On Our Selection News - 25th May 2023

Battling youth offending

With existing measures seemingly having minimal effect on perpetrators of youth crime, a 24/7 youth co-responder team was introduced to Toowoomba last weekend in an effort make a positive difference.

In Toowoomba to launch the team last Saturday, new Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said it was one of five new co-responder teams being established across Queensland, alongside Mount Isa, Hervey Bay, South Brisbane and Ipswich. Teams already operate in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Moreton, Brisbane North, Logan and the Gold Coast.

Co-responder teams consist of police and youth justice staff who patrol the streets and engage with young people at local parks and shopping centres, on the street or in their homes, day or night.

They transport young people home from places of risk or if they’re engaging in anti-social behaviour, find missing children, take young people to hospital to treat injuries, connect them to vocational training and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors, and follow up with families in crisis situations.

They also check on young people on bail during weekends and evenings, to help ensure they are complying with their bail conditions.

Co-responder teams have been progressively established across the state since 2020 and have interacted with young people more than 60,000 times.

The Queensland Government has invested an additional $100 million into early intervention and rehabilitation programs. Continued on page 9

Toowoomba Youth Co-Responder Team Leader Brooke Sanders, Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer and Acting Assistant Commissioner George Marchesini at the launch of the co-responder program in Toowoomba.

Cambooya woman in hospital after bike crash

A Cambooya woman was admitted to Toowoomba Hospital last weekend after her motorcycle struck a kangaroo on an isolated stretch of road on the Southern Downs.

The 54-years-old woman was with a group of motorcyclists when a bunch of kangaroos jumped across the road, resulting in her striking one of the animals.

The incident occurred on Leyburn-Cunningham Road at Old Talgai.

Emergency services were called from Clifton and Warwick. While they awaited the arrival of Ambulance paramedics,

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members of the motorcycle group rendered first aid to the Cambooya woman.

Paramedics treated her for injuries to a shoulder, wrist, pelvis, leg and back.

The Officer in Charge at Clifton Ambulance Station, Chris Fulton, said more serious injuries were probably prevented due to the good quality protective clothing she was wearing.

Nevertheless, it was decided to call in a rescue helicopter to transfer her to hospital.

The Toowoomba-based LifeFlight Surat Gas Aero-medical Service pilot landed the aircraft on a stretch of road, which had been closed by Police, near where the incident had occurred. The patient was flown to Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews from Clifton and Warwick were also despatched to the scene because fuel was leaking from the woman’s motorcycle.

A 54-years-old motorcyclist from Cambooya was airlifted from the scene of an incident on Saturday after her bike struck a kangaroo.

Flood warning network to be established

The Australian Government is investing $236 million over 10 years to establish a national flood warning network.

The investment aims to help communities, emergency services and businesses access reliable flood forecasts and warnings to help them prepare and respond to flooding events by improving reliability and consistency of flood data, forecasts and warnings.

The funding will be used to purchase and upgrade high priority flood gauges that are currently owned by local, state and territory governments in flood-prone areas.

In many cases these are run down and poorly maintained.

Based on the advice of the Bureau of Meteorology, work in Queensland will be prioritised.

This is due to the high flood risk to the community in Australia’s most disaster-prone state and the Queensland Government’s prior commitment to share the cost of ongoing operations of the flood gauge network.

This funding will ensure high priority catchment upgrades can begin in every state and territory across Australia, if successful cost sharing arrangements are agreed to.

Over a number of years, local and state governments have been calling for a national solution to address critical, longstanding risks in Australia’s flood gauge network.

Dating as far back as 2015, studies have warned that the patchwork flood gauge network would increase risk during floods.

Most recently, following the devastating 2022 flood season, multiple independent inquiries called upon the Federal Government to consolidate, upgrade and assume responsibility for ongoing maintenance of the flood network.

The inquiries identified several, terrifying examples where communities were left uninformed or unprepared during the floods because of broken or outdated flood gauges.

The initiative has received support from The Nationals.

Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Perin Davey, said it will significantly improve the government’s ability to monitor and respond to flood risks across the country.

“It is extremely important that there is collaboration across all levels of government in addressing the significant impact floods have had on communities, especially so in regional Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales,”

“One area that needs work in order to be consistent nationally is the terminology used for flood warnings and early preparations during tropical lows which can cause similar flooding to cyclones.

“I am concerned the Government intends to spend a decade or more acquiring and improving various state systems across the country in order to build up the network.”

