COUNCIL CONNECTION GLADSTONE REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER APRIL - MAY 2017 ISSUE 77 INSIDE 4 5 7 11 Buskers add rhythm World-first Yarwun Library Week 7 Day Makeovers to create to city heart Whitewood grove celebrations extraordinary places Mayor's Message Council working hard to promote growth during tough times A little over 12 months Significant changes to Council's infrastructure coming into the region and helping us into this Council's charges policy were adopted in December prepare for future population growth. term, and my first as to encourage development. Council has received generous amounts of Mayor, I am pleased to Infrastructure charges have been waived for state and federal government assistance for say that our plans are not for profit organisations, Council projects various projects including a number of vital proceeding well. that are for community use and items of water and sewerage infrastructure upgrades Undoubtedly, economic essential local government infrastructure, for the region's future capacity. conditions outside of such as water reservoirs. the region have had an Other projects to benefit from state and Council is also determined to help impact on our progress, federal assistance include the Tom Jeffery but Council has worked hard to continue the community groups with a number of clubs Park upgrade at Agnes Water, Community Gladstone Region's growth. and organisations, including the Capricorn Recreation Hub upgrade at Mount Larcom, Film Festival, Gladstone Multicultural the accelerated gravel road seal program I was elected on the promise of delivering Association, Boyne Tanum HookUp and throughout the Gladstone Region and a five point mandate - to ease costs for Captain Cook 1770 Festival, having recently the Glenlyon Road cycle lanes design and ratepayers; support growth and sustainability benefitted from funding by its Major Events construction in Gladstone. of primary producers; promote business Advisory Panel (MEAP). development; increase financial and in kind Council has also lobbied hard on behalf support of community and sports clubs; and Increased funding for the MEAP program of other parties and the community to secure state and federal government funding. itself and the Gladstone Entertainment help secure $10m in federal funding for Convention Centre has also ensured better CQUniversity and $20m for the widening Since our election last March, Council has access and increased funding for events of Philip Street, and has lent its support conducted a number of internal reviews and conducted by community groups. implemented resulting cost saving measures to Gladstone PCYC's current campaign in across the expanse of its operations in order Anyone who knows me knows my passion search of much-needed federal sporting to reduce expenditure and save rate payer for sport and my belief in the positive social grants assistance. dollars. and wellbeing benefits that it brings to the We are aware that there is much more to community. The adoption of Council's Local Preference be done and Council needs to continue to Policy has ensured commercial concerns Many clubs are struggling and, for this reason, invest in the local economy and work with with a strong Gladstone Region presence are Council has increased the water allowance industry leaders and the community to create given every chance to successfully tender for for sporting bodies, enabling them to greater opportunities for our residents. Council contracts, helping to keep jobs and dramatically reduce their operational costs. With such goals in mind, Council has entered money stay in our community. Council, with the assistance of Federal an economic partnership with Gladstone As of early March this year, this Council had Member Ken O'Dowd and State Members Ports Corporation to attract major industrial awarded more than $54m in contracts for Glenn Butcher and Stephen Bennett, has and agricultural projects to the region, and supplies and services, of which more than gained the attention of the higher levels is working with Gladstone Area Group $43m, about 80 per cent, was spent with of government, with the result being an Apprentices Ltd to deliver opportunities for Gladstone Region businesses. increased amount of funding for infrastructure young apprentices. Gladstone Regional Council PO Box 29, Gladstone Qld 4680 nect Phone: 4970 0700 Fax: 4975 8500 n Email: [email protected] www.gladstone.qld.gov.au CoWITH COUNCIL www.