April - May 2013 Edition of the Council Connection

COUNCIL

CONNECTION GLADSTONE REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER APRIL - MAY 2013 ISSUE 53

th 4 1 5 13 th

e information

April 20

See page 14 for mor

INSIDE Microchipping reunites pet

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Hefty fines for littering & dumping

Flooding devastates region’s roads

13 Healthy Living Expo

MAYOR'S MESSAGE It's taken many different cultures to make our region great

Cover

Pro skateboarders 'Drawing Boards' are coming to the Gladstone Region as part of National Youth Week.

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Council Connection

This newsletter is produced by Gladstone Regional Council to give residents a bi-monthly update on Council events, activities, services and projects.

Delivery

Council Connection is delivered directly into all residential letterboxes

by Australia Post as “unaddressed mail” but is also available for viewing or downloading from Council’s website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au.

Gladstone is a proud intercultural region boasting a history rich with the contributions of residents of many different cultures since its inception.

That history continues to this day with people of various culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds not only making a significant contribution to our cultural heritage, but also helping to drive the economic and social growth of the region.

The 2011 ABS Census revealed that the Gladstone Region is home to 73 nationalities with about 22 per cent of the population hailing from CALD backgrounds.

And we must also acknowledge the positive influence those who have moved from interstate and intrastate to live and work in our region are having on our economic, social, civic and cultural wealth.

It is therefore imperative that we make all of our new residents to the region

feel welcome and acknowledge the contributions they make to our daily lives.

To assist this process of inclusiveness, Council hosts a monthly Welcome to Gladstone Morning Tea event at which new residents can meet new people and familiarise themselves with services which can assist with their settlement period.

Council also recently released the Welcome to the Gladstone Region booklet which gives new residents a wealth of information, in one handy publication, which also details helpful services and promotes community cohesion and inclusion.

Gladstone will always welcome newcomers to the region and it is in the community's interest that all residents have the opportunity to live, work and play in the Region of Choice, sharing our part of the world in harmony together.

The Welcome to the Gladstone Region booklet is available at Council's Community Advisory Service at 142 Goondoon Street, Gladstone. Phone 4976 6300 for more information.

Cost

Council Connection is automatically delivered free of charge to households in the Gladstone Region who have a residential letterbox. Cost of printing and distributing the newsletter is 49.2 cents per household per edition.

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Environmental Impacts

Council Connection is printed on Revive Pure Silk 100% Recycled is certified carbon neutral and FSC 100% Recycled certified. It is manufactured process chlorine free (PCF) by an ISO 14001 certified mill.

Council Contacts

Mail: PO Box 29, Gladstone DC Qld 4680 Email: info@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au Phone: 4970 0700 Fax: 4975 8500 A/Hrs Emergency Phone: 4979 1134

Gladstone Office 101 Goondoon Street, Gladstone Qld 4680

Calliope Office

5 Don Cameron Drive, Calliope Qld 4680

Miriam Vale Office 36 Roe Street, Miriam Vale Qld 4677

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Contents 3 Gladstone Entertainment Centre The Gladstone Entertainment Centre Precinct Expansion project remains on target to be completed in October.

10 Clean Up Australia Day Volunteers brave wet

11 Region's Road Network Recovery

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Infrastructure repairs remain one of Council’s high priorities as the region recovers from extensive flooding resulting from ex-Tropical cyclone Oswald.

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Gladstone will soon boast a premier enter tainment venue Gladstone Entertainment Centre re-opening draws nearer Expanded centre will attract more high quality events The arrival of one of regional Queensland’s premier entertainment venues is drawing steadily closer for Gladstone Region residents.

The Gladstone Entertainment Centre Precinct Expansion (GECPE) project remains on target to be completed in October and its arrival will transform the Gladstone Region’s entertainment and conference scene.

A new multi-use convention and floor space will increase the redeveloped venue’s capacity to 1500 standing patrons and allow it to host larger and higherprofile shows, events and conferences than the previous centre could cater for.

High-tech lighting and sophisticated

production equipment will further ensure the region will host performances and acts it would not have drawn in the past.

The increased amount of floor space can cater for more than 700 dinner guests without posing any line of sight issues, something that is not presently offered at any Gladstone venue.

In addition to the creation of a state-ofthe-art entertainment venue, the GECPE project, delivered by project partners Gladstone Regional Council and Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC), will also provide an expansion of the adjoining multi-level car park.

The completed project will feature an additional three levels of car parking,

helping to correct the shortage of parking spots in the Gladstone city CBD, while also providing two storeys of commercial office space for the GPC and Maritime Safety Queensland.

Alternative venues, including the marquee at the Gladstone Marina, proved to be popular with the public when hosting a series of successful events since redevelopment of the entertainment centre site commenced in September last year.

However, the use of other venues was always a temporary measure and the new Gladstone Entertainment Centre will undoubtedly be the modern venue the growing Gladstone Region needs and deserves.

