our achievements

Our Achievements by Corporate Plan Key Areas

In the pursuit of outcome-based performance reporting, “Our Achievements” are listed against the outcomes identified in Council’s Corporate Plan 2009 - 2013

2008-2009 annual report 18 governance

Our Achievements Governance

2008-2009 annual report 19 governance

OUTCOME: Organisational governance OUTCOMES. that provides highly respected leadership, is • How it intends going about achieving those outcomes: transparent and accountable in its decision STRATEGIES. making, and secure in constitutional Council based the development of this plan on the premise that recognition. stakeholder input is essential to successful short - and long-term corporate planning, which involved several stages including: CREATING THE FOUNDATIONS: Appointing Our • Research and a literature review Chief Executive Officer • Workshops with Councillors and staff Following the election of the Gladstone Regional Councillors, • Vision 2028 document validation 1 the Mayor and Councillors, at their first meeting, unanimously • Validation of financial capacity resolved to appoint Graeme Kanofski to the position of • Community consultation of the draft plan permanent Chief Executive Officer. With 33 years of experience and an outstanding record of achievement in Local Government, The broad issues to arise from the consultation process were: Graeme was considered the ideal candidate to lead the • Balancing growth and environment organisation through a period of rapid change. • Improved community facilities and services • Better roads and public transport Having presided over the transition period in the lead up to the • Growth facilitation in small communities amalgamation and with intimate knowledge of the region and the current issues and challenges before the new Council, Graeme • Housing affordability and aged housing was appointed to guide the future of the new organisation. • Maximising economic and tourism opportunities • Active engagement, collaboration and development of partnerships BUILDING OUR ORGANISATION: • Recognising cultural diversity A New Organisational Structure • Maintaining positive relationships with traditional owners • Disability access In developing the organisation’s structure, Council recognised • Community input into decision-making processes of that the framework would need to offer flexibility in order governments. to evolve as the organisation moved from its formative days following amalgamation to a mature, established organisation. The 16 outcomes identified and 49 strategies developed to Council anticipates that this evolution is likely to extend through achieve the outcomes were split into five key areas of business: the first term of Council. • Governance Currently, Council has a ‘flat’ management structure with nine • Community directors reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. In • Planning and Development time, Council envisages that the organisational structure will • Infrastructure progress into a ‘sharper’ six directorship model. • Environment

The inaugural Gladstone Regional Council Corporate Plan 2009- 2013 was adopted by Council on 30 June 2009. PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE: Development of the Corporate Plan 1 The Vision 2028 Report, which was the result of an extensive consultation process that sought community input from residents of the Gladstone The Corporate Plan is the key strategic business plan for the region on how their communities could and should develop over the next 20 years. The study was conducted to achieve the following strategic goals: Council. It provides a framework for Council to plan and • Help regional leaders to gain a richer understanding of the undertake its business and service delivery over the period of community’s needs; the plan, having regard to various issues that may have been • Facilitate the creation of an inspiring vision and associated community action plan for Gladstone Region 2028; identified during the planning process, including community • Provide a solid foundation for ensuring long term alignment and engagement. partnerships between industry; • Community and Government; and In the plan, Council sets out: • Create an ongoing platform for community input into industrial and local government planning. • What it would like to achieve over the period of the plan:

2008-2009 annual report 20 governance

REVIEWING OUR LOCAL LAWS

Upon commencing operation, Council had 52 continuing local laws and 22 subordinate local laws. Council undertook a review of all existing local laws and as a result: • A number of local laws (including the associated subordinate local laws) were repealed; • A number of local laws were made, which applied continuing local laws (and associated subordinate local laws) to the whole area; and • New local laws were made.

At year end, there were 31 local laws and 17 subordinate local laws made up as follows:

Status of Local Laws as of 30 June 2009 Local Laws Subordinate TOTAL Local Laws Made by Gladstone Regional Council/Made under Local Government Reform Regulation 2008 3 - 3

Continuing Local Law Applying to Whole Local Government Area 4 1 5

Continuing Local Law Applying to Former Calliope Shire Council Area Only 9 6 15

Continuing Local Law Applying to Former Gladstone City Council Area Only 8 4 12

Continuing Local Law Applying to Former Miram Vale Shire Council Area Only 6 5 11

Continuing Gladstone Calliope Aerodrome Board Local Law 1 1 2

ENSURING PREMIUM CUSTOMER SERVICE: communication link between the Calliope and Gladstone Implementation of the Customer Service Charter Administration Centres as critical.

Council recognises the importance of providing premium The project initially consisted of a 23.5 kilometre, 48 core customer service to the community we serve, and subsequently, single mode carrier grade optic fibre cable link between the a Customer Service Charter was adopted and implemented on Gladstone and Calliope Administration Centres (with potential day one of Gladstone Regional Council operations. The mission links to several existing facilities along the way). After design, of the Charter states: “The Gladstone Regional Council is Government and statutory authority approvals, subsequent committed to ensuring timely and efficient customer service to route modifications and the extension of the link to service the you, our customer. We will continue to strive to meet or exceed Calliope Depot, the finished length was closer to 27 kilometres. the service standards and commitments set out in [the] charter.” The project, costing $1.7 million, allowed Council to adopt a The Customer Service Charter is available to the community via “single office” approach across various sites, which has provided Council’s website. the following essential benefits to Council’s operations:

• Centralised computer systems with a resulting reduction of telecommunications costs and information technology OUTCOME: A strong, effective and service duplications; sustainable organization, providing • High speed online backup facilities; excellence and innovation in custodianship of the community’s resource. • Dependence on less reliable wireless links and communication carriers has been reduced; LINKING TECHNOLOGY: Gladstone-Calliope Fibre Optic Link & Miriam Vale Wireless Link • A solid backend for telecommunications and video conferencing facilities; With Council’s Administration Centres located some • A high level of reliability and security, including periods of kilometres apart, Council identified the need for a high speed

2008-2009 annual report 21 governance “The Gladstone service outage or natural disasters; Regional Council is committed to • Provided all departments with the ability to deploy staff to where they are needed ensuring timely and rather than where the particular computer services are; and efficient customer • Full advantage can be taken of future technological advances without the need to service to you, our upgrade Council’s carrier network. customer.” The new fibre link has eliminated the need for the construction of a multi-million dollar complex to house the bulk of the organisation, which is heavily dependent on internal communications and a common information system. The ultimate financial savings to the community undoubtedly outweigh the initial cost of the project.

The 100+ megabyte Miriam Vale Wireless Link was completed in June 2009, providing a reliable link between the three main Council centres. The distance of more than 70 kilometres between centres and the smaller numbers of staff made a fibre optic link uneconomical. However, the 100+ megabyte wireless link provides a reasonable level of reliability and capacity to support data, VOIP and video conferencing requirements to and from the site.

The link provides staff located at the Miriam Vale Administration Centre with access to Council resources and allows delivery of many of Council’s services locally.

STREAMLINING OUR CORPORATE APPLICATIONS

The amalgamation of Council’s finance systems was completed just prior to 30 June 2009, allowing all financial information to be consolidated for the three former systems, into a single financial package for 2009/2010 and beyond.

Council’s financial information is held primarily within Technology One and is supported by Pathway (customer service and rating system) and Aurion (human resources and payroll system). UPDATING OUR COMPUTER SYSTEM AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES

New server rooms were built in the Calliope and Gladstone Administration Centres to replace existing facilities that were neither secure nor capable of hosting the new Gladstone Regional Council system.

Council’s new computer system was purpose-designed for the amalgamated Council, and allowed for the progressive migration of users and resources from the former systems with a minimum of disruption to the daily operations of Council.

2008-2009 annual report 22 governance

MANAGING OUR HUMAN RESOURCES

The uncertainty surrounding the period prior to amalgamation resulted in a high staff turnover within the three former councils. Subsequently, Gladstone Regional Council Commencements commenced operation with 70 employee vacancies. Between June and December 2008, 233 the human resources team recruited for 122 positions, which proved an enormous task STAFF MOVEMENTS that was further exacerbated by a tight labour market. Terminations From March 2008 to June 2009, 233 new employees joined the Council team and 173 173 employees left the organisation.

Council adopted a number of employment policies relating to our employees throughout the year including:

• Corporate Uniform Policy “Gladstone Regional • Employees Attending Conferences, Meetings & Training Council was the first • Harassment & Discrimination Policy amalgamated council

• Recruitment & Selection Policy in Queensland to register its • Code of Conduct for Employees Enterprise Bargaining • Staff Recognition Policy Agreement (EBA).”

• Australian Defence Force Reserve Leave Policy

• Special Leave Arrangements for Employees who are Volunteer Members of Emergency Services

• Training and Development Policy

• Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement & Management Plan 2009-2013

DEVELOPING AN ENTERPRISE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (EBA)

MILESTONES 7 May 2008 29 May - 5 June 2008 8 September 2008 10 October 2008 18 November 2008 Release of the first The CEO & HR Negotiations were The workforce voted in The EBA was certified draft of the EBA to Manager attended every finalised between support of the EBA. by the Queensland workforce. workgroup to gather unions, the workforce Industrial Relations feedback on the first and management Commission. draft of the EBA and (EBA Committee). determine workplace Committee issues which needed to endorsement was be addressed in EBA. granted.

2008-2009 annual report 23 governance BY THE NUMBERS

The commencement of the enterprise bargaining process was viewed by Council as a As a demonstration key priority in managing change for the new organisation. The project commenced in of Council’s May 2008. commitment to

This process involved: training, 45% of the workforce undertook • Applying the “no disadvantage test” to the three former Certified Agreements; first aid training • Complying with the Transition Code of Practice; the document providing guidelines throughout the year for employment conditions for the newly amalgamated local government authorities; and

• Working within a new industrial relations jurisdiction.

