Connect September - October Issue 85

connect Issue 85

Budget

2018-19 Snapshot

Tannum shines

Award for beach

C

t c e n on

WITH COUNCIL

PO Box 29, Gladstone Qld 4680

Phone 4970 0700 to lodge an urgent request or report an issue any time, day or night.

Use our online service for non-urgent requests.

Email: info@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au www.gladstone.qld.gov.au

www.online.gladstone.qld.gov.au

@GladstoneRegionalCouncil

@GladstoneRegionalCouncil

@GladRegCnl

Cr Matt Burnett - Mayor P: 4976 6903 E: Mayor@gladstone.qld.gov.au

A message from our Mayor Turning waste into a valuable commodity I am excited about the Gladstone Region’s potential to become a renewable energy hub and significant progress is already being made to achieve this.

Approval has already been gained for the establishment of several solar energy farms within the region while great work is being done to develop biofuels, including biodiesel and bio-hydrogen production at the Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant.

Council not only supports renewable energy operations establishing themselves within the Gladstone Region, we have also adopted our own measures to reduce energy usage and create reusable products.

Council’s initiative to upgrade the Gladstone Wastewater Treatment Plant, due for completion next April, will enable the production of biosolids capable of being used to enrich soils.

With the biosolids equipment used to process sewerage solids at the treatment plant reaching the end of its useful life, costing more to repair than replace, Council began investigating how its refurbishment of its plants could improve the marketability of its biosolids as an agricultural fertiliser.

Cr Chris Trevor - Deputy Mayor P: 0437 757 839 E: ChrisTrevor@gladstone.qld.gov.au

The biosolids are ideal for farming as they provide organic material as well as nitrogen and phosphorous.

Cr Cindi Bush - Councillor P: 0437 642 081 E: CindiBush@gladstone.qld.gov.au

The implementation of digesters to break down wasted micro-organisms reduces the odours associated with biosolids and makes it easier to dewater, making for a drier product.

Cr Glenn Churchill - Councillor P: 0407 289 139 E: GlennChurchill@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Kahn Goodluck - Councillor P: 0433 944 302 E: KahnGoodluck@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Rick Hansen - Councillor P: 0448 885 047 E: RickHansen@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Peter Masters - Councillor P: 0438 145 780 E: PeterMasters@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Desley O'Grady - Councillor P: 0437 837 148 E: DesleyOGrady@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr PJ Sobhanian - Councillor P: 0412 544 201 E: PJSobhanian@gladstone.qld.gov.au

Biosolids that smell less and are drier are more valuable as they are easier to utilise and cost less to transport.

We have been running trials over the past couple of years with turf and cotton producers using the biosolids on their farms as fertiliser and soil conditioner.

The plant upgrade design will also enable the digester feed to be supplemented with additional fats, oils and greases to produce enough gas to sustainably drive a turbine and reduce energy usage at the site.

Council will also participate in upcoming trials by Northern Oils to turn our biosolids into a fuel source.

If successful, this could open a new reuse market for our biosolids.

Mayor Matt Burnett

Gladstone Regional Council

It’s great that Under the Trees, Boyne Island’s own music and arts festival, is back this year.

Last year’s inaugural event was a great success and I am sure that the Gladstone Region community will get out again on Saturday, October 6, and support this event created and managed by volunteers.

The passion and dedication shown by these volunteers was a major factor in the first Under the Trees being such a hit, their hard work ensuring that the event was very well planned with every need catered for.

Of course, an excellent line-up of musical and artistic talent also contributed to the uplifting vibe of the 2017 event, and that will be the case again this year with festival favourites Sydney’s Caravana Sun and Hot Potato Band and Brisbane’s The Fergies headlining a strong line-up of bands.

Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased via the Under the Trees Facebook page.

Council is proud to team up with the Boyne Tannum Arts Business Community Association Inc. to bring this event to the Gladstone Region and I hope to see you all ‘under the trees’ on Jacaranda Drive, Boyne Island, on October 6.

Volunteers thanked at regional breakfasts Council was pleased to have organised a warm and hearty breakfast in May to thank volunteers representing 112 not-for-profit organisations across the Gladstone Region.

Council, supported by key community groups, hosted free recognition breakfasts at Miriam Vale, Seventeen Seventy, the Boyne Valley and Gladstone.

Volunteers represented numerous organisations and groups including the arts, aged/children, disability services, blood bank and other health related groups, community hall committees, emergency services, events, multicultural groups, opportunity shops, policing and crime prevention programs, progress

Council restructure seeks efficient and sustainable future Council took a significant step towards improving financial sustainability and enhancing community service when its new organisational structure was implemented last month.

The new structure enables Council to be more agile in adapting to community needs and puts it in a stronger position to withstand changes to its economic and political environments.

The structure also reduces the organisation’s layers to four in most cases and five in operational areas to bring workers on the ground closer to the people leading them.

Council’s recruitment for new positions

in the structure was heavily internallyfocussed, with more than 75 per cent of positions opened internally in the first instance.

Almost 90 per cent of staff impacted by the restructure who applied for new roles had been successful at the time of print, providing them with opportunities to develop professionally and play an important part in delivering the restructure’s important aims.

The structure was developed with a high level of input from staff through workshops, surveys and feedback. A staff consultation period also guided structure improvements.

associations, service clubs, sporting clubs, schools and support groups.

