WESTERN DOWNS
HALF YEARLY UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2017
WESTERN DOWNS The Downs is alive with the sound of
OPERA AT JIMBOUR
TARA CAMEL RACES Q ueens of O FR
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ITAL ENERGY CAP A LI A TR OF AUS
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the desert
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OPERA AT JIMBOUR • TARA CAMEL RACES • HOME OF THE DRONES • CHINCHILLA PARKLANDS • JACKO CAVANAGH BRIDGE • ADOPT A STREET TREE • TRAINING AWARDS WDRC.QLD.GOV.AU
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FROM THE MAYOR There has never been a better time to live, work and play in the Western Downs, and the cultural richness, economic diversity and liveability of our region is being noticed not just within our own backyard, but further afield as well. To celebrate the vibrancy of our region we’ve revamped our Half-yearly Newsletter to bring you the new-look LOVE Western Downs magazine. Filled with the colour and character of our local communities, LOVE Western Downs is designed to showcase why there’s no better place than this region of ours. In this edition, we celebrate what has already been a spectacular year for regional events and recap the highlights of our 2017/18 Budget that continues to deliver on the things that matter to our communities. From beautifying our neighbourhoods thanks to our new ‘Adopt a Street Tree’ program to extending footpath networks across the region, it’s all about great liveability in the towns we call home.
Attending both Opera at Jimbour and the Tara Festival of Culture & Camel Races, I was blown away by the diverse range of visitors I met from near and far. With record crowds at both events, there is no clearer indication to me of the vibrancy of our region. Almost 10,000 joined us on the grand Jimbour Station to enjoy award winning opera with arguably one of the best backdrops you could find, and our country town of Tara saw an astounding 16,000 people enjoy three days of festivities.
I cannot praise enough the efforts of the hard-working committees and volunteers who bring us these incredible home-grown events. Culture also came to Dalby in August, with the Delicious and DeLIGHTful Festival seeing locals and visitors alike immerse themselves in multicultural food and entertainment. It was fantastic to see the
ever-popular Lantern Parade light up the banks of the Myall Creek, and sample tasty cuisines from across the globe. I cannot praise enough the efforts of the hard-working committees and volunteers who bring us these incredible home-grown events. You’re a huge part of why the Western Downs is firmly on the map as a ‘must visit’ destination for welcoming and unique events, filled with fun and spectacle. Our region continues to ensure its economic strength too, with a diverse economy that supports our traditional pillars such as agriculture and manufacturing, while paving the way with renewable energy, intensive agriculture and the resources sector. The success of Entrepreneurs EXPOsed in July, Council’s new event designed to kickstart business start-up ideas into reality, is another great example of how we’re leading the way in innovative solutions to attract new investment in regional Queensland. With all this attention, it seems the rest of Australia is catching on to what we here on the Western Downs have always known ... it really is a fantastic little part of the world! Cr Paul McVeigh Mayor
Cr Paul McVeigh
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WHAT’S INSIDE
ENTREPRENEURS EXPOSED From dreams to reality Camel Races at Tara.
LOCAL LEGEND Bridge restored to former glory FRIENDLY WELCOME Town signage revamp
PAGE 5 TOPNOTCH TRAINEE Brianna takes home the win
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ENERGY CAPITAL OF AUS We’re Open for Business
PAGE 8-9 OPERA AND CAMELS Bucket list events
September issue 2
HOME OF THE DRONES We’re up, up and away PAGE 11
PAGE 4 CHINCHILLA TO BLOOM Parklands taking shape
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ON THE COVER MIE DANE AND A H PEARCE WIT Y COD THEIR SONS EL AND I
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Our Councillors 01
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01 Cr Peter Saxelby (Spokesperson for Utilities) 02 Cr Andrew Smith (Spokesperson for Planning and Environment) 03 Cr Ray Brown (Spokesperson for Council Facilities) 04 Cr Carolyn Tillman (Spokesperson for Parks, Open Spaces and Cemeteries) 05 Cr Paul McVeigh (Mayor) 06 Cr Donna Ashurst (Spokesperson for Economic Development) 07 Cr Greg Olm (Spokesperson for Works and Technical Services) 08 Cr Kaye Maguire (Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development) 09 Cr Ian Rasmussen (Spokesperson for Finance and Corporate Services)
08 M THE EET TEAM
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VISIT O TO M UR WEBS ITE EET A LL COUN CILLO OUR RS wdrc .qld.g
ov.au
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STAY CONNECTED Did you know Council is now on Instagram? We love seeing great local faces and places, tag us with #lovewesterndowns
Find us on Facebook at Western Downs Regional Council Follow us on Instagram at @westerndownsrc Tweet us at @WesternDownsRC
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NEW SIGNS WELCOME YOU HOME Tired and sad town entry signs across the Western Downs are getting a much needed makeover with nine towns set to give residents and visitors a special welcome home. Installation of brand new signs in Bell, Dalby, Glenmorgan, Jandowae, Kaimkillenbun, Macalister, Tara, Wandoan, and Warra has already begun, giving our town entrances a colourful and timeless facelift.
