Precinct Update for April 2010

Another three months have come and gone with most of the MDSRC committee’s time being consumed by the Precinct. I am however pleased to report that there have at last been some very positive developments. The professional team of Gamble McKinnon Green (Council’s external consultants) have put on the table a proposal that has real merit. Certainly there have been changes to the original concept plans and some of these are very definitely for the better, some are for topographical reasons, but sadly, some continue to limit options for idealogical reasons. We await a press release from Councillor Jenny McKay. There has also been useful discussion regarding access roads and the Primary School, as the significance of the Precinct and its relationship to the broader community is at last becoming accepted. To this end local State Member Andrew Powell has become more involved in related matters and brought another dimension to this exercise. It is anticipated that there will be at least one more very important meeting related to governance before Council’s report goes to the strategic planning committee, general committee and ordinary meeting, all scheduled for the first half of June 2010. Whilst talk has dominated our lives, we have to congratulate the Maleny Golf Club for their success in obtaining the necessary approvals for their driving range, and for obtaining the necessary equipment that will make the facility operational in the near future. We look forward to hearing when the opening day will be. Council has commenced work at Witta Recreation Club with regard to drainage of their main fields, and the installation of underground cables for the lights. There have been a few hiccups regarding layout but Council and the Witta club committee are in the process of resolving these problems. Mike Norman MDSRC www.mdsarcinc.com