Somerset Regional Council Weekly Highlights – 31 October 2016

Nominate a Somerset Resident for an Australia Day Award

Somerset residents are being encouraged to recognise the outstanding contributions of fellow residents by nominating them for a 2017 Australia Day Award.

The annual awards are held to acknowledge residents and groups who have made a considerable contribution to  the community.

Somerset Regional Council invites nominations in six categories – Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Event of the Year, Australia Day Sports Award, Australia Day Arts and Cultural Award and Community Group of the Year.

Nominations for each of the categories are open from now until 5pm on Friday, 9 December.

The Australia Day Awards ceremony will be held on Australia Day in 2017 at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.

Nomination forms are available from Council offices, by phoning (07) 5424 4000 or online at www.somerset.qld.gov.au.

Learn to Help Native Animals at This Week’s Esk Cuppa and Chat

The Esk Community Connection Point is holding their next Cuppa and Chat on Friday, 4 November at 10.30am.

This month’s guest speaker, Sue Holmes from FAUNA will provide information on how to recognise when a native animal is in need of assistance and what to do when you see an injured native animal.

This community event is supported by Somerset Regional Council and is free to attend.

For more information contact Council on (07) 5424 4000.

Lowood QGAP Operating Hours Have Changed

Somerset Regional Council wants to remind residents of changes to the operational hours of the Queensland Government Agency Program (QGAP) in Lowood.

Council undertakes the QGAP functions on behalf of the state government offering services from its Lowood Customer Service Centre on the corner of Michel and Main Streets.

All QGAP services at the Lowood centre are no longer available from 12pm to 2pm.

Services offered by the Lowood QGAP branch are available between the hours of 9am to midday and 2pm to 4pm from Monday through to Friday.

These changes came into effect on Tuesday, 1 November.

Emergency Health Workshop on in Esk This Thursday

Learn to recognise and respond to the symptoms of common health problems at a workshop in Esk this Thursday, 3 November.

Toogoolawah Ambulance Station officer in charge, Tanya King, will present an hour long workshop on how to recognise some common health warning signs for heart attacks, stroke, epilepsy and snake bites.

The health workshop will be held at the Esk Visitor Information Centre from 11am.

Residents interested in learning basic emergency health information are encouraged to attend the free session.

For more information about the health workshop contact Council on (07) 5424 4000.

Councillor Report 26 October 2016

Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 26 October 2016

Agenda Item # 5 Matters of Public Interest

29 October         Billy Tea & Damper Big Breakfast & Bush Poetry – Toogoolawah Anglican Church

29 October         Day in the Vines – C & K Kilcoy Kindergarten

03 November    Craft Morning – Esk CWA

06 November    Car & Bike Show – Fernvale

12 November    Pig Races, Harlin Hotel

12 November    Caboonbah Undenominational Church Annual Service

12 November    Lowood Show Society Dinner Dance

Agenda Item #34 Councillor Report Meetings/Functions attended

13 October         On-site meeting – Coominya

13 October         Meeting at Kilcoy re: Funding opportunities for tourism

16 October         140 Years of Lutheran Worship Lowood

18/20 October  LGAQ Annual Conference – Gold Coast

25 October         Interagency Meeting – Kilcoy

25 October         Meeting with Kilcoy RSL President

On-site meeting – Coominya

It was a pleasure to take part in the meeting which was well supported by Councillors and Town Planning staff.  Potential business owners often need assistance and guidance to understand the processes required to obtain town planning consent.

140 Years of Lutheran Worship Lowood

The Trinity Lutheran Church Lowood celebrated 140 years of worship by offering a service and an unveiling of the Commemoration Plaque at the Lowood Cemetery (Bethel Cemetery) and a Holy Communion Service in the Trinity Lutheran Church Lowood.  The ceremony was followed by a fellowship Lunch.  The experience was most uplifting and many past residents travelled back to Lowood to take part in the celebrations.  I wish to congratulate the commemoration organisers.

LGAQ Annual Conference – Gold Coast

The conference was well supported by Somerset Regional Council with five Councillors attending.  The Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP opened the conference and there were many keynote speakers who had valuable information to share with the conference delegates.  It was interesting to witness some of the debate that occurred around the motions submitted by Queensland Councils.

