Vacant land
Council is currently changing the way it regulates local laws. These changes will affect owners of vacant land in the Redlands.
Under Council’s local laws, you must keep your property maintained so that vegetation does not get overgrown and become a fire hazard or a haven for vermin.
This requirement only refers to properties that have an adjoining structure. Please be advised that some vegetation is protected within the Redlands and you should contact council before removing any vegetation.
You also need to ensure that certain plants, which are declared pests under State legislation, are eradicated and do not re-grow.
The changes include the possibility of a penalty infringement notice if you do not comply with our requirements. However, if you place your property on a regular maintenance schedule, you may avoid any issues.
Council administers the following legislation:
New procedures for regulating the local laws
Overgrown allotment/fire hazards – Local Law 18
A penalty notice for $375 will be issued as soon as Council has inspected the land and determines a breach of the local law has occurred.
This notice will be accompanied by a compliance notice requiring the owner to fix the problem within 21 days. If this is not done, Council will engage a contractor to enter and clear the property and the owner will be sent an invoice for the cost of the work.
All land owners will receive a warning notice for their first offence with each subsequent offence receiving a penalty notice.
Control of pests - Local Law 13
Council will issue a compliance notice requiring the land owner to take action to control either the Bana Grass or Green Cestrum within 21 days.
If the land owner fails to maintain the land in accordance with Local Law 13, a $150 penalty notice will be issued for failing to comply with the first notice, as well as a requirement for control of the pest within 21 days.
If, after 21 days, the work is not complete or only partially complete, Council will hire a contractor to complete the work. Associated costs plus $239 fee will charged to the land owner.
Declared pests – Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management Act)
Council will issue the land owner with a compliance notice requiring the eradication of the pest within 21 days. This will be issued in all instances regardless of whether it is the first or subsequent detection of the pest on the property.
The land will be inspected after the 21 days and Council will either issue a notice informing the owner of Council’s intention to enter the property in 14 days and complete the work or, if the owner has rectified the matter, take no further action.
If after 14 days the owner has still failed to do the work, Council will hire a contractor to enter the property and take the necessary action to control the pest. The associated costs as well as a $239 fee will then be charged to the land owner.
Requests for extensions and appeals of financial penalties
If a land owner believes they need an extension of time to complete the required work, consideration will be given to any requests for such an extension, made in writing, to the Team Leader, Local Laws, Redland City Council, PO Box 21, Cleveland, Qld 4163.
Appeals against monetary penalties can be made in writing to the Team Leader, Local Laws, Redland City Council, PO Box 21, Cleveland, Qld, 4163. Any appeal will be subject to internal review. A part payment plan also exists where monthly payments can be made by arrangement.