Minute With The Mayor | April 22 2025

Regrettably, I must report that vandals have struck again. Significant damage has been inflicted to the State Emergency Services headquarters building in Ingham and to the male toilet compartment of the amenities building at Vince Corbett Park, Forrest Beach.

Why people will cause random senseless damage to community assets is beyond me, particularly when it is realised that the cost of repair is a cost to the community. Council is looking at the best part of twenty thousand dollars to undertake the repairs and that is twenty thousand dollars that now requires to be redirected towards maintenance rather than enhancing community venues for the enjoyment of all.

I am appealing to anyone who may have information about the perpetrators of this damage to come forward so that we can pursue conviction and restitution. Whether we get the restitution to compensate for the damage sustained is academic, but a strong showing of help from the community to identify the culprits should surely send a strong message to all concerned that this community is not prepared to put up with this rubbish. So please, if you know anything, let us know.

Residents may recall that on Friday 19 July 2024, Council approved a development application submitted by Gilvear Planning Pty Ltd on behalf of Mt Fox BESS Pty Ltd. The proposal sought approval to construct a Battery Storage Facility on land located at Ewan Road, Furber Road and Knuckledown Road, Mt Fox. The facility was intended to support and enhance the wind farm project in the area, which has already received approval from the Queensland State Government.

Following Council’s decision, the approval was appealed in the Queensland Planning and Environment Court by community members who had lodged formal submissions. As part of the legal process, Council and the Applicant worked together to respond to the appeal.

Since that time and following the Court’s determination, Mt Fox BESS Pty Ltd has decided not to proceed with the development as originally proposed. This means the original Council approval has now been negated.

However, Council understands that the Applicants for the renewable energy projects in the Mt Fox area are still progressing with their development proposals and are currently seeking their final approvals through State and Federal Government channels. These projects now fall under different legislative processes and do not require further Council approvals.