Recently lodged Development Applications (DAs): a new tourist attraction at Thunderbird Park, expansion of the IGA shopping centre, 2nd dwelling in Eagles Close (submissions have closed), a granny flat on Henri Robert Dr, a domestic outbuilding on Hartley Rd and a boundary realignment on Alpine Terrace.

Good to see one large redevelopment has engaged locals in its preliminary planning phase to identify and remedy neighbours’ concerns before the DA is lodged. What a novel approach!
The Precautionary Principle was mentioned by the planners, however I had to point out that I am apparently too ill-informed about this Principle to make meaningful comment.
Out and About: I have attended the opening of Dig-It at Thunderbird Park and it is good to see some thought go into creating a very different tourist attraction catering to families. New classrooms have been officially opened at Tamborine Mountain College, the Regional Tourism Reference Group hosted an event and the Department of Transport and Main Roads canvassed issues ranging from future transport needs to the management of current roadworks.
Five new Tamborine Mountain Aussies were welcomed as part of a citizenship ceremony on Queensland Day – congratulations to Krisztina, Julie, Michael, Koen and Luuk.
I have attended a briefing conducted by the Dept of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water in Brisbane which provided updates on the Gold Coast and Logan Water Plans (Tamborine Mtn straddles both plans) and the QUT Science PhD project which encompassed the groundwater studies on the Mountain. The results will be published shortly and I will be able to comment then. There are some concerning findings.
Small Business Month – Destination Scenic Rim hosted a networking event at North Stores, and Travelling Places celebrated its 30th anniversary serving the travel needs of locals whilst employing locals. Well done.
Eat Local Month – I am steadily munching my way around the local businesses participating in this event, commencing with Copperhead (and yes, I pay for my meal and I tip!). Get behind our locals – great to see Clancy’s has re-opened as Baileys’ Irish Bar & Restaurant.
Community consultation: The Council-hosted “Cuppa in the Communi-tea” on 31 May was very well attended and I thank the service providers who participated and made information available. The free emergency document holder containing disaster preparedness information and a small torch, items to keep children entertained, and a Dalek Power Bank which has a battery life of 500+ recharges was very popular, and these are still available. Several people raised their concerns with me following the Cuppa. I was aware of most of the issues raised however there were a couple of curly ones, including the fencing off council-owned land by a resident.
Topics of concern raised recently: large, inappropriate developments underway with no apparent approvals (being investigated), advertising signage attached to trees (being removed by Council), “temporary” food outlets, the Long Rd extension, vandalism, land valuations
(not a council matter), the library incident, the car over the edge at Rotary Lookout and what can be done to prevent a reoccurrence, residential properties used solely as Air B’n’Bs but paying residential rates, and rubbish dumped at the hang gliders site – not good advertising for Maccas and KFC.
“Thank you” to the community member/s who removed the vast amount of toilet paper which festooned the Doughty Park toilet block, in the hope that in doing so the toilets would not be locked. Please be aware of your children’s activities after dark.
What are your thoughts on the handrail erected along the Alpine Terrace new footpath? Would you like to see a limit on the number of nights per annum an Air B’n’B can operate? Please email me with your views.
… and finally “thank you” to the barrister who has provided hours of assistance and accompanied me to my formal OIA interview on 5 June. Now we wait to see if I am to be prosecuted as a “vexatious complainant” in relation to issues I raised prior to my election. Good to see the level playing field is alive and well – providing the complainants are from within Council rather than members of the public.
I can be contacted on 0448 376 650 or via e-mail at amanda.h@scenicrim.qld.gov.au, and will soon also have a Councillor Facebook page.
“Do No Harm”
Amanda Hay