Your Southern Downs - 2023: Year in Review

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MESSAGE FROM

CEO Dave B g Christmas is a special time and an ideal moment to reflect on the year gone by. In my reflections, 2023 has been challenging yet rewarding.

MESSAGE FROM

May Vic Penn i It has been another immense year of navigating the elements.

We’ve gone from enduring extreme wet times in 2022 to again praying for rain. We’ve gone from hoping for no more bushfires to hoping for more rain to quench the parched earth. Nevertheless, I hope and pray that the fires stay away and rain falls when and where we need it the most.

The festive season is the perfect time for families to reconnect or reinvigorate their beliefs. I hope that everyone gets to enjoy quality time with family and friends this Christmas. I look forward to spending time with my grandchildren. As they continue to grow in number and age, they certainly keep me busy, on my toes and thoroughly entertained.

I would also like to thank Santa for his contribution in producing the annual Mayoral YouTube video. Check out the antics on Facebook at either facebook.com/MYSDRC or facebook.com/MayorVicPennisi. My Christmas Video is a joy to produce each year and I hope everyone gets as much entertainment from watching it as I do in producing it.

This Christmas, stay safe, eat as much as you are prepared to lose and enjoy time with family and friends. It is with sincerity that I wish everyone a happy and holy time with lots of good cheer for Christmas and the year ahead. Also, thank you to Council’s staff, Councillors and the community for their support in 2023.

Council’s people remain the organisation’s greatest asset and nothing can be achieved without the entire team performing well and being well. It is pleasing that in 2023, we embarked upon and completed our journey to establish our organisational values and supporting behaviours. I am proud of the contribution made by many, many staff over the past twelve months and I look forward to seeing the region benefit from our refreshed and finely tuned focus on the many and varied ways in which Council makes the Southern Downs a great place to live, work, play, and stay.

At an organisational level, I am pleased to see the progress we are making on many improvements that will benefit the community, including strategic and operational asset management, policy development, risk management assessments, upgrades to information technology, business continuity plans and the Council land review and associated potential land developments and community housing developments.

The hard yards have been done over the past year on some major projects, including the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery and Library redevelopment, the planning and design of the Condamine River Road river crossings, the Warwick Saleyards and the massive flood damage restoration program.

One of the biggest challenges in the past twelve months was the tragic bushfires. I was again extremely proud of how our organisation and our communities rose to the challenge. Thank you to those who contributed to getting through those challenging times.

I look forward with optimism to the coming year and would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff for the contribution they make to the organisation and our community.

I thank the Southern Downs community for its trust in Council.

Enjoy this edition of Year in Review for a snapshot of Council news in 2023.

Council Chr tmа Closure CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRES

WASTE FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Allora, Stanthorpe and Warwick Close: 4.30pm Friday 22 December 2023 Re-open: 8.30am Tuesday 2 January 2024

Normal operating days, except all sites closed Monday 25 December 2023.

ROADSIDE WASTE COLLECTION

COUNCIL LIBRARIES

Roadside domestic waste collections will continue as normal, including all public holidays.

All libraries close: 4.30pm Friday 22 December 2023 Stanthorpe re-opens: 10.00am Tuesday 2 January 2024 Warwick re-opens: 10.00am Tuesday 2 January 2024 Allora re-opens: 1.00pm Tuesday 2 January 2024

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES

EMERGENCIES Call 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372)

®

Stanthorpe and Warwick Closed: Monday 25 December 2023 Re-open: Tuesday 26 December 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Southern Downs Regional Council acknowledges the original custodians of the land on which we live and gives respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and through them to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with whom we foster effective, respectful and culturally-sensitive engagement.

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Turn trash into

Chr tmа Treа e Make this Christmas a sustainable one by reducing waste and supporting the Endeavour Foundation. Find your Christmas treasures in the Endeavour Foundation Recycle Shops at Council’s supervised waste facilities this festive season. From decorations to gifts, you’ll be surprised at what’s available for a fraction of the price. Your hip pocket will love you and so will the planet when you give pre-loved items new lives and decorate your home with all the festive trimmings.

• Find the perfect Christmas gift • Find holiday craft activities • Decorate your home and Christmas tree with pre-loved trinkets • Donate good quality unwanted items Council is proud to partner with the Endeavour Foundation to operate its waste facilities. Not only does this partnership result in great management and helpful staff, it provides meaningful supported employment opportunities for people with a disability in our region.

WARWICK RECYCLE SHOP

STANTHORPE RECYCLE SHOP

Wednesday: 12pm - 4pm | Saturday: 8:30am - 4pm

Thursday: 12pm - 4pm | Saturday: 8:30am - 4pm

Visit sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/waste-recycling for more information.

