Oakey Champion - 12th October 2022

Oakey State High School welcomes new deputies

Both deputies began their new positions at the school just last Thursday, but already have great things to say about the town and school community.

“It’s lovely here, the staff are beautiful and the students are fantastic,” Ms

McAleer said.

“There’s a calmness about this place.

Ms Castles agreed and said she couldn’t ask for a more supportive and welcoming staff.

“You can feel how the staff want the best for their

students here, that’s a real drawcard for coming here,” she said.

After spending the last eleven years at Centenary Heights State High School, she said it’s nice to be in a smaller school again.

“I used to work at a

school in Nanango before Centenary, and rural schools just have a community feel to them.

“Because the kids live here in the town, the parents are very involved with the school.”

Oakey State High School has welcomed its newest deputy principals, Emma Castles and Amy McAleer - two passionate and experienced teachers with strong ties to the Darling Downs.

Say hello to Oakey State High School’s newest deputy principals, Amy McAleer (left) and Emma Castles (right).

Country stars draw a crowd

Gowrie Little Plain Hall held a very successful Lindsay Waddington, Allan Caswell, Ken Lindsay and Lynchburg concert on Saturday night, 8th October.

There was a huge crowed in attendance for the concert which was sponsored by Toowoomba Regional Council.

The next concert at the Gowrie Little Plain Hall will be on the 26th of November featuring Errol Gray “the backyard balladeer” and bush poet Gary Fogarty.

For bookings phone Shirley on 4630 4384.

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New deputies have strong ties to Oakey

Continued from page 1.

Ms McAleer, who worked alongside Ms Castles at Centenary Heights State High School, also has extensive experience working in rural schools and has travelled as far as Mackay to teach.

“Most of my career I’ve been on the Downs.

“The move to Oakey was about getting back to the Downs.”

Ms McAleer, who spent two and a half years working at a Brisbane school, said after noticing some

big differences between rural and city schools she definitely wants to stay on the Downs for a while.

“As much as I really enjoyed that opportunity to work in metro, one of the things it really made me realise was the value that regional schools, as well as Toowoomba schools, have to offer students,” she said.

“Because the school is small, it is about knowing the individual child opposed to larger schools where the identity of students just tends to blend.”

Ms McAleer said career progression in education is not a linear pathway.

“It’s all about the school’s needs,” she said.

Ms Castles agreed and said it’s more about the fit of the person to the school rather than how long you’ve been doing a job or where you’ve come from.

“All those things help because they build experience and knowledge, but it’s not the crux, it’s about the best fit.”

Parthenium Spotted!

One observant local has spotted Parthenium weeds starting to grow on the side of the Warrego Highway near the Oakey Creek bridge.

Parthenium is a noxious and invasive weed listed as a ‘weed of interest’ by the Toowoomba Regional Council, which can have a devastating impact on crops, humans, animals and livestock.

Parthenium weed is a

fast-growing plant with small white flowers and outcompetes other plants by competing for nutrients and moisture and by releasing chemicals into the soil that inhibit growth.

Sunflowers and sorghum are two crops that are especially susceptible to the weed.

It can also cause allergic reactions and serious health issues in humans and livestock, is a host for crop viruses and therefore reduces crop yields.

Parthenium costs the nation’s beef industry $16.5 million per year and cropping industries several million dollars per year.

Both deputies said the only downside to their new positions is that they don’t get time to teach in their specialised subjects any more.

“I come from an arts background and taught drama, media and languages,” Ms McAleer said.

“We don’t really get to teach any more, not as much as we’d like!

“And I taught science, biology and maths classes,” Ms Castles said.

Ms McAleer, who is deputy to year 7s and 8s, and Ms Castles, who is deputy to year 9s, 10s and 12s, were both born and schooled on the Downs.

“I’m from Oakey originally and attended Oakey State School,” Ms Castles said.

“For me my drive is always family and community and my family and community are here, so

I’ll stay within the region.

“I won’t go anywhere else.”

Ms McAleer grew up in Toowoomba but her father worked at Oakey army base.

“The Downs draws people back,” she said.

