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Diamantina Shire Council Desert Yarns Volume 4 Issue 46 Upcoming Community Events November, 2011 Distributed free to all residents. Year Seven Graduation Bedourie Message from the Mayor - November 18 Nearing the end of the calendar year and still so much to do, Council has just completed Christmas Break-up Party Birdsville - sealing another 10km of road on Birdsville side of Carcoory. November 19 Trivia Night Bedourie - November 19 Council is going to approach the Department of Main Roads to try and have new seals Youth Council Meeting - November extended to 6.6m wide instead of 6.0m. The 600mm will make a huge difference for the passing of road trains and this should save shoulders especially during the wet season. 21 Council Meeting - November 22 CEO, Scott Mason and I attended the Local Government Association of Queensland RAFS Christmas Playgroup Birdsville (LGAQ) conference in early October - changes never end, but are very worthwhile. - November 21 Movember Judging Birdsville Hotel - Representing Diamantina Shire, Councillor Joyce Crombie and I met in Birdsville on November 25 Tuesday, October 18, with the Minister for Environment Vicky Darling, who announced extra land that is being preserved on the Queensland and Northern Territory Border Christmas Break-up Party under relevant legislation. Bedourie - November 2 Bedourie Bikekhana - December 3 On the same day Organic Beef Exports (OBE) group had received word and through a Youth Council Meeting - December 5 media release, of an agreement with 340 Hungry Jack stores. They will provide the OBE burger meat which will be called "Country Burger" - the adds have been fantastic Council Meeting - December 16 on TV. Council Break-up - December 16 I know that there are many people involved in the OBE group, but I would like to congratulate David and Nell Brook, their family and staff, they have worked very hard for Message from the Mayor many years promoting and securing more markets, It is so good to see initial dreams 1 come to fruition. Writings from the CEO 2 Minister Darling invited locals along with National Parks and immediate staff to dinner on Works Report 3 her visit to Birdsville. Guests included Birdsville Police Officer, Neale Mc Shane and his Mayors Message 1 wife Sandra, Geoff and Bev Morton, Don and Lyn Rowlands, David and Nell Brook, Council News 4-8 Jean Barr, Councillor Joyce Crombie and myself. It was great to see a group of positive people together, who may work in different areas but all combine toward the betterment Media Releases 9-11 of Diamantina communities. Housing News 4 TheLibrary Arts News 412 -13 Minister Darling was truly impressed with Birdsville, particularly the parks and gardens, the cleanliness of the town and the great facilities. HealthPositions News Vacant 4 Bushfire at night - Carlo Station 14-16 I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff at the Birdsville Hotel. The Police News Alana Donovan of Photo courtesy 17 meals that night were exceptional and Fundraising Walk from Gulf News from the Schools praised highly by the Minister and staff 18-19 to Gulf 5 the following day. Every aspect of the Community News Birdsville Hotel complex and staff was Health News 620 -24 commendable. Bushfires in the Channel CountryCommunity Notice Board 7 25 The fires are giving some stations a bit of trouble if you need help ring Scott Mason Community Flyers 26-29 at the Diamantina Shire Administration office. Diamantina Shire Events 2012 30 Mayor Cr Rob Dare Diamantina Shire Council 07 4746 1202 506 Herbert Street 07 4746 1272 BEDOURIE QLD 4829 [email protected] www.diamantina.qld.gov.au Page 2 Desert Yarns Writings from the CEO The month has passed so quickly with much happening in the lead up to our Christmas shut down in mid-December. A well-attended community consultation session was conducted in Birdsville where the Deputy Mayor and I met with individuals. Wild Rivers consultation also occurred in Birdsville and Bedourie this past month. Council‟s next meeting will be held in Birdsville on November 16, 2011 in the Town Hall. Anyone is welcome to attend the Public Gallery should they wish. All managers will physically attend the meeting, so please contact relevant managers should you wish to meet face to face in Birdsville. The Administration Centre is presently focussed on compliance responsibilities and the publication of the 2010/11 Annual Report and Financial Statements. Council‟s insurer, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Ltd delivered Risk Management training to relevant staff and provided information on new workplace health and safety legislation that will impact Diamantina Shire Council from January next year. The Local Disaster Management Group is preparing for a possible flood season with a reported 67% probability (don‟t ask me to confirm that statistic!) of