Giving an added boost to the pride we have for our home towns, Council will also be complementing our new town entry signs with tree planting and garden landscaping in Dalby, Tara and Wandoan, thanks to funding received under the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program. So, next time you’re travelling around our great region don’t forget to keep an eye out for your town’s new welcome sign!
Our Community Team worked with local Chambers and key community representatives in all nine towns to create unique identifiers that reflect what each community is especially proud of.
PARKLANDS TO BLOOM IN CHINCHILLA From picnic areas to event spaces, through to open lawn, botanic gardens and designated visitor parking, Chinchilla didn’t hold back when it came to feedback on the Chinchilla Botanic Parklands Draft Master Plan — and we loved it! Council received some fantastic suggestions and positive feedback from the community
on the design which will see the development of a Parklands that our residents are passionate about and our visitors will enjoy. The feedback received will guide the final detailed landscape design of what will be constructed on the site, with works expected to start in February 2018.
A local legend who left a lasting impression on the Dalby community continues to live on with Council restoring the popular Jacko Cavanagh Bridge across the Myall Creek to its former glory (and then some!).
LOCAL LEGEND lives on with bridge reconstruction
Gone are the days of racing across the old unsafe timber bridge. Constructed to modern engineering standards from treated timber, the new pedestrian bridge captures the character of the original structure while bringing a fresh look to the Myall Creek Parklands for residents and visitors to enjoy. With the addition of a five metre viewing platform there’s plenty of opportunities to rest during your early morning stroll, take photographs of the majestic egrets, or to just relax and take in the scenery of the Myall Creek. During construction a piece, or two, of the Bridge’s history was also found, with divers locating the original sign, and Council’s Parks and Open Spaces Crew locating the story of the man behind the legend. Both the story and the name of ‘Jacko’ Cavanagh have now taken pride of place in a brand new plaque right next to the revamped bridge.
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Rohan Kuhl, Dan Walker, Robert Hazzard. Photo: Nicole McDougall
Livea
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With the community’s support thrown behind the leafy initiative, our streets are set to become more beautiful: one tree at a time. Launching as a part of the 2017/18 Budget, the ‘Adopt a Street Tree’ program is all about creating healthier, happier and closer communities, while keeping our towns welcoming and streets green and healthy. And it’s never been easier to do just that: with a simple phone call, or click of a button, residents can apply for a tree to be planted in front of their home at no cost to them. A total of 540 trees will be planted across the region for the first round alone.
with a simple phone call, or click of a button, residents can apply for a tree to be planted in front of their home at no cost to them.
Mayor Paul McVeigh is encouraging residents to show their community pride by helping to create greener streets for the future. “We’re very lucky to have a great mix of spaces, places and people across the Western Downs,” he said. “Adopting a street tree is a really simple way for residents to play an active role in investing back in the communities they love, while boosting liveability and fostering community spirit.” Cr Carolyn Tillman wishes to thank the community for their fantastic response, and can’t wait to see the results of the initiative. “We’re really looking forward to seeing our streets lined with beautiful trees, with our Parks and Open Spaces crews busy planting this month,” she said.
ADOPT A STREET TREE
Creating healthier communities
Registrations for Adopt a Street Tree are now closed for the current round, however, you can still be considered for the 2018 Adopt a Street Tree planting schedule. To register, simply submit a form online at Council’s website or call our friendly Customer Service Team on 1300 COUNCIL.
