WESTERN DOWNS
Wire
MONTHLY UPDATE | MAY 2013
Bell Bunya Community Centre Officially Opens
From the Mayor’s Desk
Bell residents celebrated the official opening of the new $1.2 million Bell Bunya Community Centre – now a hub for travellers looking for information and for residents to facilitate community groups.
Recently Western Downs Regional Council took part in a Financial Summit in Brisbane about how local government can deliver services but with less money. Councillors are well aware of the impost of rate increases on residents and the need for service delivery and levels of service in our community. We are focused on how the Council can deliver an outcome that is beneficial to our community, especially with financial grants and subsidies from state and federal governments declining and putting additional strain on local government resources.
On 12 April, Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown and former Western Downs Councillor Mick Cosgrove cut the ribbon to declare Bell’s long-awaited multi-purpose community centre officially open. Located on the corner of Maxwell and Wallace Streets, the Centre houses a multi-purpose community meeting space, art gallery, café, visitor information centre, library, and community health rooms. The centre is open 10am to 3pm, seven days a week, excluding public holidays. For further information, call 1300 COUNCIL.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown, Cheryl Cosgrove and Mick Cosgrove cutting the ribbon to officially open Bell Bunya Community Centre.
News In Brief
Tues 14
Wed 15
Thur 16
LOCATION
8.30am – 11.00am
200 metres past the Crowders Creek Turn-off on left Tara
2.00pm – 3.00pm
Cnr Moonie Hwy and Apelts Road
Tara
8.30am – 10.00am
Columboola Creek near bridge on Warrego Hwy
Chinchilla
8.30am – 10.00am
Columboola Creek near bridge on Warrego Hwy
Miles
8.30am – 11.00am
Mitchell Lane Reserve, Gravel Pit
Meandarra
COUNCILLOR CONNECT
12.00pm – 1.30pm
Nudley School Road and Burra Burri Road Junction
Chinchilla
1.30pm – 2.30pm
Western Downs Council Depot, Leichhardt Hwy
Miles
Connect to Your Councillors today – visit www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/council/councillors for portfolio and contact details.
2.00pm – 3.00pm
Tara Council Depot
Tara
By Appointment Only
Miles Council Depot – starts 4.30pm. To book, call 1300 COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Miles
8.00am – 10.00am
Weranga Reserve
Tara
8.30am – 9.30am
Junction of Beelbee Road and Condamine Hwy
Chinchilla
9.00am – 10.00am
Moraby Creek-Old Roma Road
Miles
The next Ordinary Meetings of Council will be held at the Chinchilla Customer Service Centre at 9.30am on Wednesday, 15 May and at the Dalby Customer Service Centre at 9.30am on Wednesday, 5 June.
10.30am – 12.00pm
14 Mile Creek, Condamine Hwy
Chinchilla
1.00pm – 2.30pm
Dulacca Airstrip
Miles
1.30pm – 2.30pm
Wieambilla Creek on the Condamine Hwy
Chinchilla
1.30pm – 3.00pm
Meantara Reserve, Western Road
Tara
By Appointment Only
Chinchilla Council Depot – starts 4.30pm. To book, call 1300 COUNCIL
Chinchilla
By Appointment Only
Dalby Regional Saleyards – starts 4.30pm. To book, call 1300 COUNCIL
Dalby
7.00am – 8.30am
Roach Creek Bore
Wandoan
8.00am – 9.00am
Yamsion Rubbish Dump
Bunya Mtns
8.30am – 10.30am
Old Darr Creek Hall site, Chinchilla – Wondai Road 3.8km South of Darr Creek Oasis Service Station
Chinchilla
8.30am – 11.00am
Glenmorgan Water Facility
Glenmorgan
10.00am – 11.30am
Wonga Woodlawn Reserve
Bell
10.00am – 12.00pm
Roma-Taroom Road and Clifford Road Intersection
Wandoan
12.00pm – 1.30pm
Crossroads near the Cadarga Dip *
Chinchilla
1.00pm – 2.30pm
Recreation Reserve
Cooranga North
2.00pm – 3.00pm
Wandoan Saleyards
Wandoan
2.00pm – 4.00pm
Westmar Council Depot
Westmar
Tara Works Depot – starts 4.30pm. To book, call 1300 COUNCIL
Tara
7.30am – 8.15am
Cnr of Jandowae Connection and Langlands Road
Jandowae
8.30am – 10.30am
Gravel Pit 800 metres up Wombaland Road off Auburn Road *
Chinchilla
9.00am – 10.30am
Cnr Old Rosevale Road and Jolimont Road
Diamondy
12.00pm – 1.30pm
Auburn Reserve – Linden Turnoff *
Chinchilla
1.30pm – 3.00pm
Intersection of Gulera and Ducklo School Roads
Ducklo
Mon 13 – By Appointment Only Thur 16
Fri 17
Take advantage of Council’s free online events calendar to help promote community events across the Western Downs by submitting your event details at www.wdrc.qld.gov.au. For help in adding your event, please call 1300 COUNCIL.
