Council Connection February - March 2016

COUNCIL

CONNECTION GLADSTONE REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY - MARCH 2016 ISSUE 70

INSIDE Jumpstart our city heart

3

5 Land prepared for demo garden

8 Australia Day Award Winners Announced

12 Liz Cunningham Park Opens

CEO's Message

Cover Cooper Powell, Olivia Powell and Jayden Moody celebrate Australia Day at Council's Family Fun Day. Page 9

Council Connection This newsletter is produced every two months by Gladstone Regional Council to inform residents about Council events, activities, services and projects.

It is printed on 60% recycled paper.

Delivery Council Connection is delivered directly into all residential letterboxes

by Australia Post as 'unaddressed mail' and is also available for viewing or downloading from Council’s website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au 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 48.6 cents per household per edition.

As this is an election year for Local Government in Queensland, the content in this edition of the Council Connection newsletter is required to be a little different from normal editions.

We are in the midst of a caretaker period in the lead up to the election on March 19, 2016, and legislation prescribes that Council must not publish anything in that time that could be seen to be election material that might influence the way you vote at the election.

For that reason a couple of the regular features of the newsletter, namely direct messages to the public from Councillors, are not included in this edition.

While I don't want to influence how you might vote on March 19, I do want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to participate in this important democratic process.

Even though voting is compulsory in Australia, an alarming number of people are not taking part in the process to elect the leaders of their community.

At the most recent Local Government elections in 2012, less than 80 per cent of those who were enrolled in the Gladstone Region actually cast a vote.

The statistics are even more concerning when you consider that nearly one fifth of our population, who are of voting age, are not properly enrolled to vote.

Putting these figures together shows that in the last Local Government elections, the leaders of our community were elected by less than 65 per cent of the people who were entitled to have a say.

It seems odd that in this age of social media where more and more people want to be involved in community decision making, less than two thirds of the population take up the opportunity to be involved in a way that really counts.

Please take the time to ensure that you are properly enrolled to vote and think about how and when you will cast it.

If you can't attend a pooling booth on March 19, other options are available. More information can be obtained from Electoral Commission Queensland at www.ecq.qld. gov.au or your nearest Council office.

If you don't vote, should you really have the right to complain?

Water Rates payments due early March Gladstone Region ratepayers are reminded that their Water Rates payments are due on March 4.

Water Usage Notices for the period July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 were issued to residents on February 3, accompanied by an insert providing helpful tips and information on how households can reduce water usage

and save money.

Council charges water consumption at the rate per kilolitre adopted in the 2015/16 Budget: Lake Awoonga Scheme - $1.65/KL Miriam Vale/Bororen Scheme - $3.69/KL Agnes Water/Seventeen Seventy Scheme - $3.74/KL For more information refer to the Rates and Charges booklet sent with rates notices in August 2015 or view online at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/rates

Cr Gail Sellers - Mayor

Cr Col Chapman - Councillor

Cr Graham McDonald - Councillor

Cr Maxine Brushe - Councillor

Cr Rick Hansen - Councillor

Cr Karen Porter - Councillor

Portfolio: Engineering Services Mobile: 0448 885 047 Email: rickhansen@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Portfolio: Economic Development Strategy Mobile: 0417 723 042 Email: karenporter@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Cr Ren Lanzon - Councillor

Cr PJ Sobhanian - Councillor

Mobile: 0448 883 134 Email: mayor@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Portfolio: Community Services Mobile: 0448 882 609 Email: maxineb@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Cr Matt Burnett - Deputy Mayor Portfolio: Regional Strategy Mobile: 0437 086 401 Email: mattb@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Council Contacts PO Box 29, Gladstone Qld 4680 Phone: 4970 0700 Fax: 4975 8500 Email: info@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au Office Hours: 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Portfolio: Environment Mobile: 0448 883 961 Email: colinc@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Portfolio: Arts & Culture Mobile: 0417 732 640 Email: renlanzon@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Gladstone Office 101 Goondoon Street Gladstone Qld 4680

Calliope Office

5 Don Cameron Drive Calliope Qld 4680

Portfolio: Parks & Recreation Mobile: 0409 730 469 Email: grahamm@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Portfolio: Rural Services Mobile: 0412 544 201 Email: pjs@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Miriam Vale Office 41 Blomfield Street Miriam Vale Qld 4677

www.gladstone.qld.gov.au www.facebook.com/GladstoneRegionalCouncil

Jumpstarting our city heart What does a vibrant, revitalised Gladstone CBD look like to you?

How can it be transformed into a place where you want to live, play and work?

Community members are encouraged to answer questions like these to help put a healthy beat back into Gladstone's city heart.

For the next seven weeks, Council is calling for community insights into how the CBD can be shaped into a place where the community and businesses thrive and Gladstone's lifestyle, history and landscapes are celebrated.

Potential actions to improve the social, environmental and economic aspects of the CBD, for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors, are:

JUMP START our

City Heart

Expo gathers community input into a better CBD Laneway developments, WiFi hotspots, pop up shops, movie screenings and a community garden.

These are just some of an abundance of creative ideas for revitalising the Gladstone CBD that were put forward at Council's recent Jumpstart Our City Heart Expo.

Council invited community members to attend the event to discuss their vision for a vibrant, bustling Gladstone city heart.

