Vote goes against Mayor Team Hill snub for leader

MAYOR Jenny Hill has been rolled by her own team, failing to convince her fellow councillors that allowing a service station in a residential area sets a worrying precedent.

The 10 Team Hill councillors all voted in favour of a material change of use to permit the development, while Cr Hill was the odd one out, raising her hand in opposition.

Meanwhile, anti- Adani protesters were outside the council meeting chambers yesterday, banging on the doors and windows and chanting “release the minutes”.

Martin Corporation ( NQ) Pty Ltd lodged the application for material change of use over vacant residential land at 206- 210 Nathan St next to Cedar Lodge.

The company wants to develop a service station and fast- food outlet with drive- through on a 3000sq m holding identified in the town plan as medium density residential suited for units up to five levels.

Speaking after the meeting, Cr Hill was not swayed.

“I fundamentally believe in supporting the strategic framework because I believe it’s important,” she said.

“I don’t know if residents around there realise how important it is in terms of what it means to their lots.

“There’s not much more that I can do apart from quote the reasoning why.

“I have a fundamental view that supporting commercial use inside a centre zone like this might have implications for ( other areas of) future medium density residential development.”

The council’s planning officer recommended approval.

It represented a suitable alternative land use outcome and there were sufficient grounds to justify an approval, according to a council summary.

Planning chairman said he supported the ommendation.

“The material change of use, I think, is a good one,” Cr Walker said.

Cr Colleen Doyle said she had “no reservations on this occasion”.

“There’s been no move to develop residential stock. I think it’s better to see some activity and activation of the site,” Cr Doyle said.

Cr Maurie Soars said everyone he had spoken to was supportive of moving forward with the development.

Cr Hill played down any disruption to the meeting caused by protesters.

She said the council’s support for helping to finance an airport for the Carmichael coal project remained on the table. Les Walker officer’s rec-