DOCSLIB.ORG

2018-19 Annual Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2018-19 Annual Report 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT Embra ce scenicrim.qld.gov.au Embrace verb / noun accept (a person, belief, theory, or change) Embrawillingly and enthusiastically. ce Contents Our Vision . 04 Our Council . 08 Community Financial Report . 16 Our Performance . 22 Spectacular Scenery and Healthy Environment . 30 Sustainable and Prosperous Economy . 38 Open and Responsive Government . 44 Relaxed Living and Rural Lifestyle . .50 Vibrant Towns and Villages . 54 Accessible and Serviced Region . 60 Healthy, Engaged and Resourceful Communities . 66 Statutory Information . 74 Financial Statements . 80 OUR Author and naturalist Arthur Groom, who co-founded Binna BurraScenic Lodge in 1933, coined the phraseRim Scenic Rim in describing the region’s chain of mountains, plateaux and peaks that extend from the coastal hinterland in the east to the Great Dividing Range in the west. The local government area formed during the council amalgamations of 2008 encompasses many of these features and was subsequently named Scenic Rim Regional Council. ESTIMATED GROSS COUNCIL OPERATING COUNCIL CAPITAL LOCATION RESIDENT AREA REGIONAL EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE POPULATION PRODUCT 2018-19 2018-19 South East 41,753 4249 km2 $1.76 billion $72.34 million $69.5 million Queensland (at 30 June 2018) 4 SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT OUR REGIONAL The Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011-2026 provides the shared vision for our region’s future.vision By 2026 Scenic Rim will be a network of unique rural communities embedded in a productive and sustainable landscape. We will enjoy a high quality rural lifestyle in self-reliant communities that provide a choice of quality local food, products, services and recreation opportunities. Our residents will have affordable transport options and ready access to the broader South East Queensland region. Our community will support sustainable farms, businesses and industries that are compatible with our environment and lifestyle and provide rewarding employment and prosperity for residents. Residents will benefit from the region’s productive farmland, stunning natural environment and character filled towns and villages which attract tourists and visitors and provide ecosystem services for the broader South East Queensland community. The Scenic Rim will be an inclusive, caring and creative environment with healthy and active residents. The region will provide a happy, safe and nurturing environment for children and families. We will participate in planning and managing our communities and act to ensure the Scenic Rim is enhanced for future generations.. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK SCENIC RIM COMMUNITY PLAN OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018-2019 This plan was initially developed as a vision shared by Council and The annual Operational Plan provided for a range of actions to the community for the future of our region following community be undertaken across the seven themes of Council’s Corporate consultation with Scenic Rim residents and business operators Plan. Council monitored the implementation of those actions on during 2010. Further community consultation in early 2018 has a quarterly basis. A summary of significant outcomes for the year ensured that our Community Plan continues to reflect community is provided throughout this report, with a detailed review of our needs and aspirations, recognising the changes that have occurred performance provided through the Our Performance section of as the Scenic Rim has continued to grow and develop. this report. The Community Plan Pulse Check carried out in early 2018 POLICIES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS identified the need for some minor revisions and additions, and The Council has established a comprehensive suite of policies, Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011-2026 was adopted by Council strategies and plans for the provision of services to the in November 2011 following extensive community consultation. It community. Where appropriate, these are supported by the captures the long-term vision of the Scenic Rim community and delegation of statutory powers to the Chief Executive Officer. summarises its aspirations under seven themes. These desired Council reviews its policies on a maximum three-year cycle and outcomes form the basis of our Regional Vision and provide the its delegations are reviewed annually. foundations of Council’s Corporate Plan, Scenic Rim 2023. REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY CORPORATE PLAN SCENIC RIM 2023 Councillors perform an important function by representing This plan reflects the vision and details strategies under the public interest through a broad spectrum of community the seven themes of the Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011- organisations - both locally and within the greater South East 2026. It outlines the key priorities for the region’s growth and Queensland region. Those representational arrangements development over a five-year period. It also sets the strategic were reviewed following the quadrennial elections