Join the call for an inquiry into Queensland's planning and development system

Join the call for an inquiry into Queensland’s planning and development system

Investigations have found that $1.7 Billion is siphoned from Queensland’s public purse each year by “mates” involved in the property development industry.

Have your say by calling for an inquiry into Queensland’s planning and development industry.

Recently, Redlands2030 invited  Dr Cameron Murray to launch his book “Game of Mates: How favours Bleed the Nation”.

“Our broken economic system works for the few at the expense of the many” said Dr Murray while presenting his findings to 80 Redlanders.

Most attendees said they want governments to do something to stop these perverse outcomes being gained in land development, infrastructure and other areas of our economy.

Wealth for the few at the expense of the many

“Game of Mates” by Cameron Murray and Paul Frijters

Game of Mates is the result of extensive research and it explores what could be best described as a wealth creation scam.  Its findings demonstrate how a few well-connected “Mates” share a rich bounty while the community looses out.

It is estimated that billions of dollars are skimmed off the top while the community looks on.  Few people question the systemic rort, and politicians and decision makers turn a blind eye.  No one seems willing to question the scams because it is  “legal” and to most it is how business is done.

The old brown paper bags have long gone and a form of  “grey corruption” has settled over decision making.

Dr Murray outlined the findings of his research and the content of his book.  He then answered a range of questions.

Dr Murray explained that while the “Game of Mates” is technically legal there is no excuse for the political system to continue “turning a blind eye” to the stakes involved, and to the alternative approaches documented by Dr Murray and Professor Paul Frijters.

Well respected economist journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald,  Ross Gittins, wrote a preview of the Game of Mates which suggests how to blow “full time” on the  Game!

Inquiry into planning and development

At the end of the meeting, issues arising from the “Game of Mates” were discussed.  The focus was on the land development industry and its impacts on Redland’s communities.  As a result there was widespread support by show of hands calling for Redlands2030 Inc. to formally ask each of the city’s local State Members of Parliament to make representations to the Premier and the Minister for Planning to undertake an inquiry into the Queensland planning and development industry.

Attendees voted that the Government undertake an inquiry into the planning and development system to specifically examine:

  1. methods that will enable the public to capture a fair share of the increased wealth made from rezoning decisions and other actions that “uplift” land values (through increased development rights)
  2. the extent of the influence of well-connected “mates” in the land development industry
  3. the effects of capped infrastructure charges and the transparency of the costs these charges impose on ratepayers
  4. loss of the voice of the community in planning and development decisions
  5. the role of lobbyists within the land development industry
  6. the need for a truly independent anti corruption mechanism in Queensland, similar to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales.

Write a letter calling for an inquiry

To call for an inquiry, copy the below letter and paste it to a blank email which should be sent to your local Members (for Cleveland, Capalaba, Springwood and Redlands).

ACTION:

  1. Select below email address of your local Member of Parliament within Redland City to send email to
  2. Add the suggested subject line and letter (see below) into the email
  3. Enter your name and address at the bottom
  4. Send the email

The local State members of Parliament representing Redland City are:

Dr Mark Robinson

  • Member for Cleveland (soon to become Oodgeroo) – see Cleveland map
  • cleveland@parliament.qld.gov.au

Mr Matt McEachan

Mr Don Brown 

Mr Mick de Brenni

  • Member for Springwood (Mt Cotton, Sheldon) – see Springwood map
  • springwood@parliament.qld.gov.au

If you are enrolled in another seat in Queensland you can find your the name and email address of your local MP here.

SUBJECT: Call for Government inquiry into planning and development

The draft letter to be sent with your Name and Address to your local member reads:

Dear sir

I am very concerned about the implications of the book “Game of Mates” written by Dr Cameron Murray and Professor Paul Frijters.  The findings should be ringing alarm bells in the Government and the Opposition. Accordingly, I join the call for inquiry by the State Government into Queensland’s planning and development system.

Specifically I ask the State Government to examine: 

  1. methods  that will enable the public to capture a fair share of the increased wealth made from rezoning decisions and other actions that “uplift” land values (through increased development rights).
  2. the extent of the influence of well-connected “mates” in the land development industry
  3. the effects of capped infrastructure charges and the transparency of the costs these charges impose on ratepayers
  4. loss of the voice of the community in planning and development decisions
  5. the role of lobbyists within the land development industry
  6. the need for a truly independent anti corruption mechanism in Queensland similar to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales.

 

Signed

[Your name]

[Your address}

 

Is anyone listening?

