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.
Draft Sport and Recreation Plan 2024-2034 -This month, our community participated in important consultations that will provide strategic direction to Council policies, plans and services into the future. Council received over 250 submissions, making this the most successful consultation to date.
Budget discussions – continue at Council with the draft budget to be released shortly. Thankyou to those who participated in the recent community consultation at the library. The issues raised have been noted and are under consideration. The newly elected Council is working towards realistically balancing the needs and wants of the disparate communities across the Scenic Rim whilst keeping any rate increase to a minimum. Council needs to find ways to minimise wastage and provide more cost-effective service delivery methods rather than simply creating more positions. This is not a sustainable position (in my opinion). Rather than new initiatives, I believe ratepayers simply want to see better infrastructure planning and oversight and rectification the errors of the past (toilet blocks, transpiration areas & bollards in the wrong place). Back to basics – roads and drainage are regularly raised as issues by locals.
Controversial proposed development – 30 Kidd St. The developer has 90 days to respond to Council’s lengthy information request (which is now visible on DAP Online). Public information sessions will be held once the response is received.
Recent local issues/complaints – menacing dogs, increase in break & enters, lack of equestrian facilities, “save the pademelons”, removal of the Sentinel rock, with DTMR agreeing to return to the Mountain (in now small pieces). “That handrail” – landscaping is to commence shortly. Funds were set aside and I intend to ensure the entire verge receives attention.
Gallery Walk Pedestrian Crossings – Don’t hold your breath. The State Govt has recently advised that it does not intend to address the pedestrian safety issue on Gallery Walk as Council’s proposed Stage 1 improvements (new car park, toilet upgrade) incorporates one raised pedestrian crossing.
Out and about – The Western Escarpment Fire Trail Network project is now complete. A collaborative approach utilising Federal Government funding and much in-kind support from Council and landowners has resulted in the pre-existing northern and southern fire trails now being continuous for a distance of 9.5 klm, thanks to the construction of an additional 5.5 klm of trail. Much of the trail traverses privately owned land and is not open to the general public.
Qld Day – family fun day and citizenship ceremony, Beaudesert, 02 June 2024. Congratulations to the Scenic Rim’s newest Aussies, including 11 who call our mountain “home”.
I can be contacted on 0448 376 650 or via email: amanda.h@scenicrim.qld.gov.au
Facebook: Cr Amanda Hay – Division 1 – Scenic Rim Regional Council
“Life under a good government is rarely dramatic; life under a bad government is always so.” – Oscar Wilde
