COUNCIL CONNECTION GLADSTONE REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER December 2016 - January 2017 ISSUE 75

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SUNfest school Countdown on for Australia Day fun day Collect your free holiday program pumptrack completion and award ceremony emergency wallet Mayor's Message Reflecting on an eventful year as we look forward to 2017 As the New Year draws of entries, most of which were from our near, it is fitting to reflect region. The Awards' exhibition is open until on 2016 and some of its December 8 at the Gladstone Regional Art highlights. Gallery & Museum. For me, one of Council's Council actively supported a multitude of most important other community events this year, and the achievements was the launch of the hugely popular Mount Larcom adoption of its Local Farmers' Market is an example of that. Cover Preference Policy, to Another is the revamp of the City Farmers The newly redeveloped Alf Larson/ Lions Park in help local suppliers compete for Council Market, which brings alive Gladstone's CBD has been popular with the kids since its official opening on Saturday, November 19. contracts. every second and fourth Saturday each month. Another favourite milestone was the Page 3 In fact, the revitalisation of the city centre is redevelopment of Alf Larson/Lions Park. Its set to accelerate with this year's development state-of-the-art playground, attractive picnic of the Jumpstart Our City Heart draft strategy Council Connection areas and parking for motorhomes and - a culmination of our community's ideas and This newsletter is produced every two caravans is drawing tourists off the Bruce visions of a thriving Gladstone CBD. We aim months by Gladstone Regional Council Highway into Miriam Vale and providing the to finalise the strategy by early next year. to inform residents about Council events, town's residents with a place to recreate. Another important service launched this year activities, services and projects. It is But wheels aren't tourists' only method of was our Regional Libraries' Out and About Van printed on 60% recycled paper. visiting our region. Since P&O Cruises' maiden to Wartburg, Rosedale and the Boyne Valley, Delivery voyage to Gladstone in March, more than ensuring cultural resources are available to our Council Connection is delivered directly 10,000 passengers have enjoyed the Feast on more isolated communities. into all residential letterboxes by Australia East events, toured our region's attractions, It has also been a busy year of major works Post as 'unaddressed mail' and is also sampled businesses' offerings or taken in our with the new Miriam Vale Water Treatment available for viewing or downloading scenery. Council is proud to support GAPDL Plant, and Chapman Drive works now from Council’s website at www. and GPC in this initiative. complete and the construction of a pump track gladstone.qld.gov.au Our most famous visitors this year were at Memorial Park, Gladstone and CQ Driver Education Facility at begun. Cost arguably the 2016 State of Council Connection is automatically Origin team. Thousands of people lined As this year draws to a close, I feel proud delivered free of charge to households Goondoon Street to welcome the Maroons of these and many other achievements and in the who have a and I wouldn't be surprised if our enthusiasm honoured to be a part of the Gladstone residential letterbox. The cost of printing inspired their series victory. Region's fantastic, active community. and distributing the newsletter is 48.6 While our community loves its sport, we also On behalf of my fellow Councillors and cents per household per edition. clearly have a healthy appreciation for the arts. Council Officers, I wish residents, visitors and The 41st Rio Tinto Martin Hanson Memorial their families a very Merry Christmas and Art Awards 2016 received a record number happy New Year and a prosperous 2017.

Wishing all Gladstone Region residents and their families a safe and happy festive season are our Councillors (back from left) PJ Sobhanian, Kahn Goodluck, Peter Masters, Cindi Bush, (front) Glenn Churchill, Rick Hansen, Mayor Matt Burnett, Desley O'Grady and Deputy Mayor Chris Trevor.

Gladstone Regional Council PO Box 29, Gladstone Qld 4680 ect Phone: 4970 0700 Fax: 4975 8500 nn Email: [email protected] www.gladstone.qld.gov.au CoWITH COUNCIL www.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au/econnect @GladstoneRegionalCouncil @GladstoneRegionalCouncil @GladRegCnl The new, modern playground and facilities at Miriam Vale's Alf Larson/ Lions Park are now open to residents and travellers.

Miriam Vale's Alf Larson/ Lions Park unveiled to community The Gladstone Region community turned the parklands. which will encourage travellers off the out in large numbers to help celebrate the Children were spoilt for fun, not only . official opening of Alf Larson/ Lions Park in with the modern playground, but also an To help attract tourists, new billboard Miriam Vale on Saturday, November 19. abundance of free bouncy balls and yo-yos. signage has been erected on the highway The newly redeveloped site was unveiled The family friendly precinct enables locals to the north and south of Miriam Vale. by Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett and visitors to enjoy a modern playground The project has been well received by the and fellow Councillors. with shaded areas and new picnic shelters. Gladstone Region community and Council Community members enjoyed a refreshing There is also a new parking area specifically hopes the park will continue to be a major morning tea before taking a stroll around designed for motorhomes and caravans attraction. Improved water quality just days away for Miriam Vale residents The new Miriam Vale Water Pre-commissioning activities to prepare Treatment Plant is just days away from the plant for operation began in mid- undergoing a trial operation ahead of its November when it was put through commissioning this month. a progressive regime of checking and testing of equipment and proving the The five-day operational trial is operational function, reliability and scheduled to start on November 30 performance of the facility. and, pending favourable results, Miriam Vale residents will soon enjoy improved This follows the recent testing and water quality courtesy of the $2.2 commissioning of the chemical dosing Local contractors million facility. system and two clear water tanks and a process water tank, the installation wanted on Council's Built on the site of its predecessor, the and commissioning of clear water, new plant contains superior treatment supernatant and backwash pumps and vendor register processes to the one it has replaced, air compressors, and the connection of targeting specific water issues. piping between the pre-treatment tanks. Contractors from within the Gladstone The new plant will improve water The project, which started on June 13, Region are invited to increase their visibility quality for the township by removing 2016, received 50 per cent of eligible to Council's purchasing staff by registering iron, manganese and algae by-products project cost to a maximum of $1.59m on the new VendorPanel Marketplace from the raw water it sources, as well in State Government assistance over system. as reducing turbidity levels during and the 2015-16 and 2016-17 following wet weather. financial years. The online portal enables Council's This is in addition to conducting This project is proudly funded by purchasers to search a list of registered conventional water treatment plant the 's local contractors and request quotes for processes. Building our Regions program. goods and services to the value of up to $200,000.