Let us know what response you get so we can do a follow up story on how seriously this issue is being taken by our elected representatives.

Send an email to thereporter@redlands2030.net

Redlands2030 – 5 July 2017

9 Comments

Dennis Tafe, Jul 19, 2017

I was shocked when I saw the large donations my multi-million dollar developers to both the Mayor of Logan City Council and the Mayor of Redland City Council. If these public servants do not have the discretion to reject such donations, which create a “conflict of interest” then we need laws in place to stop such donations because of the adverse impacts on the Redlands. The residents have quite frankly had enough and yet we get a front page article on last week’s Redland City Bulletin by the Editor entitled “Redlands brand to stick out.” it was a pretty story about nothing.

Ken Outhred, Jul 18, 2017

Some supporting information in the letters to politicians could include the NSW and other precedents of banning developer contributions to senior public servants , politicians and relatives. Other fund destinations may include Family Trusts , slush funds (seen at the CCC Inquiry )or Superannuation Funds.

The loss of Community Input and engagement to the scope of public consultation should itemise the loss of the many benchmarks ,processes and triggers past the Harbinger Report and IAP 2 back to the Planning and Environment (Local Government Act ) Act 1990-1997.
The Ministers intention to extend consultation periods does not extend to Code Development or the impediments , extensions and costs of RTI (Freedom of Information )
The draft Community Engagement Toolkit by Jackie Trad in May , is not compulsory like the extinguished Qld Planning Provisions were and does not appear to be connected to anything that could make a difference. Fake public participation .

Squirrel Glider, Jul 18, 2017

Dennis Tafe mentioned the Koalas on North Stradbroke Island. Reports by National Parks Sports and Racing and Fire Services may be reviewed and put in the wider public domain after the peculiar fires unsustainably burnt out 65% of the Island.
Thanks should be given to to the volunteers and NPSR for their efforts.
Was the loss of Gliders and Koalas to the Island assessed?
How has genome work on gliders, koalas and macropods on the Two Islands progressed?
What is being done in terms of rehabilitation of koala and glider habitat and melaleucas around the lakes and rarer species around the lakes and swamp?
Were the sources of the simultaneous and other fires determined from the air photos and will the next fire plan feature water bombers and additional water sources?
Has the DNR water balance model been made available since the Inquiry? The pumping and multiple bores affecting the water levels and perhaps the hydraulic gradient of Eighteen Mile Swamp and connectivity of the aquifer should be disclosed

Dennis Tafe, Jul 10, 2017

We know what is happening in the Redlands in terms of developers giving generous donations to over-ride the best interests of the residents, who elect the councillors. The State Labor government appears to have dropped the ball in relation to sustainable development and their LNP opposition has yet to pick it up. So far North Stradbroke Island has avoided over development but with current trends it would only take one billionaire developer with money to burn and we would see unsustainable development on the Island, with environmental degradation. Currently they have a healthy population of koalas, unlike the Redlands.

Dennis Tafe, Jul 06, 2017

The Game of Mates in the Redlands is being played out at this very moment and it is the residents and the environment that are losing out while a few become rich at our expense. The flawed Toondah Harbour Proposal is just another example of how the Council Regulations and Environment Laws are being shelved because big money is changing hands. We have some good councillors but they are being over-ridden while the State Governments of both persuasions are letting down the very people that vote for them.

Baz, Jul 05, 2017

What a good idea R2030, if enough people follow you lead “they” will get very uncomfortable trying to defend the indefensible. I suspect the UDIA and the Property council will come out fighting if there is a political reaction.

But essentially I like the idea of using the tools of representative democracy for community purposes….it takes a bit of effort and focus though,,,you will need to stay at it.

Callen Sorensen-Karklis, Jul 05, 2017

Signed and done, I strongly encourage as many people to get the message out in the public lets hold our public officials to account!

Pedro Plunket, Jul 05, 2017

The scope of the Inquiry should also include The Local Government Act, and the proposed changes to the CCC Act, an overhaul of SARA legislation and Freedom of Information Act (RTI).
The impact of Newman altered Resources and Environmental Legislation still in place, makes the above law reform operate in a vacuum.

Toni, Jul 07, 2017

Pedro I agree, the Local Government Act is so weak and has so many loopholes for those who wish to benenfit. The CCC Act needs to be strenthened and those who abuse their positions and give their mates a leg up financially need some sort of punishment, a start would be to sack them. After Councils continue to lose elected members the message might get out there that the community has had enough. Bring on a ICAC this has been instrumental in NSW in putting some elected members in jail

Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.