“It’s one of those places that if you grow up on the Downs, there’s always that sense of ‘I need to get back to the Downs’.

“I even felt that when I

was in Mackay.

“As much as I loved it up there and loved the schools up there and the differences in society in Mackay, I was desperate to get back to the Downs.

“It didn’t matter where on the downs, I just needed to get back.

“It’s not necessarily a particular town, it’s about the uniqueness the region has as well.”

Get Ready For Christmas

Parthenium weeds grow up to 1–1.5m tall and are known for their pale green leaves and creamy-white flowers.

If you suspect Parthenium is growing on your property or spot it around the region, Council’s Biosecurity Compliance Officers are available for advice on 131 872.

Year 7s and 11s deputy Ms McAleer.

Year 9s, 10s and 12s deputy Ms Castles.

From Maternity Home to Medical Centre

He had died on December 5, 1905 and left her as tenant for life, then his estate was sold following her demise.

Over the ensuing years, Lena set up a midwifery nursing home and the house was enlarged, where hundreds of local babies, including many of her own

grandchildren, were born.

Lena’s nursing home remained operational until December 1938 when the CWA Hospital opened and catered for maternity cases, putting her out of business.

Following Lena’s death on February 2, 1946, the house passed on to her

single daughter, Amelia Elizabeth Rohde, who remained living there till her death on October 13, 1982, aged 84 (40 years ago).

A few years later, on October 1, 1985, the huge Oregon pine tree (an Oakey landmark) at the back of the house was cut down.

It was always alleged by the family that this tree was planted on June 7, 1923, the day my Father, one of Lena’s grandsons, was born.

Strangely enough, the old house was bought by Dr. Geoff Thomsett and set up as surgeries for himself and Drs. McClelland and Meehan - the wheel had turned full circle.

Towards the late 1990s,

the old house was removed to Jondaryan and the new Medical Centre was built while the Doctors continued practising in the nearby Presbyterian

Manse.

The new building became known as the Oakey Family Medicine Centre.

After the practice was bought by Dr. John Hall,

the name changed to Downs Rural Medical and after his departure in 2020, it is now part of Ochre Medical Centres.

- Valerie Weise-Young

Lena Rohde (nee Vohland) and her husband Martin, purchased the house at 5 Cherry Street, Oakey from her Father’s (Conrad Vohland) estate in 1909 after the death of his third wife in January 1909.

Top: The old house on December 14, 1982 showing the Oregon pine tree. Bottom: The Oakey Family Medicine Centre on May 23, 1998 when rather new. - Photos, Valerie Weise-Young

Oakey man starts second Jondaryan Woolshed petition

Douglas Doelle has gone back to the drawing board to create another petition - this time to stop the Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) from selling any land on the Jondaryan Woolshed site.

the Toowoomba Regional Council,” he said.

“We also ask that the Woolshed be open to the public before Christmas for tourism.”

Mr Doelle said he is still collecting signatures and plans to submit the petition for the upcoming Ordinary Meeting of Council.

Toowoomba Regional Council and the Friends of Jondaryan Woolshed have maintained that the site is open and available for organised bookings.

For more information or to discuss a booking, contact the Jondaryan Woolshed on 131 872 or email info@tr.qld. gov.au

What’s on at Rosalie Gallery?

At last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, Councillors unanimously voted to carry Mr Doelle’s petition which requested that the TRC does not relocate or move any buildings from the current Jondaryan Woolshed site, namely to the Highfields Pioneering Village.

However, despite this win, Mr Doelle still isn’t impressed with Council after he read an article in The Chronicle’s 2nd September 2022 edition which revealed TRC Tourism’s recommendation to “sell the excess land.”

This recommendation was made in a report which looked at ways to resolve

the site’s ailing financial situation.

Reportedly, Council wore nearly $5 million in sunken costs over five years spanning from 2016 to 2021 when it provided funding to the entity.

While the report specifies any potential land that would be sold would be unused and excess land, Mr Doelle argues that all of the land on the site was gifted to the people of Jondaryan.

