Bulloo Buzz 05 June 2019 SUPPORTING OUR REGION…..………….……………………….
Council is committed to maintaining and delivering new infrastructure and community projects across the shire that will improve the liveability, sustainability and keep our region progressive and innovative. We're reinvesting in community projects and our community's assets, such as roads, pools, community buildings and facilities, footpaths, shared pathways and playgrounds. These projects are undertaken with an aim to strengthen our local economy, improve services and facilities for our residents, businesses and visitors , and to create a more connected, safer and healthier community. These projects are funded by Council, often with financial support from State and/or Federal Government. With these goals in mind Council made the following resolutions at the June Ordinary Meeting:
Approve the expenditure of $100,000 grant funding through the Drought Communities Programme on the replacement of kerb and channel and the construction of a new footpath in Gilmour Street adjacent to the Council Administration Building.
Council proceed with the development of a Childcare/Day Care centre and that $30,000 be included in the budget to make the facility compliant.
Endorse the expenditure of $7,790 to Aussie Quick Quilts for a quilting workshop to be held in Thargomindah in September 2019 as awarded by the Regional Arts Development Committee.
Endorse the expenditure of $8,820 to Cindy Stone for the Kullilli Yarning Circle Project being held in Thargomindah commencing in July 2019 as awarded by the Regional Arts Development Fund.
Support the amount of $19,000 for a second teacher at the Thargomindah State School from the 2018/2019 & 2019/2020 budgets.
That Council donate $500.00 to assist Jamie Hilt in his professional career.
Lodge a suggestion with DNRME to have the following changes to locality names and boundaries for localities within the Bulloo Shire:- Alter the boundary of the locality Thargomindah and discontinue the localities of Dynevor, Norley and Bullawarra Amend the locality boundary of Bulloo Downs and Cameron Corner Remove Wonpa Station & Tickalara Station from Bulloo Downs and include these in the locality of Cameron Corner Change locality name of Nockatunga (includes Nockatunga Station and Noccundra Township) to Noccundra That in accordance with the Place Names Act 1994 Council provide the critical documentation required, including a Letter of Support to DNRME
Bulloo Shire Council PO Box 46 Thargomindah 4492 T: 07 46218000 Fax: 07 46553131 A/H Emergencies: 0429 611 872 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bulloo.qld.gov.au A WORD FROM THE CEO ……………….………………………. While I know we are all sitting around waiting for the follow up rain, we still have to get on with the reality of life and that, for council means trying to get our work plans back on line and trying to get our projects complete to meet the end of financial year deadlines. Sadly, the Government is full of inflexible guidelines and we need to have the money spent or we will end up with incomplete projects that we will have to fund – and that is not going to happen. So we have asked all our contractors to ramp it up. Nevertheless, working under pressure lets you know you’re alive and gives a sense of satisfaction when you do bring the project in.
Of course, the BIIIG news this month is getting the coffee shop up and running. Many thanks to Tamie and Sally for their imaginative problem solving that has led to us to getting the café open. We have achieved that with the help of Drew and Nathan who are backpacking around Australia and were more than willing to come out here straight away for a chance to see how you Thargomindians live in the wilds of the west. This is a two way street though. They help us, we educate them. Many thanks to them for trying on a new skill set. As the days progress they are getting better at it and everyone seems happy to have them here. The other advantage is that we can see exactly what is required to operate the café.
Council is progressing its budget, and held a workshop with the Finance Manager to have a review of where we are up to and to get our capital expenditure sorted. Every year, we thankfully have our grant funding that comes through to support our roadworks. Grants such as TIDS where we go 50% with the Government funding or our Roads to Recovery (R2R) which is a fixed amount each year to put towards areas that would enhance our road systems. Projects such as drainage, floodways, sealing or simply combining the funds with other work and extending that project. We also get our Works for Queensland (W4Q) which has provided money for all our smaller projects that you have seen around town eg the walking paths etc. Drought Funding has also been part of those works but we also got the opportunity to spend $350 000 from this fund on doing some well-deserved maintenance on the Wari Gate Road. We also get what is called a Financial Assistance Grant which is untied money that goes partly towards road Maintenance but primarily towards providing us with the funds to administer the shire eg wages, equipment etc. There are other smaller specific grants that we get for special projects but also there are subsidised grants available on a 60/40 basis from our own Department of Local Government. It is this money that is helping us progress towards the completion of the Geothermal and Solar project to reduce our electricity costs, hopefully help to reduce the brown outs and as a side benefit, reduce the temperature of the water by at least 30º
Sadly we can’t get any government money, or we choose not to, to purchase plant. As you can imagine, plant has a limited life out here with the distances we travel and the condition of the roads from time to time doesn’t always help. Nevertheless, Council has a rigorous programme to replace plant when it reaches its assessed life, whether that is mileage or age, we replace it. We need to fund this through the plant hire we receive from the plant or the depreciation that we charge to set aside our funds for future purchases. This all helps to keep our maintenance costs down and also provides a great opportunity for the community to access some second hand vehicles that you know have been serviced regularly and no expense has been spared to keep them operating at their peak.
