These are my own personal views. I do not purport to speak on behalf of Council.
Koi carp – Unlawful release of koi carp into Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens ponds – about a dozen fish were released by an irresponsible person, resulting in a visit from Biosecurity Qld, which did not manage to catch them all. Carp is a restricted noxious fish under the Biosecurity Act 2014. It is illegal to keep carp as ornamental fish in Queensland and fines apply.
You must not keep, feed, give away, sell, or release carp into the environment without a permit. If you catch these species, you must immediately humanely kill and dispose of them responsibly away from the waterbody. By law, you have a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with restricted noxious fish under your control.
Council’s Free Tree Vouchers – the next free tree collection day is Saturday November 1 from 8am-noon at Council’s nursery, Birnam St Beaudesert. If you have unwanted vouchers, please consider donating them to someone who may be able to use them.
Straying cattle – Kaiser Road – if you have livestock, you, as the owner, are required to fence them in. The onus is not on surrounding property owners to fence them out. This has been an ongoing issue on Kaiser Road for more than two months. RSPCA involved on October 16, 2025 regarding one injured cow. Please exercise caution when driving there as the cattle are on the road. Council will be undertaking compliance action against the owner or impounding the cattle.
Overnight stays on Council land – signage advising that no overnight stays or camping is permitted on the Council carpark on Macdonnell Road have been ordered, and, once installed, Council can enforce this. Up to 11 vehicles per night have been parked there, mostly vans without toilets. This has resulted in the pathway from the carpark through to Cook Street being used as a toilet. Following complaints via Facebook from walkers, photos have been taken and the issue reported to Council as it is a health hazard.
Council land cleared – following complaints, Council has slashed the vacant land opposite the Botanic Gardens. Regrowth will be sprayed as it emerges.
You cannot simply set up a tent on Gallery Walk and start trading, regardless of your product.
The Macdonnell Road damaged white plastic fence has attracted graffiti – “Down with the fence”. It seems well on the way to falling down. A good corporate citizen?
The Kidd Street and Macdonnell Road retirement/lifestyle facility applications are still under assessment and should be brought to Council for a vote by the end of the year. Council has requested extensions to the decision making periods.
© 2025 Amanda Hay. The comments contained in this column cannot be reproduced in part or in full without the express written permission of the author.
