Have your Say on the Proposed Rezoning of Surplus Land

Council owns 7,779 parcels of land that cost ratepayers $11 million a year to maintain, which is about 5% of Council’s total annual operational budget. This land has been amassed over decades and, in some cases as the city has changed, what was originally planned for the land may no longer fit with the surrounding area.

For example, the land may have been designated for open space but it is now covered in trees, so it is proposed to change the zoning to conservation.  In other cases land may have been acquired for a use that never eventuated, so we are looking at what else it could be used for and want the community’s input.

This process follows a number of studies completed over the years to identify land surplus to requirements, including Council’s Open Space Strategy (at Item 11 on p.9) which all current Councillors voted for (see below image) in December 2012.

It is important to note that these discussions about the proposed rezoning of surplus land, along with other draft City Plan proposals, could not be made public until the state government's Minister for planning signed off on our draft City Plan.  This occurred in September 2015.

Some of the reasons draft planning schemes are discussed 'in closed sessions', is to avoid investor speculation, and unnecessarily create community expectation and disruption before a draft is agreed upon.

While the proposed rezoning of land is usual practice when drafting a new City Plan, I want the community to know what is being proposed and to be as transparent and accessible as possible.  That is why Council listed the 'Proposed Council Owned Property Zone Changes' by Division on their website and sent a hard copy to every household in the City.

Unfortunately, Council discussions that had occurred a number of years ago were maliciously leaked to a political lobby group, with the intent of continued scaremongering and to mislead the public that decisions had already been made to sell these properties.

With a Council election approaching (19 March 2016), the Council Opposition and the same anti-everything individuals and groups are looking to discredit Council whilst once again offering no realistic alternatives. 

Let me be clear, NO decision has been made to rezone or sell these parcels and Council is actively consulting and seeking genuine feedback through the draft City Plan on what residents would like to see.  

There would have to be a clear benefit to local residents in each of these areas if a rezoning or sale were to occur.

Your Council Division May Have Changed

The Electoral Commission of Queensland has finalised the details of the new Redland City Council divisional boundaries, which come into effect at the next Council election.

There are some changes so at the election on 19 March 2016, you may be living in a different division.  You can check your address and who might get your vote next year at this link.

Thank you

In closing, thank you for your support so far during this term of Council, and I look forward to maintaining that support into the future as I deliver on my commitments.

Don't forget to 'Have your say' on the City’s future by viewing the Draft Redland City Plan 2015.  This includes the proposed 'rezoning' of surplus land.  Submissions close on 27 November and can be made here.

I encourage you to stay informed via my Website, Facebook or Twitter, and don't hesitate to contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns.  Feel free to pass on this information to anyone else who has an interest in the Redlands.

This newsletter was prepared and paid for by myself and no ratepayers funds were utilised in its production.