Council elections are coming up in March next year so I suppose some people in the community are considering their options. Acting as a councillor has some significant obligations and responsibilities with the advent of the CCC and the behaviour of some councillors in the larger Councils has led to the local government community being under much greater scrutiny than it ever was in the past. Our requirement to be transparent, seek value for money, deal with Conflicts of Interest and Material Personal Interests can possibly sway people away from the service, but it is still a great way to serve your community and work towards a better future for the whole shire.
If you wish, please feel free to come and have a chat with an existing councillor or myself and we will try to clarify your concerns.
Lew Rojahn Chief Executive Officer.
IT’S A WRAP Last week the visitor information staff hosted our very first HUGE event, the Channel Country Quick Shears Shindig. The five day event followed on from Music in the Mulga to try and capitalise on a crowd of up to 1500 to encourage them to head out a little bit further to explore our region. The event was developed in an effort to capture the personality and individuality of the Bulloo Shire and to promote what sets us apart from the rest of the outback. When we were choosing the activities and shows for each day we focused on the diversity and historic attributes of the region and its people. The Quick Shears was the main focus of the event with sheep being the reason why this corner country was initially occupied by our early pastoralists. Sheep shearing is the most iconic trade in rural Australia with every shearer’s ability measured by the number of sheep they can shear in a day.
DAY 1 - CHILLIN’ IN THARGO Day one of was an opportunity to show off Thargomindah. Our visitors enjoyed a damper and billy tea at Pelican Point, hosted by Dogga Dare and Mayor John “Tractor” Ferguson. We also conducted town tours and spoke about the history of Thargomindah, taking them through Leahy House, the Old Hospital, Old Jail and the Hydro Power Plant. The day finished off with a Bulloo Big Screen movie at the Explorers Caravan Park.
DAY 2 - BIG DAY OUT COMEDY TOUR Day two of the Shindig was a road trip out to Kilcowera Station and Hungerford Royal Mail Hotel with comedians Mandy Nolan and Paul McMahon and Irish folk singer Àine Tyrrell. This was an opportunity to get everyone out of Thargomindah and to show them a little bit of the countryside. Living in this area and having to deal with the issues that arise due to the remoteness, extreme weather conditions and the drought, certainly brings an extraordinary amount of stress to the lives of the people who live out here. These hardships have developed a tough and resilient type of character which has stood the test of time. Their longevity and durability is mostly due to their ability to find humour in situations when times are tough. The people of the outback are well known for their no nonsense, blunt and at times politically incorrect sense of humour. With this in mind we knew that a comedy show would be a great representation of the personality of the people of the outback. DAY 3 - WAY OUT WEST COUNTRY MUSIC TOUR Day three was another road trip out to heritage listed Noccundra Hotel with country music star Adam Kilpatrick. It was a beautiful relaxing day with everyone sitting around the lawn, eating a lovely lunch cooked by Sarah, Margaret and Neil and listening to Adam sing. We all headed back to Thargomindah for a night of trivia and country music, with a delicious, hearty, home cooked dinner by the Thargomindah P & C.
DAY 4 - PIG RACES Day four was at the Bulloo Rive Hotel with Noah’s Thoroughbred Racing Pigs. It was an afternoon of fun racing which ended up raising $3,600-00 for the Bulloo Region Progress Association. The fun continued on into the night with big band, Tennessee Lights playing until midnight. Once again we wouldn’t have been able to run this race without our generous local sponsors: Thargomindah Foodworks Picarilli Merinos Thargo Contract Mustering Ago Vires Thargomindah Roadhouse Bulloo River Hotel Motel O’Brien’s Toyota Turnouts Mechanical & Tyre Repair & JP Bees
DAY 5 - THE MAIN EVENT! The grand finale of the Shindig was the markets and Quick Shears competition, which attracted shearers from NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and New Zealand! Huge prize money was kindly donated by the following sponsors: GOLD Sponsors SILVER Sponsors BRONZE Sponsors Road Surface Group Pty Ltd Gibson Grazing Selmes Shearing Cunnamulla Concrete Container Build Group S & K Bowen Earthmoving Picarilli Merinos Ezyquip Tolbra Brock Short Painting Shearing Supplies Dubbo Statewide Drafting Australian Wool Network
