000024 Desert Yarns December 2017
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Desert Yarns BEDOURIE Remembrance Day • November 11 • LEST WE FORGET BIRDSVILLE Phone 07 4746 1202 Desert Yarns • December 2017 Fax 07 4746 1272 [email protected] Message from the Mayor Well its only 3 weeks until Christmas!! Where has the year gone, seems only the other day I was getting over last Christmas. The month started off with the CEO and I spending three days in Longreach attending RAPAD meetings. Some of the topics included Outback futures and mental health, government subsidies on western flights, digital connectivity, renewable energy just to name a few. Also there was a candidate’s forum where some of the candidates for the seat of Gregory met the public who asked questions of the candidates. As we all know now, Lachlan Millar is now our member for Gregory. Just returned in time for Remembrance Day. Birdsville had a small service at Anzac Park which went off really well. Then last week it was back to Longreach for a couple of days for road group, and water alliance meetings. Thing dis- cussed included water security, sewer relining, road funding and transport alliances. In amongst all this I was fortunate enough to attend the Birdsville State School break up. It was a very pleasant evening and I thank all those that organised the evening for a job well done. It was good to see the confidence shown by the children in front of everyone. As part of the evening, Sharon Pursell read a poem she had written for her Kindy chil- dren. A poem that came from the heart, and I would like to share it with you this month instead of my usual attempt. It is called “Forever in my Heart”. As this is the last Yarns before Christmas I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay safe on your break and I look forward to seeing you all next year. Forever in my Heart. Although I’m not your mother, I care for you each day I cuddle sing and read to you, and watch you as you play I see each new accomplishment, and help you grow and learn I understand your language, and I listen with concern You come to me for comfort, and I wipe away your tears You proudly show your work to me, I give you loudest cheers I am not your mother, but my role is just as strong I nurture you and keep you safe, though not for very long I know the day and time has come, when we now have to part But I know I have cared for you, and you are forever in my heart. Geoff Morton Mayor 2 Desert Yarns • December 2017 CEO's Comments Wow, another year has flown by. Where did the days go. Speaking of years gone by, Council has adopted its Annual Report for the 2016/17 financial year. It’s a great read during your spare time over Christmas between the cricket matches. It is really a year in review setting out the highlights for the year and includes the audited financial statements. It is on Councils website under the publications tab. Use this link to get it: http://www.diamantina.qld.gov.au/council-publications Council staff recently installed flood monitoring cameras at Browns Creek at Betoota, Diamantina River at ‘Monkira’, Georgina River at ‘Marion Downs’ and Gilmore Creek at Carcoory. The solar powered camera is pointed at the flood gauge post so that water height can be ascertained. At each site, 3 photos are taken each day at set times although staff can get a photo at any time to get updated readings. Staff can view each crossing via a dedicated website from the office, saving time when road reports are being generated and road closures are pending. This project was funded 80% by the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning with a total cost of $135000. Below is an example of the camera and the image from them at each crossing. I’ll let you work out which photo is where. Also recently completed was gravel resheeting significant sections of the Springvale Road, Diamantina Lakes – Winton Shire Boundary Rd, Palparara Road and Davenport Road. This work, and the installation of a granite columbarium at the Birdsville and Bedourie Cemeteries was funded by the Works for Queensland Program totalling $1,020,000. With columbariums installed at our cemeteries, the choice now exists for the interment of ashes of those that have been cremated. Desert Yarns • December 2017 3 The Diamantina Lakes – Winton Boundary Road following upgrade under the Works for Qld Program. Also complete is the renewal of the sewerage pump station switch- boards in Bedourie and Birdsville. 