23
Health and Amenity Plan 2016 - 2017 END OF YEAR PROGRESS REPORT 30 June 2017 Ipswich.qld.gov.au
Health and Amenity Plan 2016 - 2017
END OF YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
30 June 2017
Ipswich.qld.gov.au
Ipswich City Council introduced its first ever Health and Amenity Plan (The Plan) in 2016. The Plan is designed to provide everyone living, working and visiting Ipswich with an understanding of Council’s approach to the compliance activities for which it is responsible.
For the 2016-2017 year, the Plan consisted of six core priorities with a range of actions to be delivered over the twelve months. The activities were identified by the Ipswich community as compliance matters that require a stronger focus and higher priority to Council. Knowledge about these problems and their associated risks were established by collecting and analysing data from a range of information sources including:
• direct feedback from the community
• complaints received by Council
• results from compliance monitoring and
• trends in non-compliance areas.
The six core priorities are:
1 CUSTOMER CENTRICImproved information & processes
3PARKINGSafer School Parking ProgramParking on footpaths
4ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & AMENITY MATTERSSediment & erosion controlsIllegal dumpingOvergrown yardsHoarding & squalor issues
6PEST MANAGEMENTNoxious weedsRabbits and wild dogs
2ANIMAL MANAGEMENTBarking dogsRoaming dogsRoaming catsDog control in public and on private property
PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENTUse of public land (parks, Conservation estates, and malls)5
The Health, Security and Regulatory Services Department (HSRS) within Council is responsible for compliance activities. The plan has been actioned and managed by HSRS through detailed project plans and funded activities to assist in delivering the compliance strategies and target levels listed in the Plan.
The key deliverables of the Health and Amenity Plan are now listed in this end of year report. It is envisioned that the majority of priorities in the 2016-2017 Plan will appear in the 2017-2018 Plan, however the majority of actions will be different as other compliance strategies are introduced.
Highlights of the key deliverables
6 HAP Hubs delivered in Ipswich to seek face-to-face feedback on where Council should focus its efforts and resources when
it comes to compliance.
Minor reduction in resolution times for barking dog
complaints (2 days less)
Based on the Plan’s compliance strategies and target levels identified the following are the key highlights of what has been delivered in 2016-2017:
Significant reduction in dog fencing complaints in 2016-2017
compared to previous year (more than 200 less complaints).
Minor reduction in roaming dog complaints received in 2016-2017 compared
to previous year (50 less complaints).
There are 3,500 more dogs on Councils registration system that are listed as microchipped in 2016-2017
compared to the previous year.
Council developed a partnership with Bunnings Warehouse and the RSPCA
to deliver workshops in Bunnings stores aimed at showing cat and dog owners how they can create low cost solutions for containing
their cats and dogs to their yards.
There were 30% fewer dog attacks reported to Council in 2016-2017 compared to the previous year.
Minor reduction in complaints received about parking at Schools during
pick up and drop off periods.
Parking on footpath complaints have increased by 255 complaints in
2016-2017 compared to previous years. The HAP Hubs confirmed that this is an issue for residents
and will be explored further in other compliance strategies for the 2017-
2018 Health and Amenity Plan.
Illegal dumping on footpaths has decreased by nearly
50 complaints in 2016-2017 compared to the previous year.
Education and advice on erosion and sediment control issues provided via
various workshops, builder field days, Healthy Waterway events and forums.
Council introduced a new pre-lodgement process via MyIpswich
to assist potential event organisers where the events are expected to have
more than 2,000 people attend.
The full Plan with key deliverables is listed on the following pages.
Customer centric means looking at all information Council (HSRS) provides, whether online or in hard copy from the point of view of the customer. We will focus on ensuring the customer can perform the most important task easily.
Council provides an extremely wide and diverse range of services to communities every day. There is a need for simplified, de-cluttered Council websites that make it easy for customers to complete their electronic journey quickly and easily. Communities are accessing government services online with increasing frequency, not only because they are on the move but also because more people are engaging with the internet.
PRIORITY 1:
CUSTOMER CENTRIC
AC
TIO
N:
Imp
rove
d in
form
ati
on
an
d e
ng
ag
em
en
t w
ith
th
e c
om
mu
nit
y
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Com
mun
ity
feed
back
is th
at
info
rmat
ion
onlin
e is
too
hard
to fi
nd o
r is
in
com
plet
e.
Lack
of
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
wha
t Cou
ncil
is r
espo
nsib
le
for.
Ensu
re w
e ha
ve a
res
pons
ive
web
site
that
pro
vide
s go
od u
ser
expe
rienc
es a
cros
s al
l dev
ices
(sm
art
phon
e, ta
blet
, des
ktop
) for
com
plia
nce
mat
ters
.
Regu
lar
use
of a
naly
tics
tool
s to
ass
ess
onlin
e ef
forts
to
del
iver
bet
ter
com
mun
ity s
ervi
ces.
Revi
ewin
g C
ounc
il pu
blic
atio
ns in
ord
er to
enh
ance
ac
cess
to C
ounc
il in
form
atio
n an
d se
rvic
es.
Con
duct
mor
e co
mm
unity
edu
catio
n ac
tiviti
es
to im
prov
e aw
aren
ess
abou
t Cou
ncil’
s ro
le,
resp
onsi
bilit
ies,
pol
icie
s an
d se
rvic
es.
Offe
ring
extra
and
diff
eren
t opp
ortu
nitie
s fo
r co
mm
unity
eng
agem
ent s
o th
at o
ur d
ecis
ions
an
d ot
her
outc
omes
bet
ter
mee
t com
mun
ity a
nd
cust
omer
nee
ds.
Prov
idin
g qu
ality
cus
tom
er s
ervi
ce tr
aini
ng fo
r al
l sta
ff an
d an
ong
oing
pro
gram
of c
ontin
uing
sk
ills
deve
lopm
ent a
nd e
duca
tion
abou
t Cou
ncil
prod
ucts
and
ser
vice
s.
