Gympie Regional Council | May 2017
First Snaps at the ARC MARY VALLEY RATTLER
MEET THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS SMITHFIELD STREET UPDATE
GourMAY is here! ‘OUR TOWNS’ PROJECT
Your Councillors Cr Mick Curran, Mayor
A message from Mayor Mick Curran
Portfolio: Governance, Finance, Disaster Management Phone: 0417 959 331 Email:
mayorcurran@gympie.qld.gov.au
Cr Mark McDonald, Division 1 Portfolio: Planning and Development Phone: 0439 001 170 Email:
mark.mcdonald@gympie.qld.gov.au
Cr Glen Hartwig, Division 2 Portfolio: Economic Development Phone: 0437 722 931 Email: glen.hartwig@gympie.qld.gov.au
I hope you all had a safe and pleasant Easter and managed to enjoy some of the holiday fun activities hosted by Council over the break. I’m proud to present another edition of The Round-Up for 2017, and what a start to the year we’ve had already.
Cr Mal Gear, Division 3
The opening of Gympie’s Aquatic and Recreation Centre (ARC) on
Portfolio: Business Activities
Saturday 1 April was a huge success and I was astounded by the
Phone: 0437 477 245
number of people who came to support the event. A big thank
Email:
you to everyone involved on the project, it is a wonderful facility
mal.gear@gympie.qld.gov.au
that will bring enjoyment to the community for years to come. Cr Daryl Dodt, Division 4 Portfolio: Environmental Sustainability and Special Projects Phone: 0499 080 164 Email: daryl.dodt@gympie.qld.gov.au Cr Dan Stewart, Division 5 Portfolio: Social Wellbeing Phone: 0499 081 404
The 11th Mayoral Prayer Breakfast was held in March and I was blown away by the community spirit demonstrated at this event. This year we had more than 650 people attend from business and community groups and it really shows how important events like these are in bringing the community together. I’ve scheduled a number of Meet the Mayor and Councillors sessions and I’d love to see you all there for a chat. Head to page eight for more information. Mayor Mick Curran
Email: dan.stewart@gympie.qld.gov.au
Cr Hilary Smerdon, Division 6 Portfolio: Water and Sewerage, Waste Management Phone: 0499 080 913 Email: hilary.smerdon@gympie.qld.gov.au Cr Bob Leitch, Deputy Mayor Division 7 Portfolio: Infrastructure Services Phone: 0429 231 516 Email: bob.leitch@gympie.qld.gov.au Cr James Cochrane, Division 8 Portfolio: Tourism, Sport and Recreation Phone: 0499 080 398 Email:
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james.cochrane@gympie.qld.gov.au
THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
Mary Valley Rattler
Contents 01 Your Councillors 02 A message from
Together with Gympie Regional Council, the Rattler Railway Company is working hard to
Mayor Mick Curran
get the historic Mary Valley Rattler back on track by December 2017.
03 Mary Valley Rattler
To help get this project delivered, the Rattler Railway Company is seeking volunteers
03 Upgrade to Langton and
with a variety of skills and interests to help support the steam train’s successful revival.
Hall Roads
Positions currently required include general hands, cleaners, painters, carpenters,
04 Smithfield Street Update
storemen, boilermakers and fitters.
04 Canoe and Kayak Strategy
Whether you would like to work within a heritage environment, support the operation
05 Our Towns Program
of the unique steam locomotives or help others to enjoy their railway experience, please
06 GourMAY
email your interest to volunteer@maryvalleyrattler.com.au. For general enquiries, please email info@maryvalleyrattler.com.au or call 07 5482 2750. This project is being funded in partnership with the Queensland Government as part of the Works for Queensland program.