5 switchboards were renewed in total and they are now connected to telemetry which allows remote monitoring of faults and pump operations. The official opening of Birdsville Lodge and Birdsville Caravan Park upgrades took place on 6 November with David Littlepround MP, Member for Maranoa doing the official duties along side the Mayor. Also present was Kim Mahoney, Department of Infrastructure Local Government and Planning and Darren Cleland and Richard Austin, Department of State Development. Both Departments were fund- ing partners along with the Australian Government’s Department of Transport and Regional Services. They were joined by Councillors, staff and interested residents to witness the cutting of ribbons and join for a few nibbles and drinks out of the heat at the Lodge. It has certainly been a busy year and no doubt everyone is looking forward to a break. Stay safe if you are driving and enjoy your sleep-ins. Have a great Christmas and New Year and I’ll see you in 2018!! Leon Love Chief Executive Officer 4 Desert Yarns • December 2017 Diamantina Works & Road Report Construction Crew have completed resheeting work on the Diamantina Lakes- Davenport road under the Works for Queensland grant, this crew have also completed resheet works on the Davenport Palparara road under the Works for Queensland grant. This crew will end the working year doing shire road maintenance on the Davenport/ Palparara and Davenport/ Diamantina Lakes roads. Gravel Crew have completed Shire roads flood damage on the Winton/ Diamantina lakes road and Diamantina Lakes/ Springvale road. This crew will end the working year doing shire road maintenance on the Springvale / Diamantina Lakes roads. Multi Skill Crew have been working on the Bedourie pool upgrade and the Bedourie Hall upgrade. This crew have completed constructing Columbarium’s in Birdsville and Bedourie. This crew has all so completed erecting flood cameras on the Georgina River at Marion Downs/ Diamantina River at Monkira / Browns Creek at Betoota/ Gilmore Creek at Carcory. This crew will complete any concrete repairs to flood damaged structures on shire roads to see out the working year. Future projects for the Shire Upcoming Projects: • Continuation of Shire Road flood damage restoration works 2015/2016, • Work for Queensland- Shire road maintenance Springvale to Boulia Shire Boundary/ Springvale to Diamantina Lakes/ Diamantina Lakes to Winton Shire Boundary cost of $2million, • Birdsville Caravan Park Upgrade, • Stage 3 & 4, Birdsville Streetscape, • Construction of various sheds at depots, Bedourie Gym and Bedourie Hall Shade, and • Minor Works Performance Contract, reseals Eyre Developmental Road (81A) Bedourie/ Birdsville road, Diamantina Developmental Road Windorah/Bedourie (93C), Bedourie/Boulia (93D) $188488.58. Thank you Trevor Stewart Infrastructure Manager BEDOURIE POLICE NEWS G’day everyone, During November I was asked to relieve at Boulia for a couple of weeks. I couldn’t wait to get back to Bedourie!! During December there are a lot of things happening. Whilst travelling please be aware that there are some major road safety operations state wide so please EXPECT to be pulled over for a breath test anytime anywhere. Also please be vigilant with road speed as this does contribute to safety and is a lot of Christmas spending money down the drain! I also know the Mt Isa Traffic police are doing some operations throughout the wider area before and after Christmas and New year. There is still no QGAP agent in Bedourie yet. I have been informed that applications for the position closed in Octo- ber, but getting a panel seems to be an issue?? I will advise when the Bedourie Qgap will be operational. Please call the station first so I can find the best way to assist you. Whether you’re staying in the Diamantina or heading elsewhere for the holidays, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year! Senior Constable Kurt Dunlop. Bedourie Police Station Urgent/Emergency: 000 Non urgent: 131 444 www.police.qld.gov.au Desert Yarns • December 2017 5 BIRDSVILLE POLICE NEWS G’Day All We are into the last month of 2017and the festive season is upon us. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Sharon and myself to wish everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. I hope everyone gets an opportunity to catch up or at least contact family and friends over the Xmas and New Year period. Please stay safe on our roads and keep an eye on your mates. We still have a few tourist making the trip out to Birdsville, I again ask that everyone keep an eye on those travelling around the area including locals. It can be hours or even days before someone comes across a broken down motorist or worse and accident. We will be taking a break and going on an overseas trip over Xmas and into the New Year. I have requested a relieving officer to come down to Birdsville whilst we are away.