Garth HAMILTON MP Federal Member for Groom

Our Vision for Australian Families after Labor’s bad budget

The Albanese Labor Budget has failed Groom, delivering uncertainty for key projects and failing hard-working Australians.

At a time when Australia’s economy needed a plan to address inflation, ease cost-of-living and tackle the housing crisis, the government let us down. Labor’s budget will:

• Increase taxes on 10 million Australians

• Deliver a new food and fibre tax on Farmers

• Increase taxes on Truckies that will add to grocery bills for families

Locally, Labor’s budget did not give us a plan for roads, housing or to take pressure off bills.

There was nothing for Railway Parklands, Inland Rail or projects to bust congestion.

Instead they are increasing migration to 1.5 million migrants by 2027. As if finding and affording a home, is not already difficult enough.

In response to Labor’s bad Budget, the Liberal National’s outlined our vision for Australian families and announced a number of new and important policy initiatives. A future Coalition government will:

• Restore the Tax to GDP threshold.

• Incentivise unemployed Australians to take up work

• Double the size of the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.

• Impose more obligations on big digital companies.

• Re-instate the Cashless Debit Card in communities that want and need it.

• Reverse Labor’s $153 million tax on farmers.

• Restore the number of Medicare-subsidised psychological sessions from 10 to 20.

• Ban gambling advertising during sports broadcasts, for an hour each side of a game. Locally, I want us to get on with urban renewal through the Railway Parklands project, get Inland Rail to Toowoomba, upgrade local roads and invest in connecting public transport. We need a budget that will build a stronger economy, support local families, and deliver certainty to our region.

Senator Davey said.

Council Planning Scheme delayed

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has advised the delivery of the new Toowoomba Region Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan will be extended by a further 12 months.

Council is now planning to deliver the Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan in May 2026, subject to final approval by the Queensland State Government and taking into account feedback from community consultation.

The delays to delivery of the Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan have been due to the loss of staff, delays in receiving census data which is critical for growth modelling (these figures are expected in July), project costs exceeding outputs and the project being re-assessed for being behind schedule.

Mayor Paul Antonio said since TRC began this piece of work in 2020, there have been significant changes in the Toowoomba Region.

The outcomes of the studies undertaken so far have highlighted key issues which require further investigation to meet the needs of the community for the coming decades.

More than 14 separate studies for the new Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan have been completed and an additional eight studies are underway.

“We want to have a new Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan in place as soon as possible, however, it’s more important we get it right for our Region,” Mayor Antonio said.

“While the program has been extended by a year, in the interim, Council will investigate opportunities to bring forward critical matters in the shape of a Temporary Local Planning Instrument.”

Council allocated a budget of $8 million to the Toowoomba Region Futures Program which comprises a new Growth Plan, Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan.

TRC Planning and Development General Manager Nikola Stepanov said the work completed to date had incurred $7.3 million in total expenditure.

“Unfortunately, project costs have exceeded expected outputs,” she said.

Estimates indicate the $3-4 million will be required over the next two financial years to complete the necessary work.”

The remaining costs to complete the new Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan include:

•Increasing costs for contract services.

•The costs of engaging independent experts, such as for external stakeholder engagement and legal reviews.

•Detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Detailed analysis will focus on ways to:

•Accommodate future water, stormwater, and sewerage needs due to the substantial projected growth.

•Support economic growth by establishing a Planning Scheme that provides certainty to facilitate business growth, investment and development

•Plan for housing demand including diversity, affordability, and supply.

•Develop vegetation mapping and overlays to protect significant vegetation.

•Protect prime agricultural land.

•Improve connectivity for cars, bikes, and pedestrians throughout the Region.

•Deliver and maintain Council infrastructure over the next 15 years in a way that is sustainable.

•Future proof our industrial planning code to take into account new and emerging industries.

•Protect the unique character of our regional towns and communities through structure plans.

•Recognise and protect the important aspects of cultural and indigenous heritage in our Region.

Dr Stepanov said regular updates would be provided to the community and key stakeholders.

“I am excited about what the project will bring to the community and the development industry,” she said.

“Our priority is to focus on delivering a new Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan that best meets our Region’s needs for the next 15 years.”

Ambulance mental health care enhanced

Toowoomba patients in crisis now have access to enhanced mental health services in their own home, thanks to the joint efforts of the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and Queensland Health.

The Toowoomba Mental Health Co-Responder Service, which became operational last Wednesday, pairs a QAS senior paramedic with a senior mental health clinician from Darling Downs Health in order to deliver fast, collaborative specialist care.

