Councillor Report – Wednesday 24 May 2017
Category : General News
Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 24 May 2017
Agenda Item # 5 Matters of Public Interest
25 May Mobile Hub – Eagle Rise Estate Lowood
25 May Kilcoy Chamber of Commerce & Community Inc. Meeting
26/27 May Esk Show
27 May Glamorgan Vale QWCA Fashion Parade
27 May Kilcoy Hospital Fete & Auction
27 May Lowood Show Ball
27 May Kilcoy Lions Club Change Over Dinner
27 May Harlin State School P&C Cent Auction
02 June Somerset Schools Sports Cup – Toogoolawah
03 June High Tea – Moore Soldiers’ Hall
03 June Lowood Slimmers’ Biggest Morning Tea
04 June Lowood Fernvale Pony Club – Open Sports Day – Fernvale
Postcode 4306 & bizarre associated problems
An e-petition to Federal Parliament has been launched to try again to get Blackbutt’s bizarre postcode troubles fixed by Australia Post. Blackbutt shares its 4306 postcode with Ipswich city which is located 140 km away. The areas don’t even share a border. Australia Post has previously refused to allocate different postcodes saying the change was not necessary, despite acknowledging it had been raised several times by Federal MPs, including then Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Postcode 4306 covers more than 50 suburbs and is spread across five federal electorates taking in six different Local Council areas. The shared postcode impacts residents’ access to government services, including social services and providers, insurance, financing and the many other circumstances that warrant a geographically suitable postcode. Residents are encouraged by the fact that a previous successful postcode reallocation occurred in the western suburbs of Brisbane within the past decade setting a precedent for Australia Post to consider this matter more seriously. The petition is live for four weeks, closing June 7. Areas include, but not limited to: AVOCA VALE, BORALLON, COLINTON, DUNDAS, FAIRNEY VIEW, FERNVALE, GLAMORGAN VALE, HARLIN, LINVILLE, MOORE, MOUNT STANLEY, SPLIT YARD CREEK, WIVENHOE POCKET.
I move that Council acknowledge the need for change by forwarding a letter of support to Federal Parliament, requesting Australia Post provide unique postcodes to areas of those residents affected by the postcode 4306 which is currently spread across fifty suburbs, five federal electorates and six different Local Government areas.
Agenda Item # 30 Councillors’ Report
Meetings/Functions attended
10 May Somerset Art Society Inc. General Meeting
10 May Bendigo Community Bank Forum – Toogoolawah
12 May Council of Mayors – Economic Development Committee Meeting – Brisbane
13 May Viewing of Historical Photographs – Toogoolawah Historical Society
15 May Brisbane Valley Kilcoy Landcare Group Meeting – Kilcoy
15 May Kilcoy State Primary School – Meeting with Principal
15 May Exchange Hotel Kilcoy – Proposed Event Meeting
15 May Fernvale Community Action Group Committee Meeting – Fernvale
16 May RV Futures (CMCA) Forum – Brisbane
17 May Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Meeting; Disaster Management Committee Meeting – Esk
17 May Kilcoy District Cultural Village Committee AGM & General Meeting
22 May Regional Arts Development Fund Assessment Meeting – Esk
23 May Wacky Ladies Biggest Morning Tea – Toogoolawah
24 May Kilcoy State High School Council Meeting
Bendigo Community Bank Forum
Around 92 people brainstormed projects that they believe are important to the community and require serious consideration for future funding. A total of 25 projects, each with the construction value of $5,000 or more was provided from the floor. The task then began to prioritize the projects, with the following projects gaining greater support:
- Recreational facilities upgrade at Toogoolawah. Swimming Pool upgrade, Indoor Sports facility, flood lights at McConnell Park, Volley Ball court upgrade and training workshops.
- Alexandra Hall – renovations for use as Evac Centre, dressing rooms, painting etc.
- Support for Rural Fire Shed.
- Outdoor Sporting facilities – netball. Esk/Toogoolawah.
Council of Mayors – Economic Development Committee Meeting
A discussion took place around the committee review of Council of Mayors’, and it was advised that it has been decided that the committee structure and meeting process could easily be remodeled by key staff visiting each South-East Queensland Council and discussing various issues with whole of Council. It was also pointed out that the Economic Development Committee will remain intact.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council showcased its latest tourism app that provides a schedule of tourism visitation with local tourism venues, visitation times allotted, directional maps along with estimated travelling times. The app lends itself to any Council’s use and the ability to provide relevant and unique information relative to each regional area. I consider that this app would be a valuable tool for our tourism space.
The Brisbane Valley Kilcoy Landcare Group Meeting
Cr Sean Choat delivered the printed Flora of Yowie Park Booklets completed by Kathy Baton. Cr Choat offered the group advice on future publication and printed information options. The Treasurer, Tony Robinson gave a report on the dire financial situation and membership decline. David Matthews commented on grant history which shows that SRC has been extremely generous in the support through works and materials provided. Previously SEQC had provided office accommodation, phone and internet costs but following amalgamation with Healthy Land & Water current negotiations indicate that this arrangement may cease. It was asked if Somerset Regional Council could favourably review the current office rental fees. The BVKL Group’s honorary administration payments will cease after the end of May 2017. The group was congratulated on the many achievements and successful projects accomplished over the many years of operation, and that the loss of such a group would be detrimental to our region.
Kilcoy State Primary School – Meeting with Principal Mr Terry Janz
I met with Mr Janz to discuss the social needs of children from years 3 to 12, and how he is advocating for schools in our region to consider using the program to discover, map and educate well-being to our school children accordingly. The program has sound research and achievable outcomes. I will continue to assist in my role wherever possible. This program will be discussed this afternoon at the Kilcoy High School Council meeting, and I look forward to this initiative becoming a regional based program. Kilcoy State Primary School has already completed the first step of the program with their students.
Exchange Hotel Kilcoy – Proposed Event Meeting – Beer & BBQ Festival
A list of in-kind support items was discussed and forwarded to the Director of Operations for further clarification and proposed support from council if and where applicable. It now appears that there is not a great opportunity for Council to offer in-kind support as requested by the event organiser.
RV Futures (CMCA) Forum – Brisbane
This forum was very professionally organised and was very informative with some great speakers and the Deputy Mayor of Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Cr Mary Brown acknowledged the RV success story in Ingham. There were many positive comments about the possibility of a Somerset town trialing a CMCA RV Park, which will not produce any real costs to council. I will provide Councillors and Staff with a report on the forum.
Kilcoy District Cultural Village Committee AGM & General Meeting
Congratulations to the incoming executives – President David Matthews, Vice President Richard Whiting, Secretary Lynn Candey, Treasurer David Dunn. I must also congratulate the committee on past achievements and identified future goals.
Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail – Moreton Bay Regional Council
The Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail will be a 10.5km long shared pathway extending from Beerburrum Road, Caboolture to Atwood Street, Wamuran. This is a unique project that follows the old Caboolture to Kilcoy railway corridor that closed in 1964. The aim of the project is to showcase the history of the railway while providing a quality shared pathway and support facilities that will attract cyclists and walkers to the area. The project will include: 10.5km long, 3 – 3.5m wide shared asphalt and concrete pathway; entry statements in Caboolture and Wamuran; bridge and culvert crossings; interpretative and wayfinding signage; and seating nodes. Council is investing $4.6m into the design and construction of this project. This project will be jointly funded by Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