Volunteers who assist at Council facilities including friends of the theatre, library, gallery, gardens and conservation groups were also thanked on the day.

Certificates of appreciation were presented along with Gladstone Region volunteering lapel pins and guides to assist organisations recruiting volunteers.

Breakfasts were supported by the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, Miriam Vale Lions Club and volunteers of the 1770 Bowls Club and the Boyne Valley Discovery Centre.

The new structure includes functions dedicated to: • Increasing the instances customer queries are resolved in the first contact • Centralising works planning across parks, roads, water and sewerage to better coordinate deliveries and resources • Overarching management of $2.3 billion of assets to drive energy efficiencies and reduce maintenance and life-cycle costs • Finding ways to turn cost centres into cost neutral or even profit centres through technologies, like converting waste to energy • Driving a reduction in Council’s environmental footprint, including energy use reductions • Increasing Council’s understanding of and engagement with the community • Developing the talent of Council’s workforce • Strategic grants sourcing, to increase external funding for projects that are identified as priorities for our community • Understanding and forecasting community needs

Page 3

2018-19 Budget Snapshot

Connect.

An engaged, involved and proud community

• Installation of LED lighting to reduce electricity use and maintenance costs $110k • Floating solar panels on wastewater treatment plant lagoons (design phase) $100k • Seventeen Seventy Foreshore erosion control $400k • Investigation of smart water metering to help residents track water use and find leaks $140k

• Community development $2.4m • Parks and open spaces $16m • Arts and culture $7.7m Projects: • Bray Park new pumptrack and skate park replacement – Boyne Island – $885k* • Boyne Tannum Pool feasibility study & concept design – $250k • Dog park facilities at Bororen and Calliope – $100k* • Flat Rock Picnic Grounds new boat ramp and access – Baffle Creek – $415k • Fitness equipment at Ubobo Recreational Grounds – $25k • Communities & Families Precinct Philip Street – Gladstone – $1m

A healthy environment, a healthy community

Our budget and new organisational structure supports us to...

• Review our waste and recycling processes and develop a Towards Zero Waste Strategy and community waste education programs • Develop Toward Energy Neutral; environment and conservation; and irrigation strategies

Outstanding customer service • Personnel and customer service counters at five locations plus rural transaction services. $3.9m • Understanding customer needs and applying technology to enhance our customers’ experience. $1.4m

• Recycling and waste $16.4m • Sewerage $48.9m • Water $47.8m • Conservation $4m Projects: • Footpath construction, renewals and upgrades across the region to assist active transport $3.7m*

For more information about improvements to our customer experience see the story on page ??

How rates are calculated It is a common misconception that a rise or drop in a property’s land value will result in the same change to its rates, but this is an unfair and unviable method of determining rates across a community.

When determining rates, the first step is calculating how much revenue is needed to service a community.

A reduction or increase in property values does not result in an equal change to service costs.

The required rates revenue is therefore spread across a community according to the distribution of its properties' values – the lowest valued property pays the least,

the highest valued property pays the most and accordingly in between.

Where a property sits in this spectrum from one year to the next typically changes, because the distribution of property values across the region fluctuates.

Some years a drop or rise in values can be evenly spread across all properties and other years a pocket of properties will experience a dip or rise in value that is steeper than others.

An individual property's rates bill is therefore governed by its value compared to other properties in the region, and the

fixed costs of its Council.

Effect on this year’s rates On average, general rates revenue has increased by 1.89 per cent, in line with the local government CPI (a measure of inflation) this financial year.

But the distribution of property values means 41 per cent of properties will experience a reduction or no increase, six per cent will experience an increase of up to 1.89%, 22 per cent will receive an increase of up to five per cent and 30 per cent will experience an increase of between six and 10 per cent.

Innovate.

Diversify.

Smart asset management

Grow our region

• Capital expenditure $103.7m • Current asset value $2.3b Our assets are significant, so this budget and new structure support us to: • Work with the community to determine acceptable service levels that balance affordability and needs.

• Improve how we capture and analyse asset data to maximise the use of our assets and reduce costs.

Operational excellence • Operational expenditure $233.7m This budget and our new structure support us to reduce our operational expenditure: • Centralised planning and scheduling of Council’s wide range of works deliveries to maximise the efficiency of our workforce, equipment and other resources, with safety and the needs of our customers at the forefront • Improved focus on tactical procurement and contract management to tightly control overheads

• Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone redevelopment master plan $100k • Gladstone Harbour Arbour study & design – provide shade and interest between the foreshore and CBD $200k • Footpath replacement and revitalisation of Gladstone CBD $940k • Seventeen Seventy Marina Precinct preliminary design $230k • Gladstone City Plaza Forecourt upgrade (loan to be repaid to Council) $1m • GAPDL funding to assist tourism promotion of the region. $478k

Smart investment • Smart Cities plan development – using technology to improve lives, reduce resource-use and accelerate the delivery of strategic priorities $100k** • Reconstruction of Red Rover Road and improvements to Kirkwood Road and Lavender Boulevard intersection, Gladstone $2.7m* • Reseals, overlays and gravel resheeting of roads across the region $8.2m • Sewerage processing – a necessary refurbishment will also improve the marketability of our biosolids as fertiliser $9.2m Major projects: Organisational restructure: Council has implemented its new organisational structure to better serve the community now and into the future. It involves major shifts in the way Council operates, including a bigger focus on how we manage our $2.3bn worth of assets, plan our works, and use technology to improve our service while reducing costs.