No April CouncillorConnect visits but bookings being taken for May CouncillorConnect visits will not be held in April due to a date clash with regional Anzac Day ceremonies.

Many of the Councillors, however, will be visiting some of the region’s smaller communities to attend various Anzac Day functions.

Regular CouncillorConnect visits will resume in May, on the last Thursday of the month, to provide residents with an opportunity to meet with elected representatives.

Councillors attend in pairs for morning tea and a chat session from 9.30am and are then available from 10.15am to 12pm, for 20-minute pre-booked, individual

appointments.

Visits scheduled for Thursday, May 30 will be at the Tanyalla Camping & Conference Centre Tannum Sands, Yarwun Hall, Turkey Beach Rural Fire Brigade Shed and Lowmead Hall.

June visits are planned for Calliope, Bororen, Gladstone and Ubobo, at venues to be arranged.

Residents or community groups wanting to book an appointment with Councillors can send a request to councillorconnect@ gladstonerc.qld.gov.au outlining the issue, concern or idea, or phone Council’s Communications and Marketing section on 4970 0700.

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

A calendar of CouncillorConnect locations can be viewed on Council’s website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au

Regional Visits Schedule No April visits due to a date clash with Anzac Day Thursday, May 30, 2013 Tannum Sands

Tanyalla Camping & Conference Centre

Yarwun

Yarwun Hall

Turkey Beach

Turkey Beach Rural Fire Brigade Shed

Lowmead

Lowmead Hall

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Council officers go to great lengths to reunite pet Microchipping helps Archie find his way home Local Laws Officer Bill Meade embarked on a stray dog case with a difference when called out to a Lowmead property in February.

when it was discovered that its paperwork had not been registered on the national database, preventing the owner’s identity from being found.

given the VIP treatment, being washed and groomed by Joanne from Mobile Hydrabath and Grooming Service in preparation for his owners’ arrival.

Arriving at the property, he was met by the property owner and a scruffy, muddy male border collie dog that had been found on the road side in the small town of Uki, near Lismore, in NSW.

“The prospects for the dog looked grim but I and my Local Laws colleagues contacted various councils in northern NSW and the effort paid off when the border collie’s details appeared on Lismore City Council’s lost dogs register,” Mr Meade said.

Debbie and Chris Wheeler were thankful to all involved when they arrived after their nine hour journey at Agnes Water.

“The woman was very much a Good Samaritan who found the dog wandering at night in heavy rain, covered in mud and looking terrified,” Bill said.

“She said that when she opened her van’s door the dog jumped into the vehicle and, unsure what to do next, the lady drove back to Lowmead with the dog on board, contacting Council after she had returned home.”

What initially appeared to be good news when the dog was found to be microchipped took a turn for the worse

“We contacted the owners and you could imagine their surprise when they received a call from Agnes Water to tell them their dog had been found in Lowmead.

“It turned out that 10 year old Archie had disappeared from his home four days earlier when spooked by the sound of a nail gun during home renovations.”

As the owners hastily arranged to travel to Agnes Water to collect Archie from Council, the well-travelled pooch was

Debbie and Chris Wheeler are reunited with Archie.

Gladstone Harbour Festival is one of the many events to benefit from the Donations Program

Council donation program now open to not-for-profits Visit the web and see what’s on offer Not-for-profit community groups based in or providing service to the Gladstone Region may be eligible for Council funding.

The 2013/2014 Community Donations Program provides funding in several categories for groups which may not be eligible for grants form other government or non-government sources.

Eligible organisations can submit one

application per category each financial year, and must not have any outstanding matters of concern before Council.

In order to meet Council’s budgeting timetable, it is preferred that applications for 2013/2014 financial year funding be received by Council by close of business Monday, April 29, 2013.

However, applications received after this date may still be accepted and

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

considered.

To access a copy of the Community Donations Program Guidelines head to www.gladstone.qld.gov.au and follow the links under the "Community Support" tab.

For more information phone Janine Sorrensen between 9.30am and 3pm on 4976 6351 or email janines@ gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

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Help is available to those affected by the Queensland floods in January

Floods trigger income recovery subsidies July and August deadlines for applications A second subsidy, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP), is available to residents of the Gladstone Region who:

Extra financial help is available for eligible residents, employees, small business operators and farmers in the Gladstone Region who were affected by the floods that began on January 21 and continued through to February 9, 2013.

The Federal Government’s Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy Payment (DIRS) is available to eligible employees, small business operators and farmers who have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald and associated flooding.

The eligibility criteria can be found at www.humanservices.gov.au and the closing date for applications is August 5, 2013.

