Middlemount News October 2015

What’s on in Middlemount?

October 2015

Imagine Isaac - In the coming weeks Council will be holding sessions at 13 Isaac towns to gain feedback on our 5 Year Corporate Plan. We welcome everyone to have a voice in the future of our region, for more details visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au

Award a worthy Aussie

Auction ready to roll

Ball supports White Ribbon

Australia Day 2016 Award nominations are open now to recognise remarkable people in Isaac communities across sport, culture and achievement.

For details and the new nomination form phone 1300 ISAACS (472227) or visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au, or your library or local council office. Nominations close Monday December 4, 2015.

Council’s Fleet and Plant auction is ready to roll on October 7. Around 200 lots will go under the hammer from cars, utes, boats and more. View the catalogue online at nascoauctioneers.com.au or in person at Council’s Depot on Wattle Hill Road, Clermont on October 3 & 6.

Bidders can register online or in person at the last viewing day on October 6 at Council’s Depot.

Proudly supporting White Ribbon, the Mayor’s Charity Ball will be a held on Saturday, October 31 in Moranbah Town Square from 6.30pm. The night includes a three course meal, charity auction and entertainment and features guest speaker White Ribbon Ambassador Mick Doleman.

For details or to purchase tickets phone 1300 ISAACS (1300 47 22 27), email mayorsball@isaac.qld.gov.au.

Visit www.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

As you may have noticed, Middlemount again has flying foxes roosting in the community. Council is moving quickly to address the issue. We are currently in the process of scoping the management options available to us and will keep you updated as plans to manage the issue progress. In the meantime please assist us by allowing the flying foxes to rest through the day to ensure the health of the colony, and report any unusual activity to the local Council office or phone 1300 ISAACS or email records@isaac.qld.gov.au.

Your ideas count

Have your say on key priorities for Isaac

Drop in session: Thursday October 29 4pm to 7pm at Middlemount Bowls Club Everyone has a part to play in the future of our community.

Have your say on key priorities for the Isaac region for the next five years.

Find out more phone 1300 47 22 27 or visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au

1 OCTOBER 2015

Flying Fox Dispersal, Middlemount Isaac Regional Council has appointed ecology consultants Ecosure to undertake a planned and managed dispersal of the flying fox colony roosting in Alfred Quinn Drive, Middlemount.

Dispersal activity will occur over a period of seven day period commencing:

LOCATION:

Alfred Quinn Drive

TIME:

3am – 7am

DATE:

Saturday October 3, 2015

WHAT:

Smoke Machines, Noise (Whips, Air Horns), Water

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

Flying fox dispersal is a highly coordinated process yet does NOT guarantee results. Please be mindful of this. Dispersal is contingent upon favourable weather conditions.

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

NOT to disturb the colony at any time.

-

Leave dispersal activity to the experts.

-

Notify Council immediately if flying foxes move to roost in your trees during the day.

-

Be aware flying foxes may ‘hop’ to other trees during this dispersal process. Allow them to rest and follow all direction provided by Council and Ecosure.

If you have any questions or to report a health condition or splinter colony 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

Plant and Fleet Auction Wednesday October 7, Council Depot, Clermont It’s back on - the date is set for Isaac Regional Council’s fleet and plant auction in Clermont Wednesday October 7 – from 10am.

There’s now something for everyone from pallets of spare parts and handy materials to heavy equipment. More than 150 items from cars, commercials, boats and trailers, trucks, loaders, tractors, caravans, rollers and mowers with some items having reserves. The auction will be conducted by NASCO Auctioneers.

Everything is expected to sell on the day!

Auction Catalogue View online at nascoauctioneers.com.au

Viewing Days View items in person: Wednesday September 30 – 10am to 2pm Saturday October 3 – 10am to 2pm

Register Online at: www.nascoauctioneers.com.au Or in person on: Tuesday October 6 – 9am to 5pm

Location Council’s Clermont Depot on Wattle Hill Road, (near the Showgrounds). Free jumping castle and food available for purchase on auction day.

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

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

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.