COUNCIL CONNECTION GLADSTONE REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER August - September 2017 ISSUE 79 INSIDE 4 6 8 11 Latest Community Rates split into Annual plan and Garage Sale Trail Directory out now manageable portions budget snapshot seeks record regos Mayor's Message Council budgets for short and long term regional growth Council's operational overall rates notice half-yearly, meaning plan and budget ratepayers will pay half of their charges for for 2017-18, these components in August and the other each delivered on half when they receive their water rates July 4, are about notices in February. consolidation. Council is already displaying the type of They ensure leadership called for in the operational plan the fundamental with its ground-breaking Benaraby Landfill economic, social, Gas-to-Power Project and Memorial Park environmental and legislative elements are in place for the Pumptrack initiatives featuring prominently Cover community to flourish as per Council's in national awards recently. Gladstone's Round Hill Lookout has a fresh four pillars - People, Place, Prosperity and The sense of community Council is new look including a series of interpretive and regional information signs. The signs are part of a Process. seeking to generate via the plan will be in $200,000 upgrade for the site. You can read more about 2017-18 evidence when some of the region's most Page 3 elsewhere in this newsletter and on our popular public events arrive in the coming website but, essentially, the end product is months. about much more than dollar amounts on First off the rank is the 125th Gladstone Council Connection paper. This newsletter is produced every two Show which will celebrate its memorable months by Gladstone Regional Council The operational plan and budget are milestone on August 9 with promises that to inform residents about Council events, the vehicles for creating a resilient local this year's event will be the biggest in its activities, services and projects. It is printed on economy robust enough to negotiate renowned history. 60 per cent recycled paper. market downturns but with the versatility Following soon after is the Botanic to to respond to new opportunities present Delivery Bridge fun run which draws serious Council Connection is delivered directly into during periods of growth. runners searching for a victory or a all residential letterboxes by Australia Post It is about Council providing fair and personal best performance as well as those as 'unaddressed mail' and is also available transparent leadership that inspires and for viewing or downloading from Council’s who see it as an opportunity to exercise in works in partnership with the community. website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au a popular social event. Cost The budget also aims to keep rates manageable, limiting the increase to half Focus will then turn to the much-loved Council Connection is automatically delivered Calliope Rodeo and Ute Muster, a huge free of charge to households in the Gladstone that of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Region who have a residential letterbox. The continuing Council's record in recent years night on the township's social calendar, at cost of printing and distributing the newsletter of keeping rates increases below CPI Chapman Park, Calliope, on September is 48.6 cents per household per edition. growth. 29-30. Council will also charge the water, There's always plenty on offer for residents sewerage and service components of the and visitors in the Gladstone Region. 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 Councillor Councillor 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 Councillor Councillor Councillor Phone: 0437 642 081 Phone: 0448 885 047 Phone: 0412 544 201 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Council staff compost Ecofest waste Biodegradable materials left over from Ecofest 2017 are now, for the first time, being composted at Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens. A biodegradable retaining bin was built prior to the event using hay bales, organic fertiliser pellets and lawn clippings. The biodegradable event materials have since been added to the mix and will now be composted over the next six to 12 months. Once ready, the compost will be used in the gardens to enhance soil fertility and plant health. Popular lookouts receive smart new look The initiative was made possible thanks to Council's Tondoon Botanic Gardens Gladstone city's popular Auckland Point the car park and bus stop areas. and Conservation and Cleansing teams. and Round Hill scenic lookouts now The $110,000 Auckland Hill upgrade offer enhanced visitor experiences after included the redesign of the facility undergoing extensive upgrade works to optimise pedestrian access and completed in May and June. improve parking including provision for Visitors to the Round Hill Lookout will motorcycles, the installation of a large notice the installation of a series of regional information sign, and resurfacing interpretive and regional information of the car park and bus stop areas. signs designed to identify various points of Both projects were completed with interest which are visible from the site. assistance from the State Government's Points of interest include natural features Scenic Lookout Upgrade Program which and locations, townships and industrial provided $100,000 for the Round Hill sites, all of which are identified by use of Lookout upgrade and $50,000 for the a numbered pin drop on a panoramic Auckland Hill Lookout upgrade. image contained on the signs, and are The program was designed to help accompanied by additional information. councils throughout Queensland revitalise The $200,000 Round Hill upgrade existing lookouts in order to promote consisted of the provision of bench seats, tourism and it is hoped that visitors to picnic tables and waste facilities, repair Gladstone, as well as residents, will make and cleaning of concrete paths and kerbs, greater use of the superb views available at enhanced safety fencing and resurfacing of both venues. Rate notices for the past financial year now available online Rate notices for the previous financial year www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/OnlineServices are now available online to registered Once your entered details have been users of Council's Online Services website. matched with Council's rates database, The availability was delivered in time for you will receive a confirmation email 2016-17 tax return lodgements, to enable enabling you to sign in to Online Services ratepayers to conveniently source rate and access your rate notice by clicking expenses for their business or investment 'Rates Enquiry' under the 'General Enquiry' properties. menu item. To view rate notices online, ratepayers Rate notices for the current financial year will need to sign in as a registered user of will be available online soon after their Online Services. postal issue in August. If not already registered, ratepayers can Rate notices issued before last year are not request to become a user by clicking the available online but can be requested by 'Register for online services' button on phoning Council on 4970 0700. Council's free Community Services Directory now available Council's 2017-2018 Community Services Directory is available for free across the Gladstone Region. The popular community resource lists contact details for a broad range of general community services, which includes special interest, sporting and recreation groups and health and support services for all ages. Information in the directory is updated and published annually by Council as a free community service. Each year not-for-profit groups and organisations are invited to promote their Register before breeding cats or dogs contact details and general information at no cost. Government bodies are working In addition, Council has introduced cat together to reinforce responsible pet breeding approvals to align with the The sought-after booklets are available ownership and put a stop to backyard State Government changes. from Council's customer service centres, breeding. regional libraries, rural transaction centres As at June 16, 2017, all pet owners and the Community Advisory Service. The State Government, on May who wish to breed their cat are 26, 2017, introduced new animal required to seek approval from Council Electronically, the directory can be management laws that require pet under the new local law amendment. accessed online via Council's website, or owners who wish to breed their dog to can be viewed on tablet or mobile devices Once approval is granted, cat owners register as a breeder.