Middlemount News November/December 2015

What’s on in Middlemount?

November/December 2015

The Isaac region is glowing this festive season with light displays and Christmas fairs.

To find out what’s happening near you visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au/events.

Award a worthy Aussie

Isaac 2020

Shop small shop local

Australia Day 2016 Award nominations are now open to recognise remarkable people in Isaac communities across sport, culture and achievement. Nominations close Monday December 4, 2015. For details phone 1300 ISAACS (472227) or visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au.

Thank you to everyone who had their say on key priorities for Isaac at one of the many consultation opportunities across the region. Your feedback was used at the Community Leaders Forum to review the draft Corporate Plan goals, strategies and to identify gaps and create recommendations. Thank you.

Isaac Regional Council is backing small businesses in the lead up to the festive season through national campaign, Shop Small. Mayor Anne Baker said small businesses and their owners play a big part in our local communities and need our support.

Middlemount Council Office, Library and Depot will be closed from December 23, reopening January 4, 2016.

Visit ww.isaac.qld.gov.au or call 1300 ISAACS 1300 47 22 27 to find out more.

In our neighbourhood Cr Jane Pickels Division 7 Middlemount M E

0427 635 124 jane.pickels@isaac.qld.gov.au

It’s fantastic to see our Middlemount traders running a Shop Local and Win promotion. I urge you to join me in supporting this great initiative. By supporting our businesses, we are in reality investing in our local community and economy. I wish you all a happy Christmas and look forward with excitement to 2016.

11 November 2015

Flying fox dispersal to resume Charles Randell Crescent, Middlemount Isaac Regional Council would like to advise residents that ecology consultants Naturecall will resume little red flying fox dispersal activity on Charles Randell Crescent from: 3am to 8am, Tuesday November 17 for a five day period including Saturday November 21 Naturecall may continue dispersal techniques during the day to deter the animals from returning.

Flying fox dispersal will include loud pyrotechnics, smoke machines, light and other noise and is likely to cause disturbance in the area.

Council advises residents close doors and windows to minimise interference and to prepare pets for loud gun-shot like noise.

If you live in this vicinity and suffer from a health condition which may be affected by smoke, lights or loud noise, please notify Council’s Environmental Services Department during office hours on 1300 47 22 27.

Council appreciates the patience of affected residents during this prolonged migration, and seeks your ongoing cooperation as we continue to relocate this colony.

Flying fox dispersal is legislated by the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and Council is committed to a legal and successful dispersal on behalf of the community.

To assist in the best possible outcome for dispersal, residents are advised to: -

Only listen to advice and direction from Council or Naturecall

-

Be aware flying foxes may ‘hop’ to other trees during this dispersal process. Allow them to rest and contact Council if they are in your trees.

If you have any questions or to report a health condition or flying fox camp please contact Council on 1300 ISAACS (472 227).

ROD FERGUSON Chief Executive Officer ABN 39 274 142 600

PO Box 97 Moranbah QLD 4744

P 1300 472 227

F (07) 4941 8666

www.isaac.qld.gov.au

Australia Day Awards Nominations Open Now nominations close December 4 Do you know an awesome Aussie? Someone who really makes a difference to your local community?

Nominate them for an Australia Day Award by filling in our new nomination form at www.isaac.qld.gov.au Regional Award Categories • Citizen of the Year • Young Citizen of the Year • Event of the Year Local Award Categories Individual and Group Achievement Medallions for: • Sport • Cultural • Achievement

Middlemount Christmas Lights Competition 2015

Help light up Isaac this festive season and enter your home or business’ Christmas lights display in Isaac Regional Council’s Christmas Lights Competition. Entry is FREE! Complete the below entry form and submit at your local Council office or post to: Christmas Lights Competition, PO Box 97, Moranbah QLD 4744.

Entries can also be submitted online via www.isaac.qld.gov.au/christmas-lights For details contact 1300 ISAACS (1300 47 22 27).

Christmas Lights Competition Entry Form Under the Information Privacy Act 2009 Council is required to obtain your permission to: collect, use, and disclose your personalinformation. Isaac Regional Council uses photographs and video footage and caption details (names, ages etc.) to showcase the region’s communities, people, places and events in the media and for marketing and promotional purposes. All images taken are used in an ethicalmanner and in the best interests of the community. Council seeks permission to take your photograph and video footage of you and use it for media, promotional and/or advertising purposes. This may include, but is not limited to display on a commercial television network, social media, Council’s website, in the local regional and national media sources (newspapers, radio and television)and/ormarketingmaterial (banners,brochures). Section 33 under the Act requires us to get your permission for transfer of your personal information outside of Australia. This largely relates to your information being produced on our website and people from outside of Australiabeing able toaccess theinformation. If you provide permission your image will remain the property of Isaac Regional Council. In the case where your name is required for promotional purposes we will release this information to third parties only for the purposes outlined above. However, your address and contact details will remain confidential. Should we have requests for this information a Council Officer will contact youto obtain permission.

DETAILS:

CATEGORY:

Best Residential

Best Business

Contact Person Display Name Street Address Phone Email Signature

Date

JUDGING AND CRITERIA:

Entries close Wednesday December 9 with judging of the Best Residence and Best Business Premises to occur on Thursday December 10. Judging will be conducted by Isaac Region Councillors or an approved substitute on the criteria of visual appeal, overall impact, variety of decorations and safety and tidiness.