Bulloo Shire Community - for making this event such a huge success. Parks and Gardens Team - for all your hard work & for making the VIC staff look good. Brocky & Aaron - for all your clever thinking. Thargomindah P & C - for all of your dedication & volunteer work hosting and catering for Trivia Night and bar at the Quick Shears. Hospital Auxiliary - for all of your dedication and volunteer work catering Movie Night. Local Talent - Points for Trying, Ann Kirby and Desley Collins Market Stall Holders - For all of your commitment & hard work Teagan Cook – Precisely Mine - Brett Williams– Novelty Toys Stacey Keane – Silver in the Sticks - McReaddie’s Nursery Nic & Sarah Clay – Tupperware - Mighty Fine knitting & sewing Lynn Jones - Soft Serve Ice-cream - Travelling Beans Mobile Coffee Janet Beetson & Deb Czislowski – Thargo Post Office Gordon Collins & Jack Pike & Dean Warner – Shoe Shine & Bracelets Kaine Glasson – Homemade goodies & 2nd hand toys Lea Macken & Sheree Parker – Lea Macken Images Jordyn Ferguson & Kyra Warner – Bulloo Op Shop Ago Vires – Segway & Mountain Bike Hire Jumping Castle – Mel Byrne Info Centre – Tiffany Dare Dogga and Robyn Dare - for all your catering of Damper and Billy Tea, Comedy Night, Oasis Breakfast & Quick Shears Out Hosts - for making the event so special Kilcowera Station– Toni & Greg Sherwin Hungerford Royal Mail Hotel – Graham Fitch Noccundra Hotel – Neil, Margaret & Sarah Turner Bulloo River Hotel Motel – Duck & Shirley Girdler Oasis Motel – Phil & Donna Humphris Explorers Caravan Park – Dogga & Robyn Dare Hungerford Visitor Information – Sheree Parker & Lea Macken Selmes Shearing - for the Quick Shears and Chrissy Selmes for the music Picarilli Merinos - for the quality sheep Attendance Numbers Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Morning Tea Kilcowera Station Noccundra Hotel Breakfast at Oasis 25 Comedy & Irish Luncheon & Country Motel Music Show Music 6 30 31
Town Tours Hungerford Royal Thargomindah Trivia Pig Racing at Bulloo Market Day & Quick 18 Mail Hotel Comedy & Country Music River Hotel Shears Event & Irish Music Show Dinner Show 120 277 20 54
Movie Night Thargomindah 56 Comedy & Irish Music Dinner show 81
TOTAL 718 ………………………….……………………...……. OPERATIONS After the rain, Operations is currently undertaking we are undertaking emergent works clearing debris and doing light grading to repair wash outs and tracks at various locations within the Bulloo Shire. This work will be followed up with proper formation grading to bringing the roads back to the recovery stage. Other works being undertaken are: Hungerford/Eulo Road finishing off a resheet Maintenance Crew are working on patching, guideposts and signage around the Shire.
PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given under Section 277(4) of the Local Government Regulations 2012, that a Special Meeting to adopt the 2019/2020 budget will be held at the Council Chambers at the Council Administration Centre, 68 Dowling Street, Thargomindah on Tuesday, 25th June 2019, commencing at 8.30am. Lew Rojahn Chief Executive Officer
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given under Section 277(4) of the Local Government Regulations 2012, that next Ordinary Meeting of the Bulloo Shire Council will be held at the Council Chambers at the Council Administration Centre, 68 Dowling Street, Thargomindah on Tuesday, 25th June 2019, commencing at 8.30am. Lew Rojahn Chief Executive Officer
YOUR Cr Donna Humphris Cr Shirley Girdler Ph: 0427 553 145 Ph: 0459 980 869 COUNCILLORS E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Cr John (Tractor) Ferguson, Mayor Cr Allison Petty Cr Jon Cobb Ph: 0427 418 438 Ph: 0428 593 386 Ph: 4655 4366 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] HUMAN RESOURCES inside the Bulloo Shire Council ……...….……... HR decided to start this month off with a bang! Beginning with an employee BBQ lunch, a Finance Audit and a new position in Operations. Then ended the month with a farewell, a change in positions, a visit from our WHS Advisor, Ken Golden and two new employees in our Coffee Shop – Coffee on Dowling.
Staff Gatherings… Our BBQ Lunch was a huge success with burgers, a sausage sizzle and salads for all! We had a large attendance and found that it was a lot warmer than if we were to have an early morning staff breakfast. As always, Lew discussed changes and happenings within Council and it was decided that BBQs will continue to happen until the weather warms up a bit. The June BBQ will be hosted by Corporate and Governance department.
Happenings within HR… For the Financial Audit, we provided timesheets, payroll reports, copies of the EBAs and Awards, and last but not least our FTE (Full-time Equivalent) as of 31 December 2018 which was 54.81. All information was given without a hitch and we haven’t heard from them since, so everything must have been okay (fingers crossed). We have recently advertised the internal position of Operations Administration, which is Part-time at 16 hours per week. After applications were in, interviews were conducted and Tay Proud (our Part-time Biosecurity Officer) was the successful applicant. We are so excited to see how she can expand her skillset within the Operations and Community Departments – Congratulations Tay!