to ensure an direction and guides decision making about operational priorities appropriate sharing of this workload amongst Councillors. and resource allocation. SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT 5 MAYOR’S REPORT CR GREG CHRISTENSEN the Scenic Rim is the best place in which to live, work and “ to the fullest enjoy life ” I am pleased to present Scenic Rim Regional Council’s 2018-19 A key achievement of 2018-19 was the completion, by 30 June, Annual Report and to reflect on our progress during the year that of all ground works in a program of recovery following Ex-Tropical marked the beginning of a new chapter in our Scenic Rim story. Cyclone Debbie which brought the most significant flooding experienced in our region in the past two decades. With the completion of our flood restoration works and the transformation of our organisation to better align Council’s roles Half of Council’s road network was impacted by the disaster in and responsibilities with the community vision, this has been a April 2017, including three quarters - more than 643 kilometres - year of strong progress. of the region’s unsealed roads which required 500,000 tonnes of gravel to rebuild. In August 2018 we announced the commencement of our Refresh and Refocus program to foster renewed leadership and I am pleased to say that, two years after Ex-Tropical Cyclone accountability, to promote a more efficient and team-focused Debbie, we have not just recovered, we have made great workforce to improve the delivery of services and infrastructure improvements to our Council roads which are now better to the Scenic Rim community. than ever and more resilient to extreme weather events. Ten years on from the council amalgamations of 2008, and on the The final cost of the reconstruction effort was $49.4 million. cusp of introducing a new Planning Scheme for the Scenic Rim, Additional funding of $10.4 million through the Betterment it was timely to take a fresh look at our structure and operations framework, under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery to ensure we continued to meet the needs of our community Arrangements, to provide increased resilience to the road and our staff. network, and a $4.9 million Council contribution brought the The Scenic Rim region itself is in the middle of a significant period final cost of the program to $64.7 million. of transformation and it was clear that a more agile, modern and efficient workforce was required to meet community needs Credit must go to the Commonwealth and Queensland and expectations. Governments for their joint funding through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. My thanks to the Queensland Our new structure ensures our focus is always on our customer Reconstruction Authority for its support and collaboration which and supports our delivery of services and facilities in the most has been a great example of inter-agency cooperation delivering cost-effective and efficient manner possible to provide the best real results for our community. value for ratepayers. Through four key themes and related portfolios - People, Customer, Delivery and Assurance - this new structure is now closely aligned with our community vision that underpins our Community, Corporate and Operational Plans. This Annual Report represents Council’s report card on the progress made in 2018-19 in achieving the outcomes of the Cr Greg Christensen Community Plan which provides the overarching framework for the Corporate Plan and, in turn, the annual Operational Plan. It reflects our commitment to ensuring the Scenic Rim is the best place in which to live, work and enjoy life to the fullest, and that ours is a region of viable and sustainable towns and villages whose enviable rural lifestyle respects the important relationship between the environment and economic growth. 6 SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT CEO’S REPORT JON GIBBONS At Scenic Rim Regional Council we take enormous pride in Our impeccable record in producing financially sustainable being local people delivering real results for our region and outcomes was recognised with the Queensland Treasury working to make the communities that we call home even better Corporation assessing Scenic Rim’s credit rating as sound with places in which to live and prosper. In 2018, our tenth year as an a neutral outlook and Council’s Long Term Financial Forecast amalgamated Council, we introduced a program to Refresh and continuing to ensure that it does not leave, as its legacy, a liability Refocus the organisation to ensure it continues to mature and for future generations. becomes even more effective, efficient and agile in its delivery of A significant milestone in the life of our region was the completion services and infrastructure to the Scenic Rim community. by 30 June 2019 of all ground works associated with the flood This Annual Report provides an overview of significant recovery following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie while we achievements for 2018-19, the first year of delivery against our continued to deliver the services and infrastructure needed for our Corporate Plan 2018-2023, Scenic Rim 2023, as well as the growing region. statutory reporting requirements of the Local Government Act This is an exciting time in the growth and development of our 2009.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Summary of Findings
