FOAV is undertaking steps to combat graffiti, littering, hooning and illegal use of fireworks. Read about this below along with what YOU can do to help stop this anti-social behaviour.
Graffiti
FOAV Committee member Wal Mayr actively removes small sized graffiti as soon as he sees it anywhere in Austinville. Where large graffiti is found, council is informed and they are encouraged to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible. By taking a zero tolerance to graffiti, it is quickly removed before it becomes an eyesore and attracts more graffiti.
Please help us to manage graffiti by reporting it whenever you see it.
Report graffiti using the City of Gold Coast app. Click on report a problem / graffiti. It should be cleaned up in 72 hours. Alternatively you can report it to Ros Bates MP (State member for Mudgeeraba) at https://www.rosbates.com.au/graffiti-watch-form/
Litter
General FOAV members Peter Seaward, David Blomfield and Mike Boyd regularly pick up litter along the length of Austinville Road. The community has a strong culture of zero tolerance that sees litter quickly picked up before it becomes an eyesore and attracts more litter.
Please do your bit and pick up litter whenever you see it! When walking, carry a bag for litter. If you notice illegally dumped rubbish, update council using the City of Gold Coast app. Click on Report a problem / illegal dumping or call 07 5667 5991.
Hoons / Damage to the environment
The Austinville waterhole and the associated remote 3km stretch of secluded rainforest road unfortunately attracts hoons to our valley. A green diamond guide post system has been developed along the 3 km rainforest stretch of road to identify a “no slashing” area. This encourages road side native ferns which have the effect of slowing car speeds.
Sister organisation, Austinville Landcare maintains weed control and native vegetation growth along the road in this area. This minimises parking opportunities, which in turn reduces visitor and hoon numbers. These initiatives have resulted in more families visiting the waterhole which in turn further detracts hoons. FOAV will seek to alert the authorities of any hooning issues in Austinville valley.
Please help us manage hoons by reporting it whenever you see it in Austinville Valley.
Report hoons to Ros Bates MP (State member for Mudgeeraba) at https://www.rosbates.com.au/hoon-watch-form/.
This form, created by state MP Ros Bates’ office automatically goes to police. They are able to compile the complaints to see how big the problem is in our area. This approach also makes it easier for residents to follow up should the complaint not be adequately addressed. If hoons present danger, dial 000.
Fireworks
Fireworks distress livestock, wildlife and domestic animals. They are also a fire risk. Unfortunately, we have heard reports and seen evidence of ongoing fireworks use in Austinville Valley. Firework usage is strictly controlled in Queensland under the Explosives Act 1999. There are hefty penalties for illegally using fireworks.
Call 1300 739 868 – Explosives Emergency 24 hour hotline to report fireworks in our area OR complete the online form
Please also email FOAV via our contact form so that we are in the loop and can advise Cr Glenn Tozer and Fire Warden Steve Davis. Alternatively email them direct:
Council at: division9@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.
Fire Warden Steve Davis at: FireWarden{ at }Steve.Davis.net.au
Police
FOAV plans to have representation at the Mudgeeraba Police Station Community Group’s monthly meetings. Attendance at these meetings will give us an understanding of issues occurring in the greater Mudgeeraba area and enable us to ensure that police resources remain alert to issues arising in Austinville. These monthly meetings were cancelled during Covid, but it is expected that they will recommence soon. Anyone from the community can attend these meetings.