To view the full 2018-19 Budget visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/budget

Council launches Reconciliation Action Plan

The tranquillity of the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens proved the perfect location for the launch of Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on May 29.

The launch was just the first step in Council’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and building lasting and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians within the Gladstone Region.

Gay becomes Council’s first RAP Officer For the next 12 months Gay Sirriss will be working in a new role at Council as Gladstone Regional Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Officer, which is Council’s first identified position.

Gay is immensely proud of her Aboriginal and South Sea Islander heritage; she is a traditional owner of Gladstone, a descendant of the Toolooa Tribe which is part of the Gurang Nation.

Her involvement in the Gladstone community with NAIDOC, Nhulundu, GPC Future Directions Community Liaison Group, GGCIC “Police Creek project” and knowledge of the native title group Port Curtis Coral Coast (PCCC) will be of great support to Gay in her RAP Officer role.

Gay has worked for GRC for the past 14 years as a Library Officer at the Gladstone City Library. She will now be busy working towards achieving Reconciliation Action Plan goals.

Gay said, a commitment by GRC to raise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flag every business day has spoken volumes of support to our Indigenous Community.

“Another fantastic outcome thus far is a policy that has been written for non-indigenous GRC staff to perform “Acknowledgement to Country” at semiformal events and “Welcome to Country” to be performed at formal events by a Traditional Owner,” she said.

Some of the GRC RAP Officer’s goals for

the next 12 months will be: • Establish a RAP Working Group to provide direction for the preparation of Council’s RAPs.

Council’s RAP documents its efforts to build these relationships and highlights its plans to continue that process in the future.

Already, work is well under way on future RAPs which will promote relationships and develop respect between Indigenous and non-indigenous residents within our community and provide opportunities to grow.

• Build relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

• Raise internal and external awareness of Council’s RAP. • Raise internal understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols.

• Provide artistic and cultural works in public places.

The RAP process includes four types of RAP’s, each offering a different level of engagement and support.

“We are in the first stage which is called Reflect, which will see GRC commit to strengthening existing relationships to ensure it is well positioned to implement effective and mutually beneficial initiatives for future RAPs,” Gay said.

“It’s about building relationships, through education and communication, to hopefully create a better understanding between Indigenous and non-indigenous, and to create more cultural awareness within Council.

“I’m very excited to have been offered this role as this is exactly the type of relationship building that I have been working towards trying to create in our community,” Gay said.

The initial RAP has drawn a favourable response from the community, but Council is aware that there is much more work to be done to ensure that the necessary road map is put in place to achieve the desired outcome.

To ensure this is achieved, Council has incorporated a dedicated RAP Officer position into its new organisational structure, ensuring the presence of a Council representative who will liaise directly with Indigenous groups and the wider public regarding reconciliation matters.

The creation of the RAP complements Council’s efforts, led

by Mayor Matt Burnett, to increase recognition of the region’s First Peoples.

Page 6

Funding to fight macadamia species extinction

Become a pet foster carer In a quiet propagation shed tucked away in the corner of the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens, there’s a buzz of excitement about saving a threatened plant species.

It turns out the Gardens are more than ‘a pretty face’ with some significant scientific work being done behind the scenes to add to its reputation.

The buzz of excitement involves the growth of 48 Macadamia jansenii (Bulburin Nut) specimens which have been propagated from genetic material taken from the only plants growing in the wild.

Ninety of them grow in just one location in the Bulburin National Park south of Miriam Vale.

The plants at the Gardens have been carefully propagated under the watchful eye of Curator, Brent Braddick (above), and with the news the Federal Government will fund a project to fight the species’ extinction, the excitement is only going to increase.

The Macadamia Conservation Trust will receive funding of just over $26,000

to keep the Bulburin Nut secure and about $17,000 of that will go towards propagating nearly 300 plants at the Gardens.

Eventually, these plants will end up at four locations – the National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, Brisbane’s Mount Cootha Botanic Gardens, the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens and the Maroochy Research Facility to establish healthy populations.

This project is one of eight the Federal Government announced funding for in late May, to fight extinction under its Threatened Species Recovery Fund.

Assistant Minister for the Environment, Melissa Price, said these projects would help to improve the future of some of Australia’s other threatened species like the Central Rock-rat, the Kangaroo Island Dunnart and the Blue-top Sun-orchid.

With the funding announcement, Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Sally Box, said conservation was everybody’s business and the projects represented partnerships with organisations all over Australia.

Gladstone RSPCA is struggling to find enough foster carers to keep up with the demand for temporary homes for cats and dogs awaiting adoption.

Council fully endorses the Gladstone RSPCA Adoption Centre’s foster carer program and the efforts of association volunteers to help care for these homeless pets until new homes can be found for them.

School holiday periods, when regular foster carers may be unavailable, can be a particularly difficult time of the year to find the necessary number of carers.

To help meet this need, Council has partnered with the RSPCA to promote the benefits of being a foster carer and the important role this service plays within the community.

RSPCA supplies dry food for fostered animals and all veterinarian costs are covered.

Anyone seeking more information can contact Council’s 24-hour phone service on 4970 0700.