    Summary of findings Calvert to Kagaru Draft Environmental Impact Statement ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Inland Rail acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. Disclaimer: This document has been prepared by ARTC and may not be relied on by any other party without ARTC’s prior written consent. Use of this document shall be subject to the terms of the relevant contract with ARTC. ARTC and its employees shall have no liability to unauthorised users of the information for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of an unauthorised user using or relying upon the information in this document, whether caused by error, negligence, omission or misrepresentation in this document. Project visualisations in this document are for illustrative purposes and not to scale. Please note, the reference design may change as a result of further investigations, government approvals or during detailed design. Printed on uncoated ecostar paper. This document is uncontrolled when printed. © Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited 2020 Front and back cover image: Flinders Peak (view from Kagaru), Scenic Rim Region, Queensland Summary of findings 02 How to have your say 03 Background 04 Introduction 04 Project rationale 08 Approvals 12 Assessment methodology 14 Stakeholder engagement 18 Project description 22 Sustainability 32 Key findings of the EIS 34 Land use and tenure 34 Land resources 38 Landscape and visual amenity 40 Flora and fauna 44 Air quality
    [Show full text]
  • Operators' Marketing Toolkit Version 1: Issued 10Th July
    OPERATORS’ MARKETING TOOLKIT VERSION 1: ISSUED 10TH JULY 2020 RIGHT NOW, AUSSIES ARE KEEN TO GET BACK OUT THERE From drought and bushfires to COVID-19, the challenges of the last 12 months have taught us all that – the things money can’t buy are the most important. Australians are now thinking differently about virtually every aspect of their lives; including how and where they holiday. They are prioritising spending time with the people they love, in places that make them feel alive, connected and enriched. OUR NEW CAMPAIGN With bushfire funding support from the Queensland and Australian Governments, we’re proud to launch the Scenic Rim’s biggest tourism campaign yet: This campaign creative strategy packages up the wealth of what our region and you, our wonderful tourism operators offer as a collective. It celebrates the abundance and richness we offer through our authentic people and places. This campaign proudly places us on par with, or above, other tourist regions. And, it differentiates us from our competitors. Significantly: you are a major part of this offering. Great operators and team players like you welcome our region’s visitors with open arms and set us apart. You are as much, if not more, a part of our authentic and generous visitor experience as our stunning, natural surrounds. WHY DO WE NEED THIS CAMPAIGN? AS A DESTINATION BRAND, THE SCENIC RIM ONLY CAME INTO EXISTENCE IN 2008 Our beautiful landscapes, the traditional lands of the Yugambeh people, have been around forever. But compared to the Great Barrier Reef, or Outback Queensland, the Scenic Rim region is a relatively new and emerging tourist destination brand.
    [Show full text]
  • Agricultural Needs Analysis (August 2018)
    RDA Ipswich & West Moreton AGRICULTURAL NEEDS ANALYSIS TRANSFORMING A REGION August 2018 Kilcoy Esk Regional Development Australia Ipswich & West Moreton would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of our region – The Jagera, Kitabul, Ugarapul, Yugambeh and Yuggera people. Gatton Ipswich Laidley Springfield Lakes Disclaimer – Whilst all efforts have been made to ensure the content of this Boonah Beaudesert publication is free from error, the Regional Development Australia Ipswich & West Moreton (RDAIWM) Ipswich and West Moreton Agricultural Needs Analysis does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information. RDAIWM does not accept any liability for any persons, for any damage or loss whatsoever or howsoever caused in relation to that person taking action (or not taking action as the case may be) in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this publication. 2 RDAIWM Agricultural Needs Analysis AUG 2018 Chair’s Message As there is no single entity to bring together becoming better informed about the food they the various needs and wants for the future are eating and taking a more significant interest development of the agricultural industry of in its provenance and qualities. the four Councils of the West Moreton region Similarly, the increasing pressures of living in a (Ipswich, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic global city, as Brisbane is becoming, engenders Rim), Regional Development Australia Ipswich & a desire for respite. West Moreton (RDAIWM) has undertaken a high- level review of the vital infrastructure and policy The SEQ Regional Plan categorises most of development needs of the region. the study as: “Regional Landscape and Rural ongoing existing lists of considered, critical Production” for precisely this reason: to provide infrastructure priorities.