F tive food safety Festive food safety is especially important during the holiday season when you may be preparing and serving food to family and friends. Food poisoning could ruin your celebrations and put your guests at risk, so it is essential to follow some simple tips to keep your food safe and delicious.

Plan ahead. Start talking with your friends and family now about who is preparing what food. Plan to cook riskier foods like meat and turkey at the location of the Christmas dinner and use a meat thermometer to make sure it is cooked to 75°C in the thickest part of the meat. Ask guests who are travelling more than an hour to bring foods which don’t require cooking or refrigeration. And make sure you have enough fridge and freezer space on the day.

A ham is for Christmas, not for life! Your ham will keep several weeks with proper handling. After reading the packaging labels, remove the plastic wrap, cover it with clean cloth soaked in water and vinegar and store it in the fridge below 5°C. Plucked ducks don’t need baths. Washing any raw poultry is unsafe as it can spread bacteria to your hands, surfaces and other uncooked foods. Washing is also unnecessary as cooking poultry to 75°C in the centre or the thickest part will kill any bacteria.

Love your leftovers. Don’t leave leftovers unrefrigerated. Eat within 3 days and make sure your fridge is running at 5°C or below.

If freezing, write the freezing date on the container and always reheat leftovers to 75°C in the centre to kill any bacteria.

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A big shout-out to our region’s

dedicated volunte s!

Southern Downs is home to an army of individuals whose tireless contributions make a true difference to our region’s liveability at a grassroots level. These individuals are the engine room of our community and it is their countless hours of service in our sporting clubs, environmental groups, arts, culture and civic services that make the Southern Downs a great place to live, work, play and stay.

In 2023, Council continued its campaign to celebrate those who selflessly go beyond the call of duty to support the community groups and worthy causes that contribute to our amazing region.

IT’S SHOWTIME FOR SHOW SOCIETY SUPPORTER For more than 30 years, Allora Show Society President Shirley Cornhill has been a tower of strength in overseeing show society volunteer activities and advancing infrastructure upgrades at the Allora Showgrounds. She has been the driving force behind several major upgrades, including the construction of the new canteen in 1998 and the relocation of the Allora Livestock Saleyards. Both of these upgrades attracted significant events to the showgrounds and opened the door for new activities and prosperity for Allora.

ROAD SAFETY ADVOCATE RECOGNISED Road safety warrior David Kemp is vocal in the conversation for improving traffic conditions on Southern Downs roads and has been a key player in campaigning for a number of significant upgrades across the region. Known to many simply as Kempy, he is well-known for his unwavering dedication and commitment to follow through on the issues that mean the most to the community.

CHARITY CHAMPION CONGRATULATED Dedicated charity fundraiser Cheryl Garland was acknowledged for her tireless commitment to raising money for local not-for-profit organisations. Since her first open garden fundraiser in 2005 for the Granite Belt Chaplaincy, Cheryl has branched into markets, garage sales and raffles, and raising money for Lifeflight, Granite Belt Support Services, Alive, Compassionate Friends and Standby.

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TRIO OF ADVOCACY STALWARTS RECOGNISED Sue Hamlet, Kathy Payne and Judy Hefferan from the Women’s Action and Advocacy Team are passionate changemakers for the Southern Downs. The trio were key founders and supporters in the establishment of Protea Place Warwick and were recognised for their tireless commitment to lobbying for more support services for vulnerable women and children at state and federal levels.

STANTHORPE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY STALWART SALUTED For more than 65 years, Neville Bryant has been rolling up his sleeves to serve his local community. He began his enduring journey with the Stanthorpe Agricultural Society in the 1950’s, and his long-standing dedication has been acknowledged on a number of occasions, first in 1988 when he became a life member, and again in 2014 when he was bestowed the honour of Patron.

Notably, Neville also has a distinguished 50-year career as a volunteer with the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival and he is still an active volunteer at our very own Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre after more than 27 years.

MUCH-RESPECTED BUSH BALLADEER REMEMBERED The late Ted Thompson was acknowledged as a leader among the many musicians and entertainers who volunteer to perform at community gatherings across the Southern Downs. Ted was the proverbial campfire crooner, a much-respected bush balladeer, a yarn-spinner, a joke teller and a comedian. His passion for sharing his stories has left an enduring legacy on our local arts and culture community.

Reg t now MySDRCWater live for Stanthorpe!

Water security remains a priority for our drought-prone region. New smart water technology will help reduce unnecessary water waste by saving ratepayers’ money on excessive water bills by tracking water consumption and detecting potential leakages in real time.

