Media Reponses (14 February - 18 February)
Gympie Times: 14 February – Waste
QUESTION:
I was wondering if the council might be able to provide a comment on the current waste/garbage collection delays within the region. What’s causing the delays? Who is it impacting, how many households? How long has it gone on, how long will it continue for?
ANSWER:
The reality is, COVID-19 has been, and will continue to be disruptive, to our region for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately council is not excluded from this. While there have been some short delays in waste collection we are still providing the service just on different times and days.
We are communicating this through our social media channels and website. Due to the unpredictable nature of COVID-19 and the subsequent individual; isolation policies this communication is often at short notice. At the moment Covid has impacted the available drivers on the days where the largest runs occur.
We are working with our contractor on this and they have advertised for additional casual support.
I would encourage residents to call council on 1300 307 800 if they have any direct questions or concerns.
I want to take this opportunity to than residents for their patients with us. Our regular services will resume directly (pending further COVID-19 impacts).
Adrian Burns, Directory, Community Sustainability
Gympie Today: 15 February – Noosa Today Article
QUESTION:
Can we get a comment from Mayor Glen Hartwig regarding the Noosa Today article?
ANSWER:
I was very disappointed to read the interview with Sandy Bolton and comments from Councillor Brian Stockwell, which says that there is an apparent waning interest from Gympie Regional Council – this couldn’t be further from the truth and I’m surprised to read this. Council, including myself, has attended these meetings to work collectively for the best possible outcome for our community and our visitors. At no time has this been raised with our Council nor mentioned in meetings, so it is disappointing to read this in the media.
We are and continue to be just as passionate and clear on the outcomes needed. I know this can be achieved when working with respected members of the group, such as Noosa Mayor, Clare Stewart who, similar to myself, is looking for the best outcome for our communities and visitors.
However, for this to succeed we all need to work together as a collective, not use the media to suggest something that is simply not true.
Mayor Glen Hartwig
Gympie Times: 21 February – Rates Land
QUESTION:
Can I please confirm if the seven properties listed as to go under the hammer for unpaid rates were all put on the open market on Friday, or if any were removed from the list at the last moment?
Is it possible to confirm how many were sold at the auction?
ANSWER:
Gympie Regional Council can confirm that six properties were auctioned on Friday. Of the six properties, five were sold and one property was passed in. This property will be advertised for sale.
Dave Lewis, Acting CEO Gympie Regional Council.
Gympie Today: 22 February – caravans and tents allowed on private blocks
QUESTION:
We were contacted by a representative for 'Hipcamp' who told us that GRC has agreed to double the number of caravans and tents allowed on private blocks without a development application approval.
Obviously a great initiative for property owners looking to utilise their land but it would be great to hear directly from Council why this decision was made, what it means for the region etc.
ANSWER:
It’s important to note that no formal decisions to this affect have been made, however Amendment Package Three of the Planning Scheme proposes to increase the number of campsites permitted without approval from four to eight.
This is subject to a number of criteria which is still being refined.
Following that, Amendment Package Three will be submitted to the State for review and then will be publicly notified for people to comment on, before going back to Council with a summary of the submissions and further recommendation to amend, and or adopt.
Adrian Burns, Director – Community Sustainability