    [Show full text]
  • Scenic Rim Regional Council Traffic Permit
    Enquiries: Road Corridor Management Team Phone: 07 5540 5111 File Ref: RCU21/0152; 28/01/011 30 June 2021 Mr Maurie Hibberd Energex Limited 26 Reddacliff Street NEWSTEAD QLD 4006 Sent by email: [email protected] [email protected] Dear Mr Hibberd Road Corridor Use Approval – Permit for Temporary Road Closures Various Locations within Scenic Rim Region Council acknowledges receipt of your application dated 2 June 2021, requesting the temporary road closures for various locations within the Scenic Rim Region as per the following details: Traffic Management Company: Various - as engaged by Energex for each location Closure Duration: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 Application Number: RCU21/0152 Date of Issue: 29 June 2021 Approval has been granted for this closure, issued in accordance with Local Law 1 (Administration) and Subordinate Local Law No. 1.15 (Carrying Out Works on a Road or Interfering with a Road or its Operation) and will be subject to the following conditions: Work is to be carried out between the closure duration stated above. A permit is to be obtained from the Queensland Police Service. A public notice is to be placed in the local paper, advising the date and times of the road closures. The management of all traffic through the work location (including pedestrians/cyclists) must comply with Part 3 of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the immediate issue of an order to cease work within the road reserve. In accordance with Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Traffic Management Registration Scheme, regulatory signage/traffic control may only be implemented by a traffic management company registered with TMR.
    [Show full text]
  • Insert Council Name Local Recovery Plan
    Scenic Rim Local Recovery Group Bushfire Recovery Plan on a Page Southern Queensland Bushfires, 6 – 12 September 2019 and Eastern Queensland Bushfires, which impacted the western part of the Scenic Rim, from 8 Mayor CEO LR Coordinator November to 19 December 2019. Endorsed by: Scenic Rim Local Recovery Group on 6 March 2020 Cr Greg Christensen Mr Jon Gibbons Mrs Debra Moore Recovery narrative Surrounded by World-Heritage listed national parks, breathtaking scenery and highest quality, locally grown fresh food, the Damage and impacts Scenic Rim remains a popular must-see tourist destination. Only one hour from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the Scenic Human and Social Environment Rim’s unique location makes for an ideal getaway location. • Community wellbeing – short term instructed and self- • Damage to park infrastructure evacuations of Binna Burra, Sarabah, Palen Creek, and • Potential contamination threat due to asbestos The Scenic Rim is a robust and resilient community, assisting each other through previous events and associated recovery. Carney’s Creek areas. exposure. The Scenic Rim is committed to ensuring that our communities have a successful and resilient future and will approach • Community wellbeing – financial stress from lack of • Catchments and waterways impacted by the fire, recovery from an empathic and inclusive approach in partnership with other agencies. insurance debris run off and retardants. • Community wellbeing – psychosocial wellbeing of • Threats to water quality. Council Values community members affected, compounded trauma from • Burnt and fallen trees – public health and safety risk. • Communication – we actively promote clear, concise and open discussion between staff, Council and communities. drought. • Concerns surrounding vegetation regrowth for rural • Respect - we act respectfully towards each other, accepting each person’s individuality and their role • Community Wellbeing – loss of community connections producers.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Divisional Boundaries
    LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHANGE COMMISSION Review of Divisional Boundaries 2019 PROPOSED DETERMINATION SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 3 Endorsement of proposal ................................................................................................................ 3 THE REVIEW PROCESS ................................................................................................................... 4 Determining the quota ..................................................................................................................... 4 CURRENT BOUNDARIES & ENROLMENT .................................................................................... 5 Table 1 – Current and Projected Council Quota ..................................................................... 5 Table 2 – Current and Projected Enrolment for the Existing Electoral Divisions ............... 5 PUBLIC SUGGESTIONS .................................................................................................................... 6 THE PROPOSED BOUNDARIES ..................................................................................................... 7 Table 3 – Current and Projected Enrolment for the Proposed Electoral Divisions ............ 7 Division 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Division 2 ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Queensland Bushfires State Recovery Plan 2019-2022