TOPNOTCH TRAINEE Council’s own Community Administration Officer Brianna Allen can now add 2017 Darling Downs South West Region Trainee of the Year to her long list of achievements, taking home the coveted award at the end of July.
CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES It’s no secret that connected communities are happier communities, and happy communities are great places to live. Thanks to a funding boost from the State Government’s Works for Queensland Program, Council will add 12kms to its existing network of footpaths across the region by June 2018, creating 40 new local jobs in the process. Cr Greg Olm said the Works for Queensland Program gave Council the opportunity to accelerate its regional footpath program, with a focus on better connecting our communities.
eability
“It’s great to see this king of jobs creation initiative adding to the great liveability for our region, and you can expect to see plenty of activity from now until November,” he said. The Regional Footpath Project under the 2017/18 Capital Works Program is an initiative of Western Downs Regional Council and the Queensland Government.
Mayor Paul McVeigh and Council’s Trainee of the Year, Brianna Allen.
From a competitive field of 800 applicants across the state, Brianna’s outstanding professional growth, commitment to her studies and exceptional
customer service throughout her Business Traineeship landed her the title. “For my work as a Trainee to be recognised outside of Council is unbelievable, and I am very grateful to have been awarded this title,” she said. Mayor Paul McVeigh said the award highlights Council’s commitment to support and invest in the growth of young people across the Western Downs. “It’s important to take the time and recognise those who are making real differences in their communities. It was a great pleasure to join Brianna at these awards,” he said.
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WHAT MY Rates? RATES? WhatDO do IIGET get FOR for my
Every $100 revenueISisUSED usedINin theFOLLOWING followingWAY: way: EVERY $100 OFof REVENUE THE LEGEND IN MY HOME DIRECTLY OUTSIDE MY HOME WIDER COMMUNITY
$3.66
$2.57
Corporate and Executive Services*
Environment & Health & Natural Resources
$1.89
$0.59
Tourism
Disaster Management
$1.71
$1.09
Planning, Building and Plumbing Services
Economic Development and Strategic Planning
$1.23
$7.12
Aged Care and Health Services
Waste Collection and Management
$40.96
$0.56
Roads and Bridges
Cemeteries
$1.63
$0.88
Stormwater Drainage
Footpaths
$4.10
$18.02
Facilities
Utilities – Water and Wastewater
$2.10 Libraries $2.20
$0.53
Pools and Sporting Fields
Streetlighting
$3.33
$5.83
Community, Cultural and Youth Programs
Parks and Showgrounds
Note: The above figures are based on recurrent expenditure excluding internal expenses. However, depreciation expenses are included and are invested into the replacement and management of Council assets. *Includes Executive and Councillors
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Follow us on Instagram at @westerndownsrc
Tweet us at @WesternDownsRC
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DULACCA DRILLHAM JANDOWAE
BRIGALOW WARRA
CONDAMINE
KAIMKILLENBUN
KOGAN
WHY WE CARE
BELL
JIMBOUR
GLENMORGAN MEANDARRA
We’re delivering on our 2017-2022 Corporate Plan with a Budget that builds on the strength and vitality of our region. It’s about operating within our means to provide value for money services and create communities that are great places to work, live and play.
