Brown

and the Good Samaritan Sisters.

As a founding member of the Parish team, Sr Eileen worked part-time in the Tully Parish to facilitate being the Superior there.

In 1984, Sr Eileen ceased working in Tully and directed her energies to the vision and mission of the Innisfail Parish team.

Adult education became one of Sr Eileen’s passions, especially for young mothers. As a result, she became involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), outreach to Filipino women, liturgical education/formation, and pastoral planning.

The Parish Centre, blessed and opened in 1987 by Bishop James Battersby, was the brainchild of Father Brian Fitzpatrick and Sr Eileen as a place of welcome and community.

As an active member of the Innisfail Parish team and Pastoral Associate, Sr Eileen also established a Parish Playgroup for young parents and youth groups.

1991 - Sr Eileen transferred back to New South Wales and worked at St John’s High School, Nowra.

After six months of study leave in 1992, she returned to Nowra until October 1997, when she transferred to Wollongong.

Here, she continued to work in the Liturgical ministry of the Wollongong Diocese until after 2002, until her failing health forced her to resign.

Having battled Parkinson’s disease, Sr Eileen Brown passed away peacefully on October 27, 2021, aged 77, after 57 years professed as a Good Samaritan Sister.

Crocodile Sighting, Roaming Dogs, Council's Battery Recycling Points, Water Meter Replacements and Calling Fitness Providers

Crocodile Sighting

Residents are to be aware of a recent crocodile sighting that occurred on Tuesday 21 February 2023 on Euclid Street Ingham.

The sighting has been reported to the Department of Environment and Science and is currently under investigation.

Always remember that no natural waterway in "crocodile country" is ever 100% risk free, and the public should remain Crocwise at all times when in and around crocodile habitats.

Services Temporarily Discontinued at the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre Council would like to remind residents that the Tip Shop services are temporarily discontinued at the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre, effective immediately.

These changes are due to concerns of the stability of the embankment around the old landfill cell above the location of these suspended services.

In the interest of public safety, Council has introduced an exclusion zone around the toe and batter of the slope.

As residents are aware, Council is required to meet environmental licensing conditions for the management of the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre and has been undertaking a landfill capping program.

For reasons yet to be determined, the cap has breached and resulted in slope slippage occurring.

Council is investigating and determining remediation actions required.

Please note that operating hours at Halifax are:

• Monday and Tuesday - Closed;

• Wednesday - 8.30am to 1.30pm;

• Thursday - 8.30am to 1.30pm;

• Friday - 12.30pm to 5.30pm;

• Saturday - 7.30am to 5.30pm (closed between 12.00pm and 1.00pm); and

• Sunday - 12.30pm to 5.30pm

Please be advised that the Halifax Resource Recovery Centre is closed on all Public Holidays.

Council regrets any inconvenience that these changes will cause the community, however the safety of the public must always be paramount and the communities understanding would be appreciated.

For more information about the Halifax Resource Recovery Centre, visit Council's Waste Facilities and Fees page on www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.

Roaming Dogs

Local Law surrounding roaming dogs are in place to ensure public safety and to allow uninterrupted use of public spaces.

If a dog is identified as roaming it may be impounded and all reasonable attempts to locate an owner will be made prior to being rehomed.

To avoid this happening to your beloved pet, ensure your yard is adequately secured to safeguard against escape attempts.

If you take your pooch outside of your yard, make sure you have attached a lead to them and that you are holding onto the lead.

Dogs are required to be registered and microchipped under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2003

First 5 Forever Underwater Wonderland

Families are invited to attend the upcoming First 5 Forever Underwater Wonderland Baby Welcoming Ceremony.

Each new baby that has arrived in the community over the past twelve months will receive a Welcoming Certificate, sapling and gift bag. Enjoy a fun filled morning of yummy food, activities, arts and crafts and entertainment for the whole family.

Registration essential by 4.00pm Wednesday 22 March 2023 for your child to receive a certificate and sapling.

Register today

For further information please visit Council’s website Events

Calendar page or phone 4776 4600.

Please look after your pet to avoid costly fees and penalties.

Council's Battery Recycling Points

Did you know that if recycled, 95% of a battery’s components can be turned into new batteries or used in other industries?

But when dumped in landfill those valuable elements are lost forever. Discarded batteries can leach hazardous materials and pollute the environment, especially groundwater and waterways, so why not recycle them instead?

As part of Council’s commitment to reducing hazardous waste to landfill, we have teamed up with battery recycler Ecobatt to add more battery drop off points around the Hinchinbrook Shire.