Entrants should have their light displays on between 7pm and 11pm during the judging period. All entrants must display their property letterbox and number in clear view of the street. The judges reserve the right to grant merit awards at their discretion to recognise significant houses or streets within the Isaac Regional Council area over and above the listed categories. The winner of both the best residential and best business will win $250.

Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au or call 1300 ISAACS to find out more

Christmas Events COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL (proudly hosted by Anglo American)

Saturday November 28 3.30pm to 6.30pm Middlemount Race Club Grounds

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS Thursday December 3 Middlemount Shopping Centre

MACKENZIE RIVER CELEBRATIONS AND SCHOOL CONCERT Friday December 4 Starting at 3.00pm

Saving water

saves money If you live in Isaac, from July 1st saving water will save you money. And the good news is there are lots of ways you can save inside and outside your home.

Visit

isaac.qld.gov.au

or

to start saving.

Funding from the State Drought Relief Program - Supported by

Middlemount Community School

James Randell Drive Middlemount QLD 4746

Telephone: 07 4981 2333 Facsimile: 07 4981 2300 Email: the.principal@middlemountcs.eq.edu.au

Dear parents/caregivers, The Headspace team from Mackay is coming to Middlemount Community School on November the 27th to present mental health and wellbeing workshops with our secondary students.

The team will hold presentations covering: 1. Depression and anxiety 2. Healthy relationships In between these sessions the student groups will rotate between 4 life skills activity stations where they will participate in fun activities from the Drum Beat and Rock and Water programs.

These activities will cover: 

Team work



Problem solving



Confidence building



Encouraging others



Motivation and goal setting

All activities will be themed around emotional well-being and positive mental health as well as respectful relationships.

This day of emotional health and wellbeing has been made possible by the kind support of the Isaac Regional council State Government Drought Relief funding, Civeo and Headspace Mackay in partnership with the Middlemount Community School and Queensland health.

Don’t wait until it’s too late

Bushfires, storms and floods can happen quickly and if you’re not ready, their impacts can be devastating.

With recent back-to-back fire warnings as well as severe thunderstorms across the region, now is the time to be vigilant.

By preparing ourselves better before disaster hits, we build our personal and community resilience.

There are lots of ways you can Get Ready, visit www.getready.qld.gov.au and ruralfire.qld.gov.au to find out more.

Water Quality and Water Leaks Frequently Asked Questions

Water Quality What is safe drinking water?

Safe drinking water is free of harmful concentrations of chemicals or pathogenic microorganisms. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are used by Isaac Regional Council to provide safe, good quality drinking water.

Council’s Drinking Water Quality Management Plan (DWQMP) is approved by DEWS (Department of Energy and Water Supply).

How do I know my water is safe to drink?

As detailed in the DWQMP, Council strictly follows various testing and monitoring regimes to ensure drinking water is always safe.

Contaminated water may not look, taste, or smell different to safe drinking water. This is why monitoring and testing of water is so important.

The Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (ADWQG) are followed stringently by Isaac Regional Council with implemented monitoring programs to ensure a safe drinking water supply and protect public health.

Each year, we conduct over 10,000 tests at our water treatment plant for more than 100 parameters. We conduct daily operational testing and continuous online monitoring at our water treatment plants and many of our water storage tanks and dams.

In addition to this, compliance sampling, verification monitoring and analysis is also conducted by a NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) certified Laboratory run by Mackay Regional Council. All of this data is closely monitored by our Drinking Water Quality team.

What happens when E.coli is detected in drinking water?

All E.coli detections are reported to the DEWS as required under section 95(3) of the Act. Response to E.coli detection may vary depending on site, system and sampling results; however it will include flushing the water mains and retesting the site. A ‘boil water notice’ may be issued in consultation with the Department of Energy and Water Supply.

Why can I taste/smell chlorine in my drinking water?

Chlorine is added to drinking water to kill microorganisms (i.e.

E.coli) that may be present. It is important that chlorine residual is maintained in the drinking water leaving the plant to prevent microorganisms from regrowing in the distribution system. Some people may detect this chlorine residual through smell or taste.

The chlorine concentration is generally very low (less than 1 part per million) and can be reduced further by letting the water sit in the fridge in an open jug for a short period prior to consumption.

Is aluminium monitored in my drinking water?

Aluminium based salts (coagulants) are used to aid the removal of particles in conjunction with filtration which also removes residual aluminium. Isaac Regional Council monitors this as part of operational monitoring, testing to ensure levels in drinking water meet the ADWG. Samples are also measured by the NATA Laboratory run by Mackay Regional Council on a weekly basis.

What is turbidity?

Turbidity is a measurement of the light scattering property of water. It is caused by the presence of fine suspended matter such as clay and silt and can result in the water having a muddy or milky appearance.

Turbidity can shield microorganisms from disinfection so it is important that turbidity is low in drinking water.

Turbidity reduction most commonly occurs via coagulation, clarification and filtration water treatment processes. Isaac Regional Council monitors this with online systems and daily testing to ensure levels in drinking water meet the ADWQG.