resident newsletter - october 2012
DESCRIPTION
Toowoomba Regional Council Resident NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
YOUROC TOBER 2012
PROJECTCHANGETH
E
PROJECTCHANGETH
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Be ActiveHEARTMOVES & AQUA FIT CLASSES
* CHANGE groups include: People who are not in the paid workforce; People who work part-time or casually; Older adults (60 years and over); Culturally and linguistically diverse populations; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Where When ContactCambooya Ladies Bowls Club: Lucy St, Cambooya
Monday 9.30am - 10.30am
Pauline P: 4637 2676E: [email protected]
Brownesholme Village: Highfields Rd, Highfields
Tuesday 9.30am - 10.15am
Jan P: 0400 270 334 E: [email protected]
Dr Price Room: 6 Little St, Toowoomba
Wednesday 4.30pm - 5.30pm
Trudy P: 0448 612 198 E: [email protected]
Shapes Women’s Gym: Central Plaza, Highfields
Friday 10.30am - 11.30am
Jan P: 0400 270 334 E: [email protected]
Willows: 55-57 Kitchener St, Toowoomba
Wednesday 11.00am - noon
Amy P: 4638 3777 E: [email protected]
Trinity Church Hall: 268 Hume St, Toowoomba
Tuesday 5.15pm - 6.15pm
Pauline P: 4637 2676E: [email protected]
Nobby Hall: Sister Kenny St, Nobby
Wednesday 10:30am to 11:30am Start date: 17/10/12
Pauline P: 4637 2676 E: [email protected]
SDA Church: 669 Greenwattle St, Glenvale
Thursday 9:30am - 10:30am Start date: 18/10/12
Pauline P: 4637 2676 E: [email protected]
Clifton Memorial Pool: King St, Clifton
Wednesday9am to 10amStart date: 17/10/12
Pauline P: 4637 2676E: [email protected]
NEW
NEW
NEW
Cost per class: $3 - CHANGE groups*, $7 - Public
In Octoberacross the region
October 6-7 Australian Camp Oven Festival at Millmerran Showgrounds. Camp oven cooking competitions, entertainment, damper throwing, billy boiling. Entry: $20 Saturday, $15 Sunday
October 12-14Pittsworth Craft & Fine Food Spectacular, Pittsworth Town Hall, Yandilla Street. Craft, food products from 60 exhibitors. Free entry.
October 132012 Pathways to Sustainable Expo, Toowoomba TAFE, Bridge Street. Information displays, farmers’ markets, eco-art workshops, trade exhibits. Free entry.
October 12-21Crows News Festival, various venues. Scarecrow competition, worm race, fireworks, quilt show and more.
WHAT’S
Free entry to Centenary Park for Crows Nest Day, October 20.
October 19-27Clifton Country Week, various venues. Family events include Iris and Rose Show, markets, lead lighting displays, car rally, golf, fashion parade, garden comp and much more. Entry fees varies.
October 26Rocktober, F E Logan Hall, Clifton. A youth event for those aged between 10-17. Four bands over three hours. Entry: $5
For more details visit www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/events
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Domestic customers will have free disposal of self-haul general household waste and greenwaste along with extended operating hours at all staffed Toowoomba Regional Council waste facilities from October 1, 2012.
The new waste service arrangements were announced at Council’s 2012/13 Budget meeting in late August.
Budget allocations reflected proposals from Council’s Moderate Waste Management Strategy that was conducted late last year.
The main strategy outcomes about to be implemented include:• Freedisposalofgeneralhousehold
waste and greenwaste for self-haul domestic customers at all TRC waste facilities from October 1, 2012;
• Extendedopeninghoursatstaffedwaste disposal facilities from October 1, 2012;
Residents will benefit from extended operating hours at staffed regional waste management facilities, which will open from 8am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-5pm on weekends.
Toowoomba’s Bedford Street Waste Management Centre will continue to open from 7am-5pm weekdays and from 8am to 5pm on weekends.
Free waste disposal for self-haul domestic customers, longer operating hours
Street tree, criterium projects win awardsTwo key Council projects received a big tick of approval from Parks and Leisure Australia/Queensland (PLAQ) at a recent workshop in Ipswich.
The projects were recognised with regional awards.
The Toowoomba Street Tree Master Plan was acknowledged under the Sustainable Initiatives category and the Toowoomba Cycling Criterium Track was judged under the Design, Development and Management award for leisure facilities.
The Street Tree Master Plan outlines ways to enhance and guide Toowoomba’s Garden City image and direct urban tree planting across the region for the next 50 years.
It maps streets in all urban areas and lists the most suitable species to plant in different locations and which ones can adapt and survive in different conditions.
The $2.34 million criterium track was a joint project between Council, the State Government and the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RAS).
The circuit is a world-class facility which has six different configurations starting from 350m. A stage of this year’s FKG Tour of Toowoomba finished at the track.