• Were seriously injured • Had an immediate family member killed as a direct result of the floods • Had their principal place of residence destroyed or sustained major damage • Were unable to gain access to their principal place of residence for a period of at least 24 hours • Were stranded in your principal place of residence for a period of at least 24 hours • Had their principal place of residence

without electricity, water, gas, sewage services or another essential service for a continuous period of 48 hours or • Were the principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above The deadline for the AGDRP applications is July 29.

For more information on the DIRS call 180 22 66, visit your nearest Department of Human Services Service Centre (Centrelink or Medicare) or any Centrelink Agent, or check online at www. humanservices.gov.au

Council is Relay Service friendly National Relay Service makes it easy to contact Council Council strives to provide the best quality service it can and is pleased to assist residents with hearing or speech difficulties to contact Council via the National Relay Service (NRS).

NRS calls are confidential, easy to use and are available to users any time in Australia for about the cost of a local call.

The NRS is an initiative of the Australian Government that provides phone solutions to enable people with hearing or speech disabilities to stay connected with businesses, government departments, organisations or personal use.

There are three ways to access the NRS to make relay calls – through Speak and Listen, internet relay or TTY. In each case, there is a relay officer on the line acting as the central link who relays exactly what is said by both parties.

For further information about NRS, visit www.relayservice.com.au or phone 1800 555 660.

NRS provides a phone solution for people who are hearing or speech impaired Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

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BRIEFLY

 Subscribe to eNewsletter

 RSS feed

 Road reports

 Change of address

Gladstone Regional Council has a new fortnightly eNewsletter and is inviting residents to register to receive it via their email address.

The newsletter is in addition to the Council Connection newsletter received in regional mailboxes every two months.

Recipients’ emails will be kept in a database and be able to unsubscribe any time.

Email communications@ gladstonerc.qld.gov.au if you would like to register.

Want to keep up-to-date with the latest Gladstone Regional Council news? Create a link to Council's RSS feed by clicking on the icon on Council's website home page. Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au

Don't forget to log on to Council's website at www. gladstone.qld.gov.au if you want to find out the latest road condition reports. If you come across flood water or would like to report road conditions for uploading to the site, please phone our Call Centre, open 24 hours a day, on 4979 1134 or Council's administration centres during business hours.

Did you know that you can notify several Council services of your change of residential and/or mailing address by filling out just one form? Council cannot change addresses over the phone, but you can get the form by visiting our website at www.gladstone. qld.gov.au and clicking on the 'About Council', then 'Finance' and choose the 'Change of Address Form'.

 Website for volunteers

 Flu shots

Gladstone Region Volunteering is an online volunteer recruitment website that links residents to organisations in need of volunteers. Residents can search what volunteer positions are available or nominate themselves for future roles by visiting Council's website www. gladstone.qld.gov.au and follow the volunteering link under 'Community Support'.

Winter is nearly here which means it is time to think about flu shots for ‘at risk’ groups, including children. The vaccine is free for people over the age of 65, indigenous people over the age of 50 (or aged 15 to 49 and at risk), or pregnant women and is on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for all others. Contact your local health care provider for more information.

 Council meetings Did you know that residents are welcome to attend Gladstone Regional Council’s meetings? The meetings are held at the Gladstone Administration Centre boardroom, 101 Goondoon Street. Upcoming meeting dates are April 2, April 16, May 7, May 21 and June 4.

Agendas and minutes can be found at Council's website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au at meeting time.

 Development stats Council now provides development statistics at a click of a mouse at its website.

Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov. au/web/guest/developmentstatistics to find out the last major development snapshot; monthly development statistics; and building and plumbing approvals.

 Lodge an event Does your not-for-profit or community organisation have an upcoming event? Don't forget you can lodge an event on Council's community calendar by clicking on the calendar link on our webpage and follow the prompts. Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au

Councillor Update Cr Matt Burnett

Cr Maxine Brushe

Phone: 0437 086 401 Email: MattB@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Phone: 0448 882 609 Email: MaxineB@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Portfolio: Regional Strategy

Portfolio: Community Services

I am pleased to see after many years in the planning and design the redevelopment of the Gladstone Aquatic Centre and the Gladstone Entertainment Centre are about to become a reality. Construction is well under way at the entertainment centre with a scheduled completion date of October, while the redevelopment of the Aquatic Centre is due to start on April 2.

I am well aware the Boyne Island/Tannum Sands community has been waiting for a new aquatic facility and as locals would be aware this was included as part of the BITS Club project which unfortunately fell over. The Boyne/Tannum community has grown to the size where a new swimming pool is the logical next step but Council is looking at different funding options and possible locations if not at the former BITS Club site.

Flooding across the region has dominated a lot of the work of this portfolio with staff taking an on the ground role to support residents who had homes inundated particularly in Baffle Creek, Rosedale and Lowmead areas.

Agencies and community members who worked tirelessly to assist their neighbours to cook, clean, organise donations and to provide a shoulder to lean on, has allowed some normality to be restored not only in this severely impacted area but also others across the region.