The system provides local contractors with improved access to Council opportunities, while improving purchasing governance and transparency within Council.

To register your business visit www. gladstone.qld.gov.au/TendersContracts Page 3 Aspiring performers can take part in a two day dance performance workshop as one of the SUNfest 2017 activities.

Variety of SUNfest activities to keep participants entertained

Gladstone Region residents aged 11-17 designed as multi-day events. surfing and stand up paddle boarding. have 70 youth holiday activities to choose Some of the new workshop additions Tickets will be on sale from 9am on from in the SUNfest 2017 program. to the SUNfest 2017 program include Wednesday, November 30 and are Events and activities will be held from cupcake decorating, balloon twisting, available online, over the phone, or in January 8-20 and range from sport and archery, embroidery, kitchen science and person. outdoor activities to art and craft, dance, drones and electronics. For more details on ticket purchasing music, theatre, cooking and more. Popular events on offer again include an options and to access the SUNfest 2017 Several events and activities are free and adventure day, go karts, laser skirmish, program visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/ run for a few hours, while others are paintball, indoor rock climbing, kayaking, sunfest.

Waste transfer facilities provide free household disposal services

Have you got too much general or recycled waste to fit in your wheelie bin? Or perhaps you forgot to put your wheelie bin out for kerbside collection? If so, there's no need to wait until the next weekly or fortnightly service. Gladstone Region residents can dispose of 240 litres (the regular wheelie bin size) Take care when parking around school zones of household general waste (red or green lidded bins) or recycled waste (yellow Are your actions in and around school being situated between another lidded bins) at Council transfer stations and zones putting people's lives at risk? parked vehicle and the centre of Benaraby Landfill free of charge. Council's Parking Compliance Officers the road. The acceptance of recycling bins is contingent upon them containing recyclable items only. have noticed an increase in dangerous • On a bicycle path, footpath, shared parking behaviour in and around local path or dividing strip, or a nature Transfer stations are located in Gladstone, school zones and are urging motorists strip adjacent to a length of road in Calliope, Mount Larcom, Yarwun, , to be careful. a built-up area. There are very few , Baffle Creek, Rosedale, Turkey There are significant fines that could be exemptions in relation to this. Beach and Agnes Water, in addition to Benaraby Landfill. incurred if motorists continue to take All of these offences can result in a $60 risks. Motorists must not stop in the fine. Residents are also reminded that Agnes following situations: Water Transfer Station operating hours have For more information or to report been extended to 8am to noon Monday • On the side of the road marked a parking incident phone Council's to Friday and 8am-4pm on Saturday and with a continuous yellow line. Regulatory Services Section on 4977 Sunday. • On a road if it results in the vehicle 6821. Page 4 Fun to fill Boyne World Trail Civil Engineer Daniel Snelgrove (left) is pictured with Councillor Glenn Tannum Community Churchill and World Trail Director Dylan Jeffries looking over the plans in the early Centre halls during stages of the pumptrack construction. tree decorating afternoon

Are you ready to pump the track? The countdown is on for the completion budget," Mr Jeffries said. of the much-anticipated pumptrack at "Both Council and the community should Memorial Park, Gladstone. be commended for their forward thinking Construction began on October 28 and proactive approach to providing a and the Gladstone Region community unique community space for residents and has since watched on in excitement as visitors alike." Australia's largest pumptrack reaches fruition. Contractors are currently laying asphalt and installing above ground drainage The pumptrack, positioned parallel to before landscaping works can commence. the existing skate park, will feature an asphalt surface, directional hubs and shade A pumptrack test rider from Sydney-based company Dirtz has also been on hand to Boyne Library's Christmas Tree Decorating shelters as well as a north and east entry and exit upon completion. test each section of the track to ensure it Extravaganza will feature activities, afternoon meets Australian standards. tea and a special visit from Santa. Director of World Trail, the pump track principle contractor, Dylan Jeffries, said The facility is expected to be finished by Christmas fun will fill the Boyne Island the company was extremely excited to be mid-December, weather permitting, in Library on Wednesday, November involved in the construction of Australia's time for the Christmas school holidays. 30 for the 15th annual Christmas Tree largest asphalt pump track. This will be the perfect holiday activity Decorating Extravaganza. "We have assembled a team of suitably for youth of all ages and abilities with access to any form of transport that is not Children will be able to make a variety qualified local contractors which forms up to 80 per cent of the total project motorised (bikes, scooters, skates etc.). of Christmas decorations and place them on the Christmas tree in the foyer of the Boyne Tannum Library and Community Centre. The Christmas Tree Decorating Extravaganza grows in popularity each year and more than 200 youngsters are expected to attend the free event from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. A recently installed Entertainment will include performances bus shelter on by the St Francis Choir and Boyne Island Dalrymple Drive. State School Instrumental Group. There will also be a special visit from Santa followed by afternoon Bus stops and shelters rolled out throughout region tea. Residents may have noticed new bus stops and comfort. The bus service network, Enquiries can be and shelters throughout Gladstone city and incorporating school and urban services, is directed to the Boyne new bus set down areas on Round Hill for use by all Gladstone Region residents. Tannum Road at Agnes Water. Council is committed to increasing the Community Gladstone Regional Council works in comfort of residents and visitors who Centre on conjunction with the Department of travel via bus, and the provision of 4971 9700. Transport and Main Roads to ensure a concreted areas at lesser used stops and consistent approach to the public transport shelters at more frequently used locations infrastructure and routes, providing quality is part of an ongoing program to improve customer access, convenience, safety bus stop facilities throughout the region. Page 5 All residents are invited to attend Council's free Australia Day Awards 2017 and Citizenship Ceremony on January 25.