06 Build a Better Start-Up 07 Corporate Plan 2017 – 2022 07 Water Business Unit Update 07 G150 Celebrations 07 Upgrading The Pavilion 08 Meet the Mayor and Councillors 08 11th Mayoral Prayer Breakfast 08 The 21st Annual Goomeri Pumpkin festival 09 Meet the Staff 10 Gympie Aquatic and Recreation Centre 12 What’s On
THE ROUND-UP Produced By Gympie Regional Council Town Hall, 2 Caledonian Hill, Gympie 1300 307 800 theroundup@gympie.qld.gov.au
Upgrade to Langton and Hall Roads Works have started on the upgrade of Langton and Hall roads with completion scheduled for August 2017, weather permitting. The project will upgrade the full length of Langton Road and Hall Road between the highway and the north coast rail line and will include road widening, pavement reconstruction, new sections of kerb and channel and asphalt surfacing. Improvements will also be made to the intersections of Eldorado Road and Hall Road, and Langton and Hall roads, as well as stormwater drainage upgrades. This project is part of Council’s commitment to improving the road network across the region.
THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
Be Waste Wise! Did you know Council has a free waste and recycling app to help you stay up to date with bin collection days and to recycle effectively? Download the Gympie Region Recycling App for both Apple and Android smartphones and tablets for free through the Apple App store or Google Play.
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Smithfield Street Update The Smithfield Street Revitalisation Project is progressing quickly, with the completion date brought forward from late 2017 to the end of July 2017.
Cr Daryl Dodt holding the artwork representation of the Mary River which will be a feature in the Smithfield Street upgrade
Visitors to Gympie’s town centre will soon notice a number of themed artworks, eye-catching street lighting, extensive landscaping and street furniture being installed as part of the project, transforming Smithfield Street into a pedestrian-friendly ‘Eat Street’. Well into its final stages, the project is on target to finish midyear. A unique feature of the project is the barrier railing along Smithfield Street, called River of Gold. Using a laser cut design, the curves in the artwork reflect the shape of the Mary River with the Region’s flora captured in the various shades of bronze highlighted by the sophisticated lighting. This project is being funded by the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions Program and Gympie Regional Council.
Canoe and Kayak Strategy The first round of delivery for a number
Works will include improvements to
of canoe and kayak launch points is
the access points, car parks and launch
scheduled to start construction in mid-
facilities. Informational and directional
2017 (weather permitting). In line with
signage will also be delivered to
Council’s endorsed Canoe and Kayak
help visitors get the most out of the
Strategy, this includes launch points on
experience.
the Mary River at Gympie Weir (near Kidd Bridge), Attie Sullivan Park (near Normanby Bridge) and Kandanga Weir on Kandanga Creek.
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Once complete, the projects will provide a range of opportunities for the community and visitors alike to get outdoors and learn more about the
The projects form part of an ongoing
Region. You may even get a chance to
program of works and will create a
get up close with species such as the
network of canoe and kayak trails
Mary River Turtle, the Mary River Cod,
across the Region with the aim of
the Australian Lung Fish and if you’re
enhancing the access and enjoyment of
lucky, the White Throated Snapping
our Region’s waterways.
Turtle.
THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
‘Our Towns’ – Sustainable Centres Program The Our Towns Sustainable Centres Program is an ongoing Council initiative aimed at enhancing the Region’s rural and coastal townships as attractive and desirable places to live, work and play.
Council worked closely with the
Nautilus Drive and Queen Elizabeth
in securing the economic future of
community to identify key priorities in
Drive, and seating along the Queen
Goomeri by enhancing the township
each township.
Elizabeth Drive and Bayside Road
as a desirable location for passing
pedestrian and cycle path. Work on
tourists to stop and visit, supporting
these projects started in April with
the ongoing success of the Goomeri
completion expected in mid-2017.
Pumpkin Festival and complimenting
Stage one (Kandanga) and stage two (Amamoor and Gunalda) have now been delivered. Council’s next priority is stage three (Cooloola Cove and Tin Can Bay)
Goomeri
and stage four (Goomeri), with stage
Residents and visitors to Goomeri
five (Rainbow Beach) coming soon.
will see the area between Boonara
Cooloola Cove Implementation of the first round of the Cooloola Cove Township Concept Master Plan will see a formalised pedestrian link from Golden Hind Avenue to Retreat Court, upgraded pedestrian links and landscaping at the commercial hub on the corner of
the planned rail trail back to Kilkivan and on to Murgon. This project is scheduled for completion in late 2017.