“We ask the Council to not sell any land or anything else at the Jondaryan Woolshed because the Woolshed and land were gifted to the people of Jondaryan and not for a money-grab by

See what exhibitions and artworks are on for the month of October at Rosalie Gallery, Goombungee.

Perceptions of Paradise

This is a group exhibition depicting the concept of ‘heaven on earth’ inspired by the hills and hollows, waterways, and flora and fauna of South East Queensland.

Exhibiting artists include Jeanne Cotter, Liisa Gosper and Rosemary Williamson and will be on display until 16th October 2022.

Asia Pacific Video

This piece focuses on performance, experimentation and theatricality in video art from the 1960s to the present.

It features works from artists from all across Asia Pacific including India,

Japan, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Fiji and Australia.

I Love Goombungee...

There is so much to love about Goombungee!

Rosalie is proud to showcase the talents of our local community in I Love Goombungee...

From photography to abstract painting, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

This exhibition supports Goombungee’s annual Jacaranda Day celebrations on Saturday 5th November 2022.

The exhibition is on display from 19th October until 13th November 2022.

Oakey man Douglas Doelle petitioning against the sale of any land at the Jondaryan Woolshed.

Darling Downs Health launches equity strategy

Darling Downs Health has launched a health equity strategy to improve health outcomes and ensure life expectancy parity by 2031 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Over the next three years, the strategy will focus on eliminating racial discrimination and institutional racism,

increasing access to healthcare services, influencing the social, cultural, and economic determinants of health,

delivering sustainable, culturally safe, and responsive healthcare services, and work with Aboriginal people, Torres

SOUTHBROOK’S LITTLE GEM

Strait Islander communities and organisations to design, deliver, monitor and review health service.

The Strategy was developed in partnership with staff, consumers, community members, primary care organisations, and state-level implementation partners.

Darling Downs Health

Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM said the plan provided a strong focus on change and a commitment to improving health outcomes for First Nation people.

“Health equity will need to see reform, change, and improvement across the entire health system in a way that is

physically, culturally, and psychologically safe, that doesn’t come with assumptions and unconscious racism,” she said.

“This strategy has been informed and developed in consultation with many stakeholders to make sure that we are meeting the needs of our communities.”

Help reduce Carp population

European Carp has become the well known scourge of inland waterways and streams such as Oakey Creek are not immune, but here’s something that might help.

In an effort to cut the numbers the Oakey Fish Stocking Association is bringing back the Carp Buster concept.

On Saturday week, October 22, the competition will be offering a wide range of prizes including a kayak donated by Anaconda, and fishing rods with categories for kids and adults.

Categories include the most carp, the biggest carp, and mystery weights - and you don’t even have to catch a fish for a chance to win.

To enter, pre-register at oakeyfishstocking@gmail.com or just turn up to Arthur Shooter Park at Oakey and register on Saturday week between 6am and 10am.

The competition time is between 6am and 3pm and the final weigh-in and

European Carp is an invasive species of fish which has been introduced into our waterways.

prize presentation will be at 3.30pm.

Entry fees are $5 for adults, $2 for children or $10 for a family.

There will be a sausage sizzle at Arthur Shooter Park from midday.

The fishing area to be

covered includes all creeks in the Oakey and Dalby areas.

Children under 15 need to be accompanied by their parents or carers.

For full details check out the Oakey Fish Stocking Association on facebook.

Oakey Tourist Information Centre receives monthly raffle funds

Bernborough Tavern owner and raffle sponsor Michael Carpenter said they had raised $495 for the Oakey Information Centre,

which is run by a group of dedicated volunteers.

One such volunteer, Suzanne Haering said the money will go towards

keeping the Information Centre operating which includes rent, bills and costs of materials to create the craft they sell.

“We rent the building off Queensland Rail for quite a bit, so some of the money will help us out there.

“It’s hard because we don’t qualify for many of the grants because we need the money for operating costs and we provide a service to locals and tourists.”

The Oakey Information Centre promotes community togetherness and wellbeing through weekly bingo and trivia games as well as morning tea.

Anyone is welcome to pop down any day of the week to make new friends and just have a chat and a cuppa.

