Draft Local Laws for Community Consultation

Proposed Local Law Amendment Town Common Use - Frequently Asked Questions

Has a decision been made?

No. Following community consultation in 2020, Council has drafted proposed Local Law amendments and is now seeking feedback from the community on these proposed changes.

When does the consultation period end?

Residents have the opportunity to provide feedback on these proposed Local Law amendments until Friday, 26 March 2021. Depending on the content of the submissions made by members of the public during this consultation period, Council may make further amendments and seek additional feedback. Alternatively, Council may accept the current proposed amendments.

How do I give my feedback on the proposed Local Law changes?

Residents must submit a properly-made written submission if they would like to comment on the proposed Local Law amendments. Written submissions by any person supporting or objecting to the proposed subordinate local law may be made and given to Council on or before the last day of the consultation period, stating:

(i) the grounds of the submission; and

(ii) the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.

Why do things have to change?

Off-road motorbike riding is a popular leisure activity for many locals and the current rules prohibit (ban) all off-road motorbike use at the Goondiwindi Town Common. The proposed Local Law amendments will reduce the prohibited area to one Regulated Zone, allowing off-road motorbikes outside of this zone.
This will address the needs of locals as well as addressing the complaints we have received in relation to:
- Noise and dust impacting neighbours and disturbing wildlife.
- Erosion and damage to soil and vegetation.
- Safety of residents and visitors using the Town Common.

What area will be impacted by the proposed changes?

The attached map identifies the proposed Regulated and Unregulated Zones. Under the proposed Local Law changes, off-road motorbikes are allowed in the Unregulated Zone only.

How do the proposed changes create a better outcome for users of the Town Common?

Currently the entire Goondiwindi Town Common is a Restricted Zone, therefore there is no place you can legally ride off-road. If you have a valid motorbike licence and your bike is fully registered and roadworthy, you can currently ride on publicly accessible roads.

The proposed changes will relax the current rules allowing for off-road motorbike riding use (the Unregulated Zone). Off-road motorbikes will still be banned in the proposed Regulated Zone.

This relaxation reflects the needs of the diverse users of the Town Common.

Under the proposed Local Law changes, can I ride my motorbike from the entrance of the Town Common through the proposed Regulated Zone down to the river to fish or put a boat in?

Only, if you have a valid motorbike licence and your bike is fully registered and roadworthy, and you only ride on the publicly accessible roads.
The proposed Local Law changes will not impact your ability to ride on publicly accessible roads within the Town Common.
Queensland Road Rules apply.

I’m a licenced user and have a registered bike – where can I go under the proposed changes?

In the Regulated Zone licenced users with a registered motorbike can travel only on the road in the Town Common.
In the Unregulated Zone licenced users with a registered motorbike can access any area (road or off-road) in the Unregulated Zone.

Can I ride my off-road motorbike without a licence?

As per State Law, only licensed riders are permitted on Queensland's roads and all vehicles using Queensland roads need to be registered, including trail bikes. This applies to highways, local roads or roads within the Town Common. This makes sure that riders have been tested to make sure they are qualified and understand the road rules.
Under the proposed Local Law changes, unlicensed/ unregistered motorbikes could access, the Unregulated Zone ONLY, for off-road use, but NOT on any roads in either the Regulated or Unregulated Zones.
It is important that users understand their own risks and responsibilities and seek advice from Queensland Police about additional Queensland rules that may apply.
An unlicenced user on an unregistered motorbike could access, and use, the Unregulated Zone, but not a road within the Unregulated Zone.

What is considered a road at the Town Common?

The attached map identifies the designated roads in the Goondiwindi Town Common.

If the changes are approved, how will I know where the Regulated and Unregulated Zones are?

Council is proposing to construct barriers and install signage to delineate the Regulated and Unregulated areas.

How much is this going to cost ratepayers?

The proposed Local Law amendments have not been approved. Ratepayer funds have not yet been committed.

Who polices the Goondiwindi Town Common?

The administration of laws relating to access to public land is shared between the Goondiwindi Regional Council and the Queensland Police Service (Police).
The regulation of unlicensed drivers, unregistered and unroadworthy motorbikes, and driver behaviour is a Queensland Police responsibility.

Is camping permitted at the Town Common?