During Stage 1 of the smart water meter project in 2022, more than 2,700 new digital meters were installed throughout Stanthorpe.

The new MySDRCWater customer portal is now live and Stanthorpe residents and businesses connected to the smart water meter network are encouraged to register for the online platform to monitor water usage and continue being water wise.

A handy feature of MySDRCWater is leak and high consumption alerts sent via SMS and email. Property owners also have the option to set leak alert thresholds to 10 litres per hour and receive automatic weekly and monthly water reports directly to their nominated email address.

Not only does this new smart water technology assist individual properties to monitor water usage, the system also provides many benefits to Council such as improved water network management, identification of water losses in the network and improved customer service when answering water usage enquiries.

Property owners will need to have rate notices handy for information to register. Tenants and property agents can also sign up, subject to approval from the property owner. Register at mysdrcwater.sdrc.qld.gov.au.

Council will now roll-out smart water meters throughout the rest of the region, commencing in January 2024. Residents will receive notice prior to installation.

This project is jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments via the Local Economy Recovery funding program and co-contribution from Council.

www.mysdrcwater.sdrc.qld.gov.au

What does Chr tmа mean to you?

C Christmas is a time of reflection and reaffirming beliefs. It is a busy time for Santa in our b h household and this year he will have a new ccostume for the grandchildren to enjoy.

Mayor Vic Pennisi M Christmas offers the opportunity for some down own ast time – a moment for us to reflect on past times with friends and relatives, and to enjoyy o the festive atmosphere. It is a great time to recharge the battery for the new year ahead..

Councillor Ross Bartleyy Chri Christmas for me is a time to celebrate with family and friends. fr My greatest joy is watching the excitement of the t younger generation as the season approaches.

Councillor Andrew Gale C

Christmas is a time to reflect. It is about ut family time, catching up with mates, thee community, nature and gratitude..

Councillor Marco Gliori ri C Christmas is a time to pause, reflect on the year jjust gone, think about the year ahead and enjoy b being with family.

Councillor Cameron Gow C Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. hrist. mber This year, our family will welcome a new member into our extended family. There is nothing more ore joyful than a Christmas baby and sharing thee experience with family and friends. It is a timee to focus on the most important things in lifee and let go of distractions. This year has comee nt with its challenges and the most important ends focus should be on love, family and friends.

Councillor Cynthia McDonald Chr Christmas for me is a time to reflect on the virtues of ffaith, a hope and love. Faith is remembering the bi ir of Jesus as the reason we celebrate Christmas. birth H Hope is for a better tomorrow, believing the worst iis behind us. Love is for family, getting together, ssharing a meal and giving thanks for all that we h have. Christmas is truly a magical time of year.

Councillor Jo McNally Cou

Christmas gives me a chance to ignore myy text messages, not look at my emails and d concentrate on loving family and friends. s.

Councillor Stephen Tancred d C Christmas is a time for me to gather with family, to ccelebrate and enjoy our time together and to reflect on the meaning of Christmas while reminding o ourselves how fortunate we are. o Councillor Sheryl Windle C

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Give the gift of responsible pet

own ship th Chr tmа Adorable kittens and playful puppies might be at the top of many wish lists this Christmas, but Council urges residents to think about the long-term commitment required to keep a pet safe and healthy.

Council’s Local Laws Officers suggest that residents who want to give a pet as a gift should ensure the person receiving the gift is prepared for the responsibility of caring for a new animal.

“While pets might seem like great Christmas gifts, it’s important to realise that looking after a new pet extends well beyond the festive season,” they said.

“Dogs and cats are a long-term responsibility, sometimes up to 15 years or more, and unfortunately when the novelty wears

off, we often see an influx of unwanted Christmas pets come into our pounds.

Council would also like to remind pet owners to be extra mindful of their pets during the summer storm and fireworks season.

“We see animals end up in the pound when they have escaped due to a storm event or a firework display, so it’s important to plan ahead, particularly if you have a dog that is sensitive to these conditions.

“We hope everyone across the region has a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and this goes to our furry friends as well.”

Know the signs in a flood emergency As part of a new Australian Warning System, the way flood warnings are displayed has changed. Flood warnings will now be e issued with new consistent icons and warning levels to provide easy instructions on what to do in case of a natural disaster.

Level

AcƟon

Reason

Advice

Stay informed

There is conĮdence that Ňooding is possible and you will be informed of where you can go to stay informed about the Ňooding situaƟon.