MOONIE
2017/18 BUDGET — KEY PROJECTS Miles and District (Miles, Condamine, Dulacca, Drillham) – total 15 projects
Whole-of-Region – total 44 operational projects Regional Road Resheeting
Regional
$9.50M
Harphams Road Upgrade
Miles
$1.01M
White and Yellow Fleet Replacement
Regional
$3.72M
Nathan Road Reconstruct
Miles
$0.91M
Miles
$0.49M
Regional Road Reseals
Regional
$3.70M
Dulacca North Road Reconstruct
Regional Water Mains Replacements
Regional
$0.80M
RV Parking & Service Road (Eastern entry improvement at the Miles visitor centre)
Miles
$0.25M
Reseal Road Preparation
Regional
$0.50M
Hookswood - Pelham Road Miles, Road Realignment
Miles
$0.22M
Chinchilla and District (Chinchilla, Brigalow, Kogan) – total 28 projects
Tara and District (Tara, Meandarra, Moonie, Glenmorgan) – total 16 projects
Planning, Detailed Design & Consultation for Chinchilla Botanic Gardens (Year 2 of 3)
Chinchilla
Zeller Street - Mackie to Price Road Reconstruct
Chinchilla
$0.91M
Inverai Road Reconstruct
Chinchilla
$0.90M
Greenswamp Road, Bridge Replacement (Year 2 of 2)
Chinchilla
$0.86M
King Street - Chinchilla to Little Road Reconstruct
Chinchilla
$0.65M
$2.66M
Dalby and District (Dalby, Bell, Jandowae, Jimbour, Kaimkillenbun, Warra) – total 46 projects Knowles Pavilion Upgrade
Dalby
$1.90M
Pirrinuan-Apunyal Road Reconstruct
Dalby
$1.07M
Pirrinuan - Malakoff Road Reconstruct
Dalby
$0.94M
Inverai Road Reconstruct
Dalby
$0.78M
Warra - Manhull Road Reconstruct
Dalby
$0.66M
Roaches Road Reconstruct
Tara
$0.93M
Bullock Head Road Reconstruct
Tara
$0.67M
Surface Water Treatment Plant, Sludge Handling
Tara
$0.35M
Meandarra Waste and Recycling Centre
Tara
$0.27M
Tara Main Street Revitalisation (Replace the street furniture in the Main Street)
Tara
$0.15M
Clifford Road Bitumen Upgrade Stage 1
Wandoan
$3.57M
Clifford Road Bitumen Upgrade Stage 2
Wandoan
$3.21M
Bundi Road - Horse Creek Crossing Bridge Upgrade
Wandoan
$1.43M
Roche Creek Road Reconstruct
Wandoan
$1.26M
Old Chinchilla Road, Bridge Replacement
Wandoan
$0.50M
Grosmont Road – Wooleebee Creek Crossing, Culvert Replacement
Wandoan
$0.30M
Wandoan and District (Wandoan, Gulugubua) – total 17 projects
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OPERA AT JIMBOUR
OUT AND ABOUT
The music of love
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SEE YOU AG IN 2019
.au wdrc.qld.gov
04 01 Abby and Susie Zillman 02 Katie Noonan, Artistic Director of QMF dances with a girl form the crowd on stage 03 Event staff are all smiles as the sun shines on Opera 04 Visitors picnicking in style on the lawns of Jimbour House 05 WDRC Mayor Paul McVeigh, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Deb Frecklington MP and David Littleproud MP See more photos on Facebook at Western Downs Regional Council
With the iconic Jimbour House as the backdrop, good food, wine and beautiful music once again combined at the 2017 Opera at Jimbour.
desserts. And for taste of a different kind, handcrafted and artisan wares and eclectic finds from across the country also did a roaring trade on the grounds of the Homestead.
One of the region’s signature events, Opera at Jimbour saw over 9,000 attendees grace the lawns of the picturesque Jimbour Homestead for a day of picnicking, mingling, and of course, opera.
Cr Donna Ashurst maintained that Opera at Jimbour wasn’t just for the opera fans, with food, wine, market stalls and roving entertainment offering something for everyone.
Australia’s leading man David Hobson and silver-toned songstress Emily Burke took centre stage for Franz Lehar’s semi-staged operetta, The Merry Widow. The crowd was visibly enchanted by the performance, as they were invited to sing and waltz along. Of course, there’s no better accompaniment to beautiful music than mouth-watering food. A festival first, the ‘Market Lane’, with a total of 94 stall holders, delivered a variety of locally produced foods, from gourmet soups to wood fired pizzas and delicious
“It’s a great day out and a social calendar favourite for locals and visitors alike,” she said.
There’s nothing quite like listening to world-class opera with the grand Jimbour House as your backdrop. It’s definitely a bucket list event!
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Tourism / Regional P
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ON THE MAP Tara welcomed 16,000 event goers over the three-day festival, with a massive 1,530 campsites established for the event.
QUEENS OF THE DESERT
Pride
Kings of the track
JAM PACKED The Tara & District Historical Society sold 1,800 scones in the luncheon hall during the festival!
Owner and jockey, camelier Glenda Sutton. Queen of Camels. Photo: Stephen Mowbray.