Celebrate with Australia Day Award winners, nominees and new citizens

Winners of Council's Australia Day Awards A Citizenship Ceremony will be followed The public event is an opportunity to 2017 will celebrate their new titles with by the announcement and presentation of congratulate the region's Australia Day hundreds of residents at the Gladstone Australia Day Awards. Award nominees and winners and share Entertainment Convention Centre on the There are eight award categories including light refreshments and a piece of the eve of Australia Day. Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of Australia Day 2017 cake. the Year, Arts & Culture Award, Senior The Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Sportsperson Award, Young Sportsperson Residents interested in attending the event Ceremony is Council's major civic function Award, Sports Official Award, Community should RSVP by January 6 to Tennille of the year and all residents are invited to Volunteer Award and Community Event or Dykstra at [email protected]. attend the free event from 6pm. Initiative Award. au or phone 4976 6912. Pest management Market stalls will line Tannum Sands' Millennium Esplanade for Council's Australia focus Day Family Fun Day on January 26. Council's Pest Management Section is keen to help landholders combat the aggressive pest giant rat's tail grass (GRT).

Native to Africa, GRT is a long, upright grass that forms large tussocks. It can reduce pasture productivity and significantly degrade natural areas of land.

GRT is currently present throughout the region, with scattered to heavy infestations recorded in most localities.

Celebrate Australia Day at free Council fun day To assist landholders, Council's Pest Management Section provides a number Market stalls will operate and food will Relax on the Millennium Esplanade at of resources including: Tannum Sands and enjoy Australia Day be available for purchase from various celebrations at Council's major Australia vendors. • Free property pest management Day event on January 26. planning; There will also be free children's rides, Council's Australia Day Family Fun Day • Taskforce Herbicide Subsidy Scheme; free face painting and a sausage sizzle festivities will unfold from 3pm to 7pm, and finishing with a fireworks display. offering 1000 free sausages. • Weed spraying hire equipment. The day will be acknowledged with an Residents can relax with entertainment by official Australia Day flag raising ceremony, the Gladstone Municipal Band, Billy T & For more information phone Council's including the national anthem. the Dampers and Easy Tigers. Regulatory Services Division on 4977 6821. Page 6 Collect your free emergency wallet

In an evacuation it is imperative to have important documents – like insurance and banking records – on hand. Collect your free, waterproof document wallet from any Regional Library or Council Customer Contact Counter and use it to store important records in your evacuation kit, ready to grab and go in an emergency. You can further ensure your household is ready for emergencies by completing the household emergency plan template on the front of the wallet.

President BITS Saints AFC Inc Andrew McMahon, Development Officer AFL Capricornia Scott Smithwick, On the back of the wallet is a list of Councillor PJ Sobhanian, BITS Saints Project Coordinator Judy Mountjoy and Central and North QLD, QLD recommended documents and files to Cricket Regional Development Manager Tony Hampson enjoy the new lighting. enclose, including: insurance papers; wills and enduring power of attorney Council grant brightens the way for documents; house deeds; mortgage and banking documents; birth and Aussie rules and cricket marriage certificates; photos of your household members and pets (should Council has helped illuminate the Boyne The upgrade of the field lighting at you be separated); and a digital back up of Island Tannum Sands (BITS) oval providing Jacaranda Drive, Boyne Island was computer files. a $100,000 sport and recreation grant to part of the club's master plan for facility Also available for collection is Council's contribute to an upgrade of lighting. development. 'Ready?' guide to preparing for natural BITS Saints Australian Rules Football Club The club received further funding disasters and emergencies. Inc was awarded Council's 2015-16 Facility assistance from AFL Queensland An online version can be downloaded via Assistance Grant Program - Strategic and Queensland Cricket which each Council's website at www.gladstone.qld. committed $30,000 to the project. Projects. gov.au/emergencies Club lighting project coordinator Judy These grants support the development The free emergency wallets and 'Ready?' Mountjoy said lighting would improve guides are available thanks to the of new infrastructure and/or significant training and playing conditions and upgrades of existing sport and recreation Queensland Government's RACQ Get encourage growth in Aussie rules and Ready Queensland grants program. facilities within the Gladstone Region. cricket. As part of the grant conditions, BITS Saints She said club members could now were required to make at least a 20 per train or play matches after sunset under Collect your free emergency wallet and cent financial contribution to the total improved lighting which would also enable 'Ready?' guide from any library in the region. project. community events to be held at night.