The program, designed to better facilitate care from home, was born from a pilot trialled in South East Queensland in 2019 and has since been expanded into regional Queensland.

Historically, most people seen by paramedics in a mental health crisis are transported to a hospital Emergency Department.

This alternative model allows appropriate and timely care to instead be provided in people’s own homes.

QAS Mental Health Response Program Director Sandra Garner said the program has achieved remarkable outcomes for Queenslanders experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as the entire health system.

“Currently throughout the state our Mental Health Co-responders see around 1,000 people in a mental health emergency each month,” Ms Garner said.

“Up to 70 per cent of these people are offered interventions and services in their own homes or environments.

“The QAS Mental Health Co-Responder provides the same type of assessment and treatments which would otherwise be provided in a hospital, but they’re undertaken in the patient’s own environment in approximately 90 minutes.

“We know increased use of carers in an environment someone is already comfortable in, is exactly what those with a lived experience of mental health need.”

The co-responder model is just one component of the QAS’ larger Mental Health Response Program, which also includes a dedicated Mental Health Liaison Service embedded within the Brisbane Operations Centre 24 hours a day.

Young drivers admit to breaking the law

An alarming number of young drivers admit to speeding, with more than 10 per cent of respondents in a survey saying they exceed the speed limit regularly.

RACQ’s annual Young Drivers Survey quizzed motorists aged 16 to 24 and found around three quarters admitted to speeding and driving while tired.

From left: Mental Health Clinician Michelle Kerr, Mental Health Response Program Director Sandra Garner and paramedic Andy Campbell.

Helping with housing rural workers

The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority is offering loans to help growers build small-scale rural workers’ accommodation.

QRIDA Regional Area Manager for South East Queensland Brian Coe said providing accommodation for workers could give farm businesses a competitive edge with Australia’s low unemployment rate and rural housing shortage.

“The challenge of finding good workers in our tight labour market is compounded by the lack of rural rentals to house them,” Mr Coe said.

“If growers have their own workers’ accommodation, it

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means they’ll have less reliance on a changing housing market to secure their workforce and they can mitigate a risk to their farm business.

“Offering accommodation can also sweeten the deal for prospective employees, increasing growers’ chances of attracting and retaining the best possible workers to help grow top-quality produce, while they save costs on employee training in the long-run.”

The Sustainability Loan eligible activity is part of the Queensland Government’s Rural Workers’ Accommodation Initiative which is a commitment to provide small-scale workers’ housing options to support the agricultural industry and local economies.

Mr Coe said QRIDA’s Regional Area Managers based across Queensland could answer any questions from growers about a Sustainability Loan.

“Wherever your primary production enterprise is located within the state, we have a Regional Area Manager nearby who can meet with you on-farm to discuss how a Sustainability Loan could benefit your operation,” he said.

To find out more visit qrida.qld.gov.au/program/sustainabilityloan or call 1800 623 946.

Works scheduled for four local roads

A $10 million program of works over five years on Lower Order Roads is about to get underway after Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) resolved to progress the program.

Hoffman Road at Wyreema is set to receive work.

Having previously approved the $10 million figure in November 2022, TRC has now prioritised works using a multicriteria analysis that took into account safety and accessibility, trafficability in wet weather and usage including the number of dwellings on each road.

Volker Road at Mount Rascal, Hoffman Road at Wyreema, Hirstglen Road at Hirstglen and Gerald Lane at Greenmount will see either design and/or construction begin in the 2023/24 financial year to bring them up to a minimum access standard gravel road.

TRC Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Carol Taylor said Council had listened to community concerns and prioritised works as best it could within budgetary constraints.

“The reality is we have the second longest road network of any local government area within Queensland and that requires a considerable amount of funding to maintain and upgrade, as 89 per cent of our road network is designated to management by local government,” Cr Taylor said.

“This program of works will be $2 million a year over five financial years and will be subject to budget approval each year.

“We have listened to community concerns and will continue to prioritise future road requests using the multi-criteria analysis, bringing prioritised roads up to access standard gravel roads as budget allows.

“The wet weather events over the past couple of years have also significantly impacted the condition of our road network and it will take a substantial amount of time to complete the 2022 flood recovery program,” Cr Taylor said.

Volker Road, Gerald Lane and Hoffman Road are scheduled for work in 2023/24 and Hirstglen Road in 2023/24 and 2024/25.

