Please note that I write my column seven days prior to publication.
The Long Road extension issue, which has been controversial and unresolved since the 1990s, should finally be put to rest at Council’s Ordinary Meeting to be held on 26 August. The external investigation report re the Gallery Walk Carpark will also be on the agenda.
Library issues and abuse of staff. Following recent abusive behaviour towards library staff, and trolling on Facebook, Council as taken the extraordinary step to temporarily suspend all Councillor’s Facebook pages. Those with grievances are required to follow established procedures rather than confronting staff and necessitating police attendance. Defamatory allegations of corrupt conduct against another Councillor which were allowed to remain visible on a Facebook page for 24 hours were removed following a formal complaint to Facebook by a member of the public. Again, report such allegations to Council – with some evidence – rather than posting under fake names. Facebook Admins: do your job.
Next ‘Meet the Mayor’ will be at 9am on Friday July 14 outside the library.
Council is aware of the green waste issues at the Knoll Road transfer station and is working on a solution. Would ratepayers like to see a Tip Shop established for, say, furniture items to save them from landfill? Please let me know your thoughts.
Planning Scheme amendment suggestions. Do you have an issue with specific sections which could benefit from an overhaul to better reflect community expectations? Please let me know. I am compiling a list for Council consideration for submission to the State Govt for a “Minor Amendment” under its fast-track path. I am particularly interested in generic sections which are “one size fits all” for the region but which have had unintended consequences for the Mountain and/or result in costly P&E Court appeals by developers, such as the 8.5m signage height limit, “dwellings” used as Air B’n’Bs, “home-based businesses”, unapproved uses to cease pending assessment of development application.
New Development Applications
EXE26/002 – Applicant Instigated Exemption Certificate – 108D Wongawallan Rd (Local Heritage Place). I have requested an explanation of this application given the proposal is to construct a two bedroom, two bathroom, two kitchen “dwelling” in a landslip hazard and steep slope overlay area on a ridgeline.
CAR26/081 – 53 Pacific Pde – further incursion into front boundary setback distance, now seeking a 100mm (yes, 100mm) setback! Why do we have setbacks?
MCU26/080 – 17 Kailas Crt – Short-term accommodation. Application lodged July 30 following compliance action/show cause notice issued February 10, 2026. Operating allegedly unlawfully since November 2024.
I will be checking on all air b’n’b approvals from now on.
MCU26/081 – 11 Southport Ave – home-based business; dental surgery.
MCU26/037 57-59 Lahey Rd Tamborine Mountain – Dual Occupancy – Public Notification July 17 to August 7 but this was publicly advertised in the Beaudesert Times, not the Tamborine Mountain News as required. I have requested submission period be revisited.
Five properties on the Mountain are currently likely to proceed to sale via public auction to recover unpaid rates. These have amassed a whopping $180,000 in arrears between them.
Quote of the week: “Stubborn and ardent clinging to one’s opinion is the best proof of stupidity” – Michel de Montaigne
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