Goodbye Val… A bittersweet transition happened this month within Operations, starting with a goodbye from Val Shannon who has been the Operations Manager for the past 10 months. Val has empowered and increased team dynamics within Operations by believing in the employees and giving them more responsibility within the individual employee’s roles. This eventuated in the Operations Leadership Team (OLT) trial run being created and ended with a structure change to come. Congratulations all, this has been a very big eye opening process and I know you’re all going to take on more responsibility as the years go on. And thank you to Val, this process couldn’t be completed without your trust in the OLT. HUMAN RESOURCES continued…………………..…...….……... A Visit from Ken… (WHS Advisor) Kens visit this month resulted in a lot of paperwork and a lot of future changes to come. Ken is great within his position as he takes safety very seriously but also wants to make safety monitoring within the workplace uncomplicated. Ken will be heading to the SWRRTG Meeting in Charleville to discuss the Safety and Health Management System for gravel pit operations and is back in Thargomindah from 5 June – 12 June 2019.
New Employees at Coffee on Dowling… Introducing Nathan and Drew! Council has decided that bringing young people in from other parts of the world to work in our Coffee Shop during tourist season is a win-win situation as is brings a wider range of diversity into our town, and with that comes new experiences and friendships. Nathan is from London, UK and wanted to come to Thargomindah for the outback experience in Australia. He heard about our position advertisement from Facebook and wants to see the surrounding towns and areas while he is here. Drew is from Concord, New Hampshire, USA and has only been Australia for 2 and a half months. He is hoping to meet real local Australian’s and see the outback during his time in Thargomindah.
We hope Nathan and Drew enjoy their time in Thargomindah and are sure you will all enjoy a nice warm coffee in our lovely coffee shop in this cooler weather!!
Picture: (Left to right) Nathan Powell and Drew Livingston
Tamie Warner Human Resources Manager
……………………………COMPLIMENTS TO TOURISM STAFF Norm Dezius from Tamworth passed on this great compliment about Tourism Coordinator Gillian Strong. The lady from the Thargomindah Tourism Office at Music in the Mulga was sensational for your community and Council. She sold your sphere of influence with enthusiasm and character. From Eromanga Natural History Museum... Thank you for sending so many people up to the museum. We have had great reports from members of the general public who have changed their plans to visit us because of you and your team's great work in the VIC. So thank you again from myself and the whole team and we hope to continue sending people your way to return the gesture. Kindest regards Corey.
SPORT AND RECREATION ………………………..….………… Community Centre timetable and activities
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
6:00 - 8:00am 6:00 - 8:00am 6:00 - 8:00am 6:00 - 8:00am 6:00 - 8:00am Gym Gym Gym Gym Gym
3:00 - 7:00pm 3:00 - 7:00pm 3:00 - 7:00pm 3:00 - 7:00pm 3:00 - 6:00pm All Activities All Activities All Activities All Activities All Activities
Additional Activities
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Punch Fit Walk & Weights 6:00 – 7:00am 6:00 – 7:00am Spin Class Step Class Walking Group 6:00 – 7:00am Lawn Bowls 6:00 – 7:00am 10:00 - 11:00am Netball 6:00 - 7:00pm 5.30 - 7:00pm Snooker Walking Group Social Tennis “Jackpot” Bowls Squash 6:00 - 7:00pm 10:00 - 11:00am 6:00 - 7:00pm (Every Pay Week) 5:00 - 7:00pm 7.00pm start
Truck Brigade Communication Grants signed off by Deputy Commissioner
Wassing and RFBAQ President Ian Pike
Sixty-three satellite hotspots were approved for distribution to brigades that applied for the grant and met the criteria of having a fire truck and a levy income of less than $5,000 per year.
This will allow these brigades to be less reliant on patchy or non-existent mobile phone or uhf/vhf radio coverage. In addition, in times of natural disaster, these brigades will be less reliant on hard infrastructure such as radio repeaters and power driven mobile phone towers to be able to communicate the local situation in their communities. Successful brigades included:
Brigade Shire Area Shed Area (sqkm) Members Thargomindah Town Bulloo Roma Yes 30 17 Eulo Paroo Roma Yes 5010.85 41 Yowah Opal Fields Paroo Roma Yes 1.92 24 Charleville Murweh Roma Yes 578 49
This information is an extract from announcement published on RFBAQ website on Thursday 9 May 2019
PUBLIC NOTICES …………….……………………………….….… Cunnamulla Doctor Visits for 2019
24 - 25 June 29 - 30 July 2 - 3 September 30 Sept - 1 October 25 - 26 November 16 - 17 December
Visiting Specialist RFDS Skin Clinic – 12th June RFDS Psychologist – 13th June Physiotherapist – 13th June Podiatrist – 27th June
Mental Health Clinician visiting Thargomindah
Sarah Reid is the new senior mental health clinician/psychologist working in the Royal Flying Doctors Remote Wellbeing Service. This is a clinical face to face wellbeing service and I will be flying to clinics in Thargomindah with the RFDS doctors and nurses. Community members can now access: a free confidential wellbeing service offering face to face appointments to discuss and problem solve any wellbeing, mental health concerns or life stressors. there is no limit on the amount of appointments that can be accessed and individuals can refer independently or through a doctor or community organisation.