Cert III Transport and The Chief Executive Officer and Human Relations Manager attended each workgroup Logistics (Warehouse

Cert III Cert III Storage), 5 Information Tech, 1 within Council to discuss the draft EBA, answer questions and seek feedback from the Business Admin, 1 Cert III staff. The next step involved negotiations with unions and a workforce vote in October Business Admin, 1 COUNCIL Cert III Civil 2008. Council’s EBA was certified by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in Construction (Plant TRAINEES Operator), 2 November 2008. Cert IV Civil Construction - Supervision, 1Cert III Water Operations, 1 Cert IV Civil

Construction - OH&S, 1 Cert II DEVELOPING OUR SKILLS BASE: Training and Development Supervision, 3

Council is committed to the training and development of all of our 690 employees. Courses are offered to maintain the currency of staff knowledge and to further allow for up-skilling and education, thereby increasing the skills base of individuals and the organisation. Plumbing, 3 The training and development team also assisted in developing Council’s Apprentice

Carpentry, 1 and Trainee Program with 16 existing staff undertaking traineeships and seven staff Diesel Fitter, 1 undertaking cadetships (wherein university study is required). COUNCIL HOSTED Council also hosted 19 apprentices and employs two plumbing apprentices directly. This APPRENTICES number will increase as Council fulfils the enterprise bargaining obligation to directly employ apprentices and trainees. Electrician, 7 Fitter & Turner, 7

FOSTERING A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT: Occupational Health and Safety

Fostering a culture that recognises the importance of safety was a key objective Local Government - Building throughout the year. Work progressed on a number of safety initiatives, with a particular Services, 1 Building Surveyor, 1 focus on:

Civil • Risk management; Designer, 1

• Improving induction processes; COUNCIL CADETS • Contractor management; and Local Government Draftperson, 1 - Business, 3 • Implementing proactive measures to prevent the risk of injury. Planning Officer, 1 Planner, 1

Council’s occupational health and safety management system, Safe Plan 2, provides the framework by which risks can be identified and controlled. Safe Plan 2 was the subject of a major internal audit, with 227 staff interviewed and 34 workplaces visited during Engineering, 1

2008-2009 annual report 24 governance BY THE NUMBERS the audit. The performance result of 66.5% did not meet the Safe Plan 2 128 staff received benchmark of 70%. Overcoming this deficit was the basis of the overall revised risk strategy of continuous improvement, benchmarking and best practice. assessment training

In order to promote and assist with the communication of Council’s safety and 2,234 individual management system throughout the organisation, the Safe Plan 2 intranet page risk assessments was developed with a range of guidance material available to provide best were submitted practice information on legislative and general occupational health and safety throughout the year matters for all staff.

An unacceptable number of lost time injuries were recorded (27) with a further 25 medical treatment injuries. To this end, Council established a Workplace Health and Safety Committee. The committee considers policy and program initiatives in relation to employee duties under the Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995, and adopts risk management strategies to ensure Travel proactive management and governance of these issues. Injury, 3

Incident Without Provision of regular health and safety training and the requirement for job Injury, 20 specific risk assessments further formed part of Council’s proactive strategy of Lost Time addressing specific risks at the job face. Injury, 27

Council has also been working towards developing and updating risk Medical Treatment management plans and strategies. Injury, 25 INCIDENT PROFILE Property Damage, 51 INTEGRATING OUR GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION First Aid/Minor Injury, 75 SYSTEM

A priority for Council’s Geographical Information System (GIS) was the Electrical Incident, 2 integration of the three systems used by the former Calliope Shire, Gladstone City and Miriam Vale Shire Councils, using Mapinfo. Council took the opportunity to undertake significant data cleaning throughout the integration, thereby ensuring timely and concise information is at hand. Sharp/ Needlestick Council purchased new GIS hardware (Trimble Net R5 GPS Base Station/ Insect/Spider/Animal Chemicals/ Bites/Stings RTK Rover) and software (SurveyAnalyst, GeoCadstre) in order to facilitate Substances the collection of accurate field survey data of land parcels and assets. Data Heat/ collection and Digital Cadastral Database (DCDB) correction was in progress Radiation at year end and will continue into the coming years. Falls/Trips/Slips

INCIDENT MECHANISM MANAGING OUR ASSETS FOR THE FUTURE Falling/Airborne Hitting Objects/ Objects Body parts With an infrastructure asset base of $957 million, updating Council’s asset being hit base in the Conquest Asset Management System was an important and major Manual Handling/Muster project that commenced during the year. Asset Management and Road Asset Stress Management Working Groups were formed to facilitate the implementation of the process.

Gladstone Regional Council’s Asset Management Policy was adopted in May 2009 and the Asset Management Strategy and Asset Management Plan were progressed.

2008-2009 annual report 25 governance

MANAGING OUR PLANT FLEET

Council’s fleet section provides for the operation, maintenance and replacement of Council’s plant fleet, which has a gross asset value of $28.6 million.

Key projects commenced during the year were:

• Prioritising the capital replacement program, which identified almost $14 million of items requiring replacement;

• Restructuring fleet management, including categorising fleet, plant and equipment and standardising charge-out rates;

• Constructing a new workshop at the Calliope Depot, with the project on target at year end; and

• Developing a servicing schedule that deals with major and minor attractive plant items. When complete, the identification and stock-take of equipment will commence.

MANAGING OUR COUNCIL PROPERTIES

With a diverse property portfolio spread throughout the region, Council’s first task, with regard to property management, was to collate a comprehensive property list. With that information in hand, Council then took a strategic approach in examining the long term needs of the properties.

Work commenced on 400 building audits to identify building condition and establish maintenance schedules. Asbestos inspections were completed for all buildings, with a resulting asbestos register for all Council-owned buildings.

2008-2009 annual report 26 governance BY THE NUMBERS OUTCOME: A Council that is engaged with its community 150+ media releases were distributed ENGAGING WITH OUR COMMUNITY: Development of a Community Engagement Strategy A Community Engagement Strategy was developed for the region based on the IAP2 150 pages of Spectrum of Public Participation. The Strategy included myriad tools ranging from media Council news in releases and fact sheets to forums and information sessions, with the objective to inform, participate and consult with our community. the community newsletter were delivered to CONNECTING WITH INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY: approximately Councillor Tours 21,400 mailboxes To provide opportunities for community members to meet informally with their throughout the elected local government representatives, Council introduced a Councillor Booth at the region Gladstone shopping centre.

The booths were held in February and March 2009 with Councillors in attendance to meet, discuss and listen to the concerns and issues raised by the community.

In May-June 2008 Councillors embarked on a bus tour throughout the region. The tours were designed to facilitate scheduled informal community meetings across the region, so as to allow Councillors to gain an appreciation of local community issues from a hands on, grass roots level.

Council officers accompanied elected members on the tour and recorded issues raised by the community to allow for later consideration and action where required.

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY INFORMED: Council’s Community Newsletter

Council produces a 16-page community newsletter each month, which is distributed to the mailboxes of residents throughout the region. Formerly named, “Gladstone Regional Council News”, the newsletter was renamed “The Council Connection” in August 2008 in a quest to uncover a more appealing and descriptive title through community participation.

The Community Relations section also produces a monthly internal staff newsletter, “Links”, which is distributed electronically.

LAUNCHING OUR ONLINE SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROGRAM: Profile.id

In June 2009 Council launched an online socio-demographic program, “Gladstone Regional Council Community Profile” (Profile.id). The program provides a comprehensive socio-demographic profile of the Gladstone local government region, its communities and residents and was designed to provide users with free easy- to-interpret Census data (1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006) from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Access is through Council’s website.

2008-2009 annual report 27 governance BY THE NUMBERS Twenty-five community group members, prospective investors, local businesses and Council records a residents attended a free training session in how to use the program. average of more than 11,000 visits to www. gladstonerc.qld.gov.au A NEW COUNCIL WEBSITE each month As a key communication tool between the community and Council, the development of Gladstone Regional Council’s web site was designated a priority in March 2008. The project was primarily completed early in the 2008/09 financial year. The website (www. gladstonerc.qld.gov.au) integrates the data from the former Gladstone City, Calliope Shire and Miriam Vale Shire Councils and includes new technological advances to make it a more comprehensive and user friendly tool.

Links to Council’s auxiliary websites, such as the Libraries, Cemeteries and Gladstone Entertainment Centre sites, are still under development.

2008-2009 annual report 28 governance BY THE NUMBERS Council was assisted VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS by approximately The volunteers who assist with Council programs are an invaluable asset to Council and 130 volunteers who the community. As a demonstration of Council’s appreciation of the support received, provided more a function was held to celebrate our volunteers during Volunteers Week in December 2009 at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre. than 7500 hours of invaluable assistance • Tondoon Botanic Gardens Visitor Services

Throughout the year, nine Visitor Services Volunteers commenced in-house training, three of whom are studying under a traineeship for a Certificate II & III in Tourism - Guiding. Visitor Services Volunteers assisted visitors in the Gardens Visitor Centre, conducted Guided Walks of the Gardens and assisted with School Education Visits and events, providing well over 500 hours of assistance to the Gardens.

• Friends of Gladstone City Library

Library volunteers (The Friends of Gladstone City Library) provided approximately 2,200 hours of invaluable assistance to the library. From the money raised through two successful book sales, the Friends funded additional special equipment for the library and purchased new shelf-end signage plaques, painted by local artists. Many community groups presented a variety of displays in the libraries, highlighting their achievements and activities.

• Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum Volunteers

Twenty-four volunteers assisted at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, providing 4,237 hours of assistance. Volunteers assisted with a vast array of activities, including workshops, events, cataloguing, photography, documenting war memorials of the region and much more.

• Discovery Coast Community Health Service

Four dedicated volunteers assisted at the Discovery Coast Community Health Service, volunteering around 250 hours of their time. The volunteers assisted with the Healthy Decisions Youth Program.

• Discovery Coast Community Care

Ten volunteers assisted with the provision of centre-based day respite, social support and transport at Discovery Coast Community Care, providing 380 hours of valuable volunteer assistance.

• Community Advisory Service

Volunteers assisted at the Community Advisory Service with Emergency Response and the Tax Help program. Almost 600 hours of invaluable volunteer hours were provided by the dedicated volunteers.

2008-2009 annual report 29 community

Our Achievements Community

2008-2009 annual report 30 community

OUTCOME: A strong overarching regional identity which also recognises and supports local community identity CREATING A COUNCIL BRAND: Adoption of a New Logo

A key priority for the newly amalgamated Council was the development of a corporate logo to provide the new organisation with a visual identity and to represent the diversity of the Gladstone Region. Several options were put to community vote, which showed a clear preference for the “sail” logo.

The sail shape is distinctive of a region that borders the ocean. The sailing and boating industry in Gladstone is key to the region’s prior success and future prosperity. The three main elements in the sail symbols the joining of the three existing Councils into one cohesive unit.

The sail element is positioned to create the impression of forward movement, symbolising a progressive new Council whose task is to take the region forward. A ‘G’ device is seen reversed out of the sail shape, representing the Gladstone Region.