Page 7

Family history online search facility proving popular A new online facility allowing family history buffs with links to the Gladstone Region to search local cemeteries for their ancestors, is proving very popular.

The function, which has been available for several months, has received many compliments and positive feedback from members of the public.

It was introduced as part of a massive project that developed a new cemetery management system and mapped all known graves. A total of 11,333 plots were mapped in less than six months and there are just under 12,000 deceased person records in the new system.

Visitors to cemeteries in the region have

been particularly keen to use the service on their mobile devices, where they can use the ‘track me’ feature to find grave sites.

The new cemetery management system has been created over the past 12 months, but there is still interest in gathering more information about local cemeteries and gravesites.

If anyone has old cemetery maps, photos or other documents they’d like to share with us, please phone Council on 4970 0700. The information could prove invaluable.

The new cemetery online services and family history search facility is at www.gladstone.qld. gov.au/grccemeteries

Did you know?

Researching family history is one of the most popular participation hobbies across the world and it’s believed to be the second most popular use of the internet.

Type the word ‘genealogy’ into Google’s search engine and it will bring up more than a hundred million entries.

Surveys over the years have shown that more than 80 per cent of Australians claim to be interested in tracing their family history.

Free copies of community directory on offer If you’re seeking contact details for Gladstone Region not-for-profit groups and organisations make sure you access Council’s free 2018-2019 Community Services Directory.

The popular resource is produced by Council, online and as a booklet, as a free community service.

Each year, not-for-profit, community and service sectors within the region are invited to provide or update their contact details and general information to Council for inclusion at no cost.

The information is compiled into a handy booklet which lists general

community services, special interest, sporting and recreation groups, allied and community health and support services.

Three thousand booklets have been distributed across the region and are available for free from Council's customer contact points, regional libraries and the Community Advisory Service.

The Community Services Directory can also be accessed online via Council’s website, is able to be viewed on tablet and mobile devices and features search functions and links to Facebook and web pages.

Page 8

Visiting African group mines wealth of information Gladstone’s reputation as being home to one of Australia’s finest natural deep-water harbours made it a ‘must’ to visit for a group of scholars in July.

The 28 scholars from various African nations and an additional industry partner from Ambatovy Mines in Madagascar were participants in the University of Queensland’s Australia Awards Local Economic and Social Development in Extractives (LESDE) Short Course, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade since 2012.

The course aims to build the knowledge and skills necessary for participants to engage with and contribute to the development of communities that are impacted by mining and related activities.

Addressing the challenges of leveraging local economic and social development for African societies through the development of rich natural resources, the course also provides participants with tools to examine positive

Early payment discounts • Receive a 10% discount if your payment is received by October 10 • Receive a 5% discount if your payment is received between October 11 and November 9 • Payments are due by November 9 • If paying by BPAY or mail, please allow time for delivery and processing to ensure payments are received by these dates.

Paying directly to Council, either in person or via our secure Online Services system ensures immediate payment.

approaches to fostering economic growth.

Mayor Matt Burnett said the group, with members hailing from Madagascar, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana, had been keen to learn more about Gladstone’s role in Australia’s mining export trade.

“The group was very enthusiastic and brimming with questions for me and Councillors Rick Hansen and Glenn Churchill,” he said.

“The group was impressed with the sheer scale of raw materials that pass through the port from Central Queensland mines and the degree of cooperation between Council, the Gladstone Ports Corporation, industry and the Gladstone Region community which ensures all benefit from this valuable asset.

“Our visitors were also impressed with the way the Gladstone Region was able to balance the presence of large scale

industry with a growing tourism sector and a burgeoning renewable energy scene.”

The group also visited Emerald, Central Queensland mines, and met with public and private mining-related institutions as part of their course which includes world best practice in local economic and social development extractives.

LESDE Course Leader Lynda Lawson of the University of Queensland said the program provided leading African officials with the opportunity to study at UQ and to visit Central Queensland.

“Leveraging economic and social development from the extractive industry is a great challenge facing Africa’s resource rich nations,” she said.

“Local government has an important role in making sure benefits are shared.

“For this reason, 29 African scholars from 10 nations deeply appreciated their visit to Gladstone Regional Council.”

Handy rates information Rate notices will start arriving in letterboxes in the first week of September. To make payments as easy as possible we’ve compiled the below information for ratepayers.

September notice inclusions • General rates for 2018-19 financial year • Annual waste services charge • Half-yearly sewerage and water access charges (if applicable) • Half-yearly water consumption charge (if applicable) Online convenience • Pay securely online at Online Services www.gladstone.qld.gov/OnlineServices • Become a registered user of Online Services to view your history of payments and rate notices, including

the most recent notice soon after its issue by mail.

Assistance is available • Payment plans to help you manage expenses • Subsidies of up to $533.48 for eligible pensioners • Relief for demonstrated financial hardship Other resources Find out how rates are calculated at www. gladstone.qld.gov.au/rates For assistance or more information please contact us on Ph: 4970 0700 or Email: info@gladstone.qld.gov.au, visit www. gladstone.qld.gov.au/rates or refer to the booklet that accompanies your mailed notice.

Page 9

MEAP funding supports diverse events The May round of Major Events Advisory Panel (MEAP) funding highlighted the diversity of community events across our region with groups sharing in more than $43,000 of funding.

