Warwick Today - 20th May 2021

Page 1

Thursday, 20 May, 2021

0408 457 496 A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 07 4661 9800 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

12460238-NG36-20

Incorporating the Southern Free Times

53 Fitzroy Street, Warwick Qld 4370 www.helenharm.com

Fatal crash in Storm King

Helen’s rural Insights

Q&A with Candy Sumpton

PAGE 8

PAGE 22

PAGE 24

Bat warning A little red flying fox found in a Warwick home has tested positive for a virus often fatal to humans, Darling Downs Health has confirmed. The bat was discovered dead at a private residence on 25 April 2021 and, after an assessment by a veterinarian, was sent for further testing. Darling Downs Public Health Senior Medical Officer Dr Liam Flynn said the bat tested positive for Australian Bat Lyssavirus, which should serve as a reminder to the community not to touch bats. More on page 3

Volunteers take a bow

Water win The Southern Downs and Granite Belt scored some wins in the 2021-22 federal budget delivered by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg last week. Budget documents revealed $500,000 would go towards the Warwick Recycled Water for Agriculture project to upgrade an existing recycled water treatment plant, and $250 million would go to expanding the Building Better Regions Fund. The region is also set to benefit from the federal government’s $160 million commitment to helping women flee violent situations, which includes first-of-its-kind immediate financial assistance. For more see page 10

This week – National Volunteer Week – Australia is celebrating the significant contribution of its almost six million volunteers with the theme: ‘Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine.’ 66-year-old Roxanne Schutt is one of thousands of volunteers in the region, and one of some 20 volunteers at the Warwick Visitor Information Centre. She has served the community in her role as volunteer for three years. Read her story on page 9

Pests on notice Southern Downs Regional Council has released its draft Invasive Pests Strategic Plan 2020-24 for public consultation, with landholder compliance measures that look very different to that enforced in the past. The Invasive Pests Control Scheme (IPCS) levy, which was central to the Invasive Pests Strategic Plan 2016-20, has been wiped from the reviewed plan and replaced with a “continuum of activities” to assist landholders in

meeting their obligations. “Council’s primary means of achieving compliance with the Biosecurity Act is by Council officers conducting inspections in response to newly discovered outbreaks, seasonal conditions, and in responding to complaints,” the draft 2020-24 plan read. The new compliance process will commence when a pest is discovered, at which time a SDRC officer will arrange to meet with

the landholder and communicate to them their pest management obligations. The landholder will then receive a Pest Advice Letter, and the officer will arrange a follow-up inspection. If no action is taken to address the pest issue, a SDRC officer may issue a Biosecurity Order detailing the issue and control works required. Another follow-up inspection will be ar-

ranged by the officer and, in the event the biosecurity order has not been complied with, they may issue a Penalty Infringement Notice. Beyond this point, if the landholder continues to take no action to address the pest issue, a final written notification may be provided to the landholder advising SDRC may complete the necessary control work at the landholder’s cost. Turn to page 6 for the full story

Our weekly print and digital editions... are FREE Subscribe to our digital edition

12488848-NG14-21

warwickstanthorpetoday.com.au/subscribe

[07] 4681 1289

Phone the Office on

07 4661 9835 warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au

64 Maryland St, Stanthorpe

Ph: 4681 1000 Servicing Stanthorpe, Warwick, Tenterfield and surrounding districts Email: admin@mwfplumbing.com.au

07 4667 0263

SPECIAL PRICE SMFN70ZZX BATTERIES

12460562-NG37-20

QBCC1197750 NSW237076c

12466739-NG43-20

Made from Bluescope Australian Steel Full service - Slab, Erection & Councils

12459962-SG36-20

.au.au gbib.com ers.com granitebeltinsurancebrok

Granite Belt Insurance Brokers ABN 32 054 247 666 is an Authorised Representative 271148 of Insurance House Pty Ltd ABN 33 006 500 072 AFSL 240954

WE HAVE YOU COVERED THIS SUMMER WITH A WIDE RANGE OF BBQ’S

Specialising in Commercial, Industrial and Domestic Sheds. 6945913aa

• Home and Contents • Motor Vehicle • Caravan • Boat

79-85 Ogilvie Rd Warwick

12460834-LB51-20

35a Railway Street, STANTHORPE Q 4380 • Commercial Motor Insurance • Business Insurance • Liability Insurance • Rural Insurance • Professional Indemnity Insurance • Personal Insurance including:

$155 inc GST Find a large range of Supercharge Batteries in store!! Your Spare Parts Specialists @Bellinghamandco www.bellingham.com.au


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.