FOCUS Newsletter - September 2020

SEPTEMBER

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www.banana.qld.gov.au

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Power station shutdown boost to local economy

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CEO’s Column

CS Energy Overhaul

Heavy Vehicle Bypass

Food Safety and COVID-19

2020/21 Budget

Biloela I Moura I Taroom I Banana I Baralaba I Dululu I Goovigen I Jambin I Thangool I Theodore I Wowan I Cracow

CEO’s Column THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CERTAINLY CHANGED THE WAY WE ALL CONDUCT BUSINESS AND IT HAS PLACED SIGNIFICANT STRAIN ON MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES AND AS A RESULT THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

CONTACT COUNCIL P (07) 4992 9500 | F (07) 4992 3493 E enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au Postal Address: PO Box 412, Biloela Q 4715

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRES Biloela Shire Chambers 62 Valentine Plains Road Biloela QLD Australia 4715 8am to 5pm Mon-Fri Moura Administration Office Gillespie Street Moura QLD Australia 4718 8.30am to 4.30pm Mon-Fri Taroom Administration Office Yaldwyn Street Taroom QLD Australia 4420 8am to 5pm Mon-Fri For after hours emergencies visit www.banana.qld.gov.au/contact-us

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Contact Michael at Interactivink 07 3334 8000 michael@interactivink.com.au

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hen setting its 2020/21 budget in June, Council was extremely mindful of the impact the pandemic has had on local residents and after a lot of deliberation was able to keep the increase in the general rate down to about 1% on commercial and residential properties.

It was an extremely challenging exercise, ensuring the increase was kept to a minimum, without impacting on the delivery of essential services to our ratepayers.

Equipment, materials and services used by Council regularly increase in price, usually in line with CPI. So a lot of work was done to ensure the increases this year were not reflected in our rates.

With the recent increases in COVID-19 cases in south-east Queensland, Council has resumed holding weekly briefing sessions with our senior management team to ensure that all the correct safeguards are implemented to reduce the possibility of the virus reaching our Shire and to ensure, in the unlikely event that it does raise its head in our region, that Council is prepared so that an outbreak does not impact on the delivery of our essential services.

Earlier this year Council benefited from a $1 million grant from the Federal Government’s Drought Fund Project.

Parts of this Shire suffered through an extended dry period and when identifying projects that this money could assist,

Contact your Councillor

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Mayor Nev Ferrier

0448 011 814

Division 1 | Cr John Ramsey

0478 198 499

Division 2 | Cr Judy Pender

0429 922 859

Division 3 | Cr Philip Casey

0499 043 719

Division 4 | Cr Colin Semple

0437 740 189

Division 5 | Cr Brooke Leo

0438 110 325

Division 6 | Cr Terri Boyce

0427 283 202

ON THE BANANA SHIRE

Council wanted to ensure all communities across the Callide Dawson shared in the funding and that the communities get maximum benefit from the projects.

These projects include: bitumen access road at the Biloela Showgrounds, a new shade structure in Moura’s CBD, a generator for the Wowan Multi-purpose Centre, bores to assist with roadworks, stabilisation of the riverbank at the Baralaba picnic area, mobile disabled access to stages within shire-managed halls, investigation into ground water irrigation for Biloela sporting clubs, water upgrades in Dululu, foyer and bar upgrades at the Kianga Hall in Moura, roof repairs and insulation to Banana Hall, electrical upgrade at the Biloela Civic Centre, ground and hall upgrades at Goovigen, solar power installation at Moura and Biloela swimming pool complexes, safety modifications to the cattle yards in Taroom and arena resurfacing at the Theodore Sport and Recreation Grounds.

Council also received $1,390,000 from the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland COVID recovery program.

This funding will be used to install CCTV cameras at landfills in the Shire, upgraded entry lighting at Thangool Airport, upgrade sound and lighting at Biloela Civic Centre, new pound facilities in Biloela, new amenities block at Glebe Weir, security improvements at Taroom Showgrounds, Moura leash-free dog park, amenities block at the Baralaba RSL Hall, improvements at Moura Lions Park, footpaths in Theodore and Thangool, stabilisation of the Don riverbank and replacement of damaged playground equipment in Melton Park Biloela.

Banana Shire Council is extremely grateful to the Federal and State Governments for the funding it has received from these programs. They will allow Council to upgrade several important community facilities and vital pieces of Council infrastructure, which, without this funding, may not have been able to proceed.

