COUNCIL CONNECTION GLADSTONE REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER December 2016 - January 2017 ISSUE 75 INSIDE 4 5 6 7 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 Miriam Vale 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 Benaraby begun. Cost arguably the 2016 Queensland 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 Gladstone Region 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 Bruce Highway. 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 Queensland Government'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.