Focu
sing
sta
ff re
war
d an
d re
cogn
ition
pro
gram
s on
co
mm
unity
and
cus
tom
er s
atis
fact
ion
mea
sure
s.
Redu
ced
need
to
prod
uce
pape
r le
afle
ts
or n
ewsl
ette
rs.
Incr
ease
in th
e ef
ficie
nt
use
of o
ffice
r’s
time.
Incr
ease
d un
ders
tand
ing
of
how
the
com
mun
ity
acce
sses
Cou
ncil
info
rmat
ion
and
wha
t top
ics
get t
he
mos
t ‘hi
ts’ t
o as
sist
w
ith fu
ture
prio
rity
iden
tific
atio
n.
Redu
ctio
n in
cal
ls th
at
are
dire
cted
to a
noth
er
agen
cy a
s it
is n
ot a
C
ounc
il m
anag
ed
issu
e.
Incr
ease
in
enga
gem
ent
oppo
rtuni
ties
fo
r C
ounc
il.
HSR
S re
view
s th
e ne
ed to
pro
duce
col
late
ral i
n pr
int o
n a
case
-by-
case
bas
is. W
here
pos
sibl
e al
l inf
orm
atio
n is
m
ade
elec
troni
cally
ava
ilabl
e on
Cou
ncil’
s w
ebsi
te a
nd
can
be p
rinte
d by
the
publ
ic a
s re
quire
d an
d ne
eded
. H
SRS
has
redu
ced
how
muc
h it
prin
ts th
roug
h
this
pro
cess
.
A si
gnifi
cant
rev
iew
of c
ompl
ianc
e in
form
atio
n on
C
ounc
ils w
ebsi
te h
as b
een
unde
rtake
n. Im
prov
emen
ts
will
go
live
early
in 2
017-
2018
.
A si
gnifi
cant
rev
iew
of c
ompl
ianc
e pr
oced
ures
and
re
late
d cu
stom
er s
crip
ting
has
been
rev
iew
ed
and
upda
ted.
HSR
S ha
s in
crea
sed
its e
ngag
emen
t opp
ortu
nitie
s by
pr
ovid
ing
mor
e ev
ents
and
pro
gram
s fo
r th
e pu
blic
to
enga
ge. I
n pa
rticu
lar
we
have
intro
duce
d H
AP H
ubs
to
help
info
rm th
e de
velo
pmen
t of t
he 2
017-
2018
Hea
lth
and
Amen
ity P
lan.
Six
hub
s w
ere
held
acr
oss
April
, M
ay a
nd J
une
2017
with
ove
r 45
0 vo
tes
coun
ted
as to
w
here
peo
ple
thin
k ou
r ef
forts
and
res
ourc
es s
houl
d be
fo
cuss
ed w
hen
it co
mes
to c
ompl
ianc
e m
atte
rs.
Pet nuisances rank highly in terms of the number of complaints that Council receives annually from the community, with the majority focussed on dogs. Considering the population growth the Ipswich City Council region will experience in the years ahead, the cat and dog population is expected to grow alongside of it. The combined cat and dog population is approximately one third of what the human population of Ipswich is.
Excessive barking, roaming cats and dogs and how dogs are controlled in public are all high volume complaint areas for Council to investigate and manage. Having effective control of a dog in public, including designated off leash areas, can mean less dog attacks on people and animals.
PRIORITY 2:
PET MANAGEMENT
AC
TIO
N:
Ba
rkin
g D
og
s
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h nu
mbe
rs
of c
ompl
aint
s.
Resi
dent
s ca
n fin
d in
vest
igat
ion
proc
esse
s co
mpl
ex
and
leng
thy.
Revi
ew th
e ba
rkin
g do
g co
mpl
aint
pro
cess
in
clud
ing
loca
l law
and
pol
icy
requ
irem
ents
, onl
ine
info
rmat
ion,
pat
hway
s fo
r cu
stom
ers
to p
rovi
de
info
rmat
ion
and
exam
ples
of n
uisa
nce
beha
viou
r, an
d cu
stom
er s
ervi
ce s
crip
ting.
Benc
hmar
king
bes
t pra
ctic
e w
ith o
ther
loca
l go
vern
men
ts to
iden
tify
impr
ovem
ent o
ppor
tuni
ties
for
the
com
mun
ity a
nd C
ounc
il.
Cle
ar c
onci
se la
ws,
pr
oced
ures
and
cu
stom
er in
form
atio
n on
how
bar
king
do
g co
mpl
aint
s
are
man
aged
.
Redu
ctio
n in
leng
th
of ti
me
bark
ing
dog
com
plai
nts
take
to
res
olve
.
HSR
S ha
s re
view
ed it
s ba
rkin
g do
g pr
oces
s an
d la
ws
to
ensu
re c
usto
mer
s un
ders
tand
the
proc
ess
an
d ob
ligat
ions
.
Reso
lutio
n tim
es fo
r ba
rkin
g do
g co
mpl
aint
s ha
s be
en
redu
ced
by tw
o da
ys w
hen
com
parin
g 20
15-2
016
and
2016
-201
7 re
solu
tion
times
. On
aver
age,
bar
king
dog
co
mpl
aint
s ar
e ta
king
22
days
to r
esol
ve.
AC
TIO
N:
Roa
min
g D
og
s
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h nu
mbe
rs o
f co
mpl
aint
s.
Lost
and
foun
d pr
oces
s ne
eds
to
be im
prov
ed to
cr
eate
rea
l tim
e re
porti
ng.
Revi
ew th
e ro
amin
g do
g pr
oces
s in
clud
ing
info
rmat
ion
onlin
e, c
usto
mer
ser
vice
scr
iptin
g,
serv
ice
prov
isio
n an
d te
chno
logy
.
Benc
hmar
king
bes
t pra
ctic
e w
ith o
ther
loca
l go
vern
men
ts to
iden
tify
any
effic
ienc
ies
for
the
com
mun
ity a
nd C
ounc
il.
Redu
ctio
n in
num
ber
of r
oam
ing
com
plai
nts
rece
ived
by
Cou
ncil.