The colours of the logo represent the various features of the region as follows:

• Green: The bush and environment;

• Blue: The sea, harbour, islands and the waves on the many prominent beaches in the region;

• Golden yellow: The sand of the beaches, the prosperity of the region, the gold mining history of Calliope and Many Peaks, the vibrant sun and associated leisure activities of the emerging tourist economy; and

• Silver grey: Represents the metals of industry [such as the aluminium industry which is prominent to the area] and forms an integral part of the economy.

Upon adoption of the logo, Council undertook the task of re-branding all corporate stationery and publications.

2008-2009 annual report 31 community

RE-SIGNING OUR REGION

An important element of capturing a sense of identity within the new Gladstone Region was the replacement of all existing signs, including town entrance signs and corporate buildings and facilities. The project was split into three stages, with stages one and two completed by 30 June 2009.

• Stage 1 included replacement or remediation of 21 Council entrance signs and numerous signs on and within 26 of Council’s corporate buildings.

• Stage 2 included replacement of 33 locality signs, 38 town entrance signs and building signs not identified in Stage 1.

The third (and final) phase of the signage project will encompass parks and open spaces and will be commenced in 2009/2010.

Stage 2 Signage Proposal OUTCOME: A vibrant community with strong support networks for Gladstone Regional Council April 2009 COORDINATING CULTURAL RELATIONS

Several Council projects undertaken throughout the year required a coordinated approach to cultural heritage planning and monitoring by Council’s Community Relations team.

Key projects of this nature included:

• Fibre optic cabling from Calliope to Gladstone;

• Agnes Water Community Centre Project;

• Agnes Water/Seventeen Seventy Integrated Water Project;

• Gladstone Airport Runway Reconstruction Project; and

• Police Creek Foot Bridge Project.

Community Relations Officers also acted as Council liaisons with the Native Title Claimants for the region, the Port Curtis Coral Coast (PCCC), in embarking on the development of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) for the area.

2008-2009 annual report 32 community

FOSTERING A MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY

• The Mayor (or Deputy Mayor) officiated 95 Australian Citizenship Ceremonies during the year. The Gladstone Region welcomed 11 new Australian Citizens at a public ceremony held on Australia Day.

• The Gladstone Region’s Sister City partnership with Saiki City in Japan was strengthened when a delegation of Gladstone representatives, organised by the Gladstone Saiki Sister City Committee, visited Saiki City in September 2008.

• Council supported the annual Gladstone Multicultural Festival with a cash donation of $2,500 and in-kind support. The Festival, held in August 2008, was a success with 21 stallholders and an estimated 7,000 attendees.

• In conjunction with a number of local stakeholders, Council formed the Gladstone Intercultural Reference Group to steer the implementation of the objectives outlined in the Multicultural Strategy for Gladstone (2007). The Group maintains a focus on six key areas:

1. Integration 2. Liveability 3. Health 4. Education 5. Community Access Zimbabwe Britian 6. Industry/Business Wales Brazil Burma • The inaugural Cultural Diversity Expo Vietnam Federal Republic and Forum, a joint initiative of the Yugoslavia local Intercultural Reference Group, Fiji Gladstone Multicultural Association Unknown USSR England Former and Gladstone Regional Council, Yugoslavia was attended by 100 participants. The initiative was held to foster an understanding of the needs and level of services available to assist migrants and United Kingdom India Iran hosts. CITIZENSHIPS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Malta Ukraine Netherlands Myanmar

New Zealand South Africa

Philippines

Republic of Germany

2008-2009 annual report 33 community

OUTCOME: A range of quality community facilities and services that serve the varied lifestyle choices of the region’s residents MANAGING OUR SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE - Development of Our Social Infrastructure Strategic Plan

Council identified a need to develop a social infrastructure strategy to guide investment decisions for providing social infrastructure in our local government area into the future. Thus, the development of the Social Infrastructure Strategic (SIS) Plan commenced.

The project is a planning process designed to audit the region’s existing social infrastructure; talk to people about what might be lacking; benchmark Gladstone’s position against other regions; and provide recommendations for clearing any backlog while keeping social infrastructure in line with development trends and population growth.

The SIS Plan, when completed, will better inform contributions to regional social infrastructure by current and future private development proponents and better prioritise scarce social infrastructure funds in line with identified priorities.

Just as importantly, the plan is expected to guide investment decisions Governments and private development proponents make now and into the future.

Social infrastructure includes a wide range of built facilities, services and networks of organisations. These include:

• Community facilities (e.g. schools, hospitals, police/fire/ambulance stations, childcare centres, youth facilities, cultural facilities like libraries and theatres, recreation and sporting facilities, facilities for older people, public transport, pedestrian/walking trails and bikeways, and social [non-private] housing);

• Community services: Health services, children’s and family services, aged care services, disability services, multicultural services, youth development, welfare and support services, housing services, and employment and training services; and

• Community services: Networks (such as interagency groups).

The project is a joint endeavour of Gladstone Regional Council, the Gladstone Economic & Industry Development Board and the State Department of Infrastructure & Planning.

2008-2009 annual report 34 community BY THE NUMBERS LIBRARIES Gladstone Regional

The region is serviced by six libraries: Agnes Water; Gladstone; Boyne Island; Miriam Vale; Libraries had 24,000 Calliope and Mount Larcom. There are additional service points at Rosedale and Baffle members Creek and a Home Library Service. 545,998 items Previously limited to the Gladstone City area, the Home Library Service commenced borrowed delivering books and other library items to eligible residents in Boyne Island, Tannum Sands and Calliope in November 2008. More than 180 residents who were unable to visit a 250,000 library visits library, received fortnightly deliveries. 10,000 new items All six libraries adopted uniform membership policies from March 2008. costing over $220,000 The process of creating one fully integrated library service was simplified in that all libraries were already using the same library computer software, Aurora. Computer systems at all six libraries were amalgamated into a single system (accessible to all sites) with Internet search capability, allowing borrowers to locate and reserve books from any library within the Gladstone Region.

In October 2008, the libraries adopted a vibrant new library logo. The logo uses the sail motif from the Gladstone Regional Council logo and places it between the pages of a book in Council’s corporate colours.

GLADSTONE REGIONAL LIB RA RIES

New environmentally friendly Gladstone Regional Libraries bags, displaying the logo, went on sale to the public following adoption of the logo.

The libraries provided a variety of interactive activities for children throughout the year that included:

• Regular school holiday craft programs, such as “Craft for Craft’s Sake”, were consistently well attended at libraries throughout the region. “Summer Reading Club” activities were enjoyed by hundreds of children throughout the Christmas school holidays;

• A range of activities were held for Children’s Book Week in August 2008;

• Library and Information Week, in May 2009, with the theme “Libraries: your passport to discovery” drew the attention of the community to the wide range of facilities and resources the local libraries offer. On National Simultaneous Story-time day, large numbers of our young community participated in story-time and follow-up activities;

2008-2009 annual report 35 community

• In May 2009 Gladstone City Library commenced what proved a popular monthly “Baby Bounce’ program, an interactive “lap sit” program designed to introduce babies to the pleasure of sharing nursery rhymes, action songs and simple percussion instruments.

In March 2009, the Libraries - together with Central Queensland University, a major sponsor of the program - promoted the free online tutoring service, “yourtutor”. The service creates an online classroom which connects students to qualified tutors for individual study assistance. Council’s Community Relations section conducted free information sessions about the service.

ARTS & HERITAGE

The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum (GRAGM) delivered an ambitious and well- received program of exhibitions and events throughout the year, which included: BY THE NUMBERS • Twenty-four school sessions attended by approximately 700 students. 31,565 visitors to the • Thirty-one ‘hands on’ workshops attended by 460 participants, the majority being visual Gladstone Region Art art and craft and skills focused. Adults were not neglected with CQ TAFE and Flying Gallery & Museum Arts partnering in the provision of arts opportunities. were recorded from • In April - May 2008, the Queensland Art Gallery’s participatory touring exhibition mid-March 2008 to Olafur Eliasson The Cubic Structural Evolution Project, invited visitors of all ages June 2009 to transform 300 kilograms of white Lego. Under the watchful eyes of the Gallery/ Museum volunteers a wondrous and ever changing cityscape emerged. • Pots on show, a diverse program of 32 exhibitions drawn from national, state and local collections including that of the Gladstone Regional Council, exhibited a survey of the ceramic collection that begun 30 years ago. Other much enjoyed local exhibitions presented in conjunction with the artist and or their family have been Val Anderson’s 4 Decades of Creativity and Helmut Breckwoldt’s memorial, From Heather Bells to Bindi Eyes. • Travelling exhibitions included the Queensland focused Habitus - Habitat The Tour and its associated workshop by contributing artist, Glen Skien. • Recognising the Pacific Islander heritage of many in Queensland, was the Brisbane Multicultural Art Centre’s Talking Tapa Pasifika Bark Cloth in Queensland. • Annual community partnership projects, exhibitions and competitions attracted an increased number of participants and entrants. Since its launch for Australia Day 2007, the Primary School Art Competition Celebrate Australia has grown from 57 to 385 submissions received for 2009. The Gladstone Saiki Sister City annual photograph exchange Intercity Images also increased. • Our Priceless Past photographs and oral histories of our Special Seniors was, for the first time, held at Mt Larcom State School. The opportunity was enthusiastically welcomed by the school and community. This year, the project celebrated its 10-year partnership with The Gladstone Observer and Ergon Energy. • The 2008 Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hanson Memorial Awards was generously supported by the local community, which

2008-2009 annual report 36 community

raised the total prize money to $17,250. More than 300 entries were received from 210 artists. The $6,000 Rio Tinto Alcan sponsored Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award was awarded to Gladstone artist Beryl Wood. • The Gladstone Region Art Gallery and Museum played (and continues to play) an active role in Queensland’s sesquicentenary (Q150) celebrations, participating in the Regional Gallery and University Art Collections in Queensland exhibition, Twelve Degrees of Latitude through the loan of seven significant works from the permanent collection. The exhibition is scheduled for display at the Art Gallery and Museum 5 March – 15 May 2010. • Queensland Day 6 June 2009 was celebrated with Mayor Cr George Creed hosting the Q150 Descendants’ Dinner in the Old Town Hall (now the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum). One hundred and eighty guests whose families had been residents of the region since 1869 enjoyed refreshments and entertainment evocative of the nineteenth century. Amalgamation of the Gladstone Calliope Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) with Miriam Vale to become the Gladstone Region RADF has gone smoothly. Since March 2008, 27 funding submissions were received, with 25 being funded. A total of $64,161 BY THE NUMBERS was granted during the 15 months from March 2008 - June 2009. 72,173 visited the Gladstone Aquatic POOLS & AQUATIC CENTRES Centre, 2,654 the Calliope Pool and Council maintains three pools throughout the region: The Gladstone Aquatic Centre, 3,048 the Mt Larcom Calliope Pool and Mount Larcom Pool and offered the following services: Pool • Learn To Swim (with 9,005 participants) • Squad • Aged Pensioner Happy Hour • Cafe • Sports Shop • Lap Swimming • Recreational Swimming • Barbecue Facilities The Gladstone Aquatic Centre underwent an upgrade which included:

