Councillors ‘fobbed off’ by resources minister

URGENT calls from Somerset councillors to help kerb antisocial behaviour at the popular Mid Brisbane River have been “fobbed off” by the natural resources minister.

In December last year, Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann wrote to the minister for assistance in funding the Mid Brisbane River project and inviting the department to see the damage first-hand.

But a response more than four months later from Scott

Stewart has angered councillors who will “take the cannons” when they get a chance to meet with the minister.

In Somerset Regional Council’s meeting on Wednesday, Cr Sean Choat, who made the push to action the issue late last year, said the minister’s response was an “absolute disgrace”.

“Fobbed off, nothing to see here, mind your own business,” Cr Choat said as he described the minister’s letter.

He urged CEO Andrew

Johnson and deputy mayor Helen Brieschke to “take the cannons” when they meet with the minister for resources.

Cr Choat’s frustration was echoed by Cr Bob Whalley.

“I endorse us going down there. I think the minister needs to be told this is downright rude and dismissive,” he said.

“He should get off his butt and actually investigate properly and talk to the relative people involved rather than taking the advice from highlevel bureaucrats that don’t care about this region.”

In Cr Lehmann’s initial letter, he detailed how inappropriate and toxic behaviours had damaged the Mid Brisbane River and how the problem was increasing.

The mayor also commented how various attempts to resurrect the issue had been put into place in the past, in particular, joint initiatives with the Queensland Police, but were costly and crossed multiple land tenures.

In Mr Stewart’s response he wrote the department was aware of the issues and the department could assist to respond to camping issues on an “ad hoc basis”.

The minister told the council to consider the installation of “permanent and effective vehicle barriers” as a deterrent for long-term camping.

Councillors on Wednesday agreed to the CEO and deputy mayor requesting a meeting with Mr Stewart to discuss the impacts of the Mid Brisbane River.