TIME
WDRC advises that a regional wild dog baiting campaign is scheduled to take place between 13 and 17 May. This will be carried out at the following locations:
Mon 13
LIST YOUR EVENT
Rate notices for the period January to June 2013 are due for payment on or before Wednesday, 22 May. The normal 30 day payment discount period has been extended to 60 days. A leaflet containing details of rate relief arrangements as a result of the recent flooding, has been included with your rate notice. Residents who pay their account in full on or before the due date will receive a 10 per cent discount.
Wild Dog Baiting in May DATE
RATE NOTICES DUE
AREA
COMPANION CARD ACCEPTED People with a profound disability who need a carer to access Western Downs Regional Council-run facilities and events can now enter without having to pay for a second ticket. There is no age limit on who can apply for a card. For further information or to request an application form, contact the Companion Card Service on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or go to the website www.companioncard.gov.au and click on the map of Queensland.
The Tzu-Chi Foundation returned to the region last month for their annual dental fair in Tara, with in excess of 230 members of the local community taking advantage of this free service. Over the past month I was proud to attend the centenary celebrations of The Gums State School and the 75th Anniversary of the Cooranga North Church. It was fantastic to see many local people supporting these events. Also it was a great pleasure for Council to ask former Deputy Mayor Mick Cosgrove to officially open the Bell Bunya Community Centre in Bell. Council is proud to deliver such a wonderful facility for the Bell community.
Councillor Spotlight
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I would like to pass on my thanks and appreciation to Council staff, my fellow Councillors and the general public who have provided me with advice and information to help me through my first year on Council. I am certainly much wiser for the experience.
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Western Downs Regional Council is continuing to promote availability of industrial land across the region and I am quietly confident we are attracting more business to our region, especially in Chinchilla and Miles. I believe our region’s economy is in good shape with the Western Downs ranked well against other local government areas in the state according to the latest Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas, compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2011. Council’s own Advance Western Downs says: “Residents of the Western Downs are enjoying a relatively high level of social-economic advantage compared to the rest of Queensland, according to figures released by the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS).” For more information visit the Advance Western Downs website www.advancewesterndowns.com. With regard to tourism, Council is currently developing strategies to address the issue of limited accommodation, especially for the “grey nomads”, which has created some issues in promoting the wonderful events and destinations available in our area. Why not slip down to your local visitor information centre today and talk to our wonderful volunteers and find out what attractions you have within a day or a weekend trip. You can boost our economy and tourism by using your next break away to see some of our local and neighbouring attractions.
Rate Notice/s MUST be presented to receive 12 free baits per Lot and Plan. * If further baits are required especially at sites indicated with an asterisk, meat MUST BE supplied by the landowner (bait size = 250 gram) and will be injected free of charge. Can’t make it to a Baiting Station? An alternative time is offered in each area by appointment only. For more information call 1300 COUNCIL.