The Oakey Information Centre is always looking for more volunteers, with the option for those with little time to volunteer casually once a week or fortnight.

Cafe 85 finds new home at Charlton

Much loved local business Cafe 85 has recently made the move from Oakey to Charlton - a move owner Mel is optimistic about.

Cafe 85 opened the doors of the new premises on 6th September after being shut for a month.

It is located next to Red Rooster at the Ampol service station in Charlton.

“We were shut for a whole month which nearly

broke us,” owner Mel said.

“But I think we did the right thing.

“Everyone has been so supportive and some of the locals are still coming out to us.

“It’s really nice to know that they’re still willing to support you.”

Mel said despite her initial reservations about the move, the clientele has grown and diversified.

“We get lots of truckies and then you get all the people working in the industrial area like Boral

coming in.

“Plus some of the Wellcamp people too.

“We get a lot of regular truckies now who always stop in and support us and have a chat which we appreciate.”

(Left to right) Raffle Coordinator John Webster, Volunteer Eric Haering, Bernborough Tavern owner Michael Carpenter, and other volunteers Suzanne Haering, Pam Gill and Carol Lee.

Cafe 85’s new Charlton premises.

Owner Mel and her son Connor working at the new location.

GARAGE

The ‘Big Wet’ to continue

The Bureau of Meteorology has released its long-range forecast for Australia’s coming severe weather season including an increased risk of widespread flooding for eastern and northern Australia and an increased risk of an above average number of tropical cyclones and tropical lows.

Localised major flooding can occur in any northern Australia wet season.

This season there is an increased risk of widespread and prolonged riverine flooding across northern and eastern Australia.

Rivers are high, dams are full, and catchments are wet across much of eastern Australia, meaning any rainfall has the potential to lead to widespread flooding.

When the Bureau issues a weather or flood warning for local area, take notice and be ready to act.

While long running large bushfires are less likely than during a drier season such as 2019/20, continuing wet conditions during spring may further increase grass growth.

This could increase fire danger during any period of hot and dry weather over summer.

Saturday’s Oakey ParkRun results

On Saturday morning the Oakey ParkRun attracted 27 starters for the weekly five kilometre course, starting from Arthur Shooter Park.

First to finish was Jack Wilson with a personal best time of 18 minutes, 15 seconds.

Second was Benjamin Vogelzang in 18 minutes,

56 seconds and third were a visiting runner from The Athlete’s Foot Running Club, James Wright, and Bradley McKay, who each recorded a time of 20 minutes, 29 seconds.

The first female to finish was Joanna McRae, who was in fifth position overall, in a time of 21 minutes, 52

Oakey Golf Club

Oakey played host to the Darling Downs Vets on Monday 3rd October with a field of 63 players.

They were fortunate to have lovely weather and the course was in great shape.

Wednesday 5th October the Ladies played an 18 hole Stroke in conjunction with the October Monthly Medal.

Winner of the Monthly Medal and Division 2 was Christine Little with a 73 nett.

Runner-up and winner of Division 1 was Marlene Deans with a 79 nett on a countback.

The front 9 was won by Joan Fisk on a countback with 16 points, whilst the

back 9 was won by Yvonne Lebeter with 17 points.

Winner of the Putts was Marlene Deans on the cut of the cards with 27 points.

Winner of the Matchplay was Marlene Deans who defeated Janice Little 3/1.

Today, Wednesday, 12th October, is the Ladies guest day.

Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October there will be no competition.

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th October the

Members will play an 18 hole Stableford.

It is also Cabarlah Carnival.

A reminder of the Men’s Medal of Medalist, which is on Sunday 23rd October.

- Marlene Deans Secretary

TAB Qld Thoroughbred Awards

In Brisbane on Sunday night Apache Chase was crowned Queensland Horse of the Year at the 2022 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.

He was also named Queensland 4YO and Older Horse of the Year.

James Orman enjoyed a breakout season in the saddle, being crowned the George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year, whilst claiming a maiden Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership with 78.5 winners – including four black-type successes – as well the Queensland Jockeys’ Premiership (139.5 wins).

