Benefits of Bribie Gardens Waterway Membership
Bribie Gardens Waterway has been in existence since 1984 when this waterway was established under Caboolture Shire Council. It represents the interests of waterfront residents in engaging with Council.
Over the years it has engaged with Caboolture and now Moreton Bay City Council over the operation and maintenance of the waterway, in particular the Operation of the Lock and weir which controls our access to Pumicestone passage.
The Council controls and operates this facility as well as the lake and the entrance channel under Welsby bridge. We as waterfront residents pay a Maintenance Levy as part of our rates for this service, currently around $1000 a year. It is like having a Body corporate who manages our funds yet we have limited control how this money is spent. As we know any Council works costs 2-3 times what you might be able to get done in an open competitive marketplace.
This is why it is essential that we have an active Bribie Gardens Waterway Association to keep Council honest and accountable, limit red tape and ensure our waterway remains an environment we can be proud of and enjoy the benefits of living on water.
By being a member you will be kept abreast of all developments in the waterway. Representatives meet with Council Engineers and our local Councillor on a quarterly basis to remain engaged with any developments. We have 3 General Meetings and an AGM each year to engage with waterfront residents. We organise the Santa Lolly drop at Christmas each year.
Over recent years we have influenced Council on rock armour treatments for our walls, prevented Council introducing a new Bylaw to dictate how they can require us to maintain our walls, now have 30 year duration leases for pontoons and assisted many with the insurance and red tape required for a pontoon lease.
I would encourage anyone living on our waterway to get involved and join our association so we can continue to manage our waterway in the way we all enjoy.
Regards
Noel Wendt President