Tom Upton | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

SEPTEMBER 2020

CS Energy OVERHAUL A $60 MILLION OVERHAUL PROGRAM IS RUNNING AT CALLIDE POWER STATION FROM JUNE TO NOVEMBER 2020, CREATING WORK FOR ABOUT 140 QUEENSLAND CONTRACTORS AND $6 MILLION IN FLOW-ON BENEFITS TO BILOELA.

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nergy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the overhauls would also bring up to 60 specialist interstate contractors to Biloela under strict hygiene and safety measures in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“The overhaul will create jobs for electricians, boilermakers, riggers, fitters, welders, scaffolders and crane drivers as well as interstate specialist weld testers and generator circuit breaker technicians,” Dr Lynham said.

“The overhaul workforce will take up rooms in our local accommodation across the Banana Shire, eat in local restaurants and spend their days off relaxing and supporting cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs and other businesses.

“That’s extra customers and dollars coming through the doors until the overhaul ends on 30 November, supporting local jobs.”

Banana Shire Director of Corporate and Community Services Venkat Peteti said Council had put together a welcome pack for the contractors.

“Council reached out to the Chambers of Commerce and Progress Associations across the Shire and asked them to supply business and tourism promotional material for their communities. This material, along with some Shire promotional brochures, were packaged up and handed to the contractors.

“The aim was to showcase what our communities have to offer and encourage the contractors to visitor our region and support our local businesses during their stay here.”

CS Energy is overhauling the B1 and C4 generating units at Callide Power Station to ensure they operate safely and reliably, particularly over the summer peak demand period.

SEPTEMBER 2020

While the overhauls are underway, the power station’s two remaining units will continue to generate electricity and there is plenty of spare capacity at other power stations in Queensland.

Andrew Cashin is the Health and Safety Business Partner at CS Energy’s Callide Power Station. Andrew leads a team of four people who oversee health and safety at the power station. Andrew has worked at Callide for three years and loves living in Central Queensland.

1. How is CS Energy supporting communities?

CS Energy’s overhauls provide significant flow-on economic benefits to the Banana Shire. The extra workers in town for the overhaul stay in the Banana Shire.

Another way that CS Energy supports local communities is through our Community Sponsorship Program. We provide sponsorships in two funding rounds each financial year for projects that we believe will have a lasting, positive impact on the community. In the last financial year, CS Energy provided more than $108,000 in sponsorships in the Banana Shire to worthy recipients such as local kindergartens, schools and sporting clubs.

2. How many staff are working in Biloela? What type of work are they doing?

More than 250 people work at Callide Power Station in a variety of trades, technical and professional roles. A power station is a complex industrial site so you need everyone, from the people who operate and maintain the plant to people who work in functional support roles like mine and in fields such as environment, chemistry and finance.

3. When did the shutdown commence and how long does it run for?

The overhaul is running from June to November 2020. This overhaul is longer than previous shutdowns to accommodate the necessary COVID-19 controls to keep power station workers and the community safe.

4. What are some of the COVID-19 controls for the overhaul?

Since earlier this year, CS Energy

has been implementing its Pandemic Response Plan, which includes social distancing, hygiene protocols and increased cleaning measures.

With the extra workers on site for the overhaul we introduced additional measures such as a dedicated Hygiene Management Plan; additional hygiene stations; limits for the number of people in lifts, crib rooms and work spaces; and all workers being required to sign a COVID-19 declaration before entering site. There is also a specific induction for the construction work and the COVID-19 controls.

We have also appointed a Hygiene Facilitator for this overhaul to ensure the required COVID–19 controls are in place and working.

5. How many contractors will be involved in the overhaul, and what type of contractors are involved?

Where do they come from?

There will be up to 200 temporary contractors working on the Callide overhaul, with most of them coming from Queensland. An overhaul requires a large variety of workers, including electricians, boilermakers, riggers, fitters, welders, scaffolders, crane drivers, weld testers and generator circuit breaker technicians.

6. Are any special events held for the benefit of the contractors?

It’s a pretty jam-packed work schedule, but CS Energy and our Alliance Partner Downer do make time for periodic barbecues on site to recognise the hard work everyone is doing on the overhaul.

www.banana.qld.gov.au

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Opening of THREE CHAIN ROAD A NEW ROAD CONNECTING THE LEICHHARDT HIGHWAY AND THE DAWSON HIGHWAY HAS BEEN OPENED IN MOURA.