Increased entertainment, such as community events, markets and street performances, was a common discussion point among attendees who wanted new experiences and attractions in the CBD.

Other ideas for creating interest in the CBD were filling gaps between 'attracters' and ensuring ground floor spaces were reserved for retail and dining.

Street beautification was also important to attendees who sought upgraded footpaths, the introduction of lawns and green spaces, CBD entry statements, preservation of historical buildings and a revamp of the northern end of Goondoon Street.

Many attendees also requested improved access to the CBD through better links to carparks, adjusting carpark numbers and time limits, building shared lanes and extending Goondoon Street's one-way section.

What are your ideas for a revitalised CBD? Share them at http://haveyoursay.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

• Creating a sense of 'place'; • Increasing patronage and community activity in the area; • Creating residential opportunities; • Further developing events and cultural and leisure opportunities; • Encouraging new businesses and jobs; • Diversifying business types; • Creating green spaces and sustainable landscaping; and • Linking the CBD to Auckland Inlet.

You can share your ideas for how these visions can be achieved, and help us jumpstart Gladstone's city heart, via http://haveyoursay. gladstonerc.qld.gov.au Residents can also request a survey form by phoning Council on 4970 0700.

Community engagement is open until March 31 and will guide the development of Council's Urban Renewal Strategy.

Survey ranks Council first in customer service Gladstone Regional Council was ranked No. 1 in customer service as part of the recent Customer Services Benchmarking Survey.

CSBA representatives made 'secret shopper' calls to Council, scoring the speed of call connections and how staff greeted and managed the enquiries of callers.

The survey was administered to 35 city and regional councils nationwide by independent assessor Customer Services Benchmarking Australia (CSBA).

The assessors reported that Council's average connection times were notably faster than the local government average and that officers were diligent in clarifying

caller needs.

Council's servicing of email enquiries was benchmarked in a similar way, with a focus on the promptness, professionalism and outcomes of its responses.

CSBA reported that all email enquiries were completely resolved at the first point of contact.

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10 year Strategic Plan adopted for Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens The Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens' 10 year Strategic Plan is now in place to guide its future development and contribution to plant science, education, recreation and local tourism.

The plan's final draft came together in late November last year after several months of planning and community/stakeholder consultation.

It was adopted at Council's last general meeting for 2015 on December 15. There are five focus areas in the plan that covers 2016-25: • • • • •

Research and conservation; Education; Recreation and culture; Promotion; and Business development.

Projects, including field trips, a Herbarium

volunteer program, species surveys, demonstration gardens, an educational lecture series and a proposed Creative Recycling Centre, have been nominated in each of these areas and will be rolled into three year action plans.

Council will report regularly on progress towards strategic goals to demonstrate commitment to achieving the Gardens' vision.

The Strategic Plan identifies the Gardens' mission as maintaining and presenting a native Australian botanic garden curating a scientific collection of regional plant species from Central Queensland, specifically Port Curtis.

Part of its mission is also to display a significant collection of live plants from Tropical North Queensland.

Park round-up Alf Larson/Lions Park redevelopment Work has begun on the $4.5million redevelopment of Miriam Vale's Alf Larson/ Lions Park. At the time of printing, the site had been cleared with earthworks and demolition in progress. Work on storm water facilities was also under way.

Council will keep the community updated as necessary on aspects of the project to minimise disruption and inconvenience during the three-stage redevelopment.

Calliope Cemetery North project The $1.4million Stage One of the Calliope Cemetery North project should be completed by the end of February.

Civil, landscaping, electrical and structural works have been carried out on the site opposite the existing cemetery on the corner of Morcom Street and Herbertson Road. The new cemetery will feature the modern burial crypt system, memorial ash pathways and a reflection area.

Bororen Sports Ground playground extension Bororen's playground project was completed in time for children to use the new facilities during the local Australia Day event in the Bororen Hall grounds.

Work involved installing additional play equipment, shade cover and new fencing.

Builyan playground Community consultation on this project was completed on December 7, 2015.

The Federal Government's Stronger Communities fund has approved funding of $8,275 for the new playground using the people's choice option.

Tondoon Gardens' Curator Brent Braddick (centre) with Herbarium volunteers Doug Tighe, Margaret Worthington, Peter Marsh and Clive Rouse at the discovery site.

Plant discovery to boost Gardens' reputation The discovery of a new plant species in the Agnes Water area could help to enhance the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens' scientific reputation.

Gardens' Curator Brent Braddick first saw the Mischocarpus species three years ago, but the official count of plant numbers was only completed in early November last year.

Brent and some Tondoon Herbarium volunteers counted more than 100 plants of the species, which could become threatened.

After the initial discovery, a pressed specimen was sent to the Queensland Herbarium in Brisbane for identification.

It was misidentified originally, but after visiting the site the retired Herbarium botanist, Dr Bill McDonald, couldn't believe the species had not been seen before.

The shrub is a member of the Sapindaceae family, grows up to four metres tall and has an enormous leaf.

The Agnes Water plants will now be monitored until they flower and produce seed.

It is hoped the discovery will lead to an academic research paper and appropriate recognition for Brent Braddick and the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens.

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Why dump illegally when free options are available?

The cost of cleaning and investigating an average illegal dumping incident is about $1500.

