YOUR S EPTEMB ER 2012
THE
CHANGE CHANGE up to healthy PROJECT lifestyle activities
Are you looking for ways to make healthy lifestyle changes? The CHANGE Project! offers a range of preventative health, fitness and dietary programs. Council is partnering with the State Government and a range of community organisations to deliver activity sessions. Activities are split into three themes – Be Active, Eat Well and Live Well. All sessions are low cost with a number of free sessions designed to offer simple tips to allow people to fit healthy changes into their lives. Project packages include the following: Be Active: Active and Healthy program; Heartmoves; AustCycle bike skills and Heart Foundation walking. Heartmoves programs start in Toowoomba, Highfields and Cambooya in early September.
Eat Well: Cook 4 Life. Live Well: Health checks; Lighten Up; Living Strong; Living Well; Beat It; HEAL. Times and bookings can be viewed at www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/change or email change@toowoombaRC.qld. gov.au or call 131 872. Lower costs are available for the following groups: • 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 • New wave migrants • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Tips to ensure lost pets are returned Things to do: 1. Register your pet. A registered pet is more likely to be returned to you quickly if it is lost. It is up to residents who are new to the region, or who have new pets, to register their animals with council. 2. Fix identification tags to collars of registered pets. Tags help identify animals and makes contacting owners easier. 3. Microchip your pet. Microchipping is compulsory for new pets. Cats and dogs must
be microchipped before they are 12 weeks old. If microchipped, a lost pet can be identified if it loses its identification tag. Cats and dogs must be microchipped at the point of sale or if a pet is transferred to a new owner (eg sold, given away). 4. Ensure your contact details are current and correct. To enquire about missing cats and dogs, please phone 131 TRC (872), the RSPCA or your local vet. Registering pets is compulsory under Qld law.
Free family fun at Laurel Bank Park Enjoy the spring sense of renewal at Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers from September 21-30 by experiencing free events at Laurel Bank Park. Apart from being an ideal picnic venue among the floral displays and Scented Garden, Laurel Bank Park is home to two of the festival’s recent and most popular free additions – Pictures in the Park and the Biggest Little Lunch. Settle in for an evening of family entertainment on the big screen over three dates from Thursday, September 27. Bring a blanket, cushion or chair and pack a picnic to enjoy movies under the stars. Light refreshments will be available. Movies will screen from 6.30pm. Saturday’s show is followed by fireworks.
Relive 1980s at USQ StreetFest Movie schedule: Thursday, September 27: Hugo; Friday 28th: The Lorax (Dr Seuss); Saturday 29th: The Muppets. (Presented by 7-Eleven). Junior Carnivalgoers have the run of the park for the Biggest Little Lunch (presented by Easternwell) from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, September 29. Free little lunches will be offered to the first 500 children near the gazebo fronting Herries Street. Family members are welcome to pack a picnic. Kids can pat baby animals, ride ponies and try other games. Gardeners can book for Twilight Tours at 6.30pm and 7.30pm on September 24 and 26. Call 131 872 for limited bookings. Entry is by gold coin donation.
What were you singing in the 80s? If you remember the decade of big hair, shoulder pads and fluoro gear or want to see what the fuss was about, join the fun in Toowoomba’s CBD for USQ StreetFest on Sunday, September 30. USQ StreetFest has evolved as a rousing finale for Australia’s top horticultural festival. Margaret Street (from Neil to Ruthven sts) will be transformed to a party zone from 2-9pm. Eat Street will transport patrons to the sights and sounds of the 1980s, 1990s and today with musical and dance performances. Browse among shops and street stalls or enjoy a snack or meal at any of the precinct’s cafes or restaurants.
The street party atmosphere starts with the brash sounds of Hip Hop Horns from 2.30-3.45pm and 4.30-5.45pm. RAW Dance Company will inspire moves and grooves from the crowd from 4pm and 7.30pm. Hot Sauce 80s Show will crank out the power ballads and synth sounds with hour-long shows at 6pm and 8pm. Get your groove on to round out Carnival. Entry is free with prices applying for some activities. Visit www.tcof.com.au for all Carnival bookings, news and timetables.