The draft South East Queensland Regional Plan was released at the conference, which unveils a 50 year vision for the South East, with a focus on community, affordable living, future jobs and maximising existing infrastructure.  Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad said it was developed through extensive consultation with the region’s 12 councils, industry and the community.    The SEQ Regional Plan reflects the values, needs and great ideas of the community and was developed in close partnership with the region’s 12 Mayors and South East Queenslanders.

Jackie Trad also announced the State would pay its 25 per cent share of the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding that is owed to councils in plant and equipment costs.  Queensland councils will now ramp up pressure on the Commonwealth to follow the Palaszczuk Government’s lead and reimburse unpaid plant and equipment costs for disaster recovery works.  It is estimated that the reimbursement is worth about $2.5 million to more than 30 councils from reconstruction works performed in 2014. 

Somerset Dam to produce renewable energy for SEQ again

A major refurbishment of the Somerset Hydro-Electric Plant will increase Seqwater’s capacity to produce renewable energy for the state’s electricity grid.  The plant, which first generated power in 1954, has not been operational since it was inundated by the January 2011 floods.  The $11.6 million restoration, once completed, would increase the capacity of the plant from 3.2 to 4.1 megawatts.  Hydro-electricity is the second largest source of large-scale renewable energy in Queensland.

MEGA BRIDGE OPENING

MEGA BRIDGE OPENING – Congratulations to the previous Council and to the two levels of Government – Federal and State for this economic building and socially benefiting initiative!

Hine Road, Dundas

Click on the following link (photo-book highlighted in blue) to see before and after photographs of the bridges:  photo-book 

Wednesday, 26 October 2016

Scrubby Creek Bridge, Villeneuve Road, Villeneuve – jointly funded by the Australian government and Somerset Regional Council under the Bridges Renewal Program.

Total cost $927,000.  (BRP $464,000, Council $463,000).  

Jenkinsons Bridge, McCauleys Lane, Sandy Creek – jointly funded by the Australian government and Somerset Regional Council under the Bridges Renewal Program.

Total cost $770,000.  (BRP $385,000, Council $385,000).

Taylors Bridge, Esk Crows Nest Road, Biarra – jointly funded by the Australian government and Somerset Regional Council under the Bridges Renewal Program.

Total cost $1,722,000  (BRP $861,000, Council $861,000). 

Macfarlane Road, Bryden

Postmans Gully Bridge, Macfarlane Road, Bryden – jointly funded by the Queensland government and Somerset Regional Council under the Royalties for the Regions Program.

Total cost $768,000  (R4RP $538,000, Council $230,000).

 Northbrook Creek Rock Causeway, Hine Road, Dundas – jointly funded by the Queensland government and Somerset Regional Council under the Royalties for the Regions Program.

Total cost $257,000  (R4RP $180,000, Council $77,000).

 Northbrook Creek Timber Bridge refurbishment, Hine Road, Dundas – jointly funded by the Queensland government and Somerset Regional Council under the Royalties for the Regions Program.

Total cost $482,000  (R4RP $337,000, Council $145,000).

 Hardings concrete causeway, Grieves Road, Colinton – jointly funded by the Queensland government and Somerset Regional Council under the Royalties for the Regions Program.

Total cost $699,000  (R4RP $489,000, Council $210,000).

Duck Creek Bridge, Cooeeimbardi Road, Cressbrook –funded by the Australian government under the Roads to Recovery Program.   Total cost $552,000 (R2RP $552,000)

Fredrikson Bridge, Monsildale Road, Sheep Station Creek – jointly funded by the Australian government, Queensland government and Somerset Regional Council under the Betterment Program.

Total cost $1,100,000 (QRA $800,000, Council $300,000).

Somerset Regional Council Weekly Highlights

Somerset Regional Council Weekly Highlights

Kilcoy Community Share Meal on This Thursday

Somerset Regional Council is again supporting Kilcoy’s monthly community share meal. The community share meal is being held on Thursday, 27 October from 12.30pm until 2.30pm at the Kilcoy Information Centre. The meal provides a great opportunity for Somerset residents to meet new people and sample different dishes. For more information about this event contact Council on (07) 5424 4000.

Somerset Council to Meet on Wednesday

Somerset Regional Council will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, 26 October at Esk.

Meetings are held in the Simeon Lord Room at the Esk Library off Heap Street, Esk starting at 9am.