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au/econnect @GladstoneRegionalCouncil @GladstoneRegionalCouncil @GladRegCnl Gladstone Office Calliope Office Miriam Vale Office Agnes Water Rural Boyne Tannum Mount Larcom Rural 101 Goondoon Street 5 Don Cameron Drive 41 Blomfield Street Transaction Centre Community Centre Transaction Centre Open 8.30am to 5pm, Open 8.30am to 5pm, Open 8.30am to 5pm, 71 Springs Road Cnr Wyndham & Hayes Raglan Street Monday to Friday Monday to Friday Monday to Friday Open 9am to 4:30pm, Avenues, Boyne Island Open 9am to 1pm and 2pm Monday to Friday Open 9am to 5:30pm, to 5pm Monday to Friday and Monday to Friday 9am to noon on Saturday Cr Matt Burnett Cr Glenn Churchill Cr Peter Masters Mayor Chair Planning & Development Committee Chair Works & Traffic Committee Phone: 4976 6903 Phone: 0407 289 139 Phone: 0438 145 780 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Cr Chris Trevor Cr Kahn Goodluck Cr Desley O'Grady Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Phone: 0437 757 839 Phone: 0433 944 302 Phone: 0437 837 148 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Cr Cindi Bush Cr Rick Hansen Cr PJ Sobhanian Chair Environment & Chair Finance & Chair Commercial Services Committee Community Services Committee Corporate Governance Committee Phone: 0412 544 201 Phone: 0437 642 081 Phone: 0448 885 047 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Native saplings The start of the 69th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race will be live streamed for the first time in the planted at race's history. Photo: Jordana Statham. wastewater treatment site Council has overseen the planting of 1500 native saplings in order to improve their compliance with Agnes Water Waste Water Treatment Plant's (AWWWTP) environmental discharge licence conditions. The site, adjacent to the waste water treatment facility located on Streeter Drive, has been planted with suitable Treasured events to be better than ever canopy and mid-storey native tree The countdown is on to two of the via the race's website and social media species in order to help prevent weed Gladstone Region's most treasured events: channels. growth from flourishing. the Gladstone Harbour Festival and the To further build community excitement Installation of about 1600m of reason for its inception, the Brisbane to associated with the race, Council has additional irrigation line and automated Gladstone Yacht Race. contributed $15,000 to the reinstatement valves was completed last year, For well over 50 years Gladstone has been of the 'Yachties' public event to welcome enabling watering of the newly planted abuzz with activity over the Easter period competitors to Gladstone. saplings by controlled recycled water releases. thanks to these annual events, and this year The free event will be held at the will be no exception. Gladstone Yacht Club on Easter Sunday, The planting and improved irrigation For the first time in the race's history, the April 16, and will offer live music and measures followed the implementation of a management program to slow the start of the 69th Brisbane to Gladstone entertainment from 10am until 11pm. spread of existing weeds. Yacht Race will be live streamed, making But the fun won't end there, with the 55th it viewable at the Harbour Festival and annual Gladstone Harbour Festival offering The weeds had taken hold after over Gladstone Entertainment Convention five days and nights of entertainment irrigation of the existing vegetation had Centre outdoor screens and via the including fireworks, sideshow alley, live caused the die off of most previously internet in homes or on smart phones performances and perennial favourites established trees while Council's annual around our region and the world. including the Great Raft Regatta, Twilight burn, which is now ceased, also aided Street Parade and Teddy Bears Picnic. weed growth by killing off small trees Council has contributed $30,000 to the and native grasses. livestreaming by Queensland Cruising Council granted $65,000 of Major Events Yacht Club, which will occur from 10am Advisory Panel Funding to the festival, The improved dispersal and control of until midday on Good Friday, April 14 which will draw visitors to the region and the treated recycled water by the fully via the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht delight residents from April 12 to 16. automated irrigation system should Race Facebook page or website www. prevent the effects of over irrigation brisbanetogladstone.com.au To view the Gladstone Harbour Festival recurring. program visit the Gladstone Festival and After the live streaming, residents can Events website at http://gladstonefestival. Repairs to roadways and drainage continue to track competitors' progress com/harbourfestival have also been completed to prevent storm water runoff entering across the irrigation plots. Annual dog registration program continues The project was also overseen by AWWWTP contractors TRILITY with Council has inspected 676 properties pay their dog registration online via the installation of the irrigation system throughout the Gladstone Region as Council's secure Online Services portal. and planting of saplings completed by part of its annual animal inspection Once payment has been made Council's various contractors. program to monitor compliance with Regulatory Services Division will issue a dog registration procedures. current registration tag. The systematic and selective door-to- To access door program will run until the end of Council's August, in accordance with the Animal Online Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.