These are my own personal views. I do not purport to speak on behalf of Council.
Community Consultation – Next Chat with the Mayor – Friday 12th June at 9.00 to 10.00 am in the library forecourt. I will be available for a chat following that meeting. A staff member spoke about this and stated that lomandra is planted by Council as: it keeps costs down, it is a native plant, it is hardy and low maintenance and holds soil together, it is used to create an exclusion zone around eg under a Bunya tree (and at the escarpment site of an attempted suicide), and that once human beings are no longer on the Mountain, the lomandra will still be here. If plantings need to be reviewed, they are on a case-by-case basis (eg Harrisville CWA where lomandra is impacting on access and will be removed and a substitute species planted).
As a result of lomandra being raised at 2 of the 3 previous Chats, the Mayor and I undertook site visits along Main Western Rd and at the Rotary Lookout. Those locations are now deemed by the Mayor and I as “fit for purpose”. Other more important issues were raised: our ageing pool, preservation of e-bike use on the Mountain, dedicated bike paths, the Integrated Transport Plan, the Gallery Walk Carpark & parking strategy (I am advocating for “user pays” ie paid parking), the Olympic Games, and safety issues on Kinabalu Dr.
The Dingo/Wild Dog issue: The black animal is becoming increasingly more brazen, displaying threatening behaviour and is causing issues for school students. Trapping attempts have been unsuccessful but continuing. 1080 bait will not be used. An external contractor has been engaged to deal with the problem animal.
Dog attacks in the Scenic Rim: Council currently has 9 dogs impounded as a result of recent dog attacks (not including the Beaudesert one which was destroyed). Dogs must be contained appropriately at all times and must be registered with Council. I am proposing on-the-spot fines for anyone found to have an unregistered dog. Councillors undertook a site visit to Council’s pound last week. All 9 dogs individually appeared friendly and non-threatening, including the pair of large, fluffy chicken killers (repeat offenders), however some were part of groups which had attacked and displayed pack mentality. Councillors were videoed by a member of the public who hid behind cars. If a dog or cat is assessed as being suitable to be re-homed, they go to the RSPCA for adoption through their system.
Stray cattle on Kaiser Rd – this issue has only been partially resolved with 3 cattle going to sale. The remaining 2 continue to present ongoing issues for residents. Another example of irresponsible animal ownership which costs ratepayers.
Community Engagement: Have your say – Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020 Major Draft Amendment No. 8. This includes revised levels of assessment and policy for Residential Care Facilities and Retirement Facilities. Whilst not stated in the heading, this includes “lifestyle villages”. Also included and relevant to the Mountain are retaining walls, assessment benchmarks for building works, GFA for roadside stalls, lot frontages, dual occupancy in Rural Res Zone, EV charging provision, and deletion of a Boundary Realignment definition.
Development applications – Kidd St & Macdonnell Rd applications will be on Council’s June agenda for a vote, following finalisation of an external expert’s peer review on ecological matters.
Quote of the week: “It is better to be uninformed than ill-informed” – Keith Duckworth
