CHAMBER NOT GIVING UP ON WHITSUNDAY ESTATE

RESIDENTS filled the council chamber gallery and some had to be relocated to a separate room to watch a major decision unfold for the $1.1bn Whitsunday Paradise development.

Bowen Chamber of Commerce chairman Bruce Hedditch managed to snag a front-row seat as the council voted not to cover $20m in infrastructure costs for the project.

Whitsunday Mayor Andrew Willcox spoke passionately about ratepayers not footing the bill for the water and sewer infrastructure works.

However, developers say ratepayers would not have to cough up the cash.

Mr Hedditch has been an advocate for the project as he said it held “immense” importance for Bowen.

After the councillors discussed the issue of costs and conducted their vote, Mr Hedditch said he understood the development should not be approved at the ratepayers’ expense.

“I am still fully supportive of it, I think it is good for the area and it is going to be excellent for Bowen,” Mr Hedditch said.

“The two parties are wanting it to happen and issues have gotten in the road that are preventing common sense from prevailing.”

Mr Hedditch said he would liaise with the mayor and developers to find a way to move the project forward.

He said he was disappointed developers had warned the issue could proceed to court if an agreement could not be reached.

“I will be speaking to them to see if we can come up with a different approach,” he said.

“The developer has got to compromise, they have got to respect the Local Government Act and they have got to respect the council’s policies.

“But at the same time, the council has got to realise this is a major development.”

A RAFT of changes have been made to Whitsunday Regional Council’s cemeteries policy in the wake of community uproar about the previous policy.

At Wednesday’s council meeting, Whitsunday councillors unanimously voted to revoke the former policy and adopt a revised policy.

The new contentious policy points addressed that drew harsh community criticism earlier this month.

Amendments now allow flowers and wreaths to be placed directly on graves for two months after interment, rather than one month, and adornments on graves if they are secured and do not encroach on other graves.

Residents would also be able to provide their own vase if it was 300mm high or less, did not encroach on other graves and was made of concrete, granite or another durable material.

Council staff would not remove any items of value falling outside the policy without three attempts to contact the next of kin or family members.

If the council could not make contact, the items would be stored for two months at the nearest council office.

At Wednesday’s council meeting, infrastructure services acting director Adam Hagy said a review was undertaken of policies at the other 77 Queensland councils to guide the new cemeteries policy.

Mr Hagy said a more “sensitive” approach would be taken.

The council came under fire last month after it sent out letters and a social media post asking residents to visit their gravesite and remove any excess memorabilia, ornaments or flowers.

The post attracted hundreds of comments, with