Relief for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship Council's new Financial Hardship Policy outside the usual instalment terms and provides relief to residential ratepayers conditions. who demonstrate they are unable to make rates payments due to a loss The policy doesn't remove a person's suffered. responsibility to pay their rates, but aims to relieve immediate pressures for The policy applies to people who people who are in financial distress due would be unable to meet basic to events outside their control. requirements such as food, clothing, medicine, accommodation and children's Ratepayers seeking support should education, if they made rates instalments first read the Financial Hardship Policy for their principal place of residence. and self-assess their eligibility, before To be eligible, applicants must have less sending a written request that addresses than two weeks' worth of available funds the policy's guidelines to the CEO of and the application must be in relation to Council. a property that is solely their home. To access the policy visit Council's Under the policy, Council can grant website via www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/ relief by setting up a rates payment plan policies Page 7 Festive season operating hours The operating hours of Council services and facilities over the festive season are outlined below. Council information can be sourced at any time from its website via www.gladstone. qld.gov.au. The electrical upgrade to the Boyne Waste collection services Island Waste Water Treatment Waste collection services will operate Plant is nearing completion. as normal during the Christmas and New Year period, including Christmas Day and all public holidays. Boyne Island plant upgrade improves area's waste Landfills and waste transfer stations water efficiency On Christmas Day, Benaraby Landfill will open from 7am until 3pm and The $1.26 million Boyne Island Waste switchboard and new overhead electricity all waste transfer stations will close. Water Treatment Plant electrical upgrade is cables. Otherwise, operating hours will in the final stages of construction. continue as normal. This supply feeds the new electrical The upgrade is modernising the facility's switchroom, complete with motor control Animal Pound Facility electrical systems to improve efficiency, centre which supplies power to all plant The animal pound facility closes lower energy costs and provide greater loads. process control and monitoring ability at on public holidays and weekends The previous on line motor starters have the plant. however will operate all other days been replaced by variable speed drives over the festive season between 3pm At more than 20 years old, and with which allow the speed of motors to be and 6pm. some equipment approaching 30 years controlled, thereby reducing electrical of operation, the plant was in need of an demand. Tondoon Botanic Gardens upgrade to ensure it remained efficient for The Gardens will close on Christmas New electrical cabling, flow meters and many years to come. Day. Every other day the Gardens will instrumentation have been installed to open, but the visitor centre will be Started in February, 2016, the project is maintain the reliability and integrity of unmanned. Savour the Flavour Café due for completion in mid-December the new system, adding to the overall will close on Christmas eve, Christmas and includes the supply of a new main efficiency of the upgraded plant. Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Cemeteries Council meetings 2017 Council's cemeteries will be closed to services between Christmas Day and The first Council General Meeting and Standing Committee meetings in 2017 will be January 2, inclusive. Visitor access to held as follows: cemeteries will remain as normal. 9am, Tues, Jan 17 General Meeting

Pools 9am, Tues, Jan 24 Finance and Corporate Governance Committee; followed The Gladstone Aquatic Centre and by Environment and Community Committee Mount Larcom Pool are now operated 9am, Tues, Feb 14 Planning and Development Committee; followed by by Lane 4 Aquatics. For more Commercial Services Committee; followed by Works and information visit www.lane4aquatics. Traffic Committee com.au From these dates forward, General Meetings and Standing Committee meetings will be Other Council facilities held as follows: Most of Council's centres will close First and third Tues of General Meeting from close-of-business on December each month, 9am 23 and reopen on January 3. This includes all administration offices, Second Tues of each Planning and Development Committee at 9am; followed by rural transaction centres and our month Commercial Services Committee; followed by Works and Regional Libraries. It also includes Traffic Committee the Boyne Tannum Community Fourth Tues of each Finance and Corporate Governance Committee at 9am; Centre, Community Advisory Service, month followed by Environment and Community Committee Gladstone Entertainment Centre and Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and All meetings are open to the public and are conducted in the Council Chambers at 101 Museum. Goondoon Street, Gladstone. Recommendations from Standing Committees go to General Meetings for a final decision. Meeting schedules, agendas and minutes can be viewed at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/councilmeetings Page 8 Mayor's Carols to sing in the festive season 'Tis the season The 2016 Santos GLNG Mayor's Carols appearance from the big man himself ... to