Redu
ctio
n in
fe
ncin
g co
mpl
aint
s.
Incr
ease
d ac
cess
to
real
tim
e in
form
atio
n on
lost
and
foun
d do
gs
(and
oth
er p
ets)
in th
e Ip
swic
h ar
ea.
Incr
ease
in n
umbe
r of
m
icro
chip
ped
dogs
.
A re
duct
ion
in r
oam
ing
dog
com
plai
nts
has
been
re
alis
ed. T
he r
educ
tion
is m
inor
how
ever
wor
k in
this
sp
ace
will
con
tinue
with
the
2017
-201
8 H
ealth
and
Am
enity
Pla
n. O
n av
erag
e C
ounc
il ha
s re
ceiv
ed 5
0 le
ss c
ompl
aint
s in
201
6-20
17 c
ompa
red
to 2
015-
2016
. Thi
s is
a r
educ
tion
on a
vera
ge o
f 4-5
per
mon
th
and
1 le
ss p
er w
eek.
Dog
fenc
ing
com
plai
nts
have
had
a s
igni
fican
t re
duct
ion
with
ove
r 20
0 le
ss c
ompl
aint
s re
ceiv
ed b
y C
ounc
il in
201
6-20
17 c
ompa
red
to 2
015-
2016
. Thi
s re
pres
ents
on
aver
age
20 le
ss d
og fe
ncin
g co
mpl
aint
s re
ceiv
ed p
er m
onth
in 2
016-
2017
.
Ther
e ar
e 3,
500
mor
e do
gs th
at a
re r
egis
tere
d w
ith
Cou
ncil
and
iden
tifie
d as
mic
roch
ippe
d in
201
6-20
17
com
pare
d to
201
5-20
16. T
his
repr
esen
ts a
n in
crea
se
of 2
0%.
Lost
and
foun
d in
form
atio
n is
now
thro
ugh
a si
ngle
po
int o
f tru
th fo
r th
e re
gion
, mea
ning
ow
ners
can
ea
sily
loca
te th
eir
lost
pet
or
iden
tify
one
they
hav
e fo
und.
The
lost
and
foun
d in
form
atio
n is
don
e vi
a th
e RS
PCA
porta
l and
is a
live
upd
ate
to c
ounc
il’s
web
site
. Im
poun
ded
info
rmat
ion
is s
till d
ocum
ente
d an
d re
tain
ed b
y C
ounc
il di
rect
ly.
AC
TIO
N:
Roa
min
g C
ats
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h nu
mbe
rs o
f co
mpl
aint
s.
Anec
dota
l fe
edba
ck is
that
so
me
resi
dent
s do
n’t r
ealis
e la
ws
exis
t re
quiri
ng c
ats
to
be c
onta
ined
to
thei
r ya
rd.
Uno
wne
d (fe
ral)
cats
are
an
issu
e in
som
e ar
eas
requ
iring
cat
tra
ps to
be
set.
Rese
arch
and
inve
stig
ate
cont
ainm
ent o
ptio
ns to
sh
owca
se p
ossi
ble
solu
tions
to c
at o
wne
rs.
Rese
arch
, inv
estig
ate
and
impl
emen
t des
exin
g ca
mpa
igns
and
com
plia
nce
prog
ram
s fo
r ow
ned
and
unow
ned
cats
.
Rese
arch
and
inve
stig
ate
man
dato
ry d
esex
ing
law
s fo
r ca
ts.
Redu
ctio
n in
num
ber
of
com
plai
nts
rece
ived
by
Cou
ncil.
Incr
ease
of d
esex
ed
and
mic
roch
ippe
d ca
ts
in th
e co
mm
unity
.
Incr
ease
in p
rom
otio
n of
des
exin
g be
nefit
s.
Incr
ease
in p
rom
otio
n of
con
tain
men
t so
lutio
ns.
In 2
016-
2017
Cou
ncil
rece
ived
20%
less
roa
min
g ca
t co
mpl
aint
s co
mpa
red
to 2
015-
2016
. Req
uest
s fo
r ca
t tra
ps h
ad a
min
or r
educ
tion
in 2
016-
2017
com
pare
d to
the
prev
ious
yea
r al
so. A
tota
l of 5
0 le
ss r
eque
sts
w
ere
rece
ived
.
Cou
ncil
has
partn
ered
with
two
agen
cies
to p
rom
ote
the
bene
fits
of d
esex
ing.
The
two
sepa
rate
cam
paig
ns
prov
ide
finan
cial
ass
ista
nce
to s
uppo
rt ow
ners
des
ex
thei
r pe
ts.
RSPC
A O
pera
tion
Wan
ted
runs
from
Jun
e –
Augu
st
each
yea
r an
d pr
ovid
es a
dis
coun
t for
des
exin
g at
pa
rtici
patin
g ve
ts. A
WLQ
offe
r su
bsid
ised
des
exin
g fo
r ca
ts w
hile
fund
s la
st a
nd w
ill b
e op
erat
iona
l at t
he
com
men
cem
ent o
f the
201
7-20
18 fi
nanc
ial y
ear.
Cou
ncil
held
thre
e w
orks
hops
in c
onju
nctio
n w
ith
Bunn
ings
War
ehou
se o
n ho
w p
eopl
e ca
n ea
sily
obt
ain/
crea
te a
low
cos
t con
tain
men
t sol
utio
n fo
r th
eir
cats
on
thei
r pr
oper
ty (r
egar
dles
s of
whe
ther
they
ren
t or
own)
. Th
e w
orks
hops
had
on
aver
age
18 p
eopl
e at
eac
h se
ssio
n ac
ross
the
city.
AC
TIO
N:
Dog
Con
trol in
Pu
blic
an
d o
n P
riva
te P
rop
ert
y
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h nu
mbe
rs
of c
ompl
aint
s m
ade
abou
t ag
gres
sive
do
g be
havi
our
incl
udin
g si
tuat
ions
w
here
a d
og
has
atta
cked
an
othe
r pe
rson
or
ani
mal
. Thi
s ca
n oc
cur
in
off l
eash
par
ks,
publ
ic a
reas
and
pr
ivat
e pr
oper
ty.