Prepare now for possible Ňood

Flooding is likely but evacuaƟon might not be necessary at this stage. You need to get ready in case of Ňooding.

DeͲescalaƟng

Return safely

The Ňooding has gone down enough for you and your family to go back to your homes and businesses, but let you know about the dangers leŌ behind by the Ňood.

Watch h and d Act

Prepare to leave

You are likely to be Ňooded and need to get ready to leave for your own safety, either from Ňooding or extended isolaƟon.

Move to higher ground

Flooding has started and people in those places need to move to higher ground to be safe. This warning will usually apply to a small area (i.e., several streets) rather than a town or whole sub-

DeͲescalaƟng

Avoid the area

The Ňood has peaked and/or is starƟng to go down, but the area is dangerous and must be avoided. It is to let you know you’re not alone and the situaƟon is being monitored.

Emergency y Warning

Leave by [T TIME] (AM or PM)

We are conĮdent that areas will be Ňooded inside buildings and it would be safer for people in those areas to leave. There is Ɵme to move people safely.

Take shelter now (Flash Ňood template)

Flooding has increased signiĮcantly and people in some areas need to do more than Įnd higher ground to be safe.

Leave immediately

We are conĮdent that areas will be Ňooded inside buildings very soon. It is safest for you, your family and pets to leave.

Too dangerous to leave

If you did not already leave aŌer previous warnings, or the Ňood has escalated too quickly to warn, you are now stuck where you are

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W ks complete!

Improved flood resilience, safety and drainage CONNOLLY DAM ROAD

TALGAI WEST

GOOMBURRA ROAD

It’s a smooth drive along Connolly Dam Road. A new 5m wide causeway stretches for 56m, with 1m of rock protection on the inlet side and 4m of rock protection on the outlet side.

The new reinforced concrete box culverts at Talgai West are rock solid! The preexisting single 1800mm pipe culvert was damaged by repeat flood events and the site has now been upgraded to two flood-resilient 1200x1200mm culverts.

Rock erosion protection was also installed upstream and downstream, with concrete pavement and batter protection.

Council’s contractors recently resealed a section of Goomburra Road which was damaged in the 2022 flood event.

✓ 125 tonne rock

✓ 63m3 concrete ✓ 110m3 rock erosion protection

AMIENS ROAD AND ELKS LANE INTERSECTION

✓ 40,000L bitumen ✓ 2.081km road repaired ✓ Road widened from 4m to 7.5m These works were funded with assistance sistance from the Transport Infrastructuree Development Scheme.

These works were jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements program and Council.

Council crews recently repaired the pavement on a section of the Amiens Road and Elks Lane intersection which was damaged in the 2022 flood event.

✓ 125 tonne rock ✓ 700 tonne gravel

Visit sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/roads-infrastructure/current-and-future-roadworks for a full list of current and future road works.

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Your guide to Explore the wild side of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt this summer.

From walking trails to four-wheel driving, here’s six wild ways you can explore your own backyard.

1. BOATING AND FISHING

5. WALKING TRAILS AND HIKES

Head out on the water, with plenty of spots on the Southern Downs perfect for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports.

Explore the Condamine River, Severn River, Leslie Dam, Connolly Dam, Storm King Dam or Glenlyon Dam.

Some of the region’s most popular trails can be found at Girraween National Park and in sections of Main Range National Park, including Queen Mary Falls, Cunninghams Gap and Goomburra. In Stanthorpe, enjoy short trails at Sentimental Rocks or Mount Marlay.

2. MOUNTAIN BIKING

6. CAMPING AND CARAVANNING

Hit Stanthorpe’s Mount Marlay Mountain Bike Trail network which has rides for the whole family or enjoy 34kms of quiet country roads on the Granite Belt Bike Trail. Girraween National Park, Passchendaele and Broadwater State Forests also have exciting mountain bike trails.

Swap beach camping for bush camping this summer, with plenty of popular sites across the region. Book early at Council’s campgrounds, including Washpool Reserve (Leslie Dam) and Connolly Dam, which both offer waterfront sites.

For more information, download the free

3. FOUR-WHEEL DRIVING AND MOTOCROSS You’ll find some of the region’s best four-wheel driving in remote Sundown National Park south-west of Stanthorpe, plus there’s plenty of wild adventures to choose from at a number of well-maintained private properties and National Parks.

Guide on Council’s tourism website, southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au.

DOWNLOAD NOW

4. FARMSTAY EXPERIENCES If you have family or friends visiting, be sure to give them a taste of country life. Ride horses at Bestbrook Farmstay, pick berries on the Granite Belt or hand-feed parrots at Queen Mary Falls.

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