Councillor Column | May 27 2025 COUNCILLOR ANDREW CARR

Hello Hinchinbrook,

I thought I would mention a few areas in the Infrastructure Portfolio.

Stormwater is the run-off from rain that falls on a roof or paved area like a driveway, road or footpath that flows into a stormwater drain. Council maintains a complex stormwater drainage network which includes many different types of drainage structures such as: Unlined drains (including natural waterways) and concrete lined open drains, Underground pipes and culverts, grates and other inlet or outlet structures.

A drainage easement is a portion of land that a property owner has granted to Council to enable the carriage of stormwater through to the main drainage system.

Illegal dumping of green waste and household rubbish in waterways, easements and drains increases the risk of flooding to properties and costs millions of dollars in property damage across the region.

Under the conditions attached to an easement, detailed on a current title search, a property owner must not obstruct the free flow of water along the drainage pathway.

Dumping waste, planting garden beds or building fences across the flow path are all examples of activities that can obstruct stormwater flow.

Council is also responsible for maintaining approximately 9 kilometres of footpaths (not including parks) and numerous boardwalks and off-road recreational walking tracks. Most paths are concrete however, some may be other finishes such as pavers, asphalt, timber or compacted rock such as crusher dust.

All paths are shared facilities for pedestrians and cyclists unless signed otherwise.

Council allocates an annual budget for repairing existing paths and for construction of new paths. Repairs are programmed following annual footpath inspection results however, if other issues are reported, they are treated as a priority. Footpath maintenance activities include concrete patches and repairs, paver re-laying and repairs, pressure cleaning and chewing gum removal and sweeping.

To request a service, make an enquiry or report an issue, please visit Council’s website, Make a Request page https://bit.ly/3HqpQeP.

Once again it is great to be able to pick up a copy of Hinchinbrook Life and read through what has been and what will be happening throughout our Shire. Thank you for the opportunity once again.