What is inspiring, is that amongst the devastation, the rich green shoots of strong community spirit is emerging through the works of volunteer support, self sacrifice and comradeship.

Council will continue to support this during the months ahead.

All Councillors contact details are available from Council's website www.gladstone.qld.gov.au under the 'About Council' tab.

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

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LOCAL LAWS

Illegal dumping poses environmental hazards and health risks.

Council urges residents to help keep the region clean Hefty fines for illegal dumping In the last six months Council has received more than 70 illegal dumping complaints from residents across the region.

Environmental vandalism and pollution is a serious offence and Council’s Local Law Enforcement Officers are able to issue individuals with fines of up to $2200 and up to $7040 for corporations.

Investigating and cleaning up illegal dump sites is expensive and timely and ultimately burdens rate payers with the excessive clean up costs.

In addition, illegal dumping of waste causes a number of environmental and safety concerns. Dumped materials can contaminate ground surfaces and water supplies, block the natural flow of water creating flooding issues, pose fire risks, disrupt wildlife habitats and present physical health risks to humans.

Common illegally dumped items include green waste, furniture, home appliances, construction materials, abandoned vehicles, tyres, household waste, medical and hazardous waste, oils, paints and batteries.

Residential green waste and white goods can be dropped for free to all Council waste facilities. To obtain a full list of waste facilities and opening hours visit Council’s website at http://www.gladstone.qld.gov. au/web/guest/transfer-stations-and-landfills Council urges residents to help the Gladstone region stay clean and report littering and illegal dumping to Council’s Regulatory Services office on 4977 6821 or online at http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ waste/illegal_dumping_litter.html

Every piece of litter damages the environment A tin can take up to 90 years to decompose, a styrofoam container may take over a million years and a cigarette butt can take decades to degrade.

Cigarette filters are made of toxic chemicals which when littered can leach into air and water, damaging the natural environmental.

Litter dropped on to streets such as cigarette butts, plastic bags and other waste can travel into stormwater systems and waterways, harming animals, marine life and vegetation.

Littering from a vehicle or vessel, general littering, dangerous littering and illegal dumping are all offences that can incur a hefty fine.

Nationally, cigarette butts were the most frequently littered items in 201112, averaging 7.5 butts per 1000 square metres.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 enables members of the public to report littering and illegal dumping by visiting http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ waste/illegal_dumping_litter.html

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

Littered cigarette butts significantly impact on the natural environment.

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april

EVENTS CALENDAR APRIL 2 & 16

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9am 101 Goondoon Street Gladstone Community members are welcome to attend Council’s General Meetings.

10am - Noon Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens Arboretum Shelter The welcome to Gladstone Morning Tea is held monthly, allowing newcomers to find out more about the Gladstone Region. For more information phone 4976 6300.

9am - Noon Stockland Gladstone Councillors are available to discuss any issues, topics or concerns that residents may have.

General Council Meeting

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Photographic Workshop 10am - 12.30pm Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre Janie Peterson will be holding a photography workshop to help you capture your favourite nature image. The cost is $30 and participants must bring their own camera. Bookings are essential.

Phone Heather on 4971 4443.

may

MAY

Welcome to Gladstone Morning Tea

Information Session 10am Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours building, 10 Tank Street, Gladstone Council, through its legal program, has partnered with WIN, to host an information session for new and existing residents focusing on laws and regulations within the region. Bookings are essential, phone Luis on 4676 6352.

7 & 21

All day Tondoon Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre This exhibition by Tracey Smith showcases nature in ways you have never seen before. Come down and take at nature through Tracey’s lens in a different perspective.

9am 101 Goondoon Street Gladstone Community members are welcome to attend Council’s General Meetings.

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Welcome to Gladstone Morning Tea 10am - Noon Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens Arboretum Shelter The welcome to Gladstone Morning Tea is held monthly, allowing newcomers to find out more about the Gladstone Region. For more information phone 4976 6300.

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Photographic Workshop

16

1 - 31

'Abstraction' Exhibition

Councillor Booth

General Council Meeting

16 & 22

Information Session 10am Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours building, 10 Tank Street, Gladstone Council through its legal program has partnered with WIN, to host an information session for new and existing residents focusing on laws and regulations within the region. Bookings are essential phone Luis on 4676 6352.

9am - 12.30pm Tondoon Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre Come down to the Gardens and earn all things photography The cost is $45 and participants must bring their own camera.

Bookings essential. Phone Heather on 4971 4443.

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Councillor Community Awareness Sessions 9am - Noon Stockland Gladstone Councillors are available to discuss any issues, topics or concerns that residents may have.

18 & 25

Mandala Creative Classes 10.30am - 12.30pm Tondoon Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre These classes focus on how to use different symbolism in mandalas and teach how to use a colour wheel. Bookings are essential. Phone Heather on 4971 443.

Discover. Relax. Enjoy.

