Australia Day Awards Nomination Date Extended
The deadline for North Burnett Regional Australia Day Award nominations has been extended to Sunday 11 December 2022, so there is still time to put forward your local hero for an Australia Day Award. Online nomination forms can be found on Council’s website here: https://northburnett.qld.gov.au/australia-day-awards-and-nominations/
Wandering Livestock Policy Review
Council invites community feedback on the draft Wandering Livestock Policy. The purpose of the consultation process is to develop a policy that clearly outlines the responsibilities of livestock owners in relation to wandering livestock that are on fenced road reserves. The policy does not deal with wandering cattle on property between grids in its owner’s paddock. The policy also addresses the scope of North Burnett Regional Council’s obligations. This includes the obligations of landowners and Council pursuant to the Stock Route Management Act 2002 and Council’s local laws.
The policy will play a critical role in ensuring that a transparent and consistent approach towards wandering livestock is set in place and will provide certainty in relation to the responsibilities of both Council and livestock owners. A copy of the draft policy can be found at your local Customer Service and Library Centre or by phoning 1300 696 272.
Water & Wastewater Update
Water and Wastewater teams are currently engaged in the following:
- Water Meter Reading – Council are on target to complete all readings before the end of year break.
- Water Dispensers – Electricians will commence fitting computers to water dispensers, when batteries arrive early next week, and will commission the four (4) sites, commencing with Biggenden, followed by Gayndah, Mundubbera and Eidsvold.
- Wide Bay Burnett Urban Water Alliance – On Thursday 29 November 2022, Council staff travelled to the Wide Bay Burnett Urban Water Alliance (WBBUWA) Regional Operators’ Forum in Bundaberg. Council staff made two (2) presentations that were well received and took advantage of the opportunity to make industry connections with some of the more than fifty operational staff from around the WBBUWA region.
Tours of two (2) new large treatment plants on the day, also gave them the opportunity to see how other councils operate their treatment processes. North Burnett was nominated and accepted the privilege of hosting the forum next year. This will provide another opportunity to showcase the great work our teams do here, and the region in general.
Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant Update
The Queensland Government is continuing to show its support for the small business sector, by extending the application deadline for the Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants.
South East Queensland primary producers, businesses and non-profit organisations impacted by rainfall and flooding between February and April 2022 have more time to apply with the application deadline extended to 10 March 2023.
Grants of up to $75,000 are available for primary producers, and $50,000 for small businesses and not-for-profit organisations. These grants are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and are designed to assist with the costs of clean-up, and reinstatement of operations.
For eligibility criteria and information on how to apply, visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au, or call 1800 623 946, or email via the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) contact page.
Rural Economic Development Grants
Round five expressions of interest are now open for the Rural Economic Development (RED) Grants. The grants offer up to $200,000 as a co-contribution to strengthen primary production sectors and bolster rural communities. Round five opened on 9 November 2022 and will close on 30 January 2023. You can find expression of interest forms and other relevant documents on the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority at: https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au.
Eidsvold State School Yumbin Leaders Visit
On Wednesday 30 November 2022, I had the privilege of meeting the Eidsvold State School Yumbin leaders, principal and staff to discuss the concerns and ideas the Yumbin leaders had for the town of Eidsvold. It was wonderful to see their passion and dedication to their town. The leaders raised the following:
- Harkness Boundary Bridge and the safety concerns
- New playground equipment at the Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre
- Additional shops in Eidsvold, such as butcher and baker
- Building a Bora Ring (dance ring) near the skate park
- Eidsvold tennis/basketball courts are in disrepair
- Bridge on northern side of BP service station is closed, could it be reopened?
I have written back to the Eidsvold State School Yumbin leaders, advising that Council has advocated on the community’s behalf for items that Council can practically affect, and that a final response from relevant Government Departments will be forwarded to the school, in due course.
Mount Perry Art Exhibition – The Originators
The opening of the new exhibition at the Mount Perry Art Gallery was held on Saturday 3 December 2022. President Helen Downs welcomed Ron Miller and June McCotter, two (2) of the artists whose paintings are part of the exhibition.
Approximately 30 people attended and took part in congratulating both these artists who were also awarded life membership. Travellers and community are encouraged to visit this art exhibition during 9:00am to 2:00pm Tuesday to Thursday each week at the Shelley Kelly Gallery in the Pat Augustine Cultural Centre, 58 Heusman Street, Mount Perry QLD.
Civil Works Update
This week, Civil Works will continue with existing grading work and also commence new works on the following roads:
- Maintenance Grading Zone 2 – Folleys Gully Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 4 – Branch Creek Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 5 – Calrossie Road, Rockybar Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 6 – Cedar Creek Road, Hollywell Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 7 – Lochaber Road, Dempsters Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 8 – Millers Road, North Pattens Road
- Construction Crew North – Continuing Monto-Mt Perry Stabilisation Package
- Construction Crew South – Pavement repairs on Gayndah – Mundubbera Road
Deep Creek Bridge (Pile Gully Road): Fire damage repaired and scheduled to reopen this week to normal operation.
Wetheron Creek Bridge (Wilson Valley Road): Repairs commencing, scheduled for completion 23 December (weather permitting).
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