Community Services Committee Meeting briefs

Pioneer Cemetery Conservation Management Plan

A conservation management plan has been prepared to preserve the historic nature of the McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery.

As the resting place for 2500 of Cairns’ earliest residents, the cemetery is listed on the National Trust of Queensland’s Heritage Register.

The conservation management plan suggests an upgrading of the cemetery’s rotunda and additional interpretive resources to increase educational capacity.

It also encourages the revitalisation of the Friends of the McLeod Street Cemetery to provide community participation.

A fence was recently installed in appropriate heritage style to protect the cemetery from vandalism.
Council will actively seek funding opportunities to carry out required improvements and maintenance.

SunSmart Policy

A new policy encouraging sun-smart use of Council owned sporting facilities was today approved by the Community Services Committee.

Under the SunSmart Policy, Council will provide increased shade, where possible, through planting of trees and provision of shade structures.

Council will encourage and assist sporting and community organisations to prepare their own SunSmart Policy and to educate their members about the risks associated with skin cancer and how to avoid them.

Busking Policy changes

A minimal fee will be introduced to assist Council in recovery of costs incurred by in issuing licenses to busking performers in the CBD.

Previously, there was no cost for a three-month busking licence but increased demand has resulted in increased costs to ratepayers through administration requirements and staff resources.

Up to 50 licenses are issued each month, with performers required to pass an audition process before a licence can be issued.

In preparing a revised Busking Policy, Council investigated the cost of busking licences in other tourist cities and the proposed $20 licence fee is significantly lower than in many areas.
The Busking Policy recognises the positive role busking plays in creating a sense of place and entertaining visitors.

All resolutions resulting from the Community Services Committee Meeting 12 September 2012 are to be ratified at the next Ordinary Meeting of Council.