Dev
elop
a C
ode
of C
ondu
ct fo
r of
f lea
sh p
arks
.
Expl
ore
way
s to
add
ress
the
hara
ssm
ent i
ssue
s of
do
gs fr
ight
enin
g pe
ople
from
insi
de th
eir
prop
ertie
s,
parti
cula
rly in
circ
umst
ance
s w
here
a d
og m
ay
be a
ble
to a
cces
s th
e pu
blic
thro
ugh
the
fenc
e or
w
here
the
fenc
e is
not
sec
ure
or e
ffect
ive.
Redu
ce th
e nu
mbe
r of
dog
atta
cks
and
hara
ssm
ent
thro
ugh
bite
avo
idan
ce e
duca
tion
and
enco
urag
e m
ore
accu
rate
rep
ortin
g of
all
dog
atta
cks.
A C
ode
of C
ondu
ct is
im
plem
ente
d in
all
off-
leas
h do
g pa
rks
and
prom
oted
wid
ely
by
Cou
ncil
and
ot
her
stak
ehol
ders
.
Redu
ctio
n in
num
ber
of c
ompl
aint
s m
ade
abou
t har
assi
ng d
ogs/
fenc
ing
com
plai
nts.
Redu
ctio
n in
maj
or
dog
atta
cks.
A C
ode
of C
ondu
ct h
as b
een
deve
lope
d an
d w
ill
be im
plem
ente
d in
the
2017
-201
8 fin
anci
al y
ear.
The
laun
ch o
f the
Cod
e w
ill b
e ac
com
pani
ed b
y a
prog
ress
ive
mar
ketin
g ca
mpa
ign
to h
ighl
ight
why
a
Cod
e is
req
uire
d.
Cou
ncil
held
thre
e w
orks
hops
in c
onju
nctio
n w
ith
Bunn
ings
War
ehou
se o
n ho
w p
eopl
e ca
n ea
sily
rem
edy
fenc
ing
on th
eir
prop
erty
to e
nsur
e it
is s
ecur
e so
thei
r do
gs c
an’t
esca
pe. T
he w
orks
hops
had
on
aver
age
18
peo
ple
at e
ach
sess
ion
acro
ss th
e C
ity.
Ther
e ha
s be
en a
n ap
prox
imat
e 30
% r
educ
tion
for
dog
atta
ck c
ompl
aint
s in
201
6-20
17 c
ompa
red
to
the
prev
ious
yea
r. M
ore
deta
iled
dog
atta
ck a
naly
sis
com
men
ced
in 2
016-
2017
to e
nabl
e C
ounc
il to
pro
vide
gre
ater
cla
rity
arou
nd s
ituat
ions
and
en
viro
nmen
ts th
at n
eed
the
mos
t edu
catio
n an
d en
forc
emen
t in
the
com
ing
year
s.
Resident feedback and the volume of complaints indicate that parking around schools and parking on footpaths are a concern to the general community.
Due to the ever changing populations at schools, there is a need to ensure Council regularly reminds parents and motorists who travel to schools in private vehicles about the need to do so safely. The approach by Council is to first engage with the school community (generally by way of the school newsletter), educate the school community about the issues associated with parking illegally and then take enforcement action if required. Council will continue to implement proactive compliance programs at school drop off and pick up times.
Council understands that people sometimes use the nature strip because they feel it is safer than parking on a road, especially in streets that are narrow. However, the reality is that parking fully or partially on nature strips and footpaths, regardless of the intention, can be dangerous and illegal. Council have a safety and legal obligation to enforce the parking laws. Council will aim to increase people’s awareness of laws and why they exist.
PRIORITY 3:
PARKING
AC
TIO
N:
Safe
r Sc
hool Pa
rkin
g
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h vo
lum
e co
mpl
aint
s of
un
safe
par
king
at
sch
ools
in
clud
ing
near
m
iss
inci
dent
s an
d in
jurie
s/ac
cide
nts.
Con
tinua
tion
of S
afe
Scho
ol P
arki
ng P
rogr
am
invo
lvin
g sc
hool
s th
at h
ave
high
vol
ume
com
plai
nts
and
park
ing
safe
ty is
sues
.
The
Safe
Sch
ool
Park
ing
Prog
ram
is
del
iver
ed a
nd
eval
uate
d ea
ch
scho
ol te
rm.
Redu
ctio
n in
co
mpl
aint
s m
ade
abou
t par
king
at
sch
ools
.
The
Scho
ol S
afe
Park
ing
Prog
ram
con
tinue
d in
20
16-2
017
with
nin
e sc
hool
s pa
rtici
patin
g in
the
prog
ram
. A c
ombi
natio
n of
on-
foot
and
car
pat
rols
ar
e un
derta
ken
the
first
wee
k of
eac
h sc
hool
term
at
parti
cipa
ting
scho
ols
to a
ssis
t sch
ools
, par
ents
and
ki
ds u
nder
stan
d th
e da
nger
s of
ille
gal p
arki
ng a
t pi
ck u
p an
d dr
op o
ff tim
es. A
ran
ge o
f act
ions
occ
ur
durin
g th
e w
eek
incl
udin
g on
ave
rage
60
educ
atio
nal
broc
hure
s an
d 60
mov
e-on
s oc
curr
ing
at e
ach
scho
ol w
ith w
arni
ngs
and
PIN
s is
sued
onl
y in
ext
rem
e ci
rcum
stan
ces
whe
re d
river
s do
n’t t
ake
Cou
ncil
offic
ers
(or
Polic
e) a
dvic
e to
mov
e on
as
they
are
par
ked
illeg
ally.
Com
plai
nts
abou
t ille
gal s
choo
l par
king
re
mai
n co
nsta
nt h
owev
er a
min
or r
educ
tion
(7 le
ss
com
plai
nts)
was
ach
ieve
d in
201
6-20
17 c
ompa
red
to th
e pr
evio
us y
ear.