Tony Gollan continued his stranglehold on the Jim Atkins Trainer of the Year Award, taking home the major honour for the ninth straight year.

seconds.

Kim Falco recorded a personal best of 33 minutes, 40 seconds - nice work Kim!

Visiting runners this week were from The Athlete’s Foot Running Club, Hound Dog Fit, Running Mums Australia and Ipswich City Runners Group.

Thanks to this week’s volunteers: Helen Johnson, Jessica McKay, Joy Dearling, Louise Byers, Sarah Wolski, Tracy Back and Vicki Dearling.

The Oakey ParkRun takes place every Saturday morning from Arthur Shooter Park, at 7am and we welcome new participants.

Goombungee Golf Club Report

RESULTS

Thursday 6th October, Men’s Single Stableford for a Club Trophy.

The winner was Harry Cover with 44 points.

Approaches: Hole 4/13, Gary Mathies; Hole 6/15, Harry Cover; Hole 7/16, Maurie Cronk.

Ladies’ played a Single Stroke, in conjunction with the Monthly Medal and Putts for a Club Trophy.

The winner was Robyn Drowley on 69 nett, while the prize for putting went to Jan Mullins.

Approaches: Hole 2/11, Robyn Drowley; Hole 3/12, Ann Cass; Hole 9/18, Helen Scott and Carmel Cover.

Friday 7th October, our Chook Run winner was Jan Mullins with a 37 nett (ocb).

Second was Dave Humphrey.

Sunday 9th October, Mixed Foursomes, Single Stableford Medley for a Club Trophy.

Winners of the Mixed Foursomes Gross were Matty Burgess and Robyn Drowley 122/1081/2 Gross/ Nett.

The winner of the Single Stableford was Greg Buckley with 39 points.

Rundown: Dave Humphrey, Dan Darlington, Murray McLeod and Val Drowley.

Pin shots, Men: Hole 4/13, Matty Burgess,; Hole 8/17, Dan Darlington.

Approaches: Hole 5/14, Greg Schull; Team approach Hole 2/11 and Hole 6/15, Matty Burgess and Robyn Purcell.

This week, our Members’ draw No. 64, saw Wendy Ladewig’s name come up, but she was not present, so next week the prize is $10.

THIS WEEK

Thursday 13th October, Men will play a Single Stableford for a Club Trophy.

Ladies will play a Single Stroke, Monthly Medal, and Putts for a Club Trophy.

Sunday 16th October, Single Stroke, Monthly Medal with play for a trophy donated by Mark and Karen Peters.

- Murray McLeod

Oakey Social Golf

On Sunday, 9th of October, we played a Bisque Bogey on the back nine with 30 players.

The winner was Peter Morgan on +6 and the runner-up was Ian McDonald on count back to Sandra Lucht, Rex Dearling and Dave McMonagle on +5.

The winners of the pins/approaches were: 12, B. Costello; 13, M. Krahenbring; 14, HL; 15, A. Cherry; 16, Under 60, M. Dearling; Over 60, D. McMonagle; 17, B. Lucht; 18, M. Dearling.

Long drives; A Grade,

J. Lipp; B Grade, S. Gillis; Over 60, M. Morgan.

Members’ draw was 48, B. Kuhl who was not present for $20.

Raffles going to numbers 59, J, Lipp and 19, D. McMonagle.

This week’s game on 16h October is VSS on the front nine with a 6.30am tee-off.

The social club would like to thank everyone who turned up for the working bee held on Saturday.

A great job done on the greens.

- Flynny/Macca

Oakey Men’s Bowls

RESULTS

Competition from Saturday October 8th, Club Pairs final: M. Hall and B. Lucht defeated V. Rush and W. Patterson.

COMING EVENTS

Sunday October 16th, Fishing theme day, sponsored by Dave and Vince, 1pm start, Three bowl pairs. Names on the

board please. There will be a barbecue to follow the bowls.

Sunday October 23, Visit from Northern Rivers, 12.30pm start C/S. 28 players (mixed) are required.

