Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do at the Wynnum Manly Ward Office?

Apply for the Free Plants Program
Learn about Community groups and events
Enquire about community Equipment Hire
Assist with community group photocopying (criteria applies)
Get information on Council programs including GOLD and Library offerings
Print bus timetables
Report a local issue
Obtain Council Green Waste and General Waste tip vouchers (criteria applies)
Apply for a Pensioner Rate Remission
Pick up a free Graffiti removal kit
Pick up a free Compost Caddy

How do I deal with a barking dog?

It's perfectly normal and reasonable for pets to make noise from time to time. While this is expected, excessive animal noise, like ongoing dog barking, can disturb your neighbours. We encourage pet owners to keep their pet’s noise level in check, so it doesn’t become a nuisance to others. Under the Local Law, animal noise is a nuisance if it:

is made by a domestic animal including but not limited to livestock, poultry and dogs
unreasonably disrupts or inhibits a daily activity at neighbouring premises or nearby residential land.

When investigating an animal noise nuisance, Council considers:

complaints received from other neighbours
the frequency and intensity of the animal noise
if the noise is made for more than a total of:
- 6 minutes in any hour between 7am and 10pm on any day
- 3 minutes in a 30-minute period between 10pm and 7am on any day.

For more information visit Council’s website on the below link.

Link: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/animals-and-pets/animal-fines-and-complaints/animal-noise-complaints

What are the responsibilities for pet owners?

As a pet owner, you have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of your animal. This includes providing appropriate food, water, shelter, exercise, and veterinary care. You're also responsible for ensuring your pet doesn’t cause harm or nuisance to others or the environment.

Depending on the type of pet, you may need to register or microchip your animal, comply with local laws regarding fencing/enclosures and noise, and obtain permits for certain species. Being a responsible pet owner means understanding and following these requirements to help create a safe and harmonious community for everyone—humans and animals alike.

For more information visit Council’s website on the below link.

Link: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/animals-and-pets/owning-a-pet-in-brisbane

How can I update my electoral details?

When you move house, or if you change your name, you must update your enrolment details with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The AEC maintains an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services and targeted education and public awareness programs.

Eligibility basics:

you are an Australian citizen
aged 18 years and over, and
have lived at your address for at least one month.

It is compulsory by law for all eligible Australian citizens to enrol and vote. If you are 16 or 17 you can enrol now so when you turn 18 you'll be able to vote.

You can enrol to vote on the AEC on the below link. To enrol on paper, you need to fill out an enrolment form. You can get an enrolment form at any AEC office, my ward office or you can call the AEC, and they can send you an enrolment form in the mail and you mail it back to them. Their contact number is 13 23 26.

Link: www.aec.gov.au/enrol

How to check your enrolment details are up to date:

You can confirm your enrolment details are accurate on the below link. Details must be an exact match, however, due to privacy protection.

Link: check.aec.gov.au/

How can I dispute a Council Fine?

Council issues fines or infringement notices for various offences, such as illegal parking, and breaches of local or state law.

Please be aware that Cr Givney is unable to request that a fine be revoked or reconsidered.

If you believe your fine or infringement should be withdrawn, you can request Council to review it.

If you want to dispute a fine or other infringement, you can do this online.

We have a 3-stage dispute process.

Stage 1 - Local level review
Lodge a dispute and Council will investigate.
Stage 2 - Disputes Commissioner review
If you’re unsatisfied with the stage 1 outcome, you can appeal to the Disputes Commissioner.
Stage 3 - External review
If you disagree with the stage 2 decision, you can elect to have your case heard in the Magistrates Court.

You have 28 days from the date your fine was issued to submit your request to Council. If you leave it longer than 28 days, it may mean you’re charged more on top of the original fine (e.g. late payment costs).

For more information visit Council’s website on the below link.
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/contact-council/dispute-a-fine

What grants are available through Brisbane City Council?

Brisbane City Council offers a range of different grants and funding programs to local non-profit community groups to help develop and improve services and facilities across Brisbane.

Application forms and guidelines for each program, as well as information relating to opening and closing dates, is available on the below link or by calling 07 3403 8888.

Link: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community-support-and-safety/grants-and-sponsorship

What can I do about speeding traffic?

Speeding is a driver behaviour issue that falls outside of Council’s jurisdiction and is the responsibility of the Queensland Police Service (QPS). I encourage you to report any instances of speeding to the QPS via Policelink on 131 444, or the HOON hotline on 134 666 or you can report online here: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/crime-and-police/register-or-report-to-police/report-a-traffic-incident/report-a-hoon.

Data that QPS have on driver behaviour help them can consider targeted enforcement or further investigation.

Can Council assist me if I have an issue with my neighbour?

It depends on the type of issue.

Council can assist with some neighbourhood matters, particularly where they relate to local laws and community safety. This includes things like excessive noise from power tools/construction and equipment, odour, light spill, stormwater pollution, overgrown properties, animal noise management and some parking concerns. Noise complaints for loud parties, rowdy neighbour behaviour, trail bike/motor vehicle noise or aircraft noise should be directed to the Queensland Police Service.

However, many common neighbour disputes are not managed by Council. Issues such as dividing fences, tree disputes between private properties and building-related matters fall under State Government legislation and are typically handled through the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

If you’re unsure where your situation sits, my office is always happy to help point you in the right direction and connect you with the appropriate service.

More information on Council regulated services is here- https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/laws-and-permits/local-laws/local-law-enforcement-and-neighbourhood-complaints.
More information on those regulated by the QCAT are here- https://www.qcat.qld.gov.au/

Should I report leaking pipe to Council?

It depends on where the issue is located.

If the problem is in the street, on a footpath or involves water supply or sewage, you’ll usually need to contact Urban Utilities on 13 23 64 (available 24/7). This includes leaking pipes or meters, water outages or quality issues, and sewage leaks outside your property.

For Council-related issues such as blocked stormwater drains or gutters, or water pollution and illegal dumping into drains, you can contact Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.

If the leak is within your property boundary, or on the verge directly outside your home, you’ll need to arrange a private, licensed plumber.

If you’re unsure, my office is always happy to help point you in the right direction.

Who should I contact about issues with street trees or trees in public parks?

Council is responsible for street trees and trees in public parks.

You can report a Council tree if it is fallen, dead, diseased, unhealthy or in need of maintenance, or if it is impacting a streetlight or road, or blocking a footpath, traffic signal or sign. When reporting an issue, it’s helpful to include photos showing the location of the tree and a close-up of the concern.

There are a few situations where Council is not the right contact. For trees near powerlines, or if a tree has fallen onto a powerline, please contact Energex.

If a tree has damaged a telephone or TV line, you will need to contact your service provider. Council is also unable to assist with trees on private property.

It’s also important to note that Council does not carry out maintenance or removal of trees solely to reduce leaf litter or root impacts.

If you’re unsure, my office is always happy to help point you in the right direction.

For other enquiries please contact us or call Brisbane City Council’s 24/7 call centre on 3403 8888

Office Address