Orchid and Foliage Show celebrates growth Amid stunning displays of orchids and an abundance of healthy foliage, the Boyne Tannum Orchid & Foliage Society’s Orchid and Foliage Show has successfully grown over the past decade.

The group celebrated its 10th Orchid and Foliage Show in May, with the highly anticipated weekend event, now recognised as one of the premier orchid and foliage shows in regional Queensland.

Boyne Tannum Orchid & Foliage Society Inc (BTOFS) secretary Nicole Hill said the MEAP allocation had enabled the group to purchase reusable signage and offset the costs of other event expenses, such as security fencing.

She said the funding had also given the society’s small band of club members a

Latest MEAP funding recipients

• Baffle Creek Car and Bike Muster • Under the Trees Music Festival • Boyne Tannum Orchid & Foliage Society’s Orchid and Foliage Show 2018 • Multicultural Week and Festival • Mt Larcom & District Show • Turkey Beach Tractor Bash • Musica! 2018

boost of confidence and meant time could be spent preparing for the event instead of fundraising.

“The MEAP funding recognised the value of our event as the only Open Orchid & Foliage Show in Central Queensland,” she said.

“It also recognised our ability to bring visitors to the area and that we are an important event within our local community with the potential to get bigger and better.”

The Tannum Sands event, which featured plant sales and guest speakers in addition to the orchid and foliage competition attracted hundreds of local competitors and visitors from outside the Gladstone Region.

“More than 500 people attended over the weekend with visitors from Prosperine, Emerald, Rockhampton and Childers who had travelled just to visit our show,” Nicole said.

“We had a garden club group of about 10 members who travelled from Blackwater to stay for the weekend and have had the promise of a large bus group visit for the next show once we lock in the 2019 date.

“We had a very successful event. There was a lot of community collaboration and support, we made lots of new friends and many visitors and vendors are already looking forward to our 2019 show.”

Council provided funding support to events ranging from vehicle, agriculture and plant shows to music and multicultural festivals.

MEAP applications are assessed and considered for their ability to foster community pride, attract visitors, support local business, raise awareness of the Gladstone Region and meet MEAP requirements.

MEAP supports the development of major events in the region and strongly encourages reduced reliance on local government funding over time.

Not all funding requests received

by MEAP are granted and some applications are allocated less funds than requested.

In May, Council also approved a $5700 investment for MEAP to host free workshops for community event organisers to offer information on business planning and marketing, grants, sponsorship and strategic directions.

In June, MEAP distributed its remaining funding for the 201718 financial year with an out-ofround MEAP allocation of $13,600 granted to Musica! 2018.

Page 10

Rural address signs a necessity Every second counts in an emergency.

Reflective road address signs help emergency services to quickly identify rural properties when responding to emergencies.

Not only is it important for Gladstone Region rural residents to display their road address sign, they should also ensure that signs are well-maintained and easy to read.

Under its Urban and Rural Road Addressing policy, Council provides new and replacement reflective road address signs to rural property owners.

It is the property owner’s responsibility to provide a star picket on which the sign is placed and to ensure that the picket is driven into the ground adjacent to the main property driveway, turnout or access point, in a position which does not obstruct services or traffic.

All rural properties with a dwelling are issued with a rural address from Council upon request as are newly developed sites.

Council will also, upon request, issue rural addresses to appropriate sites without a dwelling, provided they have an established driveway or entrance.

To request a reflective rural road address sign, phone Council on 4970 0700 or visit Council’s website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au and lodge a request via the ‘Online Services’ button near the top left side of the home page.

Gallery & Museum to exhibit JT’s headgear Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum will be the only Queensland venue to display a national touring exhibition featuring headgear worn by NRL champion, Johnathan Thurston (JT).

Gladstone Region residents can view the protective headgear, which was painted by artist Vicki Golding, and worn by ‘JT’ during numerous NRL All Stars games.

Captain of the North Queensland Cowboys, Indigenous youth mentor and Australian of the Year 2018 for Queensland, Johnathan Thurston, is one of eight extraordinary Australians to be featured in the National Museum of Australia’s Australian of the Year 2018 exhibition.

The exhibition features objects of deep personal significance that provide an insight into the lives and experiences of the 2018 state and territory Australian of the year recipients.

Items featured in the exhibition include a graduation sash and rosary owned by

Johnathan Thurston, QLD. Photograph: Jason McCarthy, National Museum of Australia.

entrepreneur and community leader Dion Devow; a House of Staunton chess set and certificate owned by professor in quantum physics Michelle Simmons; The Open Heart Story painting by Trish Bush on loan from paediatric cardiologist Bo Remenyi; 3-D model nylon skulls on loan from craniofacial surgeon Professor David David; miniature manuals and a Chinese junk model on loan from theatre director, writer and arts charity leader Scott Rankin; a unicycle trophy on loan from actor and fundraiser for cancer research Samuel Johnson; and a bottle of Pilbara dirt and a citizenship certificate on loan from psychologist Dr Tracy Westerman.

Australian of the Year 2018 is a travelling exhibition developed in partnership with the National Australia Day Council and presented by the National Museum of Australia.

The exhibition will be on show at the Gallery & Museum until October 6.

Extra magazines cater for interests Gladstone Regional Libraries has added more subscriptions to their already long list of magazine titles.