Saturday November 5, Visit from Wellington Point bowlers, 1pm start (mixed). names on the board please.

Oakey

October 2022

Sausage

Final

Presentations

3.30pm

Arthur Shooter Park in Oakey.

Fishing area open to all creeks in the Oakey and Dalby District.

Children under 15 to be accompanied by parents or caretakers.

Lismore’s Norco ice cream factory to be rebuilt

office and ice cream factory like everything else in the Lismore floods.

Seven months later the head office is getting closer to

completion but the ice cream factory has been cleaned up and left dormant.

“The biggest flood in history caused chaos for everyone including dairy farmers, businesses and residents alike,” Mr Danzi said.

“Seven months later things are still far from normal.

“Most houses are inhabitable, and most businesses are not operational.”

However, Norco received good news last week when it heard that the ice cream factory will now be rebuilt thanks to $45.7million in funding from the federal government.

“Without this funding it would not have been commercially viable to rebuild the ice cream factory and I thank Minister Watt

for ensuring this rebuild will become a reality,” Mr Danzi said.

After securing $45.7million of federal government funding, Norco will be able rebuild its ice cream factory in Lismore after this year’s devastating floods destroyed the building. Co-CEO of eastAUSmilk Eric Danzi said Norco, a dairy cooperative and the biggest employer in the Lismore region, lost its head

“The rebuild will allow many of the factory workers to remain employed and will help the rebuild in the devastated town of Lismore.

“The ice cream factory will also be a positive for Norco in diversifying income streams and increase profits.

“This should allow Norco to return extra money to its dairy farmer shareholders to drive further milk price increases to farmers and pay a sustainable price.”

Mr Danzi said this investment from the government and Norco has positive ramifications for the northern NSW and Queensland dairy industry.

“This will be a major manufacturing facility

which is rare in the northern dairy industry. “

The factory will utilise some excess milk in spring and create additional demand for milk when there is too much to meet fresh bottled milk requirements.

“I look forward to the

construction going quickly and the factory being operational in the near future,” Mr Danzi said.

“This is a big win for both Lismore and dairy farmers which need positive news after the devastating year they have faced.”

QLD top in cattle and grazing

According to latest research by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Queensland ranks highly when it comes to highest cattle production and size and quality of grazing pastures. Queensland.

MLA’s Market Information team analysed the 2021 records of livestock numbers on a local government basis, which was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), to determine the top ten largest sheep and lamb producing regions in Australia, as well as the ten largest cattle producing shires in the country.

Stephen Bignell from the MLA Market Information team revealed that the top ten largest cattle producing regions are all in the Northern Territory or

While Queensland didn’t perform well in sheep production, when it came to cattle production, eight out of the top ten LGA’s with the highest cattle populations were in Queensland.

The top 10 cattle producing regions in Australia are:

1. Northern Highlands (Queensland): 709,463

2. Central Highlands –West (Queensland): 635,416

3. Banana (Queensland): 569,183

4. Barcaldine– Blackall

(Queensland): 551,261

5. Roma (Queensland): 544,651

6. Barkly (NT): 537,162

7. Dalrymple (Queensland): 534,421

8. Carpentaria (Queensland): 533,051

9. Victoria River (NT) 529,080

10. Far Central West (Queensland): 447,174 Queensland also performed well when regions were ranked for improved pastures used for grazing.

There are only seven LGAs where over one million

hectares have been classified as improved pastures used for grazing, with all seven of these LGAs residing in Queensland.

The LGAs with the largest areas of improved pastures used for grazing are:

1. Barcaldine–Blackall, 2,236,048ha

2. Roma, 1,941,320ha

3. Central Highlands –West, 1,745,802ha

4. Banana, 1,246,893ha

5. Charleville, 1,175,161 ha

6. Northern Highlands, 1,112,805ha

7. Clermont, 1,075,310ha.

The flooded Norco ice cream factory earlier this year in Lismore.

Darling Downs beef success in Sydney

Stockyard Beef, which operates the Kerwee Feedlot at Jondaryan gained three gold medals.

Two of the medals were for Grain Fed Beef, one each for the Stockyard Black (score 94.67) and Stockyard Gold (score 94.5) brands.

