October 2018
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Gympie Regional Council | October 2018 THE ROUNDUP OCTOBER 2018 PAGE 1 In this issue... Welcome... There is good reason for the optimism that I come across for our region and its future. Both residents and visitors comment to me on the positives of the Gympie region, Mary Valley Rattler 6 the projects being rolled out and the new initiatives being implemented. Council has an important part 2018/2019 Rates to play in this, but the role of other levels of government also needs to Rates income form part of the be acknowledged. There is no doubt the completion of section C of the Council Budget budget with the average ratepayer Bruce Highway upgrade (funded by the federal and state governments) experiencing a rate increase of 2.5 which brings four lanes to the front door of Gympie has had a major The 2018/19 Budget continues to deliver on Council’s Corporate Plan and per cent. The rate payments can impact. Council is partnering with the federal government on key includes many projects around the region, in addition vary depending on the value of projects such as the rejuvenation of upper Mary Street and were key to Council’s core business such as roads and your property e.g. the higher the partners for the incredibly successful Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre. rubbish. Council’s total budget is $138.4 million. value of your property, the higher your rates may be. Council’s investment in a range of community building infrastructure, Over $27 million will be spent on our road Quick facts Youth Precinct update 8 whether that be community facilities such as the new Curra Hall, or network across the region: Total budget: In the Gympie region there are projects which drive economic activity such as the Rattler, simply reflects $138.4 million 24,922 properties that pay rates. • $3 million for bridge replacements, Council’s overarching responsibility to plan for the future of the region, Capital works budget: Of these, the weekly increase $3.5 million on gravel road sealing, act in the public interest, and create an environment which makes us the $39.8 million breakdown is: $7 million on road maintenance and an natural choice to live, work and play. additional $500,000 for unsealed road Weekly increase Number of The Rattler has been a challenging project but it is great to now see maintenance. ratepayers it back on the track and taking residents and visitors through the Council has allocated $2.5 million for our mowing Less than $1.00 5,035 Mary Valley to Amamoor. The project will not only provide economic and slashing work across the region. $1.01 to $2.00 10,899 benefits to the region but it also acknowledges the vital role rail has played in the social and cultural history of the Gympie region. The budget also includes: $2.01 to $5.00 7,968 Councillor updates 12 Special tribute must be made to the Rattler Railway Company, the entity • $4.3 million for our parks network such $5.01 to $10.00 774 created by Council to run the Rattler. Its Board, led by chairperson as recreation parks, sports grounds, Greater than $10.01 246 recreation trails, landscaping, tree Ian McNicol, has put in hundreds of hours to the project and we are Total 24,922 grateful for their hard work and perseverance. management and foreshore vegetation. Finally I want to highlight the incredible work the Queensland Fire and • $8.7 million towards the region’s waste Emergency Services, volunteers and everyone on the ground achieved services and facilities, including $1.3 million to Why do we have a during the Woolooga fires, without any homes lost. To the community commence the design phase and the beginning who have rallied behind those who were affected by the fires, it’s this of construction of the new Waste Management rate increase? spirit that makes our region one of the best. Transfer Station. Rates are calculated on a number Infrastructure works Quick facts of factors, such as the unimproved around the region 17 Mayor Mick Curran BM The $2.8 million youth precinct at Nelson Reserve and the old Gympie Memorial Pool capital value of a property as set by Road network: site will become a hub for not only our youth, the state government. $27 million THE ROUND-UP but families with a skate bowl, bouldering Also, just as your power bill or cost wall and pump track. Plus Council will deliver Parks network: of material increases, these costs A Gympie Regional Council publication the Kilkivan Equestrian Centre with $2.065 $4.3 million also increase for Council. Contact us at: million. The Mary Valley will see the $300,000 You can find more information at Town Hall, 2 Caledonian Hill, Gympie Mary Valley Rail Trail from Imbil to Brooloo. 