Media Reponses (31 January - 11 February)
Media Reponses (31 January - 11 February)
CONTENT: Rental Crisis, Illegal Campers & Rainbow Beach
Gympie Times: 7 February – Rental Crisis
QUESTION:
Just looking for a statement from the Mayor in regards to "Gympie's Rental Crisis".
We had a resident argue the council should reopen the cabins from the recently closed caravan park to help combat this crisis.
ANSWER:
The much reported on rental crisis is not just unique to the Gympie region. State wide, many regional communities are experiencing a similar situation. Unfortunately, the cabins, located at the recently closed caravan park in Gympie are unsafe and uninhabitable. There are compliance issues across building, plumbing and sewerage leaving the site not only dangerous but unsanitary.
Council are always open to working with state government partners in these matters.
Mayor Hartwig
Cooloola Today: 7 February – Illegal Campers & Rainbow Beach
QUESTION:
Could I please have a quote about what is being done about the illegal campers on the Rainbow Beach Foreshore? It is not funny anymore when they, like this morning, set up next to the No Camping sign clearly visible.
ANSWER:
Council staff have limited resources in this space. The matter will be raised with our QPS partners as we look to police for assistance in enforcement.
Mayor Hartwig
QUESTION:
Do you have a response to the article published in the Noosa Today?
ANSWER:
Many people in our region, particularly along the Cooloola Coast, which includes Rainbow Beach are sick and tired of the Noosa centric thought processes of some individuals that seems to dominate everything from tourism to environmental management.
To suggest that the Gympie end of the working group is holding things up is utter rubbish and certainly not the type of comment that will promote or encourage compromise and positive outcomes. I have a great working relationship with the Mayor Claire Stewart and it would be of great assistance if Councillor Stockwell followed her lead, working to mediate and bring about positive outcomes. Mayor Stewart presents a balanced viewpoint in this discussion, which is valued. The desires of those at North Shore are very different to those of Rainbow Beach. The point of the working group is not about one group getting all their outcomes but rather mature discussion that leads to compromise at both ends that also deliver positive steps forward. The purpose of the group is to try to negotiate middle ground where progress occurs and beneficial outcomes achieved.
Mayor Hartwig