OUR P OLITICS Julies’ March 2010 Newsletter
T
he next round of “Meet The Mayor and Councillors” day is set for Thursday 18 March, from 1pm – 2pm at Imbil RSL hall and from 2.30pm – 3.30pm at Kandanga Hall. I look forward to seeing you on the day. Just a quick reminder about the 2010 Heritage Art competition coming up, and with excellent prize money this year. Closing date for free entry is 14 April. The theme for this year is “Celebrate Your Story - Gympie Region”, phone Gympie Regional Gallery on 5481 0733 for further details. As a matter of interest, the gallery had over 1200 visitors during the month of January this year. The gallery has many interesting exhibits coming up so keep a look out for those. There are also a number or lectures for the avid artists in March. A 61 lot subdivision has been approved for the township of Imbil in last months Planning and Development committee meeting. With the number of allotments in current proposals, Imbil is a town set to expand and become a thriving Mary Valley centre. The Woodworks Museum has settled in well and has become a much visited destination in Gympie, to find more information visit their website at www.woodworksmuseum. com.au Sporting Groups in the Mary Valley are looking for extra funding, check out www.sportrec.qld.gov.au and see what funding is available. The Gympie Regional Library located in Lambert Hyne Drive at Imbil (opposite Imbil Butcher) is being well utilised, with a growing number of members. In February this year we have 1045 members and that number is set to increase, so come on in and see what a wide variety of services we provide. It’s air-conditioned so it’s a nice cool place to relax too. Lake Alford (affectionately known as ‘The Duckponds’) is undergoing some changes as you may have noticed. The building of the All Abilities Playground is progressing well with the car park being completed. This playground will be a focal point for families especially those with ‘special needs’ members. It is hoped that the playground will be completed sometime in late 2010. Thank you for your support and we hope that residents will make full use of these facilities with this Christmas being a good time to experience the park. Have you thought about paying your council rates monthly, well you can, as long as you pay the full amount prior to the due date. Just take your rates notice to the Post Office to make your payments using the ‘Bar Code’ at the bottom of your rates notice. Footnote: As you would know, I have been ‘touched’ by the great service that the AGL Rescue Helicopter supply and I have decided to make donations to their great cause, and I would love it if you would join me in doing so, either with your electricity account or direct EFT
16 | February 24, 2010
payment to AGL Rescue Helicopter BSB 034198 Account #303124. This is a volunteer service so all monies are much appreciated!!!!
Cr. Julie walker
WELLINGTON’S WAY
H
ospice Update I’m delighted that at last the Katie Rose Cottage at Doonan is a reality and will open soon. The introduction of my Private Members Bill late last year, and extensive lobbying since that time, has prompted the State Government to introduce a new planning code which will pave the way for muchneeded palliative care hospices on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Queensland. The Katie Rose Cottage is the first community hospice support house to be opened in Australia. Other existing facilities have been purpose built and are manned by professional paid staff. The founders and their committee have plans underway to build another Hospice in Nambour on land offered at a peppercorn rent by the Church of Christ. State Government plans to change our Constitution… have your say! I wonder how many people are aware that the State Government is planning to amend our Constitution by including a preamble - based on the assumption that “the people of Queensland”, as opposed to “the Queensland Parliament” agree to a list of stated opinions (visit Parliamentary website or my office to see a copy of the Constitution (Preamble) Amendment Bill). There has been no preamble to our constitution in the past. While I don’t oppose the Government’s intent for the preamble, I do believe that the government is presumptuous in assuming that the majority of Queenslanders know about its intention, or agree with the Bill’s intention, when no public consultation or referendum has been carried out. I have accordingly moved an amendment to the Government’s Constitution (Preamble) Amendment Bill 2009, that it is in fact the Parliament of Queensland’s views, not the people’s views. New JP awards announced Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations will now be eligible to receive new Service Awards after 40 and 60 years of service. In the past service awards have been presented to JPs and Commissioners of Declarations after they have completed 25 years and 50 years of service. Anyone in the community who may be eligible for either of these new awards please phone my office 5441 6933 to ensure their nominations are processed as quickly as possible. Anyone who would like to meet with me can organise an appointment by calling my office in Nambour 5441 6933. MP Peter Wellington