1300 307 800 or gympie.qld.com.au. [email protected] You can find the full budget atgympie.qld.gov.au . Follow us on Facebook Emergency crews and volunteers during the Woolooga fires Front cover image: Mary Valley Rattler volunteers PAGE 2 THE ROUNDUP OCTOBER 2018 THE ROUNDUP OCTOBER 2018 PAGE 3 a hive of activity at the station, particularly through the operation of the highly successful café. The project has been extremely fortunate, attracting $7 million in funding from the Queensland Government, which is recognition of the fact that the revived Rattler is seen as a unique and important tourism attraction for Queensland. As work commenced, it was discovered more work would be required on the track and bridges. This work was not in the reports prepared for Council and it was clear the tender documents prepared were deficient. This was disappointing and legal review of the documents is underway. Deep Creek Bridge The project has exceeded the original budget of $10.8 million, totalling just over $17 million, however Council has continued with its delivery, conscious of not only the economic benefit it will bring to the region, but The also of the place the Gympie Station and the Mary Valley rail line plays in the social and cultural history of the region. The work that has been completed is extensive, with over Mary Valley Rattler 75,000 hours of labour delivered for the project, including the station and the 15 bridges. For example, Crescent Road bridge was built in the 1880’s The Mary Valley Heritage Railway was an icon of the Gympie and the wider region, with skills and experience in and major work was needed to get the 130 year old Gympie region from 1998, providing a 43 kilometer tourism, business and heritage rail. bridge up to specification. The 15 bridges are now in the heritage rail experience from Old Gympie Station to Imbil. best condition they have been since their construction Various agencies have invested an enormous amount of more than 100 years ago. In October 2012, the Mary Valley Heritage Railway work in the project over the last four years, with many Museum Association Inc. ceased operation of the Valley operating scenarios investigated. Whilst initially running As with any restoration, the Rattler Project has been Rattler when its accreditation was revoked by the Rail the track to Imbil was considered, the cost was too high challenging, with several issues found only when lifting Workshop roof replacement Safety Regulator (Department of Transport and Main and the decision was made to run the train to Amamoor. the track or removing structures. Roads) following two minor derailments. The major part of the project has been the upgrading of The work delivered with pride and passion by staff, The closure of the Valley Rattler in 2012 which was the infrastructure including the track, bridges and various contractors and volunteers has been outstanding, bringing in approximately 30,000 visitors per year, had buildings. with local businesses and contractors used at every an economic impact on local businesses who reported a opportunity. While Council has been focused on the infrastructure, reduction in visitor numbers. the Rattler Railway Company through its skills-based This is a project the community can be proud of, and In April 2014, Council established The Rattler Railway board has put enormous effort into the operational side one which will encourage visitors to our region and Company Limited as an independent trading company including building the volunteer base, meeting a range of highlight the Gympie region as a destination for many and governed by a board of directors appointed from regulatory and compliance requirements, and generating years to come. John Street Bridge PAGE 4 THE ROUNDUP OCTOBER 2018 THE ROUNDUP OCTOBER 2018 PAGE 5 Platform No. 1 Café Get On Board! The Platform No.1 Café at the The Mary Valley Rattler operates historic Gympie Station on twice daily on Wednesdays, Tozer Street has been in Saturdays and Sundays. You can join operation since December. the half day experience in Gympie Open from Wednesday to or Amamoor. The ride through the Sunday, the 100 seat café which stunning Mary Valley is via the small serves a fresh seasonal menu township of Dagun. is the perfect place for a lazy Sunday brunch, birthday lunch celebration or a cozy coffee Prices for two. Adult $55 The café also caters for functions Child $30 and weddings in a unique setting. 4-12 years There are also work experience Concession $45 and volunteer opportunities Including Australian Health Care available at the café for those Card, Student, Senior and Pensioner interested in the hospitality industry. Family $145 For more information email 2 adults and 2 children functions@maryvalleyrattler. com.au.