Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 23 February 2022 – Councillor Report

Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 23 February 2022

Agenda Item # 5 Matters of Public Interest

Bunya to the Bay is an award winning educational experience grounded in Aboriginal culture and heritage that follows the Brisbane River from source to the sea.  A group of 40 selected students relay in teams to walk, cycle and canoe over 340 km of challenging river terrain.  Scientific, personal, social and adventure learning experiences build the students’ understanding of the many facets of the Brisbane River.  An amazing and important opportunity provided by Stanley River Environmental Education Centre for State School students of all backgrounds and abilities from Years 10, 11 and 12.  I encourage our residents to view the video on Youtube of the 2021 expedition, it certainly provides a deep understanding of the students’ experiences.

153,000 trees have been planted at Wivenhoe Dam to increase koala habitat and water quality and is one of the biggest revegetation projects in southeast Queensland.  The Wivenhoe Dam revegetation program is part of the government’s $1 billion investment to protect the environment and create jobs as part of the state’s economic recovery.  The trees have been planted at seven sites on former grazing land.

Kilcoy Global Foods announced that it will build a $50m food manufacturing factory on the Sunshine Coast.  It has also announced that as a further part of its expansion plans, it is proposed to develop housing for abattoir workers at Kilcoy.

Huge congratulations to the following groups who have been successful with round 112 of the Gambling Community Benefit Funds (GCBF) :- Esk Jockey Club Inc. $35,000 install track running rail; Kilcoy Art Society Inc. $34,530 paint building, replace ramp and install flooring; Kilcoy Golf Club $17,000 renovate verandah; Kilcoy Race Club $28,510 purchase tent; Lowood Community Action Group Inc. $13,408.78 install lighting and paint mural; and Toogoolawah State School P&C Assn $25,000 install shade sail.  Community groups are advised that the GCBF is holding a “super round” (round 113) and grants of up to $100,000 is available to go towards projects that benefit local communities.

Agenda Item # 30  Councillors’ Report

09 February        Ordinary Council Meeting  – Esk

09 February        Council Workshop – Esk

10 February        Brisbane Valley Interagency Meeting – Zoom

13 February        AAA Racing (AUS) – Jimna Base Camp

15 February        Kilcoy District Progress Alliance AGM & Monthly meeting

17 February        Kilcoy Art Society Inc. AGM & Monthly meeting

21 February        RADF Assessment Meeting – Teams

22 February        Kilcoy Interagency Meeting – Zoom

22 February        Somerset Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting – Esk

AAA Racing (AUS) – Jimna Base Camp – Go Figure ‘22

AAA Racing (AUS) held its trial event at Jimna Base Camp on Sunday 13 February.  The event consisted of two running legs that shared a total of 80km of trails, and around 50 runners became part of the inaugural event.  The runners are welcomed to the northern section of our beautiful region, and I look forward to the return of this event in February 2023 at Jimna.

AGM – Kilcoy District Progress Alliance and Kilcoy Art Society Inc.

Congratulations to these two successful non-profit community groups who have achieved very important milestones and projects in 2021.  The strength of these groups will only provide a positive and rewarding presence in the Kilcoy community.  I encourage residents to pop along to the monthly meetings to learn what these groups are about and maybe consider becoming members.