Common illegally dumped items such as white goods, general waste and green waste can be disposed of legally for FREE. Items that can be disposed free of charge include:

Work has commenced on the Tondoon Botanic Gardens' demonstration gardens which are due for completion by mid-2018.

Land being prepared for demonstration gardens Work is well underway preparing land at Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens for a series of demonstration gardens to be developed over the next three years.

Just before Christmas, massive machines moved in to begin clearing a large number of trees that died in a fire some years ago.

The contractors used specialised arboriculture equipment, including a chipper from Japan, which turned the dead trees into woodchip to be used at the Gardens.

Some ground contouring will also be carried out as part of this stage of early preparation.

Eventually, there will be various

display gardens providing Gladstone Region residents with practical ideas of how to grow local plants in our region.

Council wants people to appreciate these gardens in a natural setting and casually observe how to use regional plants in a small, urban space.

There will also be an educational focus through a range of free demonstrations on various gardening and related topics.

It is part of an integrated approach Gardens' management will use to showcase the region's plants, while holding practical workshops to educate gardeners and help them be more successful at home.

• Wheelie bins, up to 240 litres, of general waste or recyclables; • A ute or single axle box trailer of green waste; • White goods (including fridges); • Gas bottles up to 9kg; • Waste oil; • Automotive batteries; • Scrap metal; and • Electronic waste including TVs and computers.

Mattresses are one of the most common items found illegally dumped, as there is a fee charged (dependent on size) due to the space required in landfill.

If the mattress is stripped and broken down into separate waste types (timber, steel and material/ foam), disposal is free providing the quantity of material/foam is below 240L. Council encourages all residents to do the right thing and be mindful of ratepayers having to pick up the bill.

Corporations and individuals caught dumping illegally can be fined up to $8835 and $2356 respectively.

Gladstone Waste Transfer Station and Benaraby Landfill are open seven days a week from 7am to 5.30pm.

Benaraby Landfill is also open on all public holidays including Christmas Day.

Gardens begins revitalisation of endangered species The careful and nurturing process of revitalising the endangered Yarwun Whitewood tree species has begun in the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens' nursery.

soil conditions.

This tree conservation project is a collaboration between the Gardens' team, led by curator Brent Braddick, and Gladstone Regional Council's Conservation team.

They were then planted in seed trays and germinated within a few days.

Small numbers of the species can be found at Yarwun but they are not regenerating in their natural environment.

Brent said land clearing, grazing, insects and fires had impacted the tree population but the species had a very viable seed, was drought tolerant and could handle poor

He collected the seeds from a small stand of trees he had planted at the Gladstone cemetery some years ago.

There are now 400 small plants waiting to be planted out from tubes or repotted and grown into larger trees.

The next decision to be made will be about where to plant the seedlings within the next three months.

As they are an endangered species, the Yarwun Whitewood seedlings cannot be sold but can be grown on Council land.

Gardener, Cody Nicol, tends to some of the 400 Atalaya collina (Yarwun Whitewood) seedlings at Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens

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Remedial works to restore integrity to Young Street bridges

Multiple projects to get under way at Chapman Drive Work has started on the $3.81 million Chapman Drive major upgrade at Clinton.

The project, which in reality brings together four individual projects, each identified as being necessary to Chapman Drive in order to address the effects of ageing infrastructure and increased traffic volumes, started in late January and is expected to be completed in July.

Awarded to Queensland Bridge and Civil on December 15, 2015, the project consists of the installation of traffic lights at the intersection of Chapman Drive and Ballantine Street, an upgrade of the Chapman Drive and J Hickey Avenue intersection, renewal and strengthening of the Chapman Drive carriageway, and the installation of a 375mm diameter water main.

The new traffic lights will better manage vehicle movements in and out of the Chapman Drive shopping complex,

Upcoming remedial works on Young Street bridges spanning the railway lines will ensure the integrity of the existing infrastructure.

The works consist of concrete repairs to improve the structural integrity of the bridges as well as deck and footway joint repairs and resurfacing works to fix defects that would continue to deteriorate the structures if left unattended.

The works may require lane or road closures on the bridges and Council thanks the public for their patience while the project is conducted.

improve intersection negotiations from all directions, and provide safer pedestrian passage across Chapman Drive.

The upgrade of the Chapman Drive and J Hickey Avenue intersection will also enhance traffic flow by reducing queue lengths, for vehicles turning left or right from J Hickey Avenue into Chapman Drive, and in the school drop off/pick up area in Laner Street, which also impacts McGinlay Street.

In addition to these measures to reduce traffic congestion during morning and afternoon peak periods, the installation of the new water main will improve the delivery of potable water along Chapman Drive to the Clinton area.

The water main upgrade was originally scheduled for the 2020-21 financial year but, due to the reconstruction of Chapman Drive, was brought forward to avoid future disturbance of the new roadwork.

BRIEFLY ď Ž Reporting issues to Council If you notice an issue with roads, footpaths or any other Council-related matter you can lodge a customer service request via www.gladstone. qld.gov.au/report-an-issue. You can also download the Snap Send Solve app to your smartphone and use it to capture and report issues in less than 30 seconds, using your phone's GPS location and camera function.