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own choices.We aimtoempowerpeople with mental health or withdisability.We believe every human has the inherent right to live a ‘normal’ and empowered life; to have ability and opportunity to make one’s own choices. We aim to empower people with mental health or with disability

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MiChoice Disability Supports, offers a variety of services supporting you to take steps in accomplishing your goals; your ambitions; your targets. For some people, goals may be reached in a time that may be lengthy. This may take 6 months; this may take several years of challenges and barriers. That is when we are at our most creative and supportive and our ‘together-journey’ begins

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Support you in your home, in the community, or at your workplace to build confidence to live an autonomous life.

arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

MiChoice Disability Supports, offers a variety of services supporting you to take steps in accomplishing your goals; your ambitions; your targets. For some people, goals may be reached in a time that may be lengthy. This may take 6 months; this may take several years of challenges and barriers. That is when we are at our most creative and supportive and our ‘together-journey’ begins

§ Support you with your household tasks to keep on top of hygiene and instil home-pride

§ Social and community participation helping you stay connected with your community.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Support you with making the right choice for you and your safety. Support you with an improved living arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

§ Support you in your home, in the community, or at your workplace to build confidence to live an autonomous life.

§ Support you with making the right choice for you and your safety.

§ Support you with an improved living arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

§ Support you with your household tasks to keep on top of hygiene and instil home-pride

§ Social and community participation helping you stay connected with your community.

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Community garden sprouts at Wyreema

A new community garden has started next to the Wyreema Community Hall, on the corner of Umbiram Road and Margetts Street.

According to a sign in the garden, all are welcome to come along on the first and third Tuesday each month, starting at 9.30am.

That would make the upcoming dates Tuesday, 6 June and Tuesday, 20 June.

Another community garden was started on the grounds of the Darling Downs Christian Life Centre on Clark Street in Clifton earlier this year.

RIGHT: A few herbs have already been planted in the garden, which includes colourful drawings as well.

BELOW RIGHT: The garden includes some larger crops with appropriate netting.

Reminder: parking on footpath a no-no

Residents across the Toowoomba region are being reminded about their obligations when it comes to stopping or parking on footpaths and nature strips with a refreshed education campaign being rolled out across the region.

TRC Environment and Community Portfolio Lead

Cr Tim McMahon said Council had an obligation to enforce the Queensland State Government’s parking regulations.

“It is illegal to stop or park on a bicycle path, footpath, shared path, dividing strip, nature strip or painted island, this is a Queensland State Government regulation

which TRC parking enforcement officers are obligated to enforce.

“The best way for residents to avoid any enforcement action is to familiarise themselves with the rules and park accordingly,” Cr McMahon said.

In moving a motion at a TRC meeting last week to respond

24/7 focus on youth crime

Continued from page 1

Ms Farmer said the co-responder program sees police and youth justice using intelligence to crack down on risky behaviour.

“As the new Youth Justice Minister I believe it is about striking a balance between holding offenders to account, while giving young people in the early stages of offending the chance to stay out of trouble with the law and the consequences of entering the youth justice system,” Ms Farmer said.

“Team members take kids roaming the streets and direct them into useful activities and often sometimes it’s as simple as taking kids home or to a place of care.”

Toowoomba Youth Co-Responder Team Leader Brooke Sanders said youth crime often happens outside business hours, which is why it’s important that we have a dedicated team on the ground ready to respond anytime.

“The Toowoomba co-responder team will work around the clock to help to prevent youth crime before it happens by looking out for at-risk young people,” Ms Sanders said.

“Our youth justice staff and police officers are looking forward to building stronger relationships with young people, their families, business owners and the wider community.

“We can all help make a difference and keep our communities and our kids safe.”

Commander of the Youth Crime Taskforce, Acting Assistant Commissioner George Marchesini said terrific outcomes have been seen from the youth co-responder program in other parts of the state and he is confident this initiative will make a real difference in Toowoomba.

to an increasing number of infringements and community complaints regarding parking, Cr Melissa Taylor said an education campaign was a good way to highlight the rules.

“TRC is rolling this campaign out to remind people of the rules, we have had numerous complaints about the number of vehicles parked on footpaths and nature strips and this is about changing behaviour and helping people to understand what they can and can’t do when it comes to parking,” Cr Taylor said.

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Cambooya State School

YEAR 6 CAMP TALLEBUDGERA

It may have started out cold and wet, but the recent Year 6 camp to Tallebudgera was a huge success for the students at Cambooya State School.