be bitten by Candlelight presented by 4CC are fast Santa Claus! approaching and everyone is invited! The 2016 Santos GLNG Mayor's Carols The popular community event will be by Candlelight presented by 4CC is a free Gladstone Region residents are hosted on Friday, December 2, at the event with food and beverages available to encouraged to prepare their home against Gladstone Marina Parklands. purchase. mosquitos infestation this wet season. Gladstone Region residents will again Parking is available for just a gold coin Mosquito numbers increase after a wet gather to celebrate the spirit of Christmas donation to the Navy Cadets. weather event with standing water with a few new surprises to make this providing a perfect breeding site. This Pre-entertainment starts at annual family friendly night bigger and 5.10pm with the Carols by maximises the chance of residents being better than ever! bitten and contracting a mosquito-borne Candlelight program being disease. School groups will sing much-loved conducted from 6.30pm carols on an evening that will also feature to 8.30pm, followed by Mosquito breeding sites can be eliminated fireworks, giveaways including children's fireworks at 8.40pm. by removing the following from around bicycles, a special guest singer and an the household, or ensuring they are kept dry. • Pot plant bases (inside and outside) • Tyres • Tarpaulins • Palm fronds • Buckets • Tin cans and plastic containers • Boats • Coconut shells • Roof gutters (if blocked by leaf debris). Rainwater tanks can also be a potential breeding site for mosquitoes. The risk can be reduced by: • Checking the mosquito screens and flap valves on rainwater tanks, particularly in ground tanks, to ensure that the screens and flap valves are still in place; and Split your rates into manageable portions • Making any necessary repairs. There are several simple steps that can be Council offers the ability to pay off Advance payments can be made in taken to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. your rate bills in advance, to help you person at Council offices, via BPAY, by These include: meet discount deadlines and lessen the mail or online via www.gladstone.qld.gov. pressure of a lump sum bill. au/OnlineServices. • Applying insect repellent whenever mosquitoes are present; You can make an early rates payment Regular advance payments can be at any opportune time – such as after scheduled with your bank or through a • Wearing long, loose, light-coloured receiving a tax return – or schedule direct debit arrangement with Council. clothing; smaller, regular advance payments. • Using flying insect spray to kill any You can request a refund of payments at mosquitoes indoors; Advance payments are deducted from any time, providing your account remains February's half-yearly water notice and in credit. • Using mosquito coils or plug-in then August's rate notice. insecticide mats indoors; and To seek assistance with advance • Repairing defective insect screens. A 10 per cent discount will be applied payments, phone Council's Rates Section to your August rate notice (including on 4970 0700. To view the full list of For more information phone Council's payments already made) if your remaining payment options visit www.gladstone.qld. Regulatory Services Division on 4977 dues are paid in full within 30 days of the gov.au/PaymentOptions 6821. notice's issue date. Page 9 Community choir, Gladstone Company Don’t let an animal of Voices, entertain for passers-by at the Gladstone City Farmers Market. become an unwanted pet this Christmas Are you thinking of getting a loved one a pet for Christmas? Council is urging residents to consider carefully this festive season that pet ownership requires responsibility and commitment. Residents should refrain from giving an animal unless the recipient agrees to the arrangement before purchasing. Responsible pet ownership extends to ensuring pets are registered annually with Council. Under Queensland law all pet dogs and Local performers can add to cats are required to be registered and microchipped when purchased or given City Farmers Market atmosphere away. Details of microchipped animals are The search is on for local performers The community has turned out in force recorded on a national registry database to add to the Gladstone City Farmers to support the markets, making the providing a greater chance for lost pets to Market atmosphere. Entertainment Precinct on Goondoon be reunited with their owners. Street and Library Square a bustling hive A free arts and performance space is Not everyone is aware of these of activity from 7am to noon. available at every market for individuals, responsibilities and buying a pet for groups or schools to showcase arts and Food vendors have reported strong sales someone can significantly alter lives. talents, recreational activities or interests. and record sell outs with the relaxed, Failure to consider urban vibe appealing to the crowds and these responsibilities The Library Square stage provides a young families. could contribute relaxed setting for performers to have fun to the number of and have a go. The next City Farmers Market will be unwanted pets at the held on December 10. The markets are held on the second and pound or in animal shelters, or result fourth Saturday of each month and are Stallholders and performance space in animals being growing in strength, attracting more fresh information can be accessed at www. euthanised. produce suppliers at each market. gladecc.com.au/city-farmers-markets/

