Middlemount News August/September 2015

What’s on in Middlemount?

August - September 2015

The 2015/16 RADF Grant Rounds have changed and will now occur in two rounds, with new Arts Queensland funding guidelines.

Round 1: August 14 to September 18, 2015 Round 2: March 21 to April 18, 2016 Funding Application Forms and RADF Funding Guidelines can be accessed at www.isaac.qld.gov.au or at Council offices and libraries.

Mayor’s Charity Ball 2015

Ticket Sales: September 14

Flying Fox Season

Proudly supporting White Ribbon, the Mayor’s Charity Ball will be held Saturday, October 31 and promises to be a night of fun and fundraising.

We are approaching flying fox season.

If you spot flying foxes camping in residential areas during the day please let them rest and contact Council immediately on 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227).

Tickets will be available from Monday September 14, phone 1300 ISAACS or email mayorsball@isaac.qld.gov.au

It’s back on - Plant & Fleet Auction The new date is now set for Council’s Plant and Fleet Auction in Clermont Wednesday October 7 from 10am. The viewing day is Tuesday October 6 from 9am to 5pm at the Clermont Council Depot.

In our neighbourhood Cr Jane Pickels Division 7 Middlemount M E

0427 635 124 jane.pickels@isaac.qld.gov.au

Over the past five weeks our community has put forward some great suggestions for the Middlemount Urban Design Framework.

So far, over 120 completed surveys and 116 people have participated in the drop in sessions. This valuable feedback will be compiled and analysed to inform the basis of the Framework document. I’m eager to see this document come to life and to seeing the positive outcome it’ll have for our community. Thank you to everyone who has put forward suggestions.

Middlemount Urban Design Planning for Middlemount’s future

CLOSING SOON Have your say on the future design of Middlemount

Middlemount Urban Design Share your ideas Isaac Regional Council invites you to have your say on the future urban design of Middlemount.

Visit our event stalls

Council is committed to developing a strategic, long-term direction for Middlemount.

Middlemount Markets Stall 9am to 12pm Saturday September 5

With your input, Council aims to develop an urban design framework to increase economic development, attract new residents and improve the community’s quality of life.

Attend a Community Drop In Session Location Middlemount Library

How you can share your ideas Your responses will help guide the direction of the framework and the vision of the Town.

Take part in our Community Survey Available online at Council’s website and in hardcopy from your local Library or Council office. The survey takes 10 minutes and closes 12pm Friday September 11.

Middlemount Race Day Stall 11.30am to 1pm on Saturday August 1

•

10am to 4pm Wednesday August 12

•

10am to 4pm Friday August 14

•

10am to 4pm Wednesday August 19

•

10am to 4pm Friday August 21

Project enquiries Kirra Alexander, Senior Projects Officer 1300 ISAACS (1300 47 22 27) More details Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au or our Facebook events page: ‘Middlemount Urban Design’

Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au or call 1300 ISAACS 1300 47 22 27 to find out more

Where worlds connect...

2015 Children’s Services School Holiday Program Middlemount Library Date: Monday 21 September – Friday 2nd October 2015 th

Monday 10.00am – 10.30am ( 2- 5 Years) Storytime & Craft

Thursday 10.00am – 11.00am (All ages) Craft

3.00pm – 4.00pm (School age) STEM Challenge*

3.00pm – 4.00pm (School age) STEM Challenge* Friday 10.00am – 10.30am (0 - 5 Years) Storytime & Craft

*Bookings are required for all programs Please phone 4985 7752 or visit Middlemount Library for more information.

Parents, please collect a copy of Isaac Regional Library Service— Children and Young Adults Policy when booking your child into these programs. Copies are available at Middlemount Library.

Free iPad & Technology Workshop

Wednesday 10.00am- 10.30am (0 - 5 Years) Rhymetime & Craft* 3.00pm – 4.00pm (School age) STEM Challenge*

3.00pm – 4.00pm (School age) STEM Challenge*

Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au Or call 1300 ISAACS Please note: children must be accompanied by an adult to all activities. to find out more

Adult’s Services Program Middlemount Library Current as at 27 July 2015

Tuesday 9am - 10am Digital Doorways Basic Computing Workshop

Thursday 6pm – 7pm English One to One

* Bookings are required for all programs Please phone 4985 7752 or visit Middlemount Library for more information.

10am – 12pm* (every 2nd Tuesday) English Conversation

10.15am – 11.15am Digital Doorways e-Resources Workshop

Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au or call 1300 ISAACS to find out more

Australia Day Awards Nominations Open Now nominations close December 4 Do you know an awesome Aussie? Someone who really makes a difference to your local community?

Nominate them for an Australia Day Award by filling in our new nomination form at www.isaac.qld.gov.au Regional Award Categories • Citizen of the Year • Young Citizen of the Year • Event of the Year Local Award Categories Individual and Group Achievement Medallions for: • Sport • Cultural • Achievement

It’s Flying Fox Season Do you know what to do?

4.

Little red flying foxes naturally migrate through our region from August to January • and are known to establish temporary camps • in residential areas. It’s important we know what to do as a community and as individuals to help manage flying fox migrations safely.

1. Never disturb a flying fox - it makes the situation worse

•

Do not disturb flying foxes resting during the day. Day time harassment distresses the flying foxes and weakens them. This effects their ability to migrate, actually prolonging their stay. It’s in everyone’s best interest to keep flying foxes rested and minimise noise.

•

2. They are in my yard or around town If you have flying foxes roosting in your trees or you see them foraging or roosting in town, contact Council immediately and our Environmental Team will investigate.

3. What’s all the fuss about?

Little red flying foxes are a protected species.

Flying foxes are vital pollinators for our native flora. Without flying foxes our bushland would be vastly different.