These receptacles accept domestic batteries of all types (and mobile phones) but not the large lead acid batteries from vehicles.

They also accept faulty or broken rechargeable batteries from cordless hand tools such as drills. Council battery recycling locations are as follows:

• Foyer of the Shire Hall on Lannercost Street;

• Hinchinbrook Shire Library;

• Hinchinbrook Visitor Information Centre;

• Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre; and

• Halifax Resource Recovery Centre.

There is also a battery recycling station located near the checkouts of Woolworths Ingham the next time you are shopping.

Water Meter Replacements

Residents are advised that between Monday 20 February and Friday 3 March 2023, contractors will be undertaking the warranty replacement of water meters that have been identified as not functioning as intended in the Shire. In most cases, the installation of the new smart meter will take less than 30 minutes, with the water to your property being shut off for about 15 minutes.

Should you require any further information or clarification concerning this matter, please contact Council’s Utility Department on 4776 4771 for the necessary assistance.

Calling Fitness Providers Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for providers who can deliver physical activities within the Shire as part of the 2023 Hinchinbrook Health and Wellbeing Program.

To submit your interest, complete the form by 5.00pm Monday 27 February 2023 at https://bit.ly/3lMAzWg.

Round Three Active Clubs Funding

The Active Clubs program will provide funding to local and regional sport and active recreation organisations to support training an education for volunteers, volunteer recognition, equipment, and opportunities for participation.

Funding up to $2,500 is available to support projects that provide responsive assistance to clubs and organisations. Applications close 5.00pm Wednesday 1 March 2023. For more information or to apply, visit https://bit.ly/3SkpQyv.

Works Notice Abergowrie Road Insitu Stabilisation

Council wishes to advise that insitu stabilisation works have commenced on Abergowrie Road Abergowrie. Ongoing works will occur between 6.00am and 5.00pm with a number of traffic conditions in place during these times.

Council would like to thank you for your cooperation during this necessary phase of works.

For further information on current roadworks, please visit Council’s website, Roadworks page or contact Council.

Half Yearly Rate Notices

Half Yearly Rate Notices are being issued and are due for payment on or before Friday 31 March 2023.

Council encourages ratepayers who may have difficulty with payments to discuss a payment plan as soon as possible. Ratepayers also have access to assistance under Council’s Financial Hardship Policy.

Don’t forget if you pay on or before the due date and have no rates in arrears, you will go into the draw to win $2,000 to be spent locally at up to five Hinchinbrook Shire businesses of your choice.

The winner of the Rate Incentive Scheme will be drawn at Council’s General Meeting held on Wednesday 26 April 2023.

Current Procurement and Tender Opportunities

Keep up to date with opportunities available through Council by visiting the Current Procurement and Tender Opportunities page on Council’s website.

Current opportunities include:

• HSC 23/01 - Cristaldis Road Floodway and Waterview Creek Scour Protection Upgrade

Should you require further information, please contact Council’s Procurement Services on 4776 4665.

Clean Up Australia Day 2023

Thinking of volunteering in this year’s Clean Up Australia Day?

Sunday 5 March 2023 is approaching fast so it is your final chance to join a local Clean Up event.

If you cannot find a clean-up near you why not create your own?

Grab your friends, family, neighbours and local community and join or create your own clean-up online at https://bit.ly/3SeOHnj.

School Zone IntroductionAbergowrie State School

Council wishes to advise that a School Zone will be installed around Abergowrie State School in the coming weeks.

The school zone will impose a reduced speed limit of 60km/h during the hours of 8.00am to 9.00am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm on school days.

Safety concerns were raised to Council by members of the public regarding the safety of children walking and riding to school along Abergowrie Road, which is currently an 100km/h speed zone.

With the introduction of a kindergarten program and an increase in student numbers this year, it was agreed that a school zone was necessary to protect the school children’s safety.

Council would like to thank you for your cooperation during this necessary phase of works.

For further information on current roadworks, please visit Council's website, Roadworks page or contact Council.

Regional Arts Development Fund Public Applications Round Two 2022-2023

Do you or someone you know have a project idea that could contribute to Arts and Culture in the Hinchinbrook Shire?

Applications for funding through Council's Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Program are open for Round Two from Monday 30 January 2023 until 5.00pm Friday 24 February 2023.

RADF provides funding to successful applicants for up to 70% of the total project cost.

To download an application form and to find out more visit Council's website, Grants and Funding page or contact the TYTO Regional Art Gallery.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

(Previous RADF recipient).