TARA FESTIVAL OF CULTURE & CAMEL RACES Camels, culture, colour and cuisine made for a long weekend to remember when the 2017 Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races once again drew travellers from all over Australia in August. The biennial event, growing from humble beginnings in 2001, celebrates our region’s diversity: it’s not often that ‘culture’ and ‘camels’ feature in the same sentence, let alone the same occasion. But it’s this eclectic mix, in addition to yabby racing, markets, sheep shearing and live international music, that delivered both on and off the racetrack. As regional events go, they don’t come any more unique than this. Make sure to put it on your bucket list for 2019! See more on social #lovewesterndowns
HUMP DAY HEROES 19 camels took to the track to compete for ultimate glory: the Camel Cup. Shout out to Uncle Bob, Wookatok, Dodgy Dealer and Outlaw Bobaluie – just a few of our favourites!
TO FIND OUT MORE For more great events Follow Western Downs Invites you on Facebook and sign up to our eNewsletter at www.wdrc.qld.gov.au
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ENTREPRENEURS EXPOSED
Neil Soares and Suzanne Jarzabkowska of DC Strategy from Sydney.
Turning your business dreams into a reality has never been easier, thanks to the launch of the inaugural Entrepreneurs EXPOsed event in July. With an impressive lineup of 12 guest speakers and 21 franchises represented at the event, totaling over 200 attendees, Entrepreneurs EXPOsed brought together all the help and tools an entrepreneur needed to progress from an idea to a fully-fledged business plan. According to Mayor Paul McVeigh, there has never been a better time to become a business owner or franchisee in the Western Downs. “Our economy at the moment is not only thriving, but diversifying, and I think people both here and further afield are starting to sit up and pay attention,” he said. “It is events like this that help build our towns and assist in seeing us grow and prosper.” Stay tuned for the next Entrepreneurs EXPOsed event in 2018!
FOR MORE INFO VISIT OUR WEBSITE wdrc.qld.gov.au
HOME OF THE DRONES The sky’s the limit...
The sky’s the limit for the Western Downs, with our strong association with drone technology seeing our region uniquely positioned to become ‘The Home of the Drones’. With our unimpeded airspace, flat land and wide open spaces, Western Downs will once again host the UAV Challenge 2018 as part of its new and improved biennial Dalby Drone Forum. It’s clear that our community (and beyond) has embraced the ‘drone fever’, with Council hosting the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee Inquiry into Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology this year. In addition, well-known names in the drone industry are leading the pack in utilising our region’s ideal conditions and interest in the emergent technology. In conjunction with Council, Remote Aviation Australia awarded scholarships to two Dalby State High School Students, Ejypt Reuben and Patrick Young, to further their interests in drone technology. Further, the Western Downs is home to the world’s largest drone development program run by Institu Pacific. With the future of drone technology still up in the air, watch this space!
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Open for
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The Western Downs has an area of
38,000KM2 with a population of
33,444
ENERGY CAPITAL OF AUS With a slew of recently approved solar projects under our belt, the Western Downs has truly been cemented as ‘The Energy Capital of Queensland’, and we’re well on our way to becoming the Energy Capital of Australia. Over the past two years, Council has spearheaded unprecedented activity on the renewable energy front for our region. It’s obvious why: renewables are green, clean and bring extensive economic and employment benefits to our communities. Perhaps our most significant renewable announcement to date, the Wandoan South Solar Project, is expected to generate an investment of up to $1.5 billion and create up to 600 jobs across the three stages of
4.1%
unemployment rate, which is more than 2% under the Queensland average
Green, clean and renewable
development. Run by renewables giant Equis Energy, the solar project is said to be the largest in Australia, and one of the largest in the world.
... the Wandoan South Solar Project is expected to generate an investment of up to $1.5 billion and create up to 600 jobs ... If this milestone project is anything to go by, the message is being sent to both national and international investors that the Western Downs is open for business.
or Business
12.5%
annual growth per capita income
4.75%
growth in agriculture over 4 years
4,827
businesses with an average turnover of
$450K Statistics from latest Census data release. Figures for Western Downs LGA.
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SHOW US WHY YOU
#lovewesterndowns @sqcountry
@stuart_mckelvie
Find us on Facebook at Western Downs Regional Council Follow us on Instagram at @westerndownsrc Tweet us at @WesternDownsRC
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