The venue is open free to public use unless the track has been booked for specific uses.
Council’s Planning and Development and Infrastructure staff were heavily involved in respective projects.
Both projects were presented to the annual PLA conference in Newcastle in mid September. The national awards were announced at the function.
MONTHLYFlood recovery moves onAbout one third of the region’s NDRRA fl ood recovery projects are now complete. The main focus is presently on northern and southern parts of the region. Three Mile, Maria Creek, Krugers-Mt Darry and Moran Rds and Cockatoo Creek bridge in the north, Willow Springs, Dungannon, Venz and Pilton Valley Rds in the south and Bain Court in Torrington are on track for completion by end of October. Works packages around Millmerran, Quinalow and Greenmount are in progress or about to start. For details, please visit www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/ndrra NDRRA fl ood recovery works are funded 75% by the federal government and 25% by the state. Motorists are urged to take care and observe signs near work sites.
Kingsthorpe medical serviceKingsthorpe area residents now have extended access to medical and allied health care at their local medical centre. Under a new three year building lease with TRC, Oakey doctors operating the Cherry St Medical Centre have taken over the Kingsthorpe Medical Centre as a 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday business.
Like Libraries to win iPod & iPadJust by ‘liking’ Toowoomba Regional Libraries Facebook page, you can be in the running to win an 8GB Apple iPod touch or a 16GB iPad. The iPod touch competition closes 31 October while the iPad competition closes 1 January 2013. All entrants must be current members of the TRC library service.
Sign up for NZ Master Games Toowoomba’s Sister City Wanganui next year hosts the New Zealand Masters Games from February 1-10. Residents are welcome to sign up for a wide range of competitive or social activities. Anyone from 20 to 80 is welcome to enter. Enquiries can be directed to 131 872. Entry forms and information are available at www.nzmg.com
Sign up for Crows Nest SES Crows Nest SES unit is keen to hear from people interested in volunteering. People are welcome at training sessions from 7-9pm on Mondays (except school and public holidays). Training is held at the Crows Nest Industrial Centre in Timber Street. For details, please call Paul Kerans on 0488 441 427.
MONTHLYCurator discusses worksToowoomba Regional Art Gallery will host a Curator’s talk by Megan Bottari on October 21 at 1.30pm for the touring exhibition Tour de Force: In Case Of Emergency Break Glass. Megan’s talk will provide an informative and entertaining insight into the exhibition.
Try Milne Bay classes at Open Day Join a free trial at Toowoomba’s Milne Bay Gym and Fitness on Saturday, October 6. Try group power from 8.30-9.30am; a group ride from 9.45-10.45am or group core from 11-11.30am. Free blood pressure checks and general fitness assessments will be conducted by qualified fitness trainers. Full use of gym facilities is allowed, but the offer does not include use of the centre’s pools.
Check pets for ticks Pet owners should perform daily tick checks on animals. Residents living along the Range in particular should be vigilant. Ticks can cause vomiting, respiratory distress, paralysis and death in affected animals. Try removing ticks or if your pet is showing signs of tick poisoning visit a vet.
Pet owners are reminded to ensure animals are registered. This allows council to return lost animals to owners.
Tidy yards reduce health risks Overgrown property is unsightly and can be a nuisance and a danger to neighbours and the community. All residents have a responsibility to keep their properties neat and tidy. Proper maintenance removes places for vermin to breed and reduce health risks. Overgrown land can be reported to council on 131 872.
Council meetings The next round of committee meetings will be Tuesday 9 and Wednesday, October 10. The Ordinary Meeting of Council is held on the third Tuesday of each month, from 4pm. The next Ordinary Meeting of Council is on Tuesday, October 16. All meetings are held at City Hall, Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.
After hours emergenciesDon’t forget, in a life-threatening situation call triple zero (000) but for matters such as burst water mains, blocked sewers or dog attacks after hours please contact council’s emergency number 131 872.
SES volunteers awarded Humane Society medal
Rick Debney (pictured left), James Ross.
they will be presented to Mr Ross and Mr Debney in April or May next year at Government House in Brisbane.
Both men were humble in their reactions to winning the medal. Mr Ross said the two flood boat rescues were part of being an SES volunteer.
“You go out and do these things but it is very exciting to be recognised. It (the award) makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
Mr Debney said that while he was flattered to win the medal, it was not the reason he was in the SES.
“We just get out and do the job but I guess it does feel good that we get a pat on the back.”
Two volunteers from the Cecil Plains Group within Council’s SES Unit have been awarded the Bronze Medal from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for their actions during the 2010/2011 floods.
Cecil Plains group leader James (Jimbo) Ross and member Frederick (Rick) Debney were singled out for their brave actions on 28 December 2010. That afternoon the men went to the rescue of a family from their flooded home about 10km downstream of Cecil Plains and later that night rescued two men stranded on the roof of their car.