Com
plai
nts
mai
nly
occu
r at
the
com
men
cem
ent o
f eac
h sc
hool
term
. A r
ange
of
reso
urce
s ar
e be
ing
deve
lope
d th
at S
choo
ls c
an u
tilis
e to
spr
ead
the
mes
sage
abo
ut s
afe
scho
ol p
arki
ng.
AC
TIO
N:
Pa
rkin
g o
n F
ootp
ath
s
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h vo
lum
e co
mpl
aint
s of
un
safe
par
king
on
foot
path
s in
clud
ing
bloc
ked
acce
ss
to p
rivat
e pr
oper
ties
and
dam
age
to
utili
ties.
Educ
atio
n an
d pr
omot
ion
of th
e la
ws
that
exi
st a
nd
pote
ntia
l sol
utio
ns. I
nclu
de k
ey m
essa
ging
, fo
r ex
ampl
e ve
hicl
es p
arke
d on
the
natu
re s
trip
or
foot
path
:
• ca
use
maj
or d
amag
e to
pub
lic in
frast
ruct
ure
both
abo
ve a
nd b
elow
the
grou
nd
• m
ay p
reve
nt e
mer
genc
y pe
rson
nel f
rom
ac
cess
ing
key
infra
stru
ctur
e su
ch a
s w
ater
, se
wer
age,
gas
, tel
ecom
mun
icat
ions
and
dr
aina
ge p
ipes
• ca
n po
se in
crea
sed
safe
ty r
isks
for
pede
stria
ns
as th
ey a
re le
ss v
isib
le to
onc
omin
g ca
rs
• re
stric
t acc
ess
for
whe
elch
air
and
pram
use
rs.
Redu
ctio
n in
co
mpl
aint
s fo
r pa
rkin
g on
a fo
otpa
th.
Incr
ease
d pr
omot
ion
of w
hat d
amag
e,
inco
nven
ienc
es a
nd
safe
ty is
sues
par
king
on
a fo
otpa
th
may
cau
se.
Park
ing
on fo
otpa
th c
ompl
aint
s ha
ve in
crea
sed
in
2016
-201
7 co
mpa
red
to th
e pr
evio
us y
ear
with
C
ounc
il re
ceiv
ing
255
mor
e co
mpl
aint
s. T
his
coul
d be
exp
lain
ed b
y th
e co
mm
unity
hav
ing
a fu
rther
un
ders
tand
ing
of w
hy p
arki
ng o
n fo
otpa
th n
eeds
to
be e
nfor
ced
and
less
tole
rant
of o
ffend
ers.
At H
AP
Hub
s he
ld d
urin
g Ap
ril, M
ay a
nd J
une
2017
, par
king
on
foot
path
s w
as n
oted
as
an a
rea
Cou
ncil
need
s to
fo
cus
on m
ore.
Thi
s w
ill b
e ex
plor
ed in
the
2017
-201
8 H
ealth
and
Am
enity
Pla
n.
Cou
ncil’
s w
ebsi
te h
as b
een
upda
ted
to p
rovi
de s
impl
e,
yet c
ompr
ehen
sive
mes
sagi
ng fo
r re
side
nts
and
visi
tors
ab
out w
hy p
arki
ng o
n fo
otpa
th is
sues
are
mon
itore
d
and
enfo
rced
.
Land development and building sites have been identified as a potential major contributor of sediment to Ipswich’s waterways and this is a significant concern given the current amount of construction activity due to the city’s growth. If it enters our waterways, sediment (such as soil, sand, silt, mud) and litter washed from urban areas can cause both short and long term environmental problems.
The Environmental Protection Act 1994 places a legal responsibility on all persons who cause land disturbance to minimise or prevent environmental harm. Council has a legal obligation to administer these laws and, ultimately, improve the quality of our waterways and natural environment.
Queensland’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 provides everyone with the ability to report littering and illegal dumping associated with a motor vehicle, trailer or vessel. Every year, ratepayers’ money is spent on cleaning up illegally dumped waste. Even more money is spent on fixing infrastructure and natural areas impacted by dumping. Dump sites can lower property values and also attract other illegal activities. Overgrown yards and junk accumulation issues on private property need more socialisation for the community to understand what triggers action by Council in terms of public health, amenity and overall compliance management.
PRIORITY 4:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND AMENITY MATTERS
AC
TIO
N:
Erosi
on
an
d S
ed
imen
t C
on
trols
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h vo
lum
e co
mpl
aint
s (s
easo
nal)
on s
edim
ent/
pollu
tant
s.
Impl
emen
t and
mon
itor
an E
rosi
on a
nd S
edim
ent
Con
trol C
ompl
ianc
e Pr
ogra
m (E
SCC
P) ta
rget
ing
proj
ects
in th
e co
nstru
ctio
n ph
ase
of d
evel
opm
ent,
incl
udin
g bo
th la
rge
lot d
evel
opm
ents
and
re
side
ntia
l hom
e co
nstru
ctio
n si
tes.
Incr
ease
d co
mpl
ianc
e w
ith S
tate
Leg
isla
tion.
Trai
ning
, wor
ksho
ps
and
onsi
te v
isits
un
derta
ken
and
deliv
ered
to
deve
lope
rs, c
ontra
ctor
s an
d bu
ilder
s on
bes
t pr
actic
e so
lutio
ns
for
eros
ion
and
se
dim
ent c
ontro
l.
Incr
ease
in in
form
atio
n an
d ed
ucat
ion
mad
e av
aila
ble
onlin
e to
st
akeh
olde
rs.
Hea
lthy
Wat
erw
ays
scor
ecar
d ra
ting
is
impr
oved
(lon
ger
term
).