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nglo American and Banana Shire Council worked together to open the 12.7 kilometre Three Chain Road across the mining lease.

Construction also included upgrading Memorial Drive, which is a 4.3 kilometre road that leads to the Moura No. 2 Memorial and relocated viewing platform.

Anglo American’s Dawson Mine General Manager Clarence Robertson said, “We are pleased to partner with Banana

Shire Council to deliver this critical road infrastructure for the region.

“Throughout the duration of the project we worked with local suppliers and procured the majority of material used from the local area.

“We’re confident Three Chain Road, Memorial Drive and the relocated viewing platform will be important infrastructure for the region, supporting local tourism.”

The 12.7 kilometre road connects the Leichhardt Highway with the Dawson

Highway across the mining lease. Anglo American began construction of Three Chain Road in 2018, following the closure of Gibihi Road in 2017.

Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier said, “It is terrific that this vital piece of infrastructure has been completed and is now open to the public.

“It provides a vital link and quick access for rural residents living east of the mine to the township of Moura, the Queensland Cotton processing facility, Graincorp’s storage and handling facility and the livestock selling facility on the western side of Moura. It also provides a quicker and improved access to the mine for employees living in Moura.

“I would like to thank all affected landholders and community members for their patience and understanding following the closure of Gibihi Road and during construction of Three Chain Road.”

The Three Chain Road project used a total of 2,025m3 of concrete, 410,000 tonnes of road base and over 354,128 people hours.

Opening of Three Chain Road (L to R): Dawson Mine GM Clarence Robertson; Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier; Anglo American Executive Head of Open Cut Operations Hans Hayes.

Three Chain Road was opened to the public on Wednesday 26 August 2020.

Banana Shire Interagency Meetings GO VIRTUAL in 2020 INTERAGENCY MEETINGS, CONDUCTED ACROSS THE BANANA SHIRE, ENABLE SERVICE PROVIDERS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND THE PUBLIC TO DISCUSS AVAILABLE AND NEEDED SERVICES.

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eetings are open to government and non-government organisations, clubs, community

groups, church groups and interested individuals who are residents of the region or provide services to the area.

These meetings aim to: ■ build relationships and partnerships to address community needs; ■ maintain a communicative and supportive network in our local area;

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■ facilitate the provision of a seamless holistic service to residents.

Council currently coordinate these meetings in Biloela, Moura and Taroom.

Given the restrictions for gatherings enforced as a result of COVID-19, these groups have seamlessly shifted to meeting virtually and the connections continue to benefit many.

It’s not too late to get involved! To find out more about what’s going on in your local community and to share information

ON THE BANANA SHIRE

about any organisations you are involved with, why not consider joining one of the final meetings for 2020 – whether they be virtual or face-to-face.

Remaining meeting dates for 2020: ■ Biloela – Thursday 26 November ■ Moura – Thursday 19 November ■ Taroom – Friday 27 November

For more information about these meetings and how you can be involved contact Melinda Petty – Council’s Community Development Advisor – on (07) 4992 9500

SEPTEMBER 2020

Heavy Vehicle BYPASS CONSTRUCTION OF A HEAVY VEHICLE BYPASS AT BILOELA WILL COMMENCE THIS YEAR.

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he $2.97 million project will see heavy vehicles travel down Shepherdsons Road, east of Biloela, onto Jambin-Dakenba Road and then onto Quarrie Road and the Dawson Highway, avoiding Biloela’s CBD and school districts.

would reduce heavy vehicle traffic through Biloela, easing congestion and improving safety.

“This critical project will upgrade the proposed bypass route to deliver a safe and accessible diversion away from the town centre for heavy vehicles, bolstering local freight connectivity and efficiency while reducing travel times and improving safety for all road users around Biloela,” he said.

The project will be funded by $2.1 million from the Federal Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance fund with the remainder funded by Banana Shire Council.

Banana Shire Mayor Nev Ferrier said the bypass had been a priority for some time and the project would support Council’s workers and the Shire’s contractors.

“Council is proud to be working with the Australian Government to make it a reality for our community,” Cr Ferrier said.

Flynn MP Ken O’Dowd said roads were the primary connection between renowned local producers and their customers and the bypass would become a safe and accessible diversion option for heavy vehicles.

Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack said starting the roadworks

Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd; Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack; Banana Shire Mayor Nev Ferrier

Draft Banana Shire Council Planning Scheme OVER RECENT YEARS BANANA SHIRE COUNCIL HAS BEEN DEVELOPING A NEW PLANNING SCHEME TO REPLACE THE CURRENT BANANA AND TAROOM SHIRE PLANNING SCHEMES AND TO PROVIDE UNIFORM PLANNING REGULATION ACROSS THE ENTIRE SHIRE FOLLOWING THE 2008 AMALGAMATION.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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he new planning scheme has been submitted to the State Government for a review of the manner in which it addresses matters of State planning interest. Council is expecting the State Government to provide its permission to release the draft for public comment. Comments may be about the policy of the document or about how the new planning scheme may affect individual properties.

For information on when the new planning scheme is released, continue to monitor Council’s website as a statement will be added to the “Latest News” section and a special link provided in the Council Services/Planning and Development/Planning tab to the new planning scheme and a special tool for searching individual properties.

www.banana.qld.gov.au

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Banana Shire Council Community Grants Program The final round for 2020 closes 5pm Friday 30 October

ELIGIBLE COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE INVITED TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR FUNDING AND ASSISTANCE VIA COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM.

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pplication forms and further information on the Community Grants Program can be found on Council’s website – www.banana.qld. gov.au/community-grants.

For assistance in completing the forms and for any enquiries regarding the program, applicants are encouraged to contact Melinda Petty, Community Development Advisor, on (07) 4992 9500.

Successful recipients for the July 2020 Round: ■ Leichhardt Branch Australian Stock Horse Society Inc – $2500 towards fit out of mobile office

Artist and Owner, Wayne Martin of Ngurambang Cultural Education and Aboriginal Art, pictured with his family in front of one of the aluminium art panels created for Theodore Early Childhood Centre’s entrance beautification project. Theodore Early Childhood Centre Association received a $2000 grant via Council’s Community Grants Program in February 2020.

■ Biloela Dementia Action Alliance – $3000 towards Enabling EDIE training course ■ Endeavour Foundation Biloela – $1340 towards venue hire and catering for Cent Sale fundraiser ■ Theodore Community Link – $2398.75 towards lifting platform and gym flooring for community gym ■ PCYC Qld (Biloela PCYC) – $2500 towards security upgrade for entrance to gym ■ Banana Shire Art Gallery Assoc – $1500 towards catering, gallery hire and advertising for the 2020 Brigalow Arts Festival ■ St Joseph’s Catholic Kindergarten – $1298.90 to install water pump and connect to town water for natural outdoor play space.

Australia Day Awards – NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! THE 2021 BANANA SHIRE AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS WILL BE HOSTED BY THE BANANA COMMUNITY AT THE BANANA SPORTS AND RECREATION GROUNDS.

Nomination forms and an information pack can be found on Council’s website at www.banana.qld.gov.au and hard copies are available from Council’s Customer Service Centres and Libraries.

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■ Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year

he Australia Day Committee are now calling for nominations for the various Australia Day Awards.

■ Cultural and Junior Cultural – Artist and/or Arts Worker

These awards recognise and honour the

■ Volunteer of the Year

outstanding achievements of Australians.

■ Junior and Senior Sportsperson

Shire residents and organisations are

■ Sports Coach, Official and/or Administrator

asked to support these awards by

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Award categories are:

nominating members of their community

■ Community Group or Team

in appreciation of their efforts.

■ Community Event of the Year

ON THE BANANA SHIRE

NOMINATIONS CLOSE AT 5PM FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER, 2020 The winners will be announced and awards presented at the 2021 Australia Day Celebrations.

For more information contact the Banana Shire Australia Day Committee on (07) 4992 9500 or email enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au – ATTN: Australia Day Committee

SEPTEMBER 2020

INFRASTRUCTURE Services CURRENT PROJECT STATUS ■ RURAL CONSTRUCTION • T heodore Moura Road, Theodore/ Moura – Construction on the floodway widening and approaches at Four Mile Creek, the project will change the alignment and road width through the creek and address a known safety hazard.

This project has been jointly funded by the Banana Shire Council and the State Government (Black Spot Program).

■ RURAL DRAINAGE • G oovigen Rannes Road, Goovigen – Harris Creek Floodway extension.

• T errencevale Road, Theodore – Floodway reconstruction.

■ DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS WORKS • W ork has commenced on the 2020/21 Baralaba Woorabinda Road reseal preparation project.