Referrals can be made by contacting Sarah on (07) 4654 1233 or 0436 844 485 or the Thargomindah Clinic on 4655 3361. Sarah will be working a fly in fly out roster and will be in attendance at clinics approximately once a month.
HELP for SMALL BUSINESS NOW AVAILABLE in DROUGHT AFFECTED AREAS Rural Solutions Queensland has supported our farming community in Queensland since 2006 through the Rural Financial Counselling Service, and is very pleased to extend rural financial counselling support to Small Businesses in drought affected areas. Jenny Whip, Chief Executive Officer of Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland (RFCS-SQ) said yesterday: “This service understands how important Small Medium Enterprises are in rural and regional communities, and recognises that small businesses are finding conditions very difficult with the wide-ranging effects of prolonged drought. Businesses that have previously been able to withstand adverse economic conditions are facing additional pressures with their longstanding customers and clients in financial difficulties of their own.” “While the drought is beyond anyone’s control” Mrs Whip said, “there are ways that business can manage current financial difficulties and position themselves for a better future. The Small Business Rural Financial Counsellors understand small business, and the communities they serve, and offer free, independent and confidential services that will assist small-medium businesses that are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the drought.” To speak to a Small Business Rural Financial Counsellor please call 1300 732 777 or email [email protected]. Small Business Rural Financial Counselling Service is supported by the Queensland Government and Financial Counselling Foundation
Thargomindah Clinic - Thursday 20th June 2019 The team from Terri Eckel Veterinary will be in Thargomindah on Thursday 20th June at the Sports Oval, with small and large animal appointments available. Together with the Bulloo Shire Council, we will be offering discounted microchipping and vaccinations for this clinic. Microchip $40 (normally $50) C3 / Parvo Vaccination $54 (normally $64) Regular services are also available during this clinic, appointments are essential. Please phone us on 07 4654 1805 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm to secure an appointment. Climate outlook overview—June to August 2019 The winter climate outlook, issued 30 May 2019, suggests a drier than average winter is likely for much of eastern and parts of southern Australia. Daytime temperatures during winter are very likely to be warmer than average. With more cloud-free days and nights expected, there is an increased risk of frost in susceptible areas. Climate influences include the expected development of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole and a weak- ening of El Niño-like patterns in the tropical Pacific
2019 DATE CLAIMERS …………………………………………………….. 7 June HUNGERFORD FIELD DAY - Enquiries to Moc Parker (07) 4655 4064 or [email protected] 13 - 14 July THARGOMINDAH POLOCROSSE - Helen Taylor Ph: 0419 553 421 20 - 21 July CHANNEL COUNTRY MUSIC MUSTER - Thargomindah - Contact the VIC on 46 218 095 3 - 4 Aug CHANNEL COUNTRY CHALLENGE - Thargomindah - Alison Petty Ph: 4655 3385 21 - 22 Sept THARGOMINDAH MOTORBIKE GYMKHANA - Daryl Byrne Ph: 0499 698 056\ 5 - 6 Oct HUNGERFORD MOTORBIKE & HORSE GYMKHANA - David & Stacey Keane Ph: 4655 4828 12 - 13 Oct NOCCUNDRA CAMPDRAFT AND RODEO - Jackie Degamouis Ph: 4655 4315 18 - 20 Oct CHANNEL COUNTRY LADIES DAY - Thargomindah 11 Nov HUNGERFORD REMEMBRANCE DAY - Sheree Parker Ph: 4655 4064 31 Dec CAMERON CORNER NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY - Cheryl Miller Ph: 08 8091 3872
You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do, Together we can do great things Mother Teresa KNOW THE DANGERS All Queenslanders should be aware of the dangers connected to floodwater or swift flowing water. No one can predict what lies underneath the surface. The second you decide to push through floodwater, you will give up control. Firefighters across the state rescue more people from water each year than they do from fires.
KERBSIDE COLLECTION SERVICE
BULLOO SHIRE COUNCIL 9th SEPTEMBER 2019 Bulloo Shire Council are offering to collect oversized rubbish from households in Thargomindah on the Monday the 9th September 2019.
