These are my own personal views. I do not purport to speak on behalf of Council.
Storm preparedness: Many property owners have failed to heed advice to clean their gutters and the amount of accumulated debris visible from the road is concerning. Please don’t be the person who fails to take action and is then seeking urgent assistance when water enters your home.
Thinking of putting in a driveway: Do you need an approval? Yes, ALL property accesses are required to have written approval from either Council or the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Approval is required to either construct a new property access or to upgrade/modify an existing property access. Search “property access” on Council’s website for an application form and a Fact Sheet.
December 2025 complaints and enquiries: Unlawful clearing of core koala habitat (Dept of Environment and Science involved), earthworks conducted without a permit, breaches of conditions for an approved B&B, tree clearing “for a better view”, wandering cats, dogs killing pets and chickens, burning off/smoke nuisance (3), graffiti, another wedding venue (we don’t have enough, apparently), a 4-lot subdivision (not going to happen), more granny flats/second dwellings (who knew there were so many grannies? These are wanna-be Air B’n’Bs), tree & mowing issues, theft of brass plaque at Hang Gliders site and bin burnt out & destroyed, illegal dumping of greenwaste & mattress, carrying out private work within a road reserve, overgrown allotments, Gallery Walk toilets (don’t ask – disgusting), abandoned vehicle, unapproved plumbing on business premises and dozens of calls re the proposed Green Waste Bins. I have requested a briefing on the Bins on 21 January.
Library carpark: There is one entry and one exit. Please do not exit via the entry as this is a safety issue. Better signage and road markings have been requested.
Applications for boundary setbacks: We have minimum setback requirements for good reason. There were 6 applications on the go in December and one has been refused. Do not assume that these will be “rubber stamped”. I will be paying close attention to these applications.
Use of external certifiers: Be very careful which one you engage. Any certifier found to have signed off on a building without a site visit, or deeming an obvious dwelling to be an “auxillary building”, can expect a “please explain” and referral to the QBCC.
Rating categories review: I am proposing a new category purely for un-hosted Air B’N’Bs as these are clearly commercial in nature yet pay residential rates.
Retrospective approvals: No, it is not better to build and then seek forgiveness (ie “formalise” something already built and in use). I was alarmed at the recent approval for the highly visible “nature-based tourism” application which involved already constructed “tiny cabins” and extensive earthworks on Macdonnell Road – all subject to compliance action which forced the developer to lodge an application. Retrospective approval was also given to the already operating Skyline Farm wedding venue at Rosevale. Come on people, step up to the mark and lodge an application prior to construction.
Development applications attracting the ire of locals: 1. The proposed 7.9m high pylon signage at 165-183 Long Road (OPW25/064) attracted 26 objection submissions which included comments that it was too large, an eyesore, visual pollution, visually dominant and did not belong on the Mountain. 2. “Minor change” application for 165-183 Long Road, approved site for Tamborine Mtn Universe (MCU25/157). Questions asked re whether this is a “minor change” given the removal of the most significant element of the original approval.