■ PRIVATE WORKS • W orks on Injune Road on behalf of Santos have commenced with a formation grade of the road complete. Gravel re-sheeting commenced last May with works continuing into the 2020/21 financial year.

■ UNSEALED ROAD MAINTENANCE • T he rain event in February/March caused significant damage to the unsealed road network. With no additional event funding, the roads will remain in a safe but reduced level of gravel coverage due to the loss in the rain event.

■ PARKS, GARDENS & OPEN SPACES • F resh mulch has been added to gardens in Biloela.

• S treet sweeping of all town streets and major intersections in Biloela, Thangool and Moura was carried out.

• N umerous trees along McCanes Road, Engles Road, Beldeen Road – Goovigen were removed to improve visibility.

• P lanning is underway to provide ratepayers access/security for all of the waste transfer stations with Baralaba, Jambin and Wowan to be completed by November. Following these trial sites, installations will be budgeted in the next financial year for the remainder of the unmanned sites.

■ BUILDING SERVICES • B uilt Environment is completing an upgrade of power at the Biloela Civic Centre and the installation of shade structures in Gillespie Street, Moura.

• T he canopy of all noticeable trees in Biloela were lifted.

• T he pipeline for the Magavalis bore and water pipeline has been installed and the successful contractor is currently undertaking works with Ergon.

• T wo permanent skate ramps have been installed at the skate slab in Banana.

• A site layout for the new pound facility and Land Protection office is underway.

• T wo barbecues were removed from Tom Dawson Park in Biloela.

• A n investigation is underway to determine the location for new Glebe Weir amenities and shelters.

■ COUNCIL SERVICES • B ounties were paid for the scalps of 32 dingoes and three foxes during July.

• T here were seven dogs and 16 cats impounded.

Biloela Drainage has begun construction along Goovigen Rannes Road at Harris Creek to extend the existing floodway.

SEPTEMBER 2020

■ WASTE TRANSFER STATIONS

Construction is underway in the reseal prep works under Department of Transport & Main Roads along Baralaba Woorabinda Road.

www.banana.qld.gov.au

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Food Safety and COVID-19 AUSTRALIAN FOOD SAFETY WEEK 2020 WILL BE HELD IN NOVEMBER 2020 WITH THE THEME “FOOD SAFETY – IT’S IN YOUR HANDS”, BUILDING UPON THE GOOD BEHAVIOUR ESTABLISHED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO CONTINUE TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FOODBORNE DISEASE.

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he Food Safety Information Council (FSIC) have provided the tips below relating to food safety for householders during the COVID-19 pandemic, but most of these tips are relevant at any time.

it is online grocery deliveries or takeaway from your favourite restaurant. Make sure hot food, or food that needs refrigeration or freezing isn’t left more than an hour on the doorstep.

■ HAND WASHING

Do not prepare food for other people if you are unwell, with a respiratory illness or gastro, as you risk passing the illness on to them. Cover all coughs and sneezes so you don’t contaminate the kitchen environment and food. Wash hands regularly and clean benches and utensils.

If you are the only available cook, cook a frozen meal or something simple that requires minimal handling, or order a home delivered takeaway.

It’s great to see everyone focused on washing their hands often with soap and running water for 20 seconds (a survey last year found 40% of respondents admitted that they didn’t always wash their hands before touching food). Soap is important as it breaks down the fats and grime on our hands and helps remove viruses and bacteria. Both liquid soap and bar soap are fine. The running water helps further by washing the grime, viruses and bacteria away. Use alcohol gel if hand washing facilities aren’t available.

■ HAND DRYING Do this for 20 seconds too as dry hands are less likely to pick up viruses and bacteria. If you are using a public washroom use either paper towel or an electric hand dryer but you may need to dry a little longer with the electric dryer depending on its power. Use a clean, dry towel at home and you will need to replace wet towels more often with increased hand washing.

■ SHOPPING Follow the instructions provided by your supermarket or food retailer about hand hygiene and social distancing to protect yourself and others. Avoid putting unpackaged fresh fruit and veg directly into your trolley – use the plastic bags provided for your fresh produce. Don’t handle produce items and put them back for others or taste test the grapes as you touch your mouth with your hands. Wash your hands immediately when you return home from shopping and again after putting away groceries.