Cou
ncil
has
atte
nded
and
pro
vide
d ed
ucat
ion
and
advi
ce o
n er
osio
n an
d se
dim
ent c
ontro
l iss
ues
at
vario
us w
orks
hops
, bui
lder
s fie
ld d
ays,
Hea
lthy
Wat
erw
ays
even
ts a
nd fo
rum
s to
ass
ist d
evel
oper
s an
d
build
ers
unde
rsta
nd w
hat t
heir
oblig
atio
ns a
re u
nder
pl
anni
ng c
ondi
tions
, leg
isla
tion
and
law
s, a
nd e
xhib
it be
st p
ract
ice
eros
ion
and
sedi
men
t con
trol p
ract
ices
.
Cou
ncil’
s w
ebsi
te h
as h
ad a
dditi
onal
con
tent
add
ed to
as
sist
hom
eow
ners
, bui
lder
s an
d de
velo
pers
und
erst
and
the
impa
ct o
f poo
r pr
actic
e an
d be
st p
ract
ice
rega
rdin
g er
osio
n an
d se
dim
ent c
ontro
ls.
Com
plai
nts
rece
ived
by
Cou
ncil
have
rem
aine
d st
eady
be
twee
n 20
15-2
016
and
2016
-201
7 w
ith a
n in
crea
se
of fo
ur c
ompl
aint
s bu
t thi
s m
ay b
e du
e to
a w
ette
r ye
ar
in 2
016-
2017
com
pare
d to
201
5-20
16.
AC
TIO
N:
Ille
ga
l D
um
pin
g
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h vo
lum
e co
mpl
aint
s of
ill
egal
dum
ping
ac
ross
the
city.
Rese
arch
and
impl
emen
t new
tech
nolo
gies
for
mon
itorin
g ho
t spo
ts w
here
ille
gal d
umpi
ng o
ccur
s.
Enco
urag
e re
side
nts
to r
epor
t sig
htin
gs o
f ille
gal
dum
ping
act
iviti
es a
nd p
rovi
de e
asy
path
way
s fo
r lo
dgin
g re
ports
.
Enco
urag
e re
side
nts
not t
o le
ave
item
s ou
t the
fron
t of
pro
perti
es u
nles
s a
kerb
side
cle
an u
p by
Cou
ncil
is in
ope
ratio
n.
Earli
er d
etec
tion
of h
ot
zone
s w
here
dum
ping
is
occ
urrin
g du
e to
re
side
nts
bein
g vi
gila
nt
abou
t rep
ortin
g
of s
ight
ings
.
Redu
ctio
n in
dam
age
to in
frast
ruct
ure
and
natu
ral a
reas
as
a
resu
lt of
ill
egal
dum
ping
.
Less
item
s ar
e ill
egal
ly
left
on fo
otpa
ths.
Mor
e pr
omot
ion
of
alte
rnat
ive
path
way
s fo
r le
gal d
ispo
sal a
nd
recy
clin
g, d
onat
ing
and
selli
ng o
f ite
ms.
Ove
rall,
ille
gal d
umpi
ng c
ompl
aint
s ha
ve in
crea
sed
sign
ifica
ntly
with
156
mor
e co
mpl
aint
s re
ceiv
ed in
20
16-2
017
com
pare
d to
the
prev
ious
yea
r. H
owev
er,
a su
bset
of t
hat [
illeg
al d
umpi
ng o
n a
foot
path
] has
re
duce
d. C
ounc
il re
ceiv
ed 4
7 le
ss c
ompl
aint
s th
is y
ear
com
pare
d to
the
prev
ious
yea
r.
Hot
spot
mon
itorin
g is
occ
urrin
g an
d m
ore
soph
istic
ated
su
rvei
llanc
e m
easu
res
have
bee
n tri
alle
d to
be
depl
oyed
in 2
017-
2018
to r
educ
e du
mpi
ng in
pu
blic
pla
ces.
Prom
otio
n of
alte
rnat
ive
path
way
s fo
r le
gal d
ispo
sal,
recy
clin
g, d
onat
ing
and
selli
ng o
f ite
ms
has
been
in
clud
ed a
s pa
rt of
the
web
site
rev
iew
and
the
cont
ent
will
go
live
early
in 2
017-
2018
.
AC
TIO
N:
Ove
rgro
wn
Ya
rds
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Hig
h vo
lum
e co
mpl
aint
s (s
easo
nal).
Som
e re
side
nts
aren
’t su
re
wha
t con
stitu
tes
an o
verg
row
n ya
rd (h
ow lo
ng
is to
o lo
ng),
whi
ch m
ay r
esul
t in
inac
cura
te
repo
rting
.
Prov
ide
mor
e in
form
atio
n on
wha
t con
stitu
tes
an
over
grow
n ya
rd d
urin
g th
e lo
dgem
ent o
f com
plai
nts
onlin
e.
Prov
ide
mor
e pr
oact
ive
info
rmat
ion
and
advi
ce o
n ho
w C
ounc
il m
anag
es a
nd in
vest
igat
es c
ompl
aint
s of
this
nat
ure.
Incr
ease
in c
ompl
aint
s of
ove
rgro
wn
yard
s.
Incr
ease
in in
form
atio
n av
aila
ble
onlin
e on
ho
w C
ounc
il m
anag
es
over
grow
n ya
rds.
Ove
rgro
wn
yard
com
plai
nts
have
incr
ease
d w
ith 2
56
mor
e co
mpl
aint
s re
ceiv
ed in
201
6-20
17 c
ompa
red
to th
e pr
evio
us y
ear.
This
was
ant
icip
ated
with
mor
e in
form
atio
n m
ade
avai
labl
e on
line
abou
t the
pro
cess
(in
crea
sed
com
mun
ity a
war
enes
s) a
nd th
at Ip
swic
h ha
d a
muc
h w
ette
r ye
ar th
an th
e pr
evio
us.
Peak
tim
es fo
r co
mpl
aint
s w
ere
Janu
ary,
Feb
ruar
y an
d Ap
ril 2
017.
