These are my own personal views. I do not purport to speak on behalf of Council. Decisions of Council are made only by majority vote, legislative authority or under authority delegated by Council.
Latest rates notices have been issued – If you struggle to pay your 6-monthly rates, you may like to consider pre-paying a small amount via automatic deduction each fortnight or month. Even a small amount paid at a regular interval can reduce the impact of a large bill when payment falls due.
Free tree vouchers – if you have no use for the vouchers which accompanied your rates notice, please consider placing these in the TMPA Inc box outside the Tamborine Mtn News office on Main Street. Vouchers will be distributed to Land for Wildlife property owners who are keen to revegetate their properties.
Unlawful advertising signage – Council has removed and confiscated unlawful signage (roof restorations, bitumen driveways etc). Unfortunately the identities of the operators of the services offered could not be ascertained which should give some indication of just how legitimate their operations are. Buyer beware.
Unauthorised mobile roadside vendors on State-controlled roads – following numerous complaints re safety concerns arising from the opportunistic placement of vans, these types of activities will not be tolerated without a permit and then only following assessment against the Dept of Transport and Main Roads specific permission criteria contained in its Roadside Vending on State-controlled Roads – Technical Assessment Guide.
Development applications approved 24 July 2024 – I voted to approve an application to change an existing bird aviary approval to a butterfly building and 3 butterfly domes to be co-located with the glow-worm caves on Hartley Road. Good to see a family-friendly attraction in the right location, unlike the many applications submitted to Council for commercial/tourism activities in residential/rural residential areas. Approved unanimously.
I voted to refuse a “nature-based Tourism” application at Tamborine; this would constitute the 3rd use on that property, which has an existing dwelling, a second dwelling used for tourist accommodation and an existing and unapproved “dome” also utilised for tourist accommodation. The dome and associated plumbing were installed without approvals. I do not believe that the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme exists to provide retrospective approvals for business operations for which the developer did not feel the need to comply with Council requirements. I wonder what the insurance implications would be in the event an accident occurred related to an unapproved building and activity? The application was approved 6 votes to 1.
I believe Council needs to take a long, hard look at changes to our Planning Scheme (Nature-based Tourism being a case in point) and to ramping up compliance activities. When an activity is approved with a string of attached conditions, currently there is no monitoring of compliance with those conditions and it is up to affected neighbours to make complaints following non-compliance, which lead to compliance activity.
Landcare and National Tree Day – Thankyou to those who donate their time and energy to making the Mountain the green island in the sky which attracts both new residents and tourists alike. Please be vigilant re weeds on your property and road sides. Currently there is a profusion of Madeira Vine (Anredera cordifolia) on the Mountain. This highly invasive weed is difficult control as it spreads via tubers and rhizomes. Please take care when handling as any nodules dislodged will grow.
Division 2 residents – Cr Kerri Cryer’s latest Councillor Comments column, along with other news relating to Tamborine Mountain, can be found at www.tamborinebulletin.com.au/3d-flip-book/edition-059-july-2024/
Please submit suggestions for inclusion in the proposed community-driven “living on Tamborine Mountain” brochure. These can be on any topic from keeping chooks to checking your water tank levels and anything in between.