• The addition of much-needed lighting to the southern car park to allow patrons and staff safe access and egress to the main entrance; and • A facelift for the Olympic pool with the following works: - replacement of 40 square metres of tiles; - replacement of drainage gutter tiles; - replacement of lane rope anchor points and - new grouting in the complete pool shell. The Mt Larcom Pool received a new septic treatment plant with the outgoing product used in sub- surface irrigation

2008-2009 annual report 37 community BY THE NUMBERS PERFORMING ARTS The Gladstone Entertainment Performances: In February to March 2008, the Gladstone Entertainment Centre hosted Centre held 88 shows the most successful community musical in the history of the theatre, ‘Beauty and the Beast’. The trend continued in 2009 with the production of the Combined Schools and 159 functions, Musical, ‘Oliver’. entertaining 38,224 patrons The inaugural Agnes Water Blues and Roots Festival held in 2009 was a spectacular success, with around 500 people attending over the course of the weekend. With more than 80% of people attending from outside of the Agnes/1770 area, it was a boost for the region’s local businesses and tourism sector.

The entrepreneurial budget allowed for the acquisition of high quality performances such as ‘Menopause the Musical’, ‘the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow’, ‘Steel Magnolias’, ‘National Boys Choir’ and ‘Deep Blue Orchestra’. Council was most satisfied that the community was in a position to see such shows without leaving the region.

Local and non-profit users utilised the venue, with schools, dance schools, the gymnastics club, Pact House and Bunburry Players, to name a few. These groups receive discounts on venue hire, technical equipment and marketing charges in an endeavour to encourage them to use the venue.

The Children’s Package was particularly strong this year, with shows such as ‘Scooby Doo’, ‘The Fastest Boy in the World’ and ‘The Jungle Book’.

Front of House: A high demand for conference and function space necessitated the refurbishment of the Basement Playhouse into a conference space, with the option of partitioning for multiple smaller rooms.

Catering was introduced in 2008, and proved successful.

Outside Services: The Centre’s involvement in outside events continued to be a dependable source of revenue, with varying levels of involvement in almost all of the region’s major events.

The revenue gained from these sources and the superior equipment subsequently purchased, allowed the Centre to give in-kind support to local non-profit groups. In addition, the Agnes Water Youth Program, run by the PCYC, was a new initiative that is expected to continue with the support of Council’s Gladstone Entertainment Centre.

Sponsorship: Local businesses such as GTC Financial, Andersens Carpets, Golding Contractors and the Grand Hotel supported the Centre with cash sponsorship. Avis Gladstone supported the Avis ClubMode series.

Metro Hotel, Rydges Gladstone and Central Apartment Group were secured as sponsors. In addition, the Observer, Zinc, Hot FM, Sea FM, GladstoneNews Weekly and Southern Cross Ten signed on as media partners.

Advertising: In July 2009, three plasma televisions were installed at Stockland Gladstone to advertise upcoming performances. This was coupled with an agreement that Stockland Gladstone act as a ticket agent for theatre shows, making ticket purchasing more accessible to the general public.

2008-2009 annual report 38 community BY THE NUMBERS NEW SPORT & RECREATION FUNDING PROGRAMS $180,000 was distributed through In order to match the needs of the newly amalgamated region, Council introduced a Council’s sport and new sport and recreation funding program. The existing funding programs of the former Calliope Shire, Gladstone City and Miriam Vale Shire Councils were combined and further recreation funding developed, with new funding categories introduced, such as Sport and Recreation Events programs Sponsorship.

The revised funding program comprises:

• Two grants - the Facility Assistance Grant (totalling $140,000) and the Club Development Grant (totalling $20,000), which received 18 applications and funded eight projects;

• A sponsorship program for Regional Sport & Recreation Events totalling ($8000);

• Financial contribution to the Gladstone & District Sports Foundation ( $12,000), which assisted 17 young athletes to complete both nationally & internationally.

All funding programs were oversubscribed and a total of $180,000 was distributed throughout the 2008/2009 financial year for a wide variety of projects across the region.

GLADSTONE TONDOON BOTANIC GARDENS

Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens is a regional botanic gardens that maintain a scientific collection from two main areas, that of the Port Curtis Region and Far North Queensland. The Gardens are part of a conservation strategy to ensure that the nation’s environmental heritage is passed on to future generations.

Lessons in the Garden and Guided Tours of Tondoon were popular throughout the year with 84 groups in attendance. In April 2009, a Scenic Tour of Gladstone was offered in addition to the tour of the Gardens, in partnership with the Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited. The tour proved so popular that a larger 50-seat coach was organised to meet the demand.

In June and September, approximately 100 children participated in Art in the Gardens sessions in collaboration with local artists. Friends of the Gardens volunteers were instrumental in assisting in delivering these programs.

In October 2008, Tondoon Botanic Gardens celebrated its 20th Anniversary. An al fresco ‘Dinner Under the Stars’ held at the Gardens to mark the occasion. More than 160 guests BY THE NUMBERS attended. Guests were entertained by Rangers Tim Moore and Stacey Thompson. The More than 15,000 anniversary celebrations program also included a family movie night in the Gardens (with plant species have 300 in attendance), a nocturnal spotlighting walk through the Gardens, environmental art and craft session for kids and a get-together with Ranger Tim and Ranger Stacey been cultivated at (presenters of the television show “Totally Wild”). Tondoon Botanic Gardens

2008-2009 annual report 39 community BY THE NUMBERS ENTERTAINING OUR COMMUNITY: Community Events Clean Up Australia Day Volunteers Council hosted a variety of key annual events with an aim to cater for all facets of the collected over 4 community. tonne of waste from SUNfest is a youth activities holiday program catering for young people aged 12 to 17. around the region With approximately 750 youth taking part in 31 activities across 15 venues throughout the region, the 2008 program was a resounding success. The program of events featured performing arts, visual arts and sporting activities including a film fest, rock climbing, surfing, dive-in move nights and dance and performance classes. The grand finale of the program was the SUNfest Showcase, an exciting performance displaying the skills learnt throughout the program to an audience of 230 at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre.

Council’s Clean Up Australia Day event boasted 650 volunteers, including 27 Council employees. Volunteers collected 3.84 tonne of general waste and 0.22 tonne of recyclable waste.

Australia Day celebrations took the form of two family fun days - at the Gladstone Marina and at Agnes Water.

Three hundred community members also celebrated on the eve of Australia Day with Council’s Australia Day Awards held at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre. The awards recognise and reward members of the local community who have a consistent record of excellence, have made outstanding achievements in their field, and/or have contributed significantly to the growth and development of sport, community events, arts and cultural life in the region.

Australia Day Awards were presented as follows:

Citizen of the Year Ron and Sue Hawkins

Young Citizen of the Year James Black

Junior Sportsperson of the Year Nicole Just

Senior Sportsperson of the Year Eilleen Forrest

Junior Cultural Award Melody Dobrinin

Senior Cultural Award Carmel Stanley

Community Event of the Year for the Gladstone Region Gladstone Multicultural Festival

2008-2009 annual report 40 community

The Gladstone Region also welcomed 11 new Australian Citizens Gladstone Entertainment Centre, the number of stallholders at the Citizenship Ceremony, held as part of the Australia Day grew from four to 20 by June 2009. Stalls were varied and eve celebrations. included fresh produce, wine tasting, handmade goods, toys and clothing. Ecofest, Council’s World Environment Day initiative, was held at Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens in May 2009. A family The Friday and Saturday evening Live Entertainment at Library event, Ecofest aims to educate the community about how to Square, facilitated by the Gladstone Entertainment Centre, become more environmentally responsive in a fun and interactive proved popular, providing local performers audience exposure atmosphere. Now in its 11th year, Ecofest has established itself and allowing them to earn a small amount for their craft. A as Central Queensland’s premier World Environment Day number of enquiries were received from the public seeking event, with approximately 7,000 attendees at the 2009 event. details of the performers to book them for future performances - a beneficial outcome. Knight Eagle, an adventure-based camp for youth aged 12 - 17 years, was held during the September school holidays. Activities included an all day/night obstacle course, raft building, abseiling OUTCOME: Healthy and safe and canoeing completed in a team environment. Knight Eagle is a fully supervised alcohol, tobacco and drug-free event. communities where residents are protected through public health, safety Approximately 60 young people attended the camp in 2008, and counter disaster programs with supervisory support provided by staff from Council, Rio Tinto Alcan, St John Ambulance and youth service providers. ENCOURAGING A HEALTHY ACTIVE COMMUNITY: Entering The Healthy Queensland Seniors’ Week was celebrated with morning teas held at Awards Competition Gladstone and Miriam Vale, and a Mayor’s Morning Tea held at Mayor Creed’s property at Raglan. The Mayor’s Morning Tea The Queensland State Government introduced a Healthy was a resounding success with approximately 400 attendees. Queensland Awards initiative in which councils, schools and community organisations would deliver projects to improve Volunteers’ Week was celebrated with a community breakfast the physical health and wellbeing of Queenslanders. Up to $1 held at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre. Council was million was offered to organisations based on the merit of their supported by more than 100 volunteers who gave their time project, to be spent on healthy infrastructure and programs. The to the Tondoon Botanic Gardens, Gladstone Entertainment Healthy Active Gladstone Region (HAGR) project was Council’s Centre, Community Advisory Service, the Discovery Coast submission. Community Health Service, Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum and the Gladstone Regional Libraries. The goal of the project was to get the inactive active and the unhealthy healthy and promoted the slogan, “Be Smart, Take National Youth Week events were held in April 2009 at the Part”. The program consisted of several components, such as Gladstone Skate Park. Activities included skating, obstacle Healthy Active Ambassadors, Sport Forums, Point of Decision course, Sing Star and Guitar Hero competitions, rock climbing Prompts and Healthy Choice Awards. wall, horizontal bungee, and a Trash City Fashion display, with clothing created from plastic bags. The HAGR project commenced in December 2008 and officially concluded in March 2009 when entries for the Healthy The Miriam Vale Youth Group successfully applied for a major Queensland Awards closed. However, in the spirit with which grant to fund a National Youth Week activity, the Make a Move the project was developed, its legacy lives on in the newly active Youth Festival. Held at the Miriam Vale Community Centre and healthy residents, workplaces and organisations throughout in March 2009, the festival was attended by more than 100 the region. young people, who participated in a variety of activities such as jamming sessions and paintball challenges. The finale of the The winners of the Queensland State Governments’ Healthy event was a popular performance by five live bands, both local Queensland Awards were announced in 2009/2010 financial and from interstate. year, with Gladstone Regional Council receiving a $600,000 slice of the $1 million on offer. Library Square Markets were introduced in September 2008 and held every second and fourth Saturday of each month in the Gladstone Central Business District. Coordinated by the