    DRAFT V20 2019 Queensland Bushfires State Recovery Plan 2019-2022 Working to recover, rebuild and reconnect more resilient Queensland communities following the 2019 Queensland Bushfires August 2020 to come Document details Interpreter Security classification Public The Queensland Government is committed to providing accessible services to Queenslanders from all culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. If you have Date of review of security classification August 2020 difficulty in understanding this report, you can access the Translating and Interpreting Authority Queensland Reconstruction Authority Services via www.qld.gov.au/languages or by phoning 13 14 50. Document status Final Disclaimer Version 1.0 While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no QRA reference QRATF/20/4207 responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained within. ISSN 978-0-9873118-4-9 To the best of our knowledge, the content was correct at the time of publishing. Copyright Copies This publication is protected by the Copyright Act 1968. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Reconstruction Authority), August 2020. Copies of this publication are available on our website at: https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/fitzroy Further copies are available upon request to: Licence Queensland Reconstruction Authority This work is licensed by State of Queensland (Queensland Reconstruction Authority) under a Creative PO Box 15428 Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 International licence. City East QLD 4002 To view a copy of this licence, visit www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Phone (07) 3008 7200 In essence, you are free to copy, communicate and adapt this annual report, as long as you attribute [email protected] the work to the State of Queensland (Queensland Reconstruction Authority).
    [Show full text]
  • Deep Time Pachamama “The Rim” Art and Ecology Community Story
    1 Deep Time Pachamama “The Rim” art and ecology community story “All we have made was made by what we do not know and the worn tool is rusted and grows old Now that truth strips us naked to the winter’s blow give us your depthless dark, your light brighter than the brightness of the air.” Judith Wright from “Song for Winter” Grief is a strange place to begin a community story. Three days after Christmas 2011, on my own mother’s birthday, I start writing this story that has played around the edges of my mind for almost a year. Inexplicably it begins with grief. Grief for the loss of forests on the hills of Rathdowney where cattle now graze on eroding, sliding soil. Grief for the rivers that rise in Lamington and Lost World and are exploited and polluted as they are relentlessly extracted. Grief for the birds and marsupials mown down by cars and trucks and plastered into long bitchumen roads. Grief for the families of the Yugambeh Language Region and the loss of their abundant Country, home and Mother. Grief for the loss of the family farms and the villages under threat; for the diminishing potential we have to reconnect, restore, and regenerate. The miners and industrialists are on the march in this land and sometimes it feels like Judith Wright’s winter is well and truly upon us. Should a community story about Nature begin with grief? On those big blue-sky days or soft misty mornings, grief feels like an intruder and yet, if we welcome her in, maybe this story becomes more honest.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Plan Scenic Rim Regional Council Area 2010-2020
    This information is provided from TechnologyOne ECM Social Plan (Incorporating a Social Health Plan) Scenic Rim Regional Council Area 2010-2020 A Partnership between Logan Beaudesert Health Coalition and Scenic Rim Regional Council Prepared by Jim Cavaye Document Set ID: 3636931 Version: 1, Version Date: 22/07/2010 Print Date: 12 April 2018, 9:44 AM This information is provided from TechnologyOne ECM 2 Disclaimer Whilst all care and diligence have been exercised in the preparation of this report, Cavaye Community Development, Scenic Rim Regional Council and the Logan Beaudesert Health Coalition does not warrant the accuracy of the information contained within and accepts no liability for any loss or damage that may be suffered as a result of reliance on this information, whether or not there has been any error, omission or negligence on the part of Cavaye Community Development or its employees. Any priorities, forecasts or projections used in the report can be affected by a number of unforeseen variables, and as such no warranty is given that a particular set of results will in fact be achieved. Document Set ID: 3636931 Version: 1, Version Date: 22/07/2010 Print Date: 12 April 2018, 9:44 AM This information is provided from TechnologyOne ECM 3 Social Plan Scenic Rim Regional Council Area 2010-2020 Contents Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................................5
    [Show full text]
  • Mount Barney National Park Management Statement 2013
