Dec2011_CAROLYNs PINE RIVERS NEWS
State Member for Pine RiversI would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Just a quick note on the Remembrance Day Service – it was fantastic to hear of the wonderful turnout in Dayboro at the new site for the Memorial. My office has been working with the Dayboro War Memorial Association for some time now to relocate the cenotaph from the school to Roderick Cruice Park. I would like to congratulate the Association on all their hard work – they should be proud of their wonderful achievement.
Update on Mt Mee Road
I would like to provide residents with an update on works to reconstruct Mount Mee Road which sustained significant landslip damage during the unprecedented natural disaster events of earlier this year.
The construction contract for the reconstruction works is expected to be awarded before the end of the year. This will enable construction crews to set up on site and start works to reconstruct the road and address the landslip damage at numerous sites in the Ocean View area.
Reconstruction works will involve stabilisation of slopes, pavement and culvert replacement, drainage repairs, and protection of the slopes and drainage channels.
Due to the large scale of the reconstruction work, single lane closures will be required at various locations along Mount Mee Road until the expected completion of works in early 2013 (weather permitting). The lane closures will allow the works to be carried out as quickly and safely as possible and are necessary to protect road workers and road users.
The project team will keep the community informed about the works as they progress. Up-to-date project information will also be available from the Transport and Main Roads website at www.tmr.qld.gov.au.
Neighbourhood Disputes Legislation
New legislation to help resolve disputes about overhanging trees and dividing fences is now in effect.
The new Act clarified who was responsible for building and maintaining dividing fences and who was responsible for ensuring trees and branches did not impose on someone else’s property.
If someone believes a tree poses a danger or is adversely affecting their land they can write to the owner, requesting for it to be trimmed or removed.
They can also claim up to $300 to trim a tree if parties can’t agree on a resolution.
When it comes to fences, the height must be 0.5 to 1.8 metres and both owners must agree the fence is sufficient.
First and foremost, we want to see neighbours communicating with each other about these matters and trying to reach a resolution.
These laws set the ground rules and allow either party to refer the matter to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) if agreement can’t be reached.
The new legislation also includes a clear definition of a sufficient dividing fence and how cost should be apportioned.
For more details visit www.justice.qld.gov.au
Readers can now report illegal dumping and littering online
People who choose to flout the law and litter or illegally dump their waste face increased penalties and should expect to be detected under the new Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 coming into effect on 1 December.
Anyone who witnesses a person littering or illegally dumping waste from a vehicle, trailer or vessel could record the details of the incident and submit a report online through the Department of Environment and Resource Management website.
Our community has had enough of people who can’t be bothered doing the right thing with litter and commercial waste.
Queenslanders would be given time to adjust to the new scheme until the legislation comes into effect, with advisory statements to be issued for smaller incidents until the end of the year.
From 1 February next year, litterers face fines ranging from $300 to $3,000 and dumpers face fines starting at $4,000 and increasing to $16,500.
Information about the new scheme and details on how to report a littering or illegal dumping is available online at www.derm.qld.gov.au.
Till next time,
Carolyn.
Update on Mt Mee Road
I would like to provide residents with an update on works to reconstruct Mount Mee Road which sustained significant landslip damage during the unprecedented natural disaster events of earlier this year.
The construction contract for the reconstruction works is expected to be awarded before the end of the year. This will enable construction crews to set up on site and start works to reconstruct the road and address the landslip damage at numerous sites in the Ocean View area.
Reconstruction works will involve stabilisation of slopes, pavement and culvert replacement, drainage repairs, and protection of the slopes and drainage channels.
Due to the large scale of the reconstruction work, single lane closures will be required at various locations along Mount Mee Road until the expected completion of works in early 2013 (weather permitting). The lane closures will allow the works to be carried out as quickly and safely as possible and are necessary to protect road workers and road users.
The project team will keep the community informed about the works as they progress. Up-to-date project information will also be available from the Transport and Main Roads website at www.tmr.qld.gov.au.
Neighbourhood Disputes Legislation
New legislation to help resolve disputes about overhanging trees and dividing fences is now in effect.
The new Act clarified who was responsible for building and maintaining dividing fences and who was responsible for ensuring trees and branches did not impose on someone else’s property.
If someone believes a tree poses a danger or is adversely affecting their land they can write to the owner, requesting for it to be trimmed or removed.
They can also claim up to $300 to trim a tree if parties can’t agree on a resolution.
When it comes to fences, the height must be 0.5 to 1.8 metres and both owners must agree the fence is sufficient.
First and foremost, we want to see neighbours communicating with each other about these matters and trying to reach a resolution.
These laws set the ground rules and allow either party to refer the matter to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) if agreement can’t be reached.
The new legislation also includes a clear definition of a sufficient dividing fence and how cost should be apportioned.
For more details visit www.justice.qld.gov.au
Readers can now report illegal dumping and littering online
People who choose to flout the law and litter or illegally dump their waste face increased penalties and should expect to be detected under the new Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 coming into effect on 1 December.
Anyone who witnesses a person littering or illegally dumping waste from a vehicle, trailer or vessel could record the details of the incident and submit a report online through the Department of Environment and Resource Management website.
Our community has had enough of people who can’t be bothered doing the right thing with litter and commercial waste.
Queenslanders would be given time to adjust to the new scheme until the legislation comes into effect, with advisory statements to be issued for smaller incidents until the end of the year.
From 1 February next year, litterers face fines ranging from $300 to $3,000 and dumpers face fines starting at $4,000 and increasing to $16,500.
Information about the new scheme and details on how to report a littering or illegal dumping is available online at www.derm.qld.gov.au.
Till next time,
Carolyn.
