Remember, last Council Election. We had to vote for the newly formed Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

We were told that this new Council would be much better for us. To be honest, I haven't seen anything which would substantiate the above claim. The reality is - we have seen only higher price tags. What do we expect from bureaucrats? They feathered their own beds. Oh yes, our new Council has now many more citizens and this means more responsibility for the members of our local government. They believe more responsibility will justify a higher income. At present I am not aware of a performance based income system specific for bureaucrats. I am sure some of them would be paid below the unemployment benefits.

                                                                                                                

One councillor tries to improve his income by calling himself an artist. So far I know business people favour his paintings. 

At least local News Papers reported the sale of 2 paintings to a major developer shortly before a very important council decision. By choosing this income improving solution, no one can say he is selling himself to developers.

This was the main concern as I asked a former councillor some weeks before the last election. I asked the ex-councillor, what is the best person for our area. As I mentioned "The Painter's name", the answer was: "He is too close to certain people". At that time I could only guess what was behind the answer. Today, I know what was behind the answer. What is wrong if every Councillor calls himself a painter, independently if he/she has any skills at all? There are always keen art collectors. Remember, in 2 years we have another election. I wouldn't be surprised if every person voting for him will receive a painting.                                                                                                               

 

 

 
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A major problem was the control of the surface water (road area). One big concrete pipe ends in one of the subdivision blocks. Before NSC took over the road, the road builder had to make sure that all pipes were free of any silt. Great attention was needed to keep the area in front of the outlet level with the pipes. This was done with the help of a bobcat.

Now after 2 years, the whole stormwater system needs attention, specifically the area in front of the pipes. The build up of silt is about 250 mm. I asked the new property owner to inform NSC because most of the storm water goes thru his property and the build up of sand, stones and debris on the outlet side is considerable. Because we are told not to touch anything and the water drainage area is a wetland, he was told to his amazement that is it his job to clean the said area. In order to do this, he needs a special permit from NSC for which he has to pay around $ 90 plus the costs for a bobcat.

 

The same property owner enquired by NSC if he could cut down a specific tree which is uncomfortably close to his workshop. During the conversation she explained that she likes trees more than people. No one asked for her opinion. This has nothing to do with her job. I think there is plenty of room for professional improvement.

 
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If you would like to publish your opinion of an existing complaint on Noosawatchdog.com.au please click here Add Comment then scroll down

 
If you would like to publish your opinion of an existing complaint on Noosawatchdog.com.au please click here Add Comment then scroll down

Last year I decided to sell some of the lots. One block was a bush block. After the worst storm in our area some years ago, big fallen trees made it nearly impossible to inspect the property. I asked NSC if I can call professional tree clearer to remove the uprooted trees. The answer was NO. You must first come forward with a building application and then you are allowed to clear the house side. Removal of fallen trees will not be allowed as they are part of the habitats of animals. Obviously this young fellow was on a power trip. He even didn't listen to my question concerning the increased bushfire risk. I asked him why state authorities see the necessity to burn off forests and private people living under similar conditions are not allowed to do the same? No answer. He also denied the right to clear the fence line so I can build a fence. His last remark was "don't touch anything". Is his behaviour backed up by NSC?

 
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We bought in 1992 another property on Lake McDonald. A big part of this 90 acre property was unfenced. I enquired with NSC about the fence regulations. The result was, yes you can fence it but you are not allowed to cut down any tree. I asked the gentlemen how anyone can build a fence if you can't take your machinery and material to the location. His answer was, this is not our problem. Today I know his answer was totally wrong. What was his motivation to tell me this bull.....? Probably NSC didn't like my weekly comments in our local newspaper "Cooroy Rag".

 

Some years later, we applied for a subdivision of the same property. The whole procedure was a disaster. I received from NSC staff more warnings than London during the Second World War. First, we came forward with a not so new idea to concentrate all future homes on a certain spot of the property. The remaining acres should be common property. Unfortunately the gentleman in charge of this matter didn't understand why we would like to do this. This was beyond his horizon. I spoke with one of our local councillors and he told me very bluntly that his man has to go because he makes too many mistakes and the councillors have to talk to the people to calm down the situation. Some months later he was gone. Unfortunately I was exposed to some more nasty attacks by some other NSC staff. They tried to apply 3 conditions to our application.

1. They wanted an access to the Lake which should be 12 m wide on the road side and a so far I remember 8 m wide (wedge shape) on the lake.

2. We had to hand over along the lake side all the land which was lower than 1m the high water mark. This was ok with us.

but.......

3. Additional to this land grab NSC asked for a 40m extended buffer in front of our home down to the lake and along the lake for about 180 m. This means the future fence line would be nearly in front of our home. This act had nothing to do with preserving the water quality of Lake McDonald. This was clearly an act of moral vandalism.

 

I decided not to cave in to the mind blowing demands of some bureaucrats and decided not to go ahead with my subdivision. Next day I had 2 big dozers on my property and we started clearing 20 acres. At least I was able to run cattle and build the fence which I wasn't allowed to build some years earlier.

 

Someone told our local councillor what NSC did to me and he was informed about the progressing tree clearing. He called me and asked me to stop the clearing action and he arranged a meeting with our Mayor Bob Abbot. Next day we had the meeting including the bureaucrats responsible for the subdivision conditions.

Bob asked them for an explanation. His answer was: "What a bull...."

 

Two weeks later I got my subdivision without the hair raising conditions.

 
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If you would like to publish your opinion of an existing complaint on Noosawatchdog.com.au please click here Add Comment then scroll down

 
If you would like to publish your opinion of an existing complaint on Noosawatchdog.com.au please click here Add Comment then scroll down