The third gold medal was awarded in the Open Beef, High Marble Score class, for the brand Stockyard Kiwami (score 90.5).

In the same classes, Mort & Co was awarded three silver medals.

In the Grain Fed Beef class, Mort & Co gained silver for its Grandchester brand (score 85.83), while in the Open Beef, High Marble Score class, it achieved silver for its Master Selection (score 89.5) and The Phoenix (score 84.5) brands.

The Champion Beef title in the Branded Beef section went to Tamworthbased Jacks Creek for its Jacks Creek Wagyu, while the Grand Champion was

submitted by Midfield Meats International, from Warrnambool in Victoria, for its Union Station brand.

The Royal Fine Food Show had its origins in 1888 when the Agricultural Society of New South Wales introduced an

arts competition which quickly saw the emergence of cheese, butter, coffee, fruit and honey competitions.

Letters To the Editor

FOR MINING

To the Editor,

I am a farmer.

My father, grandfather and my son all live and worked on this farm which is situated directly opposite the New Acland mine site.

The issue of the Acland mining operation potentially restarting is a topic that is close to the hearts of many and therefore generates a lot of passionate opinions, for and against.

I believe that the mine is just as important to me and my community as my farm.

I can look past the half-truths and rumours that abound and believe the reality that mining the land and farming the land can successfully coexist.

I have recently purchased additional land near the mine with no reservations about its future success.

This partnership between mine and farm relies on trust and the belief that neither party can afford to destroy the environment they depend on.

If Acland is to continue to extract coal and be profitable, it knows it must return the land to again be useful for farming and grazing.

And this is what they have promised to do in the future and have already done in the past.

We have the evidence of this in the rehabilitated land that has proved to be just as productive as nonmined land.

The evidence is there and I am confident that New Hope Group is committed to contributing good outcomes economically and environmentally to our community in a positive and successful partnership.

Peter Kuhl, Oakey

AGAINST MINING

To the Editor, Dave O’Dwyer and John Healy letters in a local newspaper do not reveal all the facts regarding coal mining at Acland.

New Hope Coal will never mention the 4.5 square kilometre open mine pits between 60 and 80 metres deep that will be left when mining is completed.

These voids according to the EIS will evaporate 2400 megalitres per annum.

This water will originate from aquifers and will cause drawdown of groundwater on properties over a large area.

Our property uses 7 basalt bores, watering 500 dairy cattle, and has experienced significant quality and quantity impacts from mining of the “West Pit” which wasn’t included in the stage 2 application, 7 kilometres away.

The proposed Manning Vale West pit is to be mined through basalt, a deeper mine and 4 kilometres from our bores.

We fear we will be dependant on a “make good agreement’ with the mining company.

Dave O’Dwyer states Acland Pastoral Company crops 2400 hectares.

This was correct 15 years ago but currently it is unlikely that 600 hectares is cropped.

The Co-ordinator General requires the mine to offset cropping land to compensate for strategic cropping land that will be destroyed by mine pits.

This is the reason they are still cropping any land.

When New Hope

applied for a stage 3 exemption from strategic cropping land under the RPI act, they did not include the land that will be the final voids, a ploy to gain approval by being able to rehabilitate mined land on that area for grazing.

If stage 3 gains approval they will apply for further RPI exemption years later.

Dave O’Dwyer speaks highly of the “scientific cattle trials”.

Rehabilitated land in the trials is on soft scrub soils, whereas the unmined control site is located on hard-setting clay soils bordering Lagoon Creek.

The improved pasture

species on the rehabilitated land were not suitable for the control site,.

New Hope stands to gain approximately a half a billion dollars in retained royalties from stage 3. No wonder they claim the mine stands up financially.

Causing permanent impacts on groundwater over a large area is hardly being environmentally responsible.

Leaving a trench 3 kilometres long, 300 metres wide and 80 metres deep on excellent cropping land is not an ecologically sustainable development.