Going away for the festive season?

If you will be away from home over be taken out and brought back in the Christmas/New Year period, to your property within 24 hours don't forget to check off these of your kerbside collection. important tasks before you leave. • Arrange for your mail and 'junk' • Remove rubbish from your mail to be collected. If you have yard, trim overhanging branches a 'no unaddressed mail' sign on and ensure loose items are your letterbox, you can also secured. It is the storm and arrange for Australia Post to hold cyclone season and these items your addressed mail until your could cause damage to your return. or your neighbours' properties • Ensure your pets are well looked in severe weather. Domestic after, with sufficient company, waste disposals are free (within food, water and shelter. reasonable limits). • Ask a trustworthy neighbour to • If you live in or near bushland, keep an eye on your property clear a fire break around your while you are away and provide home and ensure flammable them with your contact details. materials are removed from Arrange for a friend or neighbour to take out After that, your only remaining tasks your yard and gutters. and bring in your wheelie bins, if you will be are to have a wonderful holiday and away over the festive period. • Arrange for your wheelie bin/s to travel safely.

Page 10 Careful planning and teamwork lead to mission accomplished for Water Services

Council's Water Services section proved the value of teamwork when tackling a complex cut-in to a major sewer rising main at the Gladstone Wastewater Treatment Plant. Members of Waste Services' Network, The footpath along Captain Cook Drive Process and Project units worked together at Agnes Water has been extended to plan and conduct the six-hour operation to replace asbestos pipe and install a 600mm isolation valve to a major sewer Captain Cook Drive footpath rising main. The procedure will enable upgrade extension completed works to be conducted at Council's S01 Agnes Water residents and visitors to the Council's Budget 2016-17 also includes pump station on Cemetery Road, West popular tourist township can now get the establishment of a pedestrian link Gladstone in order for it to meet future about on foot with additional ease following between the Agnes Water urban area demands. and the township's community centre via the extension of the pedestrian footpath The operation was completed without the construction of a 235-metre long, along Captain Cook Drive. incident, enabling the city's sewerage $200,000 footpath linking with the existing service to be maintained despite most of The project, completed in early Springs Road path. November, extended the existing footpath its major sewer pump stations having to be to the Discovery Drive intersection at Also earmarked for completion this financial temporarily taken offline. year is a footpath linking the Discovery Points North, further enhancing pedestrian Shutting down of the stations enabled the Coast Christian College to Round Hill Road mobility within the township. safe isolation of the pipe being worked in Agnes Water, to be jointly funded by the on but also meant the task had to be This is in line with Council's commitment to college and Council, and the designing of completed within a strict timeframe due to expand the network of footpaths in Agnes a footpath extending along Captain Cook the limited storage capacity available at the Water and Seventeen Seventy during the Drive from the Seventeen Seventy Marina smaller shutdown pump stations. course of the 2016-17 financial year. to the Council depot. Any complications to the process may have resulted in sewerage overflow into Remedial works program for the environment Planning was key to the successful flood prone roads well under way outcome with many Gladstone residents Council's remedial works program a new concrete batter protecting against unaware that most of the city's major for gravel roads is drawing closer to road washout on Gentle Annie Road, sewer pump stations had been taken completion with much of the work Ambrose, and new floodways across offline while the task was completed from already finished. creeks and gullies on Cattle Creek Road, late at night on September 14, through to Raglan. the early hours of September 15. The works, to be completed under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery The provision of new concrete slab and Water Services hosted several planning Arrangements program, are designed batter protection at two culvert crossing workshops with members of the to improve the flood resilience of gravel sites on Mt Larcom Bracewell Road, in construction team and operations staff to roads that have proved vulnerable to Ambrose and Bracewell, is well under identify risks associated with the works and flooding during past wet weather events. way and due for completion soon. to ensure that suitable mitigation measures and contingencies were put in place. The construction of concrete batters, The program will then advance to five slabs, floodways and drainage to stabilise sites on Norton Road, Boyne Valley, as The various teams were also assigned roads and prevent washouts has been well as a Davis Road site at East End, all milestone times in which to achieve stages completed at five sites on Tableland of which will start in December and are of the project which was scheduled to Road at Wooderson and Diglum, as well due for completion in January. coincide with the typical 'low flow' period as two sites on Bindawalla Road, Diglum during the night. The flood resilience project is jointly and another on Marsh Road in the funded by the Commonwealth and Monitoring of the pump station levels and Boyne Valley. Queensland governments under the the use of vacuum trucks throughout the Additional works on Bindawalla Road Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery duration of the works meant available will be completed in December, as will Arrangements. storage was also optimised. Page 11 Thought provoking exhibitions on display at Gallery & Museum Visitors to the Gallery & Museum can soon Appropriate/Not Appropriate is an gain an understanding of post-World War II exhibition by two regional artists on display life in Australia's migrant hostels. from December 17 to February 25. A touring photographic exhibition, Appropriate or not appropriate? developed by the National Archives of Perception or misconception? Australia, provides a vivid look at this time This exhibition contains the works of one in the nation's history. Indigenous artist and one non-Indigenous artist; both considering contemporary A Place to Call Home? Migrant hostel issues from new perspectives, using images memories will be on display from and text. December 16 to February 1. Number of residents Questions are posed and ideals are The exhibition combines recollections of examined in the forum of traditional assisted by free Tax life and the good and bad tales associated works, digital prints, video works, with migrant hostels. installation, paintings and drawings. Help assistance doubles The project has been assisted by the A Place to Call Home? Migrant hostel Tax Help volunteers have lodged twice Australian Government through the memories, Dec 16 - Feb 1 as many tax returns for Gladstone Region residents compared to last year. Ministry for the Arts' Visions of Australia APPROPRIATE / NOT APPROPRIATE, Dec program. 17 - Feb 25 This year nearly 150 tax returns were submitted between July 22 and October 31. A migrant family enters their new home at The Tax Help program was facilitated by Maribyrnong, , 1965. Council's Community Advisory Service, on behalf of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Regional residents with basic tax requirements who earn $50,000 or less per annum were eligible for free tax assistance. Council is appreciative of our local volunteers, trained by the ATO, who worked around their home and family life to provide the confidential tax service. Bindi Waugh, Volunteers stated they had enjoyed CHOOSE – WHY participating in the program and look 2016, ink on paper. forward to assisting again.

BRIEFLY The bitumen seal on Racecourse Road has been extended by more than 1km.  Free waste disposal Charges do not apply to dispose of these sorted domestic waste items: Scrap metal, whitegoods, green waste, electronic waste, batteries, car batteries, oils, clean fill, LPG gas cylinders, clean timber and up to 240L (a wheelie bin) of recyclables and general waste.

 Tangler bins only for fishing waste The specially designed Tangler bins located at Racecourse Road project gallops to a fast finish boat ramps and key fishing spots throughout Works extending the sealed section extended the sealing from Oaky Creek to Gladstone are only of Racecourse Road in Calliope were beyond the entrance to Liz Cunningham to be used for fishing completed on October 24. Park. waste like old line and tackle. All other rubbish The $515,000 project, completed with In total a nine metre wide bitumen seal should be disposed of in general waste the assistance of the Federal Government was extended 1.07km to complete the bins. Roads to Recovery Programme funds, six-week-long project. Page 12 Latrobe Street footpath project BRIEFLY enhances pedestrian safety  Home library celebrates 20 years The Gladstone Region's Home Library Service celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. The service provides assistance to thousands of residents in Gladstone, Boyne Island, Tannum Sands and Calliope unable to visit a regional library due to medical, physical or other reasons.