Street and railway corridor improved
Tin Can Bay
with a community seating space and
Residents and visitors to Tin Can Bay
landscaping fronting Moore Street. The
will benefit from additional street tree
project will also involve the formation
planting and landscape improvements,
of short term (no overnight) RV
new signage, new footpaths and
parking spaces and associated vehicle
widening to existing footpaths, and
turnaround linking back to Perrett
street furniture around the retail and
Street. These improvements will assist
commercial hub. These works are scheduled for completion in late 2017.
Concept plan of the formalised pedestrian link at Cooloola Cove
THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
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GourMAY GourMAY is your chance to explore, taste and experience the best of the Region at one of the many events planned, with all tastes and budgets catered for.
Building on the success of previous years, this month long celebration of local food and produce was launched at the Gympie Town Centre Growers Market on Wednesday 3 May. Gympie Region Food and Food Tourism Ambassador Matt Golinski will showcase the diverse range of produce available in the Region in demonstrations at: • 19 and 20 May – Gympie District Show • 28 May – Goomeri Pumpkin Festival. The signature event of Eat Local Month is the 5 Chef’s Long Table Lunch which sees Matt lead a team of renowned local chefs to present a five course degustation experience featuring the best of Gympie’s regional produce on Saturday 27 May. For the full calendar of events and more information visitgympieregionalproduce.com.au and follow Gympie Gold Regional Produce on Facebook.
Feature – Build a Better Start-Up As part of Council’s commitment to creating more employment opportunities in the Region, a series of events are being run as part of The Start-Up Gympie Region Program. The events provide an exciting opportunity for a wide range of businesses across all industries and have the ability to take these businesses to the next level and create future opportunities for the Region. The facilitator, Colin Graham, is the founder of Causeway Innovation and has supported the start-up and growth of over 160 new ventures in a wide variety of sectors including IT, creative agencies, food, agribusiness, health and clean technology. There are a number of events scheduled between now and September. For more information please contact Gympie Regional Council’s Economic Development Unit on 1300 307 800 or via email at economicdevelopment@gympie.qld.gov.au.
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THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
Corporate Plan 2017 – 2022 Council would like to thank those who provided feedback on the Draft Corporate Plan 2017-2022. Feedback closed in March and the Corporate Plan 2017-2022 has now been adopted by Council. The Corporate Plan builds on feedback from more than 70 community groups and organisations, as well as members of the general public. The Corporate Plan is the lead strategic planning document that drives Council’s fundamental decision making, reporting framework, annual budget and operational planning process.
Water Business Unit Update Council recently identified a number of operational and strategy issues within its Water Business Unit which led to a review of how the business operates.
The Corporate Plan reiterates Council’s vision for the future and commitment to a range of projects including the CBD and sporting facilities as well as a greater emphasis on rural roads and marketing the Region. Three key projects given the green light for further investigation and planning are:
The review recommended a number of things to Council including the establishment of an Advisory Group to assist Council to manage its water
• A new library
and sewerage services and in March
• Further development of the jetty at Tin Can Bay
this year, Council resolved to form the
• A new equestrian centre at Kilkivan.
Gympie Water Technical Advisory Group.
The Gympie Regional Council Corporate Plan 2017-2022 can be downloaded at
The Gympie Water Technical Advisory
gympie.qld.gov.au.
Group will include independent technical people who consider matters referred
Council would like to thank those who provided feedback
to it, make recommendations on these matters and provide strategic advice and support to the Water Business Unit and to Council when required. The delivery of water and sewerage services is one of Council’s most critical services and Council is committed to becoming a leader in how these services are delivered. The water and sewerage business will not be sold off or divested and it will continue to remain a controlled service of Council.