Meetings are open to the public and agendas are available from Council’s website: www.somerset.qld.gov.au.

Learn to Help Native Animals at Esk’s Next Cuppa and Chat

The Esk Community Connection Point is holding their next Cuppa and Chat on Friday, 4 November at 10.30am.

Guest speaker, Sue Holmes, from FAUNA will provide information on how to recognise when a native animal is in need of assistance and what to do when you see an injured native animal.

This community event is supported by Somerset Regional Council and is free to attend.

For more information contact Council on (07) 5424 4000.

Nominations are now open for Somerset’s 2016 Australia Day awards

Somerset residents are being encouraged to recognise the outstanding contributions of fellow residents by nominating them for one of six awards.

Nominations are invited for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Event of the Year, Sports Award, Community Group of the Year and Arts and Cultural Award.

Nomination forms are available from Somerset Regional Council offices at Esk, Lowood and Kilcoy or from www.somerset.qld.gov.au.

Nominations close 5pm Friday, 9 December.

Somerset Council Will Hold Next Wild Dog Baiting Day in November

Somerset Regional Council will hold its next 1080 wild dog baiting day on Monday, 14 November.

Baiting stations will be located at Middle Creek, Bryden and Kilcoy Showgrounds from 7.30am until 9am and at the Fernvale Campdraft Grounds and Moore Pony Club Grounds from 10.30 until 12pm.

Participants are reminded that their property must be at least 40 hectares and more than five km from the nearest town.

Baits cannot be laid within 50m of a roadway or within five meters of a boundary fence and neighbours should be given notification of the intention of laying baits.

For bookings or enquiries phone Council on (07) 5424 4000.

Changes to QGAP Operating Hours to Take Effect Soon

Somerset Regional Council wants to remind residents of changes to the operational hours of the Queensland Government Agency Program (QGAP) in Lowood.

Council undertakes the QGAP functions on behalf of the state government offering services from its Lowood Customer Service Centre on the corner of Michel and Main Streets.

As of Tuesday, 1 November 2016 all QGAP services at the Lowood centre will no longer be available from 12pm to 2pm.

Services offered by the Lowood QGAP branch will only be available between the hours of 9am to midday and 2pm to 4pm from Monday through to Friday.

Community at the heart of new vision for South East Queensland

Community at the heart of new vision for South East Queensland

The draft South East Queensland Regional Plan released today, unveils a 50 year vision for the South East, with a focus on community, affordable living, future jobs and maximising existing infrastructure.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad said it was developed through extensive consultation with the region’s 12 councils, industry and the community.

“It’s vital that the SEQ Regional Plan reflects the values, needs and great ideas of the community which is why we worked in close partnership with the region’s 12 Mayors and consulted with South East Queenslanders to develop this draft plan,” Ms Trad said.

“The population of South East Queensland is expected to grow to over 5.3 million people in the next 25 years and the draft SEQ Regional Plan is all about catering for this growth sustainably.

“We are looking, for the first time, beyond the boundary of a 25-year plan and have developed a 50-year vision that looks ahead to the region’s longer-term future and how SEQ responds to global changes.

“Throughout the State we are seeing innovative new industries emerge, the delivery of exciting urban renewal precincts and more and more people choosing to call Queensland home.

“Through smart planning we can ensure that we are ready to capitalise on the transition to a services and knowledge driven economy. That means a lift in economic growth and more jobs for Queenslanders.”

Ms Trad said one of the important features of the draft SEQ Regional Plan was a focus on unlocking land that has been identified for urban development but has so far been underutilised.

“The draft plan focuses on affordable living – not just affordable housing – and looks at the way that people interact with their community and the services around them.

“We have identified areas of regional economic significance throughout the southeast to facilitate economic growth outside the major employment hubs and enable people to work and live closer to home.

“Unlocking land already within the urban footprint is critical, ensuring that there is less demand for expanding into our natural environment.

“We want the SEQ Regional Plan to be shaped by South East Queenslanders and I encourage the community to have their say during upcoming consultation sessions across the region or online.”

