A RUSSELL Island resident has called on council to adopt online petitions after raising privacy concerns about paper petitions left at shopping centres and ferry terminals.
Ann Hagen said she was worried that the names and addresses of people who signed paper petitions were on public display and could end up in the wrong hands.
She said it was possible for social media trolls to take a person's private information from a paper petition and cause property damage.
"With paper petitions there are practicality and safety issues," she said.
"It is hard work to get signatures on a paper petition. A lot of time and effort has to go into face-to-face contact at a market, ferry terminal or shopping centre.
"Leaving petitions at a shop is problematic in rapidly growing communities.
"Do you want people you don't know looking at your address while the petition sits at a business for several weeks?"
A council spokeswoman said petitions received at council meetings were not published in agendas or minutes and were only there as a reference.
"When the petition is brought back to council in the form of a report, the original petition is not an attachment," she said.
Ms Hagen said she was confused as to why council would not accept online petitions like Brisbane City Council, Queensland Parliament and Federal Parliament.
"I believe this type of model could be easily adopted by Redland City Council," she said.
"Brisbane City Council has a website guide on electronic petitions and a list of petitions lodged.
"Topics include parking problems needing a fix, opposition to high rise development plans, a leaf blower ban on public holidays and there are petitions for and against the drag queen story time in council libraries.
"...Those who sign are identified in the public domain only by their initials and suburb."
The council spokeswoman said most local governments in south-east Queensland were yet to offer online petitions to residents.
"Council intends to review its petition process - taking into consideration all legislative and privacy requirements - at which time the feasibility of an online option will be researched," she said.
"A timeframe for this undertaking is not yet known."
Ms Hagen said online petitions would be effective as most people used the internet.
"A move to electronic petitions would be relatively easy and low cost," she said.
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