An early morning start, and a very cold and wet Tuesday were the only comments from students that were not filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

They completed lots of water activities with the canoeing being talked about as one of the most challenging.

A visit to the wildlife park was also a highlight and despite the early morning start on day 1 being an issue, most of them enjoyed watching a couple of sunrises on the beach.

Students also completed many activities which developed their leadership skills, their teamwork and their belief in their own abilities.

Staff and students had a very memorable week.

NOBBY STATE SCHOOL

A MESSAGE FROM THE P&C

The Mother’s Day High Tea proved to be an exceptionally successful fundraising event for the Nobby State School P&C with over $5,000 profit being made.

Events like these take an army of people to coordinate and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who played a part in bringing this event together.

The P&C’s next major fundraiser for 2023, an O’Donnells Bakehouse Pie Drive and Cake/Slice Drive, is underway now.

With the cooler weather upon us, what a great time to stock the freezer with some delicious pies.

Orders are due in to the school office by Tuesday, 30th May with collection day being Thursday 22nd June.

helped prepare for the event, from left: Lena Bowles, Jennah Knecht, Katie Browne, Pip Smith, Emma Richards, Amanda Riehl, Rachel Orphant and Sophie Potts.

Some Nobby mums who

Canoeing was one of the activities at the school camp.

Local Events Calendar

If you are holding an event in the area covered by On Our Selection News, forward details to editorial@cliftoncourier.com.au

Wyreema Community Hall meeting, 7pm Wyreema Community Hall, wyreemacommunityhall@ 14 Umbiram Road yahoo.com

8 October Friends of Gormans Gap - Bush Regeneration / Gormans Gap Road, Preston president@fogg.org.au

Weed Management, 7:30am to 11:30am

10 October Wyreema Community Hall meeting, 7pm Wyreema Community Hall, wyreemacommunityhall@ 14 Umbiram Road yahoo.com

14 November Wyreema Community Hall meeting, 7pm Wyreema Community Hall, wyreemacommunityhall@

Toowoomba Rugby League results

Round 6 of the 2023 Hutchinson Builders A Grade Toowoomba Rugby League competition was played last weekend. Wattles with 3 wins, Goondiwindi and Highfields with 2 wins and Newtown with 1 win.

On Saturday, the Pittsworth Danes defeated Dalby Diehards 24 to 22, Wattles Warriors defeated Goondiwindi 40 to 16 and the Gatton Hawks defeated Brothers Leprechauns 24 to 4.

On Sunday, the Southern Suburbs Tigers defeated Warwick Cowboys 32 to 8, Highfields Eagles defeated Newtown Lions 44 to 22 and Toowoomba Valleys defeated the Oakey Boars 30 to 24.

Valleys are now the only team that is undefeated, sitting on top of the ladder with 6 wins, followed by Warwick with 5 wins, Dalby, Southern Suburbs, Gatton and Pittsworth with 4 wins,

Oakey and Brothers are yet to win a match.

WYREEMA STATE SCHOOL

PREP MOTHER’S DAY PAMPER AFTERNOON

Wyreema State School Prep students pampered their Mums and Grandmas for Mother’s Day.

We made beaded bracelets, painted their fingernails, decorated delicious biscuits, gave them massages, read a story with them, did their hair and drew their self-portrait.

We think our beautiful Mums and Grandmas felt very relaxed at the end.

We concluded the afternoon with a lovely video from our Preps, about the many things we love about Mums from Wyreema State School.

We hope all our wonderful Mums and Grandmas had a happy Mother’s Day.

ABOVE RIGHT & BELOW: Mums and grandmas had a terrific time during the pamper afternoon.

Ramsay STATE SCHOOL

MOTHER’S DAY STALL

Last week our student council ran our Mother’s Day stall. These students worked incredibly hard ordering stock, organising pricing and the float, setting up the stall and assisting students with their purchases.

It was fantastic to see our student council work together. All of our kids loved buying presents for their lucky mums. The stall was a huge success with hardly any stock left over and prices kept very reasonable.

Proceeds go towards purchasing a special needs computer program. Congratulations to the Student Council.

MOTHERS PAMPER SESSION YEARS P-2

On Thursday last week our P-2 class hosted a Mother’s Day pamper afternoon. This was a fantastic experience for our mums who were treated to manicures, hand rubs, photo booth, colouring and games.

The afternoon began with our students performing a song and finished with a shared afternoon tea of pikelets and decorated biscuits prepared by our lovely prep students.

Ramsay mothers were treated to a pamper session.