Small lot housing:
Phone 07 3371 9355 or Email
17 November 2004
Yesterday I received the standard "you have been ignored" letter from Council advising ...
that my submission regarding the plethora of relaxations sought for the Dods' site (391-3 Indooroopilly Road) had been ignored by Council's planners and as usual, no reasons were given. It is increasingly obvious that the potential for corruption is enormous as there are no appeal rights and therefore Council officers can so easily manipulate the multitude of planning regulations and relaxations with no external scrutiny. I know as an architect how easy it is to do this and how much it disadvantages the community.
I have been advised that similar letters went to those who made submissions regarding the Gunderson's site (cnr Harts and Indooroopilly Roads and opposite the Dods' site).
I also heard yesterday of an instance where neighbours complained about the access to a pool and were not only told by the Council officer who responded to the complaint that it was their option to put up fences, but worse, he also suggested/implied that they were in no position to complain about neighbours improving their property when they themselves obviously had not done so. So much for protecting the character and amenity ...!
Reminds me of a neighbour nearby who complained about builders demolishing asbestos cement roofing and wall and eaves sheeting and was hosed by the builders yet it took several hours to get a Council inspector on site ... far too late ...!
There is something real about the need to be eternally vigilant ... but rather unreal when it involves officers of authorities we pay for ...!!! Time for external scrutiny? Yes.
Michael Yeates.