Some new areas of focus for the draft SEQ Regional Plan are:

•          Employment benchmarks to ensure areas of future urban growth are identified
•          Greater housing choice – ensures housing diversity meets the changing make-up of our population
•          Smart infrastructure investment – public and active transport will be prioritised as a means of accessing      local services and employment. The SEQ Regional Plan will inform future State Infrastructure Plan updates
•          Identifying areas of regional significance where we can attract investment and high-value economic activities
•          Identifying and protecting regional biodiversity corridors

Residents across South East Queensland are being called on to have their say on the draft plan with extended public consultation open until 3 March 2017.

There will be 22 community events where residents can talk to a planner in each of the 12 council areas.

For more information on the draft SEQ Regional Plan, the public consultation and the community events: www.qld.gov.au/shapingseq

ENDS

Council Launches New Disaster Management Dashboard

Councillor Report – Council Meeting 12 October 2016

Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 12 October 2016

Agenda Item # 5 Matters of Public Interest

13 October         Kilcoy Historical Society Monthly Meeting

14 October         Stage III Plantings at Yowie Park, Kilcoy

15 October         Kay Avery Bowls Day, Kilcoy

15 October          Bad Moms Night, Toogoolawah

16 October         140^th Anniversary Trinity Lutheran Church Lowood

16 October         Bollywood – The colours, The music, The dance, Kilcoy RSL

25 October         Interagency Meeting, Kilcoy

25 October         Toogoolawah High School Annual Awards

26 October         Lowood High School Annual Presentation Night

Agenda Item #28 Councillor Report Meetings/Functions attended

1/2 October       Somerset Relay for Life, Kilcoy

5 October            Brisbane Valley Heritage Trail Monthly Meeting, Wyvill’s Museum, Yarraman

5 October            Meeting with Kilcoy Golf Club executive

5 October            On-site meeting Kilcoy Sports Centre

8 October            Mt Kilcoy State School P & C Spring Fair

8 October            Skydive Ramblers Drop Zone official opening of 2016 Equinox Boogie International Skydiving & Music Festival

10 October         Brisbane Valley Kilcoy Landcare Group Monthly Meeting

10 October         On Site Meeting Staghurst Road, Gregors Creek

12 October         Kilcoy State High School Council Meeting

Somerset Relay for Life

Congratulations and sincere heartfelt thanks to all who supported this very worthy fundraising event.  Mayor Lehmann, Crs. Hall, Choat, Whalley and myself offered support to the Somerset Relay for Life event and to our team known as the “Council Crusaders”.  Our team was successful with taking out the award for The Best Dressed Team, wearing our purple tutus and yellow footy socks.  I would like to thank Brenda Fagan and her team of very helpful council staff who finalised all the needs to bring our team to life.  The 2016 event was supported by eleven teams and at the time of writing this report, a total of $23,511 has been raised, with a final goal of raising $30,000.  The 2015 event was supported by sixteen teams and raised over $35,000 in support of Cancer Council Queensland.  The amount of fund raising has been a staggering achievement for the small community of Kilcoy, however it is unreasonable to expect the community to support the event three years in succession.  Therefore, I strongly encourage the southern part of our region to seriously consider hosting the 2017 Somerset Relay for Life.   In the past five years, Relayers in Australia have raised over $108,000,000 for Cancer Council.

Mt Kilcoy State School P & C Spring Fair

I was very pleased to witness the achievement of lots of people and a State Government grant to secure the Kelly Blunt Oval at the Mt Kilcoy State School, which was officially opened at the fair.  There were lots of stalls, interesting games and entertainment provided by this tightknit schooling community.  It was a very special experience and provided me with an opportunity to acknowledge and reflect on the effort made by a wise group of people who formed a committee in February 1908 to establish a provisional school at Mt Kilcoy.  My Great Grandfather, George Adsett was also a member of the committee. The small school building measuring 24ft by 16ft with two verandahs each 7ft wide was opened on 18^th January 1909.  Four generations of my family have attended this highly regarded state school.

Skydive Ramblers Drop Zone official opening of 2016 Equinox Boogie International Skydiving & Music Festival

I wish to personally thank the Ramblers for their kind invitation to attend the official opening of Equinox Boogie.  I enjoyed chatting with members and hearing many stories about the passion they share for this extreme sport.  Somerset is fortunate to have this dynamic group located within its boundaries.

Council Meeting Highlights 12 October 2016

Where are all the Candidates

The photo was taken at the Meet the Candidates night held at Fernvale leading up to the elections in March this year.

3 Mayoral Candidates and 15 Councillor Candidates