

The amendment is:

The table on page 14 Environmental Protection Zone – management strategy. The last sentence of the eighth action states;

“Limit horse riding through the environmental protection zone”.

This sentence to be deleted and replaced with the following:-

“No horse riding in the environmental protection zone”.

Therefore, it is recommended the Trust notifies DLWC of its approval of the plan, subject to the above amendment.

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CHAIRMAN