Council fails to tell people about population density

I AM writing to express my concerns about the process of making a submission to council’s “Have Your Say” for the proposed City Plan amendments.

The council’s “how to” guide for the City Plan has zero instructions on how to navigate any of these websites. It is poorly detailed and designed.

Firstly, to look at the proposal, I needed to go to a separate website, Gold Coast maps, which needs to be accessed through Chrome. This map is very complex for the average person. It was difficult to navigate and very glitchy. We are not IT experts or town planners. In order to have our say the changes need to be presented to us in a way that we clearly understand.

There has not been any 3D images to see how our lives and homes will be impacted. For areas such as Labrador, Chirn Park, Biggera Waters, which Tom Tate has described as having the infrastructure to support targeted growth, there has been no explanation of how our schools, hospitals, roads, green space or public transport will cater for this increase in population.

Why doesn’t this proposed City Plan affect the low-density homes in affluent areas that are much closer to the light rail and transport corridor upgrades?

The paperwork handed out at the pop-up stands contained zero information about the density. Much of the advertising discussed height changes but lacked the discussion around high-density living. This is misleading.

The pop-up talks were not promoted/advertised with enough notice to encourage engagement with the community. This will greatly impact the elderly.

I have contacted councillors including Kristyn Boulton, requested call backs, face-to-face meetings, to no avail. Where is quality representation when you need it?

The Bulletin has reported on Cr Boulton’s spending on letters and stamps, which she will not apologise for as she says it is important to communicate well with her constituents. However, when I have attempted to communicate with her office she is radio silent.

Cr Cameron Cardwell is also yet to respond to my email. He has attempted to call me back once. However, I am still yet to speak with him and it’s been several weeks now.

After numerous calls, Facebook

messages and requests for meetings being ignored, our only option was to contact state MP Sam O’Connor.

The treatment of Mr O’Connor by councillors in the Gold

Coast Bulletin (23/10) was particularly childish.

It is perfectly clear to me Chirn Park, Labrador and Biggera Waters are being targeted as not for their location to upgraded amenities, upgraded transport networks, public transport and or light rail, but by an outdated perception they are lower socio economic areas; third-rate citizens.

If we are all to wear the ups and downs of population growth and increased density, it should be done in a balanced and fair way. REBECA LITTLE, GOLD COAST