Spokesperson for Economic Development and Tourism Cr Tony Brame 0477 977 081
Works Projects May CHINCHILLA DISTRICT: Banana Bridge Rd – Resheet and seal, finish May Chinchilla Tara Rd/Vanrenan Rd Intersection – Intersection upgrade, finish May Gospers Rd – Form and gravel, finish May Ormonde Rd – Gravel resheet, finish May Zeller Street, Chinchilla Tara Road, Gaske Lane Intersection – Intersection upgrade, finish June
Power Station Rd – Upgrade: gravel and seal, finish June Various Rds Local Rds Network – Flood emergent works (Mar 2013 event), finish May Various Rds TMR – Flood restoration works (Nov 2011 event), finish June 2014
DALBY DISTRICT: Ayrton St – Flood reconstruction, finish June Branch Creek Rd – Flood reconstruction, finish May Coxen St – Flood reconstruction, finish May Edward St – Flood reconstruction, finish June Winton St – Flood reconstruction, finish June Wood St – Flood reconstruction, finish June
WANDOAN DISTRICT: Downfall Creek Rd, Upper Downfall Creek Rd – Upgrade: widen and seal, finish May Various Rds Local Rds Network – Flood emergent works (Mar 2013 event), finish May Various Rds TMR Network – Flood restoration works (Nov 2011 event), finish June 2014
MILES DISTRICT: Elerslea Ln – Upgrade intersection, finish June Leichhardt Hwy 116/26B/35 – Upgrade: widen and seal, finish June
A recent health report released by the State Government gave clear direction that the Coal Seam Gas Industry has not contributed to health issues in our rural residential estate areas. Council will continue to monitor the situation to assist in managing health issues across the region.
TARA DISTRICT: Leichhardt Hwy – Upgrade: widen and seal, finish May Males Drv – Resheet and seal, finish July
During all works traffic and pedestrian signs will be erected for public safety and residents are requested to follow the signed instructions at all times. Council regrets any inconvenience caused. Your patience is appreciated.
Planning Applications NEW APPLICATIONS FOR MARCH TO APRIL 2013
04/04/2013 Racecourse Road, Miles.................................................................. MCU Multiple Dwellings 04/04/2013 Racecourse Road, Miles.................................................................. MCU Multiple Dwellings
Received Address...................................................................... Approval Type Sought 04/04/2013 Racecourse Road, Miles.................................................................. MCU Multiple Dwellings 26/03/2013 27/03/2013 28/03/2013 28/03/2013 28/03/2013 28/03/2013 01/04/2013 02/04/2013 02/04/2013 02/04/2013 02/04/2013 03/04/2013 04/04/2013 04/04/2013
23 Waterloo Street, Wandoan......................................................................OW – Sewerage 24 Gormleys Road, Chinchilla...........................................................MCU Multiple Dwelling 10 Mayne Street, Chinchilla............................................................................. OW – Car Park 30-50 Warrego Highway, Chinchilla...................................... RTC Existing – Service Station 30-50 Warrego Highway, Chinchilla..................................................... RTC Existing – Shops 38 North Street, Wandoan................................................................MCU Multiple Dwelling 103 Mackie Street, Chinchilla.............................................................................OWs – Other 9 Racecourse Road, Miles............................................................... MCU Multiple Dwellings 10 Bishop Drive, Miles..................................................................... MCU Multiple Dwellings Myall Street, Dalby......... RTC Existing Extension of Office/Reception Area Existing Motel 1839 Knudsens Road, Auburn...........................................................Reconfiguration of a Lot 166 Drayton Street, Dalby.........................................................RTC Existing Office Premises Racecourse Road, Miles.................................................................. MCU Multiple Dwellings Racecourse Road, Miles.................................................................. MCU Multiple Dwellings
04/04/2013 04/04/2013 04/04/2013 08/04/2013 08/04/2013 09/04/2013 09/04/2013 09/04/2013 10/04/2013 11/04/2013 11/04/2013 11/04/2013 15/04/2013 15/04/2013
Daisy Street, Miles................................................................................................OW – Other 15-19 Taylor Street, Chinchilla..................................................RTC Existing Storage Facility Osbourne Street, Chinchilla.......................................................RTC Existing Storage Facility 78 Marian Street, Miles........................................MCU New Dwelling and Office Premises 17775 Warrego Highway, Dalby.........................................................................................ROL Mackie Street, Chinchilla............................................................................................OW Civil 4 Bishop Drive, Miles....................................................................... MCU Multiple Dwellings Racecourse Road, Miles.................................................................. MCU Multiple Dwellings 8 Hurse Street, Chinchilla................................................................ MCU Multiple Dwellings 21 Barnsley Street, Chinchilla......................................................... MCU Multiple Dwellings 14 Irvingdale Road, Dalby......................................................................................OW – Other 27 Malduf Street, Chinchilla.................................................................... MCU Industrial Use 10 Connelly Street, Dalby...............................................................MCU Multiple Occupancy 19 Hurse Street, Dalby..................................................................... MCU Multiple Dwellings
MCU = Material Change of Use ROL = Reconfigure a Lot OW = Operational Works RTC = Request to Change
Call 1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624)
www.wdrc.qld.gov.au