Bid to ease parking pain in local streets

Moreton Bay Regional Council CEO will bring forward a report to amend the planning scheme in a bid to easing parking pain in clogged local streets.

The council unanimously carried a motion put forward by Cr Jodie Shipway at its general meeting today, August 5.

The report will “advance an amendment to the Moreton Bay Regional Planning Scheme to address current concerns regarding the existing planning scheme requirements for off street car parking within the region including, but not limited to, potential increases in residential off street car parking rates required for new multiple dwelling and rooming accommodation (student accommodation) developments in the region.”

“During the last few months, the majority of complaints to my office have been around parking issues,” Cr Shipway told the meeting.

“These are family suburbs and many have more than one vehicle. At any time, you can drive around streets in Mango Hill and Griffin (not to mention several other suburbs) and see that you would have trouble getting an emergency vehicle down the streets.

“Just last Saturday, I spent a couple of hours at a particular street in Mango Hill. I witnessed dangerous conditions, tempers fraying and the negative effect that past planning decisions have had on our community.”

Cr Shipway said she wanted a report brought forward, so a change could be made before a review of the entire planning scheme. She said it was the biggest issue facing her community and she didn’t want a resolution to take five years.

What happens now

CEO Greg Chemello told councillors a report could provide a range of options and there was potential to speed up the process.

Councillors will be provided with a briefing in due course and the issue will return to a council general meeting for a vote.

Cr Grimwade mentioned Brisbane City Council had just undergone a similar process, which had taken 14 months, due to the large body of work needed.

Cr Constance pointed out that if the process took 14 months, there would still be a period beyond that in which superseded applications would have to be approved under the old planning scheme.

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