Community Consultation Meeting for Draft Council Laws
Aug
26
Written by:
Friday, August 26, 2011 7:36 AM
The Sunshine Coast council is running a series of community consultation meetings. One was held today in the Kawana Library, with Councillor Chris Thompson and several council staff in attendance. The consultation meetings are in response to the law changes brought in under the guise of consolidation of laws between the former Noosa, Caloundra and Maroochy councils.
Cr Thompson looked a little surprised to find many passionate people attending the consultation meeting, who all were very concerned about the proposed law changes which would reduce the amount of area to exercise a dog off leash to completely exclude La Balsa park and most of Point Cartwright reserve.
There was one lone dissenter who wanted greater control over dogs on the basis that they are a danger to children.
Cr Thompson said that he had come up with the draft changes to restrict exercising dogs off-leash to the very end of the breakwater and surrounding beach and forest area. While he admitted he was the one proposing the changes, he didn't seem to be able to satisfy the gathered (and vocal) crowd as to why the changes were necessary, only obliquely referring to 'complaints'.
Cr Thompson agreed that it was a bad look that the council had already erected permanent signs in accordance with the draft laws. It was put to him that the fact these signs had been commissioned, built and installed made a mockery of the community consultation, as it appeared the community would be ignored anyway.
The helpful council staff in attendance were there to provide feedback forms, pre-paid envelopes and to provide guidance as to how people can most effectively lodge their feedback.
Pups in Paradise will be creating a draft submission for comment amongst the community, but anyone should feel free to create their own submission for council. The draft submission and suggestions will be posted on this website very soon.