Reserves can be placed on the latest editions of popular magazines, to be read in the comfort of our regional libraries, while older magazine editions are available for loan.

Adventure enthusiasts can now access the latest editions of Outdoor and Wild magazines.

Animal lovers and enthusiasts can also keep up-to-date with the latest editions of RSPCA’s The Biscuit, Wildlife Australia, Australian Wildlife and BirdKeeper.

Gardeners can take a break indoors at our regional libraries and read Good Organic Gardening magazine to gain useful, everyday natural gardening advice.

While home builders and renovators can gain ideas, tips and read about the latest trends in The Owner Builder, The Australasian Home Builders Magazine.

Page 11

Region boasts Queensland’s Cleanest Beach

Projects aid 3-star rating Keep Queensland Beautiful programs, such as Tidy Towns and Clean Beaches, recognise and reward work occurring in towns across Queensland.

The Tidy Towns competition across Australia has evolved to become an accreditation environmental focus program.

A piece of paradise in our own regional backyard has suitably impressed judges to be named Queensland’s Cleanest Beach for 2018.

and entered Boyne Island and Tannum Sands in the Queensland Tidy Towns competition.

Boyne Island and Tannum Sands has been recognised by environmental movement, Keep Queensland Beautiful, as the stunning jewel in Gladstone’s crown.

This year, during the Easter period, Keep Queensland Beautiful judges visited Boyne Island and Tannum Sands to assess its suitability for Queensland’s Cleanest Beach title.

In 2017, the Boyne Tannum community, led by the Boyne Island Lions Club embarked on a Lions Centenary project

The area’s ‘report card’ was impressive with judges in awe of the plentiful attributes.

Keep Queensland Beautiful We were speechless, at the  amenities available, the up keep of parklands and just how wonderfully

Around the grassy parkland, art  pieces are a constant reminder of the marine debris problem facing the east

Projects like the Turtle Nesting  program, the all-abilities swing, appropriate directional signage and picnic

And more importantly, conservation  volunteers engaged 202 nearby residents to remove 710kgs of marine



This is what makes Tannum Sands  unique and worthy of the title, Queensland’s Cleanest Beach for 2018.

beautiful the entire area was.

shelters, set Tannum Sands beach above the rest.

The unique speed devices shaped like turtles, is a standout accomplishment of community and council collaboration to protect the local turtle nesting.

coast of Queensland.

Participating towns and beaches are provided a 1 to 5-star accreditation rating, based on progress in key focus areas including environmental innovation and protection, heritage and culture, community spirit, litter action, resource recovery, waste management, water conservation and energy efficiency.

Boyne Island and Tannum Sands were rewarded for striving towards a sustainable community.

Projects including development of an educational marine debris video, Friends of Bindaree garage sales to reduce the amount of waste to landfill, and free disposal of green waste at Benaraby Landfill were some of the community projects which contributed to the area achieving a 3-star rating in the Queensland Tidy Towns accreditation program.

debris, over 87ha of coastline.

Chief executive officer David Curtin

Council welcomes Saiki City visitors Council was honoured to have a special group of visitors drop into its Civic Centre at 101 in Gladstone on August 3.

All the younger members of the group, and one of the adults, also took turns being photographed in the Mayor’s seat.

A delegation from Saiki City in Japan, the Gladstone Region’s sister city, visited Council while on its busy Get to Know Gladstone tour from August 3-7.

During their visit the group viewed the region from on high at the Auckland Hill and Round Hill lookouts, took in the sights at East Shores and Tannum Sands beach, attended the BAM Markets, watched kangaroos being fed at Canoe Point, enjoyed a harbour cruise and went gift shopping.

The group, featuring six youngsters aged 12-15 and four adults, met Councillors and Council staff, exchanged gifts for their respective councils, and enjoyed morning tea.

That visit was quickly followed by the arrival of 30 students and three teachers from Saiki City on an exchange program with Tannum Sands and Toolooa high schools on August 10-15, further strengthening the bonds between the Sister Cities.

The Sister City relationship between the Gladstone Region and Saiki City was established in 1996 during Gladstone City Council’s existence.

Page 12

Council committed to recycling program China’s ban on the import of recyclable waste from other nations, implemented last year, has had a profound effect on recycling services throughout Australia.

Such is the extent that some councils across Australia are contemplating abandoning their domestic recycling collection service as was most notably decided by Ipswich City Council, although the decision was soon reversed.

China’s decision has minimal impact on Council for the immediate future as its recycling contract with Orora, to which the Rockhampton, Livingstone and Central Highlands councils are also signatories, is not due to expire until December 2019.

Therefore, despite some speculation by concerned members of the public, Council has no intention to conclude its domestic, commercial or industrial recycling service and is, in fact, working towards attaining greater environmental and financial sustainability within its processes.

Orora’s sales model, unlike some other recycling service providers, places a greater emphasis on the Australian market making it less reliant on the now off-limits Chinese market, also adding to Council’s recycling service stability.

However, the service is not immune to the ructions caused by the Chinese decision and it is likely that there will be future effects that need to be factored into Council’s recycling service plans and dealt with as they arise.

Among the effects that have been factored in are the increased Rockhampton Materials Recovery Facility fees, disposal and recycling costs that will arise when the existing Orora contract expires midway through next year.

