There's a lot of different stuff that the Council's responsible for, and it can be hard to know where to start.
This page is meant to explain some basics: How to get Council's public servants to do something, how the Paddington Ward office can help, and how some everyday Council decisions work behind the scenes.
Firstly: If You're Not Sure, Or If You're In Crisis, Reach Out
My office is open from 9am until 4:30pm Mondays to Fridays, and you can always get in touch on 07 3403 2520, via [email protected], or in person at 44 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington.
Even if it's not 'technically' a Council problem, we will always listen, and at least point you in the right direction.
A Useful Starting Point: The Council Hotline
If something feels like a Council responsibility, call the 24/7 Council hotline on 07 3403 8888. This hotline is pretty well staffed, so you can expect to be talking to a real person within a minute or two.
The staff on this hotline can log maintenance jobs with the Council works teams for a huge range of issues. Uneven footpaths, sick street trees, broken park equipment or water fountains, damaged bus stops, and more.
If it's not a Council issue, then the hotline staff should be able to tell you where to go.
Whenever you log something with the Council hotline, make sure to ask for a reference number and a scheduled completion date. Record both of these, especially the reference number.
That reference number is used by the Council internally to track all of their different jobs, enquiries, complaints, and so on. If a Council work team or officer have an update, then they log it on the reference number.
If you want to follow up a job, or if you want support from my team with a Council problem, we can quote that reference number to Council staff to find out updates, add comments, or try to escalate a job.
If something is urgent or a safety hazard, call my office straight away on 07 3403 2520 with your reference number. We will try to escalate it with the Council's works teams, which will hopefully get a Council officer out there sooner.
The rest of this just gives you a behind-the-scenes of some common issues.
Waste/Rubbish Issues
The Council contracts out all rubbish collection across Brisbane, and the actual truck drivers are always under pressure to rush.
If you live on a narrow section of street, then you've probably had the Council miss your bins here and there. This is because the drivers will log the street as 'too narrow' if they're even slightly concerned that their truck can't fit, because they're pushed to spend as little time per bin collected on their run as possible.
If your bins are missed, call the 24/7 Council hotline on 3403 8888, log a complaint, and record your reference number. This creates evidence in the Council's system, which can be helpful in future.
If your bins are regularly being missed, get in touch with our office on 07 3403 2520, or via [email protected]. If you've been recording your reference numbers, we can use them as evidence to show Council bureaucrats that something needs to change. My team and I can discuss some options with you, like adding yellow lines at tight spots on the street, or getting smaller bin trucks to service your street.
Streets and Intersections
Whenever there is a road, street, or intersection change in Brisbane, it starts at the Transport Planning & Operations (TPO) team. If you get in touch with my office about a dangerous intersection, then this is the team that we have to pass your email to, and they ultimately decide whether a project will happen or not.
The TPO team has an one overriding goal: increasing vehicle throughput. Vehicle throughput takes priority over noise issues, pollution problems, and pedestrian or cyclist safety.
Because this is the TPO's goal, every pedestrian crossing, traffic-calming project, and protected bikeway is a battle. I'll keep on fighting with you for these changes, because our streets should be for people.
Keep an eye out, or sign up to my newsletter to see the latest fights to put active transport first around our neighbourhoods.
I'll be adding to this page as time goes with information about day-to-day issues, so watch this space.