Bollards help ensure bridge safety prior to rebuild Residents may have noticed a difference at the entrances to the Moura Short Rail Line Pedestrian Bridge on the Dawson Highway.

Council installed bollards at the eastern and western entrances to the bridge, located west of the roundabout servicing the Callemondah Drive and Olsen Avenue entrances to the Dawson Highway, in November, 2015, in order to discourage use by golfers driving carts.

The bridge will soon be replaced by a new structure due to its deterioration but remains safe for use by pedestrians,

pedestrians with prams, cyclists and smaller electronic vehicles.

However, it is not suitable for large, heavy motorised vehicles such as golf carts.

Council installed the bollards following sightings of golf buggies being driven across the bridge, a purpose for which the bridge was not intended, in order to access the nearby Gladstone Golf Club course.

Installation of the new structure is expected to start in early March, 2016 with the bridge to be closed to pedestrians for four weeks until its completion in April.

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Matthew Flinders Bridge uplifting job

Council's Road Services staff extend the footpath on Pacific Avenue in Tannum Sands

Road Services kept in the fast lane in 2015 If Council's network of roads was laid out end-to-end, it would extend from Brisbane to the tip of Cape York – a total of 2,698km.

It's therefore safe to say Council's Road Services division is as busy as the thoroughfares they manage, every day of a normal year. But 2015 wasn't a normal year for Road Services.

Instead, by the end of July and the financial year, Council had invested a record amount in the region's road network, including the resurfacing of 455,000 square metres of roads, the completion of more than $72 million of flood restoration works and more than $7 million of rural road improvements.

In 2015 a much-needed increase in funding for the region's bridges was also realised, resulting from detailed condition assessments and the start of associated maintenance and renewal works at a cost of around $4.14 million.

In addition to managing increased road investments, Council took advantage of last year's long periods of dry weather to get on top of its roads capital works program.

Through these collective efforts, the Gladstone Region's road and footpath

network is in its best ever condition, especially in rural areas.

And that condition will hopefully be maintained through the guidance of Council's Roads Level of Service document, the adoption of which was another significant achievement in 2015.

The document guides Council in prioritising works and determining when and when not to act on road defects, by specifying intervention levels and response times.

This year will not be any quieter for the Road Services division, which has a lengthy list of upcoming projects to manage.

Major works include the $3.81 million reconstruction of Chapman Drive in Clinton, which involves the: installation of traffic lights at the Ballantine Street intersection; upgrade of the intersection with J Hickey Avenue; renewal of the road's carriageway; and installation of a water main.

Cyclone Marcia restoration works will commence this month and will feature about $10 million of works undertaken, predominantly in the western area of our region.

Matthew Flinders (Marina) Bridge returned to full operation on January 6 following the replacement of pivot bearings.

The bascule bridge, which spans Gladstone's Auckland Creek and provides motor vehicle and pedestrian access to the Gladstone Marina Parklands, nearby businesses and the CQUniversity campus, had been closed intermittently during December and January for the works to proceed.

After being locked in the horizontal position for much of the time the repairs were being conducted, the bridge is now able to be lifted in order to provide passage up Auckland Creek for tall marine vessels.

The project also included the refurbishment of the pedestrian walkways adjacent to the bridge, the re-manufacturing of bearing assemblies, and the commissioning of all bridge components.

During the course of the ongoing repairs, provisions were made so that events such as the Gladstone Ports Corporation's Botanic to Bridge fun run and Santos GLNG Mayoral Carols by Candlelight were not disrupted.

Motor vehicle and pedestrian access was also retained during the busy Christmas/ New Year period.

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National Youth Week 2016 will be celebrated from Friday, April 8 to Sunday, April 17.

Several activities are being organised for the Gladstone Region including an outdoor movie night, various workshops and skate park events.

On April 8 Council will host a Mayor's Youth Breakfast to be attended by young people whose contributions and achievements within our

community will be recognised.

An Australian, State, Territory and If you know someone aged 12-24 who you Local Government Initiative believe deserves to be nominated for such recognition, phone Youth Development Officer Vernetta Perrett on 4976 6311 or email vernettap@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au Nominations close on March 11.

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A I L A R T AUS Celebrate

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across the region

Council congratulates its 2016 Australia Day Awards' nominees Council has publically recognised the achievements and community contributions of its 2016 Australia Day Awards' nominees.

Margaret Pengelly Citizen of the Year Winner

Varsicka Kularadhan Young Citizen of the Year Winner

Rosemary Anderson Arts & Culture Award Winner

Jack Ireland Young Sportsperson Award Winner

Chelsea Baker Senior Sportsperson Award Winner

Sarah Brennan Sports Official Award Winner

The 33 award nominees were announced at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre on January 25 prior to the naming of the award category winners.

The award nominees were congratulated for their outstanding efforts and dedication within the community.

The 2016 Australia Day Award recipients are: • Citizen of the Year - Margaret Pengelly • Young Citizen of the Year Varsicka Kularadhan • Arts & Culture Award Rosemary Anderson • Senior Sportsperson Award Chelsea Baker • Young Sportsperson Award Jack Ireland • Sports Official Award - Sarah Brennan • Community Event or Initiative Award - State Emergency Service, Gladstone • Community Volunteer Award: Paul and Betty Smith

State Emergency Service, Gladstone Community Event or Initiative Award Winner

Paul & Betty Smith Community Volunteer Award Winner Page 8

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Morning event offers cool surrounds for family fun

A morning event enabled cooler air to surround Council's Australia Day Family Fun Day at Gladstone's Marina Parklands.