2008-2009 annual report 41 community BY THE NUMBERS DISASTER MANAGEMENT An average of 153 animals are A full-time Disaster Management Coordinator was appointed to oversee Council’s impounded each disaster management responsibilities and to liaise with police and emergency services, particularly the volunteer State Emergency Service Groups and Rural Fire Brigades. month. In the Christmas / New The development of a new Local Disaster Management Plan for the Gladstone Region was Year period, Council commenced, incorporating the consolidation of the disaster management arrangements for the former Calliope Shire, Gladstone City and Miriam Vale Shire Council areas. impounded more than 400 animals A Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) was established in accordance with the Disaster Management Act 2003, which met regularly throughout the year. The LDMG hosted a meeting of the Gladstone Port Safety Organisation to discuss the Gladstone Port Safety Plan.

The LDMG continually monitored severe storm activity events throughout the region over the summer months. In March 2009, the LDMG was activated to prepare for the possible consequences of Severe Tropical Cyclone “Hamish”. While no serious damage was sustained within the Gladstone Region, this proved a valuable exercise in activation, public communication, liaison between agencies and the establishment and operation of the Local Disaster Coordination Centre.

From late April 2009, Council was represented at numerous meetings regarding the emerging Human Swine Influenza (HINI) 2009 threat.

The Disaster Management Annual Report was prepared and submitted to the District Disaster Coordinator, in accordance with legislative requirements.

REFOCUSING OUR ANIMAL MANAGEMENT LOCAL LAWS: Implementation of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008

The Queensland State Government introduced the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act in 2008. Council provided considerable input into the development of the Act and the subsequent education program. Council officers were selected as subject matter experts and attended remote areas to provide training to other Councils, as distant as Longreach.

Following the introduction of the Act, Council identified a need to refocus its local law operations, particularly in the area of animal management. It was identified that regional cooperation and an agreement to share advertising costs would reduce the individual cost burden to Council.

As a result, the Central Queensland Local Government Association Local Law Reference Group was established. Gladstone Regional, Banana Shire, Rockhampton Regional, Isaac and Central Highlands Councils formed the Group, chaired by Gladstone Regional Council.

It was identified that cat and dog registration, combined with microchipping, is the best way to rescue and reunite lost animals with their owners. A public education campaign was developed to foster responsible pet ownership and encourage desexing and microchipping of cats and dogs. The campaign was comprised of a series of five television commercials aired locally for four months.

2008-2009 annual report 42 community BY THE NUMBERS Additionally, Council introduced vouchers to assist with the costs of microchipping Council maintains and desexing animals. To further strengthen the incentive program, discounts of up to approximately 300 75 per cent of standard registration costs were offered to owners who desexed and parks on a total of microchipped their dogs and cats. 12,820 hectares

Animal PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE ANIMAL OWNERSHIP: AVA PETPEP Attack, 80 Community Education

The Australian Veterinary Association Pets and People Program, AVA PetPEP are interactive and informative information sessions developed for primary school students. Request for Private Council enlisted with the program in 2008, not only to assist in educating the young Barking, 698 Impoundment, community about responsible pet ownership, but to aid Council in strengthening 525 community awareness of animal laws. Council officers delivered AVA PetPEP to 540 Year One and Prep students across the region throughout the year. ANIMAL COMPLAINTS Trap Miscellaneous, 251 Requests, 416 FACILITATING THE RE-HOMING OF ABANDONED CATS AND DOGS: Supporting the RSPCA Queensland Roaming, 457 Council entered a two-year agreement with RSPCA Queensland that allows the RSPCA More than 2 to utilise the former Gladstone Pound as a re-homing and welfare facility. Council ceased animals, 65 General Animal using the pound facility in October 2008 after entering into an agreement with Brendonna Nuisance, 50 Kennels for pound services. Under the agreement, with the RSPCA, Council allowed the RSPCA to access the facility free of charge, saving the not-for-profit organisation more than $30,000 per year in rental fees.

RSPCA Queensland trained Council staff and contractors in the assessment of animal behaviour to allow suitable animals that have been impounded by Council and not claimed by their owner to be transferred to the RSPCA. These animals are then vet checked, de-sexed, vaccinated and microchipped before being put up for adoption.

HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVISION

Council undertook a comprehensive review of all social and community programs that were being delivered by the former Gladstone City, Calliope Shire and Miriam Vale Shire Councils. As a result of the review, Council adopted a ‘whole of community’ integrated approach to the delivery of all programs and services, with extensive work undertaken to ensure that programs and services are flexible and responsive to the needs of the community. Entire dogs & cats 22% Three key facilities provide programs and services: REGISTERED ANIMALS • Gladstone Community Advisory Service: A ‘one stop shop’ for a comprehensive range of co-located social services; Desexed dogs • Discovery Coast Community Care (Miriam Vale): The primary service for aged care and cats 78% services in the Discovery Coast area; and

• Discovery Coast Community Health Service (Agnes Water): A comprehensive primary and allied health service in the Discovery Coast area.

2008-2009 annual report 43 community

Council continues to facilitate the Discovery Coast Family Day • Information and Referral Centre; Care Scheme and is the licensee of the Agnes Water Child Care • Emergency Relief and Budget Advice; Centre. These are key services that ensure quality child care services in the Discovery Coast area. • Volunteering; • Facilitation of all Interagency Network Meetings; • Referral point for local, regional and further a field services; GLADSTONE COMMUNITY ADVISORY SERVICE • Liaison for Government, Local Government, Social The Gladstone Community Advisory Service (CAS) has been Services, Industry and Business consultations regarding the recognised by all levels of government as being a successful area’s social and welfare needs; model of the ‘soft entry’ approach, whereby the community has • Various Community Service Directories; access to a comprehensive range of co-located social services. CAS provided the following services throughout the year: • Assistance with the facilitation of a range of visiting services, for example the Tax Help Program; • Community development, including management of the Neighbourhood Centre. This program continued • Children’s Resource and Advisory Service, part of supporting numerous community and non-profit groups the Gladstone Communities for Children’s initiative. by assisting with funding submissions, providing access to Completion of phase one of the Gladstone Communities meeting space and building social connections throughout for Children initiative concluded on 30 June 2009. The $3 the region; million initiative, funded by the Australian Government Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, was aimed • Family Support Program, inclusive of therapeutic counselling at helping the Gladstone Region develop initiatives to and life educational programs; impact positively on the lives of young children and their • Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service, including a year 12 families. Achievements for 2008/2009 included publishing rental education program; 10,000 copies of the Early Childhood Service Directories and organising the well attended annual Early Childhood • Social Housing Programs, inclusive of crisis housing and Professional Forum titled, “Together We Play - Integrated long-term community housing; Service Provision to Improve the Lives of Young Children”. • Multicultural Relations and Liaison program; • Community Legal Program; • Home and Community Care Calliope Taxi Transport;

Programs and Services Program Contacts 2008/2009 Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service 3,372 Social Housing and Crisis Accommodation 3,515 HACC Calliope Taxi Transport 3,335 Local Area Multicultural Partnership (LAMP) 2,881 Multicultural Family Support 1,024 C4C Children’s Resource and Advisory Service 78,216 Emergency Relief 1,305 CAS Reception 37,109 Community Development 14,336 Community Legal Program 1,874 Family Support 534 Note that client satisfaction for this program was 98 per cent

2008-2009 annual report 44 community BY THE NUMBERS DISCOVERY COAST COMMUNITY CARE - MIRIAM VALE Human & Social Discovery Coast Community Care (DCCC), located at Miriam Vale, provides a diverse Services recorded range of health and social services to the community. more than 200,000

Service Number of Clients Hours of Service contacts with Provided community members, Palliative Care 7 40 social service / Community Aged Care 22 3,412 community agencies Domestic Assistance 94 2,830 and government Social Support 68 1,760 departments in Nursing 34 86 2008/2009 Personal Care 26 277 Centre-based Day Care 85 2,299 Meals 59 1,000 Respite 18 408 Assessment 10 19 Case Management 5 100 Home Maintenance 43 350 Transport 79 1,462 Counselling Support 38 56 Sunset Lodge Aged Independent Living Units 100 per cent occupancy (10 units)

Planned Activity Groups (PAG) are held as a means of providing a peer social support network and designed to accommodate all age groups within the community. The groups are facilitated regularly at Miriam Vale, Captain Creek and Agnes Water. The groups met 71 times throughout the year and included:

• U3A - Computer Kindy Group; • Literacy Skills Workshop; • Master Card Playing; • Concepts (a social group for the aged and frail); • Sunshine Club (for those with dementia); • Crochet and Knitting Group (making blankets for donation); • Eat ‘n’ Meet and Fun Food and Friendship Groups for over 50s.

Transport was provided to Home and Community Care eligible clients with trips scheduled weekly to Gladstone, monthly to Boyne Island and fortnightly to Bundaberg. Transport is also provided for PAG.

The introduction of express trips to Gladstone markedly increased convenience for clients. The assistance of volunteers proved essential in servicing those clients with appointments scheduled on non-transport days.

A new driveway was also constructed to allow for a safe drop-off zone for HACC clients at the main door of the centre. The HACC- funded driveway was completed in May 2009.

2008-2009 annual report 45 community

DISCOVERY COAST COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE AGNES WATER

The Discovery Coast Community Health Service offered the following free services to the communities of Agnes Water, Miriam Vale, Turkey Beach, Bororen, Lowmead, Rosedale and Baffle Creek:

• Family Support Worker;

• Women’s Health GP; • Counselling Services; • Healthy Decisions Youth Program; • Community Nurse; • Child Health Nurse; • Women’s health Clinic; BY THE NUMBERS • Health Promotions Nurse; DCCHS exhibited • Podiatry; 33 static displays • Dietician; and delivered 52 • Diabetic Educator; health promotions • Physiotherapy; to the community throughout the • Massage Therapy; reporting period • Needle Syringe Program; • Ante Natal Classes and Mothers Groups (Agnes Water).