■ HOME DELIVERIES We will be likely to eat more homedelivered food in coming times, whether

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■ IF YOU ARE ILL

■ FRESH PRODUCE Fresh fruit and vegetables should be washed under running water before you eat them. Don’t use hand sanitiser or body soap to clean produce as these may contain chemicals you don’t want to consume (and it will taste nasty!). If you grow your own food, don’t water it with “grey” water from washing machines, baths, showers or hand washing.

■ STORING FOOD AND DATE LABELS Food must be used or frozen by its use by date. Check any storage instructions on packaging such as “store under 4°C”, “keep frozen” or “use within 3 days of opening package”. Food can still be sold or eaten after its best before date but may have lost some nutrition or quality. Put newly purchased items at the back of the pantry shelf or fridge so you use older items first.

■ COOKING If you are bulk cooking soups, casseroles and stews for freezing, divide the food into small containers like take away containers so that it cools faster, label with the date, and refrigerate or freeze. Don’t let the food cool to room temperature as bacteria can grow and dangerous toxins can form. Use any refrigerated food within 2 to 3 days or freeze it. If you are new to cooking,

ON THE BANANA SHIRE

especially while you are home more, try simple dishes at first and follow the recipe.

■ REFREEZING FOOD It is safe to refreeze food that has been defrosted, for example if you defrosted too much meat for dinner, as long as it hasn’t been left on the bench to defrost.

Refrozen food may be slightly watery and lose a little quality as freezing breaks down the food structure. You can also defrost food to cook into a dish and then refreeze the dish. You can usually find out how long various foods will last in the freezer from information on the lid or door of your freezer.

■ DON’T TAKE FOOD POISONING RISKS Reduce your risk of food poisoning by always washing your hands, chopping boards and utensils after handling raw meat, raw poultry and egg shells. Use a meat thermometer to cook riskier foods such as sausages, hamburgers, rolled roasts, minced meat and leftovers to 75°C in the centre. Eggs are nutritious and convenient but raw or slightly cooked egg dishes such as mayonnaise, eggnog, health shakes, steak tartare and mousses are a food poisoning risk and best avoided. Use a fridge thermometer to check your fridge is always running at 5°C or below. If you don’t have a meat or fridge thermometer order one next time you do some online shopping.

More food safety information can be found on the FSIC website www.foodsafety.asn.au Another useful link is “Novel Coronavirus and Food Safety” on www.foodstandards.gov.au

SEPTEMBER 2020

BANANA SHIRE

PLEASE CONTACT COUNCIL ON (07) 4992 9500

RATES

2020/2021 RATES NOTICE DATES UPDATE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS WITH COUNCIL Ratepayers who have changed their mailing address and failed to notify Council run the risk of not receiving their rates notice and missing out on discounts offered.

If you have changed your mailing address please notify Council in writing so your details can be updated. Address changes will not be accepted over the telephone and must be signed by at least one owner.

Application forms are available from Banana Shire Council website or offices.

PREPAY YOUR RATES Get ahead of your bill by prepaying rates throughout the year.

You can use the BPAY biller code and reference number from your rates notice to set up weekly, fortnightly or monthly BPAY payment installments.

EMAIL

RECEIVE YOUR RATES NOTICE BY EMAIL

Having issues with the mail getting to you?

Are you travelling within Australia or abroad?

You can now receive your rates notice – anytime, anywhere – via email. Find the eNotices logo on your rates notice to register online.

if you have not received your rates notice

JULY – DECEMBER 2020

JANUARY – JUNE 2021

ISSUE: 13 August 2020

ISSUE: 11 February 2021

DUE: 17 September 2020

DUE: 18 March 2021

PENSIONER RATE SUBSIDY A State Pensioner Subsidy and Council Pensioner Subsidy is available for eligible pensioners on all current rates and charges as levied (excluding the Taroom Rural Water Connection Special charge). The State Fire and Emergency Services also grant eligible pensioners a discount on the State Emergency Management Levy.

Eligibility requirements include: ■ M ust be a holder of a Queensland Pension Concession Card or a Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (Senior Card holders are not eligible).

■ Must be the owner or life tenant of the property and legally responsible for paying government rates and charges.

■ Subsidies can only be granted on the principal place of residence.

Application forms are available from Banana Shire Council website or offices.

RATES PAYMENT COMMITMENT Council encourage people who are experiencing difficulties in paying their rates to submit a Rates Payment Commitment application by the due date. Application forms are available from Banana Shire Council website or offices.