Camping has never been permitted at the Town Common, and this does not change under the proposed Local Law amendments.
Camping on reserves also requires State government permission to amend the lease arrangements. This will likely be a future discussion for Council.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Local Government Act 2009

Goondiwindi Regional Council (“Council”) has proposed to make Community and Environmental Management (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2021.
The local law which authorises the making of the proposed Community and Environmental Management (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2021 is Local Law No. 3 (Community and Environmental Management) 2011.
Under Local Law No. 3 (Community and Environmental Management) 2011—
1. Council may, by subordinate local law, declare a plant to be a local pest; and
2. an authorised person (of Council) may enter a property to search for declared local pests; and
3. an authorised person (of Council) may require an owner of land to take specified action to control declared local pests; and
4. the sale or supply of declared local pests is prohibited; and
5. a person must not introduce, propagate or breed a declared local pest.
The purpose and general effect of the proposed subordinate local law is to declare a plant, being the Willows Cactus (Cereus Uruguayanus), as a local pest for Council’s entire local government area.
Possible anti-competitive provisions have been identified in the proposed Community and Environmental Management (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2021 and Council has proposed to conduct a public interest test in relation to the possible anti-competitive provisions.
Written submissions by any person in support of, or objecting to, the proposed subordinate local law are invited for a 21 day period commencing on Thursday 4th March 2021 and ending on Friday 26th March 2021 (the “consultation period”).
During the consultation period Council will make available for inspection and collection at Council’s public office at 4 McLean Street, Goondiwindi, 18 Elizabeth Street, Inglewood and High Street, Texas copies of—
1. the proposed subordinate local law; and
2. a public interest test plan about possible anti-competitive provisions included in the proposed subordinate local law.
Submissions must be received on or before Friday 26th March 2021 stating—
1. the grounds of the submission; and
2. the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.

Chief Executive Officer

PUBLIC NOTICE

Local Government Act 2009

Goondiwindi Regional Council (“Council”) has proposed to make subordinate local laws as follows—
1. Operation of Camping Grounds (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020;
2. Operation of Caravan Parks (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020;
3. Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020;
4. Parking (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020.
Possible anti-competitive provisions have been identified in the proposed subordinate local laws as follows—
1. Operation of Camping Grounds (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020;
2. Operation of Caravan Parks (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020.
Council has proposed to conduct a public interest test in relation to possible anti-competitive provisions identified in the proposed subordinate local laws referred to in paragraph 2.
Various local laws authorise the making of the proposed subordinate local laws referred to in paragraph 1 as follows—
1. Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2011 authorises the making of subordinate local laws as follows—
  1. Operation of Camping Grounds (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020;
  2. Operation of Caravan Parks (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020;
2. Local Law No. 4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads) 2011 authorises the making of Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020;
3. Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2011 authorises the making of Parking (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020.
The proposed subordinate local laws referred to in paragraph 1 amend current subordinate local laws of Council as follows—
1. Operation of Camping Grounds (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020 amends Subordinate Local Law No. 1.6 (Operation of Camping Grounds) 2011;
2. Operation of Caravan Parks (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020 amends Subordinate Local Law No. 1.8 (Operation of Caravan Parks) 2011;
3. Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020 amends Subordinate Local Law No. 4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads) 2011;
4. Parking (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020 amends Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2011.
The purpose and general effect of the proposed subordinate local laws referred to in paragraph 1 is as follows—
1. Operation of Camping Grounds (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020 amends Subordinate Local Law No. 1.6 (Operation of Camping Grounds) 2011, and in particular, regulates bush camping;
2. Operation of Caravan Parks (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020 amends Subordinate Local Law No. 1.8 (Operation of Caravan Parks) 2011, and in particular, the conditions that will ordinarily be imposed in an approval for the prescribed activity;
3. Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020 amends Subordinate Local Law No. 4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads) 2011, and in particular, identifies a motorbike prohibited area;
4. Parking (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2020 amends Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2011, and in particular, identifies a traffic area and amends the penalty attributable to one minor traffic offence.
Written submissions by any person in support of, or objecting to, the proposed subordinate local laws referred to in paragraph 1 are invited for a 42 day period commencing on Thursday 14th January 2021 and ending on Friday 26th March 2021 (the “consultation period”).
During the consultation period Council will make available for inspection and collection at Council’s public offices at 4 McLean Street, Goondiwindi, 18 Elizabeth Street, Inglewood and High Street, Texas copies of —
1. the proposed subordinate local laws referred to in paragraph 1; and
2. a public interest test plan about each possible anti‑competitive provision included in the proposed subordinate local laws.
Submissions must be received on or before Friday 26th March 2021 stating—
1. the grounds of the submission; and
2. the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.

Chief Executive Officer

Draft Subordinate Local Laws

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