A review of Discovery Coast Community Health Service (DCCHS) Agnes Water resulted in the restructure of services. A subsequent 20 per cent increase in the usage of the service by the community served to reassure Council and the community that DCCHS was both a viable and necessary service. At year end, 61.5 per cent of the community were registered clients of the service. Client feedback and advice from the funding body, The Department of Health and Ageing, indicated that DCCHS is one of the strongest regional health services being facilitated in Australia.

2008-2009 annual report 46 community

OUTCOME: Provide appropriate green open spaces that support a diverse range of recreational, community and conservation activities AWARD WINNING COMMUNITY FACILITIES

In January 2009, Millennium Esplanade at Tannum Sands and the Agnes Water Main Beach received awards in the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge Regional Awards.

Millennium Esplanade was recognised for its commitment to friendliness through Tourism Queensland’s ‘Friendliest Beach on the Capricorn Coast’Award and Agnes Water Main Beach received the ‘Remondis Resource Recovery Award for Conservation of Natural Resources’, through its recovery, reuse and appropriate waste management practices.

Significant achievements that contributed to the award at Agnes Water Main Beach were:

• Compilation of the Agnes Water Shoreline Erosion Management Plan to arrest, address and manage the beach areas;

• Installation of relocatable beach access steps to allow for the forecast deterioration and erosion of the beach;

• Maintenance of the dune profile;

• Efforts to reduce the impact of visitors and residents on the coastal ecosystem;

• Installation of a boardwalk at Arthurs Park, Agnes Water, to aid in the control of sediment run off into the ocean, and eventually, to the reef; and

• Rehabilitation project involving Burnett Mary Regional Group and Conservation Volunteers Australia to regenerate degraded areas along the Agnes Water Main Beach dune system.

The Boyne Tannum Memorial Parklands was recognised with a High Commendation Award at the State Chapter of the 2008 National Architecture Awards. The project was considered for this award after being awarded the top prize at the 2008 Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Central Queensland Regional Architecture Awards.

The Parklands also won an award at the CQ Master Builders Construction Awards in the category Community Service Facilities - Up to $3 million. The award was presented to TF Woollam and Sons who were the builders of the Parklands.

The Agnes Water Rural Transaction Centre was recognised as the Top Performing Suncorp CTP Insurance Agent out of 68 Queensland Government Agent Program sites throughout Queensland. The award was received based on service, accuracy and efficiency.

2008-2009 annual report 47 community

SEVENTEEN SEVENTY FORESHORE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

In mid-2006, the Queensland Government’s Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation launched a Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Grant Program to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of Queensland’s separation from New South Wales as a colony. The anniversary vision was “Reflect on our past, imagine our future”. The objective of the program was to create lasting tributes that marked the anniversary and reflected the vision of the celebrations. The aim of the project was to upgrade the existing coastal foreshore by providing a modern open space which attracts The former Miriam Vale Shire Council lodged a successful visitors to the area, as well as giving existing residents an proposal for the redevelopment of the Seventeen Seventy enhanced area to enjoy the vistas and activities available along foreshore. Gladstone Regional Council continued on with the the picturesque stretch of Seventeen Seventy coastline. project and completed it on time and within the $1.8 million budget. The project was supported with $495,000 in funding The official unveiling coincided with the Captain Cook from the Queensland Government’s Q150 Legacy Infrastructure 1770 Festival, an annual event which brings the small coastal Program. community together to celebrate.

Lookout Deck Seventeen Seventy Foreshore Master Plan 7 9 Round Hill Creek 9 Renovate shelters 10 11 New Playground 1 8 11 Remove fence. Boardwalk over 12 boulder bank with occasional seats 20 Toilet Revegetation Traffic precinct 200 metres 4 Parking 15 11 Better Picnic Calming improvements 200 metres Improved Areas 3 13 Dry Creek 1 Bed Gardens Perennial New Shelter 400 metres 5 17 9 9 11 Billabong and BBQ Beach Access Points Revegetation 6 Renovate Improved car park verge and 13 Seating Improved Linking Path Picnic Table 13 Playground Boardwalk footpath 2 BBQ Areas and lighting 3 5 2 19 Bank’s Bank 6 14 18 16 Entry Sign Traffic New Linking and trees New parallel Path Calming Revegetation Landscaped parking Bank Linemarking

400 metres Post Top Lighting

400 metres 200 metres Interpretive Signs February 2008 scale 1:1000 @ A1, 1:2000 @ A3 200 metres ABN 88 059 324 113 400 metres

1. Bench and shelter to existing BBQ 11. Renovate existing picnic tables

2. New shelter with BBQ, picnic setting and seating 12. Timber boardwalk paths Milestones 3. New shelter with picnic setting 13. New picnic setting without roof 4. New timber platform seat with roof over 14. Restoration of foreshore embankments and dunal landscapes April 2008 5. New timber platform seat and picnic setting withoutOctober 2008 January 2009 May 2009 roof 15. Extend the existing path

6. New timber seat 16. Seventeen Seventy Discovery interpretive trail

Gladstone Regional7. Council Official sod17. turning and Construction commenced Construction completed and A lookout and ‘Cook’s Landing’ deck Low key safety and amenity lighting Vision 8. The public toilets in Air Sea Rescue Park 18. Parking and Traffic Movement Improvements endorsed the 1770improved Foreshore Conservation Volunteers A place where residents live quietly in a natural official opening 19. A safer, clearer shared zone will replace the setting. 9. Renovate existing picnic shelter current one on Captain Cook Drive. The key community ideas emerging are to respect the natural Community Plan developed by Australia commenced with A place where visitors can wonder about the and heritage qualities of Seventeen Seventy in all new works. 10. Improved existing concrete backed timber bench 20. Sandstone paved area around uplighted Mango tree unique Australian landscape as seen through The community would like to create more places to rest and the eyes of the first white explorers, recreate along the foreshore, with new pathways linking the and in the ways caravan park to Air Sea Rescue Park and to the Marina into the the former Miriam Vale Shire selective removal of weeds of the original people of the area. longer term. Discreetly located picnic and BBQ facilities with local character will be built and older structures renovated. An outdoor living room for the residents of the Local stories and points of interest will inform the walking Council shire where children and families can enjoy the experience. Better children’s play facilities and an upgrade to calm waters and spectacular scenery. the main public toilets are also important community ideas. The foreshore has the opportunity to be the community’s outdoor living room and should provide a range of places and gathering areas which will sustain Seventeen Seventy into the future.

PROGRESSINGSeventeen THE JAPANESE TEA Seventy HOUSE Foreshore Community Plan Stage 3 of the Japanese Tea House project at Gladstone TondoonJOHN Botanic MONGARD Gardens LANDSCAPE was ARCHITECTS completed+ GROUP in October GSA + URBAN 2008. IDEAS + KNIGHT CONSULTING + LIGHT HARMONY + FLAVIO COSTANZO & ASSOCIATES The project was established five years ago as a cultural exchange with Gladstone’s Sister City, Saiki. Stage 3 captured the essence of a traditional Japanese Tea House, featuring water features and almost 5,000 plants.

2008-2009 annual report 48 community

LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS

Land Management Plans outline the current and future use of specified land and details how that use meets the purpose for which the land is set aside, for example, recreation.

During the year, Land Management Plans were developed, displayed for public comment and successfully registered with the Queensland State Government for seven reserves under Council trusteeship as follows:

• Rigby Park; • Memorial Park; • Canoe Point Recreation Reserve ; • Discovery Coast Sport and Recreation Grounds; • Rosedale Sport and Recreation Grounds; • Bunting Park; • Calliope Rodeo and Pony Club Grounds.

ROUND GLADSTONE TRAILS

The original Round Gladstone Trail was initiated in 2001 as a continuation of the Gladstone bike path system, which integrates sections of the built up areas of the City. The Trail is approximately 20 kilometres long and utilises Council owned and controlled open space land. Primarily created as walking tracks that can accommodate mountain bikes and horse riding, the Trail required a great deal of maintenance and reconstruction.

The project to restore the Trail was jointly funded by Council and the Federal Government’s funding program, Conservation Volunteer Australia (Green Crop Project No: 53130).

Work commenced in February 2009 with the following achievements:

• 4.8 kilometres of new trail completed; • 8.2 kilometres of trail restored; • Closure of 5.7 kilometres of trails, including the removal of 28 signage markers and signs; • 18 erosion sites managed, including the placement of 419 hay bales to alleviated runoff; • 1,000 square metres of weeds controlled; • 23 species of seed collected and 207 plants grown;

2008-2009 annual report 49 planning and development

Our Achievements Planning and Development

2008-2009 annual report 50 planning and development

OUTCOME: Strategic and regionally aligned integrated planning that facilitates well managed growth and a diverse range of development options DEVELOPING AN INTEGRATED REGIONAL PLAN: A New Planning Scheme

Council views a sound Planning Scheme as one of the cornerstones to allowing the region to develop in a planned manner that meets the future development objectives of the region, while having minimal impact on the environment and the community.

Council regarded working under three different planning schemes, stemming from the three former Councils, as unsustainable and in August 2008, Council resolved to undertake a full review of the three existing schemes in order to prepare a new single planning document.

A full review of all infrastructure planning scheme policies under the existing Gladstone Planning Scheme and Calliope Planning Scheme was commenced and an Infrastructure Planning Scheme Policy finalised for inclusion in the proposed new planning scheme for the Miriam Vale area of our region.

A full review was undertaken of Council’s position on all outstanding Planning and Environment Court Appeals from the Miriam Vale Shire area. As a result, several of these appeals were able to be moved towards an agreed finalisation. Many of the previous decisions were, however, supported by the new Council, and consequently, the Court actions proceeded. At the end of the financial year, many of these cases were still to be completed.

The finalisation of the updated Infrastructure Planning Scheme Policy for the Miriam Vale Shire area allowed for the Miriam Vale Integrated Planning Act to be adopted. The Miriam Vale Planning Scheme was the last Scheme passed by the Queensland State Government late in February 2009.

The review of the Planning Schemes has been and will continue to be a massive undertaking, which Council envisages may take up to four years to complete.

2008-2009 annual report 51 planning and development

OUTCOME: Development that is enabled by sound and efficient planning processes PLANNING FOR THE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF OUR REGION

Council considered a number of reports on various Environmental Impact Statements including: • Moura Aldoga Rail Project; • Gladstone Fitzroy Water Pipeline; • Gladstone LNG Project at Fisherman’s Landing.