•

Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au or call 1300 47 22 27

Minimise impact to you and your family Keep children away ‘do not touch’ Provide shelter for your pets and horses at night. If your dog or cat eats or bites a dead or live flying fox, take them directly to the vet.

To avoid flying fox droppings, bring your washing in at night and park your car underneath shelter.

If you notice anyone disturbing the flying foxes during the day, contact Council.

In the unlikely event you are scratched or bitten by a flying fox seek medical attention immediately.

Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au/flying-foxes friendly information session flying foxes: my children, my pets, my livestock

(includes craft for the kids) middlemount library

1pm

- 3pm and 6pm - 8pm

wednesday september 23

Plant and Fleet Auction Wednesday October 7, Council Depot, Clermont It’s back on - the date is set for Isaac Regional Council’s fleet and plant auction in Clermont Wednesday October 7 – from 10am.

There’s now something for everyone from pallets of spare parts and handy materials to heavy equipment. More than 150 items from cars, commercials, boats and trailers, trucks, loaders, tractors, caravans, rollers and mowers with some items having reserves. The auction will be conducted by NASCO Auctioneers.

Everything is expected to sell on the day!

Auction Catalogue View online at nascoauctioneers.com.au

Viewing Days View items in person: Wednesday September 30 – 10am to 2pm Saturday October 3 – 10am to 2pm

Register Online at: www.nascoauctioneers.com.au Or in person on: Tuesday October 6 – 9am to 5pm

Location Council’s Clermont Depot on Wattle Hill Road, (near the Showgrounds). Free jumping castle and food available for purchase on auction day.

Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au or call 1300 ISAACS (1300 47 22 27) to find out more

28 August 2015

Water Meter and Trade Waste Audits Commercial and Industrial Businesses Isaac Regional Council is advising that beginning Monday August 31, 2015 Council’s Building Services department will begin conducting audits of our region’s commercial and industrial businesses, beginning in Moranbah.

These audits are to ensure that: 1. Businesses’ water meters are up to standard and compliant. There are no costs involved with the water meter audits, and meters will be updated or replaced as necessary.

2. Businesses’ trade waste is being discharged lawfully under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. This is as per Council’s Trade Waste Environmental Management Plan (TWEMP), which was introduced in July 2014.

Businesses found to have non-compliant trade waste infrastructure and/or discharge systems will be required to submit an Application for Trade Waste Approval to Council’s Building Services department within 28 days. Fees and charges apply.

For further information on trade waste, Council’s TWEMP and what this means for business owners, please read our Trade Waste FAQ sheet at www.isaac.qld.gov.au If you require additional information or wish to discuss these audits further, please contact Council’s Building Services department by phoning 1300 ISAACS (47 22 27).

Graham Webb Acting Chief Executive Officer

ABN 39 274 142 600

PO Box 97 Moranbah QLD 4744

P 1300 472 227

F (07) 4941 8666

www.isaac.qld.gov.au

*regional*

Proudly supporting our communities

*regional*

Water Quality and Water Leaks Frequently Asked Questions

Water Quality What is safe drinking water?

Safe drinking water is free of harmful concentrations of chemicals or pathogenic microorganisms. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are used by Isaac Regional Council to provide safe, good quality drinking water.

Council’s Drinking Water Quality Management Plan (DWQMP) is approved by DEWS (Department of Energy and Water Supply).

How do I know my water is safe to drink?

As detailed in the DWQMP, Council strictly follows various testing and monitoring regimes to ensure drinking water is always safe.

Contaminated water may not look, taste, or smell different to safe drinking water. This is why monitoring and testing of water is so important.

The Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (ADWQG) are followed stringently by Isaac Regional Council with implemented monitoring programs to ensure a safe drinking water supply and protect public health.

Each year, we conduct over 10,000 tests at our water treatment plant for more than 100 parameters. We conduct daily operational testing and continuous online monitoring at our water treatment plants and many of our water storage tanks and dams.

In addition to this, compliance sampling, verification monitoring and analysis is also conducted by a NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) certified Laboratory run by Mackay Regional Council. All of this data is closely monitored by our Drinking Water Quality team.

What happens when E.coli is detected in drinking water?

All E.coli detections are reported to the DEWS as required under section 95(3) of the Act. Response to E.coli detection may vary depending on site, system and sampling results; however it will include flushing the water mains and retesting the site. A ‘boil water notice’ may be issued in consultation with the Department of Energy and Water Supply.

Why can I taste/smell chlorine in my drinking water?

Chlorine is added to drinking water to kill microorganisms (i.e.

E.coli) that may be present. It is important that chlorine residual is maintained in the drinking water leaving the plant to prevent microorganisms from regrowing in the distribution system. Some people may detect this chlorine residual through smell or taste.

The chlorine concentration is generally very low (less than 1 part per million) and can be reduced further by letting the water sit in the fridge in an open jug for a short period prior to consumption.

Is aluminium monitored in my drinking water?

Aluminium based salts (coagulants) are used to aid the removal of particles in conjunction with filtration which also removes residual aluminium. Isaac Regional Council monitors this as part of operational monitoring, testing to ensure levels in drinking water meet the ADWG. Samples are also measured by the NATA Laboratory run by Mackay Regional Council on a weekly basis.

What is turbidity?

Turbidity is a measurement of the light scattering property of water. It is caused by the presence of fine suspended matter such as clay and silt and can result in the water having a muddy or milky appearance.

Turbidity can shield microorganisms from disinfection so it is important that turbidity is low in drinking water.

Turbidity reduction most commonly occurs via coagulation, clarification and filtration water treatment processes. Isaac Regional Council monitors this with online systems and daily testing to ensure levels in drinking water meet the ADWQG.