“The Society decided that in recognition of your actions you be awarded the Bronze Medal of the Society,” then Commissioner of Police and Honorary Correspondent of the Society Bob Atkinson wrote in a letter.
The Society awards are normally presented by the Governor and it is anticipated
Over $35,000 will go to local arts projects thanks to funding from the RADF (Regional Arts Development Fund) and CCASF (Community Cultural and Arts Support Fund) announced in September.
Projects involving visual arts, theatre and creative writing are among five projects in the latest RADF round which is a partnership between the Qld Govt and regional councils.
The following projects gained a total of $32,989.45 in this round:• MixtapeTheatreCollective-$6,930• SimonMee,USQVisualArtsAlumni
- $6,050 • ArtsCouncilToowoomba- $14,800 • ToowoombaRepertoryTheatreSociety
- $1,664• AEIOU Foundation - $3,545.45
Two local arts projects were also successful in winning Community Cultural and Arts Support Funding (CCASF) of $2,433.58 in the August 2012 round. Toowoomba Concert Orchestra was granted $1,500 towards the cost
of professional composer fees to commission the writing of a new musical work for the amateur Toowoomba Concert Orchestra.
Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) Inc. was granted $933.58 towards the cost of engaging a facilitator of three eco-art workshops being held at the Pathways to Sustainability Expo at the Southern Qld Institute of TAFE.
In addition, exhibitions officer Ashleigh Bunter won $1,994 to attend the Regional Arts Australia national conference as a panel member to speak about regional arts, ‘Our hub is your place’.
Boost for artists
Cr Scotney and RADF members with successful funding applicants.
Queens Park Plan closer to realityThe realisation of the Queens Park Master Plan is a step closer following the nomination of residents’ top 10 issues concerning the city’s premier public space.
Top public issues include:• Retainopen,tranquilfeeling• Smalleventsarewelcome
• Ensuringparkaccessisvital,especiallyfor the elderly
• Replace‘undesirable’toilets.Toiletsneeded at the Margaret Street play and picnic area.
• Fencethedogoff-leasharea• Ensureappropriatedirectionaland
interpretive signs
Yarraman’s Terry Montague has been recognised for his 35 years’ service to the SES. Mr Montague, 84, still is an active member of the team.
Emergency Management Queensland South West Regional Director Robert Bundy recently presented the award to Mr Montague.
Mr Bundy congratulated Mr Montague for his tireless service to the community.
Mr Montague joined the SES in 1977 and remembers being involved in a number
Age no barrier for SES veteran
Robert Bundy presents Terry with his award
of incidents over the years including the Crows Nest fires.
But his most memorable was the Cooyar floods.
Simple steps stop mozzies Preventative measures around the home can stop the mosquito nuisance.
Mosquitoes not only inflict a sting, but some can carry serious diseases including Dengue Fever and Ross River Virus. Mosquitoes can cause heartworm in dogs.
Still water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Long grass and shady vegetation offer resting places in the heat of the day.
Cleaning up around the home and yard stops mosquitoes breeding. Follow these tips:• Cleanuporthrowawayunwanted
containers• Regularlyemptyandcleanpetbowlsto
remove mosquito eggs before hatching• Preventwateraccumulatinginpot
plants, disused water features, tyres, containers, blocked drains and children’s toys and equipment
• Stockfishpondswithnativefishorinstall a pump and fountain to keep the water moving and the surface of the water disturbed
• Ensurerainwatertanksarescreenedwell (use wire gauze not coarser than 1mm aperture mesh)
• Keeppoolswellchlorinated• Clear,cutovergrowngrassand
vegetation to minimise resting places for adult mosquitoes
• ImproveparkaccessfromMargaretandLindsay streets
• Reduceimpactsoflargeevents• Controlerosion,and• Reducevehicleeffects
The next phase will deliver the Draft Master Plan Report. When it is approved by Council, the draft will be available for community feedback.Dates for the draft presentation will be announced.
PO Box 3021, Toowoomba Village Fair QLD 4350 P 131 TRC (131 872)E [email protected] W www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au
This guide is printed with soy based inks on Ecostar paper stock.
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TRC takes out national gongsIts offi cial Toowoomba Regional Council’s Contact Centre is the best in the country.
Council’s team overcame a strong fi eld to emerge National winners of the 2012 Contact Centre of the Year (in the category of under 30 fulltime employees).
TRC took the honours ahead of the Adelaide City Council, UniSuper and Teachers Health Fund amongst others.
The national award wasn’t the only one of the night, the team also took out the Implementation Category, recognising the delivery of the Customer Service Centre to Council operations, ahead of the National Australia Bank and Sunsuper.
The past year’s fi gures include:• 95%ofenquiriesresolvedatfirst
point of contact• 80%ofcallsansweredin20seconds• 90%overallcustomersatisfaction
The Contact Centre has fi elded more than 150,000 calls since the new customer service structure started.