We’ve held a number of community information sessions over the past couple of years, in conjunction with major road works, to help people understand the road building process. We’ve also presented some background information on council‘s road infrastructure that I thought may be of general interest. (more…)
The QPR Blog
…local government stuff you never even thought to ask about…
Local Government Reform (Update 03/14)
This is a bit of a dry subject, but I thought it might be worth providing a bit of an update at this point. The final report from the Independent Local Government Review Panel was released in January. (more…)
Swimming Pools
Readers may not be aware that new laws relating to swimming pool safety come into force from 29 April 2014. From this date, all properties with a swimming pool or spa pool that are sold or leased must have a valid swimming pool Certificate of Compliance (or an appropriate Occupation Certificate issued within the last three years). (more…)
Building Approvals
I had a call recently, asking if I could help resolve a problem associated with the issue of an Occupation Certificate for a new home. Councils are often criticised for bureaucratic intransigence in planning matters, but this is a good example of regulations that exist to protect potential owners. (more…)
You and Your Rates
This subject comes up from time to time, in various forums. It can be a complex issue, and I can’t possibly cover everything in just one post.
While it’s probably less of an issue for rural residential properties, a rates notice generally includes several line items: typically ordinary rates and a list of applicable charges. (more…)
PLEP Environmental Controls
Heritage Matters
With the interest in ‘heritage’ buildings in Bungendore at the moment, I thought it might be of interest to provide a brief overview of some of the whys and wherefores of heritage listing. (more…)
Planning Reform
As if battling through the gestation of the new Palerang Local Environmental Plan (PLEP) hasn’t been difficult enough, we are also in the throes of major planning reform that will see a significant restructure of NSW and local government planning instruments. We’ll just see the new PLEP take effect and it’ll be all change again. (more…)
In the Zone
There has been an ongoing debate in one sector of the Palerang rural residential community over whether or not the proposed E4 (Environmental Living) zoning in the Palerang Local Environmental Plan is appropriate, the alternative being the R5 (Large Lot Residential) zone. You can read more about specific issues in other posts (Rural Residential Zoning Objectives, Much Ado About Nothing, Lost in Translation, PLEP Land Use Zones). All manner of hypothetical arguments have been presented, but they all skirt the real issue. So let’s cut to the chase. (more…)
Constitutional Recognition
This item is now only of historical interest. With the nomination of 7 September 2013 as the date for the Federal Election, the statutory time requirements for the announcement of a referendum cannot be met, so the proposed referendum cannot be held at this time.
The referendum would have sought endorsement to amend the Australian Constitution to recognise the existence of local government. (more…)