Progress Report on the Abercorn Road Intersection
Council’s Northern construction crew has taken over the delivery of the remainder of the Abercorn intersection upgrade due to contractor resourcing issues which have seen multiple delays on the project. Council would like to thank community members for their patience during construction. Council anticipates the project will be complete around the 9th of November (weather permitting).
Monto Mount Perry Road Update
The CEO, Cr Dingle and I met with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in July this year and the matter of the Monto-Mount Perry Road was discussed. The TMR advised us that the Monto-Mount Perry roadworks should be completed and the road re-opened prior to Christmas. The current work scheduled by TMR falls approximately 5kms short of the entire road length. We have been advised that TMR are currently finalising the design for the remaining 5km of sealing. Council continues to advocate for the full length of the road to be sealed, and we will be meeting with the TMR again later this year.
Paradise Dam Camping
North Burnett Regional Council currently has a licence agreement for land at Paradise Dam which is used for public access and recreation as a part of a formal agreement with Sunwater. Council and Sunwater are currently in discussion to end that licence. Following resolution of that matter, Sunwater is looking to maintain ongoing recreational access and will provide more detail in due course.
25 Years Celebration of the Ceratodus Rest Area and Relocation of Rail Buildings to the Site
In 1997 the former Ceratodus railway station was relocated to the Burnett Highway and the rest area facilities were built by Council for visitors wanting to stop overnight. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Ceratodus Rest Area with its railway buildings. This rest area commemorates George Spencer, who was an early settler of Ceratodus. The rest area is popular with travellers to the region, with excellent facilities provided by Council for free, including flushing toilets, non-potable water, rubbish bins, picnic tables and barbecue facilities. Visitors can stop for up to 20 hours at the Ceratodus rest area.
Proposed NBN Upgrade Project in the North Burnett
Over the next two years NBN Co is investing $750 million to upgrade every fixed wireless tower in Australia. The upgrade will use 4G and 5G technology which will expand the wireless footprint by up to 50% and offer new higher speed services of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) to all premises and a 250 Mbps service available to 85 per cent of premises. North Burnett Regional Council was successful in securing Commonwealth Government Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grant funding for the installation of a hybrid power cube at Mount Perry. Hybrid Power Cubes combine solar, battery, and diesel generator technologies.
They are designed to provide sustained backup power for the fixed wireless facilities during natural disasters. As part of the upgrade, there will also be changes to the data allowances for customers on the Sky Muster satellite service. The Centre for Regional Economies and Supply Chains (CRESC), CQ University has released their Regional Digital Action Plans survey, to find out perspectives on issues related to digital connectivity in the Wide Bay Burnett region. The survey is open until 4 October. You can find the link to the survey here.
Biggenden Wall of Fame and Pioneer Walk
The Pioneer Wall and Hall of Fame at Beiers Park shares the story of Biggenden’s settling and pioneering families and honours their contribution to Biggenden and surrounding community. On On Saturday 24th September, Cr Giddins attended the opening of Stage 2 of the Biggenden Wall of Fame and Pioneer Walk in Beiers Park. A beautiful clear and sunny morning saw approximately 150 family members and friends of the newly inducted names and residents attend. Biggenden resident, Moria Thompson spoke of how important it is, to record the early history of the Biggenden and surrounding areas for future generations. She thanked Council for their continued support of the project which is situated in Beiers Park.
Roadworks Update
During the week commencing 19 September 2022, Civil Works will be carrying out the following work (weather permitting):
- Maintenance Grading Zone 1 – Knights Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 2 – continuing Glencoe Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 4 – continuing Bania Road – Emergent Works
- Maintenance Grading Zone 6 – Reids Creek Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 7 – Gilberts Road, Crooked Creek Road, Mount Debateable Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 8 – Obil Bil Road, Coonambula Eidsvold Road, Crisps Road
- Construction Crew North – continuing Abercorn Intersection – Construction
- Construction Crew South – continuing Berries Road – TIDS Re-sheet
- Resource Crews South – continuing Monogorilby Road – Resheet (Yesberg Earthmoving)
You can check on the status of all works on our website at www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/future-road-works.
As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly on 0458 696 272 or cr.les.hotz@northburnett.qld.gov.au or your divisional councillor if you would like to address any concerns. Our contact details can be found on Council’s website www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/meet-your-councillors
Media Contact
1300 696 272 | media@northburnett.qld.gov.au