Gates & Grids Considering installing a gate or grid on a Council Road? The following information has been prepared to assist you with the requirements of the installation of gates and grids on council controlled roads.

To install a gate or grid on a council road, a Minor Works on Roads Application must be completed and submitted to council. The application process includes the submission of: ■ Minor Works on Roads application form ■ Indemnity form ■ Locality plan (should clearly identify the site both at a high level and close in perspective) ■ Construction plan ■ Traffic Management Plan (how the road is to remain open during construction) ■ Anything else you might think is prudent to the project. The more information the better!

SEPTEMBER 2020

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The Minor Works on Roads Application can be found on www.banana.qld.gov. au/council-services/infrastructureservices/minor-works-on-roads.

Council officers from the Infrastructure, Environmental and Safety departments will review the application and provide response within 10 business days.

To help facilitate the design and construction, standard drawings and construction methods can be found on the Capricorn Municipal Development Guidelines (CMDG). Any differences to the stated guidelines should be clearly indicated on the construction plans and endorsed by a suitably qualified professional.

If there are any questions or enquiries regarding the installation of a gate or grid, or the Minor Works on Roads process please contact the Infrastructure Technology Team at Banana Shire Council on (07) 4992 9500.

www.banana.qld.gov.au

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BANANA SHIRE | REGIONAL ART GALLERY VISIT THE GALLERY | FREE ENTRY 62 Valentine Plains Road, Biloela

CONTACT THE GALLERY Shanna Muston | Arts and Cultural Advisor P: 4992 9500 E: enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au www.banana.qld.gov.au LIKE US on Facebook Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery FOLLOW US on Instagram bananashireregionalartgallery

WEEKEND HOURS Saturday 19 September 10am – 12pm Saturday 17 October 10am – 12pm Check the Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery website or Facebook page for up-to-date information.

EXHIBITIONS: JABU BIRRINY (LAND + SEA) Contemporary stories by Yarrabah artists Main Gallery | 21 Aug – 2 Oct 2020 Jabu Birriny (land + sea), pronounced Jah-boo Bir-rinee, celebrates the unique environment of Yarrabah and its ongoing importance to culture and people.

Located on the shore of Cape Grafton in Far North Queensland, Yarrabah is the traditional Country of the Gunggandji people. It is a dynamic Aboriginal community surrounded by tropical native bushland and mountain ranges united by sandy coastlines and coral reefs. Jabu Birriny shares stories rich in lineal and recent histories through vibrant prints, intricately woven vessels and textured ceramics that embody the land and sea.

JABU BIRRINY EXHIBITION OPENING: Saturday 5 Sept 10am – 12pm (RSVP Essential) Acknowledgements: Jabu Birriny (land + sea) exhibition was developed by State Library of Queensland (SLQ) in partnership with Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct (YACP), touring by Flying Arts Alliance thanks to Arts Queensland via the Playing Queensland Fund.

UNSEEN | Works from the Banana Shire Art Collection Palm Tree Room | 24 Aug – 2 Oct 20

Mayi Bugaam – Sea, 2017, Edna Ambrym. Photo by Mick Richards Photography. Courtesy of Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct.

Banana Shire Art Gallery Association Inc. proudly presents the Brigalow Arts Festival. Hosted annually in October the festival is Banana Shire’s local visual art awards. Entries are now open with over $10,000 in prize money on offer.

Unseen showcases the work of printmakers Mary Norrie and Beverley Johnson. This selection of works from the collection has not yet been exhibited. The works on paper came into the collection unframed and have recently been prepared for display as part of ongoing collection care.

Main Gallery & Palm Tree Room

2020

Judge: Lesley Kane Key Dates: Entry Forms & Fees Due: Friday 25 Sept Artwork Delivery: Wednesday 7 Oct Festival Opening & Presentations: Friday 16 Oct Exhibition Open: 17 Oct – Friday 27 Nov Entry forms are available to download from our website.

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ON THE BANANA SHIRE

SEPTEMBER 2020

2020/21 BUDGET

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he 2020/21 budget aims to deliver a record capital works program totalling $28,000,000 with approximately $11,500,000 funded through external sources.

The Capital Program includes: ■ $415,000 on aerodromes ■ $325,000 on bikeways and footpaths ■ $1,215,200 on bridge upgrades and replacements ■ $11,870,968 on roads and drainage ■ $1,516,000 on waste transfer stations and landfills ■ $2,643,000 on sewerage assets ■ $3,664,000 on water assets ■ $2,934,000 on plant replacements ■ $3,117,000 on building and facility upgrades ■ $460,000 on community infrastructure ■ $407,000 on information technology Council will deliver a net result of $8,943,039 for the year after accounting for operations and capital income.