a wet this season. Fires have been a problem across the shire because of the frequency of storms and lightning strikes. Council is available to help anyone in need, so please contact us should you require machinery or personnel to assist. I take the opportunity to formally welcome Mr Steven Baldwin (Tourism and Community Manager) to the team. He is located in Birdsville and I welcome the change and possible improvement in service delivery, by Council positioning a senior employee in Birdsville. He will work from the Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre. Golf has made a resurgence in Bedourie and it looks like it will be sustained. A local group has been formed that will hit off every pay Friday at 5pm. Council will soon purchase 4 sets of golf clubs (a left and right-handed set for each community) that can be hired by locals or tourists. A regional golf challenge took place between Barcoo, Boulia and Diamantina Shires back in 1994 and is set to make a comeback after an 18-year period with the possibility of a tournament in 2012. Diamantina locals will be keen to wrest the perpetual trophy (hand crafted by former resident, Mr Bill Knight) from its northern neighbour. Council hosted three regional meetings in Bedourie last week – the Outback Regional Road Group Technical Committee Meeting; the Outback Regional Road Group Meeting and a Three Way Alliance Meeting between Boulia, Barcoo and Diamantina Shires. Mr Dave Stewart, Director-General for the Department of Transport and Main Roads travelled to the meetings by road, affording an excellent opportunity for him to view first-hand the good work being carried out restoring state road assets. All delegates praised Council‟s workforce for the high standard of roads and the attractiveness of its towns. Some travelled early to compete in the Bedourie Annual Triathlon, which may make its way onto the regular calendar of events given its successfulness second time around. A two-day Department of Transport and Main Roads training workshop involving 30 participants from central and western Queensland was also conducted in Bedourie last week with the venue being the Airport Terminal building. The unique venue was chosen given the Annual Swim Camp event which required the use of the Community Centre. Council congratulates the Birdsville Hotel on its recent wins at the Outback Queensland Tourism Authority Awards Dinner and wishes the respective school‟s well-attended Christmas Tree events. Fi- nally, Council wishes the Veal Family its best wishes and support while they transition through a difficult time. Scott Mason Chief Executive Officer Page 3 Desert Yarns Works Report Welcome to Adrie den Ronden who has commenced work for the Ted Simpson, Mona Smith & Rob Butler working on the council as Overseer. Adrie has nearly 20 years of experience in Betoota Realignment. construction, he brings with him valuable skills and qualifications. Adrie has to date, met with all of the outdoor working Crews and has said that he is enjoying his time here. The Construction Crew have added another 10 kilometres of bitumen surface road on the Diamantina Road network. This project was led by David Beadmore - job well done to this Crew. A magnificent effort has been put in by the Construction Crew at the Devils Grid South Side job, to have it completed successfully on time, with just having a few signs to be installed. This Crew has now moved to the Stony Crossing Road to repair flood damage. The Multi Skilled Crew have nearly completed building drive ways and pathways for the new houses in Bedourie. They will move to the Browns Creek job to do drainage work. This Crew did a good job preparing the golf course for the Beyond Blue Charity Ambrose Golf Day. The Gravel Crew have successfully finished the new re-alignment at the Cordillo turnoff, it is looking good. They have commenced the Betoota Bypass re-alignment on the Birdsville to Windorah Road. This job is scheduled to be finished in few weeks. Gerri Monaghan and Bryony Stewart at Moonies The new Crew finished re-sheeting on the Karaman Downs Access Grave collecting soil for sampling. Road. They are now working on the Sandringham Road, this will be finished in few days. Work by Toby Harris Crew at Diamantina Lakes to Springvale Road is near completion. The Dozer and Crusher plant have finished crushing at the Carcoory and Stoney Crossing. This plant has moved to the Durrie Horse Paddock pit preparing material for the new job. Nigel Gilbys‟ Crew is doing patchwork and are preparing for reseals. They have finished on the Birdsville to Windorah Road and are now working on the Bedourie to Windorah Road. The Scraper is on the Mooraberree Road, working on the drainage system, it will be finished next week. The Gravel crew is assisting to complete this road. Cooling pond jobs commenced in Bedourie last month, this is progressing well.