Get into your local park today Find out more about the Gladstone Regional Council Year of the Park Initiative visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au or phone 4977 6899

You’re Invited to the GLNG

The Wiggles 13 Taking off Tour 201pm Thurs, April 18, 10am & GEC Marina Marquee

Saturday, May 11, 2013 6pm - 11.30pm

r children’s entertainment The world’s most popula ding out on the road hea are s, group, The Wiggle m. After 21 years of to introduce their new tea the globe, it’s the und aro n entertaining childre era for The Wiggles beginning of an exciting new g Off ’ tour. kin ‘Ta ir the as they head out on

Gladstone Entertainment Centre Marquee, Gladstone Marina Plaza, Bryan Jordan Drive Tickets $150 per person or $1800 for a table of twelve

the Stix OPTUS Flix in es open

Bookings can be made through the Gladstone Entertainment Centre on 4972 2822

regular features

REGULAR FEATURES Free Guided Walks

Happy Hour

Every Thursday from 10am - 11.30am Tondoon Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre Free guided walks are available every Thursday morning, departing and arriving at the Visitors Centre. Contact Heather on 4971 4443.

8am - 9am Weekdays Gladstone Aquatic Centre This program allows pensioners (over 60) to use the Aquatic Centre for free to encourage staying fit and active. Phone 4972 6822 for more information.

Story Time

Every Friday, noon – 2pm and Saturday night, 6pm – 8pm.

Library Square Goondoon Street Gladstone If you’re looking for something to do, come down and enjoy the free live and local music. Phone 4972 2822 for more information.

Various Days and Various times Regional Libraries Story time and crafts for children aged up to five years. Bookings not required.

For more information contact your local library. Contact details can be found by visiting www.gladstone.qld.gov.au, under the ‘Gladstone Regional Libraries’ link.

Learn to Swim 9am - 6pm Weekdays Gladstone Aquatic Centre Gladstone Aquatic Centre is now offering a summer progressive Learn to Swim program. Contact the Gladstone Aquatic Centre on 4972 6822.

Library Square Performances

Baby Bounce Various Days and Various times Regional Libraries A lap-sit program is being held for a parent and their child less than two years old. This program includes songs and rhymes. Bookings are not required.

Contact details can be found by visiting www.gladstone.qld.gov.au, under the ‘Gladstone Regional Libraries’ link.

Information Sessions

Gladstone Regional Council in partnership with Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours (WIN) invite all residents to attend and participate of the 2013 Community Information sessions.

Health

Employment

Legal

April 11, 10am to 12pm

May 16, 10am to 12pm

May 22, 10am to 11am

All information sessions will be held at WIN’s premises located on 10 Tank Street, Gladstone. Bookings are essential, please contact Luis on 4976 6352.

Sat, April 27, 5pm gat ns Toondoon Botanic Garde

Gladstone has been In a major coup for CQ, Tour, featuring some Stix included on Flix in the und. Australian film of the best short films aro Edgerton has curated sh Na industry heavyweight shorts worthy of belly an impressive collection of l be one of Australia's wil ty laughs. Joining the par e Whitlams. most celebrated bands Th

Charmaine Wilson Healing Hearts Tour Wed, May 1, 7.30pm GEC Marina Marquee

rld-renowned Australian Charmaine Wilson is a wo ner of Channel Seven's medium who was the win e' nd was also inaugural season of 'The On chic of the Year in Psy d honoured as Queenslan the Year for 2005. of c chi Psy ian tral 2008 and Aus ces a chance to ien aud Charmaine will give her sed over in order pas e hav o wh se tho connect with e to the living. lov and ce to give messages of pea

ert

e in Conc Playschool - Liv12p m Mon, May 6, 10am & GEC Marina Marquee

tures two presenters plus This brand new show fea ular television series. pop the toys from the ever mpty is putting on a Hu . fun tive rac It’s full of inte hers together the gat as surprise show! Join him the big spectacular. h wit p hel to s Toy Play School

Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow Wed, May 8, 7.30pm GEC Marina Marquee

medy Festival Melbourne International Co big night of comedy from Roadshow is back, with a st comedians. The cast some of the world’s funnie ans is hitting the road, of intrepid travelling comedi oss Australia. You can be entertaining crowds all acr roll into your town with a part of the fun when we e of the best from this a huge show featuring som year’s Festival.

ld.gov.au www.gec.gladstonerc.q 72 2822 49 : Ph

SUSTAINABLE LIVING Hardy teams brave wet for clean up Event cancelled but keen volunteers still turn out There's no stopping some people, especially the teams from NRG and Orica who braved the wet conditions to clean up the city during Clean Up Australia Day 2013.

Despite Council cancelling the event the day prior due to flooding, staff and families of these two industrial giants donned their gloves and hats and collected about one tonne of rubbish from road verges and the city.

