LINDAS VINE LINES Sept08
PINE RIVERS LIVES ON with KURWONGBAH to be renamed PINE RIVERS as from the new State Government Election. See map below.
August has been a busy month with the Pine Rivers Show, the Seniors Expo and a number of exciting events I was honoured to attend. This year marks the 20th anniversary of East Coast Apprenticeships and I was pleased to be able to celebrate with them. Congratulations! August also saw the official opening of the Dayboro and District Rural Fire Brigade. A lot of people have worked very hard over a long period of time to make this happen. Well done to all!
I would also like to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads – I do hope you enjoy your special day.
Neighbourly Relations
As you may be aware, the Government is currently conducting a review of the law of neighbourly relations. An initiative that I started back when I was Attorney-General. The aim of the review is to find more efficient ways of assisting neighbours to resolve their disputes. This might be accomplished by improving processes for the resolution of common neighbourhood disputes, providing better access to information and achieving a more efficient alignment of the roles of relevant agencies.
The second phase of the review of neighbourly relations, undertaken by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, has now begun. Nuisance trees can often be a source of neighbourhood conflict and complaints to government departments and councils. The options available for neighbours to resolve disputes can also be an area of uncertainty for people.
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has initiated a review of the legal issues relating to nuisance trees and remedies for solving neighbourly disputes. There is no specific statutory law in Queensland which addresses nuisance trees. Local councils are not required to adopt local laws regarding this matter, however, some councils regulate to protect or preserve significant trees.
If you are interested, you can obtain a copy of the discussion papers on trees and remedies for neighbourhood disputes from my office. The department invites submissions on how the current situation could be improved. There are several ways in which you can participate in the review. You can have your say via an online survey at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/consultqld or you can make a written submission to: The Director, Strategic Policy Unit, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, GPO Box 149, Brisbane Qld 4001 or by email at legalpolicysubmissions@justice.qld.gov.au. But hurry! The closing date for submissions is Friday 12th September 2008.
Re-distribution
The Electoral Commission’s Redistribution Committee has released its final report on the redistribution of Queensland’s State electorates. In the report the Committee announced that the electorate of Kurwongbah would be re-named Pine Rivers when the redistribution takes effect at the next election.
This is welcome news and I am pleased the Redistribution Committee has accepted that the new seat be named Pine Rivers; not that I had any objection to the name Samsonvale as it also has a long standing history. The support from the local community was terrific and the Committee’s decision demonstrates that they listened to our community and responded by putting Pine Rivers back on the map.
Dayboro and surrounds remain in the Pine Rivers electorate; however Upper Caboolture and parts of Rocksberg and Moorina will be in the new electorate of Morayfield. The suburb of Eatons Hill will now be in the electorate of Everton and the suburb of Petrie will be in the electorate of Kallangur. It is also pleasing to see that Strathpine has been re-united into one State electorate and I look forward to working with and representing all of the people of Strathpine.
The new boundaries won’t take effect until the next election and I will continue to represent all of my constituents until that time but will take the opportunity of introducing them to the other sitting Members.
A map of the new boundaries and further information can be found at the Electoral Commission of Queensland’s website www.ecq.qld.gov.au.
Free Building Advice Seminar
If you’re considering or undertaking building work, this seminar hosted by the Building Services Authority (BSA) will provide you with the advice you need to help you through the process. Topics covered include choosing your land, your house and the right builder as well as advice on contracts and even on maintenance after you move in. The seminar will be held on Tuesday 21st October 2008 at the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club from 6:00pm. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to my office on 3205 6779 or kurwongbah@parliament.qld.gov.au or to the BSA on 3225 2880 or info@bsa.qld.gov.au. I look forward to seeing you there.
Until next month,
Linda
