The Queensland Plan
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 13:59
The Queensland Government is seeking broad based community input into a long term (30 years) plan to guide the future development and policies of this state.
In Queensland we have only three year Parliamentary terms. One of the biggest short comings of our system is that it is very difficult to look and plan long term.
Also, any party in government that wishes to make long term improvements to the state needs to do so in a bipartisan and broad-based way so that periodic changes of government can still support the thrust of the plan.
Three prominent local residents represented the Moggill area at a scoping conference in Mackay on the 10th May.
At that conference all eighty-nine electoral districts of Queensland including those represented by Labor members and crossbench members brought their community representatives.
The plan will focus on local issues within our area as well as our contribution to planning for the broader Queensland community.
The word ‘plan’ should not be confused with urban planning. The initiatives that may get a guernsey in the final document due out in December could include areas such as our legal base and our vital institutions such as courts, government etc.
It can and will also include visions for services such as health and education. Of course infrastructure, urban planning, coping with population growth and insuring the economic and job prosperity in an ever-changing global environment will also be prominent features.
I think, especially given the population growth and industry development that has been foreshadowed for this state, protection of our environment, protection of our lifestyle and maintaining our biodiversity and landscapes are also vital components.
Organisational input
The three Moggill representatives and I will be conducting a series of meetings with representatives of the broad base of organisations within our area. We are currently compiling lists and organisations will be written to but if your organisation wishes to ensure you are asked for your input please register your interest at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phoning 3378 8020.
I will periodically publish some of the outcomes from this consultation.
Individual Input
The Queensland Plan encourages individual input in areas where you seek to have your say in the long term vision for our local area, our state or both.
Any individuals interested in making their contribution can similarly indicate that interest or send submissions.
Any ideas submitted by individuals or organisations within the area will be considered by the Moggill representatives in finalising our submission to the plan.
If we can assist you in any way in making sure your ideas are put forward please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Petition to help protect lives of cyclists
Friday, 10 May 2013 08:55
The recent trial of a truck driver who had been accused of causing the death of a cyclist on busy Moggill Road highlighted the dangers when cyclists and motorists travel close to each other when overtaking.
I am therefore pleased to sponsor an e-petition calling for motorists to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 metres between their vehicle and a cyclist whilst overtaking.
The petition allows for an exception within 30 metres of an intersection.
The lead petitioner is David Sharp. David is, like me, a keen cyclist himself and is Director of Safe Cycling Australia. David provided the wording for the petition and I am happy to support it.
As worded on the petition, such a measure will strengthen current laws with respect to cyclists. This proposal, by providing clear boundaries, will better serve the interests of motorists and cyclists alike.
The death of young cyclist and talented musician Richard Pollett was a tragedy and we should do everything possible to ensure all road users are able to share the roads as safely as possible.”
Current regulations specify that overtaking vehicles must overtake at a sufficient distance to avoid a collision, but it is easy to underestimate what a safe distance is when overtaking a bicycle."
Specifying a minimum distance would provide greater certainty and a margin of safety for both cyclists and motorists.
You can sign the petition at the Queensland Parliament website by clicking here.
The closing date for the petition is 28 October 2013.
Queensland signs up to NDIS
Wednesday, 08 May 2013 16:36
When I talked to people about the NDIS last year, I mentioned the saying that the measure of a society is how it cares for its most vulnerable.
So I am delighted that today Queensland has signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Government committing Queensland to the National Disability Scheme.
This is very good news for people living with a disability as well as their families and carers.
When the former Labor Government left office, we inherited the lowest disability spend per capita of any State in Australia.
The Newman government has been determined to ensure that Queenslanders with a disability get the support and assistance they deserve.
This is why last year the State Government announced an extra $868 million in funding for disability services. This laid the foundation for today’s agreement.
The scheme will revolutionise the way services and care are accessed and will see the largest ever boost to disability funding in Queensland.
It is one of the biggest single increases in disability funding this country has ever seen.
The NDIS will provide all eligible Queenslanders with access to a scheme that guarantees lifetime coverage for the costs of reasonable and necessary disability care and support.
No major changes for Moggill bus services
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 07:58
The Brisbane City Council has now released its bus review for public consultation, and the good news for Moggill residents is that there are no major changes proposed for local bus services.
I am particularly pleased to see the 444 and 443 services will not be changed after fighting so hard to see them retained.
The main change for our area appears to be the 435, the Upper Brookfield section of which the Council proposes to replace with a Personalised Public Transport (PPT) service between Upper Brookfield and Kenmore Village. The operating times for this PPT will be announced after community consultation. They propose that services which currently finish at Upper Brookfield will instead terminate at Kailua St.
Importantly, the 435 will continue to service Brookfield Village as it currently does.
You can view the all of the proposed changes online at the Council's website by clicking here.
Council's bus network review is now open for public consultation and residents have until Monday 20 May 2013 to submit feedback.
The Council will then consider all community responses before submitting the review to the State Government on 1st of June.
Bellbowrie Police Beat welcomes new officer
Tuesday, 16 April 2013 17:33
Senior Constable Leesa Richardson is well-known to many residents particularly in Bellbowrie, Moggill and surrounding areas. As Officer in Charge of Bellbowrie Police Beat, Leesa has been a fixture in the community for the past few years.
Many of us were distressed to hear that Leesa was leaving Bellbowrie but wish her well as she takes on a new role in Western Queensland.
The Bellbowrie Police Beat has been an important part of our community since it opened in 2007 and its role has become even more important as the area has developed and new businesses such as the tavern have opened up. I have made strong representation to the Police Minister that this service should in no way be downgraded.
I am pleased that a new police officer has already taken up duty to replace Leesa and the Bellbowrie Police Beat is still open for business.
Welcome to Senior Constable Lachlan Scott-Preimonas who started policing duties at the Bellbowrie Police Beat this week. Lachlan lives in the Bellbowrie Police Beat area and is very keen to take up this role. He has worked within the Indooroopilly Division since 2008 and has some experience already at the Bellbowrie Police Beat having relieved there on some occasions when Leesa has been on leave.
The telephone contacts for the beat office will remain the same. The Police Beat office can be contacted on 3202 7355 or mobile 0428 983 877.
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