Noel Wieck, Brymaroo

The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show covers a range of Australian-produced foods including sections for Branded Meat, Oil and Olives, Pasta, Specialty Foods, Professional Bakery, Aquaculture and Smallgoods and Charcuterie, judging in the latter section was proceeding when this photograph was taken.

Two prominent

producers from the Darling Downs have scored medals in the Branded Meat section at the 2022 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

Councillor looks at Coal Seam Gas

Following a community Information and support session in the St Ruth Hall on 3rd August, the agricultural community west of Dalby invited members of Toowoomba and Western Downs Regional Councils to a field day and information session facilitated by consultant Shay Dougall of “Molliwell” and West Prairie local Gayle J. Pedler.

The event was originally planned as a two day session for Western Downs and Toowoomba Councillors regarding councils’ roles in managing Coal Seam Gas impacts for the region’s prime agricultural areas.

The sessions were condensed into one eventful day on Friday of last week.

Cr O’Hara Sullivan responded positively to the invitation.

Representatives of Lock the Gate and the Environmental Defenders Office also attended.

The day commenced in Dalby with a brief overview of the impacts of CSG on local agricultural communities and the connection to the Darling Downs Regional Plan 2013 and State regulation, particularly the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.

Cr O’Hara Sullivan heard that Regional Interests Development Approvals for areas of regional significance such as the Condamine River and priority agricultural land are rarely lodged with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local

Government and Planning and no applications have ever been declined.

The afternoon field trip involved travelling through Nandi, observing the significant CSG activities already underway and their impacts.

Participants then stopped to meet farmers from both council areas in the Springvale and Grassdale districts.

loss of crops.

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Cr O’Hara Sullivan heard directly from farmers of their experience of the lack of adequate consultation, information and support, problems with increased road traffic, noise, and lights during CSG production.

Impacts from changes

Part of the trip involved changing to four wheel drive vehicles to bump through deep muddy ruts in the road and stopping near a noisy multi-well gas pad.

At another location, the vast flatness of the land was viewed from the back of a utility.

It was explained that LiDar surveys to detect subsidence in the ground bounce off crops such as the lush barley and wheat

crops being observed and can affect the reliability of the data for agricultural purposes.

Finishing near historic Tipton farm, those taking part were told that the proposed Coal Seam Gas developments between Dalby and Cecil Plains east of the Condamine River are split between the two councils.

Concerns raised included proposals to drill deviated wells under the Condamine River.

Cr O’Hara Sullivan left the event with a lot of information to consider and organisers said her interest and time invested was deeply appreciated by all who were involved on the day.

Baby seat protects infant in crash

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of a properly installed

Police attended a single vehicle crash on the Oakey Biddeston Road on October 4.

Senior Constable Ken Cahill from Oakey Police said preliminary investigations show a Pajero station wagon was travelling in a southerly direction when it left the road and rolled after impacting with a culvert.

The female driver was taken by Ambulance to

seat was proved when a child was involved in a crash between Biddeston

Toowoomba Base Hospital with minor injuries.

An infant child in a baby seat was uninjured.

Police attended a two vehicle crash on the Oakey bypass on Sunday around 1am.

A wide load was travelling through the cutting west of the Toowoomba Road exit.

A Toyota Camry slowed to let the wide load pass when a Nissan sedan

following impacted with the with the rear of the Toyota.

Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics attended and treated the Nissan driver for minor injuries.

Police have reminded road users there has been an increase in wide loads travelling through to the Western Downs.

It is imperative to take notice of directions of the

Police escorts and pilots travelling with the trucks.

DRUG CHARGES

Police executed a search warrant on a Proposch Street residence at Oakey last Thursday..

A quantity of drug paraphernalia and weapons were located.

The male occupant of the residence has been bailed to Toowoomba Magistrates Court to a date later in October.

Toowoomba Regional Councillor Meagan O’Hara Sullivan has taken an interest in the Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry as it edges east.

Springvale farmers Doug and Lexie Browne (centre and right) were two of the landholders Councillor Megan O’Hara of Toowoomba Regional Council met on Friday, during an information session and field trip regarding the expanding Coal Seam Gas industry between Dalby and Cecil Plains.