These teams are regular supporters of Clean Up Australia Day and their collective effort has removed many tonnes of rubbish from the city over the years.

Among the smaller registered groups was the Lucas family who collected several large bags of rubbish from the Sun Valley Road and Witney Street area of Gladstone, while Tannum High participants restored the Millennium Esplanade area to a pristine parkland.

There were also some business and schools that conducted clean ups in the lead up to the Clean Up Australia Day.

Residents still have a chance to help clean up the region at the Great Northern Clean Up in September.

As the event was cancelled, Council is hoping to secure support from residents for a Great Northern Clean Up in September with details to be released in the coming months.

How to read your water meter Monitoring water usage around the home is as simple as taking readings of your property's water meter.

Conducting regular inspections of your meter can help identify any leaks in your system and save the pain of having to pay an excess water bill from Council.

The other benefit is that by conducting "before" and "after" readings of water usage activity, you can identify any devices or consumption behaviours that can be modified to conserve water.

Most meters are located towards the front of a property and most are at or below ground level with a metal or plastic lid.

If you live in a unit, there may not be an

individual water meter for each residence.

When reading the meter the black numbers always register kilolitres while the red numbers or dials register litres or parts of litres.

meter, phone Gladstone Regional Council on 4975 8462.

9-13% Kitchen

1-10% Leakage

For example: 0 4 5 2 9 5 3 This water meter reading indicates that 452 953 litres of water has been used since it was installed.

Read only the first three red numbers or dials. If there is a fourth red number or dial this indicates tenths of a litre.

Numbers are read from left to right, while dials are read in a clockwise direction.

If you have trouble reading your water

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

35-55% Outdoors

10-13% Laundry

30-37% Bathroom

Typical household water use

(source: Department of Environment and Resource Management)

Page 10

INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS

Tableland Road at Futter Creek was extensively damage from flooding as a result of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald

Council concentrates on region’s road network recovery Flooding devastates region’s roads Infrastructure repairs remain one of Council’s high priorities as the region recovers from extensive flooding resulting from ex-tropical cyclone Oswald in late January and further flooding in late February.

Council assets were severely affected in January with damage sustained to roads, bridges, boat ramps and jetties, car parks and drainage structures across the region.

Council is committed to returning these services to a standard safe and acceptable to the community; repairing or rebuilding infrastructure as timely as possible.

Recovery of the road network is a costly and lengthy process involving Council seeking repair funds and liaising with representatives of the State Government’s Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) and the Federal Government’s

Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

access all areas to make roads trafficable as soon as possible.

State or Federal Governments foot the bill for all emergency works on essential public assets, excluding Council day labour expenses within the first two months of the flood event.

Council is in the process of compiling detailed estimates of the repair costs and formal funding assistance submissions to forward to the State and Federal Governments via the QRA.

This enables communities to function again as quickly as possible and involves Council staff inspecting, photographing and documenting damage while undertaking minor repairs to provide residents with access to and from their properties.

Council continues to lobby QRA to allow Council staff to undertake a portion of the restoration works. The coming months will see a transition from emergent works to restoration works; and Council hopes its own workforce can be a part of this.

A number of roads were inundated with flood water which now have saturated pavements, as a result it has proven difficult to access these roads with heavy machinery.

Emergent work progress is updated weekly on Council’s website at www. gladstone.qld.gov.au

Residents can be assured Council staff will

Restoration programs once determined will also be developed and updated weekly.

Register for ChemClear collection Agricultural and veterinary chemical users have until April 19 to register for Agsafe’s 2013 drumMUSTER and ChemClear collection in June.

Residents wanting to dispose of eligible chemicals need to register with ChemClear who acknowledge successful registrations by email or post, provide a reference number and arrange a pick up point, time and date.

More than 52 tonnes of unwanted and out-of-date agricultural and vet chemicals were collected in 2011 and

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

this year’s total is expected to again be significant.

All holders of eligible products are reminded that only chemicals registered with the program will be collected.

Chemicals can be registered: • Online at www.chemclear.com.au, • By phoning free call 1800 008 182, • By completing and faxing a ChemClear Inventory Form, • Or by mailing to ChemClear, GPO Box 816, Canberra City ACT 2601.

Page 11

DEVELOPMENT SNAPSHOT

Our Place Our Plan scheme progesses across the region

Visionaries invited to help shape the future of the region’s planning scheme Community meetings planned for Calliope and Agnes Water Gladstone Regional Council will soon be embarking on structure planning exercises for the townships of Calliope and Agnes Water/Seventeen Seventy.

This is another component in the formulation of Council’s new planning scheme.

An important component of these exercises are two Community Visioning Sessions to be conducted at Calliope on Tuesday, April 9 at 5.30pm to 8pm and at Agnes Water in late May 2013, with venue details and date to be confirmed shortly.