MO N THLY Clearer water for Highfields
Council’s commitment to improving water quality in the Highfields area has been realised. A new trunk water main from the Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant reservoirs to Highfields became fully operational this month. The main will supply the areas of Highfields, Cabarlah and Meringandan East. Council thanks residents for their patience during the commissioning phase. For any enquiries regarding water supply problems (including pressure and quality), please phone 131 872.
Off-leash park survey helpful
Council thanks dog owners and other park users for their valuable feedback on dog off -leash areas. A month-long campaign, aimed at all park users, asked for comment on how best to use the region’s dog off -leash areas and has been deemed an overwhelming success, with residents keen to have their opinions heard. More than 1200 electronic and hard-copy surveys were completed and now staff will collate and analyse the data before submitting a report to council, which is expected to be in September.
Graffiti Busters hotline Check Youth Connect activities
Check council’s website for coming activities in the Youth Connect program. More sessions are planned for the spring months. Also keep up to date via facebook.
Help clean up illegal graffiti by calling the Graffiti Busters hotline 4659 0042. Private residents and business owners across the region can report graffiti to the hotline where the call will be referred to the authority responsible for the affected property. Messages and contact details can be left on the answering service.
Literacy, numeracy classes
Sign up for Crows Nest SES
Tidy yards reduce health risks
Welcome to Toowoomba function on September 7
Literacy and numeracy sessions are held at Toowoomba City Library, Victoria Street from 1pm-3pm on Tuesdays. As part of National Year of Reading 2012, council is offering the tutorials in conjunction with Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE. A specialist teacher will take lessons aimed at improving writing, reading and maths skills. Initial sessions are free. For details, please call 4688 6670. 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.
Crows Nest SES unit is keen to hear from people interested in volunteering. People able to lend a few hours are welcome to attend 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 more information, please call Paul Kerans on 0488 441 427.
Toowoomba’s Warm Welcome function, hosted by TRC, gives newcomers to the region the chance to meet councillors and other new residents. It also lets attendees learn more about their new home, services and community groups in the area. The next event is on Friday, September 7 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Toowoomba
Regional Art Gallery, 531 Ruthven Street. To attend, please email Barbara.Gooch@ toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au or call 131 872.
Council meetings
Council committee meetings are held on the second Tuesday and second Wednesday of each month. The Planning and Development, Water and Waste and Infrastructure committees meet at 9am on the second Tuesday of each month. The Environment and Community and the Finance and Business Strategy committees meet at 9am on the second Wednesday of each month. The next round of committee meetings will be Tuesday 11 and Wednesday, September 12. 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, September 18. All meetings are held at City Hall, Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.
After hours emergencies
Don’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.
Free Heritage Advisory Service aids restoration
Staff disaster efforts acknowledged
Toowoomba’s distinctive heritage homes and buildings consistently feature among the area’s most prized attributes.
Two council staff members are among the first Australians to be awarded the National Emergency Medal. Local Disaster Coordinator Kevin Wruck and the Coordinator of Disaster Management and SES Local Controller Norman Fry have been awarded the medal for their sustained service during the floods of 2010/11. The National Emergency Medal recognises people who render ‘sustained service’ in response to a specific, nationallysignificant emergency and those who render ‘significant service’ in response to such emergencies. In addition to the many roles undertaken by Mr Wruck and Mr Fry during the floods, they shared the role of Incident Coordinator in the TRC Local Disaster Coordination Centre, operating throughout the response and recovery phases of the disaster. Mayor Paul Antonio congratulated the two men.
In an effort to maintain these appealing characteristics, council’s Heritage Advisor offers free consultations with owners of residential, commercial and rural buildings across the region one day a week. Norman Fry, left, and Kevin Wruck display their National Emergency Medals.
“While I am honoured to receive the medal for my efforts in the December /January floods, I am also aware of the many hours other staff members contributed to the operations,” Mr Wruck said. He particularly praised council staff who cleaned up the CBD, which in turn allowed businesses to continue trading with limited disruption. “The next move is to ensure that all the SES Toowoomba Regional Unit personnel who deserve this honour are also recognised with the award,” he said.