Council will seek to offset any negative impacts resulting from the change in the state of play by creating local value-adding initiatives.

Get to know your recyclable plastics Most plastic bottles, containers and other forms of packaging display a recycling logo with a number in the middle and, sometimes, letters underneath stamped into the plastic.

the bottom of the products, stamped on to the plastic itself.

The plastic identification code system enables recyclers to identify the different types of plastic when sorting during the recycling process.

All plastic is potentially recyclable but, due to the complexities involved in the collection, sorting and cleaning process, only certain items are accepted at the Material Recovery Facility in Rockhampton which accepts the Gladstone Region’s recyclable waste.

The numbers in the triangular chasing arrows symbol indicate the grade of plastic - its resin ID code - and is usually found on

Gladstone Region residents can recycle plastics with the numbers one to seven stamped on them.

Included among them is the reusing glass, which is crushed and then stored at its Benaraby Landfill facility, as bedding for water pipes and in future road resurfacing programs.

Council will continue exploring multiple waste to energy initiatives so that it can, in future, offset the increased costs associated with the collection, storage and disposal of waste, including recyclable matter, by instead turning it into energy.

Council aims to get to the stage where it is generating an income from waste to energy initiatives and distributing the profit to ratepayers in the form of reductions from their rates notices.

The Queensland Government’s new waste levy promises to open new recycling opportunities for Council to explore.

Did you know?

It is estimated that it costs governments, businesses and community groups more than $4 million per annum to clean up littered plastic shopping bags.

Producing plastics from recycled materials saves about 88 per cent of the energy required to make plastic from raw oil and gas materials.

Making products from recycled plastics instead of raw materials reduces water usage by 90 per cent, carbon dioxide by 2.5 tonnes and energy consumption by two-thirds.

Source: Clean Up Australia Page 13

Starting a home-based business

Small businesses play a significant role in maintaining a healthy Australian economy, employing millions of Australians.

Small business is the predominant source of private sector employment growth since the 1990s, making it a vital component in the nation’s economic health, including the economy of our Gladstone Region.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines small businesses as those in the nonagricultural sector which employ less than 20 employees in non-manufacturing industries, and less than 100 employees in manufacturing industries.

Many small businesses are operated by residents from home, and such businesses are supported by Council’s Planning Scheme.

These businesses, however, must maintain the character of their neighbourhood, preserve the amenity of adjoining premises, and not compromise the viability of shopping centres within the Gladstone Region.

The home-based business must be small scale and, therefore, involve no more than 10 individual vehicle trips per day.

Business must be conducted by a permanent resident of the dwelling house and up to two non-resident employees may be employed.

A home-based business may operate in every

Smart planning

Planning Scheme zone except for: • • • • • • •

Neighbourhood centres Specialised centres Low impact; medium impact; and special industry Special purpose Tourism Open space; and Conservation

Home-based businesses are an acceptable development against the home-based business development code as specified in Part 9 of the planning scheme.

If you meet the requirements of the code’s right-hand column you are an accepted development.

If you do not meet the requirements, for example the hours of operation, then you will be required to lodge a town planning application.

Most low impact type uses, such as childcare, hairdressing, a home office or a bed and breakfast qualify to be a home business.

However, high impact uses such as the repairing, servicing, cleaning or loading of motor vehicles will not be approved as home-based businesses.

The 43rd

Martin Hanson

Memorial Art Awards 2018

Calling for entries Deliver submissions between 10am - 5pm, Thursday 4, Friday 5, or Saturday 6 October 2018

Council’s Regional Planning Scheme, which came into effect in 2015 and was updated last year, is a consolidated document for all planning and development across the region.

The Gladstone Region is unique in that land use on Strategic Port Land is managed by Gladstone Ports Corporation and the State Development Area by the Coordinator/General.

In addition, Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) can declare Priority Development Areas such as HillClose Estate in Clinton and Tannum Blue in Tannum Sands.

Did you know?

Council’s Planning Scheme can be viewed online at www. grcplanningscheme.com.au. For more information phone Council’s Planning team on 4970 0700.

GLADSTONE REGIONAL ART GALLERY & MUSEUM FREE ADMISSION 10am - 5pm, Monday - Saturday Cnr Goondoon & Bramston Sts, Gladstone QLD 4680 T (07) 4976 6766 E gragm@gladstone.qld.gov.au http://gragm.qld.gov.au

A community cultural initiative of the Gladstone Regional Council

Raw Art makes an impact Young artist Sachin Doyle’s passion for the natural world, and others far beyond, are on display at the Gladstone Aquatic Centre’s Raw Arts facility.

The facility, which can be found at the south east corner of the aquatic centre grounds between the aquatic centre entrance and its Glenlyon Road boundary, provides a space to showcase the works of young local artists.

Sachin’s eye-catching work on the display boards, installed in July, reflect his love and respect for nature and the awe with which he views the celestial skies.

After receiving tuition from youth worker Jason Killen in the art of spray painting, Sachin did not take long to begin transforming imagination into strikingly bold images on canvas.

Friends with a passion for plants The light at Council’s Tannum nursery on a mild Winter morning is beautiful and clear – just right for photographing rows and rows of plants in all different sizes.

They start from the tiniest green shoots in propagation mixture to mature plants, all ready to be planted out somewhere in the region.

Two men are working quietly but intently at the potting up table, their bare hands immersed in soil as they place small plants in small pots.

