Council seeks feedback on proposed changes to local laws, including Town Common

The relaxation of current local laws, creating a designated zone that allows motorbike riding at the Goondiwindi Town Common, is just one of several proposed amendments to local laws that Goondiwindi Regional Council is putting out to the community for feedback.

Council has also proposed amendments to three other subordinate local laws that will apply across the entire region. These include reducing compliance requirements for caravan parks and camping sites, as well as bringing penalties for parking and minor traffic offences into line with State Government recommendations.

Councillor Rick Kearney holds Council’s Water, Sewerage and Local Laws portfolio. He is encouraging residents to inspect the proposed amendments and give their feedback during this consultation period.

“Council will seek to balance the interests of all residents in these proposed local law changes, and I encourage all residents who wish to give their feedback, whether in support or objection, to make a proper submission,” Cr Kearney said.

“Council must follow a formal process to make any amendments to local laws, and can only accept formal, written submissions as part of the consultation process.”

Residents can inspect copies of the proposed subordinate local laws on Council’s website at https://www.grc.qld.gov.au/homepage/126/draft-local-laws-for-community-consultation or from Council’s Customer Service Centres in either Goondiwindi, Inglewood or Texas. Any person in support of, or objecting to, the proposed amendments must provide a written submission to Council before Friday, 26 March 2021.

The proposed amendment to local law at the Town Common relaxes current regulations for motor vehicles including motorbikes in the northern section of the Common, as per the attached map, leaving a ‘Regulated zone’ for pedestrians and other users. The proposal follows a community survey conducted by Council last year to determine how residents currently use the Town Common, along with any concerns and suggestions for future use.

More than 80% of survey recipients said they were concerned about the site’s safety, reporting concerns about motorists operating in the same area as other pedestrian activities, such as fishing, walking and bird watching.

“While federal or state legislation governs most laws, and Queensland road rules do apply to the roads within the Town Common, Council does have authority to amend a limited number of local laws to align with the needs and wants of the community as a whole,” Cr Kearney said. “Like all public land, the Town Common is a community asset to be enjoyed by everyone. It needs to be looked after and treated with respect to keep it in good condition for the future - so I would invite all residents to let us know their feedback on what’s being proposed.”

For more information, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions in relation to the proposed Goondiwindi Town Common Local Law amendments, visit: https://www.grc.qld.gov.au/homepage/126/draft-local-laws-for-community-consultation