Aussie fun was the order of the day with entertainment and activities organised from 8am to noon.

Thousands of residents turned out to enjoy cricket, Aussie activities and enjoy performances by roving and local entertainers.

The Australia Day celebrations were complemented by Council-supported festivities in regional communities.

Barbara Conway, Taw nby, Jamie, Verity, Im ogen and Xavier Harringto n enjoyed the Australia Day festivities at Gladstone .

et performer Dame enjoy the antics of roving stre Lindsay and Marcia Rickman Marina Parklands, ia Day celebrations at the Edna Everage at the Austral Gladstone.

are all d Godfrey Motenava Caitlin, Nerollyne an s, Gladstone. nd kla Par a rin Ma thumbs up at the

Sarah Cuthbertson, Elijah Driver and Ash ley Driver embraced spirit at the Marina the Aussie Parklands, Gladstone .

A dozen regional locations share Australia Day community fun Strong interest was received for Council's 2016 funding to assist not-for-profit groups to host public Australia Day events.

Twelve regional groups received a Council donation with organisers keenly arranging a variety of Australia Day activities.

Cricket, novelty games, billy cart races, treasure hunts, Australian trivia, prizes for best dressed, lawn bowls and jumping

Eileen and Rebecca Randles looked the part for the Australia Da y event at Bororen.

castles were just some of the highlights of the day.

Council thanks this year's hosts of Councilsupported Australia Day community events: Discovery Coast Tourism & Commerce Inc, 1770 Bowls Club Inc, Captain Creek Community Sport and Rec Club, RSL Rosedale Chapter, Turkey Beach Progress Association Inc, Bororen Hall Committee, Miriam Vale State School

Mason Wicks (left) and Cooper Filian looking colourful and full of fun for Bororen's Australia Day event.

P & C Assoc, Boyne Valley Community Discovery Centre, Builyan Many Peaks Community Development Assoc, Mount Larcom Art Gallery & Museum, Mt Larcom Bowls Club and Yarwun Grow Group.

The annual donations are awarded under Council's Community Donations Category 3 Regional Event Support - Australia Day Events.

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Page 9

Council records its largest ever public citizenship ceremony A record number of new Australians were welcomed at Council's largest ever public citizenship ceremony on January 25.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 2016 Australia Day Awards and marked the finalisation of the process to become an Australian citizen.

A total of 102 new Australians were welcomed to the region, having originated from Pakistan, Iraq, South Africa, United Kingdom, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Canada, India, Nepal, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Thailand, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, United States, Fiji, USSR, Ireland, New Zealand and England.

The ceremony involved residents who had applied for citizenship uniting for a citizenship oath or affirmation, presentation of Australian Citizenship certificates, commemorative gifts and a group photograph.

Further information about applying for Australian citizenship and details about public citizenship ceremonies conducted by Council is available at www.gladstone. qld.gov.au/citizenship

Voting in Local Government election is compulsory Voting in the 2016 Local Government quadrennial elections is compulsory for all eligible, enrolled electors - not just ratepayers.

If you are enrolled for federal and state elections you are automatically enrolled to vote in local government elections and, therefore, required to vote at the Saturday, March 19 poll.

The notice of election will be issued on February 6 with the electoral roll to initially close on February 12.

The roll will then be reopened to allow electors to enrol or update enrolment details until 6pm, Friday, March 18.

Seventeen polling booths will be located

throughout the Gladstone Region on the day at Agnes Water, Baffle Creek, Benaraby, Boyne Island, Calliope, Gladstone (Chanel College, Clinton, Gladstone Central, Gladstone South, Gladstone West, Kin Kora), Miriam Vale, Mount Larcom, Rosedale, Seaview, Tannum Sands and Ubobo.

For those who cannot make it to a polling booth on March 19, pre-polling will occur from March 14-18 at five locations: • Gladstone, Returning Officer's office, 2/122 Hansen Road (Mar 14-17, 9am-5pm; Mar 18, 9am-6pm).

• Agnes Water Rural Transaction Centre, 71 Springs Road (Mar 14-17, 9am-4.30pm; Mar 18, 9am-6pm).

• Boyne Tannum Community Centre, Corner of Wyndham and Hayes avenues (Mar 14-17, 9am-5pm; Mar 18, 9am-6pm).

• Calliope Administration Centre, 5 Don Cameron Drive (Mar 14-17, 9am-5pm; Mar 18, 9am-6pm).

• Miriam Vale Administration Centre, 41 Blomfield Street (Mar 14-17, 9am5pm; Mar 18, 9am-6pm).

All Queensland Local Government elections are being held on the same day with all elections outside of Brisbane conducted in accordance with the following legislative acts: • Local Government Electoral Act 2011 • Local Government Act 2009

Page 10

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SUNfest 2016 attracts strong youth participation

More than 450 youths from across the Gladstone Region have taken part in SUNfest 2016 events and activities.

SUNfest is organised by Gladstone Festivals and Events on behalf of Council and offers a range of affordable and some free activities for youths across the region.