G150 Celebrations
Upgrading The Pavilion
This year the Gympie Region will be hosting community-led
Since December 2016, works to upgrade The Pavilion at the
festivals, events, concerts, and exciting exhibitions and activities
Adrian McClintock Park (Gympie Showgrounds) have been
that explore our community’s rich heritage and celebrate the
underway. The works include renovations to the function space,
evolution of our great town. Head to Council’s G150 web page
meetings rooms, front office and restaurant. The lift has also
at gympie.qld.gov.au/g150 or our Gympie Regional Council’s
been upgraded as part of this project to improve accessibility.
Facebook page for more information about what’s happening in
The Pavilion is due for completion this month.
the Region.
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2017
Celebrating 150 years of Gympie
THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
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Meet the Mayor and Councillors The popular Meet the Mayor and Councillors forums are
Locations:
happening again in May and June. The forums provide
5pm Monday 22 May 2017
an important opportunity to share regional news and developments in an up close and personal format.
Tin Can Bay RSL Hall, 45 Tin Can Bay Road, Tin Can Bay 5pm Monday 29 May 2017
Council welcomes open dialogue about the topics that are most
Kilkivan Public Hall, 31 Bligh Street, Kilkivan
relevant to our residents, local towns and community groups.
5pm Wednesday 31 May 2017
Council continues to rotate the locations and residents are encouraged to attend a session at a location convenient to you. The Mayor’s office is accepting questions in advance to ensure all topics can be addressed. You can email your questions to communications@gympie.qld.gov.au.
Theebine Memorial Recreation Centre, 6 Old Cleveland Road, Theebine 5pm Thursday 1 June 2017 Mary Valley Memorial Hall (Imbil RSL Hall), 127 Yabba Road, Imbil 5pm Monday 5 June 2017 Wolvi and District War Memorial Hall, 1358 Kin Kin Road, Wolvi 5pm Tuesday 6 June 2017 Gympie Civic Centre, 32 Mellor Street, Gympie 5pm Wednesday 7 June 2017 Amamoor Hall, 35 Busby Street, Amamoor
11th Mayoral Prayer Breakfast
The 21st Annual Goomeri Pumpkin Festival
Celebrating its eleventh year, the
Come along to the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival on Sunday 28
Mayoral Prayer Breakfast was held
May for a day full of fun and entertainment. There’s a range
on Friday 10 March and was a huge
of activities on offer including the legendary Great Australian
success. More than 650 people
Pumpkin Roll™, novelty pumpkin competitions, street parade,
from business and community came
live entertainment, markets and much, much more. Head to
together to pray for peace and
goomeripumpkinfestival.com.au or call 0484 629 424 for more
success for the year ahead.
information.
This year the guest speaker was Nick Farr-Jones AM, a former Australian rugby player. Andrew Pryor and David Kidd, former members of the Ten Tenors, returned to wow guests with their melodic voices and provided a morning full of entertainment while guests enjoyed chatting over a cuppa and a hot breakfast. The event will return again next year.
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THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
Meet the Staff Sarah Compagnoni – Technical officer - Horticulture and Sports Fields Why Gympie Region? I moved to Gympie from Rockhampton when I was 17 and fell in love with the town, beautiful climate, beaches and natural areas. We are so lucky to have a region that encompasses a beautiful coast. We also have the Great Sandy Straits, Fraser Island, beautiful soil and the lush Mary Valley. About your job I am responsible for coordinating staff resourcing, training and development opportunities as well as the routine maintenance of parks and gardens, project planning, garden design implementation, contract management and the assessment of customer requests in relation to parks programming. Where is your favourite picnic spot? I love going to the Mothar Mountain Rock Pools and tackling the Mt Boulder climb with my two boys, the Amama Forest Walk, Wolvi Mountain and the picnic area on the Freshwater Track.
Viane Ali – Place Manager Why Gympie Region? Gympie is an awesome place to work! A forward thinking region keeping abreast with its southern neighbours and yet maintaining its rural values. I believe Gympie’s strength is its people – unpretentious, down-to-earth, friendly with strong community values. About your job I can honestly say that this is the best job I have ever had in Australia and I have got the best job in Council (I’m sure many of my Council colleagues will disagree with me and say they have the best job). I get to meet and interact with the community that I serve and see the results of Council’s projects first hand. As the Place Manager, I am happy that in this role, Council enables our community a greater say in moulding Gympie’s public spaces, events and future. Where is your favourite picnic spot? Les Lee Park, Tin Can Bay.