AC
TIO
N:
Hoa
rdin
g a
nd
Sq
ua
lor
Issu
es
on
Pri
vate
Pro
pert
y
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Com
plai
nts
of
hoar
ding
and
sq
ualo
r of
ten
take
a lo
ng
time
to r
esol
ve,
alth
ough
su
rrou
ndin
g re
side
nts
ofte
n w
ant a
qui
cker
re
solu
tion
of
thei
r co
mpl
aint
s.
Revi
ew th
e pr
oces
s of
how
Cou
ncil
man
ages
is
sues
invo
lvin
g ho
ardi
ng a
nd s
qual
or in
clud
ing
info
rmat
ion
onlin
e, r
efer
ral p
athw
ays
to c
omm
unity
se
rvic
es, c
usto
mer
ser
vice
scr
iptin
g, s
ervi
ce
prov
isio
n an
d tra
inin
g.
Benc
hmar
king
bes
t pra
ctic
e w
ith o
ther
loca
l go
vern
men
ts a
nd a
genc
ies
to id
entif
y an
y
effic
ienc
y fo
r th
e co
mm
unity
, ind
ivid
uals
invo
lved
an
d C
ounc
il.
Incr
ease
info
rmat
ion
prov
ided
to th
e co
mm
unity
on
hoar
ding
and
sq
ualo
r is
sues
.
Incr
ease
inte
r-ag
ency
co
mm
unic
atio
n to
as
sist
whe
n ca
ses
are
iden
tifie
d by
Cou
ncil
Offi
cers
.
Incr
ease
long
term
re
solu
tion
of m
atte
rs
invo
lvin
g ho
ardi
ng
and
squa
lor.
The
com
mun
ity u
nder
stan
ds th
at s
omet
imes
men
tal
heal
th is
sues
can
man
ifest
in s
ympt
oms
such
as
hoar
ding
and
squ
alor
. Res
olut
ion
of s
uch
sym
ptom
s m
ay r
equi
re m
ediu
m to
long
term
ther
apy.
Cou
ncil
has
revi
ewed
its
own
proc
ess
and
has
incr
ease
d its
co
mm
unic
atio
ns o
n th
ese
issu
es w
ith o
ther
age
ncie
s th
roug
h a
regi
onal
act
ion
grou
p. C
ounc
il’s
web
site
is
bein
g up
date
d w
ith im
prov
ed in
form
atio
n to
hel
p th
e co
mm
unity
und
erst
and
this
com
plex
issu
e.
Cou
ncil
rece
ived
264
com
plai
nts
abou
t pub
lic h
ealth
an
d am
enity
issu
es r
elat
ing
to h
oard
ing
and
squa
lor
in 2
016-
2017
. Whi
lst n
ot a
ll re
quire
long
term
m
anag
emen
t, a
lot d
o re
quire
Cou
ncil
to p
rovi
de
assi
stan
ce a
nd r
efer
ral p
athw
ays
to s
peci
alis
t alli
ed
heal
th s
ervi
ces.
The diversity of Ipswich’s parks has been strengthened in recent years with the development of new areas such as Riverheart Parklands, Robelle Domain Parkland and Orion Lagoon. Community feedback ensures enhancements are continually being made to local parks and larger district parks such as Queens Park and conservation areas.
The Health Security and Regulatory Services Department has a role to play in the use of these spaces to ensure fair play is observed and that no damage is done to these public spaces. For example trail bikes and four wheel drives in our conservation areas such as White Rock can create devastating environmental damage through erosion, transporting seeds from one area to another, injuries and fatalities for our wildlife, and destruction of native plants.
Commercial activities in our parks need to be monitored through minimum standards and approvals to ensure there is no anti-competitiveness to surrounding businesses, damage to public spaces through the placement of temporary infrastructure or create noise, parking nuisances or safety issues to nearby residents.
PRIORITY 5:
PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT
AC
TIO
N:
Fair
Pla
y on
Pu
blic
Lan
d –
Pa
rks,
Con
serv
ati
on
Est
ate
s a
nd
Ma
lls
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Com
plai
nts
rega
rdin
g th
e ill
egal
use
of
cons
erva
tion
area
s ca
usin
g da
mag
e or
no
ise
nuis
ance
s et
c.
Con
fusi
on o
ver
wha
t app
rova
ls
and
licen
ces
are
requ
ired
for
som
e ac
tiviti
es
in C
ounc
il’s
publ
ic p
lace
s,
and
who
is
resp
onsi
ble
for
diffe
rent
nu
isan
ces
in d
iffer
ent
situ
atio
ns.
Con
tinue
pat
rols
of c
onse
rvat
ion
park
s to
m
onito
r ill
egal
use
of t
rail
bike
s an
d fo
ur w
heel
dr
ive
vehi
cles
.
Assi
st o
ther
are
as o
f Cou
ncil
to p
rom
ote
the
inte
nded
use
of c
onse
rvat
ion
park
s an
d th
e da
mag
e ill
egal
use
can
do.
Revi
ew C
ounc
il’s
loca
l law
s to
ens
ure
ther
e ar
e cl
ear
min
imum
sta
ndar
ds a
nd a
ppro
vals
in p
lace
fo
r ac
tiviti
es o
n C
ounc
il la
nd.
Prov
ide
clea
rer
info
rmat
ion
and
path
way
s fo
r pe
ople
to a
pply
to u
nder
take
act
iviti
es in
C
ounc
il’s
park
s.
Incr
ease
in p
ositi
ve
feed
back
from
ev
ent o
rgan
iser
s on
C
ounc
il’s
appl
icat
ion
and
appr
oval
pro
cess
.
Dec
reas
e in
ille
gal
use
of C
ounc
il la
nd
iden
tifie
d.
Incr
ease
in in
form
atio
n av
aila
ble
onlin
e in
clud
ing
how
to a
pply,
ho
w to
com
ply,
and
w
here
to g
et fu
rther
in
form
atio
n on
usi
ng
Cou
ncil
land
.
Cou
ncil
has
intro
duce
d a
pre-
lodg
emen
t req
uest
for
even
ts th
at w
ill h
ave
over
2,0
00 p
eopl
e in
atte
ndan
ce,
via
MyI
psw
ich
whi
ch h
as r
ecei
ved
posi
tive
feed
back
fro
m th
ose
who
hav
e ut
ilise
d it.