Various workshops, tailoring to the interests of 11 to 17 year olds, were held from January 11 to 22 at regional locations.

Popular events in the youth holiday program this year included a modelling, deportment and makeup skills workshop, a trapeze and aerial skills workshop, a Minecraft lamp making tutorial, indoor rock climbing, abseiling and sportwall activities, laser skirmish, stand up paddle boarding, surfing, adventure caving and bats tour, go karts, pottery, cooking and an adventure day.

The traditional SUNfest Showcase finale highlighted the diversity of SUNfest activities and displayed a collection of the skills learnt by youths.

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Page 11

Mount Larcom Open Day to target community resilience It is nearly 12 months since Cyclone Marcia hit hard the town of Mount Larcom and its residents, damaging homes, power lines and mango crops.

On Sunday, February 21, Gladstone Regional Council will host an open day in the town to highlight the way a community can 'bounce back' after such a setback.

'Celebrating Community Resilience' will be held in conjunction with the Mount Larcom and Ambrose state schools at the Mount Larcom school grounds from 10am to 3pm.

The event will be part of a two-year State Government funded project implemented

by Council to assist communities and individuals to build resilience and the collective strength to overcome disasters.

Encouraging improved community connectedness and inclusiveness will be important strategies in trying to achieve this resilience.

The open day will also set out to increase residents' awareness about the natural disaster emergency management phases of prevention, preparation, response and recovery.

Let's go and Clean Up Australia Council wants to mobilise as many people as possible on Sunday, March 6 to clean up somewhere in our backyard.

It is Clean Up Australia Day across the country where more than 2400 sites have been registered for the annual 'emu parade'.

Council has registered as a participating organisation and 10 sites have been registered for clean-up work.

At the time of printing, four were closed sites but another six in Gladstone and Tannum Sands were open for people to join.

Last year, 140 volunteers across 33 sites in the Gladstone Region removed rubbish from roadsides, parks, beaches and waterways.

Those who are unable to join in on March 6 can register their site on any day of the year.

To register a site to be cleaned, volunteer at an existing site or make a donation go to www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or call 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329).

Community CALENDAR FEBRUARY Date

Name of the event

Location

Contact

15 Dec 27 Feb

Saiki City Children's Art 2016

Art Gallery & Museum 4976 6766

16

General Council Meeting

Civic Centre

17 Dec 27 Feb

Marks of Fire: A look, through Art Gallery & Museum 4976 6766 the brand, at life on the land, Qld 1870 to now

17 Dec 5 Mar

Freedom of the Press

Art Gallery & Museum 4976 6766

17 & 24

Toddler Time 9.30 & 10.30am

Boyne Island Library

4971 9700

19 & 26

Story Time 10.30am

Boyne Island Library

4971 9700

21

Community Resilience Day 10am - 3pm

Mt Larcom State School

4976 6352

23

'101 Ways to Treat Yourself Well' free workshop 6 - 9pm (Please book)

Community Advisory Service

4976 6300

25

Baby Bounce

Boyne Island Library

4971 9700

Name of the event

Location

Contact

4970 0700

MARCH Date

1 - 2 April Celebrate Australia Primary Art

Art Gallery & Museum 4976 6766

1 & 15

General Council Meeting

Civic Centre

1

Morning Melodies

Entertainment Centre 4972 2822

1

Business Clean Up Day

Gladstone Region

4970 0700 or 4977 6899

2,9,16,23 & 30

Toddler Time 9.30 & 10.30am

Boyne Island Library

4971 9700

4

Schools Clean Up Day

Gladstone Region

4970 0700 or 4977 6899

4,11,18 & 25

Story Time

Boyne Island Library

4971 9700

6

Clean Up Australia Day

Gladstone Region

4970 0700 or 4977 6899

7

2016 Combined Schools Musical

Entertainment Centre 4972 2822

10 & 24

Baby Bounce

Boyne Island Library

12

Aboriginal Comedy Allstars

Entertainment Centre 4972 2822

16

QTC's Quartet

Entertainment Centre 4972 2822

24

Baby Bounce

Boyne Island Library

29

Asanti Dance Theatre

Entertainment Centre 4972 2822

Date

Name of the event

Location

Contact

1

Toddler Time

Boyne Island Library

4971 9700

7

Welcome to Gladstone Morning Tea

Gladstone City Library 4976 6400

8 - 17

National Youth Week

Various Gladstone Region locations

Competition

4970 0700

4971 9700

4971 9700

APRIL

4976 6300 Page 12

BRIEFLY  Centre lighting to commemorate occasions

Lighting that will change colour to commemorate special occasions or causes has been installed at Gladstone's Civic Centre and Entertainment Convention Centre. In March, the lights will glow green and gold for Clean Up Australia Day then purple for International Women's Day before changing to red for the World's Greatest Shave.

 Follow us on Instagram Do you like your news presented visually and conveniently on your mobile device?

If so, follow Council on Instagram to enjoy photos of our Region's community, landscapes and events. You can also use the hashtag #GRC in your posts if you'd like your pic 'regrammed' on the Council page. To connect with Council search for its handle @GladstoneRegionalCouncil on Instagram.

 New Council app is coming A little piece of Council can be carried in residents' pockets and handbags when its first app for mobile devices is launched next month. The app will enable residents to keep helpful Council information on hand at all times as well as access information without an internet connection.