 Planning scheme open to feedback The proposed first major amendment to the Gladstone Region Planning Scheme is open to public consultation until January 20. The amendment aims Council completed its Latrobe Street footpath project to remove red tape, further control on October 20, creating a continuous concrete path to residential supply and streamline enhance safety for Tannum Sands State School students application processes. To view the and other pedestrians. amendment visit www.gladstone.qld. gov.au/have-your-say or your nearest Council Customer Service Centre. Important information when selling a house  Regional and rural road resurfacing One of the most important steps when Some have been required to spend their The resealing of deciding to sell a house, arguably before savings or borrow from family to pay 41 regional and even listing with an agent, is to contact the deficit or to pay mortgage insurance rural roads within your bank and find out the payout figure costs (due to the drop in value of the the southern and for your mortgage. remaining property). Some just cannot western areas of settle and risk damages claims from the It is certainly essential, before you sign a the region was buyers. sale contract, to check the sale price will completed in be enough to pay the amount required It is always advisable to have your November. The by the bank in return for release of the solicitor check the contract before you $1 million works were conducted in mortgage, plus the agent's commission sign it. Iveragh, Bororen, Lowmead, Berajondo, and advertising fees, and sale costs. Your solicitor can then advise you as to Rosedale, Mount Maria, Euleilah, Baffle You also need to make allowance for any special conditions which might be Creek, Deepwater, Captain Creek, adjustments for rates, water charges and able to be inserted in the contract to Miriam Vale, Boyne Valley, Diglum, other outgoings on the property. protect you. Tableland, Calliope, Beecher, Yarwun and Mount Larcom. If you are selling due to financial Unfortunately, many people sign without difficulties you may have rates arrears advice so the solicitor does not even  CQ Driver Education Centre which have to be paid on settlement. see the contract until after it is signed, by Benaraby will soon be the home of one which time it is too late. This is equally important if you are selling of Queensland's major driver training one of two or more properties. Most solicitors will include pre-signing facilities. Construction of the $1.2 million Generally mortgages are collateral review of the contract as part of their Driver Education across properties and the sale of one overall fee for the conveyance. Centre has started and is expected to property (even if the sale price is enough be completed by the end of 2017. The to pay out the loan and sale costs on project received funding from Council, the property being sold) will trigger the Australian Government and the a requirement for revaluation of the Calliope district branch of Bendigo Bank. remaining properties to ensure that the loan to value ratio for the remaining  Road safety campaign property or properties and mortgage still The Gladstone Community Council will soon trial the Little Blue meets bank guidelines. Legal Program is a free service Dinosaur Foundation's 'Holiday funded by Legal Aid Queensland, With the downturn in property prices in Campaign', aimed at improving road delivered by Farnsworth Legal, Gladstone many sellers who have not safety in areas that experience surges of and proudly supported by the done these pre-contract checks have traffic during holiday periods. Signage, Gladstone Regional Council. found themselves in the position of being portraying the foundation's campaign in breach of contract, as they cannot Appointments can be made by phoning messages, will be erected in Agnes settle due to the bank not providing a the Community Advisory Service on Water, Boyne Island and Tannum Sands release of mortgage. 4976 6300. for the Christmas/New Year period. Page 13 BRIEFLY