To enable Council to allocate the days and resources (i.e. Trucks, Loaders etc.) to carry out this project efficiently please assist by advising Council on or before Monday 12th August, the items and quantity you would like collected. ACCEPTABLE ITEMS: UNNACEPTABLE Council requires to be Household Appliances ITEMS: advised on all large General Household Waste Empty Paint Tins items of rubbish to be
General Garden Waste Small and Large Furniture collected prior to :-
Dangerous Goods e.g: chemicals, Car Bodies Monday 12 August 2019 pesticide, motor oils etc
Glass and China (Securely Asbestos or other hazardous Wrapped) Please contact Council waste
Large Drums and Rain Water prior to this date Gas Cylinders Tanks Building and Renovation Materials Push Bikes and Lawn Mowers including cement sheeting and 07 4621 8000 Timber & Branches (Up to 1.5m) bricks COMMUNITY SERVICES …...... ….………...……….……...…… Mosquito
General Information Mosquitoes are native insects which breed in salt, brackish or fresh waters and have been identified as being a major and significant threat to both human health and lifestyle throughout the world for many years. This has become prominent in Australia as a result of the climate, and the ‘great outdoors’ that many Australians love. More than 220 mosquito species can be found in Queensland and a substantial number of these have been implicated as vectors of some human diseases. Some of these diseases include Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus, Dengue Fever and Malaria.
Mosquitoes require water in which to breed. Females lay eggs on the surface of the water or the waters edge. The eggs then hatch into Larvae (wrigglers), which live under the surface of still water and breathe air through the surface. The Larvae go through four (4) stages before becoming Pupae (tumblers), which again live under water, emerging from the water soon after as an adult.
I have noticed a lot of mosquitoes around my house, what can I do? You can help minimise mosquito populations, by taking some of these simple actions to reduce breeding in your house and garden: Empty standing water out of old tyres, buckets, plastic covers, toys, pet drinking bowls, bird baths, pot plant trays or any other container where “wrigglers” and “tumblers” live in the house or garden. Drill holes in tyres used for swings and garden surrounds to allow water to drain from them. Drain or fill temporary pools and tree hollows with dirt or sand. Keep swimming pools treated and circulating. Keep rain gutters unclogged. Avoid using water retaining plants – such as bromeliads in your garden. Where these are present, use a high pressure spray to kill larvae. Clear out any palm fronds and other vegetation from your garden. Boats and dinghies should be overturned or have the drain plug removed. Screen all openings to tanks, wells or other large water containers with wire gauze no coarser than 1mm mesh. This prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs. Cap brick walls made of cavity bricks to prevent water from pooling in the walls. Create a good ‘buffer’ zone between your house and any surrounding thick vegetation to avoid breeding sites. Ensure your lawn is cut regularly.
If you are experiencing large numbers of mosquitoes in your area, contact Council’s Customer Service Centre, and Council can send out a specifically trained officer to assess the situation to determine if further action is required.
What can I do to protect myself and my family from mosquitoes? Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight”. Replace your outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights. Avoid watering your garden around sunset. This is the time that mosquitoes are most active, and will be attracted to humid areas. Use a fan. This discourages mosquitoes from landing and biting. Use mosquito repellents when necessary and follow label directions and precautions closely. Where appropriate, try to wear long sleeves and long pants, light coloured and loose fitting clothes, especially around dusk.
Repelling mosquitoes naturally Some plants and herbs that grow in many gardens have the potential to repel mosquitoes. These include: Basil, Marigold, Pennyroyal and Rue – planted in pots near doorways and windows. Leaves can also be rubbed onto skin. Mint, Lavender, onion and garlic – used in a spray from equal parts soaked in water for 24 hours. Pelargonium Citrosa (citrus geranium) – offers localised protection by releasing a citronella scent.
Common Disease Symptoms Ross River Virus - Arthritis, Rashes, Fever, Muscle soreness, Headaches, Weariness, Generally feeling unwell. Dengue Fever - Tiredness, Headache, Fever, Rash, Joint Pains, Vomiting
Wild Dog May Baiting Campaign 2019 From the 20th to 27th May the Bulloo Shire carried out our May Coordinated Aerial Wild Dog Baiting Program. Thirteen of fifteen properties baited inside the wild dog barrier fence, and two properties outside the fence with 5,800kg of meat used inside and 900kg outside. A big thank you needs to go out to the fifteen people who assisted at baiting stations, they included property owners, managers and staff. Reminder to Residents - 1080 signs are placed at the entrance of each property that uses 1080 poison to advise the public of the risk to pets so always seek permission before going out on to properties that participate in the baiting program and confirm if it is safe for you to take your family pets.