Council’s operating position will be brought back into balance within the next two budgets. A relative stable cash position is anticipated over the next financial year with Council cash holdings remaining between $25,000,000 and $30,000,000. Debt is expected to reduce to $4,900,000 at the end of the 2020/21 financial year.

Council has maintained staff numbers and service levels throughout the last few months and anticipates this will continue over the next financial year.

Notwithstanding this Council anticipates that most of the financial impact related to the coronavirus response will be felt in the second half of the 2020 calendar year. Given this, Council has adopted a rating strategy that seeks to minimise rate increases to businesses impacted by the coronavirus and drought-affected rural property owners. The vast majority of ratepayers in these categories will not see a rate increase this financial year.

There will be some rural ratepayers who see a marginal increase due to large increases in property valuations in rural properties across the Shire. Council has limited potential increases as a result of fluctuations in property values to less than 1% of rates paid last year.

Council has commenced a review of its rating strategy this year seeking to recover more of the cost burden that large industrial and resource-based ratepayers cost Council in terms of maintaining our assets such as the road network.

Council will work with these ratepayers over the next financial year to develop a strategy that properly reflects the cost of infrastructure to support their operations to make sure that they make a reasonable contribution to the cost of servicing our respective communities.

BSC OPERATING INCOME BSC OPERATING INCOME BUDGET 2020-2021 BUDGET 2020-2021 Fees Charges and Sales, 22%

Grants & Subsidies, 14%

SEPTEMBER 2020

Other Revenue, 2%

Key projects that are funded this financial year include: ■ Extension to the Biloela Community Resource Centre ■ Replacement of Taroom Sewerage Treatment Plant ■ Moura Water Clarifier Refurbishment ■ Replacement of the Gogango Creek (Wowan Westwood Road), Kariboe Creek (Aerodrome Road) and Tualka Creek (Ghinghinda Road) bridges ■ Gravel reseal of Taroom Aerodrome runway ■ Taroom Swimming Pool Amenities Block ■ Theodore Moura Road upgrades ■ Completion of Stage 3 of the Biloela Industrial Estate Council acknowledges the ongoing support of the Queensland State and Federal Governments in funding much of Council’s capital budget – many of these projects would not be feasible without this support.

I would like to recognise the efforts of Council’s finance staff in assisting with the preparation of this budget.

BSC BSC OPERATING EXPENDITURE OPERATING EXPENDITURE BUDGET 2020-2021 BUDGET 2020-2021 Water and Sewerage 17%

Rates and Utility Charges, 62%

As a result of this recovery strategy the overall increase in rates based on the above strategies for the 2020/21 financial year is 5.3%.

Executive, Governance & Councillors Waste 6% 5%

Infrastructure Services 42%

www.banana.qld.gov.au

Corporate & Organisational Services 20%

Council Services 10%

11

Council are excited to announce that we will be continuing our NAIDOC Week competition in 2020.

ompetition

2020 NAIDOC Week

Following the success of the competition in 2019, Council have committed to providing this opportunity for local youth involvement in NAIDOC Week again this year. naidoc.org.au

NAIDOC Week 8-15 nov 2020

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, official acknowledgement and celebrations have been postponed to 8-15 November. We will be running the competition during this time and judging/ presentation of awards will happen after the conclusion of NAIDOC week, subject to any necessary COVID-19 requirements at the time.

The competition will be launched on Council’s website and facebook page and emailed out to all schools in the coming months.

#NAIDOC2020 #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe

Artwork: Shape of Land by Tyrown Waigana

The Rainbow Serpent came out of the Dreamtime to create this land. It is represented by the snake and it forms the shape of Australia, which symbolises how it created our lands.

The colour from the Rainbow Serpent is reflected on to the figure to display our connection to the Rainbow Serpent, thus our connection to country. The overlapping colours on the outside is the Dreamtime. The figure inside the shape of Australia is a representation of Indigenous Australians showing that this country - since the dawn of time - always was, and always will be Aboriginal land. facebook.com/NAIDOC

@naidocweek

@naidocweek

For more information or to find out how your school can be involved contact: Council’s Community Development Advisor – Melinda Petty – on (07) 4992 9500