Thi
s w
ill a
ssis
t or
gani
sers
and
Cou
ncil
unde
rsta
nd th
e fu
ll sc
ope
of th
e ev
ent p
rior
to a
n ap
plic
atio
n be
ing
subm
itted
.
Info
rmat
ion
abou
t eve
nts,
pla
nnin
g an
d re
quire
men
ts
has
been
dev
elop
ed a
nd s
ubm
itted
. Thi
s in
form
atio
n w
ill g
o liv
e on
Cou
ncil’
s w
ebsi
te e
arly
in 2
017-
2018
.
Cou
ncil
unde
rtake
s sc
hedu
led
wee
kend
pat
rols
and
pa
trols
dur
ing
norm
al w
ork
hour
s to
inve
stig
ate
cust
omer
com
plai
nts
and
dete
ct il
lega
l act
ivity
in
Cou
ncil’
s co
nser
vatio
n pa
rks.
Sop
hist
icat
ed
surv
eilla
nce
tech
nolo
gy is
bei
ng tr
ialle
d fo
r de
ploy
men
t in
the
com
ing
year
.
Pest plants and animals degrade our natural resources, damage precious remnant vegetation, compromise biodiversity and interfere with human health and recreation. They cause financial losses to eco-tourism and cost Queenslanders over $600 million annually in lost production and in control costs. Of particular concern to rural residents is the management of rabbits and wild dogs.
Council works with agencies and stakeholders to assist with pest management, including the Darling downs Moreton Rabbit Board (DDMRB), whose role it is to maintain the rabbit fence in rabbit proof condition and to monitor compliance with State Government legislation. Council pays a precept payment to the DDMRB which is prescribed by legislation to manage rabbit issues in the Ipswich area. The board provides technical and other advice to landholders to assist with rabbit eradication. The board consists of eight local authorities and covers approximately 28,000 square kilometres (7 million acres).
Another area under pest management that requires a collective approach includes ‘wild dog’ management. This term refers collectively to purebred dingoes, dingo hybrids and domestic dogs that have escaped or been deliberately released. Wild dogs create a number of economic, environmental and social problems, particularly for agricultural businesses. Effective wild dog control requires a cooperative ‘nil tenure’ approach. This involves landholders, local government officers and other stakeholders working together to apply a range of control methods at a ‘landscape’ (rather than an individual property) level. Control methods include baiting, trapping, shooting, fencing and the use of livestock guardian animals.
PRIORITY 6:
PEST MANAGEMENT
AC
TIO
N:
Noxi
ou
s W
eed
s, R
ab
bit
s a
nd
Wild
Dog
s
Issu
eC
om
plia
nce
Str
ate
gy
Targ
et
Leve
lD
elive
rab
les
in 2
016-2
017
Land
hold
er p
est
com
plai
nts
are
high
in v
ario
us
regi
ons
of
the
city.
Revi
ew th
e pr
oces
s of
how
Cou
ncil
man
ages
pes
t co
mpl
ianc
e in
clud
ing
info
rmat
ion
onlin
e, r
efer
ral
path
way
s to
oth
er a
genc
ies
incl
udin
g th
e D
DM
RB,
cust
omer
ser
vice
scr
iptin
g, s
ervi
ce p
rovi
sion
an
d tra
inin
g.
Benc
hmar
king
bes
t pra
ctic
e w
ith o
ther
loca
l go
vern
men
ts a
nd a
genc
ies
to id
entif
y an
y
effic
ienc
y fo
r th
e co
mm
unity
, ind
ivid
uals
invo
lved
an
d C
ounc
ils.
Redu
ctio
n in
co
mpl
aint
s ab
out p
est
anim
als
and
wee
ds.
The
Bios
ecur
ity A
ct w
as e
nact
ed o
n 1
July
201
6 br
ingi
ng a
shi
ft of
app
roac
h th
roug
h a
chan
ge in
th
e en
forc
emen
t mod
el, m
ovin
g aw
ay fr
om s
trate
gic
pest
man
agem
ent p
lann
ing
to a
mor
e st
rate
gic
risk
man
agem
ent f
ram
ewor
k. H
SRS
has
revi
ewed
its
proc
ess
of h
ow it
man
ages
pes
t inf
orm
atio
n an
d ha
s pr
ovid
ed in
form
atio
n th
at w
ill g
o liv
e on
Cou
ncil’
s w
ebsi
te e
arly
in 2
017-
2018
. Cou
ncil
also
hel
d a
wee
d an
d pe
st in
form
atio
n w
orks
hop
for
land
hold
ers
prio
r to
C
hris
tmas
with
35
atte
ndee
s.
Cou
ncil
will
als
o be
will
be
givi
ng c
onsi
dera
tion
to th
e cu
rren
t dec
lare
d cl
ass
1, 2
, 3 a
nd n
atur
alis
ed
non-
nativ
e sp
ecie
s an
d ou
tlini
ng a
Gen
eral
Bio
secu
rity
Obl
igat
ion
(GBO
) for
land
hold
ers
whi
ch w
ill p
rom
ote
mor
e ef
fect
ive
man
agem
ent o
f inv
asiv
e sp
ecie
s.
Nox
ious
wee
d an
d pe
st c
ompl
aint
s in
crea
sed
by
95 in
201
6-20
17 c
ompa
red
to th
e pr
evio
us y
ear.
The
maj
ority
of t
he in
crea
se r
elat
ed to
the
mor
e ru
ral a
reas
of
Ipsw
ich.
The
incr
ease
for
wee
ds c
ould
be
rela
ted
to
a w
ette
r ye
ar th
an th
e ye
ar b
efor
e.
Ipswich City Council Health, Security and Regulatory Services Department
45 Roderick StreetPO Box 191, Ipswich QLD 4305, Australia
Phone (07) 3810 6688 Fax (07) 3810 6731