    Mount Barney National Park Management Statement 2013 Legislative framework Park size: 17,660ha a Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 a Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act Bioregion: South Eastern Queensland 1999 (Cwlth) a Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth) QPWS region: South East a Nature Conservation Act 1992 Local government area: Scenic Rim Plans and agreements State electorate: Beaudesert a Bonn Convention a China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement a Conservation status and draft management plan for Dasyurus maculatus and D. hallucatus in southern Queensland a Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement a Recovery plan for stream frogs of South East Queensland a Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement Brush-tailed rock-wallaby. Photo: NPRSR. Thematic strategies a Level 2 fire management strategy a Level 2 pest management strategy Vision Mount Barney National Park is a protected area of outstanding natural and scenic values that is appreciated by people for its educational and challenging recreational opportunities in a largely remote and natural setting. Conservation purpose Mount Barney National Park conserves areas of very high biodiversity value, including open forests, rainforests and montane heath. It was initially gazetted in 1947 with an area of 11,400ha. The former Cronan Creek State Forest was added in 1994 and forest reserves at Palen Creek and Burnett Creek were added in 2006 through the South East Queensland Forests Agreement process. Sixty-seven per cent of the park is an important component of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area (referred to as Gondwana Rainforests of Australia). Mount Barney National Park is contiguous with other Gondwana Rainforests of Australia national parks in New South Wales—namely Mount Nothofagus National Park (2,180ha), Mount Clunie National Park (1,426ha) and part of Border Ranges National Park (31,508ha).
    [Show full text]
  • Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards 2011
    2013 1 THE AWARDS The Combined Regional Chambers of Commerce and Scenic Rim Regional Council are proud to invite businesses and individuals to nominate for the Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards 2013. The Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards aim to foster and celebrate excellence in business activities throughout the Scenic Rim region and seek to recognise business, industry and individuals for their exceptional contributions to the Scenic Rim region. The objectives of the Awards are: . To recognise the important role the business community plays in the Scenic Rim . To encourage innovation, business excellence and good corporate citizenship . To present businesses with the opportunity to be rewarded for excellence and business success. All Scenic Rim business operators and their employees located within the Scenic Rim local government area are eligible to nominate themselves, or to be nominated for an Award in any of the Award categories (all businesses must be operating legally). These categories allow for a wide range of business activity to be judged against criteria relevant to the Nomination. There is no cost to enter the Awards and all business operators in the Scenic Rim, no matter how large or small, are eligible to enter. To nominate, submit a completed Business Nomination Form and your response to the nomination questions. All entries will be assessed by an independent panel of judges. The winner of each category will be announced at the Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards Dinner & Presentation Night on Friday 29 November 2013. We look forward to receiving your Nomination and to seeing you at the Awards night.
    [Show full text]
  • Download the Scenic Rim Distilled Guide
    SCENIC RIM DISTILLED A guide for thirsty travellers s c e n i c r i m SCENIC RIM DISTILLED A guide for thirsty travellers Climate and geography dictate most behind at the higher extremes are agricultural pursuits. Both are hard some platinum standard cabernet to fool. sauvignon, shiraz and petit verdot. Grape vines fail in wet and vigorous Verdelho is the region’s eternal love soils and prefer the rain shadow of child. Grown in any Queensland the Great Divide. vineyard it just expresses so well. Wherever it is found the verdelho Recently I have travelled around the grape makes excellent white wines visually-stunning Scenic Rim region, for everyday locavore drinking. tasting the wines, liqueurs, craft beers and coffee which are produced here. Of great significance for red drinkers was my discovery of mouth- It has been an enlightening enhancing, jaw dropping bottles experience and I have discovered a of shiraz, mourvedre and durif grown burgeoning industry emerging in this in the warmer Scenic Rim climes. fertile, volcanic region at the base of These are the bolder style of reds the Great Dividing Range. showing much similarity to the The Scenic Rim is a vast location earthy, plummy and gratifying red covering 4248 sq km and the change varietals of Bandol and Languedoc in climate and typography of the along the French Riviera. And one growing regions is referenced in the treasure was to find this style of aroma, taste and body of the local round, rich red offered exclusively to drinks. B&B tourists staying under the cliffs of the imposing Mount Barney in the As I visited the region’s many southern border area and grown on beverage producers I expected the same property.
    [Show full text]