 Council praised for superb facilities The following is a direct extract from a customer compliment: "We recently travelled from to Airlie Beach and your region including Gladstone, Boyne Island, Tannum Sands and had superb facilities that were clean and well maintained. They well and truly surpassed all the other regions we visited. As a council you are obviously spending funds to encourage tourism to all your areas. Important festive food preparation tips We were highly impressed and will encourage our family and friends to visit Food poisoning is common, yet distressing, never on the bench top, unless the your areas." especially around the festive season. manufacturer recommends that you do so; People are more likely to suffer food  Grant to assist tennis courts poisoning at Christmas because the • If you are going to defrost a large The Gladstone Tennis and Squash weather is hot, fridges are overloaded and turkey remember it will take several Association has received a $100,000 hosts are cooking for more people than days to defrost in the fridge. Always Gladstone Regional Council Sport they are accustomed to. make sure that it is thoroughly & Recreation grant to refurbish two The symptoms of food poisoning may vary defrosted in the centre before cooking; deteriorated tennis courts. The depending on the type of bacteria, but can association submitted an extensive and • Before preparing foods, and between include the following: thorough application that demonstrated handling raw meat or raw chicken, how the refurbishment can expand • Nausea wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water and dry thoroughly; its current fixtures program, increase • Stomach cramps membership, and improve its ability to • Diarrhoea • Your Christmas ham will keep for host high level tournaments. • Vomiting several weeks with proper handling by removing it from its plastic wrap, Record Garage Sale Trail  • Fever covering with a clean cloth so it doesn’t A record number of • Headaches dry out, and following any instructions 80 sellers took part However, by following a few simple rules on the packaging; in this year's Garage and using common sense, residents can Sale Trail across the • Never store leftovers on the kitchen ensure they, and their guests, do not get region. Thousands bench, and use all refrigerated leftovers food poisoning. of residents followed within two to three days; and the trail of registered Christmas food safety tips: • Before preparing food for Christmas garage sales held • Avoid keeping food in the temperature ensure there is enough room in the by households and community groups, danger zones, between 5-60 degrees fridge to keep cold food at or less than diverting reusable items from landfill Celsius, where food poisoning bacteria five degrees Celsius. and connecting with their community grow best; members along the way. For more food safety tips download a copy • Ready to eat food should always be of Council's Food Poisoning factsheet via  Free workshop for sporting clubs defrosted in the fridge or microwave, www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/fact-sheets A free workshop to provide finance- related tips to sport and recreation committee members was hosted South Trees inlet upgrade in November as part of the Club Administration Seminar program. Two lifts waste water treatment efficiency other workshops tailored to sporting Council's drive to continually improve the The upgrade was part of Council's groups will be delivered in 2017 through efficiency of its waste treatment service objective to improve the inlet's hydraulic a partnership between Council and the has been further realised following the performance and screening capture Queensland Government. completion of the South Trees Waste efficiency, thereby reducing the need for  View your rates history online Water Treatment Plant Inlet upgrade. operator maintenance at the site. Become a registered user of Council's The project, which was completed in The project also featured the extension new Online Services platform to view November, consisted of the installation of the inlet channel and the raising of the your history of Gladstone Region of new step screen equipment which will inlet structure's wall height in order to rate charges, payments and property automate the inlet works and increase the increase its hydraulic capacity. valuation summaries. Visit www. facility's efficiency. gladstone.qld.gov.au/OnlineServices Page 14 Community CALENDAR ALL MONTHS (except for festive season closure) Every Fri Baby Bounce 11am Gladstone Library 4976 6400 Story Time: Held regularly at all libraries. www.gladstonelibraries.qld.gov.au or 4970 0700. NOVEMBER Nov 28 - Dec 8 Art awards exhibition Gallery & Museum 4976 6766 Nov 28 - Dec 16 Letter collection by Santa's Elves All Libraries Nov 29 Kids' Happy Hour Mt Larcom Library 4975 1205 Nov 30 SUNFest tickets available GECC 4972 2822 Nov 30 Annual Christmas Tree Decorating Boyne Island Library 4971 9700 Extravaganza 3.30 - 4.30pm DECEMBER Christmas Craft: Gladstone Library, Dec 13 & 20, 9.30 - 11.30am; Calliope Library, Dec 14, 9.30 - 11.30am; Agnes Water Library, Dec 14, 10.30am - 12pm; Mt Larcom Library, Dec 15 & 22; Boyne Island Library, Dec 15, 9.30 - 11.30am Dec 1 - Jan 16 Summer Reading Club All Libraries 4970 0700 Kerb and channel work has made Dec 2 Mayor's Carols by Candlelight Marina Parklands 4970 0300 Blomfield Street safer for pedestrians. Dec 4 Christmas Street Party Library Square 4972 2822 Dec 5, 8 Tech Savvy Seniors Workshop - Gladstone Library 4976 6400 social media 9.30 - 11.30am Blomfield Street Dec 6 Morning Melodies, $15, 10am GECC 4972 2822 works remove Dec 7 Playtime 9-11am Calliope Library 4975 8105 troublesome trip Dec 12, 14 Tech Savvy Seniors Workshop Gladstone Library 4976 6400 9.30 - 11.30am (please book) hazard Dec 13 Ozobots and Cubelets 9.30am - Gladstone Library 4976 6400 12pm (bookings required) Kerb and channel replacement work not only has the western side of Dec 13 Junior Library Christmas Party Miriam Vale Library 4974 6241 Miriam Vale's Blomfield Street looking Dec 15 & 22 Code Club 3 - 5pm (pls book) Gladstone Library 4976 6400 smarter, it has made it safer for pedestrians as well. Dec 16 - Feb 1 A Place to Call Home? Migrant Gallery & Museum 4976 6766 Hostel Memories The replacement works were Dec 17 - Feb 25 Appropriate / No appropriate Gallery & Museum 4976 6766 conducted in order to negate the hazardous situation in which there Dec 18 Christmas in the City (pls book) GECC 4972 2822 had been a height variance of 15cm- JANUARY 30cm between the road level and the kerb and channel invert on the Craft: Gladstone Library, Jan 10 & 17, 9.30-11.30am; Calliope Library, Jan 18, 9.30- western side of Blomfield Street 11.30am; Agnes Water Library, Jan 18, 10.30am-12pm extending from South Street to Jan 4 mBot workshop (9+yrs) 9.30am - Gladstone Library 4976 6400 Dougall Street intersections. 12pm (bookings required) The previous double kerb Jan 5, 12,19 Code Club 3 - 5pm (pls book) Gladstone Library 4976 6400 arrangement, an unusual Jan 5, 12, 19 Summer Reading Club Mt Larcom Library 4975 1205 configuration that proved a hazard, has tripped up pedestrians in the past. Jan 8 - 20 Sunfest youth holiday program Various venues 4972 2822 Jan 10 Squishy Circuits 9.30 - 11.30am Calliope Library 4975 8105 However, the raising of the kerb and (bookings required) road level, coupled with the widening of the footpath, has made traversing Jan 11 Robotics workshop (pls book), craft Agnes Water Library 4902 1501 from road to footpath and vice versa Jan 11 Heroes & Villains craft 9.30-11.30am Calliope Library 4975 8105 a less problematic task. Jan 17 mBot workshop 9.30-11.30am Calliope Library 4975 8105 Council thanks Miriam Vale residents (bookings required) and its business community for Jan 18 Ozobots 9.30-11.30am (pls book) Calliope Library 4975 8105 their patience while the two-month project was in progress, requiring Jan 19 Games & Cubelets 9.30-11.30am Boyne Island Library 4971 9700 several parking bays to be unavailable Jan 25 Toddler Time Boyne Island Library 4971 9700 at various times. Page 15 2017

Youth Holiday Program 8-20 January, 2017

Tickets on sale from 9am Wednesday, November 30 Book online at www.gladecc.com.au Ticket Enquiries 4972 2822 Celebrate AUSTRALIAFamily Fun Day Day FREE EVENT

You are invited to the Australia DayAwards 2017 Millennium Esplanade, Tannum Sands at the January 26 - 3pm to 7pm Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre Official Australia Day flag raising ceremony, Goondoon Street, Gladstone Market stalls, Food vendors, Entertainment, to be held on Free children's rides, Free face painting, Wednesday, January 25 at 6pm 1000 free sausages, Fireworks RSVP by January 6 to Tennille Dykstra at [email protected] or 4976 6912