Sept2011_CAROLYNS PINE RIVERS NEWS
State Member for Pine Rivers
New laws help resolve neighbourhood disputes
The Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act 2011 would come into affect later this year and included modern laws which clearly spelt out neighbours’ rights in relation to common matters like dividing fences and overhanging branches.
In a 2007 online survey, more than 80% of respondents reported they had been involved in a dispute with their neighbours and one of the most frequent issues that constituents from the Pine Rivers local area come to see me about is these kinds of disputes.
What these laws do is set down clear ground rules about trimming and disposing of overhanging branches and clear rules about fences.
The new laws outline maximum and minimum heights of fences and set out an expectation that neighbours should generally split the cost of a new fence 50-50.
However, if one neighbour wants to have more work done than is necessary for a dividing fence, then they’ll need to pick up the extra cost themselves.
One of the key elements of the new laws was provisions to help people recover the cost of tree branch removal if a neighbour would not remove them.
Where agreement between neighbours cannot be reached, they will have access to a simplified, low cost solution by applying to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an amount up to $300.
Obviously disputes will arise from time to time but this legislation will go a long way to helping neighbours maintain a harmonious relationship.
People can find more information by visiting www.justice.qld.gov.au .
The new laws will come into effect later this year following a community education campaign.
Change your enrolment details when moving
Residents moving home can now change their address details online. When you move you need to update your enrolment. If you don’t, your name could be removed from the electoral roll and you could miss out on your vote in upcoming elections. Change your address online at www.aec.gov.au/moving . For more information visit the AEC website or call them on 13 23 26.
A message to all Queensland Horse Owners
The Queensland Government is calling on every horse owner to access a Hendra virus information pack. To get your Hendra virus information pack visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au .
The information pack will provide horse owners with facts about the virus, how to reduce the risk to your horses and, most importantly, what to do if your horse becomes ill.
While Hendra virus is still a rare disease, horse owners can help reduce the risk of infection in their horses by taking precautions on their properties.
As Hendra virus is not highly contagious, there is no restriction on horse movements in Queensland. As a result, movement restrictions ONLY apply to horses on quarantined properties.
If you do not have internet or email access and would like to receive an information pack, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Interim Report
The report forensically examined the State’s preparedness and response to the January floods to ensure that Queensland could be thoroughly prepared for the next wet season.
The report made 175 recommendations – 104 of which apply to the State Government, 65 to local governments and six to the Commonwealth.
Some of the Commission’s recommendations include:
– The need for more clarity about the roles and responsibilities of each water entity and the role of the Minister, the need for a comprehensive review of the Wivenhoe manual, and in the event of bureau of meteorology advice indicating an extreme wet season, a reduction of the dam to 75 per cent capacity.
– Local government preparedness, including the need for strengthened evacuation planning and improved early warning systems.
– The need for single point tasking of emergency helicopter operations.
– Upgraded training of triple zero operators, swift water rescue and additional SES volunteers.
The Commission’s second report is due on February 24, 2012 and will examine longer term issues such as town planning and insurance.
Remember to Register your pool or spa
All pools in Queensland need to be registered. Fines of up to $2000 may apply if your pool is not registered by 4 November 2011. To check if your pool is registered, simply conduct a property search on the pool register tool at http://www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/pool-safety/pool-safety-register.html .
Enter your property details. The register will validate the address entered and will advise if the pool is registered and if there is a valid pool safety certificate attached to the property.
If the register states no pools are recorded against this property, click on ‘alert the Pool Safety Council’ and enter the number of pools and spas located on the property.
In a 2007 online survey, more than 80% of respondents reported they had been involved in a dispute with their neighbours and one of the most frequent issues that constituents from the Pine Rivers local area come to see me about is these kinds of disputes.
What these laws do is set down clear ground rules about trimming and disposing of overhanging branches and clear rules about fences.
The new laws outline maximum and minimum heights of fences and set out an expectation that neighbours should generally split the cost of a new fence 50-50.
However, if one neighbour wants to have more work done than is necessary for a dividing fence, then they’ll need to pick up the extra cost themselves.
One of the key elements of the new laws was provisions to help people recover the cost of tree branch removal if a neighbour would not remove them.
Where agreement between neighbours cannot be reached, they will have access to a simplified, low cost solution by applying to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an amount up to $300.
Obviously disputes will arise from time to time but this legislation will go a long way to helping neighbours maintain a harmonious relationship.
People can find more information by visiting www.justice.qld.gov.au .
The new laws will come into effect later this year following a community education campaign.
Change your enrolment details when moving
Residents moving home can now change their address details online. When you move you need to update your enrolment. If you don’t, your name could be removed from the electoral roll and you could miss out on your vote in upcoming elections. Change your address online at www.aec.gov.au/moving . For more information visit the AEC website or call them on 13 23 26.
A message to all Queensland Horse Owners
The Queensland Government is calling on every horse owner to access a Hendra virus information pack. To get your Hendra virus information pack visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au .
The information pack will provide horse owners with facts about the virus, how to reduce the risk to your horses and, most importantly, what to do if your horse becomes ill.
While Hendra virus is still a rare disease, horse owners can help reduce the risk of infection in their horses by taking precautions on their properties.
As Hendra virus is not highly contagious, there is no restriction on horse movements in Queensland. As a result, movement restrictions ONLY apply to horses on quarantined properties.
If you do not have internet or email access and would like to receive an information pack, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Interim Report
The report forensically examined the State’s preparedness and response to the January floods to ensure that Queensland could be thoroughly prepared for the next wet season.
The report made 175 recommendations – 104 of which apply to the State Government, 65 to local governments and six to the Commonwealth.
Some of the Commission’s recommendations include:
– The need for more clarity about the roles and responsibilities of each water entity and the role of the Minister, the need for a comprehensive review of the Wivenhoe manual, and in the event of bureau of meteorology advice indicating an extreme wet season, a reduction of the dam to 75 per cent capacity.
– Local government preparedness, including the need for strengthened evacuation planning and improved early warning systems.
– The need for single point tasking of emergency helicopter operations.
– Upgraded training of triple zero operators, swift water rescue and additional SES volunteers.
The Commission’s second report is due on February 24, 2012 and will examine longer term issues such as town planning and insurance.
Remember to Register your pool or spa
All pools in Queensland need to be registered. Fines of up to $2000 may apply if your pool is not registered by 4 November 2011. To check if your pool is registered, simply conduct a property search on the pool register tool at http://www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/pool-safety/pool-safety-register.html .
Enter your property details. The register will validate the address entered and will advise if the pool is registered and if there is a valid pool safety certificate attached to the property.
If the register states no pools are recorded against this property, click on ‘alert the Pool Safety Council’ and enter the number of pools and spas located on the property.
Carolyn.