These Community Visioning Sessions

will also be attended by Council officers, Councillors and our expert consultants from Deicke Richards and Buckley Vann.

This will be the community’s initial opportunity to express their vision as to the future form and function of these respective townships from a planning perspective.

Council will subsequently convene a Community Information Night at each of the townships (some six weeks after each of the Community Visioning Sessions) to report back to the community and stakeholders and receive comment on the

draft findings.

It is estimated that these two structure plan exercises will be completed in September 2013.

Please RSVP through one of the contacts below if you will be attending either of these the Community Visioning Sessions.

For further information visit Council's website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/ web/guest/community-meetings. The Regional Strategy Department can also be contacted at phone 1300 621 922 or email regionalstrategy@gladstonerc.qld. gov.au

Does your swimming pool comply with current safety laws?

All swimming pools in Queensland are required to be registered on the State Government’s pool safety register.

Owners of existing and new pools need to comply with pool safety laws by November 30, 2015, or earlier, if their property is sold or leased.

Swimming pool applications received by Council are automatically placed on the register.

Residents are able to request a swimming pool advice inspection generally with a 24 to 48 hour response time.

Compliant inspections cost $164, while $245 is charged for a Pool Safety Inspection which includes a Pool Safety Certificate involves a four to five working day process period.

Residents can confirm their details are on the pool safety register, apply online for registration, or gain more pool safety laws information at the Department of Housing and Public Works website at www.hpw.qld.gov.au To enquire about a Council swimming pool inspection phone 4970 0700.

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

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HEALTHY LIVING Clubs thrilled to BITS about lease Cricket and Australian football will continue to be fixtures at the Boyne Island Tannum Sands (BITS) sports complex after Council extended their tenures at the Jacaranda Drive facility.

Council recently approved a joint lease to the Boyne Tannum Cricket Club and the BITS Saints Australian Football Club which will enable both codes to share use of the facility until the end of 2017.

The new lease was a welcome boon for both clubs which have shared the BITS complex for a number of years but have been restricted from developing their facilities due to uncertainty over the proposed Boyne Tannum Country Club development.

Now that the Country Club development is not going ahead, ending the need for their relocation, the two clubs expressed to Council their desire to secure a long-term tenure to provide certainty into the future.

Boyne Tannum Football Club’s planned relocation from the adjoining soccer grounds to the Boyne Tannum Sports Park will also allow for both the cricket and AFL club to expand in the near future.

Council’s confidence that cricket and AFL would continue to work together to develop a quality sporting facility for the community was a major factor in its decision to award a new lease.

Eric the ‘Swap It, Don’t Stop It’ mascot

Fun activities to push healthy message at expo Discover local produce and services at Healthy Lifestyle Expo Find out more about all of the health and wellbeing services available within the Discovery Coast area at the third annual Healthy Lifestyle Expo in July.

Visitors to the expo are also encouraged to try out local recreational activities or indulge in soothing yoga or massage sessions.

The expo, to be located on the Seventeen Seventy foreshore at Endeavour Park, will offer a wealth of information for those looking to give their health and wellbeing a boost.

There will be plenty of healthy food and beverages to sample with cooking tips and recipes available, as well as producers selling locally grown healthy goods.

The event aims to promote healthy eating and regular physical activity and inform visitors how they can reduce the risks of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type two diabetes, and cancer.

Local service providers, producers, stall holders and sport and recreational groups are invited to submit an expression of interest to participate in the expo to showcase their products and services.

This year’s expo will feature all the fun and activities of previous years including a return visit by Noosa celebrity chef Peter Wolfe who will again create delicacies using ingredients grown and produced in the Discovery Coast area.

For more information, or to register your interest in participating in the 2013 Healthy Lifestyle Expo, phone Council’s Community Support Worker Deb Sanderson on 4902 1100 or email debs@ gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

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YOUTH UPDATE Youth Drop-in Centres to stop boredom Do you ever get bored on the weekends and have nothing to do?

If so, then Gladstone Regional Council encourages you to make the most of Council's regional youth centres at Mount Larcom and Agnes Water.

Mount Larcom's Youth Dropin Centre is operated by local volunteers and is open Saturday from 5.30pm 10pm, offering community picnics, sporting days, movie nights and games.

Agnes Water Youth Drop-in Centre is open fortnightly on Friday nights from 6pm to 9pm and offers cooking, art, craft and games.

Activities offered at these locations are free and entry costs $2 which is reinvested back into the centre.

Be Active, Be Happy, Be You is the theme of this year's National Youth Week

‘Drawing Boards’ pro skateboards to headline at Youth Week National Youth Week 2013 delivers a busy schedule Highlighting this year’s Youth Week is none other than the sensational team from 'Drawing Boards' who are set to wow the crowds with their extraordinary skateboarding manoeuvres.

Supported by Gladstone Regional Council and community based groups, National Youth Week 2013 offers a wide variety of activities catered to young people of all interests to provide youths an opportunity to enjoy healthy activities, share ideas and have their voices heard.