 Are you prepared for storms?

The cyclone season is not over yet, so if you haven't prepared for natural disasters and emergencies, download the 'Ready?' guide from www.gladstone.qld.gov.au.

Residents may also register for Council's Early Warning Network alerts to receive advanced warning of adverse weather or potential threats via www.gladstone.qld. gov.au/early-warning-registration-form

Liz Cunningham Park becomes official home to various Calliope sports clubs Calliope's newest sports park development, Liz Cunningham Park is officially open.

Retired State Member for Gladstone Liz Cunningham opened the 49 ha park on Racecourse Road, named in her honour, before invited guests on January 23.

The development provides an essential boost to the township's sporting facilities and features two full-size football fields, a full-size cricket ground, shared clubhouse and amenities.

Planning and design of the $2.5m sports park involved consultation with local

The new centralised sporting hub will serve Calliope's high sport demands and offer the community modern facilities for years to come.

Liz Cunningham Park features a 281m2 clubhouse with amenities, administration facilities and 140 parking spaces.

The multi-purpose facility will be home ground to various Calliope sporting groups including Calliope Junior Soccer and Calliope & District Cricket Club.

Easter operating hours Residents are advised of the following opening hours and closures of facilities and services over the Easter long weekend: Waste collection

Waste collections will continue as scheduled without interruption.

Waste transfer stations and landfills

Benaraby Regional Landfill will remain open as scheduled. All other waste transfer stations will close on Good Friday, but will operate as per normal over the remainder of the long weekend.

Animal pounds

Animal pounds will be closed to animal releases. Residents can report missing animals via Council's online lost and found register.

If you find a roaming dog, restrain it and check for identification. If it shows signs of aggression, do not approach it. Report missing or found animals by phoning Council on 4970 0700.

Council admin offices

All Council administration offices will close over the Easter long weekend.

Gallery & Museum

Open Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Closed Good Friday.

Libraries

Closed over the Easter long weekend.

 Storytimes Storytime sessions are held regularly at all Council libraries followed by craft activities. These are free events aimed at children under five years of age.

sporting clubs to ease the over-use of nearby Bunting Park.

Page 13

Is your swimming pool barrier compliant?

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in Queensland for children under the age of five.

Compliant pool fencing, along with active supervision and learning to swim, can save lives.

All regulated Queensland swimming pools are now required to meet the single swimming pool barrier standard, which became effective in December last year after a five-year phase-in period.

Information is available on the Queensland Building and Construction Commission website (www.qbcc.qld.gov.au) to help home owners assess their pools for compliance.

Pool owners can also check the website to ensure their pool is registered.

The single standard is designed to increase pool safety and simplify pool safety laws, which previously included 11 different safety standards.

The single standard covers such things as the height and strength of barriers, mandatory non-climbable areas, gatelatching requirements and preventing direct access from a building into a pool area.

The standard applies to new and existing pools in houses, unit complexes, hotels, motels, backpacker accommodation, caravan parks and mobile van parks.

It is the responsibility of all pool owners to ensure their pools comply with the safety standard.

Non-compliance can attract on-the-spot fines, issued by the commission, of $824 for individuals and $2356 for companies.

The maximum penalty a court can impose is $19,437.

Penalties for failing to register a pool include on-the-spot fines, issued by the commission, of $235 for individuals or $706 for companies. The court can impose a maximum penalty of $2356.

Gladstone Regional Council provides an advice service, entailing an onsite inspection of a pool and associated advice about steps that need to be taken, if any, to make it compliant. The cost of this inspection is $170.

Council can also conduct pool safety inspections, and issue applicable safety certificates, for a fee of $300, as well as process Building Development Applications for the construction of new pools or replacement pool barriers.

Charges do not apply to dispose of the following sorted domestic waste items



















Scrap metal inc whitegoods

Green waste

Car Bodies



Electronic Waste

Car batteries

Oils

Clean fill

LPG gas cylinders

Timber

Recyclable material

Take the time to sort your rubbish and save when visiting your waste facilities.

Updates from AROUND THE REGION be located about 25km north-west of Gladstone within the Council managed road reserve on Aldoga Drive. The facility will act as a control measure against the spread of noxious weeds.

REGION: Council officers will do house to house checks throughout the region this year to ensure dogs are registered and existing registrations have been renewed.

The annual six month inspection program will run from February 15 to August 12, 2016.

REGION: Candidates intending to run for Gladstone Regional Council election attended an information seminar this month hosted by Council. Presenters included Chief Executive Officer Stuart Randle and retiring Councillors Maxine Brushe and Col Chapman, who spoke about the good that people can do for the Gladstone Region community through public service and the responsibilities borne by public officials.

GLADSTONE: Council has accepted a $1.59 million tender from QMC Group to construct the Aldoga heavy truck washdown facility. The two bay facility, for weeds and seeds washdown, will

BOYNE ISLAND: Motor vehicle permits for visitors to the beautiful Lilley's Beach can now be obtained from Boyne Island Bait and Tackle. Permits will continue to be available for purchase from the Boyne Tannum Community Centre as well as Council's administration centres in Gladstone and Calliope.

