Community & Business
28 November, 2024
Local laws uproar prompts extension
A PUBLIC review of proposed amendments to Mareeba Shire’s local laws will be extended until 4 December after an unprecedented community reaction to the suggested changes driven by “keyboard warriors”.
The proposed amendments were discussed at the October council meeting before being uploaded to the council’s website for the public to review and make submissions, from 19 October to 15 November.
However, a petition of 608 signatures was presented to council at its meeting last week from residents who felt there had not been enough time to review the changes.
“Unfortunately, I think there were some keyboard warriors who went on Facebook and created mistrust and now we’re having to deal with that,” Mayor Angela Toppin said at the November meeting.
Kuranda residents Elizabeth Horsburgh and Sheree Carton attended the meeting to watch and see whether the petition would be mentioned.
“Just to clarify, the petition that we did was not addressing any specific amendment, we were just saying we need more time for the community to look at it and understand what is being said here,” Elizabeth said.
“We didn’t know about it (the amendments) until 7 November, and the first 500 signatures were collected between the 10th and the 15th, then we got another 108 signatures just in a day.”
During the meeting, Cr Amy Braes asked that the public submission period be extended for two weeks.
“I thank residents who reviewed and proposed amendments and provided their feedback to date and move that the consultation be extended for an additional period,” she said.
“An extension of time would allow council to notify the public of the time extension, secondly, to provide a very clear overview of the precise proposed changes for which comment is sought, and thirdly, to allow community members who have not yet reviewed the changes to have their say.
“Local laws are complex and an extension of time, supplemented with very clear communication, will ensure all community members who would like to review the proposed changes can do so.”
The amendments were initially uploaded in a 200-page document, which underlined the changes in multiple sections. Council will now be providing further information on the changes.
The actual amendments related to backyard caravan length of stay, a definition of graffiti, changes to conditions for burials outside of cemeteries, treatment of animals and designated camping areas.
During a feisty discussion, council noted that legally, public notice for local law amendments was only required for two weeks, and in this case, council had provided 28 days’ notice.
Mayor Toppin said the amendments had been minor but many people had become alarmed at what was being presented on social media.
“I met with a couple of local residents and once I showed them exactly what is being changed, they apologised for wasting my time,” she said.
Other councillors had also been approached and said confusion or alarm had been centred on the laws themselves, which had been in place for many years and which people now wanted to change. Council discussion also noted there had never been such a response to local law amendments in recent history.
In supporting the motion to extend the submissions period, Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt reiterated the generous time already provided and questioned whether people would respond.
“Just flip back in 2018-2019 - there was also a change to the local laws - not the local law itself, and no one had any concerns, no one had any interest, and, yes, it’s great to see community taking interest, but I have my concerns with them cherry picking little bits of the laws,” she said.
“So, I’m open to seeing how many people actually take up the pen and paper and put in their submissions.”
Cr Wyatt also defended the council’s track record on communication and transparency, which had been called into question.
“I have no doubt, when you mention transparency, and mention clear communication, I have no doubt sitting here as a councillor into my third term, that we do do clear communication,” she said.
“You know what I don’t have a doubt about? Is that no one picks up the phone and calls me. They get on Facebook, and they do council bashing and they’re very good at council bashing, but they’re not good at looking me in the face and giving me a phone call. And I welcome that. You can put that in the media, too. Anyone’s got concerns, happy to talk to you about it.”
Councillors approved a public consultation period extension to 5pm on 4 December.