From mosaics to photography and car maintenance to skateboarding, it’s guaranteed that National Youth Week 2013 will keep all Gladstone Region youths busy.

This year will see the introduction of all

new events such as 'Drawing Boards' pro skateboarders, a film festival showcase, young ladies afternoon high tea and fundraiser 'Time for Kids'.

Youth are encouraged to suggest new activities and events to the centres' supervisors or volunteers.

So the next time you are bored go and check these centres out!

For more information about activities offered in Agnes Water phone Dale Harker on 4902 1100 or for information on Mt Larcom activities phone Vernetta Perrett on 4976 6311.

Many of the events offer free entry to encourage youth aged 12 to 24 escape from their comfort zone to meet people and learn new skills.

All national youth week activities are drug and alcohol free. Be quick to book as some events are limited by numbers.

More information can be found by contacting the event organiser Council's Youth Development Officer Vernetta Perrett on 4976 6311 or by visiting www. gladstone.qld.gov.au under the 'Events' link via the 'About Gladstone Region' tab.

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

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ARTS & CULTURE Discover the pleasure of an eAudiobook today Give your eyes a rest and take your ears on a journey Gladstone Regional Libraries provide members access to free eAudiobooks through Bolinda Digital that can easily be downloaded anytime or anywhere to a computer, phone or tablet. eAudiobooks are a great way for people to relax and enjoy the pleasure of storytelling.

Library members can search for eAudiobooks by visiting the library’s website and selecting the ‘Click and Listen Bolinda digital’ button. Instructions on how to download to different devices can be found under the ‘How Do I?’ tab.

Alternatively users can download the free BorrowBox app which enables library members to simply login with their member details to access the library’s collection of eAudiobooks and download straight to a phone or tablet.

Janaya Ray shows Merril Ruback how to download an eAudiobook to a tablet

For further information visit the Gladstone Regional Libraries website at www. gladstonelibraries.qld.gov.au

Ah Xian: Metaphysica explores the human body through bronze Among several intriguing and unique exhibitions on display at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum is the brand new and exciting Ah Xian: Metaphysica.

Ah Xian is a senior Chinese/Australian artist, best known for his contemporary use of the ancient mediums of porcelain, lacquer, cloisonné and jade.

The human body is of central importance within his work, which incorporates traditional Chinese iconography to reference past experiences.

‘Metaphysica’ is the title given by Ah Xian to his ongoing series of bronze busts, a recent development in his work.

Cast from life in a lengthy process, each figure is subtly different in patina (tarnish) and expression.

Also distinguishing each one are the objects which rest on top of the busts’ heads, ranging from deities and temples

to animals and lamps.

Ah Xian purchased the objects from antique and craft markets in Beijing and from roadside stalls.

He then manipulated each one using paint, chemical colour treatments or gold leaf to create a uniform appearance.

As Ah Xian says, they are all “auspicious symbolic objects which reflect what people believe, love and appreciate”.

Ah Xian: Metaphysica is being toured to the Gladstone Region from the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane and will be officially launched at 6.30pm on Friday, April 12, and on display from April 13 to June 8.

For more information phone 4976 6766, email gragm@gladstonerc.qld. gov.au or visit www.gladstonerc.qld.gov. au/gallerymuseum

Gladstone Regional Council - The Council Connection April - May 2013

Ah Xian: Metaphysica opens on April 12 Ah Xian, Metaphysica: Red Fish 2007. Bronze, brass and oil paint. Purchased 2009 with funds from Tim Fairfax, AM, through the Queensland Art Gallery. Foundation Collection: Queensland Art Gallery.

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GLADSTONE REGIONAL

LIBRARIES Agnes Water Library 71 Springs Road, Agnes Water Phone (07) 4902 1501

2013

Boyne Tannum Community Centre & Library Cnr Wyndham & Hayes Ave, Boyne Is Phone: (07) 4973 7723 Calliope Library 5 Don Cameron Drive, Calliope Phone: (07) 4975 8105 Gladstone City Library 39 Goondoon Street, Gladstone Phone: (07) 4976 6400 Mt Larcom Rural Transaction Centre and Library 47 Raglan St, Mount Larcom Phone: (07) 4975 1205

For all Activities at:

Miriam Vale Library 34 Roe Street, Miriam Vale Phone: (07) 4974 6241

FREE WiFi

June 2

GLADSTONE REGIONAL

LIBRARIES

9am-3pm Tondoon Botanic Gardens, Glenlyon Rd, Gladstone

Happy Rock Book Club meets fortnightly at Gladstone City Library. The group meets in the Local Collections room between 11am and 12pm to discuss the latest books they have read. If you would like to talk about your favourite books with like minded people why not come along.

Everyone is welcome!

during the Easter School Holidays please visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au