Sachin, 17, said the experience had been a rewarding one for him and he was keen to pursue further artistic opportunities.

“It’s been great, just learning new techniques,” he said. “It’s been good to have the opportunity to put myself into (the art).”

Sachin practised his new techniques on a series of celestial images featuring planets and the Milky Way among other cosmic bodies, which are included in the display along with his ‘nature’ series depicting colourful reefs, native animals and vibrant landscapes.

Jason said Sachin was a natural when it came to spray paint art.

“I taught Sachin different spray paint techniques. There were 20 or 30 different techniques used,” he said.

“The barrier reef paintings are quite different to the other techniques used, and different techniques were needed for the clouds, the Milky Way and the planets.”

Ian Anderson and Neville Gersch are members of Council’s team of volunteers known as Friends of Conservation, and are working under the supervision of Conservation officer, Emily Weatherall, and Conservation Field Officer, Monique Galloway. They are passionate about plants and the environment making them perfectly suited for the volunteer role.

Volunteers help every Tuesday morning at Council’s Tannum nursery from 7.30am to 10.30am. On the day, Ian and Neville were potting up small samples of the Sandpaper

Fig or Ficus opposita.

Council has 24 Friends of Conservation volunteers who help at different times in different locations on different projects.

They could be propagating native plants for revegetation, attending field trips to collect seeds or undertaking surveys.

Their participation simply depends on when they can turn up and lend their skills.

These volunteers provide a valuable contribution to conservation work throughout the region, as their work in the nursery directly helps maintain a stock of plants for revegetation projects, such as National Tree Day. They also help achieve real on the ground outcomes in the field by doing revegetation work, clean ups, community events and other initiatives.

Just as important is the volunteers’ interaction with the broader community.

They can circulate information on council’s behalf and receive comments from the public on community values and concerns that they, in return, feed back to Council.

Free tax help for eligible residents Residents who earn around $60,000 or less each year and who have basic tax needs can gain assistance to lodge their 2017-18 tax return.

Free, confidential appointments for eligible residents are available with ATO trained tax help volunteers at Council’s Community Advisory Service (CAS), 142 Goondoon Street.

The program is facilitated by CAS on behalf

of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Tax Help appointments are essential and can be booked by phoning staff at the Community Advisory Service on 4976 6300.

Residents wishing to use the service are encouraged to create a myGov account and link to the ATO at www.ato.gov.au before their Tax Help appointment.

Page 15

The Golding Showcase The 25th Golding Showcase Port Curtis Callide Valley Youth Art Exhibition is on display at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum until September 28.

The annual display is an initiative of the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum Society, supported by the late society patron, Mr Cyril Golding (1920-2012).

The exhibition offers youths, aged 15 to 18 years, the opportunity to display their artwork in a professional gallery space.

This year, Toolooa State High School partnered with the Gallery & Museum to assist with the installation of the exhibition and opening event.

Youths express views through art at showcase Teenage artists have been able to have their artwork included in a public exhibition with residents able to have their say on their favourite exhibition piece.

Chanel College Senior Visual Arts student Naomi-Jon Redshaw took her art creation to a different level last year and was rewarded for her efforts.

The teen’s entry in the Golding Showcase Port Curtis Callide Valley Youth Art Exhibition, titled Jellyfish, was named the 2017 People’s Choice winner.

Exhibition entrants this year are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 2018 People’s Choice winner.

Naomi-Jon said she had been surprised

to hear that Gallery & Museum visitors had voted Jellyfish their favourite artwork in last year’s exhibition and the win had encouraged her to be more confident about her art.

“I was so shocked and happy, I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“It gave me a confidence boost and now I am no longer afraid to express what is in my head on the page.”

Naomi-Jon said her art teacher had challenged her to use an artistic medium, other than painting, to depict her ideas for the exhibition.

“The topic was evolution and I loved how jellyfish are never the same; they are like

human beings,” she said.

Naomi-Jon created an installation, 1.8m x 0.4m, using poly-carbonate fluted sheeting, wire, beads, alcohol inks, fishing line, welding rods and silicon.

“The jellyfish were constructed from wire to display how jellyfish are free flowing,” she said.

Naomi-Jon has entered the Golding Showcase again this year and encouraged other young artists to consider submitting work in future exhibitions.

“Just do it. Who knows, people might just love your idea and artwork as much as you.”

Saiki Children’s Day creativity Fun and creativity filled the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum in May when staff and volunteers welcomed hundreds of students through the doors for two Saiki Children’s Day school events.

More than 920 students from Gladstone Region schools, accompanied by teachers and guardians, enjoyed activities designed to provide an insight into Japanese culture.

Students from Kin Kora State School, Clinton State School, Faith Baptist Christian School, Gladstone South State School, Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, Trinity College and Stepping Stones Child Care Centre were able to learn more about life for children living in Gladstone’s Japanese sister city, Saiki City.

Sounds of excitement and chatter echoed through the Gallery & Museum with students kept busy with art and craft tasks.

Cotton ball sushi proved the most popular activity with students making imitation sushi from craft materials.

Other busy work stations offered origami folding, a chance to design a Pokemon card, make a paper sumo wrestler or decorate a picture of a lunar calendar animal.

Students also keenly waited in turn to experience dressing in a kimono.

Page 16