REGION: Local artists transformed the windows of 12 Council venues during December and January as part of a pop-up public art project assisted by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a Queensland Government partnership with Council to support local arts and culture. The 14 artists gained project development

skills with Creative Regions' director Rod Ainsworth and worked collaboratively to present the striking series.

MIRIAM VALE: The replacement of Miriam Vale's ageing water treatment plant moved a step closer in December with the appointment of Stirloch Constructions Pty Ltd to construct a new facility. The new $2.22 million water treatment plant will incorporate a conventional treatment process and additional processes to target specific issues experienced from bore and surface waters. This includes processes to remove iron, manganese and by-products of algae in raw water.

REGION: The 2016 Gladstone Region Youth Council, which acts as a formal advisory committee to Council on youth related matters, has been appointed. The members are: Maddesen Greig, Lachlan Muller, Darcie Holgate-Smith, Rachelle Eastaway, Breannon Roberts, Kaleb Roberts, Faith Brown-Bates, Jasmine Elliott and Tom Kirchner.

BENARABY: The Central Queensland Driver Education Centre at Benaraby has received a $598,000 boost courtesy of the Commonwealth Government National Stronger Regions Fund. Council developed and submitted the funding application on behalf of Benaraby Motorsportz Complex.

Gladstone Community Legal Program JURY DUTY by Bernadette Le Grand and Rosemary Farnsworth In Queensland, criminal trials require a jury of 12 people. You do not need special knowledge to be a juror, but you do need to be fair, impartial and keep an open mind. A jury decides, considering the evidence, whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty.

Jurors are selected by computer at random from the electoral roll for the area in which the court is located. Letters are sent to the selected persons enclosing a questionnaire to determine eligibility and availability for the court sittings. The questionnaire must be completed and returned, even if you believe you have grounds to be excused from jury duty.

You must perform jury duty unless: • you are ineligible (eg those affiliated with the law, persons convicted of certain offences, a person unable to read or write English, a person with a relevant disability);

• you have served as a juror in the past 12 months; or • your attendance is excused due to work or study commitments or medical, personal or financial obstacles.

Once the jury is finalised, the remainder of the jury panel are discharged until called for the next trial. Before you leave you should check when you will next be required.

If eligible and not excused your name will be placed in a second ballot, from which a jury panel will be summonsed for jury service. You should take the summons with you to court. If you are unable to attend you should immediately ring the court to explain. If you fail to attend as directed, you will be called on to explain and may be fined.

While on a jury you should avoid reading or commenting on social media about a case. You are allowed to go home each night of the trial, but you should not talk to anyone about the trial. After all the evidence is presented and the lawyers and the judge have summed up, the judge will ask the jury to proceed to the jury room to consider its verdict. If you wish to clarify anything with the judge, you must alert the bailiff and he will arrange this.

At the start of each trial during the sittings all jurors summonsed are required to attend court. A process then follows to select 12 jurors. The judge will explain your role as a juror. You will be told the names of the defendant and possible witnesses so you can advise whether you know any of them.

The Gladstone Community Legal Program is a free service funded by Legal Aid Queensland, delivered

by Farnsworth Legal, and proudly supported by the Gladstone Regional Council. To make an appointment contact The Community Advisory Service on 07 4976 6300.

Page 15

OneBook OneGladstone Judy Nunn will visit the region's libraries from March 16-18!

Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum Saiki Children's Art 2016 Displayed until 27 February 2016 Marks of Fire.

A Look Through The Brand at Life on The Land QLD 1870 to Now Displayed until 27 February 2016 Old farm door with local brands, burned at 2015 Branding Party. Image courtesy of Jan Ross-Manley.

Take part in a range of events and activities centred on the theme of author Judy Nunn's recent release Spirits of the Ghan

March 1 to May 31

Freedom of the Press Displayed until 5 March 2016

Geoffrey Head, '144 Goondoon Street, Image 12 of 14 Old Town Hall', linocut and screen printed. 5/10; 610x450mm. Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum collection.

Gladstone Town to City 1976 27 February - 16 April 2016

Visit www.gladstonelibraries.qld.gov.au for event details

The

Addams Family

2016 Celebrate Australia Primary School Art Competition 5 - 31 March 2016 One Wish 5 March - 21 May 2016 Courtesy of Katrina Elliott.

Industrial Fire, Fibre and Industry 19 March - 28 May 2016 Woven Industrial Tubes.

Image Courtesy of Lidia Godijn.

Calling for Entries Intercity Images: Gladstone Saiki Photographic Exchange Capture the spirit of Central Queensland’s lifestyle, people and environment for the annual photographic exchange.

2016 COMBINED SCHOOLS MUSICAL MARCH 7-12, 2016 TICKETS: ADULTS $22.50 | PENSIONER/SENIOR $18 FFOT $18 | FAMILY (2A + 2C) $60 | STUDENT $15 CONTACT THE GECC BOX OFFICE ON (07) 4972 2822 OR VISIT WWW.GLADECC.COM.AU

Entry form online.

Submissions due: 4pm, Saturday 19 March 2016

Intercity Images: Gladstone Saiki Photographic Exch

ange

FREE ENTRY Open 10am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday Closed Good Friday. Open Easter Saturday, Sunday & Monday Corner Goondoon & Bramston Streets, Gladstone QLD 4680 Phone: (07) 4976 6766 | Email: gragm@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au http://gallerymuseum.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au