One Coast - Cassowary Coast
2020-2021 CASSOWARY COAST ANNUAL REPORT The Cassowary Coast Regional Council 2020-21 Annual Report was endorsed at the Local Government Meeting held on 11 November and is available to view online. The report documents Council’s achievements and activities during the 2020-21 financial year. Council received an unmodified opinion on the financial statements from the Queensland Audit Office. Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor, Mark Nolan said the Annual Report highlights Council’s achievements amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted everyone within our community. “This document is not just a statuary requirement highlighting our financial position, it is a great way to identify what we are doing well and what areas we need to focus on for the future of our community.
“I encourage the community to read our Annual Report and get more details on the services Council provides and offers to the community,” said Councillor Nolan. “During the 2020-21 financial year we have succeeded in achieving large scale projects including $38.65M of vital infrastructure projects such as upgrades to Clifford Road, Goondi Bend and steps made to manage all of the Cassowary Coast Waste Transfer Stations. “Whilst these major projects provide significant benefits and advantages for our community, the minor projects also help support our small towns and neighbourhoods. We are proud of what we have been able to do for our community. “2020-21 saw several waves of various COVID-19 restrictions, causing travel to be paused, events to be cancelled and people’s livelihoods and jobs effected. As
a community we have stood together, supporting each other through these unprecedented times. I am hopeful that our road to recovery will be quick as borders re-open and lives return to ‘pre-COVID times’.” Some highlights from the report includes: • The completion of the Tully Grandstand, which includes a 600-seat stadium grandstand with multiple function rooms which will act as an economic driver, attracting events to our region and strengthening our community spirit for sporting, hobby and entertainment events. • Council adopted the Asset Rationalisation proposal in which include recommendations for 32 assets to either be disposed of or
NOV 19 2021
COMMUNITY CONNECT
REPORT ISSUES IN A SNAP
leases negotiated to reduce Councils spend on these assets. There have been a number of success stories throughout this process including utilisation of empty space and connecting community groups together to better maximize the use of buildings. • Council eliminating all Boil Water alerts through the ongoing investment into water security and the completion of the Bulgan Creek Reservoir which will support around 7,000 residents. • The $400,000 COVID-19 Relief Package which assisted to reduce the financial burden to businesses and the community during the pandemic and to assist in keeping our town’s and businesses open and thriving.
To read the Annual Report in full visit Council’s website www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au or email Council at enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au and a copy can be emailed to you.
Snap Send Solve is a phone app that eliminates the complexity of knowing where and how to report incidents on the spot. All Cassowary Coast residents and visitors are encouraged to report issues with trees, pavement problems, graffiti, dumped rubbish, broken streetlights, water faults or any areas of concern in the local community via the application. Snap Send Solve provides residents and visitors an avenue to report faults and issues within the region, featuring attached photos and geo tagging. The Snap Send Solve app is easy to use, and sending a report takes less than 30 seconds! Get the app on Google Play by visiting: https://bit.ly/3GHxqwW Download on the App Store by visiting: https://apple.co/2ZRIuHe
One Coast, Cassowary Coast
COUNCIL BRIEFS OUR TREES ARE GROWING…
Chelsy from Terrain and Christie from the Cassowary Coast Regional Council are shown here on site where a fire occurred three years ago to this rainforest country near Silkwood. Trees were replanted alongside the road and weeds have been managed in the Council reserve beside the World Heritage rainforest, which was burnt. Together, Terrain and Council will be monitoring the site to measure the change in the vegetation conditions, including tree heights and weeds. There is no easy fix to burnt vegetation, however improvements have already been noticed. This work is part of the Native Vegetation Improvement Project which is funded through the Queensland Government's Natural Resources Investment Program. Find out more about the whole project here: https://terrain.org.au/native-vegetation/
November 19, 2021
TENDER AWARDED FOR THE COWLEY BEACH CULVERT UPGRADES Eight ageing culverts will be replaced on Cowley Beach Road, which will improve heavy vehicle access on an important link in the regional transport network. The works associated with this project include the removal of existing culverts and the replacement of new structures and management of through traffic. The Cowley Beach Culvert upgrades is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) and the Cassowary Coast Regional Coun-
cil. The total project budget estimate is $868,000. A tender for the construction of Cowley Beach Culvert Upgrades has been awarded to QDAC Services for the amount of $476,643 (excl. GST). Council will continue to provide updates on the project as they occur.