To avoid accidental poisoning of pets there is a mandatory bait free area within a 5km radius of Thargomindah, so please be cautious if you are taking your pets outside of this area. Animals poisoned by 1080 Fluoroacetate can pose a threat to non-target carnivores such as dogs and cats because of secondary poisoning and baits can remain active for more than 6 months. THERE IS NO ANTIDOTE AVAILABLE FOR 1080 POISONING More information is available by contacting Queensland Health Drugs and Poison Unit PH: 3234 0938
Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry PH: 13 25 23 Bulloo Shire Council—Rural Lands Officer PH: 4621 8000
RURAL LANDS UPDATE …...... ….………...……….……...……
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REQUIRED SERVICE OUR STANDARD Answer telephone call at main switch Within 5 rings
Return your call By the next working day CONTACT DETAILS Reply to general correspondence Within 7 working days In Person 68 Dowling Street, Thargomindah Respond to general requests Within 7 working days Council office is open Notify you if there is a Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm delay in our service Keeping you informed commitment within 7 working days By Phone 07 4621 8000 If Council can’t provide the service By Fax 07 4655 3131 you require, we will endeavour to 100% of the time Customer refer you to where the service may be By Email [email protected] available In Writing Bulloo Shire Council Dogs Service PO Box 46 Respond to urgent dog requests 5 days a week THARGOMINDAH QLD 4492 Roads and Footpaths Charter Inspect and assess urgent requests Within 2 working days about damage
Waste Within 2 working days Missed Garbage collection
Any Safety Matters Immediately That places the community at risk
Drainage Issues Inspect and assess urgent requests Within 3 working days
Development Applications Code Assessable; no information request and Determination from lodgement no referral—Within 75 business days Maybe extended by mutual agreement CUSTOMER SERVICE CHARTER WHAT YOU, OUR CUSTOMER, CAN EXPECT? GENERAL PROCESS FOR COMPLAINTS This Customer Service Charter describes Friendly, courteous, respectful, honest and HANDLING our commitment to you our customer and ethical, high quality service The relevant manager will organise a complaint sets out the standards of service you can Your needs to be listened to and responded response. The customer will be informed of the expect from us. It also outlines what you to complaint processes and response timelines. can do to help us deliver a more effective, Staff who are trained to provide a full range efficient service and informs you of the of information on Council services steps you can take should that service fail Assistance to find solutions to problems DISSATISFIED WITH OUR SERVICE to meet your expectations. Provision of a reference service to an Sometimes service requests, or other identified contact point if we are unable to correspondence, do not get a response with a provide the service you need timeline or other issues may arise. Please discuss your concerns with the person you have dealt with. WHAT DO WE ASK OF YOU? If you are still not satisfied with the outcome To treat our staff with courtesy and respect please ask to be referred to the Manager of the To respect the rights of other customers Department, who will review the matter and To provide accurate and complete respond within 5 working days of hearing from information you. Give us your feedback on our service If you are still dissatisfied with our service we
OUR SERVICE COMMITMENT TO YOU will refer you to the most appropriate To create and maintain a customer service complaints body. culture throughout the organisation that OUR REQUEST AND COMPLAINTS SYSTEM ensures the delivery of consistent and When you ring, write or email all information is Unsatisfied customers may follow up by ringing quality customer focused services where- entered into Council’s customer request system the Queensland Ombudsman. by our customers are dealt with promptly, (CRS). This system lets us track requests and courteously, efficiently and effectively at all complaints and allocate them to the correct area times. for action.
What is the Small Business Rural Financial Counselling Service? The primary role of the Small Business Rural Financial Counselling Service Program is to support RURAL SOLUTIONS QUEENSLAND INC Small Businesses in drought impacted areas who are experiencing hardship associated with the long standing drought conditions, and have no alternative source of impartial support.
The Queensland Government and Financial Contact one of our Small Business Small Business Counselling Foundation provide funding to deliver Rural Financial Counsellors today. Rural Financial the program throughout Southern Queensland. [email protected] Head office is based in Roma, and employs Small EMAIL: Counselling Service Business Rural Financial Counsellors who provide PHONE: 1300 732777 (1300 RFCSSQ) rural financial counselling assistance across the region.
RFCSSQ service area Fully drought-declared shire (Map as at 1 April, 2019) Partly drought-declared shire Not drought-declared shire RURAL SOLUTIONS QUEENSLAND INC
QUEENSLAND LIVINGSTONE
ROCKHAMPTON Supported by the Queensland Government & WOORABINDA Financial Counselling Foundation CENTRAL HIGHLANDS GLADSTONE
BLACKALL-TAMBO BUNDABERG BANANA NORTH BURNETT FRASER COAST
MURWEH GYMPIE QUILPIE CHERBOURG MARANOA SOUTH EMAIL: [email protected] BURNETT SUNSHINE COAST WESTERN DOWNS SOMERSET MORETON BAY BRISBANE LOCKYER IPSWICH PHONE: 07 4622 5500 Supporting Small Businesses in rural VALLEY TOOWOOMBA REDLAND LOGAN BULLOO PAROO SCENIC RIM GOLD GOONDIWINDI Queensland to plan, prepare for change BALONNE COAST SOUTHERN DOWNS and meet future challenges.
Partly drought-declared shire Fully drought-declared shire Not drought-declared shire www.rfcssq.org.au www.rfcssq.org.au www.rfcssq.org.au Small Business Rural Financial Counselling Service
Act early How can a Small Business Working Decide on actions Rural Financial Counsellor together you feel good about help you?
