Board Meeting: May 2014 Agenda Number: 4 File Ref: AD0065 LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD Business Paper Chief Executive Officer’s Report to May 2014 Meeting of the Board The following briefing provides an overview of key issues managed by the Board during the reporting period, and their status. It is intended that this document be available to the public as part of the minutes of the meeting. Matters which are subject to confidentiality, business in confidence or legal action are shaded and are not included in the public copy of the report. Number of items excluded from this public edition: Business & Corporate Service Report Reason: Business in Confidence MATTER STATUS ACTION REQUIRED BY BOARD AT THIS MEETING Ministerial arrangements As a result of a Ministerial reshuffle, the Hon Rob Stokes MP has been appointed as Minister for the Environment, with responsibilities for Lord Howe Island. The CEO met Minister Stokes in Sydney on 7 May 2014, providing him with a briefing on a number of key issues, and inviting him to visit LHI For information Land Allocation and Tenure Review The LHI Land Allocation and Tenure Review has commenced with a visit to the Island from 18 to 20 March 2014 by independent reviewer, the Hon Ken Handley, QC AO. The Review Discussion Paper is being prepared and will be publicly released in June 2014. For information LHI Regulation Review The LHI Regulation 2004 Review is being undertaken by the NSW Office of Local Government. The draft Regulation 2014 and the Regulatory Impact Statement are on public exhibition with closing date for submissions being 30 May 2014. See agenda item 8 (iv) LHIB Corporate Plan 2014 to 2016 The previous Corporate Plan has passed its expiry date. A new Corporate Plan for the period 2014 to 2016 has been drafted for the Board’s consideration. See agenda item 11 (i) Destination Management Plan Funded by Destination NSW, consultant Bill Calderwood visited LHI from 15 to 17 April to facilitate the development of a Destination Management Plan (DMP) for LHI. The DMP is now being draft by the consultant. For information
Nursery Commercial in confidence negotiations have concluded with Kentia Fresh Consortium. The lease, which was reported to the March Board meeting, has been finalised. A development application for demolition of selected igloos and water tanks at the site is the subject of a separate report. For information See agenda item 7 (iii) Wastewater The Wastewater Management Program is currently being implemented. Four development applications for domestic system have been determined under delegation and installed. See agenda item 12 (i) Renewable Energy A full application was submitted on 2 May 2014 to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for funding of up to 50% of the Board’s Renewable Energy Program. The Board has received funding from NSW Treasury for preparation of a business case for Treasury funding of the balance. See agenda item 12 (ii) Airport Runway A full project proposal has been submitted to the Federal Department of Infrastructure in relation to the funding of $4 million from the Federal Government’s Community Infrastructure Grants program to reseal the runway. After a tender process, Consultants GHD have been appointed to undertake the planning and design of the runway reseal. This stage of the project will be completed in September 2014. For information Boat Retrieval (Slipway) Options Community consultation on options for the boat retrieval system has been completed. The outcome is subject of a separate report. See agenda item 12 (vi) Rodent Eradication Selected tenders from the DPC pre-qualified list have been invited for community engagement consultants for the development and implementation of a community engagement strategy. The Rodent Eradication Program Steering Committee is meeting in Sydney on 21 May 2014. See agenda item 12 (v) Coastal Hazards Study The draft Coastal Hazards Study has been completed and is the subject of a separate report to the Board See agenda item 8 (iii) Prepared Penny Holloway Chief Executive Officer