BARWIRE CREEK BRIDGE
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KODA STREET BRIDGE UPDATE
Works for the rebuild of the Koda Street footbridge, Mission Beach are underway with the demolition of the old bridge now complete. A local contractor Mager Constructions, has been engaged to install screw piles, construct concrete abutments and provide rock protection to the batters upstream and downstream. The 14.4 metre long bridge will be rebuilt in full, with the prefabricated bridge being delivered to Coolibah Street by the first week of December. Once onsite, Mager Construction will transport the bridge from Coolibah Street to the site to install and fix into place. They will also provide new concrete path connections at either end of the bridge. The project is expected to be complete by mid-December, pending weather conditions. The total cost of the rebuild is approximately $277,000. Council will continue to provide updates on the project as they occur. For further information please call Council on 1300 763 903 or via email on enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council will replace an ageing bridge on North Davidson Road, continuing its commitment to its management of its 169 bridges with an estimated total replacement cost of $99 million. The Barbwire Creek Bridge project involves demolition and removal of the current bridge and replacing it with a concrete structure. The project will also include earthworks to the design profiles for the construction of the bridge abutments, placement of steel piles, construction of the reinforced concrete abutments, placement of concrete deck units, civil works for connection of approaches to the road network and rock protection to the creek banks. The Barbwire Creek Bridge upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program and the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and has a total project budget estimate of $995,000. A tender for the construction of Barbwire Creek Bridge has been awarded to NQ Civil Contractors for the amount of $566,429 (excl. GST). Council will continue to provide updates on the project as they occur.
FERAL PIG REMOVAL MEASURES
MIRUSIA
Across the region, Council undertakes a number of measures to monitor and remove feral pigs. The most effective and successful method used has been trapping programs as it doesn’t affect native animals and can be placed in dense forest areas. If you are a landholder you are legally obligated to undertake control activities for feral pigs on your property. If you see feral pigs or have feral pig activity on your land, contact Council to secure a trap for your area. Council has eight transportable cage traps available. Visit our pest management webpage at www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/services-facilities/environmental-services/pests-mosquitoes-rodents and click to link to the application form and conditions of use. A deposit for traps is required and refunded when the traps are returned. Council also has pamphlets available on the usage of traps.
CHRISTMAS MEMORIES
On Site Auction - Warrina Lakes
On behalf of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Quaid Auctioneers will be conducting an on-site auction for the relocation and sale of the former caretaker residences at Warrina Lakes, Tully Showgrounds and Pease Park as well as one demountable building from Warrina Lakes. The auction will take place on 25 November at Pease Park in the Russ Hinze Building (Ground Floor) in Innisfail. Please note successful buyers will be required to enter into sale and removal agreement. Conditions apply. To view inspection times and dates, as well as property images please visit https://bit.ly/3D1aOVZ
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Cassowary Coast Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
INNISFAIL SHIRE HALL Tully Country Club Tuesday 30 November 2021 10:30 AM START
Tickets are available VIA www.trybooking.com/BVBNY
TUESDAY 7 DECEMBER 2021 10:30 AM START TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE VIA WWW.TRYBOOKING.COM/BVBOW
November 19 2021
One Coast, Cassowary Coast
STEPS TAKEN IN ASSET RATIONALISATION PROGRAM
I CAN’T HELP IT IF
I’M AGGRESSIVE BUT YOU CAN Dogs want to be happy.
But any dog can snap with the wrong treatment. If your dog is prone to biting and aggression, it could wind up on the dangerous dog list. Do something about it before it becomes a fine… or a death sentence. Obedience training, exercise, and desexing can help. At the very least a good fence, warning signs, a muzzle and good distance from kids will help your dog feel safe and secure.