With all the natural disasters, market volatility Small Business Rural Financial Counsellors aim Our services are: and cost pressures, rural communities have to identify options which see you, and your faced enormous challenges over the years. business better equipped to manage your (a) free of charge, confidential, impartial and circumstances. independent, The Small Business Rural Financial Counselling Service understands these pressures, and the We can: (b) delivered by skilled, local professionals who impacts they can have on an individual and/or know your area and industry. their business. • Confidentially assess and prepare reports on your current financial position, cash flow Small Business Rural Financial Counsellors The current drought has impacted heavily on and viability are unable to provide advice, but can provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary businesses that have previously been able • Identify appropriate business options, help to make informed financial and business to withstand adverse conditions, and despite you develop an action plan their best efforts, small business owners are decisions. • Help prepare you for meetings with experiencing financial difficulties. financiers If you are drought impacted and would like to The drought is an issue outside of anyone’s • Help you identify the need for advice discuss your financial position and become control, but there are ways you can manage from, and to prepare for meetings with, better prepared to manage future challenges, current financial difficulties while planning for a professional service providers contact one of our Small Business Rural better future. • Help with preparation for, and management Financial Counsellors today. of, natural disasters • Provide referrals to additional assistance from other professionals and services from within both government and private sectors.
FREE CONFIDENTIAL IMPARTIAL INDEPENDENT FLEXIBLE QUALIFIED Information sheet Re-opening of state-controlled roads following wet weather and flooding November 2018
The process for re-opening a state-controlledroad (SCR) Where a re-opening decision presents potential for following wet weather and flooding has three parts - non-compliance by road users, supporting measures and physical assessment, legislative power and recording attendant personnel arrangements can be established, and reporting of data. where possible. (1) Physical More detailed information is available in the Road assessment Drainage Manual located at Key factors to consider when determining whether to https://www.tmr.qld.qov.au/business-industry/Technical- re-open a road / section of road include: standards-publications/Road-drainage-manual ? velocity and depth of remaining/ anticipated flood waters (2) Power to re-open a state- ? road integrity controlled road ? restrictions on vehicle access by type and load Officers with the legal delegation to approve the re-opening (and closure) of a SCR are referred to the ? a road that has been inundated with water for following: some time may need to be restrictedto a certain load limit until repairs have been completed. Transport and Main Roads (Signs will need to be removed or changed to show The current schedule of delegations under the Transport restrictions). InfrastructureAct 1994 can be found on insideTMR Prior to a road (or section of road) being re-opened, the Delegations database - Transport infrastructureAct 1994 following must be undertaken to ascertain safety of Current delegations TIA Schedule section 46(1). by - - - passage some or all classes of vehicles: A trained and experienced Transport and Main Roads inspector can recommendthe re-openingof a road under ? assessment/ inspectionof damaged/ saturated the direction of a Transport and Main Roads engineer. If roads, drainage systems, shoulders, bridges and the road has geotechnical and/or structural damage, a roadside furniture (signage, lighting, guard rails) RPEQ engineer (where possible) should be involved in ? assessment/ inspection officers will include: the decision-makingto re-open the road. technical - engineering and staff Queensland Police Service road inspectors (level of inspector will - QPS officers have the power under several sections of depend on the severityof the infrastructure transport legislationto re-open and close a SCR. Where condition) it is necessary for QPS officers to re-open a road, contact - bridge engineers (where a valuable or should be made with Transport and Main Roads vulnerable bridge is on the road that has wherever possible. been restricted, a Class 2 Bridge Inspector should be present) - specialist officers - local government authorised officers - Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers.
Queensland Govemment QPS has the opportunity to record its respective re-opening decision and report the details directly onto the QLDTraffic website, if access is requested.. Transport and Main Roads and local governmentsare advised of the re-openingthrough appropriate communication channels within each district.
Local Government. RoadTek or contractor If there is a contract in place between Transport and Main Roads and RoadTek, a contractor or local government,those parties can re-open a SCR, provided Transportand Main Roads has been advised.
(3) Recording and reporting of data As with temporary closures and any other restrictions, the approval, data recording and informationreportingof SCR re-openingsis managedthrough the QLDTraffic traffic information core system.
QLDTrafficis Transport and Main Roads' single source of truth for closure and re-opening of SCRs.
As a minimum, the informationrecordedshould include:
? details of the re-opening,includingany restrictions on vehicle access by type and load
? other conditions which have been placed, such as lowering the speed limit, providing warning and advisory signs and restrictions to access
? contact details of the RPEQ engineer (where appropriate)or authorised inspecting officer who inspectedthe road prior to re-opening
? contact details of the delegated officer making the re-opening decision
? date and time of recordedcondition change. Constant contact with the Transport and Main Roads statewide Traffic ManagementCentre or local Traffic Management Centre / Control Centre should be maintained. Contact information
Policy and standards [email protected] Road Operations, Engineering& Technology