Katrina Forrest – Records Management Officer (Kilkivan) Why Gympie Region? I moved to the Kilkivan area in 2002 and love living here as I am close to Gympie and the coast for shopping or having a day out and relaxing. Also, I am only a few hours away from family and friends. About your job My role can change throughout the year but I am mainly involved with the process of registering records – working on incoming mail, outgoing and internal documents. As the need arises you may see me helping out on the front counter at the Kilkivan Branch Office. Where is your favourite picnic spot? I have two favourite places I like to picnic – one is Mudlo National Park at Kilkivan. You can go for a lovely walk and then climb the many steps to the lookout at the top and then come back down and enjoy a cup of coffee and a meal in the beautiful National park surroundings. Also, now that we have had some rain, Wide Bay Creek is another beautiful spot for having a picnic with my family.
THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
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Gympie Aquatic and Recreation Centre The new Gympie Aquatic and Recreation Centre is open! On Saturday 1 April Mayor Mick Curran and Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, opened the new Aquatic and Recreation Centre (ARC). More than 2000 people attended the open day with many staying for hours to enjoy the free activities. Visitors of all ages enjoyed the two tube waterslide, the zero depth splash play area, the 25 metre eight lane heated indoor pool, the 50 metre outdoor pool, fitness centre and cafeteria. The ARC has a range of activities on offer including the learn to
For information on prices and memberships visit gympiearc.com.au or call 1300 129 988
swim school, squad program and fitness centre. See if you can spot someone you know from our open day!
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THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
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THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017
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2017
Celebrating 150 years of Gympie
What's On
GROWERS MARKET 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7am to 12 noon Memorial Park, Gympie. www.gympie.qld.gov.au GROWERS TWILIGHT MARKET 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, Jaycee Way, Gympie gympie.qld.gov.au EAT LOCAL MONTH - GourMAY 1 - 31 May, Gympie Region. gympie.qld.gov.au AUSTRALIAN OFFROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 May. aorc.org.au GYMPIE DISTRICT SHOW Thursday 18 - Saturday 20 May, 9am - 10pm Gympie Showgrounds, Exhibition Road, Gympie gympieshow.com.au GYMPIE REGIONAL CAREERS EXPO Thursday 25 May, 10am - 2pm, The Pavilion, Exhibition Road, Gympie gympie.qld.gov.au 5 CHEF’S LONG TABLE LUNCH Saturday 27 May, 11.30am - 3pm. Kandanga gympieregionalproduce.com.au 2017 SURF LIFESAVING QLD OCEAN ROAR IRB PREMIERSHIP SERIES Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 May lifesaving.com.au/events/irb-competition GOOMERI PUMPKIN FESTIVAL Sunday 28 May, from 6am. Goomeri goomeripumpkinfestival.com.au GYMPIE REGION STUDIO TRAILS 10-11 June, Cooloola Coast 17-18 June, Northern Gympie Region 24-25 June, Gympie and Surrounds 1-2 July, Mary Valley gympie.qld.gov.au WINTER TREES ON MARY Wednesday 19 July, 5pm to 9pm, Gympie Town Centre gympie.qld.gov.au RAINBOW BEACH FISHING CLASSIC Friday 21 July - Saturday 29 July, Rainbow Beach rainbowsportsclub.com.au GYMPIE EISTEDDFOD Friday 28 July - Friday 4 August, Gympie Civic Centre, Gympie gympieeisteddfod.com.au
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To find out more about these articles or Council activities: gympie.qld.gov.au 1300 307 800 facebook.com/GympieRegionalCouncil twitter.com/GympieRegion instagram.com/GYMPIEREGIONALCOUNCIL
THE ROUND-UP MAY 2017