The service offers professional advice to help people who are planning restoration work. The advisor’s guidance is intended to help property owners maintain the authentic character and style of their property and its surroundings. Design consultants, land developers and tradespeople are encouraged to seek advice for specific jobs. The service offers particular advice on colour schemes, extensions, verandahs, garages and carports, gardens, awnings and fencing. The advisor aims to help property owners with general starting points and potentially can help prevent problems, save costs
and avoid delays later in the development approval process. Additional specialist information should be sought from an architect, builder or designer where appropriate. Advice is available at any stage of a project and can be provided by a site visit, phone call or email. For more details, please visit www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au (under Planning and Building). To book an appointment, please call 131 872.
Take care in magpie season
Flood work on track The region’s flood recovery program is motoring along with several major sites now rebuilt or in progress and over 250 smaller projects completed. Major projects such as Cockatoo Creek bridge at Peranga, The Palms Road at Cooyar, Three Mile Road near Crows Nest, Maria Creek Road at Anduramba, KrugersMount Darry Road, Mt Darry , Bain Court at Torrington and South Street culverts in Toowoomba are nearing completion. Many projects around Clifton, Pittsworth and Millmerran are underway and the reinstatement of culverts on Dungannon Road and Willow Springs Road has started.
Bullocky’s Rest pedestrian bridges at Crows Nest opened in early August.
Temporary repairs were undertaken on Gowrie Junction Road and crews will be returning to complete road resurfacing in coming weeks. The focus of the flood program has moved to Quinalow.
Free trial at Milne Bay gym If you are looking for a new spring fitness regime, try some of the new classes at a free trial at Toowoomba’s Milne Bay Gym and Fitness on Saturday, October 6. The Open Day offers residents a chance to limber up at any or all of three new fitness
Residents are reminded to be wary of nesting magpies. The magpie breeding season lasts from July until December, but it’s the peak period from late August to October where magpies prove the biggest nuisance. Residents are urged to be extra vigilant for magpies demonstrating aggressive territorial behaviour while protecting their young. Magpies are protected under Australian law and cannot be harmed. Anyone doing so faces a fine and possible jail sentence. If complaints are received, council conducts a preliminary assessment of the location where the magpie nests and will take appropriate action.
classes starting at the centre at the corner of Victoria and Herries streets.
Free blood pressure checks and general fitness assessments will be conducted by qualified fitness trainers. Full use of gym facilities is allowed on the day, but the offer does not include use of the centre’s pools.
Residents can try group power from 8.30-9.30am; a group ride from 9.45-10.45am or group core from 11-11.30am.
A family fun day is planned using Adventure City equipment, including the wave pool, waterslide and inflatables, weather permitting. Pool fees will apply.
The State Government’s Environment and Heritage Protection department does not remove magpies, but in some situations licensed contractors can be called to perform the service. Council monitors known nesting areas, however not all locations can be identified ahead of a territorial display. Signs will be erected where magpies are known to nest. Parents should keep a careful watch on younger children. It is sensible to wear a hat and eye protection if heading into a known nesting area. Residents can report problem birds to the Parks Branch on 131 872.
Bush cooks head for Millmerran Millmerran is gearing up for its biennial infl ux of visitors for the Australian Camp Oven Festival on October 6 and 7. The nation’s top bush cooks will test their skills at Millmerran Showgrounds. Championship and beginner’s cooking competitions are among the featured events along with a host of bush poetry and top music acts. For more details about this great weekend and a host of other activities, please check the events register at www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au
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If you’d like to know more about council’s services and facilities, make sure you tune in to Council Connections, TRC’s weekly television segment on Channel 7. The program is broadcast each Sunday around 5.50pm and is repeated the following Monday during the Sunrise program. The new series is screening now.
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PO Box 3021, Toowoomba Village Fair QLD 4350 P 131 TRC (131 872) E info@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au W www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au This guide is printed with soy based inks on Ecostar paper stock.