Council also considered reports on several draft Terms of Reference for future Environmental Impact Statements: • GLNG Project by Santos; • QCLNG Project by BG Group; • Surat to Gladstone Gas Pipeline Project.

Other significant matters considered by Council included: • Draft State Planning Policy for High Impact Industry (Department of Infrastructure and Planning); • Gladstone Ports Corporation Land Use Plan Review; • A proposal to extend the Gladstone State Development Area on to Curtis Island (Department of Infrastructure and Planning); • Construction Workers Accommodation Report (Department of Infrastructure and Planning and Gladstone Economic and Industry Board); • CQ Regional Tourism Infrastructure Investment Report (Tourism Queensland); and • Calliope Sewerage Infrastructure Report - the development of a master plan for water supply to the Calliope township. BY THE NUMBERS OUTCOME: A sustainable primary production economy Council carried out inspections on 245 PROTECTING OUR RURAL LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES: Pest properties under and Pollution Control the Land Protection Key achievements for Council’s rural lands section included: (Pest and Stock • Maintenance of experimental stations for biological control, which included Route Management) Parthenium Summer Rust Nursery at Calliope and a Salvinia Weevil breeding facility Regulation 2003, and at Miriam Vale. Findings revealed Salvinia molesta (a Class 2 declared water weed) monitored 43 types outbreaks in Raglan Creek and in the Conservation Park Dam at Boyne Island; of weed throughout • Detection of a new water plant, Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) (a Class 1 declared water weed) in a waterhole in Miriam Vale. Treatment was effected the region with monitoring to continue; • Maintenance of roadside and reserve declared pest control across the region; and

2008-2009 annual report 52 planning and development BY THE NUMBERS • Continuation of weed control programs. Gladstone Regional Resource Sharing between Council and key stakeholders throughout the region was Council ranked in undertaken regularly to assist in ensuring the region is protected from declared pests the top 10 Local and weeds. Government Areas of Key projects included: regional Queensland • Rubber Vine Control Projects were carried out in partnership with Capricorn Pest for the number of Management Group (CPMG); residential dwelling • The Pest Management Symposium’s first meeting held in May 2009; approvals • Parthenium Weed control of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) lands and adjoining landholder leased lands were undertaken in March and May 2009 by Council, QPWS, Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) and landholders; • The Lantana Control Project was carried out in Raglan in May 2009 with funding from Fitzroy River Coastal Catchments; and • In partnership with Council, the Boyne Calliope Sub Region Group conducted a Parthenium Bus Tour in May 2009.

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS BUILDING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED MARCH 2008 - JUNE 2009 Number Value Dwellings New 512 140,612,533 Additions /Alterations 1,411 28,349,109 Duplexes New 5 1,939,470 Multi Unit New 11 28,355,810 Additions/Alterations 1 503,750 Accommodation Multi Units, 3 Accommodation Units Units Duplexes Commercial, 71 New 1 3,200,000 Govt/Semi- Industrial/ Additions/Alterations 2 129,500 Govt/GRC, 16 Institution, 98 Halls- Swimming Commercial Demolition, 13 Pools, 152 Schools, 2 New 22 43,291,700 Additions/Alterations 49 9,467,726 Industrial/Institution New 76 28,267,236 Additions/Alterations 22 4,496,513 Halls-Schools BUILDING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED New 1 5,000 MARCH 2008 - JUNE 2009 Additions/Alterations 1 214,000 Swimming Pools New 152 4,076,114 Govt/Semi-Govt/GRC 16 6,744,578 Dwellings, 1,823 Other - Demolition 13 287,400 TOTAL 1,202 299,940,439 (year ending March 2009); sixth for residential lot approvals (year ending December 2008) and second for overall lot approvals (year ending December 2008). 2008-2009 annual report 53 infrastructure

Our Achievements Infrastructure

2008-2009 annual report 54 infrastructure BY THE NUMBERS OUTCOME: Sustainable and equitable levels of services Council maintains and infrastructure across the region which meet the 3,530 kilometres of reasonable aspirations of local communities roads

MAINTAINING OUR ROAD AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE: Significant Works

• Construction of ten car and trailer parking bays at Ibis Park Car and Trailer Park;

• 540 metres of pavement rehabilitation on Glenlyon Road Ferris to Derby streets;

• Removal and replacement of 300 metres of pavement on Derby Street (Anne to Adelaide streets);

• Sealing of remaining section of unsealed road on Haddock Drive;

• Widening of one kilometre of existing drainage structures and widening of existing seal from four metres to seven metres on Mt Larcom Bracewell Road;

• Removal of floodway, upgrade drainage structures and improvement of pavement as part of the Calliope River Road Culvert Upgrade;

• 250 metres of kerb works on Wakooka Drive;

• Widening of existing pavement on O’Connor Road from six metres to eight metres from Bruce Highway to Benaraby School including kerb barrier to separate pedestrian traffic from the road;

• Widening of existing pavement from Handley Drive to Lighthouse Drive from seven metres to nine metres on Centenary Drive;

• Widening of existing formation and seal from seven metres to nine metres from Boyne Island Road to Centenary Drive on Handley Drive;

• Installation of drainage structures, earthworks and bitumen seal of two kilometres of roadway on Marrawing Road; and

• Calliope Historical Village Ring Road works involved construction and bitumen sealing of a service road to the northern bank, Calliope River rest area. A second toilet block was constructed at the site to accommodate the expected increase in campers. Construction of a parking rest area and ring road was also undertaken at the Historical Village on Carara Road. Work included formation, drainage and bitumen sealing of two separate rest areas for trucks and cars combining the existing car parking facility for the Historical Village Market Days. A toilet block was also constructed to accommodate the travelling public.

2008-2009 annual report 55 infrastructure “The Federal KIRKWOOD ROAD Government committed $25.3 Stage 2 of Gladstone’s long-planned western ring road, Kirkwood Road, was officially opened in February 2009. million to see the completion of Stage Kirkwood Road Stage 2 provides the connection between the Emmadale Gardens area 3 of Kirkwood Road” and Glenlyon Road, enabling motorists to travel from the Dawson Highway, just west of the city, to Glenlyon Road, south of Gecko Valley Estate.

The Federal Government committed $25.3 million to see the completion of Stage 3 of Kirkwood Road, which will link Glenlyon Road to Gladstone-Benaraby Road on the southern outskirts of Gladstone. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2009/2010.

RG TANNA COAL TERMINAL COMPLETED WORK LEGEND Callemondah Overpass PARKLANDS S SCHOOLS AUCKLAND Cost: $6.32M LOOKOUT POINT SCSHOPPING CENTRES Completed: August 2006

HOSPITALS CQ AREAS OF INTEREST UNIVERSITY STAGE 1A MAIN ROADS BARNEY A POINT Emmadale - Harvey Rd Cost: $6.3M S BARNEY GLADSTONE Completed: January 2008 AD POINT

D CESS RO N AC RAILWAY STAGE 1B A PORT STATION B L NRG POWER STATION K Harvey Rd - Dawson Hwy C SC U BUS DEPOT S

A AMBULANCE Cost: $3.33M Casualty GLADSTONE Completed: January 2008 HOSPITAL MATER S HOSPITAL STAGE 1C SC C CALLEMONDAH Emmadale - Dixon Drive

BRESLIN STREE SC Cost: $2M WEST T Completed: With Stage2 January 2009 S TAFE CALLIOPE RIVER GLADSTONE COLLEGE SOUTH STAGE 2 S D AD GLADSTONE Dixon Dve - Glenlyon Rd RED ROVER RO Key component of City bypass. HWY Cost: $12.2M

QUEENSLAND Completed: January 2009 ALUMINA CEMETERY S ROUND HILL LIMITED Australian Government Funded CALLEMONDAH LAWN CEMETERY LOOKOUT AIRPORT QAL LOOKOUT OVERP SC SC ASS PHILIP STREE STAGE 3A SC S E COMPLETED T Glenlyon Rd - Benaraby Rd AUGUST 2006 DAWSON KIN Federal funding approval pending. $6.32M S KORA Estimated Cost: $25.3M Due for Completion: 2010 CLINTON S DON (Subject to Funding Application) YOUNG DRIVE S SUN LEAGUES STAGE 3B S CLUB AD VALLEY F Benaraby/Kirkwood Rd Intersection Commitment from State Government VEY RO G EMMADALE TELINA to fund work. HAR NEW Estimated Cost: $4.2M AUCKLAND GLADST Due for Completion: Unknown TOOLOOA

GLENL B DRIVE STAGE 4 KIRKWOOD ROAD ONE BENARAB 4G Dawson/Kirkwood/Don Young A ON Y Intersection ON RO DIX TONDOON Provides an underpass which is a commitment BOTANIC GARDENS from State Government responsibility to fund C work.

AD (FUTURE) Y RO Estimated Cost: $16M GECKO VALLEY Due for Completion: To be determined H WINERY AD GLEN EDEN H STAGE 5 S Dixon Drive Link The construction of the Dixon Drive leg is dependent on the rate of development in this area. Kirkwood Road Estimated Cost: $2.5M E Due for Completion: Date dependent on PROJECT J anuary 2009 D F development in the area

HPD/GCC3938

AGNES WATER FLOOD MITIGATION WORKS

Management of flood flows in Agnes Water, particularly in the horseshoe shaped reach of Agnes Creek behind the Mango Tree Motel, has been an issue of concern for a number of years. Continued urbanisation in Agnes Water will escalate the issue due to increased runoff being discharged into stormwater infrastructure and natural creek systems.

Council developed the Agnes Water Flood Mitigation Works project in response to this problem with a dual 1,800mm stormwater drainage structure totalling 330 metres complete with viewing deck on the outlet.

Council was successful in the application for funding for two thirds of the cost of the project with funding from both the Queensland State and Federal Governments’ Regional Flood Mitigation Program.

Project works commenced in September 2008 and was completed in January 2009.

CALLIOPE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AUGMENTATION

Council identified the need to increase the capacity of the Calliope Waste Water Treatment Plant so as to meet the growing demand on this facility, due to the development of the surrounding residential area. The design for this $4 million project was completed by June 2009, with construction to commence in 2009/2010.

2008-2009 annual report 56 infrastructure

AGNES WATER/SEVENTEEN SEVENTY INTEGRATED WATER PROJECT

The Agnes Water/Seventeen Seventy Integrated Water Project will deliver a reliable, long-term community water and sewerage management solution to the Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy areas, which are in urgent need of upgraded water and wastewater infrastructure to meet their current and future requirements.