Implementation of the Asset Rationalisation program has commenced with negotiations underway with individual assets and community groups to ensure the best resolutions are reached for the whole community. The Cassowary Coast Regional Council is committed to reducing depreciation, insurance premiums and other operational costs of underutilised and obsolete assets in the community through user agreements, leases of these assets or disposal. CCRC’s Property Protection (ISR) Insurance cover was reviewed leading up to its renewal for the 2021/2022 financial year. Council’s approach was in line with the principles for
community use of assets and Council’s corporate risk profile, that lead to an overall reduction in our premium of 17% from last year. Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor, Mark Nolan said Council wants to ensure the community that the asset rationalisation process is focused on better utilising our community assets and investing in solutions that bring benefits to the whole community and not just about demolishing assets. “The first stage of the rationalisation process has been to reassess all of Council’s tenure arrangements in accordance with the community use of assets principles, as well as identifying properties, such as old caretaker homes, which
have no operational benefit to Council. “It is critical that this process is undertaken correctly, with due diligence, and it is equally important for Council to have thorough stakeholder engagement with user groups before any decisions are implemented, which means the process to date has taken longer than expected. “Already Council has achieved tangible results with a number of agreements executed and negotiations over tenure arrangements will continue. Importantly savings realised are not one off savings, but are savings which will be recurring in future budgets. “These agreements ensure costs to utilise these facilities
A ROAD TO RECYCLING IN THE CASSOWARY COAST
Regional Council offers its residents a unique recycling system where community members separate their household recyclables and bring them into the transfer station for recycling. Due to the conscience efforts of our community to leave ‘nothing to waste in our backyard’ and Council’s recycling program, 32% of waste or over 1,430 tonnes entering transfer stations was diverted from landfill last financial year. That figure is the equivalent of 20 Blue Whales! Council’s waste reduction goals align with those of the wider state to divert 65% of waste from landfill by 2025. To achieve that we need our community to get on board with separating their recyclables from wet and dry waste and bring them to their local Waste Transfer Stations for recycling. Council offers the community responsible recycling for over 20 waste products, including tyres, scrap metal, white goods and electronic waste. Council also offer a $20 rebate to each household for any organic recycling system purchased. If you haven’t jumped on board the recycling or composting train yet, this National Recycling Week is the perfect time. For a full list of items that can be recycled at your local transfer station visit Council’s Waste website: www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/recycling-programs
become the responsibility of the property users, which has previously not been consistently managed,” said Councillor Nolan. “An auction has been organised for the relocation and sale of the former caretaker residences at Warrina Lakes, Tully Showgrounds and Pease Park as well as one demountable building from Warrina Lakes which will take place on 25 November at Pease Park in the Russ Hinze Building (Ground Floor) in Innisfail.” Council will continue to provide updates to the community as this program progresses. For more information on the Asset Rationalisation project visit Councils website, https://bit.ly/3H3E80q
! D E T N A W For more tips and information, search Cassowary Coast Good Dog Owners Guide. BE AS AWESOME AS YOUR DOG THINKS YOU ARE
Celebrating Recycling As part of last week’s National Recycling Week, community members have been sharing ways they recycle or up-cycle their waste in the Nothing To Waste social media competition. The community shared some impressive ways to recycle or up-cycle including separating containers as a part of the container refund scheme, recycling bottle caps and up-cycling common household goods into planters or re worked pieces of art. Innisfail’s Community Support Service ran a workshop to up-cycle milk bottles into tea light holders and plant hangers while the Kurrimine Beach Community gave examples of their regular beach clean ups and how they have up-cycled the waste into a rustic Christmas Tree. Thank you to all examples which were shown by
the community! All efforts big and small make a positive impact to both our economy and environment and also made picking one winner very difficult. Mission Beach State School was chose as the winner for their creative ways they educate and involve their students in the recycling and up-cycling process. Students showed their up-cycling of old shirts into bags, their ongoing school recycling program for plastics and students showed an overall enthusiasm for learning about how to leave nothing to waste in our backyard! Thank you to all participants involved. To find out more about Council’s Recycling program visit https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/recycling-programs
Have you visited Council’s disaster dashboard? The Cassowary Coast Disaster Dashboard is a single point of reference for information and advice during a disaster. It brings information from Council, the Bureau of Meteorology, Emergency Services, utilities such as Ergon and Telstra, road status updates, and traffic and flood cams, together in one place. The user-friendly dashboard allows residents to keep themselves informed during a natural disaster. During an emergency the dashboard is updated in real time with things like road closures, power outages and notifications of any shelters that may be opened. Visit www.disaster.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.
One Coast, Cassowary Coast
K E Y Cassowary Coast Regional Council Contact 1300 763 903 Visit our website www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au Write: Please address all correspondence to: Andrew Graffen, Chief Executive Officer PO Box 887 Innisfail, QLD 4860 Email: enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au
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C O N T A C T S
Visit Council Cassowary Coast Regional Council has three Customer Service Centres across the region. Specially trained staff can provide information and advice on topics including: ● local laws and compliance ● rates enquiries ● account payments (EFTPOS facilities available) ● animal registration.
Customer Service Centres and Opening Hours Innisfail Shire Hall 70 Rankin St. Innisfail Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm Tully Tully Civic Centre, 38-40 Bryant St. Tully Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm Cardwell Cardwell Library, 4 Balliol St. Cardwell Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Cassowary Coast Libraries comprises of 4 branches located at Cardwell, Innisfail, Tully and Mission Beach. For locations, opening times or general enquiries, please call 1300 366 616 or visit www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/libraries Waste Transfer Stations locations and opening hours can be found by visiting: www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/transfer-stations Community Connect is a publication of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council. Supplied by Council and published within the Cairns Local News newspaper. All enquiries regarding content contained within this publication should be directed to Council.