The current water supply was not considered a long-term viable solution to the water needs of the growing Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy communities. After four years of research the desalination plant was found to be the best option. The $40 million project involves the construction of a desalination plant, sewerage treatment plant upgrade, water and sewerage reticulation and a reservoir to Seventeen Seventy. Council secured approximately $27 million in funding from the Queensland State Government’s Smaller Communities Assistance Program for the project.

Work completed to date focused on the investigation of alternative construction options and obtaining approvals from relevant government departments. Construction was postponed due to a redesign change that resulted in a need to obtain further approvals. Construction is due to commence in late November to early December 2009.

AIRPORT EXPANSION MILESTONES April 2008 Late 2008 March 2009 May 2009 Council committed $65 Runway Tender contract Runway million to reconstruct reconstruction awarded to Golding reconstruction the runway, modify the planning and design Contractors commenced terminal and extend the phase finalised car park

Being the only airport in the region, the Gladstone Airport is an essential facility for the community. The Airport caters for business and leisure travellers and freight activities associated with the region’s developed and emerging industrial complexes. The current runway, built in the 1960s, was showing signs of rapid deterioration and required regular maintenance of the surface pavement.

In April 2008, Gladstone Regional Council committed $65 million to upgrade the Airport. Council’s commitment to this project was the most significant financial decision made immediately following amalgamation.

The upgrade will include the reconstruction of the existing runway to meet Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) standards, the extension of the runway from 1,600 metres to 1,915 metres and an upgrade of the airport terminal to include future security screening systems for luggage and passengers. BY THE NUMBERS The extension to the runway will allow larger passenger aircraft used by low cost carriers 201,000 passengers to access the Gladstone Airport presenting opportunities for them to enter the market. flew to/from the This could potentially reduce the cost of air travel for residents of and visitors to the Gladstone Airport in Gladstone Region. 2008/2009 The project has been developed as such to allow the airport to remain operational throughout construction. A completion date of mid-2010 has been set.

2008-2009 annual report 57 environment

Our Achievements Environment

2008-2009 annual report 58 environment BY THE NUMBERS Council’s Environmental OUTCOME: A sustainable environment, protected and Health Officers facilitated enhanced for future generations 7,214 immunisations; conducted 722 inspections PLANNING FOR A GREENER REGION and fielded 572 health The environmental management section embraced a key focus on establishing sound related customer service environmental practices both within the organisation and within the region. Application requests Assessments, 50 Site-based Planning the future direction for the environment and sustainability area was a primary Inspections, 42 Complaint-based objective, which included development of a strategy to ensure that Council acts in Health Inspections, 27 compliance accordance with environmental best practice. searches, 20 Part of this planning included the development of an environmental awareness training package and implementation program to be held for all Council staff. The package will be Reinspections, implemented across Council in 2009/2010. 214

JULY 2008 - JUNE 2009 ENSURING HEALTH COMPLIANCE

Council’s Environmental Health section achieved the following throughout the year:

• Fully integrated Council’s licensing database into a single system for all licensed Routine inspections, 369 businesses;

• Reviewed and integrated all licensing application forms; Pneumococcal, 53 Hepatitus A & B, 91 • Developed licensing, nuisance and mosquito information for Council’s website; Hepatitus A, 7 Influenza, Boostrix - 709 Diptheria • Developed and implemented the annual inspection schedule for licences; Tetanus Pertussis, 943 • Integrated the former Gladstone City, Calliope Shire and Miriam Vale Shire Council immunisation programs and facilitated 7,214 immunisations across the Region; and

• Reviewed enforcement procedures for complaints and licensing to ensure a IMMUNISATIONS Hepatitus B, consistent approach is applied across the region. 1643 HPV - Human Papillomavirus (Cervical Cancer), 3184 MANAGING OUR REGION’S WASTE VZV - Varicella Zoster The primary objective of the domestic waste and recyclables collection services is to Virus (chickenpox), 584 provide urban and non-urban areas within major haul routes and, where economically Vermin, 4 viable, a cost effective service that eliminates public health and environmental concerns. Licensing Overspray, 4 Enquiries, 32

Council undertook promotion of a “Sort ‘n’ Save” scheme to promote waste separation Misc, 13

Dust, 27 in the home to improve recycling rates throughout the region at waste disposal facilities. Smoke, 19 Odour, 31 Bull Ant Mosquitoes, 81 Key projects included: Complaints, 10

Use of Roads/ Noise, 51 • Upgrading former day labour waste collection service in the former Footways, 9 Food CUSTOMER SERVICE Miriam Vale area to a contract service. Additionally, the old fleet Skin Premises, 40 Penetration REQUESTS Dumping,Illegal 51 was replaced with two new waste vehicles; Premises, 3

Building Site ERAs, 12 Stormwater Pollution, 50 • Waste audits were undertaken to ensure that eligible properties Dangerous Goods were rated for services on the rating system; Licences, 2 Caravan Parks, 5 Immunisation, 57 Waste Sewerage Misc, 30 (health Risk), 7 Waste Stormwater Pollution Water (Building Sites), 1 2008-2009 annual report (other than B5), 26 Pollution, 7 59 environment BY THE NUMBERS • Recycling bins were provided to 1,858 households following commencement of the Council collects service in July 2008; waste from 20,000 • Waste and recycling collection services were introduced to the residents of Baffle domestic wheelie Creek and environs; bins and 10,000 • The Gladstone area waste collection contract with JJ Richards and Sons Pty Ltd domestic recycling was extended to 30 September 2011 to align with expiry dates for the former local bins each week government areas of Calliope Shire and Miriam Vale. Better pricing was attained through economies of scale by including all areas in the contract; and Recycling collection rates average 4.5 • Domestic waste audit from a sample of 200 properties over a one week period. kilograms/household/ In addition to the weekly waste collection services, services are provided to: week, which equates • Park and Street Bins; in the Gladstone Regional area to 90 • Dead Animal Collections; tonne per week • Special Event Services. 18,952 tonne of TAKING PART IN A REGIONAL RECYCLING SOLUTION recycled products As a member of the Central Queensland Local Government Association, Gladstone were sent for Regional Council, in partnership with Banana Shire, Rockhampton Regional, Isaac Regional processing from and Central Highlands Councils, entered into a contract for processing of recyclables in waste facilities, Rockhampton. Joining this arrangement has allowed savings to Council of up to $80 per transfer stations and tonne for processing recyclables. kerbside collection The facility is scheduled for commissioning early 2010.

Council’s objective for its landfill and transfer station operations is to operate a network of facilities throughout the region that are capable of receiving waste from various sectors Other Mixed of the community. Plastics, 66 Liquid Waste Oil, 42 Benaraby Landfill, which operates as a regional landfill, received approximately 40,000 Paperboard, 86 Tyres (1144 tonne of waste. The construction of an engineered cell to minimise environmental Aluminium units), 11 impacts from the burial of waste was completed. Waste from transfer stations/waste Cans, 103 facilities is delivered to Benaraby landfill for disposal. Steel Cans, 152

HDPE Plastic, 206 The Gladstone Waste Management Centre received installation of a stationary waste PET Plastic, 214 packer, which has allowed efficiency gains and subsequent cost reductions. Payloads Scrap Steel, 1775 increased from approximately one-and-a-half tonne to eight tonne, saving an estimated Cardboard - 10 trips per week to the Benaraby Landfill. Kerbside and Waste Facilities, 842 New computer software was introduced at the Benaraby Landfill and Gladstone Waste RECYCLED PRODUCTS Management Centre to assist with categorising waste, producing comprehensive reports SENT FOR PROCESSING and streamlining account management. (Tonne)

After considerable research and consultation, the Lowmead and Agnes Water Landfills Glass, 1,170 were closed. The Agnes Water Landfill was replaced with a temporary transfer station and the Lowmead Landfill was replaced with a transfer station that utilises wheelie bins for storage of waste and recyclables. This facility is serviced on a weekly basis by the Additionally, 12,500 tonne of domestic waste collection vehicle in conjunction with domestic waste services. greenwaste was recycled

The Turkey Beach, Nagoorin and Builyan Transfer Stations converted to being manned facilities, with the introduction of waste disposal fees.

2008-2009 annual report 60 environment

Other key achievements throughout the year included:

• Undertaking a Ground Water Monitoring Program at Benaraby Landfill to review historical ground water data to ensure compliance with licensing conditions;

• The purchase of a truck and bins to transport solid waste from transfer stations by day labour operations to allow for increased flexibility;

• Participation through Central Queensland Local Government Association in regional waste management initiatives; and

• Green waste processing, which extends to blending with bio-solids (sewage sludge), as a means of waste minimisation and production of a soil enhancer for rehabilitation work at the landfill.

CONTRIBUTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Climate Change - Responding to Federal Government Policy Proposals: Council prepared formal submissions relating to the Federal Government Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper. The submission assessed potential impacts and estimated potential liabilities of the Scheme on the Gladstone Region.

In April 2009, the Mayor and relevant staff attended a hearing by the Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy and provided a written response to questions as required.

Taking Action - Gladstone Regional Council Green Team: The Green Team, a group of Council staff from across all sectors of the organisation was established in August 2008. The group meets to develop initiatives that would improve environmental efficiencies across Council.

Key initiatives included the introduction of office recycling and regional recycling of mobile phones through the Mobile Muster.

ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

Monitoring the Region’s Environmental Health: Council became a sponsor of the Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program (PCIMP), which monitors the health of the Gladstone Harbour through research and various environmental studies. Council officers sit on the PCIMP Committee, which meets monthly.

The annual reports received from PCIMP are key management tools for Council’s environmental management team.

Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone: Council is a key stakeholder in the Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone project and has committed to being a conduit for information on the project.

Council is represented on the overarching Project Steering Committee, which provides Council with regular updates as to how the project is progressing.

2008-2009 annual report 61 environment BY THE NUMBERS Key achievements for the project in 2008/09 included: Council collected 27kg of mobile • Establishment of the expanded air monitoring network for the Gladstone area phones and mobile (comprising six permanent monitoring stations and one mobile station; phone accessories for • Receiving and publishing live and monthly air quality data for an expanded suite of recycling pollutants;

• Finalisation of the emissions inventory;

• Completion of the community health assessment through extraction of data from health datasets and the community health survey; and,

• Preparation of a methodology for undertaking the human health risk assessment.

2008-2009 annual report 62